DANGER

CHAPTER EIGHT

General Rotama got up in the morning, she checked her side of the bed, and he wasn't there, she lied back down, and she stared at the ceiling, thinking about what Julius said, maybe it true, she has been too strict on her warriors and has to let them relax. She got up to wash down but saw a letter pinned up by a dagger," Be safe my General, and send my regards to Noorebella" Rotama smiled to herself and remembered their night of passion. She likes Julius even though he was then a womanizer, he was still her only friend and the person who knew her well. She doesn't regret marrying him and he doesn't seem to mind her long and dangerous responsibilities. They both are for the betterment of the Kingdom. General Rotama stepped out dressed, the sun was about to rise " Gather all the Troop leaders, I want to have a meeting with them." She ordered the messenger who rode out hastily. She took a stroll through her Camp getting greetings.

" The General seems to be in a good mood today" asked by one of the elite archer.

" I heard Chief Julius visited last night" wriggling her brows to get her point across.

Astonished by the news " no wonder she is glowing" chipped in the stable keeper.

Within half an hour, the whole Dome knew, Julius visited, and the General has gotten laid.

Captains of each and every unit rode in on their horses, Noorebella not far behind. They were shown into the General's gathering hall, they went in to settle and wait for the General, wine was served to quench their thirst.

Murmurs started when Noorebella came into the gathering hall. They were impressed by her greatly, she was the youngest amongst them but her achievement not far behind, she greeted and sat down, the General entered, and her eyes flashed to her daughter's face. She stared and the place turned quiet as the two descendants of Pera gazed deeply into each other's eyes. General Rotama broke the eye contact and greeted the room. She began to address the issue at hand. "The King has sent an invitation; he is holding a contest and each and every warrior is allowed to participate. As you all know I don't entertain and allow such acts, but he will reward the winner greatly, I want to open the doors to our warriors to complete if any wants to, so that they can be expose to new skills and environment"

"General, you are allowing us to join, why" voices agreed with the question

" I have been extra strict with all of you, and I want to give you some freedom, since the contest will be held for a whole week, I think it a good idea for the warriors to visit home, have fun and relax a little ". Unbelievable, is the General really saying this, for them to relax.

Many did not believe Rotama, maybe it a trap to see if they will fall into it, others were terror stricken. Even a toddler knew the General hate the King and has been rejecting his invitations over and over again for three years now and all of a sudden, she is accepting his offer and not only that, but she is allowing her warriors to try out in one of his highness contests. Did pigs fly today, or the sea turned green.

" Relax everyone, do not be scared and it is not a trick question, we will all move out in two days' time, anyone can be refreshed for a week, and we will return to the Dome."

The 3rd division infantry will stay behind and guard the Dome, is there any objections or questions the floor is open ". The place turned silent after the General explained," I will get my unit prepared to go home".

Noorebella voiced out " if that is all, General, Captains I will be leaving to my base". She got up and walked out " Noore, I have to talk to you, go to my quarters and wait " Breaths were seized, hearts stopped beating and every eyes in the Dome was on the General and Noorebella. Tensions were in the air, she turned and locked eyes with her mother " understood General ". Noorebella is now the captain of her unit and whatever she does, it doesn't apply to her only, now she is the face and voice of other lives and so she has to go by the rules and shallow shit if she has to preserve her people's honor and respect.

All breaths were released, and the fear vanished, she made her way to the General's quarters and sat down.

" Your father passed by, and he asked me to give you this," he handed over the letter left behind by Julius ". Noorebella glance through, and her mind put two and two together, so the rumors are true, she had been hearing pieces of what happened here last night and immediately she got up from the chair, startling Rotama " What is wrong, are you fine". Concerned washed over her face " Yes General, am good more than good, fine if that is all please excuse me" she dashed out in a hurry.

Rotama was confused," what is going on, is she really fine". Her mind blanked on the possible reason her daughter run out of her quarters.

Noorebella stopped by Vica's side, she bow her head to her when she neared " Teacher, how have you been" Vica strolled to her and smiled " I heard what you did on the battlefield and with the General" Noorebella got herself ready to be disciplined but it never came, " keep on being you Noore, and make me proud ok" she tapped her shoulders and left to continue teaching the new students. She considered the army her home and has never step foot in her Clan in a long time.

Every Captain moved out to relay the message from the General, Noore did the same with her unit, giving them the announcement and just like in the gathering hall, the warriors were suspicious saying it a trap and they will never believe it...

Two days and the whole army laid down their armor and set out to Kinod and the surrounding Clans. The Kingdom was at it brim that night, long lost daughters, cousins, wives, nieces, mothers and aunties were finally home. Animals were slaughtered and wine was in abundance.

Gercia was not pardoned out of the merry making, home to the legendary warriors of the dragon army. The army was formed out of the Gercia clan ages ago. It is a prominent city, they mine salt, steel and are expert in farming Their land is rich and their harvest alone feed most of Tadona. Because of Pera's marriage alliance, they are also the best in steel armor suit and weapons. Chief Julius adored the tribe's colors green and cream with drawings of mint leaves embroidered into the shelves. Elders of the Clan and families were all Infront of the entrance to the city, waiting to welcome them home.

Rotama, Noorebella and a few natives entered and firstly they were purified by sprinkling and burning mint leaves. Mint and sage are godly to Tadona ,it their connection to the goddess, to their fallen people and to weaken any evil lurking around

" Welcome, Rotama we miss you"

" General I want to join the dragon army"

" Noorebella, have you killed anyone yet"

"Noorebella you have grown, and will marry soon, make sure to choose the clan like your mother did... I have a tall and handsome Grandchild, he is so strong too"

"Rotama the goddess be praised for bringing you back safely "

" Sorry about Pera General but remember she is with the fallen heroes and is very happy "

"Noorebella will you join the contest" asked one of her cousins

Well-wishers were drowning them up, pulling them from left to right. Leading them from house to house, stuffing them up with food." We thank you all for caring" Chief Julius recused his family and hid them in their house locking the door in stop the intruders "Thanks father, I was about to go mad" she hugged him deeply and left her parents who were licking their face. She searched for her old room, everything was messed up if not broken, she breathed in to calm herself, shoving and pushing everything on the bed unto the floor and getting some sleep... """""".