Chapter 36

After Caraculla returned to the field that evening, Kharon had Gypsy accompany him on a routine night patrol to the capitol city of Myth Gate. It was exhilarating to be out with a squad of soldiers despite the strange glances she attracted from them. But once they had gotten over their initial discomfort with her, they began pelting her with all kinds of questions. They asked her about the Empire and her feelings about being the first female warrior there. Gypsy couldn’t remember being so happy and feeling so accepted amidst a bunch of men. She almost regretted the loyalty she owed Gavin. Kharon, for his part, was quite the skilled recruiter and it was hard not to want to join this kingdom after she graduated.

The next morning Gypsy awoke to Kharon’s soft kisses meandering along her jawline. The darkness that hid the mountain scenery told her that it was pretty damn early, although he was already dressed except for his unbuttoned tunic. “What are we going to do today?” she asked as she stroked his bare chest.

“I have a meeting this morning that, as I’m sure you understand, you are not able to attend. Captain Bryson will be here in an hour to pick you up and take you for some sparring practice in one of the arenas. You still have finals to pass and I don’t want you out of practice.”

Gypsy stretched her arms over her head yawning. “I suppose I’m practicing alone.”

“Not at all. Most of my men are well versed at using and defending against exotic weapons. The captain is particularly good at fending off the meteor hammer so it will be good practice for you. When I’m through, I’ll get you for lunch, then I would very much like it if you would come along with me while I performed my daily duties. I know it doesn’t sound particularly exciting, but I think you’ll find it interesting. How does that sound?” he said as he finished dressing.

Climbing to her feet, Gypsy walked across the soft bed and stood in front of him looking down into his mismatched eyes. From up here she was almost a foot taller than him. Leaning down she lightly kissed his lips, tasting traces of sweet meats and breakfast tea. Smiling lazily, she said, “I can’t think of anything I would rather do.”

Over the next few days she would wake up, eat, dress and follow her escort, usually Captain Bryson, to the arena for several hours of practice. The experience she gained from sparring with different men utilizing different types of weapons was priceless. I’m actually starting to look like I know what I’m doing.

Kharon was very close to his men and more often than not they would eat their meals with some of them. She didn’t mind because she got to spend plenty of time alone with him. And that was how the rest of her visit went. She shadowed Kharon at work during the day and shared his bed at night. So much for having my own room to assert my independence.

Following him around while he performed his duties mesmerized her and she was grateful that he’d given her the opportunity to watch him. She was also getting to know him better now that the interference of her season had passed. Of course the more she got to know him the deeper her feelings ran. As her mother had said, in many ways he was very much like Gavin, but Kharon’s demons didn’t control his life and he had an underlying serenity to his personality that she adored and even envied.

As they ate their last dinner alone together the night before they were scheduled to return to the Empire, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of loss. “You kept your promise.” She smiled. “I really enjoyed myself and am a little sad to leave.”

“You know you don’t have to leave,” he said.

“Yes I do have to leave.”

“Despite my personal feelings for you, this is an attempt at recruitment. I think very highly of you, Gypsy. I know whatever kingdom is lucky enough to snag you will have a cunning officer and a force to be reckoned with,” he said soberly as he poured himself some wine.

Gypsy felt her ears turn red and was really uncomfortable with such a generous compliment.

“I’ve still got a long way to go.”

Kharon reached across the table and squeezed her shoulder. “There is no doubt in my mind that your successes will be legendary.”

Gypsy laughed out loud. “Boy you really are good.”

He joined her laughter and sat back in his chair watching her. “There is something I would like to give you if you would honor me by accepting it.”

“I’m not sure that I should,” she said, looking down as she pushed her meat strips around with her fork.

“It has nothing to do with my recruitment tactics. Just consider it a gift from one warrior to another.” With that he took out a large leather bag pulled closed at the top by a silver box chain and handed it across the table to her. It was much heavier than she was expecting and she almost dropped it. Setting the bag in her lap, she then loosened the chain and reached inside. Her fingers fell on a long length of coiled chain and what felt like a chunk of metal. She grabbed a hold of the contents and pulled out a brand new meteor hammer…a real one. Holding up the solid steel ball she noticed some writing engraved around the circumference. It read:

May your steel always find its mark.

 “This is amazing,” she said, running her fingertips over the cool spiked metal. “I don’t know what to say.”

Kharon grinned. “There’s no need to say anything, just don’t launch that one at any of the other cadets.”