The witches let out cute innocent smiles as the queen mentioned them keeping secrets. They giggled a little before suddenly holding each other’s hands and they spun a few times.” Of course we have secrets~” Vala replied.” Chalsea has secrets~” Sala replied before they finally stopped spinning and looked at Adalia with childish smiles.” You have secrets~!” They added in unison, before nodding, pretty confident they had proven their point on the matter.

When Adalia mentioned brining them sweets, the girls’ eyes lit up like Adalia just told them the best news they’ve ever heard. They started blushing with smiles and nodding and then they tilted their heads at the mention of the special thing she was going to give them. They each made a pondering expression before shrugging.” Fine~” Vala replied and spun around her sister.” It will be our secret~” Sala added and caught her sister’s arm, bringing her to a stop.” We will see you tomorrow, Adalia!” They said with almost singing voice as they ran back towards the market place and vanished from sight in their way back to their housing and their rooms.

“Hmmm…?” Chalsea suddenly made a rather cute waking up and questioning sound as her sweet sleep and probably dreams were disturbed by Adalia. It took a little before the nomad was even able to open her eyes.” Wha…?” She mumbled, narrowing her eyes and pulling a hand to protect them from the moonlight that was currently bathing her. She groaned a few times as she forced herself to blink and basically restart her higher brain functions.

“Adalia…?” She asked, trying to focus on who was trying to wake her up from her nice slumber.” It is you.” Chalsea added with a smile, reaching over and placing her hand on Adalia’s for a few seconds before she blinked once more, looking about the place and then up at the moon.” Wha…” She said in confusion.

“Oh my…” The mercenary leader said in panic as she almost jumped on her feet, realizing the situation.” It’s past midnight!” She stated in shock.” We had an agreement!!! I’m so sorry, I must have fell asleep!” She started to apologize, feeling really bad about it. Adalia had arranged for their nightly walk around the city and she as the fool she was fell asleep!” I must have drifted off when I came to take a breather from all the alcohol fumes in the air around the marketplace… I’ve been running on spare energy since we headed here… cause I had to set an example for the troops…” Chalsea said, realizing she let her fatigue catch up with her and ruin the nice evening plans they had.

“Damn it… I screwed up again.” She stated in grumble, angry at herself for this huge failure. There went what could pretty much have been her first date basically in years.’ Great going, Chalsea now you made bad impression.’ She thought to herself and looked at Adalia.

“I really have no words good enough to apologize for this…” She said and sighed.” And I was even looking so much towards to it…” Chalsea added as she patted her dress here and there to dust it off from all the sitting on the ground. Her hair was still giving off silver moonlight glitters.

“Adalia, I promise that I will find a way to make it up to you for tonight.” She promised with almost pleading voice.

“I guess…” Chalsea said quietly as the queen tried to convince her there was no need for apologies on the matter, that she should have taken into account the exhaustion of the nomad woman and her men. It made Chalsea let out a nice soft smile, glad that the other woman wasn’t angry for the destroyed plans for this evening.” You are right… tomorrow is going to be a busy day.” She agreed and nodded as the training session was going to start then. She had promised and already arrange it with some of her veteran soldiers so there was no way to reschedule it.

The Nomad then rose an eyebrow as she noticed the other woman lift her skirt on the right leg, revealing her tight. Chalsea couldn’t exactly stop looking until Adalia unstrapped the glove from her tight. It was then that the nomad realized what she was doing and pulled her sight away.’ What are you doing, Chalsea!?’ She screamed in her mind, trying to calm herself. She was acting like a teenager whenever around Adalia for some reason! Hell she needed more training it seems, that would calm her.

Brining her thoughts once more under control she carefully took the glove almost as if afraid she’d damage it and examined it.” So this is the glove you told me about earlier?” She asked, wondering what exactly this seemingly normal glove would do. Then again it was a magical glove so the effects that the queen explained earlier were quite possible. It wasn’t often one got to receive magical artifacts that would boost one’s abilities with seemingly no drawbacks.

