Chapter 11: Chapter 11

OREL POV

We got back to the my major army section, the place where I mainly spend most of my year, it was home for me, my tent was bigger here than in the temporary settlement closed to the capital and it was more luxurious, I have a feeling that Themis was going to like this place much, I turned to look at my wife to see her looking weary, she is not used to being in the saddle for long and she kept on rubbing her eyes and gripping the reins of Tyra so tight as if that was the only thing keeping her on the saddle, I watched her as she got the first look of my army, her eyes widened in shock and then became shuttered as if it was at this exact moment she was realizing the extent of the power I have as the warlord of the Dar empire.

I came down from Stormpacer saddle as I slapped his flank and he raced off to the stables where I am sure that he had missed his space, I walked to Tyra and helped Themis to come down from her saddle although she lent heavily into me and that was when I realized the extent of her fatigue, she didn’t say a word even though she must have been tired.

She could barely stand and it was my fault, I was so eager to get home that I hadn’t considered her comfort.

To swallow my guilt at that thought, I slapped my hand against Tyra flank, the same way I did with Stormpacer for her to race off, maybe to join her mother or her siblings in their part of the stable before going to her stall.

One of the reasons why I also chose Tyra for Themis was that Tyra was concerned for her family, she would always try to check if they were alright, even if Themis escaped with Tyra, she would always come back to cheek on her family and that will lead us to where Themis was.

“I am tired.” Themis voiced as she yawned and the snuggled deeper into my hold.

“I know,” I replied her with my voice low so that it might not rouse her from her sleep, I gathered her in my arms as I strode towards my tent hoping to lay her down on my bed before the news spread around camp that I was back.

“You are back.” My third in command boomed as she launched herself at Elison first while greeting him happily as I winced.

Themis eyes were opened as she was struggling to be let down.

“Go back to sleep.” I tell her but the stubborn woman just shook her head.

“Orel.” Gwenn, my third in command said as I quickly turned to face her before she launched herself at me too.

When she saw that I had my hands full with my wife, she narrowed her eyes at me. “Who is this? This isn’t certainly the shrew and not a female I know, what is she doing in your arms?”

I saw Themis tensed at Gwenn words and quickly started explaining before Themis and Gwenn will become enemies.

“Gwenn, this is my wife, Lady Themis. Themis, this is my third in command. Gwenn” I said as I used my eyes to hold Gwenn warning her not to say anything but Gwenn being Gwenn, ignored me and levelled her frown at Themis.

“She doesn’t seem like much, why did you shackle yourself with her.” Gwenn asked blatantly ignoring and insulting Themis who gasped in anger and struggled to get down from my hands.

If daylight was still present, I knew that I would see Themis cheeks red with anger but I knew her anger was present due to her movement.

“Get Gwenn away from me Elison, before we will have a fight in our hands this night and I am not in the mood to settle disputes now, I just want to lie in my bed and curl up with my wife, can you two start this fight tomorrow.” I said through clenched teeth as Themis stopped struggling. I knew that I will have to apologize tomorrow since I have never used that tone for her before.

Elison nodded and quickly dragged Gwenn away who continued to hurl cutting words to Themis through her shoulders but Themis didn’t reply.

I walked briskly to my tent where I allowed Themis down as soon as I got inside. She didn’t say a word to me, she just undressed and stepped into the bed to sleep. I didn’t mistakenly think for one moment that it was because she was too tired, I knew that it was because she was upset at me for undermining her authority.

I didn’t apologize because I knew that she was too upset to see things my way. Maybe that was my first mistake. Maybe I should have apologized and tried to straighten out the issue. I didn’t know that Themis could hold a grudge for something for something so small.

********************

I woke up the next morning due to Orel shaking me and saying something like an apology, which was how I remembered the events that happened late last night, Gwenn and her insults.

Orel was still in the middle of talking to me when I turned my back on him and went back to sleep ignoring any word coming out of his mouth. I will figure out what to do with him when I was fully awoke and had something to eat.

