Men sat around a cooking fire while General Raylen spoke of battle plans, each man getting a certain task he must complete with flawless abilities. Room for error wasn’t something the General took lightly, and if you wanted to remain on in his good graces you didn’t breath fear.

Siana took the liberty in sitting as far away from War as possible, even situating herself between two men who were in dire need of bathing. But it was far gentler on her mind, than being within breath of his intoxicating aroma. Convincing herself she was right in what she said, was being to weigh heavily in her heart. Unsure if her words were that of truth or jealousy, Siana feared she may in fact over stepped her boardies.

If he was giving her space because of respect, Siana greatly appreciated it, even if it wasn’t for respect it was still accepted.

Listening to Raylen speak of battle plans, as though he’d done this far to many times to even remember a correct count, Siana caught herself daydreaming, or more so having a lighter nightmare. Her mind drifted into the darker parts of her soul, remembering days when she was little more than a target for pleasuring the kin War called family. Hard enough to rid herself of her own fears, she began to dream up even worse ones for herself to come.

Catching herself shaking a few ringlets Siana looked down, her hands fidgeted with a dagger, the very dagger that was bestowed to her by the man she was conflicted with. They were like polar opposites, yet the same somehow. His fury matching her own, while being able to calm her raging storm even with blinded eyes to all reasoning. An old saying caught Siana’s lips, pulling their corners into a slow smirk. Worse than fighting cats and dogs, she started to think they fought more like...wolves.

Blinking back to reality Siana frowned to herself, whens he realized she’d missed everything Raylen spoke of. She was going to look a fool for not paying attention, and with War now bearing down on her, she’s surely never hear the end of it. Rising with dagger to hand, Siana walked back towards Shirgar, when his body swiftly slid in front of hers. Looking up into his darker eyes, Siana waiting for him to ask her some question of what was to happen.

War’s movements where methodical as he moved to gently pull the dagger from her grip, inspecting it he smiled thoughtfully. Its blade pointed to heavens he looked into Siana’s eyes.

“You’ll ride with me, as I suspect sending you home would do little good.” Handing her the dagger, War held his footing till he received a nod from her.

Siana’s mind worked quickly to piece together why he didn’t scold her, a first thought of him giving up stung the back of Siana’s throat. A worse feeling than swallowing an angry hornets nest. She held her blade, slipping it back into its sheath never to take her eyes from his. If he wanted her near him in battle, yet not whiplashing her with his tongue, what was it he wanted.

But more importantly why was she even more confused than when they were arguing as if death was at their heels. A confusing man he was, and every step War took became less clear to Siana.

Giving her room to leave War watched Siana’s backside, her hair mostly down strung a few braids to keep from falling in her eyes. He knew well enough she’d not been paying attention, most didn’t the first time they were in the line of fire of a heavy battle. Their brain turned to something else to shield itself from what was to come, only it wasn’t a safety feature that would save their life in the end, but rather destroy it.

Keeping her close to his side, insured her life live longer than if she were with her own party. He could guide her along with a few of the other men in his party, yet not interfering with her kills. War knew she was ready for what was to come, but a part of him wished she wasn’t. Like a child who’d been forced to grow up too quickly, he was starting to see why taking her from her home was wrong. A curse he’d have to live with.

Each man tacked and mounted his horse, while others readied their weapons for sharpening against bone. Chainmail attached to her left shoulder chimed with his movements, leather straps held onto axes across War’s back for safe keeping. Their blades able enough to cut strands of his messed hair blowing in a light breeze.

Calloused fingers gripped tanned leather to his stallions reins, looking over the men with deadly eyes, War flickered them towards Siana. She’d already finished saddling Shirgar, and was now placing her fur over shoulders, keeping the colder air off her neck. A sword swung against her right hip, while a few blades on her left shimmered in scattered sunlight rays.

He frowned a bit to the lack of armor she bared, what she had was not sufficient enough to stop a fire blazed arrow from meeting its mark. Too much skin graced unwanted eyes, leaving them to hold to her attention longer than any other.

Nudging his bay forward, War came to a halt next to her shoulder, she turned blocking out a ray in her eyes with a hand.

“Your gear isn’t suited for this battle, when we pass a village on the way I shall make you more.” He left it at that giving his bay a chance to move off towards the General. From behind him, War heard her mount Shirgar trotting after him. Siana moved her horse in front of War’s bay, causing the two stallions to squeal unpleased with such closeness.

“I dress as I am comfortable, if you do not like it...look away” She gave him a cold glare, matched with a hand on her dagger for whatever comfort it gave. Adjusting himself more comfortably in saddle, War clicked his tongue to cheek.

“You much like arrows within your skin, as you will be receiving many more dressed as you are comfortable.” He caught her low growl, as it slipped through her licking of lips.

“Why do you seek to change everything about me? Am I truly not good enough as I am” War held his lungs still to words he’d thought she knew answers to. When his answer seemed to never come, Siana snorted turning her reins to leave him as he was. Movement of his hand caught them both by surprise, pulling her stallion back towards his own while making the Bay step closer.

War’s hand slid down her reins till he could effectively cup her hand, never looking away he swallowed what could have tasted of fear. He shifted deeper into the saddle, before moving to be closer to her face so no other could catch what he spoke.

“You are perfect as you are, it's why I wish to keep you that way.” Watching her eyes shift blues of every ocean color, War allowed his own eyes to show a softness never seen up close. Siana’s cheek began to bead little red hints, the pout of her lips darkened to a delicious strawberry red that even War found mouthwatering to behold.

“I do not move as swiftly in heavy armor, its why I wear so little” He found her soft spoken words to hold only truth. And for once he felt honored in how she was able to release such powerful information without feeling obligated. He chuckled even softer than her words.

“I shall make it as light as possible without tampering its strength, and I will not make much for you to bare.” She nodded biting the bottom of her plush lip. Patting her hand War stepped his steed off, giving them both a little more space to breath. He noted how her reactions to his words seemed to ease their quarrel, even making it almost seem dusted.

They walked in silence, allowing the stomping of their stallions hooves to echo around. General Raylen held his horse next to War’s, as they spoke softly about strategies, leaving men in rows of five to talk amongst themselves. Siana used her silence to catch up on what they had planned, she contributed it to why War had said she’d ride with him. The man didn’t miss much that was for sure.

(^-^ so I thought it would be nice to post a little before new years, or after for those of you who are WAY a head of me o.0 Happy New Year! Don't eat to much junk, and I'll try not to drink to much booze.  >.> key word is TRY -coughts- Right..so that's War and Siana in the picture. Was the best I could do on short notice. ^-^ enjoy my lovies)