The Dragon Brothers
Chapter 14 - The Enemy’s Camp

Viola POV I would wake up on a cot inside of a makeshift tent for a few minutes and then go back to sleep. Gradually, minutes turned into hours and then I was able to actually stay up for the whole day. At first I would only catch glimpses of an older wrinkled woman with gray hair that came to check on me or to change my bandages. Then I started noticing the fire next to me and I would try to talk to the woman that would change my bandages but she would just shake her head and run away. When I could finally stand up and walk I felt somewhat dizzy but I could tell how much my shoulder had healed. I wondered how many days it had been since my capture. I stepped outside of my tent and saw the camp. It was mostly made up of similar tents to mine. Tents that could easily be broken down and easily be built up. I saw some children playing with a ball and others were pretending to sword fight with sticks. I saw women washing clothes and dishes in the stream while others seemed to be cooking. As I walked through the camp I heard whispers and I caught staring eyes but no one stopped me. I saw a group of men sitting around a large fire in the middle of the camp. These were the people who I needed to talk to.

"I need to talk to the leader." I said approaching the group of men.

"I'm the one you're looking for." Said the man sitting in the middle of the circle.

“What are your demands for keeping me? I am Prince Lucian's Wife and King Gretchar's daughter. I'm sure we can come to some kind of arrangement. I just need to know what it is that you want.." I'm hoping they can't hear the fear in my voice.

"I am Cocaine and yes we know you are. We just don't know what idiot thought it would be a good idea to put such a precious commodity as yourself in battle." All of the men started laughing and my cheeks glowed red. "This is my son Anar." He points to a young man sitting next to him. "He can show you around the camp and act as your guardian while you're with us. There's no reason to rush into things. Besides, the negotiations don't concern you." The young man he pointed to now came to stand by my side. Anar is a well built man, blonde hair, and blue eyes. His hair is in several small braids and then twisted into a ponytail with the sides of his head shaved.

"But this does concern me. It concerns me very much!" These people are getting ready to see a first rate princess temper tantrum. But the men have all turned away from me and become engrossed in a different conversation now. "I believe that's our cue to leave." Anar places his hand on my back and gently pushes me past the men. "This is Mother Hannah. She's the woman that took care of you while you had the fever and would always change your bandages. Anar said, introducing me to an older woman hunched over with many wrinkles and her gray hair pulled back in a bun.

I grasped her hand and with a smile to show my appreciation I introduced myself. "It's so nice to finally meet you! My name is Princess Viola. Thank you for taking care of me." She smiled and grasped my hand but didn't say anything. She turned back to picking herbs that were growing alongside the stream. Anar placed his hand on my back and gently pushed me on. We walked past the children playing with the ball and more women picking herbs.

"The women pick herbs from nature while a small group of men go hunting and fishing. Hopefully, the men bring back meat, otherwise we have herb stew to eat." Anar said while motioning towards the women picking the herbs.

"It's nice that you use all of nature. You certainly don't let anything go to waste." I smile at him." I can't help but think of the luxuries at the castle. So much waste compared to how simply these people lived. Anar just smiled back at me and grabbed my hand playfully. "Come, walk with me downstream. I want to show you something." We arrive at a beautiful waterfall cascading down the side of the mountain.

"Oh Anar! I love it!" The beauty of nature never fails to leave me breathless. "So, Anar, what do the militia camps want? What are they fighting for?" "Freedom. A country. A piece of land to call our own. Is that really so much to ask for?" Anar says as he sits down across the stream from the waterfall.

"Why not join Knotwood Kingdom or the Chromos Empire where I'm from? I'm sure they would give you some land to make a village on." I suggest as I sit down next to Anar.

"Well, Knotwood is in civil war and we would be expected to join a side. But who's to say which side will win? Chromos is such a huge Empire their taxes are huge. A small village of farmers like ourselves couldn't afford the taxes. So, we've tried to push back on Chromos' borders up Northward hoping they would give up since this area is so cold and there's not much you can do around here anyway. But, they won't give an inch when it comes to their borders." Anar says as he shakes his head. I can see the trouble these people are in and I start to wonder what I can do using my position to help them.