He knew what he did wrong. He knew that he would not get away with what he did and he is trying to apologize while I was sleeping. He tried to talk to me again by rounding to the other side of the bed to face me as he started again and this time, I turned away from him. He knows that I deliberately don’t want to hear him. With a sigh he kissed my fore head and got up from his perch beside the bed and walked out of the tent. The minute the tent flap was down, I opened my eyes.

I waited for some time trying to get my thoughts to order before I sat up from the bed. As much as I tried to ignore the reason why I was acting hurt, I could not he didn’t choose between me and the woman. It was childish to feel this way but he never told me about another woman in his life who could challenge me and this woman did.

At least it was better in the capital since Orel rarely stays there but here, I could tell that she was in charge of certain activities which should be among my duties and I don’t need someone to tell me that she would not relinquish her role in preforming those duties.

When I was done hiding because there wasn’t a better word for what I was doing, I came out of the tent only to have the activities going on outside to stop briefly before continuing as if it was decided that I was unimportant enough to worry about. I looked around for Boan but didn’t see him neither did I see anybody guarding the tent which I came out from. I tried getting the attention of those who was working but I was ignored.

My already Dark mood Darkened the more when I realized that Orel simply forgot to assign someone to me. I didn’t even know where Dyane was so I could be with her. I was getting confused by the minute I stood and hungry too. I entered the tent back to check if I mistakenly missed the tray of food but I saw nothing of such.

I went back outside more determined not to ask for help. Since I could not start searching every tent to find the faces I recognized, I could easily find the stable and recognized Tyra, with the horse close to me, maybe I could get someone to answer me and take me to either Elison or Orel.

I walked for a while before I realized that I was lost, I could not find my way back to Orel tent. Angry tears gathered in my eyes but I refused to let them fall. Despite my dressing, the warriors could tell I was not one of them, I have seen the way female warriors dressed.

They had made degrading remarks about me being a whore brought back by one of the other warriors. I could not make myself walk to them to ask for Orel, the only way I was not been abused was because of someone suppose claim on me.

When I sighted the stables from afar, I quickly ran to it… on getting there, I realized that this would be hard, it was very large and filled with horses. I walked from stall to stall trying to find Tyra. I called her name in hopes that she will recognized my voice.

“What are you doing here?” A warrior asked me in a brash tone and eyeing me with suspicion as if I am going to steal the horses.

“I am looking for Tyra, my horse.” I said with my voice trembling, either from fear or rage I could not tell.

“There is no horse by that name here.” The man replied but I shook my head.

“You don’t understand. She was newly named, she came with the warlord party yesterday night.” I explained.

“Was she brought in the capital or among the ones that left here?” He asked.

“I don’t know. Do I look like I have been in Orel company long enough to differentiate between horses.” I growled in annoyance as the warrior glared at me and seemed to expand in size, I shrank back in fear as he raised his hand.

“You need to mind your tongue, I don’t know whose whore you are but do not disrespect the warlord by calling his name. Many have been killed for less. If I knew who your master is, I would have known either I should discipline you for him or send you to the whipping post. You just lost your one chance to make a mistaken so I ask you once more. What are you doing here?”

“I just want my horse” I said with my jaw quivering, it was harder to hold the tears in place. And it was in that moment I heard a horse nicker in my back, I turned around to see Stormpacer and I was so pleased to see a being a knew that with a cry of happiness, I threw my hand around him rubbing his head as he nicker softly in my ears. I turned to look at the man only for me to see him surprised.

“He doesn’t tolerate anybody apart from Lady Gwenn and lord Elison, it is the warlord he likes.” The man muttered. The man looked at me thoughtfully before asking me a question that made me relax that finally somebody could help me.

“Who are you?”