“You know, to the north sometimes they use similar items… There are those called berserkers to the north. The crazed warriors of the Nords. Very dangerous foes who’s rage fills them so much they lose themselves to it. Some are born with that innate ability to give themselves to the rage, some do it through special… substances like mushrooms and so forth. Thing is that they sometimes have these magical pelts that boost one’s abilities in exchange for their minds. Which while normally a huge drawback, for a berserker, who’s mind is already swallowed by the rage, turns it into one of the most terrifying thing I’ve seen on the battlefield.” She recalled and put the glove on top of her palm to just check if it would fit her first.” So this does the same thing without the mind losing effect? I will try it later.” She added.

“I don’t have the right to not worry and pressure myself.” Chalsea eventually said with a sigh.” I’m the leader of a warband, that’s a lot of responsibility, Adala.” The mercenary said, rubbing her eyes a little and then yawning for a brief moment.” Without it’s leader a warband would crumble in a moment. Those men are mercenaries, each is individual and each fight in his own way. They are different from an army. The army has regulations and standards there is a clear chain of command, but in a warband the moment a leader dies, unless the vicecaptain is good enough to hold all the group together, the whole thing falls apart. Currently my second in command doesn’t have the abilities and skill to lead them all. I manage everything about my group so I’m obligated to push myself in order to keep it going.” She explained, not really even a sound of regret or displease in her voice. She liked her life despite how much pressure on her health it sometimes gave her.” Still even this is nothing in comparison to have the responsibility on an entire kingdom on your shoulders, so I just do what I can.” She added.

“Besides I do relax!” She suddenly added and swung her hand around as if she held her waraxe.” I relax during battles! It’s the perfect way to just kick back, stop worrying about logistics and just kick the living hell out of anything that has the bad idea to get in your way!” Chalsea exclaimed with an almost childish glee about it.” Nothing better than a good old fight! In the end I simply love my job~!” She was then just about to try to put on the glove when a spark of electricity between it and her ring struck, causing her to jolt.” OUCH!”

“Huh… seems my ring doesn’t like that glove…” She said, throwing a look between the two.” I will try it later in my room, when I take off the ring then.” She added.

“Ahhh...” Chalsea made a slightly startled and puzzled sound as the queen brought the ideas of having someone special. It was not that the nomad didn't want to, but she never really got to meet the right person. She naturally had lovers both men and women through the years, but nothing serious beyond a meeting or two after she and her men would save a city or village. She also had this really strict rule to not get involved with people from her warband. That never ended well, she had done it once and ended with having to kill the man. Not that she loved him or anything, they just had mutually benefiting sexual relationship to relieve stress. He tried to push his weight around the command of the warband with their relationship as excuse. After an argument that ended with a duel to the death...' Yep... better not having relationships with a warband member!' She reminded herself once more.

“I guess it's been almost an year now since I last had someone like that for even a little while.” She eventually admitted with a sigh and looked at the queen. She was a beautiful woman and Chalsea found it harder and harder to not find herself attracted to her. Especially after this talk about partners. The mercenary wondered if she should mention her attraction towards her, but decided it was best to not do that. After all she had just destroyed their evening walk plans. The nomad still was angry at herself for that failure on her part and the missed basically date with Adalia.

“Well true, but even during battles requiring logistics, tactics and precise orders of the men, it's still fun. You know the feeling of adrenaline surge through the body, the high caused by everything during a battle. The ability to allow one's self to focus entirely on the fights and all. I guess I am a little of a fighting addict, but can't help it. Still I do suppose I should find me a companion even for a time at least.” She added with a sigh and looked about the place before looking up.” After we are done training your men, I will be bringing my warband to the orc territories.” She said and nervously started playing with a lock of her golden hair.” I need to find out why they are so active again and preferably destroy the threat before it escalates beyond control.” She explained.

“I will give it a test when I get to my room later.” She replied with a smile, throwing a look at the purple ring on her finger. It was unusual for it to react like that. So far she had used it with other magical items, but it never reacted like this before. It was usually only barriers it gave such negative reactions with. She was actually a little unsure of taking it off. Her father made her swear never to do it, but she wanted to also try this glove. Besides in the middle of a heavily walled city right after they threw the enemy army in full retreat there wasn't really much danger.' I will do it for a few minutes. Nothing bad would happen.' She though with a smile, happy that she received something from Adalia. She hoped that tomorrow she could show the queen her thoughts about the glove and preferably a good opinion about it!

