Lienna.
The journey started out uneventfully, with soldiers moving in hierarchical order, their formation almost perfect. The carriage rumbled along, swaying gently from side to side. Most of the attendants I was with were busy discussing amongst themselves, their hushed tones filling the air.
Others had fallen asleep the second the carriage began to move, exhausted from the pre-dawn preparations. I looked around me, taking in the mix of chatter and snores.
Letting out a sigh, I closed my eyes and began to focus on the breathing techniques Caspian had taught me. Taking slow, deep breaths, I allowed only the most minimal energy to flow through my veins.
I concentrated on holding the breath in my stomach, feeling the thin thread of power spread throughout my body. It was a delicate dance, one I was still mastering.
The power trickled through me, warming my muscles and calming my mind. Caspian had assured me that this technique would help increase the pathways for the moon goddess powers to flow through me.
If I could call upon the powers quickly and efficiently, I’d be better prepared for the battles ahead. And since I was using very little energy now, the usual horniness that accompanied large power surges was greatly reduced.
A welcome relief. I continued my breathing exercises, lost in the rhythm of inhale, hold, exhale. Occasionally, I took breaks to glance out the openings in the carriage. We were well away from any settlement now, surrounded by rolling farmlands stretching towards the horizon.
The sun was climbing higher, casting a warm glow over the landscape. Leaning back on my seat, I settled into the gentle sway of the carriage. My thoughts drifted to Caspian and Hermes, wondering how they were faring.
I hadn’t seen Caspian or Hermes yet, so they had to be riding ahead, scouting the route. Pushing down the anxiety that tried to bubble up in my belly, I tried to focus on my breathing. But the carriage’s movement began to grow rough, jolting me from my reverie.
I looked out the opening, realizing we had entered a rocky terrain. Any plans I had to continue training immediately flew out the window. The journey continued like that for a while, and I had to hold onto the armrest to avoid being thrown off my seat.
The carriage bounced and swayed, sending my stomach lurching and causing me to feel nauseous. It was soon midday, and my stomach began to growl loudly, reminding me I hadn’t eaten yet. As if on cue, the carriage slowed to a stop.
A soldier passed in some fresh fruits and a pouch of water, sharing them among the attendants. I muttered my thanks, immediately digging into the juicy flesh of the apple. The sweetness exploded on my tongue, satisfying my hunger.
Once I finished eating, exhaustion caught up with me. I dozed off, leaning against the carriage, the rhythmic creaking lulling me into a light sleep. When I awoke from my nap, it was already late afternoon.
The procession continued, neither the soldiers nor the horses showing signs of tiredness. I took a deep breath and continued practicing my breathing techniques. The moon goddess powers stirred within me, responding to my focus and I could feel it grow, creating new pathways just like Caspian said it would.
But as the noise in the carriage grew louder, I struggled to concentrate. Stopping my exercises, I looked out the window once more. The shifter kings were still nowhere in sight. It didn’t look like we had plans to stop anytime soon.
A restless energy began to build within me, but I encouraged myself. After all, this was only the beginning. I couldn’t afford to get tired now. Not when we’d barely started.
I glanced around the carriage, noticing the attendants’ weary faces. Some were dozing, while others chatted quietly. I leaned back, watching the passing landscape. The rocky terrain had given way to rolling hills and verdant forests.
The sun began its descent, casting a warm orange glow over the landscape. How much longer would we travel? Would there be any surprise attacks? Questions swirled in my mind, but I pushed them aside.
Focus on the present. That’s all I could control. By early evening, the March slowed to a stop and they began to set up camp. I came down from the carriagecarriage, stretching my stiff muscles. Glancing around at the flurry of activity going on, instinctive looking for the shifter kings.
I finally spotted Caspian and Hermes, standing apart from the others, their eyes scanning the surroundings. I debated whether to approach them, hesitating for a moment. But I also didn’t like the idea of staying away as well.
Mustering courage, I walked towards them, my heart skipping several beats. Their gazes caught mine, and they motioned for me to come closer. I hid the smile threatening to spread across my face, making my way towards them.
“Greetings, Your Majesties,” I said, trying to sound calm. Caspian turned to look at me, his gaze assessing me. “How do you feel?” he asked, his voice low and concerned.
“Fine… I guess,” I replied, feeling my cheeks warm.
Hermes chuckled. “Well, you better. This is only the beginning.”
The camp was set up with remarkable speed, and soon the smell of cooking wafted through the air. By dusk, food had been rationed out and shared among the soldiers. To my surprise, Caspian and Hermes joined the men, eating alongside them.
I stuck close to them throughout dinner, feeling safest in their presence. The meal was simple, but nourishing a far cry from the feasts at the fortress. I reminded myself that I was on the road now, and comforts would be scarce.
As we finished eating, Caspian turned to me. “Show us some of your fighting skills, Lienna,” he said, his eyes glinting with curiosity. I hesitated, embarrassed at the prospect of performing in front of so many.
But I took a deep breath and began. At first, I was aware of the watching eyes, but as I moved into the rhythm of combat, I forgot about the audience. My focus narrowed to the imaginary opponent, my movements fluid and precise.
“Wow… She’s improved,” Hermes commented, sounding pleased. “She must be a really good student.” He said, glancing at Caspian, then at me, amusement shining in hua eyes.
“Well, I had an equally great teacher.” I said and Hermes grinned.
Caspian nodded, his expression critical. “She’s still nowhere near perfect, though.” He said, furrowing his brow.
I smiled wryly, acknowledging the truth. There was always room for improvement. Caspian’s gaze lingered on me, his eyes burning with intensity. “We’ll work on that subsequently.” I nodded, anticipation curling within me.
“Did you practice your breathing techniques just like I told you to?” Caspian asked, his eyes narrowing slightly. I nodded eagerly.
“Yes, I did.”
Caspian nodded, a hint of approval on his face. “That’s good. Keep it up.”
“Thanks, Your Majesty,” I said, promptly bowing my head. The night wore on, the camp settling into a quiet routine. Hermes and Caspian began discussing strategies with various high-ranking officers. I listened listlessly, my mind wandering as the conversation turned to troop deployments and battle tactics.
Eventually, exhaustion caught up with me. I grew tired and wanted to retire for the night. That’s when confusion set in. Where would I be spending the night?
Caspian noticed my uncertainty and spoke up. “You can spend the night in my tent,” he said, sparing me a glance. “I’ll have a soldier guide you there.” But before I could respond, Hermes cut in.
“Why your tent?” Hermes asked, pinning Caspian with a glare. “Why can’t she spend the night in mine?” I stiffened, my gaze darting between the two shifter kings.
What’s going on here?