It was the early hours of the morning. The sun had not yet risen but the castle grounds were alive with weary workers. Down in the kitchens men prepared hearty meals, others took their place in the weaponry room and everyone else took to cleaning the grounds and working the small fields or preparing for a hunt. This was the usual routine of the castle. I, however, was going to break from tradition. Branimir expected me to sleep until the sun was well over the horizon. On this morning he would not find me in my chambers. Instead, I perched myself on the rooftop gazing out over the gates that led into the grounds.

Up here was a cool breeze that wrapped around my skin. Considering the humid heat of the summer season the breeze was a much appreciated refreshment. The wind made it much more bearable to sit up here for a longer period of time. My signal came in the form of a blond fur canine. Much like a wolf with oddly expressive features Trotzen sauntered across the grounds. Well known among the crew that no man paid a second glance. His destination were the doors to the grounds. Sitting on his hinds within clear view for myself to see I waited patiently. One bark no, two bark go. Two barks meant men would leave for the hunt.

For the ten years I have spent in the company of Branimir I had not yet seen the outside world. He kept me cooped inside his walls training but I had begun to lose the reason. At least his reasons, my own still held strong. I clutched the worn medallion around my neck. My family crest; four triangles, two layered atop each other pointing up and two layered pointing down. My father told me it represented each element of water, fire, earth, air, the circle of the medallion was the last representing spirit. It was my one last connection to my family. The more I train the closer I get but my plans temporarily delayed. It was time to move out of Branimir's controlled environment and move out into the wild.

Trotzen barked twice.

I secured a cotton face mask and pulled my hood over my head – my eyes left uncovered. After releasing my footing I carefully slid down the side of the building. When I hit the ledge I gripped it tight and swung my body over the edge. I released my hands and landed on a balcony ledge. After securing my balance I dropped onto a set of crates, into the haystack then onto the back of a brown horse.

Trotting forward I tried to discretely merge into the group of hunters. It looked as though Apollinaire was leading the hunting trip. He led most hunting trips but was also Branimir's favorite for renegades.

“Everybody armed? Good, let's head out.” Apollinaire commanded.

He took his usual's. Three close friends; Cyril, Antonin, Theirn - all whom he ultimately trusted and a few new workers for the hunt. I blended in with them sticking to the middle of the group.

“Remember to always keep your guard. The animals you know have evolved.”

As the doors opened Trotzen began to come to my side. I waved my hand low and subtle. A gesture to stay hidden. He ran to the fringe of the trees, hidden but close. Our group crossed over and the doors slowly closed behind us. For the first time I nearly felt free.

My first instinct was to kick my horse to sprint into the vast forest. Yet as I set my eyes to my new surroundings my body shivered in fear. Looking out from the castle towers I knew the forest would not be the same as my memories but submerging myself in the forest now I never realized how drastic. The forest was dark and ominous, roots clawing at the soil for nutrition - branches, like boney fingers, reaching for the sky for light as though the sun would never rise again. Bushes and ferns now appeared as deadly spikes, poisonous looking, defying that of its natural state. The wild grass was nothing but dry earth that critters now forged. The sound of the horses hooves against the dry soil was all that could be heard. The farther we traveled away from Branimir's boarders the colder my skin felt, as if I was slowly walking away from its life-force.

"Steady." Apollinaire warned.

We stopped our horses on the fringe of trees a little ways from the feeble creek. I noticed a herd of deer prancing in circles. At first it looked to be as though they played yet upon closer examination it was not so. Within the jaws of a doe a rabbit caught limp. The others tried to rip it away for their own personal gain though only tearing bits and pieces.

"Nature has turned on itself." One of the new recruits commented.

"The world truly has gone to shit." Another said.

"And your voices carry." Apollinaire said sternly. "If you care to eat you will be silent."

Seeing such a sight I grew anxious of Trotzen. Surely, he was capable of defend himself yet my fears still burned. My eyes searched for the figure of a canine but instead found the piercing green eyes of a creature who believed himself camouflaged. Its eyes a few feet from Apollinaire, a distance too lethal to ignore. I pulled my bow and an arrow hastily. The draw of the string had Apollinaire turning his gaze to me. I released my arrow to secure the creature. As my arrow came towards him he leaned away. The creature I attempted to kill had scurried off and my arrow glanced off the side of the tree. The herd of deer ran off at the sound of the commotion.

Apollinaire in rage ordered his horse to my side and pulled a dagger from his belt.

