FSE

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CHAPTER 15

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Kassandra

It was perhaps an hour after sunrise. And I had laid out my weapons on my bed, a sword, two short swords, a pair of daggers and a belt full of throwing knives. Many of the males only had one or two weapons, one of which was most commonly a spear. I was never really a fan of spears, to unwieldy for my liking.

Many of the warriors commented on the number of weapons I carried with me. Part of it was jealousy. These weapons were expertly crafted and it would take them several moons to save up the money to have one crafted in the same quality. Others saw it as me trying to over compensate for my lack of physical strength because I was 'merely' a female.

Surprisingly no one messed with me here. When I had been posted here I had thought that at one male would try and force themselves on me. I had spent many a sleepless night clutching a blade under the poor excuse of a pillow. A pillow that reeked of many males that had used it. That had made it difficult enough to sleep;even now.

No male had ever tried. They still looked, but I can't stop them doing that. Not unless I want to go around gouging the eyes of any male who looks at me. I'm sure many of them had heard what had happened to the warriors who had arranged for me to be raped last time. Malakye had saved me back then, not soon enough before several males had had their way with me, but he had stopped what could have been hours of rape. He wasn't here any more to protect me. A thought which made me feel weak but also brought a smile to me muzzle. He was the only other male that made me feel safe to be around.

"Kassandra!"

I felt my brow furrow as the familiar voice called out to me. I looked up from cleaning my sword to see Laguna approaching. He was flanked on either side by his friends Tristen and Roxis. They annoyed me more than most. Tristen was unusually childish and Roxis overly emotional. I liked to avoid spending time with them when I could. At least they had become open about their relationship with one another. They had spent nearly two years trying to hide it when everyone knew. Listening to their pathetic excuses while they tried to hide the truth about their relationship had been irritating.

"Want to grab some breakfast before we go on on duty?" He asked.

"I'm not hungry." I said flatly and returned to running the cloth along the length of my sword.

"Stop lying!" He countered and grabbed my wrist. "You need to eat!"

"Get off of me!" I snarled and yanked my arm free from his grasp.

"Dude... if she says she's not hungry just believe her." Tristen piped up. Most sensible thing I've ever heard him say.

"Go eat with your friends and leave me alone!" I growl. He looked hurt, but it was only for a moment before it was gone and he was smiling at me. "What?"

"I guess I'm not very hungry myself!" He said and sat down next to me on my bed.

"What...?" I huffed.

"Dude? Seriously?" Tristen muttered in surprise. Roxis was obviously as surprised but remained silent. "I'm starving! I'm not gonna wait for you!"

"That's fine." Laguna grinned.

"Get off my bed!" I growled. Annoyed that he was invading my personal space like this.

"You guys enjoy your meal!" Laguna continued without paying any attention to me.

There was a few moments where all of us were silent as if everyone was deciding what to do at Laguna's action. Stupid drake just didn't know what alone time seemed to mean. It would only be made worse if those two decided to stick around as well. Fuck!

"If I eat with you will you promise to leave me alone?" I ask.

"I guess?" He replied, the way he seemed to question his own response made me sigh.

"Fine! I'll eat with you but I don't want you to say another word to me for the rest of the day!" I stood up, grabbed my cloak and headed towards the exit. I wasn't going to give him a chance to argue.

I stormed out of the barracks, wrapping my cloak around me as I stepped into the cold corridor that lead to the stairs. The wall at the top of the stairs had gaping hole in it from disrepair and it meant that the stairwell was always cold. Each room had heavy wooden doors that had to be kept shut to keep in the heat from the small fires that burned in the rooms.

The barracks was on the first floor, the second floor was where the officers stayed. Everything else was on the main floor. The main hall was used as both the armoury and eating area. It had several large fireplaces which kept it comfortably warm. The three dragons which had dragged me here were following closely behind me as I went to join the short queue of dragons that had formed as breakfast was going to be served imminently.

The scent of cooked meat and warm bread made my stomach grumble. I guess I was more hungry than I had thought. We were five days into our shift, I could feel the fatigue of the long shifts begin to set in. Normally we would only have two more days to endure but we would have and extra few days added due to the stupid tournament. The food this week had been particularly good. I assume that was meant as some sort of recompense for the longer shift we had to endure. Full bellies were good for moral just as long shifts were bad for it.

