PreviousYou decide to leave Eve's mother and her people for now. They have enough food to last them a while and you have answered their prayers. That will suffice.
You now fly over to Eve and her men. You must travel farther to cover the detour to Lily's camp but by daybreak you arrive.
Below you is a camp similar to Lily's. Except bigger and filled with men instead of women and children. You note that the men are not starving, probably a result of the gifts you conferred on them. But several are injured and there are not many men in the camp. You are pleased to find Suha among the men, but do not find Gezaru or Eve. Some eavesdropping reveals that Eve is on a "mission" and will be back by noon. Some more eavesdropping reveals that the men of the camp are now aware of Eve's sex, but there seems to be no lack of loyalty for that.
You wait until the sun has journeyed farthest from the horizon, and then Eve comes through the woods. She is on horseback and accompanied by several men. She dismounts and Suha approaches first to speak to her. The others stand and surround her.
She is not the Eve that you remember.
The soldier's training had made her hard, stripped her of weakness. But the war has made her sharp, tempered her into a cold edge. You can see no innocence in her any more. Her eyes are hard, killer's eyes. But then she looks at Suha and her gaze softens and you know that love has not left her yet. The two regard each other, then, aware that the others are waiting and watching, Suha speaks first.
"How did it go?"
"Well. We hit one of their supply lines on the eastern quadrant. The western side remains heavily fortified."
"I see. And Akhentef?"
"Didn't see him."
"I don't understand it. He takes Arish, has a direct path to heartland, has more than enough men to take it, carves out a perimeter, but then decides to hold? Why?"
"I don't know."
"..."
"Anyway, we have food and medicine from the supply. Should hold us for another month."
"And...any sign from
them?"
"Heh. What do
you think? Those cowards are hiding behind their walls and praying in gratitude that Akhentef doesn't make a move. I almost wish he would. I almost wish he would punch through their walls and put all their heads on a pike." Eve spits on the ground to press home the disgust. The others keep silent. Then Eve storms off into her tent. Suha follows her. You follow Suha.
"Are you alright?" says Suha.
"Fine. Just fine." Eve undresses and puts on regular clothes. You note that neither are uncomfortable by the sudden nudity.
"I'm worried about you. I'll sub in for the next mission. You should rest."
"And who are you to make that decision? I'm the superior here! I'm the commanding officer! I'm the one that gives orders!"
"And I'm the one who gives a damn if you die!" There is a silence.
"...I won't die."
"I don't know, you seem to be trying pretty hard to make it otherwise."
"So what? What if I really die? What is there for me Suha? For us? We have no home. We have no family. I have no family." Eve collapses onto the cot and rubs her eyes. Suha walks over and embraces her.
"Let's leave this place. We'll go north. We'll go far north, away from all this strife. Where the grass -"
"-blows like shafts of sunlight on the waves." Eve looks up at Suha. Suha smiles.
"Yeah." He says. Then Eve sighs and stands.
"I can't. You know I can't." This time, Suha sighs. He too stands.
"Fine. But I'm subbing in the next mission, commander's permission or no."
"Don't make me hurt you, Suha." Says Eve, but smiling.
"Ah but a frown from you, my love, is too much pain for me to bear!" Says Suha, with enough bad theatrics to curdle milk.
"Oh shut up." Says Eve and laughs.
Outside there is a commotion.
"Captain!" Calls one of the soldiers. Eve and Suha step out. The men have surrounded a single man. Their weapons are drawn at his throat and head. The man does not even appear to notice the soldiers. He looks straight at you, hovering above the scene. Then down at Eve and Suha. You note that the man has horses hooves for feet and enormous white wings upon his back.
What will you do?
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