"Explain! Or I'll declare you rogue and deal here as your executioner."

I heard his deep growl before I saw Trotzen. He warned Apollinaire that his actions would indeed have its consequences. Apollinaire's expression no longer held its fury but wariness. Trotzen was never far from his owner. I kept my eyes locked with Apollinaire's.

"An explanation, soldier." He demanded.

Behind him over the shoulder of his close friend Cyril another set of eyes glowed between the leaves. I could not waist the opportunity. I kicked my leg up smashing my foot against Apollinaire's wrist to pin it to his saddle. I propped my bow on his shoulder with arrow drawn and fired over Cyril's head. My target did not have the time to scurry. The creature was scaly, a tan to dark brown in color and a long prehensile tail with both forelimbs and hind limbs having two digits. Its eyes were big and round, a mouth the size of a mans hand with two rows of small razor teeth top and bottom. As it slid off the branch and thumped to the floor a hissing noise echoed all around us.

All the men tensed drawing their weapons.

"We have become the hunted." Cyril proclaimed.

"The hunt is off. Back to the castle." Apollinaire demanded.

Each of us kicked our horses to a sprint back home. Trotzen easily kept pace with the group. The sound of hissing followed us. As the gates came to sight a man screamed in fear. An audible thump sounded from behind. I slowed my horse to see one of our men on the ground. The creature secured itself to the mans face wrapping with legs around his head and tail around his throat. Under the creature were muffled cries. Others had noticed my halt and quickly turned to aid the fallen soldier.

"Help the man!" Cyril demanded as he climbed off his horse and tried to pull the creature off.

"My arrows are more likely to pierce the creature through into his skull! He is beyond my help."

"You'd rather he die slowly?" Apollinaire scoffed, glaring to me.

Cyril, Antonin, Theirn and two others worked together on loosening its tail from his throat and peeling the creature from his face. They were able to lift it ever so slightly but the mess it had created was gruesome. It was eating him alive. Chewing through the layers of his skin one by one beginning with his nose and working its way down. Blood oozed from his face, muscle and tendons showing, half of an eye already gone. The men freaked and backed away letting the creature go. He continued to scream through the mask of the creature. The creature on his face shrieked and more converged. Leaping from the limbs of the trees and crawling on the floor. The horses shifted their weights restlessly. More of the creatures began to take hold of him, wrapping around his arms and legs and stomach.

"Let the creatures have him!" Apollinaire demanded. "Into the gates before we all become prey."

The men climbed to their horses and we were once again rushing to the gates. They opened just enough to let us through, guards stood on their posts to protect us from prey behind. As soon as we cleared the gates they shut behind us. Trotzen stayed close to my side.

To just my luck Branimir hastily came to the group.

"What happened?"

"Creatures become more daring." Apollinaire said. "Luckily we had a woman's touch."

I cursed at his name. Branimir gazed around the group until his eyes fell upon mine. A range of emotions fluttered across his features but settled on complete disapproval.

"Mortelle." Branimir began. He stomped over, practically yanked me from the saddle and pulled mask and hood off. "You are out of your depths." he growled.

"Not as far as the men are concerned." I defended.

"A man lost his life!"

"You would have lost a lot more if it weren't for my precision. Your precious unit lives."

"Never again, Mortelle."

"You cannot keep me here. I was trained for more -"

"You will train until I am satisfied! You will obey my every command! And if I say you are never to leave these walls then by the gods you will stay!"

"Your gods - not mine." I hissed. "I am a child no longer and I will not take commands blindly."

I turned my back to him, a gesture I had only ever done once before - and suffered a great consequence. Branimir gripped my arm tight and yanked me back. Trotzen snapped and growled at Branimir coming to my defense. Branimir immediately released me and Trotzen's fierce growls turned to a low rumble in his throat.

"Disobey my command again and I will have you on the rack."

"Sure you will because the last time went without incident." The memory had Branimir cringing. "Yet we both know that you would not lift a single finger to me again." I challenged.

"Apollinaire! Get her to her chambers and assure she stays there."

"Yes, sir."

Apollinaire came to my side and gestured for me to walk first. With a final glare of disdain I walked to the steps of the castle. It was by no means grand. Ten wide steps led up to a balcony which wrapped around the entire building, led up to double iron doors. These doors opened to a great room lined with long wooden tables. Two halls in the back of the room led to the farm and under to the kitchens. To the immediate right a staircase that led to the upper levels.

I spoke as we ascended.

