Admist the crowd of soldiers and men lamenting, a pair of sea blue eyes locked on the couple, a faint sigh escaped her red lips as she slowly closed her eyes
Morning didn't come like it always did, after counting the seconds nonstop, everyone was sure, it was already time for the sun to be hanging over the horizon
Riezekiel turned to his soldiers, each one a testament of the near death experience they'd had. His brows creased with the worry of what they had a left behind, the darkness which consumed them was overwhelming
However, one by one they begun to stand without being instructed to, no one was complaining now. Everyone just moved with a quiet purpose
The fates of their families unknown, however with each pulsing breathe they took, there was still hope
"Orders sir" Edmund called out into the darkness, the soldiers didn't stop however a quiet sigh escaped Riezekiel's lips
"What coordinates do we have?" Riezekiel asked turning to Zosia by his side "There's a ship, should be roughly a day's work with a few repair we can get it moving" she replied with certainty, a few soldiers let out sighs of reliefs
Others we're clouded with doubts and what ifs
"Where to?" He asked again, this time his voice was quieter, loud enough only for her to hear "North" she replied and so they begun the walk north. No one complained of fatigue, none were willing to stop and fall behind
Luckily they found the ship nearing midnight, starved, battered. All that didn't matter to them compared to the joy of going home
"I'll drive sir" Tobias too charge of driving while the other soldiers filed into the ship, the small space was forced to accommodate the soldiers and Zosia already totally spent, shut her eyes for a much needed rest
The aroma of steaming hot soup, drifted in the air, Zosia's eyes fluttered open as she slowly sat up. Gone was the darkness and replaced by the familiar walls she had lived in for the past few days
"You're awake" a soft voice came from the side and Zosia tilted her head to the sound. And standing there dressed in a pale green robe which complimented her honey skin, was her….
A woman whose beauty defiled the heavens,
" you were at the greenhouse" Zosia frowned softly in displeasure, watching as the young beautiful woman ladled a bowl of soup and placed it in front of her
"The name is Hailey Quinn, you should eat while it's hot" having said that Hailey turned to fetch her own bowl of soup, then she say a distance away from Zosia and begun to eat slowly
"how long was I out for?" Zosia asked her brows still furrowed in unease, her experience at the greenhouse still made her very wary "Three says and two nights" at her words Zosia gasped, her eyes widened as she stared at Hailey in disbelief "you have to be joking" she said, more to convince herself than anyone but Hailey continued to eat without raising her head up
Finally Zosia lowered her head and begun to eat slowly, her eyes widened at the warm, hearty taste. Her eyes snapped back at Hailey in disbelief
"Your husband hunted when wild hen and picked the vegetables, I just happen to be here to prepare it" Hailey casually tossed the explanation, whether or not Zosia believed didn't matter
She casually finished her bowl of soup and rinsed the dish, as she stood her auburn colored hair, feel past her shoulders, down her waist in dense, stubborn curls
She looked ethereal and radiant just standing there and Zosia, even being a woman was stunned into silence
Of course she knew she was beautiful, however Hailey Quinn's beauty was on another level of beauty
"Is there anything else you might need?" Hailey asked while casually wiping her hands dry "let's talk" Zosia's words stunned Hailey into silence. The least she expected from Zosia was a conversation, still she sat herself and watched Zosia quietly
Prior to the mission, she had never met or seen the supposed wife of the captain, however seeing her in person
The rumors didn't lie, she was beautiful and best of it all, she was strong enough to stand by the captain's side
"You're a soldier" Zosia said with certainty and Halley's brows creased, yet she managed a barely audible "mm"
"I don't know where to start" Zosia paused, examine Hailey's expression but all she saw was a crease of Hailey's brows "you don't look like a soldier" she finally manages to say she Hailey paused, watching as Zosia's eyes skimmed through her features
"You do not look like the power you wield either" Hailey stated, then she added "I'm nothing but an ordinary soldier with no outstanding talent"
"But commander Mors only keeps talents by his side" Zosia's brows creased as she pondered Hailey's words in her mind
"You are mistaken, I am but an expendable soldier" she stated indifferently but Zosia frowned "my husband doesn't take loyalty for granted miss Quinn" Zosia stated and Hailey lowered her eyes, saying no more.
Meanwhile in a large conference room, the tension was as thick and suffocating, the chill made each soldier tremble subconsciously but no one dared to make a sound
"How do we bring our family's back" Syris glared coldly at Riezekiel, whose eyes was fixed on the document in front of him
"You knew everything, they were planning and you followed through without caring about how it would affect everyone! My wife and child are out there somewhere and you want us all to secure this walls, are you crazy?" Valerian's deep voice reverberated in the tense atmosphere, his veins bulged under his skin from pure rage
"Watch your words valerian!" Azreal snapped glaring at Valerian with unconcealed rage "why should the commander bear the weight of your own incompetence" he added pointing a trembling finger at valerian
It was always like this, the commander tried desperately to do the right thing yet this people couldn't wait to tear him apart once the chance arose
And In the middle of it all, was him...
"All that blame won't bring your family's back" Rico grunted loudly, his sharp eyes sweeping through the crowd of men "it only shows how weak you are" he added, his gaze on valerian
"Don't push it Rico!" Valerian warned his veins budging in restraint " and what could you possibly do than bark like a mad dog!" Rico sneered coldly, his lips turned in mocking glee
"This is no time for the banter" Riezekiel's eyes swept over them coldly, hiding a hint of ruthlessness beneath
If they didn't act right, he would make them act right, by force….
"I thought you wouldn't speak anymore" Lysander chuckled humorously then he turned and walked out, ignoring everything else
Riezekiel's brows twitched violently, wishing he could trash this soldiers
All more unruly than the last, it was truly exhausting