Bellica

by Katje van Loon

  "Prick," she muttered under her breath. She headed for the barracks. Silly dandy who couldn't answer a simple question! Wasn't that part of his job? She considered, briefly, pulling strings to get him fired (there were perks to being royalty) but decided she wasn't that vindictive. Not yet, anyway. Another year of this job and I may well be.

  The barracks seemed under-populated until Yarrow remembered with a start that she'd released the medicorps to help with the fever in the city and castle. Shouldn't that be over by now? It had been been nearly a tredicem since the outbreak had begun. She made a mental note to visit Jules at the hospitalis after her fact-finding mission. She hoped he was well.

  Spotting a lieutenant she knew to be a friend or at least an acquaintance of James, she headed over to where the woman was playing cards. Coalette jumped up to salute but Yarrow waved her hand.

  "At ease, soldier. I'm looking for someone. Lt. James deDessi. He here?" she directed her question at all of the officers around the small makeshift table.

  The woman and her comrades exchanged glances. "We haven't seen him, Ma'am," she said, apology in her voice. "But I know who might've. Eh, Sebastian!" she shouted, and a man turned at the sound of his voice, lieutenant insignia on his collar. "You seen James?" Coalette asked.

  "James? Naw, he ain't back yet. Still wenching and whoring in Mudflat, I hear," he said, then turned back to his game. It mattered not in his life where the other man was.

  Coalette shrugged and turned back to her superior. "I'm sorry, Ma'am." She sounded truly contrite, as if she knew how much work Yarrow had to do now.

  Yarrow gave Coalette a tight smile. "Not your fault. As you were," she added before leaving the barracks, hiding her frustrated anger.

  "Because Mudflat is precisely where I want to go at this time of year," she muttered to no one in particular as she turned her feet towards the hospitalis.

  ~

  The hospitalis was far from empty. It still overflowed with patients but Jules was not there. Neither were Ghia and Helene, it seemed, one being in the city delivering aid and the other down with the fever.

  Yarrow gave her thanks to Jera for the information and left, worried about how the city was dealing with the fever and at a loss as to what to do next. She had to leave for Mudflat in the morning, that was for sure. She didn't want to go alone, for she was no fool, but she didn't want to ask Caelum to accompany her. Nor was there anyone else she felt she could ask, except Jules, who wasn't there -- probably sleeping, which Goddess knew he deserved after his stint as Head Healer.

  Hands on hips, she tapped her foot, thinking. It was growing far too late to ask anyone else. People were preparing for sleep, now, save night-shifters. Well, Aro might still be up.

  She stopped. Aro. She could ask him -- it would give him something to do. After collecting Lt. James, they could head to Harbourtown to await word of Anala, who would be due back soon, if she was to return at all.

  No. No if. She will.

  It wasn't as if there was much else to do. True, New Year's and Spring were upon them. Just three days away. True to form, however, winter was not relinquishing Athering from its icy grip so easily. The weather fluctuated between snowing densely, as it was doing now, to bright, hot days that melted all the fresh snow and flooded the streets. It was a horrible, messy, muddy time of year which wouldn't improve for at least a month. Leave might have officially ended, but as far as Yarrow was concerned it was going to last past New Year's, perhaps till the end of Primera. The Empress would be crazy to launch a new campaign now. Oh, it had been done in the past, for wartime knew no season. One must get the jump on one's enemies! At present, however, the only war they were involved in was a cold war with Voco, and with that "peace treaty" in the works.... Yes, it would be crazy to launch something now.

  Which wasn't to say Zanny wasn't crazy, but Zardria would know better. With Duema coming up, her rule would solidify more every day.

  Idly, Yarrow wondered whom her twin would choose as Consort; then pushed those musings away. Perhaps if she and her sister didn't have a love-hate relationship, she would already know. Frankly, she didn't care whom her sister had her eyes on. So long as she leaves Caelum and me alone. That would be the best birthday gift I could ask for.

  Passing Aro's room, she stopped short at the sight of a slightly damp Ghia standing outside his door.

  She blinked, incredulously, and voiced as neutral a greeting as she could manage. "Healer Ghia."

