BK1 Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Six

Vishka's Guidance System

Eduard Heversham

Likeability:-14% (+3%)

Eduard's form beyond the fire was surreal. His blue high-necked cloak blended into the night, and his pale skin stood out. He lifted his arm to reach out, then halted and dropped it. His gaze made my stomach flip, and I curled my fingers into a fist.

I hadn't seen Eduard since our carriage ride from the manor in Talbour. He had been at the front of the brigade for our journey, which, I guess, is where I was now. Then, I felt Zachary's hand on my shoulder and flinched at his touch.

“Eduard, Lady Heversham has just received treatment.” Zachary spoke.

"I know. I heard her screams" Eduard's jaw clenched. "What happened?"

Had I been screaming that loudly?

"She was bitten by an Agiluf" Nate smiled with an upturn of his lip. "I took care of her; it's the least I could do after Lynette requested me."

I shot Nate a panicked glance as he impishly grinned. Why did he have to tell Eduard that? I flickered my attention back to Eduard and saw him balling his fists as he glared at Nate. The number in his box changed.

Vishka's Guidance System

Eduard Heversham

Likeability:-20% (-6%)

"Why was I not informed that she had returned?" Eduard spoke strained; I could tell he wanted to say something else but refrained from doing so.

"Beats me", Nate shrugged. "She was in too bad shape for me to send a message."

Eduard's eyes grimaced for a moment, his shoulders back. "When will she be returning to the group of trainees?"

"She has a temperature, and I'm worried she may have an infection. So I want to keep her here to monitor" Zachary squeezed my shoulder and smiled. "So until I'm satisfied she has recovered."

"I see. I will monitor her tonight. You should take some rest, Zachary" Eduard stepped around the fire and towards our group. "You do not need to be here, Lord Hudson" he narrowed his eyes at Nate.

"I am here because I was asked to be", Nate smirked, and I so desperately wanted to shrink away.

"Your presence is no longer required." Eduard stood at his height, looming against Zachary. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end at the tension in his body.

"Oh? I think that is up to Lynette" Nate purposely exaggerated my name to show our closeness. He stood and touched my other shoulder to solidify our relationship. Eduard's look could have killed a smaller man.

"I think it's best I stay as a medic", Zachary chimed with a smile that no longer had kindness.

I was surrounded.

All three of them shared competing scrunched faces above me as I shrunk in my seat. I was suddenly very envious of Brendan sitting alone without a care in the world as he silently gathered. Just how did this keep happening to me!? I wanted a peaceful night's rest, that was all. Not yet more anxiety, Azriel had been enough for one day.

"I feel fine, honestly; I will go back to my gro-" I tried to stand, but both Zachary and Nate pushed me back down in union with their hands on my shoulders.

"No"

"No!"

"No"

All three of them swivelled their heads to me, and I gulped.

"I am her brother, so I shall stay. Zachary, I will call you if you are needed." Eduard glowered.

"You may not know when I am needed. You can not check her health with Aether as I can," Zachary patted my shoulder.

"I am responsible as her Captain, so I shall stay", Nate butted in, his hand tightening on my shoulder.

I wanted to bury my head in my hands. Vishka, how do I get out of this mess!?

"Can't a guy gather in peace" Brendan opened his eyes, and we all stilled. "Why don't you just ask Lady Heversham who she would prefer" he sighed, stretching his arms above his head.

No, no, no, no. Don't do this to me, Brendan! The two I don't choose may be upset; I don't want to get in the middle of their argument!

"Splendid idea", Nate smirked confidently.

"I can accept that" Zachary nodded respectfully.

"Very well", Eduard tightened his lips.

They all looked at me expectantly. Each one of them had confidence I had no way to reciprocate. Oh, what do I do? My eyes flitted between them as they loomed above me.

"U-um", I spoke, and they all leaned closer.

"E-Eduard", I gulped, watching the box above his head.

I had no choice.

I would have preferred Nate or Zachary, but I couldn't risk that number dropping any lower. He was already upset I had requested Nate instead of him. It fell so quickly the moment Nate told him. I dreaded how upset he would be If I chose someone else now.

