The Land Below our Feet III (Legacy)

TEASING

-Oh, come on… Just tell me already! Which one is she? – Ajora asked in a teasing voice. Avidly scanning the multitude of imposing archers and elbowing the monarch’s ribs.

-Why do you want to know? – Ishtun responded, his face turning beet red and betraying his efforts to feign complete disinterest – Does it even matter? Besides, I doubt that I would be able to recognize her anyway… It's been so long!

-You’ve always been a terrible liar, Ishtun – The Mavaerian laughed lightheartedly as she continued to inspect the massive crowd ahead – Relax! I just want to thank the woman responsible for teaching my husband so well… After all our years of pleasure, I think it’s only fair!

-Please don’t. I would be absolutely mortified – The monarch begged as he gently tried to guide her away from the Xoltunian army with his hand pressed against the small of Ajora´s back.

But before he could fully avoid it, his worried eyes had inadvertently landed on a specific archer for a second too long and the triumphant smile that immediately stretched on his wife's face would let him know that he had inevitably lost.

With impressive dexterity, Ajora had already dodged her husband’s failed attempt to clutch her arm and bolted towards the unassuming Xoltunian by the time the King’s stammered plea was swallowed by the loud buzz of the adjacent troops.

-W-Wait! – The monarch’s faint cry was quickly eclipsed by the cacophony of surrounding voices as he helplessly watched how his wife reached the tall archer and promptly tapped her on the shoulder, making him wince.

The seconds rolled painfully slowly as he witnessed the scene unfold through a narrowed eye and with an overpowering cringe. His already racing heart skipped a whole beat when, after what seemed a brief cordial exchange of words, the two women turned simultaneously towards him and cracked up.

-f**k, f**k, f**k! – Ishtun murmured, feeling a pumping stream of blood implacably boiling inside his cheeks as his sight desperately darted to his feet while he tried to focus his attention on the dusty ground, praying for it to please burst wide open and simply suck him within.

As the minutes torturously dripped in that uncomfortable agony, he found himself counting backwards from a thousand in his mind, searching for the courage to raise his head up.

He had already lost the count for the fourth time and started all over again when a pair of familiar boots appeared before his squinted eyes, and he finally looked up to meet his wife’s amused face.

-You’re the worst! – He bitterly complained, huffing at Ajora's smug expression and intending to walk away from her – Why would you do that?

-Do what? – The Mavaerian queen innocently asked. Rapidly trailing after him and composing a clueless grin as she reached for his arm.

-Exposing me! – The monarch whispered-yelled at her, actively avoiding looking in the direction she’d just come from.

-Oh, relax! – Ajora carelessly laughed, tenderly patting his back – You’re so gullible, it is adorable, Ish! I was just messing with you! You know I would never do that!

-Do I? – Ishtun groaned, stealing a wary glance towards the Xoltunian archer, who thankfully seemed distracted enough to allow him to let out a relieved sigh – Then what did you say to her? She seemed to be having a blast.

-And you assumed that we had to be speaking of you, how sweet! – The Mavaerian Queen snickered – Don’t worry, I was just complimenting her aim, and her outstanding shooting skills.

-You’re such a cheat! – Ishtun breathed out, his voice regaining some composure at last – You couldn’t possibly know that! I doubt you ever paid any attention to her individually until now.

-That is true, but she’s still a Xoltunian. So, how wrong could I be in the end? – Ajora opined, cheerfully ruffling Ishtun's hair, and winking an eye at him – I’m glad I finally met her though… She’s really cute, by the way, and she has a fairly good taste.

- Fairly? Just fairly! – Isthun exclaimed, placing a hand on his chest and pretending to be offended, then pulling her towards him by the waist and leaning into her ear – So, what were you two laughing at anyway?

-Nothing! – Ajora giggled as he repeatedly tickled her and made her squeal and squirm in his strong arms until she reluctantly nodded behind him – Alright, alright then! If you really must know, we were just sharing a few thoughts on Najanka's attire over there.

Following Ajora's gaze, the Mavaerian king discreetly looked over his shoulder and discovered the young queen of Muhonos wearing the most lustrous armor that he had ever seen.

-Hum… A little too excessive, yes – The ruler conceded in a low voice – But you’ve got to understand that the woman is awfully scared.

-That doesn’t make it any better, Ish – Ajora whispered back, shaking her head while her previous jovial tone was quickly replaced by a serious stance – If anything, it only makes her lack of experience evident. That armor has never been used, as far as I can tell, and I’m worried... We’re dealing with a pair of skittish brats here!

At that moment, an abrupt infant whimper stridently interrupted their conversation, and Ishtun saw his wife’s head instantly perk up and sprint in its direction, leaving him planted in the middle of the field, watching as she swiftly covered the distance between them and the spot where a clueless Teranha stood, awkwardly holding their bawling child.

-I… I’m sorry – The Mavaerian regent heard the hardened lieutenant profusely apologize with an impossibly blushing face as she rushed to place the baby back into Ajora's arms– I… He looked so peaceful that I just wanted to see what it felt like.

Ishtun observed the hilarious event from afar with amusement and a nostalgic grin, as he recalled their decision to bring Imohen along, and how inflexible his wife had been at the time.

“We’re coming with you” – She had plainly informed him right after he told her that Ussi had asked to borrow their army and Ishtun to accompany him up north in case the twins´ suspicions were right.

“The field is no place for a child” – The Mavaerian monarch tried arguing – “You should head back home, it’s safer that way”.

“Are you serious?” – Ajora had mocked him, staring at him in utter disbelief – “Listen, there is no way that you’re convincing me of staying behind, not when I’ve seen your biggest idol bring his own kid to war twice”.

-"What about our city?" – The ruler had insisted – "Someone needs to stay and keep an eye on our people while I’m not there".

-"Then let Zhengo handle it"– She had nonchalantly answered –"You and I both know it wouldn’t be the first time".

“W-Why?” – Was all that Ishtun had been capable of groaning once he realized that it would be practically impossible to change her mind at that point.

“Because I am a warrior, and warriors are meant to fight” – She had explained in that slightly patronizing tone that she tended to use sometimes.

-She looks happy – A familiar voice commented behind him, bringing him back to the present day as the Yahurian Guider stepped by his side.

-She is – Ishtun resignedly sighed – I still don’t know if I made the right call when I let them come and potentially put them in danger, but what I do know is that she’s one hell of a warrior, and that’s the happiest I’ve seen her in years… So, that is enough for me.

-Good! – The masked woman announced – Because we don’t know what will happen once we get to the boondocks, my friend, but it’s best if we come prepared.