"A favor, if I may be so bold?" I requested.

"To what end?"

"To step again outside the gates-"

"Absolutely not."

"To retrieve the body of the soldier whose untimely death we all mourn."

He stopped short on the last step.

"Why so much heart to a man you barely know?"

"All men, like all life - no matter their position, should be honored equally. Would you not agree."

He nodded humbly. "I will assure him brought back for proper burial."

"And the small detail."

"Branimir would have us both lashed; you for leaving and I for allowing."

"You are scared of the man?"

"You should as well if you truly knew."

As if I didn't? I felt as if I was the only one who knew him best second to Felix, his right hand man. But his words had me reverting to this whole mess in the first place. What was Branimir's purpose? Keeping me here behind the walls - hiding me from the world. He always said my purpose was much different then the soldiers, though, he never explained why or how. Did I truly know Branimir or did I only know who he wanted me to know?

Upon reaching the second floor you are immediately greeted with a balcony which overlooked the dinning room. We walked around the balcony to the other side, passing rooms and several halls until we reached the very last. The corridor was open on one side which looked over the training grounds before reaching my chamber door. I opened it for Trotzen who ran in and jumped to the bed. I lingered at the door with Apollinaire.

"You think you know Branimir so well?" I contemplated. Apollinaire looked quizzically to me yet nodded in confirmation. "Then tell me . . . what compels Branimir the most?"

"Is it not obvious?" He chortled. "You. Everything he's ever done since I met him has been for you."

"And the secrets? What of that?"

"Should it really be a surprise? Everyone has secrets. I think what you are more concerned with is the why."

"Why?"

"Why does Branimir feel the need to keep secrets from you? Can Branimir whole-heartedly trust you?" Apollinaire smiled and dismissed himself. "I will inform you when we retrieve our young friend from the woods." He called over his shoulder before disappearing around the corner.

I closed the door and returned to bed. I plopped myself down on the edge and fell back. Trotzen tried to snuggle up against my side, licked my face and arms before resting his head in my palms.

Odd as it was I remember the first time Branimir looked at me as if he could not "whole-heartedly trust me" as Apollinaire pointed out. The first year I spent with Branimir I had obeyed his every command; walked as the soldiers walked, spoke as the soldiers spoke. In private Branimir taught me the necessities of survival. Learning the environment, studying the stars but, most importantly, I learned everything I could about the five gods; earth, fire, water, air and spirit. It had always so important to him that I understood them but this was unimportant to me. Where were the gods when my family was slaughtered? They would never be my gods and I would never pray for their assistance.

I learned of the oncoming war when Branimir had no choice but to bring wounded soldiers onto the ground. That is how I met Antonin. A few years older than myself, brown hair chopped short and deep brown eyes. He was gangly and uncoordinated yet only suffered a shoulder wound. Many of the woman and some of the men tended wounds. In my curiosity I helped in small ways. Grabbing supplies and dispersing it among the crew. When I came up to Antonin he not only took bandages and water but gripped my arm.

"You're a little young to be here." He commented with a smile.

"I'm no soldier such as yourself."

"A daughter then."

"An orphan under the care of Branimir."

"I see. Yet out of all these men you have the most soul."

At the time I had scoffed. "A soldier need not his soul to cut a mans throat."

"You're wrong. A man's soul is all that keeps him sane. It should never be easy to take a mans life. A true soldier does not wish for war or hope for bloodshed because he knows the true horrors it provides."

"Then why do you fight?"

He smiled thoughtfully. "To protect those we love."

"I no longer have loved ones."

"Then you protect others so they may not suffer the same fate."

"No man showed me the same courtesy."

"Then you must be better then they were."

It was the first time I considered becoming a soldier. To train and to fight like the men. When I first talked to Branimir about having me train with the new batch of recruits he nearly had a heart attack. It was never Branimir's intent to have me fight. From then I knew we had very different plans. For the longest time Branimir tried to keep me from fighting, forcing this and that to keep me busy and exhausted but my will was stronger. I was able to convince Felix to help me - the first time he ever stepped behind Branimir's back - and trained me in the dead of night. When Branimir found out he was outraged. We argued in a screaming rampage, he threw chairs and tables demanding and threatening for me to drop the thought. I refused to drop the issue, refused - for the first time - to do as he commanded. All that was left for us was a compromise.

