A small smile crept across my face. No one has written me a personal letter before. I chuckled as I read the afterthought.

"What's so funny?'' Asked Calim, walking into the tent.

"Nothing," I folded the letter and placed it inside my leather satchel. I need to find a better place to store it. I made a mental note to get a document case later.

Calim narrowed his eyes and smirked, "Okay."

"Any new developments?" I asked, organizing the papers on my desk.

Calim's voice and demeanor shifted into one of seriousness. "The reconnaissance group returned. The enemy troops have mobilized a battalion to the south. It seems they are planning to seize the neighboring territory. Duke Riegens' land."

"They're after the ports," I muttered.

"Yes, and if they succeed, they will have the second largest port in our country under their control."

I leaned back against my chair and rubbed the haze out of my eyes. "It's going to be hell on earth if that happens. We will lose one of our most important supply channels, and they will gain a strategic military facility."

"And they will also be one step closer to our largest seaport. If Wallerian troops seize that port. They will have our main source of weaponry and food supply." He added.

I sighed. "We won't let that happen. Please round up the Grand General and the lesser Generals. Tell them I wish to have a meeting at the Tactical Operations tent."

"Yes," Calim responded and rushed out of my tent.

⚜⚜⚜

The air was heavy with tension as Calim, the generals, and I huddled around the map on the table.

"They are mobilizing south towards this area." The Grand General's index finger slid across a dukedom pictured on the map. Stopping close to the line marking the territory's limit, he said, "If we hide and intercept them here." He jabbed his finger at the seaside caves. "We will be able to stop them before they cross the territory limit into the next dukedom."

One of the lesser generals shook his head. "All this planning is useless if we don't figure out who the mole is first. Last time they were fully prepared for our ambush. What makes you think they won't expect us this time again? Heck, they might even know we are watching them!" 

The Grand General stroked his beard, and his eyes met mine. "He's right. We need to figure out who is informing them before we make a move."

"Calim, anything to report on that matter?" I asked.

"Well, we have been investigating as Your Grace ordered, and we have a few leads. But nothing conclusive yet." His lips twisted in a grimace.

"Alright, keep working on it. I'll send a message to His Majesty, The King. Asking for an update about how things are going on his end." I said.

"Then we should hold off on making any decisions for the time being. We are in the middle of winter anyway. The bad weather and obstructed roads won't let them get that far." The major general advised.

"Then why did they deploy that battalion then, if not to attack?" Another general questioned.

"Maybe they want to set up camp and survey the area first? Then as soon as spring comes around, they will be ready to take over the next dukedom." The major general suggested.

"That sounds logical." Commented Calim.

"If that's the case, it would give us some time to catch that traitor." Said the Grand General

"I would still like to send some men out to keep an eye on them. I don't want them to take us by surprise. They may hurt a lot of people as they expand their takeover. It's better to be safe than sorry." I indicated.

Calim winced. "You're right. There is a village right next to the territory boundary. They might be at risk."

"What do you suggest? Should we tell them to evacuate?" The Grand General asked.

"It's too cold and too dangerous for them to leave at this moment. We will be risking the villagers' lives even more if we tell them to leave now." The major general contested.

"I don't think it would be that hard on them. There's a town nearby where they can settle for the time being." Argued the Grand General.

Another countered. "Which is also very close to the boundary. Why move them then? They're still going to be in danger, and what about the elderly. No matter how close they are―"

My closed fist slammed against the table, stunning everyone to silence. "Gentlemen, if you have time and energy to argue with each other. Then that means you also have the time to go out and figure out who is leaking information to Walleria. So put that energy to good use and assist Calim with his investigation. I, on the other hand. Will send a group of soldiers to the village to keep an eye on things. You may leave." With a wave of my hand, the generals were dismissed. "Gather a group of soldiers and send them to the village. Tell them to keep a watchful eye on the boundary. If they feel threatened at any moment. They should evacuate the villagers as quickly as possible." I ordered Calim as soon as we were alone.

"Yes, Sir," Calim responded, and with a look of urgency, rushed out of the tent.

Dropping into a chair, my hands kneaded my shoulders and neck. Easing the tension that tied my muscles into tight knots.

