48 Neat battle camp.

 "Eh-uhm!" I was awoken by the important clearing of throat. I frowned, trying to make sense of what was happening. Valleria was sleeping naked in my arms, all disheveled and sticky.

I quietly got up and hid her into thick blankets before wiping the dried sweat and many other fluids from my skin with a wet washcloth.

Someone cleared their throat again outside the tent entrance, but no one dared to enter.

I hurriedly got dressed and wet my disheveled hair.

"What's going on that no one but me can handle?" I uttered with a frown as I slipped out of the tent and stood in front of the two generals.

They gave me a report and moved with me and my guards to the leader's tent.

"Did you get anything from the guy trying to rappel off the walls? Who was in charge of his internegotion?" I thought to ask right off the edge.

One of the higher-ranking soldiers stepped out of the back ranks, bowed his head in respectful greeting, and began: "They've finished all their food stack, and they're sick because of the shavings and straw they added to their soups and porridge. They are only holding on because they managed to get the women and children away before the siege. We gave him something to eat and are keeping him with the other prisoners."

I'm tired of waiting, but we'll have to hold out for a few more days.

"Thomas, how long will our supplies last?" I ran my eyes over the man leaning against one of the far beams.

"A week or so, Grace. I've already had more sent for." He replied, straightening up.

I'd stumbled upon Valleria by complete accident as I passed the tent with the wounded.

A young soldier was sitting in front of it, and two of her guards were standing around, which caught my attention. I only saw her when Peter stepped to the side to stop casting shadows under her hands.

She was standing next to the chair, trying to get splinters out of the fresh wound with a long pair of tweezers. She carefully pulled out a small piece of wood and washed the wound with brandy.

The wounded man didn't move, just held patiently.

Not wanting to disturb her, I moved out of the way and went around the sentries.

When I returned to the tent in the dark, she was already asleep. Her maids were still fetching water from the bath, but they stopped immediately and hurried out.

I undressed and crawled into bed with her.

"I love you, Valleria." I whispered softly and pulled her close.

She sniffed, scratched under her nose and grumbled something in annoyance. I chuckled and at least took her hand.