After that Chalsea continued her walk with Adalia to her mansion. The nomad felt this almost like a end of a date or something where she escorts her partner to their home. This though it felt differnet from the other times. This one felt nice and she felt herself smiling the entire way to Adalia's home as they walked and simple talked. She enjoyed spending her time talking with the queen. She was a good nice person. Finally when they were at Adalia's mansion, Chalsea felt herself feeling a pint of regret that their time together for the night ended, but she knew that they would meet tomorrow again and have more chances to talk, so she didn't let herself feel completely down about it.

Chalsea then nodded at Rose as she met them inside the mansion. The nomad barely rememebred the woman, she thought she saw her during the ceremony earlier. So she was living here now? She smiled at her as the woman made her way towards whatever she was going to do now.

“I see, she does look like a good person.” The nomad said with a smile and looked at the queen.” You really have a huge and kind heart, you know.” She added and made a brief courtesy as she lightly bowed to the queen.” Thank you for the night even though it didn't go as we planned.” Chalsea said with a smile.” Have a good night, Adalia.” She wished her as the other woman went her way.

Finally she was alone again as she started to walk her way back to the housing of her warband. The city was queit and even then she felt no danger while walking about the empty streets. It was completely different from many other cities she had visited in the past. This was peaceful place, ruled by a fair queen and it's citizens were obviously nice people too. It didn't take the nomad long before she finally reached the building and enter her room. The housing was also quiet as all her men were taking their deserved rest after the long days of travel and battles.

For her surprise Chalsea found the two witches sleeping in her bed. She smiled and shook her head pleasant surprise. They always did that, claiming it calmed them when they were with their big sister. She sighed and walked over to the nearby table, where she placed the glove first then quickly took of her dress. Then pulling a small leather ribbon, she tied her long blond hair in a tail so it doesn't get too messy while she sleeps. Finally she carefully slipping her ring of her finger and took the glove once more, putting it on.

At first she felt nothing and she looked about the place, but didn't really notice any difference. Finally she shrugged and decided she might as well sleep with the glove and maybe it's effects would trigger in the meantime. With that she quickly walked over to the bed, laid down and extended and arm to hug the two witches. It felt nice having siblings.

In the morning, Chalsea woke up when the two younger girls had woken up and started tickle and poke her sides. They seemed to find it funny and Chalsea sure found it really funny when she returned their tickling in kind. They had a good laugh about it, then they spend a little while just doing their morning routines. Out there on the road the morning routines were kind of almost skipped over. They’d wash their faces and so on, but here they spend the full time, washing up, dealing with their hairs. It was frankly a good deal of work, especially considering Chalsea’s long beautiful blond hair. The nomad liked the witches’ hairs though. They both had short black hairs always incredibly clean and frankly jet black as raven feathers.

Finally the nomad had left the two younglings to deal with the rest of their morning routine which seemed to include putting on their make up. The two of them seemed to wear some amount of that not because they needed prettying up, no the girls were pretty already. The make up seemed only to be their for some of their strange rituals… and from what the warband leader could gather because the girls found it really funny to see peoples’ reactions whenever they’d show up with faces covered in symbols or bloody red mascara. The nomad had refused the proposal form the witches to help her with putting on some light make up. She was about to train Adalia’s soldiers today, she wasn’t supposed to wear make up or even pretty clothes right now. Instead of make up she wore her warpaint right now and instead of pretty dress she was wearing her battle armor. Her battle axe was on her back as she walked down the streets towards the gate outside which were her new trainees.

Just before she reached the gate, 4 of her veteran soldiers joined her. She had picked them for now to help her with training all of Adalia’s men. The initial stages of the training were going to be for all volunteers all at once. There were going to be more specialized training sessions later with smaller groups.” Leader, seems like you had a rather pleasant night.” One of the soldier said as she caught Chalsea smiling now and then, not to even mention the lack of any stiffness in her movement.

