Chapter 97 The siege road
Lucien frowned as he steered his horse in the direction he wanted it to go.
The men were quiet, all lost in their thoughts, each of them still reeling from Sam's death.
His mind flashed to the funeral they'd held. Sam wrapped in leaves, was set on fire into the departing sea. He'd tried his best to hold his emotions, instead comforting the men Sam had led his entire life.
And now, the only noise that rent the air was the sound of horses’ hooves.
He could feel eyes watching him from behind as he moved and didn't need to be told that it was Olivia.
She'd been watching him move from the previous day and when the information came from within the city that Damien had closed down the palace, he'd decided that they would go meet Damien where it was.
“We should rest,” Olivia muttered from his side, startling him. He'd not heard her sneak up on him.
“How about you stop sneaking up on me first.” He said harshly, gliding his horse away from hers.
His harsh words didn't seem to affect her one but as she moved closer to him. “Take a look at the men, Lucien. They're tired. We've been on this journey for three days without stopping.”
Lucien's lips thinned as he looked away. “We cannot afford to stop. Stopping means more deaths.” The words left his mouth before he could stop them.
Olivia nodded in understanding, pity clouding her eyes.
“Do not look at me that way.” Lucien hissed.
“What way?” She asked innocently. This was the most he had spoken in the last four days and as much as his words pierced her heart, she would get him to keep talking.
Realising the game she was playing, Lucien hissed and looked away, focusing on his ride.
Isabella pushed forward, unrelenting. “I would love to see what Sam would have said seeing you punish the men this way.”
Lucien spun backwards, almost grabbing her neck. “I would love to hear you call his name one more time.” He growled.
Olivia's eyes widened in horror as she gulped. Beside them, the men stopped as they watched the drama unfold.
Lucien sighed as he let her go, looking away. Shame filled his face.
“Let's take a break,” Konstatin said from the side, shooing the men away. “20 minutes.”
The men cheered as they dispersed immediately, some leading their horses to a stream close by.
“What the hell is happening?” Konstatin growled, baring his fangs the moment they were out of earshot.
Olivia shrugged and pointed at Lucien. “He's being a pussy.”
“The irony.” Lucien snorted, making Olivia giggle. “The irony? Boy, I am fucking right and you know that.” Steam appeared on her face.
Lucien grunted, infuriating her further. She stepped away from the pack, her boots pacing on the hard floor.
“What is this?” She pointed at the space in front of them. “Take a look at us, taking the bait from Damien Hale because we are not able to heal from one death?”
“Liv?” Seth breathed softly.
Olivia looked away. “See the men, all shaken up, their morale down because the one man who is supposed to encourage them is brought down by grief or rather guilt.” She cocked her head to the sides, daring Lucien.
“Olivia,” Konstatin spoke up this time, warning lacing his voice.
Behind them, Lucien curled his fingers, looking like he was about to kill someone.
“Don't.” Olivia raised her hand in anger. “Do not tell me to stop because you are fucking afraid of getting him triggered. People die every day, we…”
The words got stuck in her throat as Lucien rushed at her, unable to control himself any longer as he pinned her to a wall.
“What?” Olivia goaded. “You wanna kill me? Think it's gonna bring him back?” She continued, her eyes daring him to use the knife.
“Why don't I make this easy for you?” She inched her neck closer to the knife, allowing it to pierce an artery as blood flowed.
“Go ahead. Finish it off.” Behind the brave exterior, she clamped her fingers together to prevent them from shaking.
Lucien breathed as he pushed her away. He walked to the bark of a tree, resting himself as he heaved.
They remained silent, each one of them lost in their thoughts, the air heavy.
“Let's take a breather. Tell the men to camp nearby.” Konstatin said finally, breaking the silence.
Lucien shook his head. “We can't. The time frame for the ritual has been brought forward. We have to be there to stop it in time.”
“I see.” Olivia mocked. “And let me guess, the burnt men would be the same ones facing the mercenaries in the heart of the city.”