⚜⚜⚜

"This is a very important mission. The lives of civilians are at stake, so please be vigilant." Calim shouted to the three dozen men standing at attention outside the campsite. "We're all counting on you." He glanced at me with a look that asked if I wanted to speak, and I shook my head. "Alright, then," He placed his right fist on the middle of his chest, and the men followed suit. "May the glory of the Naldiah kingdom's sun shine on us all!"

Raising their fists up in the air, the soldiers shouted in unison. "May it radiate across the earth, showing who the mightiest are!"

The clangor of chainmail and armor pierced the quiet of the evening as the men marched to the village.

"Please, God, make it so they don't have any problems," Calim muttered. His eyes remained glued to the soldier's retreating backs.

My forehead creased with worry. "Let's get out of this cold before we freeze to death."

With a shiver, Calim nodded.

"By the way," I broke the silence as we walked back to the campsite. "Did you write to that girl you liked—the baker's daughter?"

"No. What if she thinks I'm a creep?" He crossed his arms and lifted his shoulders, sinking his face deeper into his scarf. "I have barely spoken to her. Even worse. I stuttered through the few sentences I was able to put together every time she addressed me." His face scrunched up in an almost comical way. "Every time I dropped by the bakery. She would walk out of the kitchen and take my order personally. And, just like that, every sentence I rehearsed back at home was wiped out by her beautiful smile." He huffed.

"All the more reason to write to her and tell her you like her. You should tell her right now before you see her again and have to stutter through an awkward reunion."

"Should I? Nah."

"You should. I'm sure that would make her very happy."

His eyes narrowed. "What brought this on?" Then he gasped. "Wait. That letter you received. Was that from a lady friend?" A huge grin spread out across his face.

"No," I responded and quickened my pace. Eager to get back to my tent.

Calim remained frozen in place. "Who is she? Do I know her?"

"It's not from a lady friend."

"Are you sure?" He asked in a jesting tone.

"Bye." I waved over my shoulder and dove into the safety of my temporary office/bedroom.

With nothing else to occupy me, the exhaustion of my various sleepless nights washed over me like a wave of lead. The weight of my eyelids and feet was unbearable as I dragged my aching body to lay on my cot. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I fell asleep.

⚜⚜⚜

The sudden sound of paper rustling in the wind broke the quietness of the night. Footsteps— muted by the canvas walls of my shelter—passed by.

My hands moved about the sea of papers scattered around my desk. Petitions were revised and signed; Letters were read and replied to. Orders were given and obeyed. A typical day at the Nubilus manor.

The door creaked, and my dear old butler walked in with a look that said 'it's time for a break' in his eye. "Dinner is ready. Are you coming to join the young lady?" 

"Yes, tell her I'll be right there in a minute," I responded as I lowered my gaze back to my desk.

"Alright," The door closed with a click.

My quill glided on the parchment as I signed the last petition. Out of nowhere, the sound of rushed footsteps flooded the hallways. What's going on? I tried to stand up, but my body was as still as a statue. Why can't I move? It was as if I had lost control of my body. 

A resounding crash came from somewhere inside the manor. "Help! Help! Your Grace help!" a voice that sounded very much like Leyla yelled from outside.

Benjamin's terrified yell came soon after. "Iskander, please save us!".

An internal battle between my mind and body ensued. My throat fought to make a sound; My legs battled to jump out of my chair and run to defend my people. But my body refused to listen to me. I was helpless.

The scorching heat of fire seeped through the office door, and⁠ —to my horror⁠— Leyla's bone-chilling scream pierced the air.

I woke with a start; my bedclothes clung to my sweat-covered skin. The slamming of my heart against my ribcage was almost painful.

Attempting to soothe my frazzled nerves. I pushed myself up to sit on my cot as I took several deep breaths. "It was a dream. Only a dream." A chilling breeze came through the tent flaps, rustling the papers strewn about the floor. Wrapping the wool blanket over my shoulders. I glowered at the pieces of parchment scattered around my tent.

Ignoring the mess, I lay on my cot once again. My eyelids fluttered closed, and there, in the darkness, the burning inferno waited to resume its torment.

My eyes flew open once again. I'm definitely not going to sleep tonight. Pushing myself out of my cot, I went to sit at my desk and chugged down what was left of the stale, leftover coffee from this morning. I might as well spend the time writing to Leyla.

⚜⚜⚜