“Yeah, it was pleasant to be well received for a change. Also had a lot of fun myself… now stop prying into my business~” She whistled with a smirk as all the men laughed. As they exited the city, Chalsea and her men were met with the sight of the White Stone City’s army, all in combat gear and ready to receive any training they were going to be providing. The nomad smiled as she noticed Adalia and Rose also arriving soon after.

“This shall be interesting day it seems.” She said quietly under her breath, subconsciously happy that the queen was now here too. Chalsea didn’t really have the time to walk over to the queen and Rose right now as they were already quite the distance apart and the training had to start. Instead she just waved and gave a respectable nod as she turned back towards the soldiers. The glove that Adalia gave her was on her hand and it was frankly pretty easy to spot as it practically clashed with her armor on style. She still felt nothing from it though. Adalia had described it as senses boost at the least, but the nomad for some reason didn’t seem to get that effect on her. Instead her hand seemed to be a lot hotter than normal, but right now the nomad had not noticed it that yet.

“ALRIGHT MEN!” She nomad suddenly shouted in an extremely loud voice that could easily reach throughout all the soldiers standing there.” Me and your Queen struck a small agreement! I will train you all into better fighters so next time me and my men do not have to come and save your sorry asses.” She was speaking still as loudly as before and in somewhat colorful manner.” Now, for starters it’s time get you sorry states into shape! I want 5 laps around the city!” She shouted and swung her axe to indicate a direction in which they should run. The nomad knew they were in full battlegear and continued run was very tiring, but she had to see exactly how prepared those guys were. Naturally she was going to run with them and she also had a little ace up her sleeves… or two. She had talked with the witches to get a lil something, something done in advance. They had set up a small magic field just right of where the soldiers were. That’s why they were going to run to the right. When they made a round around the city, they were going to pass through the magic field which was going to cause their equipment to get heavier for a while… Ahhh the mean machinations.” NOW RUN LIKE YOUR LIVES DEPEND ON IT! THE LAST 100 WOULD DO 3 MORE LAPS!” She stated and started running first and ahead of everyone else to at least set them with good example.

In the meantime the two witches had started to giggle as they had also arrived just in time to witness the soldiers already running. The girls were sitting on the city wall, their legs dangling over the side. They were just behind and above Adalia and Rose, whispering something, laughing childishly and seemingly throwing flower petals in the wind.

It was around the time when the flowerpetals that were blown by the wind would reach Adalia and Rose, that a whisper reached hte two's ears." You've woken up something you shouldn't~ something fun will happen very soon~ You made her lift the seal~~ hehe" It was the young witches' voice and their whispered almost sounded like a song.

The two witches were just having fun talking and whispering to the wind, weaving small spells to deliver their messages. Something interesting was set in motion because of the gift Adalia gave Chalsea and they just wanted to alert the queen to it, but the queen’s response to it, made the witches move backwards away from the edge of the wall. Sala and Vala made stressed expressions for a few moments, eyes filled with mix of fear and irritation. In the end they just held hands before vanishing into the air, returning to their room with magic. A single black feather was all that was left behind after that magic stunt they pulled. A form of teleportation, a feat that required a rather good understanding of their magic. “ She’s a danger…” Vala said to her sister, taking a deep breath.” Shhh… we aren’t to get involved into that, you know that.” Sala replied, pulling a waterskin and giving it to Vala. The witches then relaxed slightly before smirking again.” Well it’s all fine… she’s scary, but so is Chalsea… Soon she will wake up.” They said in unison, feeling their magic in the distance taking hold as the soldiers would run a lap over it and their equipment get heavier by the lap.

Meantime back outside the walls, Chalsea did notice that the witches had left when the first lap was done and she did feel her equipment get heavier as she could see it happen on the faces of the soldiers behind her. She knew what thoughts were running through their heads, wondering what had happened. It was fine actually. Simply put this part of the training was more about the force of will than anything. As their equipment got heavier their bodies would quickly lose the ability to continuesly sustain the ability to carry the armors and weapons while running. By the end of the fourth lap, they’d by having problems to even walk. So the fifth lap would feel like a death march where it really shows who has the willpower needed to see things through completely.

