62 Faith (1/2)

This was not the first time the Prince had displayed humility, yet it still caught the witnesses off guard. He should be cocksure and entitled, their minds kept telling them. But even if he were merely putting on this play for a specific end, they still would not be able to keep from being impressed: that would indicate he had a stomach of steel for not becoming visibly sickened by his own ”goody goody” act, if indeed this wasn't true to his nature.

Having known him for a bit longer than the rest, only Hilde was half-convinced of Leal's sincerity. The other half was busy puzzling out why he was so damn accommodating now when he'd made it his business to grate on her nerves before.

”I couldn't help feel,” the Lord General began, breaking the stunned silence that had lasted a few seconds, ”that that is something a certain other person might say to justify recent actions.”

It was easy to guess who he meant.

Hilde said crisply, ”If that person would worry at all, I highly doubt she'd see it as a 'luxury.'”

The reason she had responded was because she was still mad about what her sister had done to them all, but too late, she realized that it could also be interpreted as her defending the Prince.

Before she could think of a non-rude way to banish that misunderstanding – which she saw had found a target in at least Captain Judda – Inge arrived with three other soldiers. After they saluted and Inge went to sit down a little ways away, a rigid-faced and slightly pale Hilde nodded for Lord Alfwin to handle the rest.

As though none of this had anything to do with her, she watched in silence as the three senior females – the eldest appearing to be around forty – received their new orders. The tallest and most wide-set among them barked out a short laugh, which the third silenced with an almost automatic hit on the nearer shoulder.

She supposed they couldn't be blamed for assuming that this was a joke. When it dawned on the eldest that this was no time for anyone to be playing tricks, her back immediately straightened and stiffened even more. Sensing the change in their senior's demeanor, the other two assumed a formal, stoic air as well.

Finding a more receptive audience, the Lord General repeated and expanded on his instructions.

Overhead, the sun that had blazed down so fiercely hours before began to set. Glancing up at the eastern half of the sky that was now taking on the colors of dusk, the thought that the dark could offer another layer of protection flitted through Hilde's mind.

Perhaps having a similar idea, the Lord General said in closing, ”Be ready to depart in another half hour.” When the soldiers were about to salute, he spoke again. ”Are you their leader?” he asked the eldest, who didn't respond at once.

The burly one volunteered, ”General, Odilia's our officer in everything but name.”

He nodded. ”Odilia, was it? You'll be taking field command – no formal officer will be coming with you.”

”Never did have one of those,” the third soldier muttered under her breath while her leader was acknowledging the order. Having heard her, Hilde surreptitiously looked at the woman, who appeared to be the light and swift-footed type of fighter. She quickly sensed Hilde's gaze and slid her eyes her way, then it was time for them to return to their comrades and prepare so she broke eye contact just as easily and showed the Princess her back.

Leal also excused himself. ”I must relay the plan to my countrymen.” He waited for Hilde's permission to leave, which she gave distractedly. His expression closed off, he bowed and left.

The Lord General shifted his stance and looked off into the direction of the hill path.