Branimir finally agreed to allow such a travesty but under his conditions. Felix would be in charge teaching me hand to hand combat and how to use a bow and arrow. I later learned the reason for his choice of the bow. It would be strictly to keep me at a distance of all the chaos. I swallowed that one for a long time. After perfecting the bow I tried to have Felix teach me to use a sword but he wouldn't dare cross Branimir again. Yet, with his help to convince Branimir I took the next step. Not a sword but in knives.

Lying here in bed made me feel like those early years. Locked behind a door waiting to be summoned by Branimir. So it was no surprise when a knock echoed into the room. Trotzen removed his head from my hand and sighed. I expected to see someone uninteresting but instead found Felix. The one person who hadn't changed.

"Just came to check on you." He smiled.

"Right." Just came to make sure I hadn't sneaked out through the window. Which I had done a couple times but there was nowhere to go but the roof. I stepped aside to allow Felix into the room. He slowly stepped gazing around the room before settling on the bed. He gently stroked Trotzens fur. I closed the door with a slight audible click. "I suppose that isn't all you wanted."

"You should listen to Branimir."

"I wasn't the one who overreacted. Perhaps he should apologize to me."

"Difficult times put him on edge. It's harder for him to have you unattended."

"Oh, please, it wasn't as if I was strolling alone through the woods. I was with a hunting party."

"Without his knowledge."

"So we both have secrets. I say that evens the playing field."

"This isn't a game, Mortelle. Have you forgotten a war is breaking loose?"

"A war I should be apart of yet Branimir neglects to tell me anything. Why should I include him in my day to day activities when he won't breathe a word about anything beneficial. I'm tired of being kept in the dark. I am not that ten year old little girl fearing anymore."

"I know you’re not. Give it time and he will see that as well.”

“It isn’t soon enough.”

“What are you anxious for?”

“Nothing.” I said quickly. Felix, like Branimir, I kept in the dark about my true intentions for a fight. “I’m just ready to prove myself.”

When I started to become good at fighting and defending I realized that I would be able to kill the men who murdered my family. I was no longer depending on Branimir to carry out a task I was always meant to do. My fate was in my own hands for the first time. I tried to be apart of the renegades and infiltration but Branimir constantly tightened the leash and thus my seemingly permanent residence at Abbing Castle. Felix had his suspicions yet he never breathed a word to Branimir. I never asked his reasoning but I felt that he expected such notions to fade.

It was clear he had much more to say yet instead he sighed and heaved himself off the bed.

“It was not my intention to upset you.” He brushed his fingers through Trotzen’s fur one last time before coming to stand beside me at the door. “My true purpose to this visit was to bring you to the court yard. They are retrieving the body of the boy as we speak.”

Felix opened the door, following me out and waked back down the stairs. Out in the courtyard everyone had gathered close to the entrance doors. From atop the steps the quick pops of gunfire echoed up to the castle. I ran down the steps pushing through the crowd. When I reached the edge Apollinaire and Cyril carried the young boy on a tarp. Other soldiers fired at the ravenous wildlife which tried to cross the border into the castle grounds. Once the boys were clear they immediately shut the doors.

Apollinaire and Cyril put the body down. The poor kids body was mangled and shredded. A good portion of his arm was bone.

I couldn't help but think of Dorian. The way his body lay limp that night - much like the kid lay limp now. I never knew the kids name but I remember the face clear as day. Like all of us he smiled, cried, laughed. He was a good kid, a good soldier. It was moments like these that I wondered the reasoning of the gods choice. Why this kid? Why did he have to die?

"Tragic, isn't it." Antonin whispered beside me.

"Did he have family?" I whispered back burying the emotions that fought to overwhelm me.

"An older brother. On mission up north."

Mission? The word took me by surprise. Branimir considered everything routine operations. He didn't like his men engaging in open fire unless he was sure he had advantage. So what mission could Branimir possibly have?

Asking Branimir directly would be pointless. Considering the many other times I attempted to know something operational and Branimir denying anything was ever happening. Talking to Branimir might as well be like talking to a stone wall. A more exciting option on my part would be to go to the source itself. Thanks to Branimir I was trained to be invisible. I just needed the opportunity.

"Will they send for him?" I inquired.

"No. Branimir will burn the body and send the ashes."

Clever. It would be a small group - three at most to deliver. An extra body would be too easy to spot. If I slipped by him once he surely wouldn't create an opportunity for the same mistake. Yet Branimir taught me that emotion was never a weakness. It made us human - it made us better. I always felt that emotion was a distraction but today it would be my ally.