Still while running, Chalsea seemed to lose track of the growing heat spreading through her body. When the first heavy enchantment took place, she felt a slight gag at the back of her throat, but mostly ignored it. She was usually able to make 5 laps with no troubles by this point… after the first she shouldn’t be having issues, but the issues were there. She just refused to believe them and act upon them.

“Ahh queen Adalia, of course. I had planned to ask the witches deal with the lightning, but they seem to have left so I will have to trouble you with it. The rain though is part of the challenge on this test.” Chalsea stated as she slowed down running so Adalia could keep up with her and talk without much issues.” Yes, I would love to join you after the training session. After the running laps, there will be a few other things needed to be taken care of, but I will see you after that.” She said with a huge bright happy smile. The nomad couldn’t help it. She just felt happy when she met with Adalia.

As the queen left, Chalsea couldn’t help herself and followed her disappearing frame as she ran. She was a beautiful attractive woman and Chalsea had already realized she did feel attracted towards her. For first time in forever, she felt truly attracted to someone and not just some mindless need for venting up pent up stress.

“Well time for us to continue these laps then!” Chalsea shouted as the running continued. With each lap the armors and weapons got heavier until at lap four they were so heavy that the soldiers would feel like they are running with lead on their backs. Their lungs would be burning, head maybe spinning. Some would feel like throwing up while some would be having difficulty keeping up running pace. The rain had also finally settled to a downpour at the running soldiers as the lightnings were redirected away from the giant running group.

The most unusual thing that had happened was something that Chalsea’s few men, who were taking part of the training as her helpers, noticed. Her face had turned rather pale. Her walk was getting rather uncertain as she did continue to run and they were starting to have concerns about it. She was not someone to crack under this test just yet. Usually she was like that if she was doing 7 laps, not 5. She had just taken her first steps past the magic heavy enchant field. The mud was making their running difficult, but everyone would come to a halt as suddenly Chalsea who up until now was running on the front suddenly came to a struggling walk then she stopped and dropped her axe.

Next she brought her arms to her mouth for a moment before she suddenly threw up. She managed to hold for a few moments before she finally took a half step back and fell onto the ground, the raining cleaning her from all the mud and grime from the long run.

“GET SOME HEALERS!!!” Some of Chalsea’s men shouted as they dashed to their leader to help.” HER BODY IS BURNING UP!” One said as he barely touched her fore head and brought his fingers away.” Like… REALLY BURNING UP! So much it hurts to touch!” He added, pulling a piece of cloth, letting it get wet in the downpour and placed it on her forehead.” WHERE’S THAT HEALER! Nevermind, tell him we are coming to him! You two help me carry the boss! ALSO GET THE WITCHES!” He shouted as two more of her men came to help carry her.

The chaos was complete as Chalsea had fallen from an unknown but clearly magical cause. Her soldiers did do as Rose had asked though and seemingly the situation had normalized as Chalsea’s bdoy had relaxed once more, but she was not really able to stand on her legs yet. She could barely hear Rose’s words, but she did mange to get the gist of it. It was the ring… it was always the ring. The purple little ring that seemed to hold a lot of secrets behind the nomad, secrets she herself didn’t know she had. Things buried deep into history and her body hopefully to be lost forever, but such was not the case. As the woman that helped her clearly had taken quite a lot of damage herself and had decided to go rest, Chalsea managed to bring herself to say something to her ment.” The heavy enchantment is going to wear of before you finish the lap even if you start now… non the less you take the 100 most impressive of Adalia’s soldiers and bring them to fighting training… leave the rest to rest… for today.” She ordered as her men saluted and two of them helped her get back into the city and towards her housing while the others went to gather those of Adalia’s men and women who made the best of impressions during the deathmarch to train for the day. Originally she had planned to continue with having those who didn’t make the bar run for a while more without the enchantment for weight, but her plans fell short with this… event.

