*Nemesia's POV*

The morning dawned crisp and clear, the camp stirring to life as I stepped out of the tent. The rebel's daily routines unfolded around me, a blend of quiet conversations and the clanking of weapons. Murphey approached, his face set with purpose.

"Nemesia, we have a task that could use your expertise," he began, his voice low.

"He means a task to check if they can trust us," Athena's voice was annoyed in my mind but I ignored it, trying to smile lightly.

"Yes?"

"There's an outpost we've had our eye on for a while. We need someone to assess their defences and report back."

I nodded, intrigued.

"What's the catch?"

"It's heavily guarded," he admitted, pulling out a map and laying it on a nearby crate.

"Here. It's strategically important for them, which means it's well-protected."

I studied the map carefully, noting the routes in and out.

"Yes. I remember once talking about this place. They try to keep it safe, but there are more heavily guarded in my opinion," I said after a moment/

It seemed straightforward, but in my line of work, appearances were often deceiving.

"What about him?" I nodded toward a boy who stood next to us.

"Ah, yes. This is Aiden. He's a promising young lad  so I try to make him listen and learn a lot."

"It could be a good learning opportunity for him," I said with a serious face.

Murphey eyed me, then Aiden, weighing the decision.

"Alright. He goes with you."

I suppressed a smirk. Perfect for my plans. Aiden would play the role I needed without even knowing it.

*Evar's POV*

Watching Nemesia take charge was like witnessing a chess master at play. She manoeuvred everyone around her with a precision that was as awe-inspiring as it was terrifying. I had agreed to watch their backs but stay behind, coordinating and ready to assist if things went south.

The morning of the mission, I watched them prepare, Nemesia issuing last-minute instructions, Aiden hanging on every word. We disappeared into the forest, the weight of their task looming over them like the dense fog that clung to the trees.

*Aiden's POV*

The forest closed around us like a dark, whispering world of its own. Nemesia moved with a silent grace that made me feel clumsy in comparison. Every snapped twig under my foot seemed a thunderclap.

"We need to circle around to the north side," she instructed, her eyes scanning the treeline. "Keep your eyes open; this won't be easy."

As we approached the outpost, I could see through the binoculars that there were more guards than expected.

"Looks like they've doubled their patrols," I murmured.

Nemesia took the binoculars from me, observing carefully.

"Seems like they're expecting trouble. We'll need to be extra careful."

We moved closer, using the dense foliage as cover. But just as we were about to make our crucial observations, the forest erupted into chaos. Guards appeared seemingly out of nowhere, their shouts filling the air as they surrounded us...

Or so I thought... When I looked around I saw that I was the only one there.

Nemesia was disappearing into the shadows of the forest but it was too late for me; a guard tackled me to the ground, his weight crushing. I fought, struggling to breathe, to move, to think.

As I lay there, the realization dawned on me—this was the plan all along. Nemesia had needed a distraction, and I was it. Her figure retreating into the shadows was the last thing I saw before a blow to the head darkened my vision completely as I drew the last breath.

*Nemesia's POV*

The sound of the skirmish behind me faded as I made my escape, using the chaos to cover my tracks. Aiden had served his purpose, and while a part of me regretted the necessity, survival had always been about making the hard choices.

I reunited with the rest of the group.

"What happened?" he demanded as soon as I was within earshot.

"It was a setup," I said simply, brushing past him. "They were waiting for us."

Evar followed, his steps heavy.

"And Aiden?"

I paused, then without turning said,

"He didn't make it. He wanted us to do it. Let's not make his sacrifice go to waste," I said, my words inspiring others.

As we approached the garrison under the cover of thick woods, the outcome of Aiden’s 'diversion' was evident as this side was left almost completely unguarded.

"Let’s move," Evar whispered, and we slipped through the perimeter fence.

The garrison was chaos, guards scrambling towards the commotion Aiden had 'created'. We took advantage of the confusion, darting between shadows and buildings until we found what looked like an officer’s quarters. The rest of our group stayed in the forest trying to make sure we had a clear way back, so it was just Evar and me.

Inside, I quickly began searching through desks and filing cabinets, looking for any documents that seemed important. Evar kept watch at the door, his body tense, ready to warn me at the slightest sign of trouble.

Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps sent a surge of adrenaline through me.

"Nemesia, we’ve got company," Evar hissed. I grabbed a handful of papers and stuffed them into my bag, just as the door burst open.