“Lady Themis, wife to the warlord.” I replied quickly as the man eyes narrowed and I quickly went on. “I swear I am not lying, I woke up alone in our tent and people didn’t answer me when I tried to talk to them, there were some warriors I could have asked but I was scared, they were making some remarks about me that I could not meet them, I thought my best option was to get the attention of a high ranking officer who can take me to my husband.” I rambled on as quickly as I could while he stood and listened.

“So that was why you were finding your horse, trying to cause enough chaos to be noticed by your husband.” He asked.

“Something like that, I just want to meet him.” I said

“If I discover that you are leading me to disturb the war council then there will be hell to pay.” The man threatened as I nodded.

“Twenty lashes on the whipping post regardless of whose whore or wife you are.” He added as I nodded again. When the man saw that I didn’t change my mind. He sighed as he jerked his head. “Follow me and keep close.”

I sighed in relief as I quickly gave Stormpacer one last pat and followed the man who was walking through the tents as I struggled to keep up with his long strides. I was angry with Orel but the anger will have to wait until he was within my eyesight.

OREL POV

I was distracted, my commanders could tell, Themis was angry with me and I was at fault, that I knew but what made me distracted was the fact that nobody had reported to me that she was awake and I know that she was already awake by this time.

I specifically left a warrior in front of my tent to guide her to me when she woke up or to her companion then he was to send another guard to me to report that she was awake but no information has gotten to me.

I would like to believe that she was still in out tent sulking but Themis is not like that, she would not keep herself in solidary just because she wanted to act put out, she didn’t need to act it. I know that she was put out just like I know that I need to apologize soon, I have already dragged it out for as long as I could.

After settling for the council meeting, I had warned Gwenn never to try what she did the night before again, my wife outrank her even though she didn’t know the first thing about fighting war not to mention, commanding an army. That doesn’t change the fact Themis is the war lady now.

After I had explained things to Gwenn, she looked worried for a while but I dismissed it as I started the meeting, when Gwenn went out and came back in seriously worried, I knew something was wrong. She looks like she was on the verge of confessing an hideous crime now but I could not concentrate on her, my attention in the meeting had wane over time when no news had come from Themis guard.

“Okay. This is no longer a meeting.” Elison said bringing all the planning to a halt as my mind came back to the tent. “The warlord is distracted about his mate which is understandable but Gwenn is also distracted by something and the meeting cannot go on with only my input. What is going on Gwenn?”

Gwenn licked her lips as she eyed me nervously. “I have something to say.”

“What.” Elison said as I glanced at Gwenn.

“Forgive me, Orel. I just wanted to play with her a little bit…” Gwenn said as my spine straightened.

“What did you do?” I growled sitting as Gwenn shifted closer to Elison as if she wants to hide behind him.

“I just redirected her guard to some other task, the lady you sent for food was delayed but she just sent news to me that nobody is within your tent anymore.” Gwenn said as she closed her eyes and shrank back into her seat.

“Are you telling me that my wife is walking through the camp right now with no escort and possibly lost among thousands of tents?” My voice started out softly but ended in a loud tone that made everybody wince as I flew up from my seat as it crashed back on the floor.

“Calm down.” Elison said, he is the only one who could calm me when I am in a rage, him and Themis and right now, I didn’t want to calm down, I made sure I kept the table between me and Gwenn before I will do something that I will regret like strangle her or snap her neck. “We will find her.” Elison said as I let out a harsh bark of laughter.

“When? When she is hungry and tired, when she say something inappropriate and is lashed for it. When she will be forced into the whore or servant tent or something of that like because she wandered too close to the wrong part of the camp.” I asked and when Elison didn’t reply, I saw him glaring at Gwenn.

“Then we better hurry in looking for her before something of that like will hap…” Elison said as a voice called from outside.

“A thousand apologies for disturbing, commanders but I seek an urgent meeting with the warlord.” A voice said outside the tent.

“Who is it? And why?” Elison asked.

“The stable master sire.” The voice said. “And on a delicate issue, concerning, his…wife.”

