The enemy's camp was primitive, worn, and cold.

The camp the three brothers ran into was pure luxury in comparison.

It was a small barracks mixed with a semi permanent wood fortress, with villagers living amongst the soldiers.

Joab and Abishai were in deep discussion, but Asahel slowed his walk.

Young poor women were working with hay and mud and clay, while also tending to the animals near the front of the fortress.

The most beautiful of them was Larkin. Her dark hair was so dark, it was said it made shadows midair.

Asahel stopped. She looked up.

"Good morning, Larkin."

"Asahel. Running with the deer this morning?"

"I was actually faster than them for once."

"Are you always that fast?"

"No. Just today."

"What is good about today? What makes it any different?" Larkin asked, raising her voice.

"Seeing you," Asahel gently said.

Larkin faked a smile. Her friends snickered and laughed. She waved her hands angrily at them.

"Can you be seen with me?"

"I'm a warrior. Not a monk. A soldier. I'm not royalty," Asahel listed off.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"And you are the brother of Joab. Second to the king."

"Does that bother you?"

Larkin went back to work as she responded. "No. This work bothers me. This war bothers me. This stench bothers me. This horrible day bothers me."

"This day saves lives."

"This day is hungry for blood. Nothing more. Please don't go."

"Who said I was?"

Larkin rolled her eyes and took a step forward. "If you care for me at all, I will forget who your brother is. I will forget the king you serve. You know very well which house my family serves. But I will forget it. With all of that, I will look past everything, as long as you do not go."

"How about we send you?" Asahel responded, not being moved by her plea.

"Not funny."

"It is very funny. It would end the fight immediately."

Asahel then stepped forward, as close as he could.

"I will come back, Larkin."

With that, Asahel turned and ran after his brothers.

Larkin watched, then turned and scolded her friends, until they all laughed together.