37. Pallas

The ship buzzed with nervous energy as the soldiers bustled about, readying for our landing and the battle ahead.

Icouldn't stand it. I was only getting in the way. I wasn't a warrior or a soldier. I had read my fair share of literature, histories, and battle strategies, but even that fled my mind as the troops sharpened weapons and helped each other don their armor. They moved fluidly and in sync, despite the frantic energy, like a hive of bees, except for me. I was the invader who disrupted the lines of communication and flow.

Ifinally fled to the front of the ship, hiding just inside the railing on the prow. I watched as the bow cut through the waves like a sword. Up ahead, the early morning sun was still caught in the mist over the ocean. The whole boat swerved to the side violently, and I was flung against the railing. AfterI recovered, I saw a huge rock island in the mist where our boat had been headed. Avlyn wouldn't have been able to see it, but now I understood that sight wasn't the only thing they used to guide them on the sea.

Afterhours curled up, my legs grew stiff, and I was drenched from the mist and sea spray. The cold clung to me, and I needed to move or risk freezing to the front of the ship. I hobbled through the throngs of soldiers, and they moved around me like the water at the front of the boat. I made it to the stairs that led to the deck, where Avlyn gripped the massive steering wheel.

Ilooked up, and our eyes locked before I could avert my gaze. Half of me wished they would ignore me, and the other half longed for them to come down. I wasn't sure which was winning that fight. A moment later, I heard them shout, and their boots clattered down the stairs. My stomach did a little flip, and the creature in my gut seemed to give a satisfied and smug purr.

"Are you alright, my lady?" The commander leaned down to look deeply into my face, and I could feel the blush rising. My creature purred louder.

"I'm fine, just got a bit chilled." They nodded and reached out for my shoulder before pulling back abruptly.

"No wonder! You're soaking wet. Here." They pulled a small cloth out of their belt. They gently pushed the long bangs that clung to my cheeks behind my ear. They gathered my hair and wrung out the mass with the cloth before draping it over my shoulders and gently wiping my face with a corner.

Theygave a soft smile. "I know inside the hull is rank from all the bodies, but it will be warmer and drier."

Theirhand lingered on my face as we talked. It was so warm, so inviting, and that creature in my stomach seemed to have taken over my mind.

"I'd rather just have someone to help keep me warm. I do recall you were quite good at it." I gave Avlyn my own soft smile.

Ifelt their hand twitch, and a moment of insecurity passed over their face before that smile returned, no longer warm but hot.

"I live to serve my lady. Anytime you need a warm body, I am always available."

"You didn't seem interested before." That smile faded again, and the creature inside me hissed, Stop pushing them away! But how could I? When they looked at me like I might be worth something…

Iwent to move, but Avlyn's fingers gripped my cheek tighter, not letting me. "That was before I saw you… before I saw you attack a Nykur that had frozen an orc stiff."

"Well, Raula wasn't really frozen; she was actually caught in the Nykur's enchantment. It's an old magic that calls on a victim's greatest desire, similar to the nauthiz glyph used by fae magus. It makes what a person desires most appear right in front of them." There was that look again. Avlyn's eyes wouldn't let me go, and I wanted to sink right into them.

"I love it when you get all academic. It makes me almost wish I hadn't skipped my history lessons."

"Maybe you just needed a better teacher?"

"Nah… I had good teachers. I just didn't want to sit and listen to them. It's not the same with you. I could listen to you all day." Their hand flexed the smallest amount, and the ship under us swayed. Our faces were getting closer, just a little bit more…

"Commander!" A voice from the upper deck broke the spell. I saw Avlyn grit their teeth and turn to the soldier. "Land in sight, and it's not looking good."

Avlyngave me one more long glance before bolting up the stairs. I heard them curse under their breath, and I ran back to the railing of the ship.

Thedark beach of Xyr was in sight, but smoke rose over the city above. We were too far to see anything else, but I swore the wind carried cries of anguish out to me. I gripped the railing until the wood cut into my palms.

Wenearly reached the dock when I felt a firm hand on my shoulder again. "Nearly there, my lady. I'm going to hide you in the lighthouse until the fighting concludes." I had never seen Avlyn look so serious.

"And what if it should conclude in a loss for the DragonArmy?" I asked.

Theirface grew even more stern. "There is a ladder down the back of the tower. If you see the enemy approach, take it and head into the countryside. There is a small settlement a two-day walk to the southeast. It's so small that it hasn't been mapped. It will probably be spared."

"Why can't I just stay on the boat?"

"They will burn them as soon as they reach the docks." It was said so matter-of-factly, with no emotion. A soldier's truth, a commander's truth.

"Take me with you," I requested.

Avlyn'sface finally softened. "Pallas, this is war. I won't be able to watch over you. I need to lead. I need to fight."

"I don't expect you to babysit me. Just…" What did I expect? Of course, I couldn't go with them.

Theysqueezed my shoulder again. "This is the safest place I can put you."

"Won't you just promise me that you'll come back for me?"

"I don't make promises that I can't keep, my lady."

Myheart squeezed in my chest in a way I hadn't felt in centuries. I wanted to scream. I wanted to grab them and not let go. It was so unlike me, and that was terrifying.

Mythoughts were disrupted by the harsh sway of the boat as it hit the dock. Avlyn's face returned to that stone-cold warrior's mask.

"Stay at my side as we disembark."

As the troops lined themselves up in formation to storm the city, Avlyn led me up the three-story tower. On the upper level next to the light used to guide ships sat a small telescope attached to the railing. Avlyn swiveled it towards the city.

"Keep an eye out for any approaching enemy soldiers. If they approach, don't wait. Flee to the countryside. Do you understand?"

"Yes," I agreed, but the commander heard the lie.

"Do not wait for me, Pallas. It's too dangerous. Promise me that you won't."

"Avlyn…"

"Promise me." Their gaze was unyielding. but so was mine.

"I will, if you promise me that you will fight with everything you have to get back to me."

"Of course I will, Pallas. I—"

Igrabbed their face and pulled them into a deep kiss. They gave a small yelp of surprise that was muffled by my lips before they surrendered, pulling me into a tight embrace. I could have stayed there forever, but instead, I only lingered one heartbeat more before pushing them away. Their mouth hung open in awe.

"Now go and retake your city."

Avlynshook their head, regaining their senses, before smiling and turning to leave.

"Commander…" They turned their head back to me. "Don't die," I ordered with a smile.

Avlynreturned it and gave a dramatic bow. "I live to serve, my lady." With that, they took a step backward off the edge of the building. I scrambled over to the railing and saw them land gracefully on top of a canvas booth before bounding off down the street after their cohort.