"Run...run! There is an attack coming! Everyone, out of the way! Rebels are going to set fire here! You need to save your lives!" I yelled, my voice hoarse and breathless. My heart pounded in my chest, but the armor still concealed my true identity.
I screamed at top of my breath while advancing towards a shallow forestation area, that was plane and seemed to have camps all over. With men swarming the place like bees.
"Slow down... slow down," a tall man with blue ocean eyes and broad shoulders stopped my frantic horse and began to rub its neck, trying to calm the beast.
"You need to get out of here! There's a mob coming to burn this area," I shouted, dismounting my horse in haste.
Men had gathered around me by this time and I should have felt uneasy but I was Zamaanth. I couldn't afford to feel uncomfortable. I felt confident and brave, at least I pretended to be that way.
"Who's the commander here? I need to meet him now!" I asked in not any particular direction.
"I am! Pretty boy, Tell me," a rotund man with torn pants screamed, half drunk, and the crowd erupted in laughter.
" It's all funny to you right? Just so you know that you are not toying with me but with your lives. Do as you please." I turned back to mount ashen.
"Our commander is not fond of meeting strangers," another voice shouted from the crowd.
"Is he fond of losing lives randomly?"
"He actually is, he kills for sport, or maybe fun? or maybe both" another smaller one replied.
"What an asshole then, go to hell. All of you!" I hissed and turned around again to leave
"How dare you speak ill of him, you mere skinny newt?" One of the larger men pointed his sword at me, his eyes blazing with anger.
I managed to get a scoff out
"Don't point that at me," I said, pushing the sword aside. "I came out to help you only. I don't intend to fight. I'll leave you to your circumstances, best of luck " I turned towards my horse when a smaller boy whispered something to the man standing beside the one who had threatened me.
His sword brushed against my back just below the neck, my skin was cold ice from the fear of it all and I just needed to get out of this place.
"The commander says he'll meet with you in a minute. Why don't you wash yourself first newt? he glared at me
I glanced down at my armor, giddy and muddy from my sudden escape, and realized my face must look even worse.
I nodded
A man no taller than me stepped forward from the back of the crowd, leading the way silently. His hair was black, and he had broad shoulders, radiating a heat I could feel in my chest. It was dark so I couldn't see his eyes, but he smelled of cedar wood and sweat.
Following behind him silently.
There was this weird thing about this place, it felt unexpectedly warm and sweaty.
Suddenly, it struck me—my necklace!
I dug my fingers down to my nape and surfaced the pendant above my armor. To my fear, it was true. Leo was here somewhere because the moon on the necklace was no longer blue but a warm red. The pendant was warmer than before. Where could he be? Maybe this boy leading me? But that can't be him.
Could he be?
If I were his mate, he would have known too. The entire walk was silent until he pointed to a nearby river and left without a word.
I unbuckled the necklace from my neck and held it in my hands, tracing the red blood moon that radiated warmth and affection. Leo was here, but where?
He was here in these men, so close to me yet so far. His mating stone must have told him too that I am here. Just like me Leo had a sun pendent.
A short man with a fancy mustache and a sparse beard ran towards the river and sat beside me. He appeared to be in his mid-30s. He began to draw water, then turned to his left and saw me. His eyes traced my face, and he spoke.
"Aye!"
"hey" I replied him back
"You were the one who was shouting as if he was shot in the ass?"
I couldn't help but smile.
"unfortunately the ass is still intact" I smiled at him
"You disturbed my sleep skinny pie. I thought the goats escaped again and our gatekeeper was crying "
"Does he cry, a grown man?" I gave it back to him
"Not a man , but our guard dog" he chuckled
I stared at him, not amused at the fact that he just related my warning with a dog's whimper.
"I am Hika, by the way," he said, extending his hand.
I shifted the necklace to my other hand and shook his hand. "I am Zamanth."
"You have a very pretty necklace there," he observed, and my heart skipped a beat. He wasn't supposed to see it, but it was too late now.
"It's from my homeland " I lied, partially.
"Whatever it is, don't let others see it. There's a strict rule by the commander that no necklaces, handwear, or mating stones should be visible."
"Why? Is your commander mental?"
"yes he is, this is the only friendly advice I can give you. Keep it in your pocket or somewhere safe."
Hika stood up to leave. "Hey, Hika! Do you have a mate?" I don't know why I asked him that. Maybe it was simple need of human connection, a sympathy or maybe just a familiarity I was looking for.
He gazed at me in confusion, then lowered his head to whisper, "No one is allowed to have a mate in this troop... no one." He ended his last word with a deep note and raised his eyes. Suddenly, we were both startled by the voice of a man dressed in a fighting uniform.
"Hika!" the voice yelled. "Do your own work." He turned to me. "And you, hurry up."
Hika ran towards what I guessed to be the stables, and I washed my face and hands after tucking my necklace deep into an inside pocket. God knew how I was going to face this strange commander.
I took a deep breath and started to walk towards the man in the uniform, ready to face whatever lay ahead.