By the time they arrived at the housing given to them, most of the warband had heard of what had happened and reacted with great concern for their leader. Chalsea had proven herself as incredible to the point of unbelievable fighter and a trusty leader whom they would follow to their graves without regret no matter what. Also they had never seen her even sick, not to mention something like this event even!

She was brought into her room, left on the bed and covered with a couple of blankets to keep her warm and cozy. She felt drained… a lot. As if all her strength was sapped away from her body. There was also the thing that she still felt some heat from deep inside her though it was more of a phantom sensation right now. Fire… what had happened to her? She knew not, she never had this happen.

“Chalsea, you are better?” Vala and Sala asked in unison as they entered the room.” We heard… you feel ill.” They added and sat next to her on the bed, caressing her head.” It’s okey now, worst is over.” They whispered to her in reassuring fashion.

“My ring…” She managed to mutter and the witches looked at each other at her unspoken request and first nimbly took off Adalia’s glove, but then they made a rather conflicted expression.” What’s going …on?” She asked, struggling.

“It’s broken… it broke when you fell it. We found it shattered into two.” They replied, showing her the two pieces of the once purple ring. Those with magic could feel the magic radiating from the item now that she was no longer wearing it, even in this broken into two state, it revealed quite the magical aura. It was no mere ring of magic negation. This thing had quite a lot of anti magic power behind it - made to seal powerful magic users or creatures.” Now sleep, rest, it will become better.” They added, brining a basin of cold water and putting a cold water compress her forehead.

It felt rather nice and refreshing… and calming. The heat that was all she felt till moments ago was replaced with a nice coldness that relaxed her muscles.” I wanted to…meet…Adalia…later…” She was mumbling while she fell temporary asleep again. Her body was undergoing changes and needed all the energy it could get. There was something hidden within her blood, something the glove woke up and now that it was awaken even her ring could no longer keep it down. Slowly and certainly her true nature was going to show and once it did, she was going to become even more renown throughout the land. As the avatar if fire, a bringing of tidal flames.

“Let’s bring Adalia…” Vala said and the witches looked at each other with a small smiles. They didn’t like Adalia’s change in presence earlier, but Chalsea liked her and it was going to help her recovery… probably.” You go.” Vala stated to Sala and the girls nodded to each other with giggle, one of them running out the room.

The storm was still raging outside, it was by no means easing up. The rain was falling like a complete blanket and while the lightnings were redirected to areas where it wouldn't hurt anyone, their deafening roars echoed through the air and made everything seem just a tad bit darker. In this weather a single black raven was flying through the air. The storm seemed to try and and make the bird fall apart and shatter at the ground, but the birdied held firm and swept through the rain, making a rather impressive picture to those who could see it in the distance despite the storm.

This raven was Sala. The young witch was headed to Adalia's mansion with great speed and struggle, but she made it. Both of the two witches weren't used to stay apart much. They were born together, lived together and felt together. Apart they seemed to struggle, but when it concerned Chalsea whom they saw as a big sister, they were ready to do everything as they were for each other.

Finally after a little while the raven reached the mansion, it seemed incredibly clean right now as all the dirt was washed away by the downpour. It made for a rather impressive sight as she circled around it. Finally she saw the back of the mansion and the big garden. For her surprise she also caught sight of Adalia who was out on the balcony in a nightgown. She looked quite beautiful like that and Sala could understand why Chalsea had fallen for her so quickly. The raven then quickly started a quick descend towards the balcony and where Adalia was.

Quickly the bird found itself under the cover of the balcony and out of the rain. Then before even landing a swirl of energy happened as the raven's body swayed, shifted and quickly reformed into the young witch. She appeared wet to the bones with both her hair and black dress sticking to her body, but it also made all the feathers she wore as accessories to almost shine with the droplets of water on them.” Queen Adalia...” The girl said, making a courtesy, but her overall bearing revealed that she was not quite comfortable right now and the wet dress had nothing to do with that. It was the fact her other part was missing.” Chalsea cannot come today... she fell ill and is currently resting.” The girl explained without revealing much of what had transpired as it appeared the Rose woman didn't really want to talk about it and the girls respected her wish as she did help the nomad, even though the process Rose stopped was something that always was meant to happen one day. She just negated it for the moment and maybe made Chalsea's transformation to take longer than it should in the future.

