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
"It hurts like hell," Saffron said as the surgeon looked her over. "It looks like hell if I am being quite honest," he replied and probed the lump near her eye. She winced in pain. "Thankfully, nothing appears to be broken but you took quite a hit. I am sure I don't have to tell you, but you'll need a day or so of rest. The bruising will fade over time, but you will likely have evidence of the attack for the next few weeks. If you begin to feel poorly, send for me." He said and stood up. He shook Elric's hand and left the tent. Elric glowered at her from his position near the flap. She sighed. Her head throbbed and it hurt to have her eyes open. "I am not up for an argument at this time," she called wearily. "It will not be an argument because you will be the one listening while I yell at you," he warned and stalked towards her, sitting on the edge of the bed. Fear gripped him as he stared down at her, the bruise flowering out from her eye. It was a vicious, dark purple. He knew
"A dragon? Are you sure?" Saffron exclaimed. Elric gave her a look. "Well, it sure as hell wasn't a bear. Yes, I am positive it is a dragon. Although, I was not aware that they had a dragon working for them," he replied grimly. "What can we do?" she asked, remembering how hard it was to stitch dragon hide back together. She couldn't imagine it would be easy to kill a dragon. "There is only one option," he replied, resignedly. She shook her head. "You can't. You told me that no one can know. Plus, people still believe that dragons are evil. What will happen?" she asked, wringing her hands. "If I don't shift, many of my men will die. After they die, the dragon could turn its wrath onto the citizens of the country. I cannot let that happen. I will not let people die in my stead, due to my fear. To hell with the consequences. I am what I am." He replied, passionately. "Okay," Saffron replied quietly. Elric paused. "Okay? You have nothing else to add? You fight me on everythin
Saffron watched in horror as the dragons fell towards the earth, intertwined. "No!" she screamed and began to run, pushing men out of her way. She stumbled, landing hard on the frozen ground. She lurched to her feet. She had to reach him. She had to. #### Her mouth was agape in dismay when she reached the field. Elric's body, still in dragon form, heaved with wet, ragged breaths. Arrows protruding from his body and his blood ran free and thick down his sides. She scrambled over the embankment his crash had created and slid down the other side. She saw Udril's soldiers advancing towards his prone body. Suddenly, she was standing before him, brandishing a sword she had found abandoned on the ground. She held the sword expertly; her grandmother had insisted that she learn at a young age to defend herself and she remembered the lessons now. She spun the pommel in her hand and stared down the advancing soldiers who froze, their faces unsure how to approach the woman defending the drago