A guard stood there, surprised to see us. Before he could react, Evar was on him, a swift move that knocked the guard out cold.

"We need to leave, now," Evar urged, and we sprinted back the way we came, the sounds of the ongoing diversion fading as we put distance between us and the garrison, the others joining us, as some of the team were leaving fake tracks and leading away the possible chase.

The return to the rebel camp was a silent march, the weight of the mission—and its outcome—hanging heavily between us. Evar's disappointment was palpable, and for a fleeting moment, I wondered if I had finally pushed him too far.

Evar walked beside me, his presence a silent question I wasn't ready to answer. The forest seemed to close in around us, the trees whispering secrets I wished I could forget.

As we neared the camp, and we were rather far from others, so no one would listen, Evar finally broke the silence.

"Nemesia, maybe we should talk about what happened out there," he said, his voice low, filled with a concern that made my defences rise.

"There's nothing to discuss, Evar," I replied sharply, avoiding his gaze. "It was a mission. Things... happened."

He stopped, stepping in front of me, forcing me to look at him.

"Things happened? Nemesia, Aiden was young. He didn't deserve—"

"Don't," I cut him off, my voice cold.

"Don't you dare question my decisions... Aiden knew the risks, just like all of us."

Evar's eyes searched mine, looking for the woman he thought he knew beneath the hardened exterior I presented.

"There's the Nemesia who cares, I know it. I've seen it. Why won't you let her out?"

I looked away, the vulnerability in his voice threatening to crack the armour I'd built around myself.

"That Nemesia is a liability," I muttered, starting to walk again, but Evar grabbed my arm, gentle but firm.

"Maybe," he said, pulling me closer. "But she's also the one worth fighting for."

Our eyes met, and for a moment, the world fell away—just the two of us and the truth we were too scared to voice. His hand was warm on my arm, his touch sending a shiver through me despite myself.

I leaned in, drawn by the comfort he offered, my head resting against his chest. His heart beat strong and steady under my ear, a reassuring sound in the chaos of my life. For a brief second, I allowed myself the luxury of leaning on someone.

But as his arms wrapped around me, the reality of what I had done—what I might still have to do—came crashing back. I stiffened, stepping back abruptly.

"We should keep moving," I said, my voice flat, burying the flicker of warmth that had sparked between us.

Evar's face tightened, the brief moment of connection we'd shared dissipating as quickly as it had appeared. He nodded slowly, the unspoken words piling up like a wall between us.

*Evar's POV*

The rest of the walk back was charged with a tension that felt almost tangible. When we reached the camp, I could tell something had shifted in Nemesia. The walls she built around herself seemed even more impenetrable now if that was possible.

That evening, as we sat by the communal fire, I watched her interact with the others, her laughter a little too loud, her smiles a little too bright. It was all a performance, and I wondered how many realized the show they were witnessing.

After the meal, I found her alone, staring into the flames. The firelight danced in her eyes, casting shadows across her face that seemed to accentuate the loneliness I often caught lingering in her gaze.

"Nemesia," I started, sitting beside her. "About earlier, I—"

She turned to me, her expression hardening.

"Evar, don't. Just… don't. It's easier this way."

Frustration and something else—pain, maybe—twisted inside me.

"Is it? Is pushing everyone away really easier? Or is it just safer?"

She looked at me then, really looked, and I saw the turmoil swirling in the depths of her eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it again, as if unsure of her words.

The air around us thickened with things unsaid, the crackling of the fire punctuating the silence. I reached out, my hand brushing hers, and for a second, I thought she might pull away. But she didn't. She turned her hand over, her palm pressing against mine, and we sat there, the world narrowing down to the warmth of our touch.

But as quickly as the moment came, it passed. Nemesia pulled her hand back, standing abruptly.

"I need to check on something," she said, her voice neutral as she walked away, leaving me with the fire and my thoughts.

I watched her go, feeling the distance grow with each step she took. The connection between us was fraying, threads pulled too taut by the secrets and lies we wrapped around ourselves. I knew I should let her go, to move on and focus on the mission, the reason we were both here. But as the fire burned lower, the shadows growing longer, I couldn't help but wonder if there was a way to reach her, to find the Nemesia who needed someone, even if she couldn't admit it.

The night deepened, the fire dying to embers, and I made a decision. I wouldn't push her, but I wouldn't leave her alone either. Whatever her battles, she wouldn't have to face them without me. Not if I could help it.