"Where are we headed, my lady?" one of the guards spoke as they rode on.
"Blanchard," Amelia said, clipped.
"Blanchard?" the guard asked.
"Yes, something is going on, I spotted a figure leaving the estate and he said he was headed here. Blanchard is where Joedan is from." she told them.
Both guards nodded as they rode beside her.
"We need to find a place to rest for the night," one guard said.
Amelia didn't want to stop, she was worried the longer they took the further things would escalate before she could get there.
"Ma'am, we can't keep pushing the horses so hard. They need rest and so do you," the other guard said.
Finally relenting, Amelia allowed the men to guide her to an area where they could camp for the night. One of the guards dismounted and said he would be back after trying to find them something to eat for the night. The other guard nodded and got to work setting up their camp. Amelia dismounted her horse and worked at grooming him before settling down on log before their fire. Horses settled, the other guard came back with some small game in his grip. Placing the meat over the fire, the two guards settled down beside the fire next to Amelia.
"Thank you for coming with me," she spoke softly. Both guards nodded again. "What are your names?" she asked.
"Caleb," one said.
"Trevor" the other said.
"How long have you been soldiers?" she asked again. She barely knew the guards. If she was honest with herself, she never really spent time getting to know the guards whose job it was to protect her.
"Four summers," Caleb said.
"10 summers," Trevor said. "Ma'am, where did you get a mace?"
Amelia smiled to the guards, "When I had been abducted, Joedan had rescued me. He helped me get home, along the way, we stopped in a town and he bought it for me."
Both guards raised their eyebrows, "Impressive." one of them said.
Trevor spoke next, "Do you know how to use it?"
"Well, we actually ran into some wolves during our journey back to Restin. That was my first time using it," she said shyly.
"Why? You don't think I should fight?" she challenged back.
Trevor waved his hands in front of him, "Not at all, ma'am. I think anyone should be able to protect themselves." He looked at her, continuing, "I only asked because I would be willing to work with you with it, if you wanted?"
Amelia was surprised. She expected her guards to treat her like a fragile damsel, demanding to do all the fighting while she sat there waiting for any threats to be dealt with. She stood to her feet, removing the mace from her back, she looked at Trevor. With a big smile, "When do we start?"
Trevor stood from the log. Squaring her shoulders. He watched her form.
"Show me a strike."
She swung. Trevor nodded. "Relax your wrist more. Let it flow as you bring the mace around. Let the mace do the work for you."
She took another swing, working on the suggestion Trevor gave her.
"Good, good," he nodded.
Stepping across from her, Trevor pulled his sword and raised his hand, the universal sign for come and get it. Amelia smiled, before lunging forward, bringing the mace around in a wild swing. Trevor caught the edge of the mace with his sword, brushing it off.
"Again." This went on, with occasional encouragements from Caleb, until Caleb called their attention to the meat on the fire.
Sitting down, the three lowered their weapons to their sides and broke into the meat.
"You're gonna be one scary lady with that mace," Caleb joked with her.
Amelia smiled and took another bite.
"From here on out, we will continue to work with you on your form." Trevor spoke next.
Food finished, the two guards looked at Amelia, "We each will take the next two watches, we will wake you when it's your turn." Amelia nodded. She was happy these two guards were treating her as an equal. Heading to the tent, Amelia settled in and quickly fell asleep.
At the fire, the two guards sat taking turns looking out into the distance. "What do you think of this Joedan person?" Caleb asked.
Trevor took his time before answering, "I think it was lucky that he happened to be in the right place when our lady needed saving." Caleb nodded.
"I spoke with him once," Caleb said. "Did you know he was only a farmer?"
Trevor shook his head. "Caleb, I have found in my experience that rarely is any man only ever just one thing."
Caleb stayed silent at that taking it deeper in thought. After a bit, Caleb stood, "Wake me when it's my turn for the watch." With that, Caleb walked a little further away, settling himself on the ground, head propped up on a log.
Trevor raised his eyes, focus directed out into the dark. He would make sure the lady got where she wanted to go.
*****
"Thrust," came the bark of Commander Griff. "Pull back." Joedan followed the commands. "Up."
Joedan stood. "Thrust. Now hold it steady, son."
Griff commanded. "Relax."
Joedan raised the spear and stood back to his full height.
"Good." Griff said. "We'll make a soldier out of you yet." He smiled.
Joedan looked at him, eyes wide. "Is that what all this training is for?" Joedan asked him.
Griff stopped laughing, going serious again, "Not entirely. I would be lying to you if I said I didn't hope you'd consider it. But there is no other agenda, other than preparing you for any possible confrontations that may await us."
Joedan's shoulders relaxed. Not that he was against being a soldier. In fact, he had always wanted to be one. He just wanted the option. He didn't want to be forced one way or the other. He had dealt with that all his life working with his family as a farmer.
"Let's get the horses ready. Blanchard is only a couple hours away." They readied the horses and started off.
Coming up on Blanchard, Joedan was struck by feelings of familiarity and nostalgia. It had been nearly a month since he had left. So much had changed for him in such a small period of time. Excitedly, he took off towards the town. Griff following behind.
Making their way towards Joedan's farm, he had opened up, talking to Griff about all the things he and his family grew in their fields. Rehashing old stories from his youth. Griff laughed along, listening to the young man tell his tales. Suddenly, Joedan stopped. Griff pulled up beside him.
"What is it?" Griff asked.
"Something isn't right." Joedan said, still scanning his head around.
"My father isn't out working the fields." Joedan turned towards the house.
"Farmer," came a voice from the porch.