Branimir came through the crowd and approached the boy. I hastily took his side.

"Not now, Mortelle."

"I request the boys brother be transferred here for proper burial."

"Seok was his name." Branimir corrected. "One brother - Haneul - who is currently serving at Fort Creighton for a purpose. I cannot pull any men. The most we can do is to send Seok's ashes to him."

"That's not good enough. Not for me."

"You care." Branimir noted.

"I sympathize."

Branimir had a look of speculation. Watching my expressions his emotions ranged from thoughtfulness to concern.

"Mortelle, I understand, I do. But even if I were to consider your request it would take week to get Haneul here and the roads are treacherous."

"Then send a company."

His look of concern turned to uncertainty.

"To what end?"

I chose my words very carefully. One wrong word would have Branimir denying my request upon conjecture. If I say the right words in the right way surely he wouldn't detect another motive.

"A wise man once said . . . we have to be better . . . then those before us. I never got to pay my last respects to my family - I would not deny another that opportunity."

Branimir heavily considered my request. His eyes flickered from Seok to me before a small smile touched his lips in spite of his efforts to conceal it.

"If I grant your request will you do a favor for me?"

"What favor?" I asked with caution.

"You will not leave the grounds without my approval. Do you understand?"

I smiled politely. "I understand." And I did but in no way did I agree.

Branimir's eyes narrowed the tiniest bit, however, in the end he returned his attention to the duties required for Seok.

"Take the body under, prep for burial. Apollianire," Branimir called to him. He obediently came to his side. "assemble your team. I want you ready to leave by dawn."

"Sir?"

"You will retrieve Haneul to be brought back per request of Miss Mortelle."

Apollinaire looked to me. I could see in his eyes he was not convinced of intentions of philanthropy. I was anxious that he might speak his mind. So when he said, "Yes, sir." I breathed a sigh of relief. He left immediately to round up a few men to help gather troops

The courtyard began to clear. Branimir returned to the castle with Felix at his side. There discussion was hushed. As an act of obedience I followed close behind. I tried to listen to their conversation but on my way up the steps Cyril stopped me.

"Hey! Mortelle!"

I stopped just shy of the doors. Branimir and Felix continued on into the building. I sighed and faced him grudgingly.

"Apollinaire says this operation was your request."

"Indeed." I tried to sound sincere.

"Do us a favor and don't pretend to give a shit."

"Excuse me?" Honestly, I was very taken back. It wasn't like Cyril to speak quite so harsh, especially to me. We weren't friends all buddy-buddy but we respected each other enough to be square and friendly.

"You let Seok die. You stood there and watched when you could have done something. Given that, you don't have any right to mourn. I hope for your sake the gods have mercy on your soul for your actions."

"You knew there was nothing I could have done." I growled.

"How could I know? You never even tried." He turned his back on me.

"Hey!" I shouted in anger.

Everyone's head in the courtyard turned to us. Cyril stopped at the bottom. I stomped down and met him face to face.

"I wasn't the one who left him in fear. Let's not forget it was you who played hero until you let the creature slip through your feeble hands."

He took a swing and clipped me in the jaw. I retaliated by tackling him to the ground. Wildly, I threw punch after punch. He kept his arms up over his face. He swung his knee up into my back. In my momentary pause he gripped me by the shoulders and threw his head into mine. I toppled to the side and he pinned me down. I leaned forward and bit down on his forearm. He released my arms and I sucker punched him in the gut.

A sizable crowd began to form around us. Some even started making bets.

As Cyril caught his breath I lifted my legs and threw him over my head, then rolled to my stomach and got to my feet. Cyril barrel rolled and got to his feet. I went at him first. My first punch was blocked, throwing the next punch I got him square in the eye. As he was disoriented, I gripped his shoulders and pulled him close kicked my knee up connecting with his stomach. He stumbled back, to catch his breath. Cyril barreled at me ducking under my punch and wrapped his arms around my waist, hoisting me up, then slamming me into the floor.

The crowd winced at the action, groaning at the thought of pain.

I pushed his hands outwards then wrapped my legs around his neck. He swung wildly at my legs but that only made me tense more. Using all my weight I rolled over forcing him onto his back. Once I was vertical a set of strong arms wrapped around me - pinning my arms down - and pulled me off of Cyril.

"That's enough!" Felix commanded. He set me down, putting himself between Cyril and I.

"Let me end this!" I shouted breathless.

