The Vampire & Her Witch

As they worked, Eira kept one eye on the organized chaos that was transforming the camp. Lord Liam had taken charge shortly after his father left, and she had to admit that she was impressed with how he was managing things.

On the surface, everything looked like military preparation. Horses were being tended and hitched to carriages, carts, and wagons under the pretense of being ready for a quick getaway if needed. Tents were being struck and packed away, ostensibly to deny any attackers places to hide if they slipped around the front line of soldiers. Supplies were being organized and secured, weapons were being checked and readied, and the whole camp had the appearance of a force preparing for battle.

But Eira knew better. This was hardly the first time she’d traveled with Baron Loghlan and a retinue of his knights and their families. She recognized the normal work of breaking camp when she saw it, and that was exactly what this was. Lord Liam was simply doing what needed to be done to prepare for their continued journey, but he was doing it under the guise of military necessity.

It was brilliant, really. The people needed something to do, some way to channel their fear and anxiety into productive action. By framing the mundane tasks of packing up and preparing to move as defensive measures, Liam was accomplishing two things at once. He was getting the work done that needed to be done anyway, and he was giving everyone in camp a sense of purpose and control over their situation.

Eira had to suppress a smile as she watched a group of servants carefully loading supplies into a wagon, treating each crate as if it contained precious cargo that needed to be secured against the possibility of a rapid departure. They had no idea that they were simply doing the same work they did every morning when camp was struck, just with a greater sense of urgency and importance.

Lord Liam himself was moving through the camp with quiet confidence, offering words of encouragement here, or providing clear instructions there. He looked every inch the young lord taking command in his father’s absence, and Eira felt her face heating as she gazed at his charming features, wreathed in the steam of his hot breath in the cold morning air while he gave crisp, clear orders to his father’s men.

She had known Liam for years, of course, but the feelings she carried for him had only grown so strong in recent years. She still remembered the feast that Lord Loghlan held in honor of the first summer campaign that Lord Liam led against the Eldritch. He’d finally finished his studies at the academy in Keating Duchy, and he’d returned home to take up greater responsibilities within the barony.

At the time, a much younger Eira had thought that he was the most handsome man she’d ever seen, and her mother had teased her about how openly she’d stared across the great hall at the young lord. But it was only later, when Lord Loghlan entrusted Lord Liam with Wyndan Village, that she came to know the keen mind and warm heart that lay at the core of the attractive young lord.

When he came to spend the autumn and spring seasons in her father’s village, Liam spoke openly about the sights he’d seen in Keating City. He talked at length about the conveniences enjoyed by the aristocracy and the common folks alike, and how he dreamed of bringing a better life to the people of Dunn Barony. Of course, Lord Liam was hardly the only person to have dreams or ambitions, but unlike most men, he actually possessed the ability to make things better.

By the time two years had gone by, the changes were already visible in the village, and four years on, they were catching up to Sir Cynwrig’s Stormbrook Village in terms of the quality of the wool they produced and the quantity of barley they harvested each year. They had a long time to go before they could match the Stormbrooks for wealth, but Wyndan Village had always been said to be more important for its location than its resources before and they’d quietly accepted their lot as guardians of the western hills for generations.

Lord Liam saw things differently, and time was proving him right.

Now, as Eira gazed longingly across the camp at the handsome, capable lord, he caught her eye and gave her a small nod, one that she returned with a subtle smile. They both knew what was really happening with the camp’s preparations this morning, and they both understood the performance that was being played out for the benefit of the camp.

They were committed to their roles and seeing that things went smoothly... Eira just wished that the role she was playing more closely mirrored the role that Lady Mairwen played for Lord Loghlan. When Lord Liam’s gaze met hers across the bustling camp, she saw plenty of appreciation in his eyes, but very little that could be called affection.

”Your Lord Liam is handling this well,” Lady Morwen said as she walked beside Eira while they made their rounds. ”My father is always pointing out flaws in things, but I doubt even he has much to criticize about how smoothly things are going under Lord Liam’s command.”

”He’s not my Lord Liam,” Eira protested automatically, though she could feel her cheeks warming despite the cold morning air.

”Mmm,” Morwen hummed noncommittally, but there was a knowing glint in her eye that made Eira want to change the subject quickly.

”What about you?” Eira asked, turning the conversation back to her companion. ”How are you holding up? I know this morning has been stressful for everyone.”

”I’m worried about my brother,” Morwen said as expression sobered. ”Cadeyrn is up with the soldiers, but this time, he’s not just running messages and helping Father with his horse and armor. This time, Father told him to fetch his sword and shield to stand with the men. If we’re attacked...”

”Your brother is going to be a knight soon enough,” Eira said carefully as she placed a hand gently on her friend’s shoulder. She wanted very badly to tell Morwen that this was a good time for Cadeyrn to learn, and that there wasn’t any real danger out there, but she couldn’t betray the secrets she’d learned last night.

”Your father has always been wise,” Eira said instead. ”If he’s judged your brother ready to fight with the soldiers, then it’s because Cadeyrn has worked hard to become a strong knight. Sir Brennus wouldn’t risk your brother if he thought he wasn’t ready to face danger,” she said.

She hoped she was right about that. The truth was that she had no more information than anyone else in camp about what was happening out there. All she knew was that Sir Ollie had ridden out in response to some kind of emergency, followed shortly after by Baron Loghlan and two of his knights.

The waiting was the hardest part. Not knowing what was happening, whether anyone was hurt, what kind of danger they might be facing, it all contributed to the nervous energy that permeated the camp.

But Eira kept her concerns to herself and focused on her work. There would be time to worry later. Right now, she needed to project calm and confidence, to be a steadying presence for the people around her who were looking for reassurance that everything would be alright.

She had just finished passing out the last of the breakfast portions when a shout went up from the edge of camp. Eira’s head snapped up, her heart suddenly pounding as she tried to identify the source of the commotion.

”They’re back!” someone called out. ”Lord Loghlan has returned!”