Tessa opened her eyes and peered out to the area where the first rider emerged as the tingling warmth started to spread to her feet. Her calf-level heat was felt. Steady. Remain steady. When the first horse entered the frame, Tessa withdrew her arm, and her bow began to tremble. A shaffron in blue and white? Tessa exhaled a repressed breath, allowing her bow to droop as the heat left her legs. All of the horses had crescent-shaped headdresses, indicating that they were warriors.
As she watched the riders approach, she gently rose from her crouching position, still unable to believe her good fortune.
Say it out loud: "Spread out! Before she noticed the first rider, the recognisable voice had already reached her. Jothan! Why was he in this place?
Jothan yanked on the reins as soon as he spotted her, stopping her in her tracks. He leaped off and went up to her side while shouting additional orders. The other riders sat still, their arrows drawn and pointing in various directions, keeping an eye out for any potential assailants.
"Are there any more? Jothan supported her while looking for any wounds. His strong, steady fingers were warm on her shirt. In her hands, her bow and arrow were limp.
"Under a tree, an archer is dead. Observing the blood on her hands, she indicated in the general direction of where the foe had fallen. Did it arrive there while she was tying up the No-Landers, or was it hers?
Jothan yelled to the nearest of his troops, "Sten! When his name was called, Sten, the tallest warrior Tessa had ever seen, looked up and waited for commands with his braided beard brushing against his chest. Keep an eye on the archer! Hunt for fugitives in the region: Toke, Wolf, and Bo.
"Yes," Mr. Each of the warriors booted their horses in a different direction.
"Tessa?" She turned to face Jothan in the air. His hair had streaks that seemed practically white because of the sun. He was gorgeous. However, why was he becoming hazy? His fingers were pressing against the sides of her arms, and she felt it. Was he shaking her, I wonder? Are you hurt, Tessa?" I made it. I'm still here.
I'm all right. She felt the need to laugh foolishly as she swiped a palm over her face. Her mouth let forth a little squeak.
The question, "Are you laughing? Jothan inquired, perplexed.
"I..." The humour of the situation vanished when Tessa discovered that he was supporting her. She took a step back to break his hold. "I am not," I said.
He lowered his eyes in response to her formal demeanour and nodded stiffly. Tell me, Lieutenant, why the hell are you out here by yourself?
Tessa's jaw clenched. Okay, so she was the one who dismissed his worries, but did he really need to question her now? She handed him the letter after hastily retrieving it from her side saddle with the help of her trembling legs. I'm to deliver this urgent letter to Outpost 5, per Captain Leo's instructions.
How could that moron possibly have a vital message for the Fifth Outpost? When a blank sheet of paper accidentally slipped out of the envelope, Jothan tore at it and yelled obscenities.
Tessa glanced at the fictitious letter, and laughter struck her again. She was unable to control her laughter this time. Leo had only written on a blank sheet of paper; he hadn't even bothered to write a false letter. He must have known she had no chance of surviving.
Jothan picked up the paper with a dejected frown. "You ought to have told me you were coming out here," I said.
"Why?" She asked while losing her smile. "A superior made the decision to discipline me for making him feel bad. It's legal for him to do so.
The question is, "What rights? In his hands, Jothan crumpled the paper. "No superior has the authority to put a warrior's life in danger!"
Under normal circumstances, that was accurate. Leo, though, was a royal, and she knew that the rules didn't apply to them—especially when they were up against someone of mixed blood.
"Please don't make this a big deal. It's okay as long as this appeases the captain.
"Fine? Fine!" While shaking her by the shoulders, Jothan growled at her. "How are you able to say anything so foolish? You might have passed away.
"Enough!" He was pushed away by Tessa. She was too worn out and uncomfortable to control her temper. "Just yesterday, you demonstrated by firing six dozen arrows at me! Therefore, stop acting concerned.
How could you compare the two? Jothan asked, looking shocked. Throughout the demonstration, there was never any genuine danger to you! I was confident you could easily avoid the arrows, and that performance put you on the list for the upcoming promotion round. I assumed you desired to become a captain.
Tessa gasped for air. Could it truly be the council member she remembered observing from the stairwell bannisters? "You? You asked the general to keep an eye on
I overestimated your intelligence, Lieutenant. Theodore sighed. Why do you suppose I've been pressing you so hard for the past two years? Are you truly so dim-witted?
Tessa's mind latched on to his earlier remarks, even if she didn't grasp what he was trying to say. You're not lying, right? Really, I'm on the list for promotions?
Jothan regarded her with confusion. What benefit may lying possibly have for me?
Captain! She intended to become a captain! Which implied that she would be allowed to examine the papers and look for her parents and Tia! She could protect Tia from the harm."You don't know what this means," I said.
Tessa was left with nothing but one unreasonable desire as a result of the conflicting emotions she was experiencing at the time—tension from the argument, rage at Leo, tiredness, and now elation. She flung her arms over Jothan's wide shoulders and gripped without thinking it through. I said, "Thank you."
The Colonel initially became stiff, but then, much to her complete amazement, he wrapped his arms around her and softly squeezed her. "Green Eyes, you worried me. Don't repeat that mistake. Her stomach began to quiver strangely as he encircled her with his heat.
She took a step back, agitated. But why did you come here?
Jothan sighed. "I told you I wouldn't let you get wounded. Jothan turned around as he heard the sound of horses coming back from carrying out his orders to see his troops.
"Sten?" A pointed nod was given in response to Jothan's silent inquiry.
"Dead. Ra-Innu was him.
When Tessa realised what Sten was getting at, she blinked. Sten was asked by Jothan to check for the sun tattoo. He agreed with her theory!
Jothan said, turning to face the No-Landers Tessa had chained together. "Let's transport these idiots to the nearest outpost for questioning. I intend to return to the fortress before dusk.
Tessa puzzledly peered at Jothan's back. Why did he behave in this manner? Had he truly been assisting her the entire time? Though why? He must have hated her.
"Let's go, Lieutenant," Jothan said, his haughty brow lifting as he peered over his shoulder. Or are you awaiting the arrival of additional No Landers? I assume defeating 10 Bone Eaters by yourself wasn't enough sport for you?"
Jothan's Warriors laughed at the declaration while admiringly glancing at her.
You don't have to wait, sir. In order to conceal the blush that was starting to appear on her cheeks, Tessa bowed her head forward and pretended to wipe dirt off her trousers. For the day, I've had enough of No-Lander's company.
She moved towards her horse as another round of laughter ensued.