BENEATH THE ASHES

sa'

of how strange things had been between them throughout the week. She t

m, grabbing his arm to make him look back.

gly. "Maybe it's that I haven't had a real conversation with you for what...days

at's what you'll get. But you have no right to ask for more, not when you're doing this..." He

fine with this? Please, don't ask that of me." He said, his vo

g me for everything that goes wrong!" Nessa yells. This was the mos

hat goes on in the mind of men like him? If he'd found out that you're in fact a girl..You have no idea do you?" he said mockingly. "I'm

said softly. "I made a mistake asking for your help. I shouldn't have...

d with a mix of frustration and sadness. "Just for

fell into a contemplative silence. Archie's words sti

e recruits were gathered. Nessa's gaze swept across the cr

it was Matt, probably already planning his next attack. She adjusted her beret

nds, drawing everyone's attention. "Gather 'round, recru

he general, her eyes locking onto his. Archie

of the recruits asked

e going to have a competition, a series of challenges t

beat as the general pa

yal Guards as their mentor and personal trainer. They'll also get to work alongside the Royal Guards

with some recruits already mentally pr

, her eyes shining with det

templating his own words, "Are you planning to partic

irm. "This is huge. It's my opportunity

crinkling at the corners.

urt. She felt a surge of anger an

you are so don't talk to me in that conde

eyebrow, his expr

w it's going to be? Fine." She said, she blurted out the n

nothing to protest my being here." She declared. "And you'll k

ed, his eyes narrowing as

knowing she had

o withdraw from the camp. You'll never try to join again, and you'll move o

hesitated, weighing her options. But

d, her voice firm, as she exte

enveloped her, a welcome respite from the day's tension. She closed her eyes trying to embrace the slee

ed softly to the bathing area, careful not to creak the floorboards. The warm

, rose petals to calm her mind, and chamomile essential oil to wash away the day's

eep sigh. The tension in her shoulders began to ease, and her mind qui

ention to the bruises and scrapes from her training and her encounters with Matt. She washed

g refreshed and rejuvenated. She dried herself off, paying extra atte

a's eyes sparkled as she ran her fingers over the intricate embroidery and delicate lace. She felt a se

gown in a rich, jewel-toned blue. She didn't care that it was still mo

e dress hugged her curves, making her feel like a completely different p

ponytail. She added a few subtle touches – a sprinkle of powder, a d

ikely, her a

reshly baked bread and sizzling bacon. Her mother, and brother chatted and laugh

surprise she said, "Eat up, dear. You're looking a bit skinny lately." She even managed a smile, ye

d, "Leave the girl alone, dear. She looks fine to me, in fa

food infront of her. She took a bite of her food, attempting to follow her mother's adv

leaned in, "I had the craziest conversation with one of the guards today. Apparently, the recr

ing when I was in training. I hear it's the new instructor, General Thompson, is it? Hear he'sgot a lot of great ideas, is

excitement. "A three-day contes

ing slightly as he considered her thoughtfully. "Isn

snapped her back to attention. "I'll be going to watch, and I've been ask

of her jam-covered scone, and it lodged in her throat. She star

to dislodge the scone. Her brother's eyes widened in ala

ss of water and rushing to Nessa's side. "Here, dr

arched throat. She coughed, and the scone final

n and amusement on his face. Her mother, however, was quick to offer her critique.

ed his wife's hand. "You gave it to her, dear

heading off to work, but not before planting a kiss on her head. The

ds him a pleading look, one that says "don't leave me with her

Nessa knows she's in trouble. "Vynessa, that's a lovely dres

es, "No..." Her voice trails off, and

yes sparkle with enthusiasm, and Nessa's instincts s

her?" Nessa asked,

hinking of inviting a young man over for tea

as going, and she was not going to let her mother

a good idea," Nessa said, tr

illy, Vynessa. You need to meet new people, and this young man i

hing you'll be there to entertain him,

voice irritated. "Is this about that

as nothing to do with Archie, Mother. And you sh

t boy is no good, Vynessa. You'r

Does Father know about this? Abo

. If you keep this up, all the good men will be gone, and you'll hav

believe you...I'm your daughter. Can't you just suppo

ant you at this table by noon, properly dressed an

e table and stormed out of the room,