Ahara

Nearing the end of the lesson, I could tell that Asher improved quite a bit. I noticed that he learned quickly after I helped him. He catches on fast, meaning that I needed to pay more attention to what I said and do around him. “I think that's all for today, let's go Ahara,” a voice said, snapping me back to reality. I nodded and began to follow Asher. 

We walked back to his chamber in silence like we always do, I had no reason to talk to him and nor did I want to. 

“We’re going to leave early in the morning tomorrow so by the time we get to the village, it will be Saturday morning,” explained Asher. I held his chamber doors open for him.

“Oh! And call Josh over, I need to talk with him.” He looked at me for a response.

“I’m going to get Josh because I want to, not because of your stupid order.” I closed the door in his face.

I knocked on Josh’s door and when a couple of minutes passed I knocked again. “Hold on!” called a voice from inside. I could hear his loud footsteps getting closer and the door flung open revealing a very hungover Josh on the other side. He wore a dirty white collar shirt and dark blue boxers. 

“God you reek of alcohol,” I covered my nose and ran past him into his room.

“Yeah, Bryn, Max and I are off duty till tomorrow morning. Because we’re going on a mission with you guys, we decided to celebrate last night with a whole lot of alcohol.” He gestured to Max and Bryn passed out on the bed and couch.

“I see that. Anyway, I came over to tell you that Asher wants to speak with you.”

“So he’s giving you orders now huh pumpkin?” He tried not to laugh.

I grabbed him by the collar of the shirt and pulled him in close. “No one gives me orders, especially that guy you call your prince. And stop calling me pumpkin.”

Josh seemed amused by my reaction. And that’s when I suddenly realized how close we were. I could smell the alcohol lingering in his breath and how his shirt wasn’t buttoned up, revealing a set of toned abs. Suddenly uncomfortable with the situation, I freaked out and accidentally tripped backwards. As I was stumbling to the ground, Josh placed his arm around my back to try and save me from my fall. But I guess he forgot how weak he was this morning. 

Next thing you know, we’re both on the floor with him on top of me. 

“Oops, sorry.” I was for sure redder than a cherry.

He pushed himself up with his arms and stared at me for a couple of seconds. Eventually, Josh cracked a smile, “are you going to let go of my collar pumpkin?” 

I looked down at my hand still gripped tight to his shirt. This isn’t awkward at all.

“Ahara, is that you?” Asked Bryn, rubbing her eyes.

Panic hit both me and Josh in seconds and we climbed to our feet. 

“What are you doing here?” She finally opened her eyes.

“I uh... came to get Josh. Asher wants to speak with him.”

“Oh, I see” yawned Bryn as she slumped back over. I smiled and patted her head as she drifted back to sleep. 

“Just give me a few minutes to get ready.” Josh was picking up a couple of cans and throwing them into the trash.

“Alright.” I sat down next to Bryn.

He took his armour off his stand and went to the washroom to take a shower. “It's so nice to take a hot shower after drinking with friends, don’t you agree?” Josh gleamed, walking out of the bathroom with his armour strapped on tightly. I glared at him and looked back at Bryn who was still in a heavy slumber.

“Let’s go.” quietly I stood up then picked up my sword.

“I’ve brought Josh,” I knocked on the door.

“Enter” he commanded. Josh stepped in front of me and held the door open for me, I gave him a grateful yet uneasy smile then walked into Asher's chambers. Asher was sitting on the sofa next to the fireplace and gestured to us to take a seat on the sofa in front of him.

“What took you guys so long? I feel like I’ve been waiting forever.”

Josh and I swapped awkward glances which made Asher squint in curiosity.

“Couldn’t find my armour,” he shrugged as he plopped himself horizontally on the sofa, leaving me to stand there and watch from afar.

 “So what’s the deal?” Josh asked. 

“You seem as chipper as always” Asher rolled his eyes at Josh’s non-existent manners. “Anyways, tomorrow I want you and the rest of the soldiers ready and waiting at the front gate, and make sure for the love of God, to check for any mice or roaches on the wagon. I do not want a repeat of your closet mishap”

I shivered at the thought of what could’ve happened but shrugged it off and continued to listen,

“Alright I got it, anything else my lord?” chuckled Josh.

“Yes, tighten the security around the wagon, the Zartari soldier is still out there and I don't want this all to go to waste, especially now that the crops are being targeted by the Zartari troops.”