My eyes went to the tent flap as I ordered immediately. “Come in”

A soft voice gasp outside then said softly. “Orel” before the tent flap was opened and my wife hurried inside amid the protests of the stable master. Her eyes found mine as they filled with tears as she said again, this time not on a whisper. “Orel.” Before she flung her body at me, I was ready to catch her and I caught her as she buried her head in my shoulders while tears from her eyes wetted my clothes.

The stable master entered after her and was shocked to see her in my arms as she cling to me.

When I felt her tears against my skin, I knew that she would not like anybody to see her cry. “Out.” I ordered as everybody filled out of the tent with Elison dragging Gwenn out by her arm. Her face was full with shame as she left the tent.

“It’s alright.” I said as I gather her in my arms and lowered her to one of the chairs then knelt before her.

“I was so scared, nobody was paying attention to me and I could not ask some of the warriors I saw because they made me scared and I had to go to the stables because, I thought if I took Tyra out, a high ranking warrior would notice me and call you or Elison out. I was scared and hungry and then I was almost hit because I disrespected you by calling your name out instead of your title.” She said between tears as a felt a pang in my chest, if Gwenn was not like my blood sister, I would have had her whipped for the distressed she had caused my wife.

“Everything is fine now.” I said softly as I waited for her to calm herself down. When Themis has regain herself, I have no doubt that she would be feeling ashamed of acting this way.

When her tears reduced, I asked her softly. “Do you want to eat now?” And when she nodded, I stood up to call for food but she held tightly to me and shook her head. “I will not leave you, I just want to call my council back in and send for your food, I am not leaving this tent.” I told her and after more persuading from me she allowed me to step out.

When I got outside, I saw my commanders standing around trying to subtly spy on what Elison was saying to Gwenn as tears fell from Gwenn eyes. I steeled myself as I walked towards them.

Gwenn saw me first. “Orel, I am so sor...” she started to apologize but I held up my arm, I didn’t want to anything from her.

“I am disappointed in you Gwenn” I said softly as she flinched.

“Thankfully, you didn’t damage my relationship with my wife. I don’t want to see you near this tent today, get someone to bring food for her, she will be here, food, you starved her off since.” I said as she flinched again and looked at me with teary eyes.

I turned back to the tent and said that they all could enter while I told Elison to reward the stable master, he was shocked that she was really my wife.

When I entered the tent, I saw my commanders all clustered together and away from my wife, eying her wearily while she also looked at them with that same expression, when she noticed me, her eyes lights up as she gave me a weak smile.

I felt guilt at what must have gone through her mind before she found me before I steeled myself and walked to her as I lifted her from her seat and dropped her on my laps as I sat down where she was before. She tucked herself into my body as she rested her head against my chin.

Elison entered the tent and ordered the rest commanders to take their place and stop acting like they haven’t seen a newly married couple before. He then proceeded to apologize to Themis who nodded and asked about Dyane.

“She is fine, you were supposed to spend the day with her and spend the evenings with me as I show you the camp and how it functions.” I replied her question instead of Elison as Themis nodded.

“At least, I am happy that she is okay.” Themis replied softly as I nodded then pressed a kiss to her forehead.

My commanders look shocked to see me display affection in public, what they don’t know was that I was still taking it slowly with her and I planned to build something with her, my child will grow up in a home, regardless of the fact that it is a tent and she will bear my child.

If her power of prophesy is true, my son might be able to be the greatest warlord after me with a mother like her by his side for advice and a father like me to teach him all the secrets of being a leader.

I kept Themis in the tent with me through her meal and afterwards, she took a nap and woke up and then started looking through the maps while we discussed about the different units to send across the empire to protect it.

She looked at the maps before she started making some markings on them, one of the commanders almost told her to stop but when he saw the look in my eyes he allowed her to continue doing as she pleased.

When she was done, she wandered to check other part of the tents as I looked at what she did on the map, what I saw left me speechless. I passed the paper to Elison looked shocked too. He pocketed the map where Themis had drawn who will likely accept to be our allies and the way in which they could help us. She didn’t even know what she did.