Lucien ignored her as he faced Konstatin and Seth.
“Liv is right, Lucien. This is a crucial time.” Konstatin spoke. “Wearing the men out will do nothing but come back to bite us in the ass.”
Seth nodded in agreement.
Lucien sighed in frustration. “So?”
“So, we do the obvious.” Olivia cut in.
“Liv?” Seth called out this time.
Lucien glanced at Seth. “Alright. We leave first thing at dawn.”
The men heaved in relief as Seth nodded, walking away. From afar, the rest of them could hear sounds of jubilation.
Olivia snorted as she tied her horse. “I'll be somewhere clearing my head if you need me.” She motioned to Konstatin as she walked away.
Lucien limped, the effect of the non-stop riding finally taking effect on him as he walked away leaving Konstatin standing alone, clutching his spear.
“Well,” he shouted into the air as he turned around. “I think I'll just make myself comfortable.”
Lucien grunted as he unwrapped the cloth used to tie his injury. The flesh split open, revealing an almost rotten wound.
He reached for his bag, taking out another cloth to use to wrap his thigh.
The stitch that Maya had done had gone undone in the battle held at Thornfield.
“How long?” A voice sounded from behind him.
He groaned as he hurriedly wrapped the cloth around his thigh. “What do you want?” He turned back.
Olivia shrugged. “Came around to see my friend.”
Lucien snorted. “Yeah, that's right.”
Olivia ignored him, peering into his thighs with the only light that stood nearby. “How long has that been?” She asked again.
Lucien sighed. She would not stop until he told her what she wanted to hear. “Four days ago.” He stopped, allowing her to fill the rest in.
Olivia nodded, her gaze softening. “When I leave here, I'll get the medic and he'll come dress that up.”
Lucien opened his mouth and closed it almost immediately too tired to argue.
Olivia nodded satisfactorily before her gaze softened. “I shouldn't have spoken to you that way earlier.”
“You undermined my authority,” Lucien muttered as he struggled to put his leg out.
“I did.” She nodded in agreement. “I shouldn't have but you needed the push. You were going on a suicide mission.”
“You shouldn't have.” He confirmed, ignoring all other parts of her statement.
“I'm sorry.” Her face broke into a small smile. “You can't stay angry at me forever, you know.” She teased as she moved closer to him.
“How's your neck?” Lucien motioned to her neck, which had been bandaged neatly.
“It's nothing.” She shrugged. “It’s one of the prices that has to be paid.”
Lucien nodded.
“I should go get the medic.” She motioned, leaving him alone.
“Thank you,” Lucien whispered, but loud enough for her to hear.
“My absolute pleasure.” She muttered as she walked away, a triumphant smile on her face.
Olivia returned in a few minutes, the doctor on her trail. “He's here.” She whispered, nudging him.
Lucien grumbled, muttering some incoherent words as he unwrapped the cloth used to tie his thighs.
Olivia inhaled as she saw the deep gash in his thighs.
“A few more days later and you'll be on the verge of amputation, Your Majesty” The doctor said to Lucien as he knelt, taking out his tools.
“Not too late to salvage the situation is it?” Lucien grunted, sucking in air, as the doctor began stitching.
“Tighter please.” He groaned, grabbing the rock in front of him.
The doctor glanced at Olivia for confirmation and she nodded. “So what he says.”
He hesitated. “Anything tighter than this, Your Majesty and your blood won't flow.”
“Tighter,” Lucien commanded, his voice giving no room for argument.
“Your Majesty?” He seemed to pause, contemplating. “Alright, hold tight. This will hurt like hell.”
Lucien nodded, biting his lips as the pain registered in his head, stopping himself from screaming by holding a big boulder.
“There, done.” He bowed, packing up his tools as he walked away.
Lucien nodded his thanks, staring into space. Damien Hale would need all the protection he could get because he was going to die.
He was going to make sure of it.