  Ghia inclined her head and bobbed a quick curtsy -- ever the tomboy. "Bellica Yarrow. What brings you here?"

  I could ask you the same, girl. "Regimental business," was all she said. She raised her eyebrows pointedly, asking Ghia the same. For some reason, she felt jealous, which was ridiculous -- she held no attraction to Aro. Right?

  Well, why are you at his room past midnight, Yarrow?

  Regimental business, she told herself sternly.

  If Ghia noticed Yarrow's conflicted emotions, she said nothing. "It's a long story, but -- "

  The door opened then, cutting Ghia off. Yarrow saw the look of relief on the healer's face, but was then distracted by the two men emerging from the room.

  "Jules?" she said, and mentally kicked herself.

  Yes, Jules. You were expecting perhaps Lord Exsil Vis?

  He stood at attention immediately, as did Aro. Ghia merely looked amused.

  Yarrow waved her arm crossly. "Ghia's not released you yet, soldier -- you should be saluting her." He had the grace to flush. A quick glance at Ghia told Yarrow the girl was perilously close to laughter. The trio looked at one another, Ghia reining in her mirth admirably while debating whether to clue the bellica in.

  Yarrow wanted to stamp her foot in frustration, which she'd not done since a small child. She let her irritation out in her voice. "Are you going to tell me what the feck is going on or are you going to leave me in the dark?"

  This was one of those tense moments before taking a decision to reveal a secret, judging by the collective sharp intake of breath. Yarrow stared and waited. Finally Jules took up the mantle of spokesperson: "Ah, we're going to Harbourtown." He gave her his best I'm-your-medic-don't-kill-me smile, which he had down to a fine art by this point.

  Yarrow gave him a droll stare. "Right now?"

  "Ah, well, soon-ish, I suppose...." he began, flustered.

  Ghia cut in. "As soon as possible, Bellica. Dawn would be good." She lifted her chin defiantly, daring Yarrow to countermand her.

  Outranking all of them, Yarrow could have forbidden it until she got some straight answers. She could have questioned them. She could have sent them all to hack. She could have done any of those things, had she seen the situation as just three inferiors defiantly going ahead with a crazy plan that transgressed all rules and military order.

  Instead, she saw an opportunity.

  If she was not one to seize an opportunity, then her name wasn't Yarrow Achi deZameera Zarqon, by Aradia!

  She was still in charge.

  "No, you're not," she said, and enjoyed the instant rebellion in three sets of eyes, albeit one set was rather bleary and bloodshot. She cut off their protests: "We leave at dawn for Mudflat. I require an escort for regiment business there."

  The men were frowning, obviously wondering if they should try to plead their case. Yarrow made eye contact with Ghia, who was no doubt in charge of this jackahare-brained scheme. The healer looked at her steadily and then smiled.

  "As you wish, Bellica," she said respectfully, giving Yarrow a formal curtsy.

  Yarrow inclined her head. "Pack your bags, soldiers. We leave on the morn and I'll tolerate no tardiness." With that she walked away, heading to her own room.

  It was a good plan. There would have been Muerta to pay had those three tried to go to Harbourtown through unofficial channels. Yarrow needed an escort and would not be refused her choices. Whether they all arrived or stayed in Mudflat or not...well, the paperwork would say they had. That was all that mattered.

&nbs
p; She smiled as she strode down the hallway, pleased with her own cleverness.

  Jules

  "This is crazy -- what's in Mudflat? Don't we need to go to Harbourtown?"

  Ghia gave him a look that said You're an idiot but didn't answer his question. Instead she spoke to Aro, who looked even more confused than Jules felt, though he was now sober. "Aro, why don't you pack a bag and get some sleep? You look as if you could use it." Her voice was kind and a smile accompanied her words. Aro nodded blankly and headed back into his room. "See you at dawn!" she called after him.

  Jules was staring at Ghia, perhaps rudely, but couldn't stop himself. Her wild mood swings both scared and intrigued him. Is it part of her dual nature, or has she simply not slept properly in a while?

  Maybe the latter. If she was anywhere near as tired as he was, mood swings would be expected. Still, next chance he got, he was going to ask Rosa about it.