The first full moon was tonight so the festival would start this evening. The first evening of the festival was always my favourite. It reminded me of the parties my father used to throw in the palace back when I was young. The music and the dancing... I used to love to dance. My father would always make me sing as well. He used to tell me that I had a voice so beautiful that it would bring the most hard hearted soul to tears.

I haven't sung since grandfather whisked me away from my home. Since my family had been slaughtered so that my uncle could have the throne to himself. I haven't felt like singing since my family had been slaughtered. I doubt I would ever feel like singing again.

I got my food and moved to sit at one of the empty tables where I was joined shortly by Laguna, Tristen and Roxis. We all ate in silence. Silence I was aware was caused by my presence. Normally the three of them were always laughing and joking, but even now they were unusually quiet. At least the food was good. A thick meaty broth with chucks of tender meat and freshly baked bread.

I looked round at the other tables, everyone who was on day shift was eating, and soon we would all need to head out to guard the walls or patrol the nearby area. As we went on the night shift would come in here and eat before retiring to bed. Once the first of the night shift began to filter in we would need to finish getting ready and head out for our shift. Being late for your shift was not good, not unless you wanted to miss your next meal.

By the time we finished eating, and several failed attempts from Laguna to strike up a lasting conversation, the first of the night patrol began to filter into the main hall. We all moved to grab our gear and head onto our shift. I had wall duty today, Tristen and Roxis were out patrolling the nearby areas. Laguna was also on wall duty, but thankfully away from me.

I needed some alone time, or as alone as you can get being on duty with five other warriors all in earshot of one another as we stood atop the broken wall staring out at the mountain road for any signs of trouble. While the other guards passed the time with idle chit chat, they did not involve me or even try to include me. I preferred it that way.

I know everyone calls me frigid, a loner, and all sorts of other colourful comments to describe me. But why did I want to become involved with them? All males ever wanted was one thing from a female and I didn't want that with any of them. Call me old fashioned but I would not willingly sleep with any male, or female for that matter, who I did not have feelings for. Some females would willing sleep with males to win their affections.

That's why I didn't have any female friends. They were just too different from me. I'm sure if things had gone differently when I was younger I'd enjoy some of the more... 'girly' things in life. But life did not always turn out the way you had hoped or planned. Back when I was but a child, before my uncles grab for power, I had always thought that I would be married off to some nobles son, live a life of comfort while bearing many cubs for my husband. We would be happy and full of love for one another.

But life is cruel and the dreams of a child are naïve and unrealistic.

Why should you make friends or fall in love? Eventually you will feel the pain of betrayal or loss as they are ripped from your life. Since leaving my homeland I had allowed myself to bond with someone who was not my grandfather and ultimately they were taken from me. The pain of their loss had nearly broken me... and sometimes I hate myself for admitting that their loss affected me worse than grandfathers passing.

I didn't want to let anyone get close to me... I can't take the feeling of loss anymore. I was barely holding on as it was. All I had left now was my dream of avenging my families death at the paws of my uncle. I don't know how and I don't know when... but one day I would get my vengeance! Even if I had to die trying!

But what was so scary about dying? I've nothing left to live for except my vengeance.

I was snapped from my thoughts when I saw something move out of the corner of my eye. I turned round to look. The road was clear but the large rocks on either side of the track made for many hiding spots. The sun was high in the sky and made few shadows for someone to hide in.

Should I alert some one to what I think I had seen. There was no sign of anything, but I'm sure I saw something dart across the road. There are no animals, perhaps a few birds, but there was very little wildlife to speak of in this barren landscape.

"Something wrong?"

I turned to see warlord Jal'tarn. He was clad in a dark leather armour complete with steel breast plate, pauldrons and wrist guards. He had a sword hanging from his left hip. He was one of the officers in charge of this guard post. Amongst the

"No Sir..." I trail off looking back out to where I think I had seen a shadow. "Thought I saw something move. But there is nothing there."

"Very well." He said. "I will send a couple of warriors out to check to make sure."

I watched his back as he left. His wings were wrapped around him like a cloak. Not many males held them like that, it was sort of noble looking. I remember asking Laguna about it once before and he explained that most males didn't do it because it took a lot of effort and practice to be bale to hold them like that comfortably. It told me a few things about the warlord.

In truth I liked him the most out of all the warlords here. He didn't treat me any differently because I was a female. He seemed to listen to me about as much as he would anyone.

I looked back out down the road and shook my head. My mind must be playing tricks on me. I can't wait until this shift is over.