My body stiffened and my mouth dried at the thought of what they would do if they ever found out who the real Zartari soldier was.

“Ahara” called Asher. “Are you unwell? You look pale.”

“Jeez, no need to be so nosey. I’m fine.” I croaked, Asher turned back to Josh to resume their conversation as the grip on my sword tightened and my thoughts trailed on about my own mission and how long I’ll have to drag on this lousy act when I large hand landed on my right shoulder, breaking me from my chain of thoughts. “Ahara.” It was Asher again, I looked behind him to see that Josh had already left and the skies were dark with the sun nowhere to be seen.

“Ahara, are you sure you are alright? You’ve been standing there without even an inch of movement for the past hour. Is something weighing your mind?” asked Asher, I searched his eyes and found no traces of concern and instead curiosity and eagerness. “As I said before, I’m fine.” I reached across with my left hand to grab his hand. Asher seemed shocked by the gesture, he probably thought this was a movement of kindness or comfort. I rolled my eyes and proceeded to push his hand off my shoulder. 

“I really can’t figure you out.” There wasn’t a hint of emotion in his voice. He stared down at me for a couple more seconds and then entered his room without saying another word. A wave of relief washed over me as I let out a breath that I had been holding in for quite a while.

I woke at 6:00 a.m. the next morning. Lately, it’s been a habit for me to wake up this early with such little sleep. I always wake before Asher does so it gives me time to wall in some maids to make breakfast and tidy up the room. Recently I’ve been helping out more and fitting the role of “personal bodyguard” better than I did before. I planned on finishing my mission as soon as possible after we go to the village because I know the condition there and I think these supplies would do those people a lot of good. Asher’s door clicked open and he stepped out surprisingly not wearing anything too fancy like he usually would. 

“Goodmorning Ahara, is everything prepared and ready to go?” he asked, adjusting his shirt as one of the maids placed a cloak on his broad shoulders. 

“Yeah yeah, let’s get going” I responded. We met up with Josh, Bryn, Max, and the other soldiers outside the front gate and began our journey to the village. 

“I can’t go on like this!” wailed Bryn, “We’ve been riding for so long!”

“You’re fine Bryn, we only left two hours ago,” said Josh. Bryn slumped forward onto her horse’s neck and caressed its hair. Bryn really is a child on the inside. 

Asher gave the announcement to the troops to take out the tents and rest for a bit. The horses have been pulling the wagons of food and carrying people so they were exhausted.  

“Hey, Ahara!” called Bryn, “Want to share a tent with me?” But before I could answer, Asher interrupted. “Sorry, but she’ll have to decline that offer.” 

“And why is that?” I crossed my arms.

“Because she will be guarding my tent while I do some work.” Asher spun me around and pushed me towards the large tent in the middle of everything else. 

“Wait a minute” I managed to stop Asher from pushing me any further. “Why do I have to guard your tent? This whole area is filled with soldiers to protect you!”

“Well in that case, maybe you should rest a little. You haven’t been sleeping much recently so you must be tired. I’ll awaken you when the food has been prepared.” He gestured for me to enter the tent.

“How do you know I don’t sleep much?” 

“You aren’t very quiet, I can hear you cleaning and preparing things outside my room every morning. You also go into the living room sometimes at night, don’t you? Although I don’t know what you could possibly be doing in there.” I tried to ignore how creepy that sounded so I just entered the tent without saying anything else. The tent was definitely better than the rest of the tents all the other soldiers got. I took off all my armour pieces, leaving me in my sports bra and shorts. I crawled into the small warm sleeping bag and shut my eyes hoping to get some rest so I wouldn’t get too sleepy on the rest of the journey.

“Ahara,” whispered a voice. “Ahara, wake up, breakfast has been prepared.” I could tell that it was Asher so I rolled to my side to face the other side of the tent.

“Come on Ahara, breakfast is ready. You don’t want to leave everyone waiting.” Asher said once more. I slowly sat up and the covers fell off my loose shirt. Asher’s head jerked then immediately turned away. “Sorry I didn’t realize that you were wearing your undergarments,” Asher muttered awkwardly then quickly walked out of the tent. What’s his problem? It's not like I’m not dressed. I threw on a sweater I found beside me, then turned to walk out of the tent to meet up with the rest of the troops.