I was feeling hopeful about Ben's squad. They were directly on route towards a weak team with a flag that was moving carefully around. I had to pretend I was enraptured by the broadcasts and not terrified of the conversation going on beside me.

"So what is your father's view on the increase in prime spots across all camps."

I hadn't even known that was happening.

"My father is happy with any ruling from the capital that helps with the war effort and to grow our nation."

Eloise was always measured when responding to Bitu and his group.

"Outsiders now have a chance of becoming a prime, doesn't that make you feel disgusted. Those are resources that should be left to those of the Horde."

I tried not to look at her. My scout was telling me all I needed to know about the situation. She quickly glanced towards me before returning to look at the screens.

"Anybody who has joined the Horde should have the chance to rise and serve the Horde, those are the rules the Capital have enforced about fringe armies like ours. It doesn't matter what we think. We are losing a war against an Empire that could crush us if it ever turned its full army here. We need all the help we could get."

That was something I was curious about, why hadn't the Empire attacked the Hordes with their full force. Even Eloise was concerned with that prospect.

"With the Atiori Ships still attacking their coasts and the Ogres on their northern borders, there is very little chance of that happening. We should make use of their weakness and attack now."

Bitu seemed to know more about the Empire than I had ever learned.

Bitu was quite insistent about the state of the Horde. I had no idea about his standing in the Horde as a whole. It was clear, however, that he was inferior to Eloise, as was the rest of his group.

"You have little need to question the decisions of your betters, Bitu. Become a prime, and then we can have a better conversation about the choices the Horde has to make to survive. The Empire is not the only one with enemies surrounding them."

Bitu went silent after that. Content with watching the progression of the match. The playing field grew ever smaller as time went on. Teams were continually clashing with each other. Only a few stood out in the melee that was only beginning. They still had 30 minutes before the end of the battle. It would be a waste to use up all their energy at this point.

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Most teams agreed with my viewpoint and stuck to a conservative approach with all the battles. Waiting for the ten-minute mark and the arrival of the Warlord's flag. That would force a significant change in the attitude of all the top teams. Who were gunning for an opportunity to meet the Warlord and the great prizes victory would result in.

The arena was quiet for the next few minutes. Not many teams were engaging with each other, all happy to play the waiting game. The weaker teams who had found the common flags and had no interest in the Warlord's flag were content with setting up bases out of the way of anyone else. They just had to be hopeful that the flag wouldn't arrive in a position near them.

So the waiting game continued. Which only drove my heart even crazier. The wind kept circulating the arena, keeping all the attendees cool, but also sending Eloise's scent straight towards me every few seconds.

It was infuriating. I tried to get my mind of the beautiful girl beside me. The world seemed totally against anything like that happening while she was still there.

"Who do you think is going to end up on top?"

It took me a second to realize the question was directed at me. I turned to her, finding her soft eyes staring right back at me. I nearly jumped out of my seat. Her face was right in front of mine. All it would have taken was a swift breeze for us to be kissing.

I moved my head back as quickly as I could, my body nearly going with it.

It was only when I stabilized myself that I heard the gentle laughter that seemed to twist my soul. Such a sound was coming out of the daughter of a Warlord. How was that possible? The fact that the world was an unfair place was never so cruelly shown.

I tried to turn back to the broadcast, ignoring the glares from Bitu and his group. That was when I felt a gentle shoulder press against me, that lit up my whole body. How was such a thing possible. A simple touch from her made my body feel more alive than when I had progressed to a tier 4.

"I asked you a question, too afraid of your tactics being wrong."

The tease, accompanied by a gentle giggle, seemed to explode the heart right out of my chest. She had to have been using magic of some kind. There was no way I would respond in such a way otherwise. It took my mind quite some time to figure out what she was saying. Had she asked me a question? I racked my brain. It was too busy thinking about touching her gentle body again. So it was no help. My memories as well were replaying her touch, so that was also a no go.

"Yes"

That was the only response I could think of. I had no idea what the question was, but how could I ask the Warlord's daughter to repeat herself. Surely that would be grounds for execution.

Her tinkling laugh set my heart off again. I was scared I wouldn't be able to survive the rest of the day.

"At least you're honest. I can respect that in a man."

She called me a man. I felt my chest fill up with pride. I had been used to being called a kid by every one of my instructors. This beautiful woman saw me as a man. What a day this was.

Before, I could embarrass myself any further. The tone of the Hordes Anthem began. The flag would soon be descending, with it the end of the match.