  She'd noticed his staring. "What?"

  He cleared his throat and put his hands on his hips. "I was just wondering if you were planning on going to sleep tonight, or if you thought staying up would be better." His tone jested, to cover both his concern and what he'd actually been thinking. She narrowed her eyes at him. Likely she knew he'd fibbed, but he refused to let her intimidate him into spilling the beans.

  She waved a hand irritably. "What do you think? I want to be rested for our trip to Mudflat." She walked away down the hall.

  He jog-trotted to catch up. "What did I miss back there?" He was sure Yarrow and Ghia had arrived at some conclusion that he and Aro had missed.

  Ghia rolled her eyes at him, confirming his hunch. "Only that we're not going to Mudflat."

  He thought about this, but it still made no sense to him. "I thought Yarrow had business there."

  A sigh. "She does. She needs an escort. We're that escort." She looked up at him meaningfully.

  It became clear as the ocean in summertime. Jules wanted to hit himself for stupidity. "Oh, Goddess. I'm tired," he said as excuse.

  She snorted. "Sure, Jules, whatever makes you feel better," she teased; then giggled and leapt away as he made a mock-lunge for her.

  "Impertinent wench," he growled affectionately.

  She laughed some more, staying just beyond his reach. "You need a new nickname for me, Jules -- that one's getting as old are you are." Her eyes danced with mirth.

  "As old as I...oh, that does it," and he took off after her, chasing her down the hallway. It was crazy -- they were too tired for childish games like this and he had no idea what he would do with her when he caught her. Maybe tickle her until she begged for mercy? If it was summertime he would dump her in the river running through the East Gardens, but this time of year it was still too cold. He'd have to think of some other suitable punishment.

  Old! He was barely thirty-three! Mayhap that seemed old to a nineteen-year-old. He groaned inwardly and nearly stopped chasing her as he realised anew why they had to remain friends. This is dangerous, Jules, you're slipping on thin ice....

  For he was falling for her. Had fallen, mayhap. It was stupid, but he couldn't help it any more than he could help his feelings for Yarrow.

  Yes, he still loved the bellica. It was possible to love more than one person at a time and in a perfect world he could be with them both. Tyvian, he could, with any two women in Athering -- or men! Why not his bellica and the healer he'd watched grow up?

  It was useless to think on it. It wasn't a perfect world, no more than he was a perfect man. An imperfect man with feelings he could not act upon. With either woman, he reminded himself sternly.

  The chase was as good as over. Ghia had outrun him -- the girl had stamina! He could sprint, but she could keep up a steady pace until her opponent begged her to stop, choking on her dust.

  He stopped for a breather, doubled over and chest heaving. Maybe he was old. Certainly too old for this sort of activity. And any other type of work-out? he asked himself.

  Ah, Desirelle! Didn't want to think about that -- not after such a long dry spell, and not with Ghia calmly walking up to him now, hands on beautiful hips which swayed just enough to set his pulse racing, a smile on those enticing lips as she breathed just hard enough for him to notice the up and down motion of her bosom....

  Oh, feck it. It was impossible. He was in deep and couldn't dig himself out of this hole. Maybe I can convince someone to push the dirt onto my head instead.

  He stood and gave her a half-smile -- a full smile was too much effort when he was so out of breath.

  She tsked and shook her head, curls the red-orange of a summer sunset bouncing around her face. "I didn't think I was more rested than you, Jules. How much sleep have you had?" She was teasing still, but he could hear the tone of a superior officer in there and knew she was asking as Head Healer as well as friend.

  He shrugged, a roll of his shoulders that stretched tired muscles. "Enough. More than you, I daresay. But apparently I'm not the distance runner here." He wanted to keep the conversation light since the reddening of her cheeks had got him thinking of how she'd look with cheeks flushed in passion....

  I need a cold shower. Stat. This was too much -- was one stray thought of sex enough to push him over the edge? That and the dry spell of five years, he supposed. He was human, after all.

  She shrugged then. Thank Althea, that maddening blush was disappearing. "I ran a lot as a kid."

  "All of, what, a year or two ago?" he asked. If she was going to make fun of his age....

