"AAAAHHHH!" The soldier beneath me screamed as I pressed a cloth over the hole in his belly.
It was a futile effort but it was the least I could do for him.
To keep him company as he died.
We locked eyes as he wept.
All his suffering came at the hands of Katsíki's men.
If… if only he and Caligo could meet halfway.
I shook aside all unnecessary thoughts and focused on the soldier who slowly died in my arms.
We were in one of the many tents that littered a vast stretch of grass known as the Startta Planes which were several kilometers north of Coh, the place where Katsíki and his army resided.
Several weeks had passed since the war begun and I heard that Katsíki's men were a terrifying force who had no mercy on any who entered their territory.
I heard that thousands of men died with each passing day and this infuriated Caligo who spent every day in his tent.
I had offered up my services to the Lazro legion of silver knights who tended to the wounded while also serving as extra protection to the prince.
My focus returned to the soldier beneath him and my already racing heart fell upon seeing that he wasn't moving.
I closed his eyes and inspected his wounds and armor.
He was a small and weak looking man who was around twenty years old. This was a commonality in Caligo's army.
Over the course of a year, he forcefully conscripted countless men and forced them to wait until the drums of war began beating in earnest.
He then sent them, farmers and peasants all, towards Coh with nothing but strips of leather and dull steel swords.
Why was he in such a rush?
If he waited five more years, he could have adequately trained and armed them, but… I suppose that would also mean Katsíki would have been more prepared as well.
I let out a sigh since it was not my place to think about such things.
I then looked around at all the other soldiers and saw that of the fifty who were in the tent, about forty of them suffered fatal injuries and would die before long.
I turned my attention to those who had higher chances of living and I spent the entire day tending to them alongside the healers.
.
..
"Thank you for your help today, ma'am." The head healer said. His once grey cloths blackened by blood and dirt.
"It's fine, really. Send for me if you need any more help." I said before making my way out of the tent.
The encampment that housed Caligo's army was a pit of mud, blood, urine and death.
Several silver and golden knights stood here and there and they watched over everyone as they performed their duties.
I made my way towards Caligo's tent. It was the largest one and also had a faint glow which was emphasized by the darkness brought about by the setting sun.
I entered it and took my shoes off in area that was separated by sheets of cloth.
I then entered the next section of the tent where Sidus and the other Helma stood in front of a golden flap that led into the prince's quarters.
"Hey, everyone." I greeted and the Helma all greeted back without moving much.
My destination, however, wasn't the Prince's chamber.
Not yet, at least.
I entered a separate section to the right where various toiletries sat next to a large wooden tub.
I cleaned the dirt and blood off my body before changing into a silky peach gown.
I then placed my hand over my heart as I remembered all the nights I'd spent by Caligo's side.
We were so close so often that rumors started spreading that I was his consort. I heard whispers which referred to me as the Secret Bride or Virgin Saint of Gold.
I couldn't help but laugh internally at all of that because even though we were at war, people still found time to gossip.
I suppose it was bound to happen, but this made me question my relationship with Caligo.
I was beyond grateful for what he and the Hands had done for Adia and I.
I wanted to thank him, but I wasn't sure how I would go about doing that.
I returned to the Helma before being suddenly picked up by Sidus who sniffed me much to my embarrassment.
"Ahh! So good!" Sidus said only for Cento to smack him behind the head.
"Put her down!" He barked but Sidus dashed away before holding me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
"No! It's unfair that his highness gets to spend the most time with her!" Sidus cried but Cento's eyes suddenly flashed.
"Put. Her. down." The Knight said, but Sidus chuckled in response.
"Make me."
The air then trembled as the knights glared at each other.
"Umm… Sidus, could you please put me down?"
"Oh- of course. Just don't forget to hang out with us too, ok?" Sidus said with a pout.
I nodded while ruffling his hair and like a puppy he smiled while leaning towards my hand.
He then placed me down before returning to his post.
I walked towards the golden flap and noticed that Cento had a strange expression.
His eyes stared straight ahead, but his face was a subtle frown.
I raised my head and Cento's eyes widened as he looked at me.
He then lowered his head allowing me to ruffle his hair.
"Ahem! That's… enough." He said while hiding his mouth with his hand.
"Haha! Look at you. Heeling like a dog." Sidus chuckled making Cento's face twist.
I decided to leave them to their bickering and I entered the prince's bedchamber where I found Caligo reading various documents.
Astír stood attentively in the corner of the room and I walked towards the bed where I joined him.
"Ah!" I gasped as Caligo grabbed me.
He then placed me on his large lap before continuing to read his notes.
"The situation is quite dire, no?" Caligo asked.