Vishka's Guidance System

Eduard Heversham

Likeability:-15% (+5%)

"Are you sure, Lynette?" Nate pouted and leaned down to my level.

"Y-yes", I forced a smile. "Eduard is my brother; I shouldn't bother you or Zachary any longer than I need to."

"It wouldn't be a bother", Zachary frowned. "It is my job as a medic."

"The matter is settled. Both of you agreed to accept her choice" Eduard raised his chin and straightened. "You can leave now, Lord Hudson."

"Fine", Nate sighed and stood up, "I will just be over there if you need me, Lynette" Nate pointed to the centre of the camp we had walked through. "My tent is the one with a burnt doorway."

"Burnt?"

"Yes", he grinned, and fire flashed from his fingers. "I get carried away sometimes."

"She won't need you", Eduard glared.

"You can't decide that" Nate raised an eyebrow which infuriated Eduard even more. He rolled his eyes at Eduard's reaction and tucked his hands into the pockets of his trousers. "Call me any time you need to," Nate winked, and I blushed from his candour.

"T-thank you", I muttered under Eduard's gaze.

"I will be in my tent then", Zachary sighed, releasing my shoulder.

"Keep an eye on her temperature Eduard, and make sure to drink that comfrey, Lynette", Zachary instructed us, and I nodded.

"I will. Thank you for your help Lord Weadall."

"Zachary, Lynette, you can call me Zachary by now" he smiled, and Eduard frowned, moving to sit in the chair Nate had vacated. Nate shook his head at him as he did so.

"R-right", I lifted my lips. "Thank you, Zachary."

"Alright then, time to get some kip," Brendan yawned and opened one of the tent flaps. "See you in the morn, gents."

"Yes." Zachary glanced at me, hesitating for a moment. "Wake me if you need me."

"I will" Eduard nodded and then proceeded to scowl at Nate. "Why are you still here?"

"Just making sure" Nate lifted his brow, then lowered it again to infuriate Eduard.

"Nathaniel", Eduard snapped.

"I'm going", Nate sighed, relenting. "Get some rest, Lynette, you need it" he rubbed the top of my head gently and then left the camp. He raised his hand into the air as he did so, and a flame sprang from his fingers to guide his way through the night.

***

I fidgeted in my seat, grinding the comfrey in a pestle and mortar Zachary had left me. It was much easier than it had been crushing it with rocks for Rian. I gently tapped the plant with the pestle, echoing into the night. Then, switching my technique as the plant began to split, I rotated the pestle to mash the leaves. Finally, I added some water and continued to grind it until it became a paste. I could drink it diluted with water, but from the tenderness in my shoulder, It would be better if I spread it onto a piece of gauze. Comfrey worked best as a tea for stomach aches; I didn't have any gauze to use for Rian, so tea was my best option then. However, it would work significantly better for reducing inflammation when used as a poultice.

I picked up the gauze from Zachary's supply and spread it along the material, ensuring it was even.

"Aren't you supposed to drink that?" Eduard asked. He had been watching me silently as I worked. His eyes followed my every movement, and frankly, it made me uncomfortable knowing he was inspecting me.

"It works better as a poultice" I hesitantly raised the gauze to my shoulder. Eduard mulled his expression but did not counter my decision. Shifting in my seat, I turned away from him and lowered the strap on my shoulder to place the gauze. Getting it to sit right was awkward, but I managed it after some struggle. The cold mush felt soothing on my skin.

"Why didn't you request me."

I froze at his question. Then, pulling my shoulder strap back slowly, I nervously turned back in my seat to see him staring at me directly. His expression was strange, and anguished all most, but I could see his anger reflecting from his steel eyes.

"I-I" I tried to find the right thing to say, anything that wouldn't upset him. Eduard was prideful; he must see my choice of Nate over my family as dishonourable.

"I didn't want you to have to clean up after my mess again", I finally spoke. But, in truth, I did not want him to lecture me about my behaviour. He always had something to complain about; I was an embarrassment to him.

Eduard frowned at my response, and his numbers blurred. I pinched my fingers to distract myself from looking.

"Dying and then surviving is not something so trivial", he spoke, raising his hand towards me. I flinched as he came closer to me, his knuckles brushing against my cheek.