  She snorted and gave him a light swat on the shoulder. "Come on, Grandpa -- bedtime! You're getting confused again," she added, giving his arm a slight tug in the direction of the barracks.

  Oh, good. His heart had skipped a beat when she'd said bedtime--never mind the cracks about his age circling the word. He let himself be led by her, trying desperately to focus his mind somewhere else, instead of the dark naughty places it seemed intent on.

  "Young whippersnapper," he managed to get out, which earned him a grin from her. It dazzled him.

  She stopped at the door to his regiment's barracks and turned to say goodnight to him, but he stopped her. "So does this mean you're relinquishing command of me, Head Healer?" His voice was more serious than he'd intended, and he hoped she'd keep things in jest.

  She did, and he could have kissed her. No. No kissing. "Please, Jules -- regardless whom you officially answer to, I've got you wrapped around my little finger," she said, eyes sparkling. "Get some sleep. I'll see you at dawn," she added, then turned to go.

  "Good night, Healer," he said as she raised a hand in farewell. He sighed to himself and entered the barracks, ready to grab a towel and head directly for the bathrooms.

  Yes, a cold shower was definitely in order, especially if he was to survive an extended ride with Ghia tomorrow.

  Yarrow

  Her bags were packed, her room was clean, she was ready to go to bed and leave at dawn -- there was just one thing left to do before she could let sleep take her for a few hours.

  She tied up her long braid into a club and crossed to the door in a few easy strides. Opening it and stepping out in one fluid motion, she bumped into the figure who stood there, hand poised to knock.

  "Yarrow," said Caelum.

  She had to stop herself from fleeing back into her room.

  Instead she stood, arms crossed, waiting for his follow-up statement. "Yeah. What do you want?" she asked when he didn't say anything.

  "I...." He coughed and shuffled his feet. An awkward pause, and then he shrugged, quickly, and said in a rush: "I just wanted to talk to you."

  Goddess, why? Conflicting emotions nearly tore her in two, but she kept herself together. Somehow. Barely. "I don't want to talk to you." Will that make him leave? Please.

  He sighed, looking resigned. "I understand...."

  Good! Leave now -- stop tormenting me!

  "But it's important. Please hear me out."

  With the barest modicum of control, she resisted punching him. Time wa
s running out for her to file those travel papers! "Important. Right. Speaking of, I have to file some paperwork before leaving tomorrow, so can you let me go?" Just. Step. Aside.

  "Leaving?" he jumped on her words. "Where are you going?"

  Feck. "Mudflat. Regiment business." Let that end it. "Need to file my requests if I want to leave at dawn." There -- one last tidbit. Leave now.

  He looked stricken, and for a moment she wondered if she'd lost control and had punched him. "So you've arranged your escort, then." It wasn't a question.

  "Yes." What else could she say?

  "And you didn't ask me?"

  She lost it. With no regard for fighting in a castle hallway, close to her troops' barracks, she shouted at him: "I didn't want to talk to you, Caelum! Period. Just as I don't want to talk to you now, and somehow you've managed to keep me here when I could be finishing my business!" And sleeping. "Let me go file my papers."

  He leaned in then and planted his hands on each side of her door, pinning her to it. Her heart skipped a beat at the intense look in his eyes, but all he said was "On one condition. Include me in your escort."

  What? "That's not even logical -- I don't want to see you and so will include you in a ride that will have us in close quarters for a sevenday at the very least, mayhap more? No, Caelum."

  He shrugged, as if it didn't mean a thing to him. "Then I guess you'll have to wait until tomorrow to file those papers. Good luck leaving on time."

  Her jaw dropped in her incredulity. "You're going to keep me here if I don't agree to take you with me?" He nodded nonchalantly, looking for all the world as if they were discussing which dessert pastry tasted best.

  She was mad now. She straightened until her face was inches away from his and glared at him. "Oh yeah? You and what regiment, Major Caelum?"

  He gave her a pitying look and she resisted the urge to squirm. "I'm stronger than you, Yarrow," he said simply. His eyes flickered to her waist. "I notice you forgot your new sword in your room." He left the thought unfinished, letting her decide if it was a threat or not.