"I'm worried about making it through all winter here. The stream is starting to ice over in parts. Fish and game are becoming scarce. It's so cold here at nighttime I'm worried about losing some of our elders." Anar speaks truthfully. I can hear the sadness in his voice.

"How old are you Anar?" My curiosity about him is starting to get the better of me.

"I'm 23. But I have seen my fair share of battles and war." He says puffing his chest out a bit.

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"This was my first battle. I was doing alright until someone stabbed me in the shoulder." I said truthfully..

"Yeah those shoulders can be killers." Anar said while laughing. I picked up some rocks and threw them in his direction. "Come on. It's getting dark soon. We should get back to camp for dinner." Lucian POV

After the battle was over I ran up and down the sides of the stream looking for Viola but couldn't find her. Hoping that someone had already carried her off to the hospital I quickly climbed up the mountain and ran to the hospital. I checked every cot and every man lying on the ground but I didn't find Viola. My heart was pumping so loud I could hear it in my ears. I immediately call my lieutenants for a meeting even though I know they aren't done assessing the damage. "Viola is gone. Unless one of you knows where she is then the militia has her." I'm trembling with rage. I'm angry that Viola went against my wishes and defied me by deciding to join the fight. I'm angry that she got hurt in the battle. I'm angry that she's been captured. I'm angry that I wasn't able to keep her safe. I'm angry that I have questions that nobody has answers to.

"Should we send someone to scout out the militia camp and start negotiations?" Lieutenant Elderbern asks.

A private suddenly breaks into our tent. "I'm sorry to interrupt but this militia member claims to know where Princess Viola is. We have searched him and he doesn't have any weapons on him." All eyes turn to a scantily clad militia man. "I am Dasan, Cocan's eldest son. Your Princess Viola is with my father's camp. We wish to negotiate." The man said proudly.

"I am Prince Lucian. We will negotiate. But if anyone lays a hand on her then all deals are void and you're all dead." I reply sitting down at a table and motioning for the man to sit down across from me. My lieutenants all stand behind me. "You have my word on my honor that no harm shall come to her while she is in our camp. We do not harm women nor children." Dasan stated as he took his seat.

"So, what is it that you want in return for my wife?" I ask bluntly. I have no patience for niceties at the moment.

"We have some desire for land big enough for a small village outside of the Chromos Empire." Dasan said, tilting his chin upward while looking at me from across the table.

"I can give you land but it has to be within the empire; however, I can have the taxes reduced since your village will be so small and mainly agricultural. Will that satisfy your needs?" I ask hoping that he agrees to it because otherwise I will have to make a personal trip back to see the King.

"I will have to go back and speak with my father before I agree to your terms." Dasan says standing up to leave. "I shall return as quickly as I can."

That night I lay awake thinking of Viola. I pray that she is safe where she is and vowing vengeance if any harm comes her way. Sleep eludes me while I await the return of Dasan.

Viola POV

I'm watching the midnight sky as I lean up against the tree. It's quite cold outside but I don't feel like returning to bed quite yet. There's something magical about the air. Anar strides to where I'm standing. He asks what am I looking at and I start pointing out the different constellations in the sky. His eyes open in wonderment.

"I've never met someone like you before. I've never met a woman that can fight with a sword and is smart too!" He takes a step closer to me and puts his hands on my waist. I smile dreamily at him as I place my hands on his biceps. His hands move up my back so that one hand is combing through my hair. We're so close our noses are almost touching. Anar turns his head and presses his soft lips against mine. It was something about the night. The magic in the air. The beauty of the waterfall. The sweetness of his compliment. I kissed him back. My lips pressed against his and he slipped his tongue inside of my mouth. That's when I woke up. My eyes open. Realization hit me that I was kissing someone other than Lucian, my husband!

"No! No!" I gasped out and then I turned and ran from Anar back to my hut. I climbed into my cot and covered up with my thin blanket and wished for the day when Lucian come to take me home.

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