Chapter 17:

The second we entered the camp, I was beyond nervous; several huge men leered at me. I could feel their gazes all but burning holes into the cloak I wore. They were looking at me as if I were the next meal they were about to sink their teeth into. I instantly shrank back, curling as far into Xavier's hold as I could manage as I kept my eyes trained on the white mane of the horse. It was hard not to notice how their eyes all lingered on me far longer than I wanted any part of. Their gazes followed me as we walked, and it definitely didn't help that every one of the soldiers that I got a glimpse of was just as tall as Xavier and far bulkier. Then again, the thick winter clothes didn't help them look any smaller.

He ended up stopping the horse in front of a large tent that was obviously the commander's, leaning into me as he dismounted to whisper in my ear. "Stay on the horse, don't get down for anything, Ari." I gave him a slight nod as I replayed everything that he had told me on the way here. Nova jumped from him back to me as he dismounted, and Bane climbed up onto the bags that were stashed behind the saddle. His tail brushed over my thigh, curling over it as Nova curled in protectively around my neck, and I only kept my eyes on Xavier as I watched him disappear into the tent, then it dropped back to the mane of the horse.

I could see all of their boots surrounding us from my peripherals as they steadily increased in numbers the longer we stood there. Nova shifted uncomfortably on my shoulders, lowering her head as her wings flared in agitation, a low growl rumbling from her chest and causing Bane to let out a deeper, far more threatening growl. Bane tensed, the tip of his tail flicking back and forth over my thigh in obvious irritation as he flared his wings before a resounding snap of his teeth broke through the sound of his furious growl.

The mare apparently didn't appreciate the angry dragon on her back, considering she started to prance, and I pulled on the reins just like I had seen Xavier do before placing my hand on her neck. "Easy girl," I whispered, hoping to soothe the horse. Just as I got her calmed down, Bane took one stalking step forward, breathing deep before puffing out a small burst of fire that had someone scrambling back as I once more busied myself in calming the mare. Thank you. I pushed the words down the foggy mental connection that I was starting to form with Bane.

'This filth won't lay a single hand on either of you without having it ripped off. They know me around here just as well as they know Xavier from our travels to this hellscape they call a camp, and they know better than to cross either of us.' His deep, slightly raspy tone came back to me, and I let out the breath I had been holding, allowing myself to take a modicum of safety from his words. I was incredibly happy at the moment to have the surly dragon watching my back, and instantly realized that Xavier had left him here with me for a good reason. 'Xavier doesn't need me on his shoulders to be intimidating.' Bane commented, and I couldn't help the slight lift that brought to the corners of my lips as I turned to watch the door of the tent now. That was the absolute truth. Xavier had a type of confidence about him that only came with skill. He didn't need to pull a blade or even so much as raise his voice to command power over people; he just simply had it, and he knew it.

The flap of the tent pushed open as Xavier walked out. Bane gave the crowd one last low growl before climbing back up onto his shoulders as Xavier simply mounted. Slipping his arm back around my waist as he took the reins from me, I happily took the safety that simple touch brought with it as he moved the horse off once more down the rows of tents that lined the small clearing.

We ended up stopping in front of a slightly smaller tent, but it was still larger and more elaborate than most of the others around it. He dismounted once more before tying the horse to a post next to the tent and reaching up towards me to help me off the huge animal.  He stood between me and the small crowd that had followed us from the commander's tent as he helped me down off the huge horse, even as he handed me my bag from behind the saddle.

I kept my gaze trained on the ground as I threw my bag over my shoulder. "This is where we'll be staying. Memorize it because most of the tents here look the same, and if you walk into the wrong one, it's not going to end well for you." I gave him a curt nod, and he gave me a gentle push towards the opening of the tent, still being careful to keep between me and the other men.

The second I walked into the tent, I let out a small sigh of relief. It was the one space here where I should be safe. No one could enter without risking Xavier's wrath, and from what I've seen so far, there are very few people actually willing to risk that. It was only a few moments later that he walked in, carrying the rest of the bags, as Bane followed behind him, still flicking his tail in agitation as Xavier set everything down. After seeing him so at ease while we were traveling, I hated how tense he was now. It was even more so than when we were at the academy, and suddenly I realized exactly why none of the men out there were actually willing to risk his wrath. Right now, he was nothing but a steely warrior. It showed in every hard line of his body, the sharp, piercing gaze that seemed to take everything in without missing a single little detail, how every single move he made seemed sharper, more refined, rather than languid and relaxed.

