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Chapter 25: Ginevra\'s forces

After the Mystic Messenger flew away, Ginevra didn\'t pay much attention to Cael anymore. Instead, she gave orders to her men and worked with them to gather their things; it was time to move out.

Ginevra and her squad traveled on horses. There, of course, was no spare steed for Cael. He half-expected to be forced to follow the squad on foot, but Ginevra had different ideas.

"Get in front of me," she said, gesturing in front of her. There was enough space for Cael to sit.

Ginevra\'s mount—a huge, black stallion with white socks and a cross on his muzzle—eyed Cael with suspicion, but his mistress\' hand on his neck forced it to stay calm.

Looking around, Cael understood the logic behind this invitation. Other men\'s horses were fine, but clearly had less strength and stamina in them—Ginevra\'s steed could\'ve been more expensive than Gianni\'s enchanted armor. And Ginevra herself was smaller in stature than any of her men. Her mount won\'t slow down the squad because of Cael\'s added weight.

Instead, all Cael could think about was that he was going to ride with this young woman, and she, despite her earlier words, would be touching him all over. Those were bad, bad thoughts. She was his enemy. His kidnapper. His slapped cheek swelled to the size of a pumpkin, and if Cael let her know his thoughts, she\'d grow an entire garden on his head.

*I\'m a mage now. I can seek a bride anywhere. Why do I have to look at this woman and imagine her standing over me?*

And much more. Ginevra, it appeared, filled Cael with so many wicked desires he never even thought he could have. Desires that had no place in this moment.

"Well?" Ginevra urged impatiently.

Cael gave himself a mental shake and tried to get into the saddle. With his hands still bound, and the stallion\'s impressive height, it was easier to say than to do. But he managed, with Ginevra\'s final jerk of his shirt\'s collar.

They moved out.

At first, the squad didn\'t move too fast, but as soon as they left the woods, Ginevra ordered them to speed up. It wasn\'t a gallop, but it was swift, and soon Cael\'s attention turned from the woman behind him to his changing surroundings.

Those were Nuvoloso lands, he was almost sure. When they crossed a small stream, he was absolutely positive of it. But this landmark was the last one he recognized before they reached Ginevra\'s main encampment.

This. This was the "what army" and "where army". Dozens of tents lined on the plain, dozens of dozens of soldiers moved between them. Two hundred, possibly? Cael tried to count by bonfires, but failed.

At Ginevra\'s approach, sentries tensed, then saluted. She and her squad dismounted, and soldiers went to take care of the horses. Officers came to report and get new orders, and while Cael was still attached to Ginevra by the hip, he paid close attention to what had been said, and by whom.

There were only two people speaking to Ginevra directly—her highest-ranked officers, Cael guessed. Both shone with strong mana of mages.

The first one was a tall, imposing man with piercing blue eyes. He was well-groomed from his thick beard to his polished plate armor, engraved with Arcani glyphs. The Mage\'s Mark that hung from a steel chain on his chest held two pieces of lapis lazuli.

The second one was an elegant woman that fit in a military encampment like a fish fit in a desert. Instead of armor, she wore long, flowing robes, and hid her hands within their sleeves. Mystery shrouded her like a veil, and her dark eyes glinted with promises of secrets. She didn\'t wear her Mark anywhere where Cael could see, but looking at her earrings—a single piece of onyx in each—he wondered if this was his hint.

"The squad that went to harass the northern part of the border returned this morning, as per your command, Captain," the man spoke first. "They reported fighting a border squad of Oliveira forces. There were a few wounded on our side, but the enemy had suffered much worse."

Cael\'s eyes widened. There were more skirmishes while he was out? Even if it was just one… It was another loss for Oliveira. His father was right to move as soon as he got the first news about the attacks. Cael couldn\'t imagine how much destruction Ginevra and her army would\'ve wrought if left unchecked.

The woman spoke too, sneaking glances at Cael all the while.

"All together, your soldiers are ready to march on, Captain. But are you sure this is wise? It would be safer to meet Gianni\'s forces near Lacrimarosa. If he takes the city, despite your newest trophy… The Commander won\'t be pleased."

"Lieutenant Montefiore, I heard you. But this is decided." Ginevra turned towards the other officer. "Lieutenant DiNapoli, this is Cael Oliveira, who\'s going to ensure that our plan works. Take him, and put him somewhere safe. Feed and water him twice a day, and don\'t beat him any more than necessary. Put a sentry near him, too."

DiNapoli clicked his tongue, looking at Cael\'s bruise. "I see you already did some of that, Captain. Then, as you command." He saluted to Ginevra and turned to Cael. "Do I have to pull you by that collar?"

He didn\'t.

When Cael was left alone in a supply wagon, with only a single sentry outside, he smiled. This was just the opportunity he needed.