"I didn't want to believe it when Callan told me you had disappeared." He tightened his lips and pulled his hand away. "You were reckless."

"It's not like I chose to fall" I pulled back and brought my knees up on the chair. "I couldn't have gotten away if I tried."

"You should have tried harder."

"Ha," I laughed with grit. "That wouldn't have mattered. The Baildon would have swallowed me with earth regardless of how fast I ran."

Eduard looked down at his hands as he linked them together; leaning his elbows on his knees, he watched the fire.

"What about when the marsh snakes attacked? You should have gone to the safety of your group, but instead, you stupidly ran out alone."

"I did that to help Lord Eastmond." I pursed my lips.

"His welfare is not your concern."

"I couldn't just go to safety whilst someone else was in danger, Eduard."

"I told you that joining the Army would be dangerous."

"I know," I stated, hugging my knees close. Leaning my head against them, I rubbed my eyes as they began to feel heavy. Did Eduard genuinely believe I should have prioritised my own life when someone else could have died? I know this march was to weed out the weak; General Saika had said that much. However, I can't, won't, stand by whilst someone dies in front of me. My heart couldn't take that. They wouldn't come back, not like I did.

"Has Callan been training you?" Eduard spoke.

"Yes, I'm not very good with Jian."

"Of course, you won't be. You have never trained with a weapon." Eduard leaned back and pointedly looked at me. "Practice."

"I have been", I sighed.

"hm," Eduard made a noise of disapproval. "It doesn't matter. I will have your blood bond revoked when we reach the capital."

"I don't want it revoked", I scrunched my face.

"Lynette, if anything, this trip has proved you can't survive being a soldier. You have nearly perished twice."

"I will learn."

"You will fail. Your core is too small."

"It will grow."

"It won't" Eduard set his jaw as I argued with him. I know my chances are slim; I know my core is small, but I have to grow stronger. I want to be able to allow someone to bite my hand with no pain like Zachary had. I want to be able to survive against a demonic beast without relying on someone else. I want to live without fear.

"I don't think it will be approved." I finally said after some silence between us.

"Why?" Eduard narrowed his eyes, his body tensing.

"The Young Duke has asked me to demonstrate riding a Kreshna."

"What?" Eduard's said coldly, his gaze flaming with rage. "Why would he do that? What did you do?"

"I rode a wild Kreshna through the prairie expanse."

"Lynette! How many times have I told you, Kreshna are dangerous beasts that should not be ridden" Eduard's nostrils flared. "Reckless", he clicked his jaw, flexing his fists.

"I will deal with the Young Duke." He breathed deeply. "Come, you should sleep. You are exhausted."

"Fine", I sighed. I was finding it harder to keep my eyes open, so sleep did not sound so bad.

"You will share my tent" Eduard reached down to grab my backpack and the attached bedroll.

"Y-your tent?" I perked up a bit, my eyes widening. He wanted me to sleep in his tent? Seriously? But he always chose to avoid me; he never wanted to be close to me.

"Yes. I won't have you sleeping outside" Eduard held out his hand to me; I looked at it and debated. I kind of would prefer to sleep outside than share his tent…

"Lynette", Eduard scowled impatiently.

"A-alright", I reluctantly took his hand. It was much larger than mine; his fingers clasped around mine easily, his skin rough against mine smooth. Would my hands become rough like his if I trained more?

Eduard tugged me to my feet and then led me to one of the tents in the circle.

"Wait" I paused at the tent entrance he brought me to.

"What?" Eduard lifted the flap and unfurled my bedroll next to his own. The tent was more significant than the one I shared with Teresa. With Teresa, we were so close that I often woke up with her legs sprawled over me. However, this tent had considerably more room for space between our bedrolls.

"This is your camp?" I asked, surprised. I thought he had only come here because of my screams.

Eduard's mouth lifted into a small smile. "Yes, this is my camp. Zachary Weadall, Brendan Duane, Lorand Stobel, and I travel together."

"Lorand?"

"He's on patrol tonight." Eduard held open the tent flap and gestured I go in.

I bit my lip and entered his tent, glancing at the box before he closed the flap behind us.

Vishka's Guidance System

Eduard Heversham

Likeability:-12% (+3%)