"Tonight, we're just going to go get food and go to bed," he told me, keeping his voice low as he set the last bag down and came over towards me. "It's even worse than last year. There's a ton of new recruits here that are still learning the rules. Do not go anywhere without me when the soldiers are here. That is why they gathered around you like that; they were waiting for you to slip up, Ari. You're not safe here, and if something happens, take them down. Do not hesitate." He whispered, and I just nodded to him. I could do that. Honestly, with how they acted outside, I wouldn't even be opposed to climbing into Xavier's lap if that's what kept those freaks at bay. At least with him, I knew what I would be getting.

Moving away slightly, I placed my bag on one of the small tables and took my swords off it. Nova perched on the table, watching as I buckled the straps over my shoulders before she came back to me. I took a breath as her comforting weight settled around my shoulders and ran my hands down the front of my jacket, making sure all my daggers were in their rightful spots before turning to see Xavier doing the same. However, after he strapped those two heavy swords over his shoulders, he pulled out two longer daggers, clipping their sheaths to his belt on either side before pulling two shorter blades, apparently from their sheaths in his bag, before sheathing them in two specially made sheaths on either shoulder of his jacket. They held the blades securely enough that the hilts pointed towards the ground. It was honestly smart. It was something I hadn't seen on any other armor set, but it allowed him very quick and easy access to both of them, along with bringing his total dagger count up to fourteen. Bane jumped onto him, lounging across his shoulders as he closed his bag and stood up, looking every part of the lethal weapon I knew he was.

I followed as he walked back out of the tent and untied the horse, bringing her with us as we walked back through the camp. I made a mental note of every different landmark that would help me find my way back as I stayed close enough that my arm brushed against Xavier's with every step. Even just the small brush gave me a sense of warm safety, even in this cold, icy place. He put the horse back into a stall, removing the saddle and placing it up on one of the many racks before heading back out towards the raucous laughter of the other men eating and drinking.

I just followed, keeping my eyes either down or on his back as we were each handed a portion of soup, bread, and a chunk of meat for the dragons. Then he led me over towards a huge fire in the center of the camp to sit.

We were left in relative peace as we ate in silence. All of us were on edge, but he seemed even more so than even the dragons. Those sharp eyes took in every small movement, flicking from me back towards the group of soldiers behind us while I kept my gaze either down or on him. It felt so demeaning to have to act like this, but the last thing I wanted was to draw any more attention to myself than I already had.

Just as we were getting up to leave, and I thought we might make it out without incident, a very loud soldier shoved his way past the rest and started confidently striding towards us. Xavier held his arm out in front of me before gently, but firmly pushing me behind his back.

"Oh, come on, you bring a fresh piece of ass like that into this camp and expect not to share?" The guy bellowed, obviously attempting to rile the crowd up as he walked right up to Xavier, getting up into his face.

I carefully watched the interaction as the guy attempted to bully Xavier backwards, pressing into his space until Bane roared at him, snapping his teeth in warning as his wings flared behind Xavier's head. Xavier didn't give a single inch either as he just crossed his arms over his chest, and I knew he was glaring at the man with that look that had any sane person stopping in their tracks. To the man's credit, he was at least smart enough to back away a step from the very angry dragon that had moved to perch on Xavier's shoulder as he prepared to strike, but that was when Xavier pressed his advantage. He took one threatening step forward, and I grinned as I watched the other man take another step back.

"You know, they really don't feed familiars too well here. I'd be careful if I were you. A hungry dragon is a rather touchy one. You just never know when they might decide to take a chunk out of someone." Xavier warned in a low, icy tone that had every single hair on my body standing on end. The man cowered back now, taking several shaky steps back as Xavier stalked forward. He only stopped pushing when the other man literally turned and ran back into the crowd that had gathered around us. "I'll only warn you once," Xavier spoke up, speaking to the crowd as a whole now. "If any of you touch a single hair on her head, I'll personally see to it that you lose yours." It was still his low tone, but it was coated in such a lethal, frigid edge that every single person in the space took a collective step back from him, except me.

'Well, that's encouraging.' Nova whispered in a rather surprised tone.

'I mean, don't get me wrong, I knew he was intimidating, but I didn't think he was that scary.'

'You meant to say that he's not that scary to you, Ari.' She corrected me with a nervous little giggle, but I guess that was fair. He turned on his heel then, completely dismissing the crowd as he came back towards me.

"Let's go," he whispered to me as he passed, but his voice had warmed to the tone that I was far more used to, and I quickly followed him back to the tent.