Chapter 53 (Cora)

“Thank you for giving me these supplies it will help me get through the night.” Tate thanked us as he grabbed the dried meat and bread from my hands.

“Don’t think I wont be checking in on you just in case you think you can slack off on your punishment.” Helana warned as we made our way back to the camp. Tate just stuck his tongue out at her in response.

As we walked back I couldn’t but help but want to ask Helana about what she thought of Tate, they seemed closer than I had first thought.

“Helana, have you ever liked anyone before?” I asked her trying to avoid my true question.

“Well yea Your Majesty. I like you, and Sir Claus, and His Majesty.” she said matter of factly. I couldn’t help but laugh at how endearing her answer was.

“Well I like you too, but not like that, but like how I like Ara. Do you have anyone you want to spend all of your time with.” I tried to rephrase my question.

“Not like that, but I do like sparring with Tate. He's one of the few men besides His Majesty who can keep up with me. I also don’t trust him to do his job correctly so I find myself with him all the time. If that counts, Your Majesty." She answered my question.

Though it wasn’t in the way I was thinking I kind of got my answer and I let it drop knowing I wasn’t going to get more out of her. Lydy was waiting with our suppers as we made our way back into camp.

Ara’s men had set up a tent for Ara and I while Lydy and Helana shared one next to us and Roland and Sir Claus had set up one the other side of us. The three tents circled around one of the many fires that they had made.

Sitting next to Ara who had made himself at home next to the fire, I couldn’t help but feel my fatigue take over as I sat down. Leaning into Ara, he quietly pulled me into his side as he finished his conversation with Roland and Sir Claus.

“When dawn breaks we need to be packed up and ready to go. I want to be at Count Caswells manor but at sunset. Even if he has scouts out on these roads there will be no time for them to get back and report to him before we make it there.” Ara’s tone held an authority to it that made you want to listen to him.

Roland and Sir Claus agreed with no arguments and made arrangements to tell the men later. Helana plunked down next to Sir Claus with the grace of a newborn calf kicking dirt up around us, spilling some of the soup Lydy had given her. She bumped Sir Claus in his good shoulder, with hers as she settled in next to him.

“You good Sir?” she looked at Sir Claus zeroing in on his shoulder. “It was a long ride and I’m worried it might open up.” Her concern reminded me of how I would talk to my mother when she was sick.

“All good kiddo.” Sir Claus patted her on the back. “You should see how good it's healing, the skin isn’t even hot around the stitches.” His whole belly shook as he laughed.

“Better keep it that way then.” she countered back.

“She’s right Sir Claus, I would like to look at it one more time in the morning before we leave just in case.” I added hoping it would help Helana worry less.

“Of course Your Majesty, not that I plan on getting hurt anytime soon but I hope you’ll take care of me then too. I have never had something heal so fast.” His eyes sparkled with joy as he complimented me.

“She’ll only be tending to my wounds from now on, but maybe I'll let the apprentices take care of you if you wish to get hurt during battle again.” Ara’s voice carried a hint of authority as he said that.

“You can’t keep her all to yourself Ara, you know once where back in the capital Johanna will whisk her away immediately so enjoy your time with her now.” Roland poked Ara in the side. Ara pouted as Sir Claus laughed at Rolands joke.

“Who is Johanna?” I asked if I had never heard of her before and something deep inside me felt heavy wondering how close to Ara she was.

“She is my second Royal advisor, pain in the ass and my self proclaimed aunt since she watched me grow up since I was a boy.” Ara’s tone was filled with love as he talked about her.

Roland and Sir Claus’s boisterous agreements on Johanna’s pain in the ass attitude had Helana in stitches as she also agreed. The men went back and forth with their favorite stories about her and how she had always seemed to best everyone she met.

"Do you remember the time Johanna reprimanded Ara during his coronation ceremony in front of the Ucros embassy for offending them." Sir Claus started, telling another story of Johanna's antics.

"Oh don't tell Nareh this it was an accident!" Ara interrupted.

"I heard of it after I came on as a knight it's a good story." Helana piped in, silencing Ara's complaints.

"Ara offered a deer he had hunted in the morning as a gift to the Ucaros embassy, which is a big offense to them. They see deer as a symbol of their goddess." Roland explained to me.

"So Johanna not only reprimanded our newly crowned king in front of the embassy but pushed for the trade agreement they were seeking to be approved and made Ara learn about their customs as well from one of their most esteemed professors." Sir Claus finished his story.

"Probably the only reason why we have good relations with the country today." Roland chuckled.

"I was young and didn't know any better." Ara tried to defend himself.

By the time Roland and Sir Claus got up and went out among their men to tell them what was happening the moon was high in the sky. Lydy and Helana retired to their tent after being dismissed by Ara for the day, leaving him and I alone by the fireside.

“Nareh, are you sure you're ok, to travel tomorrow today was a long ride and I fear you're going to collapse from exhaustion.” He tilted my face up so he could look into my eyes.

Still nestled into his side, I wriggled closer into him letting out a sigh of exhaustion and content.

“If I say I want you to carry me the rest of the way because my body was too tired, would you?” I joked, trying to show how ridiculous he was being.

“We would need to leave right now, but just say the word and I will make sure your feet never touch the ground till we get to the manor.” He countered back, being very serious.

“Ara!” I hit him in the chest playfully “don’t try to botch the mission over something so trivial, my body can rest later.” I laughed trying to lighten the mood a little.

“Oh I have an idea, come my Nareh I can help you relax even more.” He sprung up to his feet, taking me with him.

As I stood to follow my exhaustion and soreness hit me all at once and I struggled to even make it back to the tent a few feet away as I followed him. After securing the tent for the nights, he sat me on the edge of the bed crawling behind me so I was settled between his thighs.