Departure

As I wake up my head is aching a little bit but I somehow still feel extremely calm and refreshed...

-Maybe alcohol and tea wasn't a good mix...- I repeat to myself standing seated

I reach to massage my temple as flashlight of Linghe comes to my mind...

-What an unusual dream... It felt so real- I sigh, looking at the free space on the bed beside me... As if he was supposed to be there.

-To dream about him now... Ah... Nevermind I gotta get ready-

Soon after I'm on my way to the Palace.

I stop in front of the big gates, taking a step back to look at the imposing structure -No turning back now...- I whisper to myself as the doors begin to open...

I hesitate just a few seconds taking a deep breath...

Next step will be the last one of this normal privileged life... And the beginning of a turbulent one.

-Miss...?- ask a guard looking at me, as to ask if I'm going inside or not

-Mhn- I fix the bags on my shoulder and move my foot toward the uncertain future...

...

I find myself in front of a General in an open hallway

-Miss Ying I suppose?- he stares at me from head to toe before rolling his eyes slightly... As if I can't see him.

-Indeed Sir-

-Before we proceed let me tell you this quick and clear...- he smirks with an air of superiority

-Only because you were so lucky to find some pieces of papers who lead the Emperor to save his own throne... That doesn't mean you will be treated nicely inside my Army, here it is I who give orders... Keep that in mind little Miss and get ready to dirt you hands-

Without letting him finish I crouch down, reaching an hand to the ground taking an handful of soil to then spread in on my face standing back up

-Wha...!? Stop you woman!-

-Hope this will explain you something... "Sir"...- I stare right into his eyes wiping my face and clothes -... And I stole those papers right under the Prince's nose-

I secure my belongings to my horse and we set off to the temporary camp where the Armada is waiting for us.

As we arrive a man comes to greet us -Sir! We've been waiting for you! All you asked has been prepared-

-Well done Liutenant.... Show this woman around and get her ready for moving-

I dismount taking the reins in hand as I follow the man with a black high ponytail and red eyes, dressed in full armor apart from his helmet

-Please... This way-

-Well then... Your horse would normally be left here when the camp is built, but just keep it for now since we'll be moving soon- He explains, showing me the improvised stable made of just ropes, poles and heavy blankets as a ceiling to shield the poor horses... Not to mention it is already getting dissembled for the travel

-Normally we would be having our meals around a big pot in the centre of the camp... But I can't really show you now.

It's already getting taken away on the ox cart...- he points in its direction -Well, moving on..-

While we walk loud whistles can be heard as some soldiers look in our direction

-Ehy woman! Here for some fun? Hahaha!- -Come to our tend sometimes-

-Just ignore them- says the Liutenant besides me -Anyway, as for where you sleep... Would that be a problem in my tend? We cannot really trust these men.

Don't worry about me, I still have some respect left, even if I've been on the battlefied for months...- he sighs

-I'm not worried about it, it would just be a small nuisance... Nothing that I cannot deal with myself-

-Haha! Sorry haha! You really live up to your name- he burst out laughing

-What does that mean?-

-They say you're someone who mostly rely on themselves and snob on others-

-What?! That's not true what the...-

He shrugs his shoulders -Then prove us wrong while we are here, no?We'll have plenty of time anyway.

Oh here we are, this is my tend... Always beside the main one of the General. Tie the reins there and let's take this doen... We must not be late-

-Mhn-

-That should be it, thanks- says the Liutenant giving the packed things to a servant, who stuffs everything on a travel cart.

Those with higher ranks have someone to carry their belongings, being that they have not just blankets and a tend to carry unlike everyone else but also maps, books and much more...

-Well then, We shall be ready to depart now... I'll go get my horse and be right back-

...

As we ride through a vast area of plains the Liutenant approaches me, he's probably worried for me judging by the look on his face

-How much will it take us?-

-Uhm... Being that the North Western army, the one we're assigned to, lost ground...

We need to cover around 4.800 Li (2.400km). Counting a few stops for the horses to take a breath... Sleep and training...

Approximately 7 to 8 weeks-

-Training?- I turn to face him

-Yeah, every week we place down the tends wherever we are and take the day to train... Then the day after we pull them back off and depart again, to keep us in shape for war-

-Mmhn... It will take a while... hope the soldiers already there will manage to hold on-

-Mhn... Sure...- he nods, tho he doesn't know what I'm referring to.

-We will take a break!- yells the General before playing the horn declaring the break.

Soon after I'm leading my horse to a small river passing by the plain, approaching it to take some water into my own bottle

-Wanna push her down?-

-Oh not only that actually hehe-

-I wonder how much would she scream having her hair all ruined haha-

-You three! What are you 5 years old?! Is this how you treat a comrade? Get lost!-

-Oh no... Go go!- the guys run away at the scolding coming from the Liutenant now standing beside me, still filling my bottle crouched down

-You should be more careful, this is not a training camp for nobles...- he says leading his horse to drink

-I know that-

-You haven't heard what I just heard tho... Try not to stay alone too much from now on, you never know what some men could do-

-I heard quite well actually-

-Then why...?-

I turn slightly my wirst, removing the fabric that hides from sight my hand grabbing around the hilt of my knife, ready to be unsheathed...

The Liutenant sigh with a chuckle -Try not to kill anyone if possible.

Your brother was quite right about you afterall- he smiles

I come back to stand up -You know my brother?!-

-Yeah we trained together back in the academy days... I just chose a different path than him, we still meet from time to time... Well war aside, but anyway I really trust him-

-Oh...- I look away holding the bottle close to me

-Don't be sad... I will make sure you get back to him, I won't let the little sister of my friend die-

-It's not that... I'm not afraid, I just worry about him...-

-I understand that feeling well... I too have left a brother in the Capital who's worrying about me...

We are here fighting alone, filled with adrenaline and everything, while they will spend everyday wondering if you are alive and waiting for news...

My brother actually knew you... He told me you were really proud, quite annoying in his opinion haha! But I don't believe him honestly, not when your brother talks so nicely about you ah!-

-I...!? Who is he?-

-Xiao Luo... The youngest brother in my family, I'm the middle brother Qin- He grins pointing at himself

-Oh! Yeah we were roomates... That guy, ah... At first I really couldn't stand him and even yelled at him in front of everyone... Sorry about that-

-It's fine, the past is past...- he shakes my words away before looking at the soon to set sun -... I know his attitude is not really pleasing...

Always disappearing and stubborn ah... That kid tz!

He needed to hit his nose against reality anyway, it will only help him mature-

-Mhn...- I nod smiling before remembering something and reaching to my hair's ribbon -This... He gifted this to me-

-War Goddess uh? That's how they call you? I'm looking forward to seeing more from you then... Let's get going now, we need to find a good place to sleep undisturbed-

-Mhn sure-