Nikephoros was riding in close to his regiment, exchanging few words there and there with his lieutenants. It felt good to finally be out of the city and marching to war.
He then noticed Tala riding up to him. No doubt she wanted to talk, be it about the tutoring or her boy. But he was in a good mood, so he did not care or worry about either.
"A fine army you've assembled here, General Nikephoros. Mileth is good as ours, though I am unhappy to think of all of us who may not return to do so. Yes, I am not so naive to think myself and those I love immune to injury and death."
"Do not worry about death. Its a bad omen to speak of it before any battle. As of the soldiers, I have a plan that will assure a bloodles victory, God be willing."
She looked calm and composed, but Nikephoros saw a glimpse of something in her eye. Maybe she was worried? He knew what it was shortly after she spoke again. It was anger. Brief, but quite legible from her words alone.
"I trust your offer to allow me to accompany and learn from you the art of war is still open?
For, Commander Pasha informed me of certain...unkind things that may or may not have been said on my behalf. I do not hold the private talk of men amongst themselves personally, of course-in that private company, between gender lines, we say many things which are considered uncouth. At least, In our dealings face to face, we have both been nothing but courteous to each other..."
"The offer, why, yes. I will have no qualms with tutoring you, although the best part will come during siege.
As for my words towards commander Pasha: I do not bear any ill will or thoughts against you, my dear. I simply want the boy to be in shape and ready for whatever may be, and I noted that he was simply too much preoccupied with your lovely self than with his duties. And we don't want him stuffed full of arrows or to be without his head, do we?"
She was no doubt determined to prove herself when she spoke again:
"I must seem so out of place here, to you-a young lady who hath only dwelled in the comfort and ease of the court, I dare say, you might consider my accompanying the march in battle guard something unseemly, or some sort of insult to your profession, though that is not my intent."
Tala took a stronger tone at that moment.
"I assure you, General, I am stronger I am look. And, I will prove it to you, and the Queen-whatever it requires."
Oh, don't worry about that girl, you will prove yourself yet....
Nikephoros let out a small, innocent laugh.
"Well, you certainly got the right attitude. And your presence here if far from insult to me. Shame that our queen does not have more nobles like you, at least the court wouldn't be so dull."