The Dragon Brothers
Chapter 13 - Battle

Viola POV When we get back to camp the days seem to run together as we wait for the scouts to come back with information on the whereabouts of the militia camp. I train with Lucian in the morning and he has even started letting me spar and sword fight with some of the men. I'm actually pretty good. I can hold my own in most fights. In the afternoon I work at the hospital in their inventory supply room and the doctors have started training me on how to be a medic in combat as they currently have none. All rude comments from the men have completely stopped. I'm not sure if it's because I'm training and I'm getting more respect or if it's because the men are just used to me being here. But whatever it is it's been nice to be mocked or hollered at when Lucian isn't around.

It's been 3 days since the scouts left and I'm training with Lucian when one of his Lieutenants runs up to him to whisper some exciting news. I try to listen in but Lucian makes sure I can't. If it is about the scouts they're back early. "Viola, I'm sorry but we're going to have to end our training early today. I need to attend an emergency meeting." Lucian says with a serious face.

"Can I come?" I know the meeting has to do with the scouts.

After a long pause Lucian finally answers. "Yes, but no questions this time. Sit back and maybe learn something."

We head straight for the meeting tent. When we get there four young men and the Lieutenants are waiting for us.

"The militia camp is about a day and a half walk west from here along the ravine. They have temporary tents setup surrounding the water. Inside the camp are 16 families consisting of 8 women and 18 young children. The warriors of the camp consist of 8 full grown men and 12 teenage boys from 14 to 17 years old approximately of course. Ten warriors guard the camp in eight hour shifts." One of the scouts spoke up.

"The weapons they have on hand include swords, axes, and knives. From what we could see each of the warriors carried a sword and each of the grown men carried an axe while the younger warriors and the women carried knives." The next scout explained.

"The camp is small and very close together. We could easily attack from both ends of the camp. Then have archers with their bows and arrows ready above the ravine to shoot down below on the camp." The next scout offered it as a strategy. "Thank you. That is all we need. The Lieutenants and I will discuss your findings from here on out. Fine job men." Lucian said as he shook each man's hand.

After the scout's left Lucian and his Lieutenants talked about strategy and they looked at maps. On both sides of the ravine were mountains and there were only a few small paths up or down to the ravine. From where the scouts marked the camp on the ravine there was a path not too far in front and one slightly behind it as well. Lucian didn't want to waste any time; the march was to begin tomorrow at 4 am. He was going to send two platoons which would leave two platoons inside the army camp. One platoon would attack from the north and the other platoon would attack from the south.

As we walked to dinner I was curious where I would be in the attack. "Lucian, what platoon will I be in during the attack tomorrow?"

"You won't be in a platoon. You won't be in the attack at all. You'll be staying here in the army camp." Lucian's eyes get big at the thought of me fighting.

"But, I've been training for this. I spar and sword fight with the men now. I'm the only combat medic you have. I should be in one of those platoons." I try to state my case as we move into the mess hall.

"I'm not having this discussion in front of my men. The answer is no. I don't want to hear anymore of it." Lucian says sternly as we take our seats.

My heart feels crushed and I barely eat anything on my plate. "Why aren't you eating? You need to finish eating before we leave." Lucian is always so worried about me not eating enough. I supposed it's because I'm so thin.and I blindly stuff the food in my mouth but I don't taste what it is. I honestly feel like I could vomit. I just want to get back to our tent.

Once we're back in our tent Lucian takes off his armour and his shirt. Then he walks over to me to start to kiss me but I push him away. "No!"

"What? Why? I don't understand." Lucian says confused.

"You still don't think of me as an equal because I'm a woman even though I can do everything that you can do. I can fight, I can withstand battle, and I can bandage wounds. But, all I am to you is a doll that you use for your pleasure." I say with hurt lacing my every word.

"Viola! That's not true. I'm proud of all the training that you have done but that doesn't mean you can withstand battle. Do you know what it's like to take a man's life? Will you hesitate on the battlefield? Did you know that they don't come back from their first battle because they hesitate, can't take someone's life, or can't deal with the horror that's around them. You are so precious to me that I don't want to risk losing you. That's why I don't want to take you with me. Yes I love the pleasure that you bring to me but you also mean so much more. I'm sorry that you don't see that." Lucian says. I can see the hurt written across his face.

I suck my breath in but I still feel hurt and I'm not ready to give in yet. I'm a princess and I want my dammit. I put on my nightclothes and slip into bed without another word. Lucian is left standing there staring at me. He throws his hands in surrender and gets in bed next to me. That had to be the coldest night in bed with him yet.

The next morning everyone in the camp is up early getting ready for the attack. I get up to see Lucian off even though I'm not sure if he wants to talk to me or not. I wait at the entrance to the tent as he gets dressed and then puts his armour on. He stops on his way out to talk to me.

"I'm sorry if my decision still has you upset. Don't leave the camp until I get back. Whenever you leave our tent make sure Sgt Arkadian is with you as your guardian." Lucian places his hands on my shoulders. I know he wants to hold me and kiss me but he's holding back. I slowly trace the designs on his armour as tears fall down my face.

"I'm not mad anymore. I just want you home safe." I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him as passionately as I can. His lips immediately respond back and we stay like that for what seems like forever. But he finally pulls apart and leaves. I watch him walk away. I know that nothing will happen for at least the next day so I set about my normal routine starting with training and then onto the hospital. I couldn't sleep that night. I tossed and turned thinking of Lucian entering battle the next afternoon. The next day I woke up early and walked to where the archers were over the camp and settled in with them so I could look over the battle as it raged on.

The next afternoon as predicted Lucian's two platoon's attacked midday. The camp appeared taken by surprise. With the addition of the archers above it looked like an easy win. In fact it almost looked like Lucian over compensated with too many warriors and archers. But then a second militia camp came from the east. One that the scouts didn't tell us about with twice as many warriors. I began to see our warriors fall. I watched as Lucian fought two men at once. I've never been so scared. But I knew what I had to do even if it meant getting punished for it later. I went to one of the Lieutenants that was still in the camp and we agreed to move one of the remaining platoons down the embankment to stop the second militia camp. We move down the crack in the mountain into the ravine. I see a militia warrior running at me and I take out my sword and I slice him into two without stopping. All I know is I must get to Lucian. I keep running as I cut off the head of another militia warrior and that's when I see Lucian. He's two men at the same time and I see a third about to stab him in the back. I run as fast as I can and clash swords with that warrior. Within minutes I knock his sword out of his hand and I end his life. Lucian spins around and we meet each other face to face; raising our swords at each other. The emotions on his face go from utter shock to complete rage. I have never seen Lucian this furious at me before. But it does last long as we both have to fight again. I see an axe being thrown his way and I try to deflect it with my sword but instead it lands on my shoulder and I fall to the ground. The pain is excruciating. I remember Lucian picking me up and carrying me to the side of the ravine and laying me down. He said he would come back for me later. I was half in and out of conscience when someone picked me up and carried me away. I'm not sure who it was. I just know it wasn't Lucian.

A/N Please drop me a comment and let me know if you like the story or the chapter. I love all feedback both critical and complimentary. Check out my other book Prince Justus and the Rogue. You can also go to my facebook page for chapter updates and updates on new projects. https://www.facebook.com/Sammi-From-Anystories-1020524119915