A few Surprises

The walk back from the city takes longer than you thought as you have to skirt the walls for a good distance before you can take the road to your encampment. It might go faster if Alexia offered to share her saddle, but she doesn't and under the circumstances you decide to keep your mouth shut. You do however notice Alexia glancing at you when she thinks you weren't looking, you are going to have to deal with her on a personal level eventually, a war might not be the best place for it though.

As you walk beside her, you can't help but compare the petite spymaster to Sandrine, the two are similar in many ways: slender frames, fiercely independent, both deadly - although Alexia is far scarier of the two. For all her fierceness and pride Sandrine has a softness about her that makes you want to protect her ...

Approaching your main camp. You notice a few banners you have not seen since the funeral of your adopted parents two years ago. The blue and gold royal banners of your most loyal allies the Coreli & Biessoi tribes.

Alexia sees them at the same time, and her reaction is a little different.

"Bruce, you and your oath-brothers Barticus & Victor had better not cause trouble." She warns sharply. "There's messenger from The United Armies approaching, you three had better behave this time!"

"Hey they're not that bad." You protest half-heartedly, "they didn't cause any problems the last time they visited." Alexia is not impressed.

"First, that was at your parent's funeral." She counts off her points on her elegant fingers. "Second, their wives were with them and third, those two princes only behaved because I threated to castrate and send back their family jewels to their fathers in a sealed drake-pouches."

"Ok," you hold up your hands in surrender, "I get it. Don't get drunk, don't let them wander around alone, and get Galeon to hide your knives so we can have some fun"

"Bruce!" Alexia's voice takes on a serious note that startles you into silence. "Please, we could have died today because of my stupidity." This is serious if she is blaming herself. "I won't let your idea of fun get you in trouble. I don't want to lose you." Once again you see a hint of color on her face, "so for me, please act like a King for tonight. You can have fun at the games tomorrow if you must."

"Fine Alexia, I'll play nice." You acquiesce without any more teasing. "You go use my bath and calm down; everything will be fine, I give you my word that Barticus, Victor and myself will act with honor around any outsiders. I'll also order Galeon to alert you if we appear to be doing anything unroyal like."

Alexia nods and turns her mount towards your tent while you go to greet your Oath Brothers and prepare for the approaching envoy. It is difficult not to think of Alexia's hot petite body in the oversized bath that was one of the few luxuries you allowed yourself. The image of steaming water flowing over her shoulders washing away all that blood and dirt she got during her fight makes you cock stiffen under your armor. First Sandrine, and now Alexia, you're going to have trouble concentrating if you keep thinking about Sandrine's gentle smile and overhearing Alexia's feelings for you - and those blushing glances she kept giving you.