Disclaimer: Everyone involved is over the age of 21!
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Hi there :)
I am so glad you liked part one of this series.
Here is part 2!
Please let me know what you think :)
xoxo
Jackie
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They arrived a few hours later at Kaelen's Flamerot Division Base Camp. Lysira tried to look as brave and resilient as she could, despite her slight hesitation and doubts. She had been to a basecamp during training a few times, but this one was huge, a lot bigger than the camp she had visited when she was trained as an Enchantress.
They hadn't even stepped away from the portal fully when Micah and Soren came and welcomed their General and Lysira.
"General, I didn't expect your Emberskeeper to be coming along..." Micah greeted Kaelen and gave Lysira an appreciative nod and smile.
Kaelen heaved a sigh and squeezed his eyes shut for a few moments.
"Neither did I, actually," Kaelen finally gave in a quiet grumble and eyed the Priestess by his side. "Do not mistake this for weakness. The threat to our stronghold is a real concern." His features went grim, and Lysira suspected that this had little to do with anything other than what they'd discussed in the tent.
"The necromancers have been on the attack relentlessly lately. And they've been testing our borders as if looking for weak spots." Soren's expression was equally solemn, and Lysira noted the grave seriousness with which he spoke. He was usually serious, but even more so now, even for his standards.
"We have contacted the iceborn army stationed a few hundred miles west from here," Micah added. "If we can sway the wind elementalists to support us, we'll stand a better chance at this front."
"We are still waiting for an answer, and we all know the likelihood is slim to none. Those pricks are a fickle bunch," Soren added.
She glanced from Kaelen to the two other Flamebound warriors as their expressions darkened. They were all worn from battle, but they looked nearly hopeless.
As if I'm an attempt to calm himself he placed his hand on her lower back. It wasn't a conscious act, but her breath hitched nonetheless, surprised by the public display of affection. He never did something like that. He was the General. Yes, she was his Emberskeeper but she doubted that anyone knew how strong they felt sometimes. He didn't like to display it in front of his men and usually respected his men's privacy.
"Good work on him, Lady Lysira," Micah finally murmured in surprise, his brows lifted.
"His burns looked way worse when we brought him to your tent," Soren agreed, glancing between her and the general. "How'd you do that? How did you manage to restore his entire energy level in a few hours?"
Kaelen felt her stiffen under his hand, even if ever so slightly, and his jaw clenched. She was rare, even among the Emberskeeper's. Her energy level was extremely high. Even after healing him completely she only needed a few hours before she was able to restore his entire energy.
"She's brilliant," was his only response and that's when she smiled for the first time this afternoon, feeling appreciated and proud of herself.
"Get the men together. We have an hour, then we're leaving."
His officers turned at that and headed off with an exchange of silent nods, disappearing through the crowds of bustling warriors.
He led her through the busy and crowded camp and the various tents with a steady stride. The camp itself looked like it had been set up for quite some time. She suspected it was already a home for a few Flamebound, especially if they had their Emberskeeper's with them. The tent stalls were well-built and sturdy, made of thick and insulating black fabrics to neutralize the heat the soldiers were giving off.
He guided her to a large main tent, motioning for her to enter. Her fingers slid against his in an involuntary reaction and a tiny smile graced her lips when she stepped inside the dark structure. It felt cool inside the tent, despite the warm temperature outside, and she glanced around briefly, noting the runes and spells used to keep the place cool and efficient. There was a table at the far corner with a map and scrolls, along with his armor, boots, and other tactical equipment. Along the side stood a weapon rack holding swords, axes, and various other assorted weapons, polished and ready to strike. At the end was a smaller chamber with a doorless frame that led to a partitioned room with a makeshift bed and trunk.
"The war camp isn't really fit for guests," he started to say, frowning.