"I'm ending it, here and now. Both of you will keep your distance from one another until you can be civil. Do I make myself clear?" When neither of us answered he shouted. "DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR!"

"Yes, sir." We said in unison.

"Back to your duties."

The crowd melted away. Most had looks of disappointment, others passed money between each other. Cyril walked past me, glared, before taking to Apollinaire's side. Felix placed a hand at my back and guided me into the castle. He tried to take me to the infirmary. I put up a fit telling him it didn't hurt he rebutted that it would in the morning. I didn't want to show weakness. Felix sighed and walked me up to my chambers.

Strength was everything. If you weren't strong how could you be a soldier? If you backed down how could you call yourself brave? If you didn't win how could you defend? For the men it was easy to redeem yourself. For me, any weakness would have Branimir locking me in my chambers for the rest of my life. Reducing me to scrubbing floors, attending the farm and cooking.

When I opened the door Felix gripped my shoulder. He opened his mouth as if to say something important but shut his mouth instead. He dropped his hand and walked back down the hall. I closed the door behind myself and leaned against the door. Trotzen looked up and wined. I slid against the door until I was sitting. Trotzen jumped off the bed and sat next to me placing his head in my lap. Absentmindedly, I stroked his fur.

Cyril's words began to float through my head. I convinced myself there was nothing I could do but did that still make me a killer? If it wasn't for me Cyril and Apollinaire would have lost their lives and not only them. Sacrificing one man for the good of the others wasn't such a terrible fate. Yet the nagging feeling continued. I gripped my medallion in the palm of my hand. My actions were no different then the night of Dorian's death. For this reason, would history would repeat itself? I sincerely hoped not.

I sat on the floor until dusk then started packing for the morning trip. I would have to wait until morning to see how many people Apollinaire decided to join him before determining an exit strategy. I packed few clothes, a small jar of herbs and my family's book. I stroked the soft leather cover. Everything from poisonous, edible, and medical plants were depicted in this book. I've added a few of my own over the years. It made me feel connected in some way, like I was adding to the memory. I slipped the book into the pack and set everything behind the door. Aside from my necklace, book and bow I had nothing personal. Looking at the room you would think it unoccupied.

Trotzen was the hardest part. Like the hunt he would have to remain out of sight in the fringe of the woods. After today's events it didn't seem like the best of plans. Yet having him near me in the open would alert everyone that I was in the group. I banished the thought of going without him.

The first few months I had been at Abbing Castle was difficult. I didn't understand the lifestyle, didn't have duties to fulfill, and wasn't training for anything. I walked around aimlessly across the grounds bored most of my day until Branimir had time to teach me what he thought would be important. After several fortnight's of this routine there was a brief period of time in which Branimir had left the grounds for several days. With only Felix to really talk to when he wasn't busy I began to grow stir-crazy. Honestly, I was excited when Branimir returned.

I sat on the steps of the castle waiting when Branimir came through the gates with a company of men pulling a supply wagon. I ran up to Branimir and stood silently. I wasn't sure what to expect and I suppose neither did he. Even without exchanging words the feeling of loneliness faded in each others presence. At first he looked down to me perplexed before the look of content took over his harsh features. Branimir dismounted his horse and walked to the wagon. He smiled, reached into the wagon and pulled out a small, fuzzy, sleepy dog. Its fur a blondish yellow with a slightly white undercarriage and paws, its tail curled up onto his back and his eyes a dark brown. As he looked at me he became instantly excited; barking cheerfully at me with a smile and tongue hanging out the side of his mouth. He tried to run to me but was kicking in the air, still being held by Branimir. I couldn’t help the genuine smile that spread across my face.

I hesitantly reached toward the dog but stopped short, my eyes looking into Branimir's who smiled in delight then quickly tried to hide it.

"I expect you to train him to be obedient." He stated, handing the dog over to me before walking off.

I set him down and he sat at my feet waiting. I had spent the rest of the day running around with him, chasing him and teaching him basic commands. It wasn't until that night when I had entered my chambers and climbed in bed with the little runt did I decide his name. Trotzen – because if I wasn’t brave enough, I knew he would be.

It might not have been a big deal for Branimir to give me something but it was to me. It reminded me just a little Branimir cared about me, thought about me and what would make me happy. At any rate, I could not depart from Trotzen. My only plan for him was the one which brought me the most anxiety.

I climbed in bed early, Trotzen at my feet, and waited until I succumbed to sleep. The last thing on my mind was the thought of this so called mission at Fort Creighton.