Saffron sat stewing in her bed-chamber; anger and embarrassment rocking through her. She had walked right into the home of Elric's previously intended bride, completely unaware. Elric hadn't said a word about Mira. He didn't even bother mentioning anything about her outside of hinting that she was dreadful. She felt absurd. It explained the familiarity with which Mira had greeted Elric. Her friend had hinted that Elric and Mira had been…intimate before. Saffron groaned and buried her face into the pillow she held on her lap. She knew that Elric had been with other women, but she didn't think that she would have to associate with them, much less be a guest in her home. She wasn't sure who she was more furious with, Elric for not explaining the situation or herself, for not putting everything together sooner. She could kill him. Her face burned, thinking about the grin on Mira's face as she told Saffron that Elric had been hers first. Saffron could tell by the anger in her eyes that
Saffron hadn't spoken to Elric in nearly three days. His explanation had fallen flat. He halfheartedly told her that he just hadn't thought it was important to know! She was infuriated but mostly still embarrassed by the entire Mira situation. Even when she slept, she couldn't escape the woman's taunting eyes. Elric had gone from sheepish to standoffish. Once he realized his charms wouldn't thaw her icy exterior, he instead also withdrew. The weather seemed to match their mood. It rained torrents down on them as the carriage made its slow journey back south out of Udril. Saffron didn't know if they were headed back to the capital or to Avolire. Elric hadn't said anything and she wouldn't deign to ask him. She halfheartedly wondered if they would even still go through with the marriage. She wasn't sure that she wanted to. She didn't appreciate being made a fool and then for him to act as if he were the injured party…she felt the anger rise again although it was more tempered now tha
The bells had quieted but Saffron still felt uneasy. Elric was staring at her, gauging her reaction. "I'm not going to faint if that is what you are thinking," Saffron said, staring down at the dead man. She had pressed her fingers to his neck and listened for his breath. He was gone. "I've seen you mend a dragon and heal yourself from poisoning. I have no inclinations that this would make you faint," he said with a smile. She found herself smiling back at him; the ice had thawed. "Are you alright?" she asked her, her eyes assessing his body. His face was flushed and there was a thin trickle of blood running from his throat where the man's blade had nicked him. "I'm fine. I'm curious as to who the hell this is though," he replied and nudged the man with the toe of his boot. "You don't recognize him?" Saffron asked. There was something familiar about him, but she didn't think it was so much his appearance as it was…something else. Elric shook his head. "I don't believe so. I h
Saffron felt the drums before she heard them; the ground beneath them thudding in time to the beat. It was unsettling how quickly it took them to reach the front; only a handful of days' travel. The rain hadn't ceased. The harvest had ended furiously, sweeping the countryside with torrents of icy rain. This did not bode well for winter. It would be a wet, harsh season. Saffron needed to gather herbs as soon as they got there. The collection she had at the apothecary, which was now at the castle, was thinner than she would like this close to winter's doorstep. Tents rose from the mists as the carriage made its way into the valley, the horses' hooves sinking and squelching into the deep muddy ruts. Saffron studied the sodden landscape. Tents stretched as far as the eye could see and beyond them, the cliffs of Udril. She turned her eyes to Elric. "Is it wise to be this close to their border?" she asked, her stomach trembling with nerves. He scoffed. "Trust me, this is a fine positio
The next morning dawned bright and clear. After weeks, the harsh rains have finally left, leaving the landscape feeling washed clean. Saffron stepped from the tent, enjoying the frigid breeze on her face. She hadn't slept well. Elric's body pressed against hers had left her feeling frustrated and empty. She knew that she didn't want their first time to be in a camp surrounded by soldiers but that did nothing to quell the deep ache she felt for him. With her journal in hand and a cloudless sky, she set out to forage. Elric had left her a note on the table stating that he would be in meetings for the day and drew her a small map to where he would be should she need him. She felt warmth towards him and had tucked the note in her pocket before leaving. Her cloak billowed out behind her as she stepped into the forest. She knew that these trees bordered on her own familiar Wood, but this forest felt…empty compared to hers. She knew it was the distinct lack of magic that suffused the dens
"Hold him still! This is going to hurt like hell but if we don't hold him down, I can't get it out!" Saffron yelled to the young soldier next to her. He nodded and restrained the thrashing man on the table before them. Fresh, hot blood spurted from the wound in his leg, a large arrow protruding from the gash. She held the victim's face in her hands. "Look at me." She crooned and his wild eyes found hers. "This is going to hurt but once it is out, I can heal it. You cannot move." She said. He nodded once, tears and sweat mingling on his dirty face. "Bite down on this," she said and placed a rolled-up bandage into his mouth. She instructed the soldier to tie a rope tight around the man's upper thigh. "I'm going to remove it after the count of three. As soon as it is out, I need you to place the cloth there. Got it?" the soldier nodded, looking queasy. "I do not have time for you to fall ill as well. Are you able to do this?" she asked him impatiently. He took a gulp of air and nodd
It was two weeks before the onslaught from the Udril soldiers finally ceased. Many were dead on both sides and tents were bursting with those wounded. Saffron had barely slept or eaten, choosing instead to spend her days and nights with the injured men. They had begun to grow fond of her soothing presence, firm orders, and soft touch. The soldiers found themselves straightening their hair and smoothing down their uniforms when she came into the tents to check on them. Elric watched their eyes light up as she flitted from bed to bed, asking after their wellbeing. She appeared fae-like once again, her gold hair shimmering in the light of the lanterns, her green dress swishing quietly behind her. ####Elric had tolerated the affections of his men towards his fiancée, thinking it was a good thing that she was so beloved, until they began seeking her out. She was constantly surrounded by a hub of admirers, whether she was gathering herbs or sitting by the fire. Men tripped over themselv
"Could you tell me what color these berries were?" Saffron asked as she followed the man. They had been walking for a few minutes and still, she did not see any strange fruit. The bells that had lately begun to ring in her mind when she was in danger began to chime lightly now, slowly growing louder the longer she followed the man. She stopped suddenly, ready to bolt when he turned to her. "Here they are. Those dreadful things!" he declared and pointed to the bush ahead of him. She felt relieved; perhaps her own anxiety had caused the bells. She gave him a small smile and bent to inspect the berries. They were gooseberries. "Ah yes, these will definitely cause an ill-feeling. You should recover fine; I would just recommend some broth and water. I have some herbs that will help with the stomach pains," she said and dug around in her bag. When she found what she was looking for, she looked up and the man was gone. Perhaps he had to be sick and wanted some privacy. She would wait a