"Tens of thousands dead… surely his forces grow tired, no?" He asked. His voice clear in the silence of the room.
"Now may be the time to strike with the Hawks. What is thine opinion?"
"Mmm… normal people clearly aren't enough, so I agree that the Hawks may be suitable but I… Pardon me, but I know far too little to make any concrete statements." I said but Caligo rested his chin on my head.
"Oh? Then feel free to read the reports."
"Can I really?" I asked as excitement surged within.
This was my chance to help Caligo in a meaningful way!
"Of course!"
"Alright! Give me a moment." I said while picking up one of the many reports.
I wasn't well versed in military strategy but the least I could do was provide a different perspective on things.
.
..
"Oh." I whimpered with trembling eyes.
I had read so many terrible things that my heart had grown slightly weaker from dread.
"It- It-" I struggled to say and Caligo must have realized this because our bodies were engulfed in a gentle light that hugged my body and soul.
My fears, anxieties and doubts were all being washed away by Caligo's light and this filled me with nothing but joy.
"It seems as though the Kommáti are the primary cause of our loses. That aside, I… I can't help but notice that knights see their men as nothing but… fodder." I said.
"Mmm… Where do you think this… disconnect between knights and ordinary knights comes from?" Caligo asked.
I felt as though he knew the answer.
Was he testing me?
I raised my hands and looked at the faint golden lines that marked my skin.
"Caligo… are we still human?"
"I- I fail to understand thine question."
"We have had so much of our bodies changed… at what point do we stop being who were once were?" I asked while looking up at Caligo who had a puzzled expression.
He let out a low hum while tapping his chin in thought.
"No. I think we remain the same. We remain human because of the one thing that stays untouched." Caligo said before placing his index finger on the center of my chest.
"The soul. The… infinitely small yet incredibly precious part of ourselves that changes not regardless of the form we choose to wear." He said.
My breaths became frantic as I looked up into his beautiful golden eyes.
Without thinking, I grabbed his hand and placed it on my right breast.
"Zuri?" He droned as I turned around to fully face him.
I then wrapped my small arms around his neck as a feint frown formed on his face.
"What is thine intention?" He asked flatly.
"I… I want to thank you for… for taking such good care of Adia and I." I said as my heart painfully knocked at my chest.
"A simple thanks would have sufficed."
"I know, but… I wanted-"
"You wanted what?" Caligo snapped causing my heart to sink.
"We have spent so many nights together and I… I wanted to confirm how you felt about me. I know you care for me and for that I am interminably grateful but… part of me stirs restlessly as I lay in your arms. It wants you to reach out to it just as it does to you." I said as my arms and head fell.
Caligo let out a low and deep sigh before looking up, seemingly in thought.
"So… these are thine true feelings." He whispered.
"I-"
The world trembled as a single heart beat filled the air.
Caligo's eyes shook as they locked onto mine.
"I… know not what to say." He said with a pained expression.
"To be completely honest, I have never felt this way about anyone. This comfort. This warmth. But I cannot say for sure how I feel… at least, not yet. Couldst thee give me some time while I sort out everything pertaining to the war?" Caligo asked and without hesitating I wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my head in his chest.
"Take all the time you need. I am beyond grateful that you even considered the selfish feelings of this woman." I said as Caligo placed his large hand on my hand.
"No… I see now that it is I who has acted purely out of selfishness for quite some time." He said as we laid down to sleep.
I closed my eyes and with an anxious heart I awaited the day when he would answer my heart's call.
As childish as that may have seemed.
My heart eventually settled as the minutes of the night ticked by and it's here that I realized that quite a lot of heat was coming from one side of the room, but I ignored it before fully allowing myself to sleep.
.
..
The next day arrived sweetly and I awoke almost at the same time as Caligo who quickly sat up before dramatically pointing to the entry flap.
"Astír! Bring uncle here!" He demanded and Astír disappeared shortly after.
"You… seem to be in a good mood." I said with a gentle smiled and for the first time since we met, Caligo grinned.
"I am! That is because this is the day that we crush the mud crawlers and push forward my plans!"
"Oh? I'm guessing you've also thought of a counter for the Kommáti and the strange devices capable of felling knights."
"No!" Caligo said before looking to the entrance where Ferrum and Astír stood.
He stood up before walking up to the Grandmaster who had a rather sour expression on his face.
"Good morning, uncle." Caligo sung.
"Mmm, you wanted to tell me something?" Ferrum asked only for the room to be bathed in golden light.
"Yes. I want thee to create two large forces that will attack both Coh and Eimval simultaneously."
"Mmm… that would make it harder for them to repel us as they've so… efficiently done. Who should lead the attacks?"
"Send Heurikhan and the Hawks. Tell them to incinerate everything."