With that said, the girl pulled a certain glove from somewhere in her dress and placed it on the railing of the balcony next to Adalia. It was Adalia's gift for Chalsea. Next to it, she also placed the two pieces of the nomad's ring. In difference from what Adalia could feel in the past when she was around Chalsea, this time the ring revealed an incredibly strong anti-magical aura even when shattered.” The ring bound to Chalsea broke... your glove caused it to.” She stated and took a few steps back.” She will be out of health for a good while... her body cannot help it. It needs to adjust... Me and Vala thought it would be nice for her to see you when she wakes up later as she even when barely consious, seemed to want to come and meet you.” The girls stated, waiting for Adalia's reply to it. Truth was they were going to be needing a lot of ice in the upcoming few days.” By the way do you have magicians specialized in ice? Chalsea is going to need a lot of ice.”

“As you command your majesty~” Sala said with a strange happy intonation in her voice. She shook her head a few times, causing some of the water in her hair to fly off around, but she did it in a way it won’t go on Adalia though.” Yes, our arrangements are fine as they are now!” She added with a small smile as she walked over to the railing of the balcony.” We know that you will take really good care of Chalsea~ just remember a lot of ice!” Sala finally added with a giggle as she spun around on a heel, her body shifting and reshaping once more into a raven that flew out into the rain.

She flew away as fast as she arrived, causing actually a trail into the rain that true will last for a brief moment, but in that moment it looked like a true work of art. She hastily arrived back at the housing for the warband. She landed right in front of the front door and shifted back, before rushing upstairs to where Chalsea’s room was, leaving a trail of water behind herself.

The girl stormed into the room, where her sister was still tending after their leader. Vala was putting a piece of cloth soaked into ice cold water on Chalsea’s forehead when Sala almost tacked her into a hug.” It’s done!” The wet girl stated and looked down at the woman who they thought of as a sister.” How is … Chalsea’s fine… she’s strong after all.” They once more started finishing their sentences and giggled before Sala quickly explained how she met Adalia and the queen’s reply. The girls giggled with sly smiles as they prepared Chalsea for being moved. They nimbly put some clean clothing on her and finished just as the soldiers had arrived to carry her over to Adalia’s mansion. Sala and Vala walked the soldiers and the sleeping Chalsea to the front door until they were out in the rain. Then the girls returned to their room.

Chalsea was still out cold when the soldiers carrying her had arrived at Adalia’s mansion. She had no way of perceiving the surroundings, but a presence she eventually felt made her calm down a little. It was around the time when she and Adalia were alone in the room. Still unconscious she still somehow realized who was with her. Despite that she didn’t really react as the queen gently undressed her in order to perform her magic. All Chalsea could feel at that point was a warm welcoming sensation spreading from her stomach. The embers that had once more tried to turn into a overpowering blaze inside her body were quickly calmed. She breathing was normal again, though her temperature still was a little bit high, but by the time Adalia left, Chalsea was enjoying a nice relaxing sleep for the moment.

While the queen was enjoying her bath and fell asleep in it, Chalsea’s body was still trying to get accustomed to it’s new state. The true nature of her blood that laid dormant for so many years. Her father had his reasons to put that ring on her and hide the truth from her, but she didn’t know that and now that he was long dead there was no one else to ask about it. She was going to have to slowly search for clues about her past, but for now her temperature was on the rise again. An insatiable thirst was burning through her body. Her calm sleep had turned into a restless struggle as she was painfully moving in her delirium like state somewhere between the dream realm and the real world.

Everything wash hazy and she couldn’t focus her thoughts."It... burns..." She was moaning in pain, but even the moans themselves felt painful as her throat felt drier than a desert! In a haze she somehow rolled once to the edge of the bed when the coolness off the ice hit her face. Still half crazed by the fever and feeling the insane thirst, she reached over and pulled some ice to her mouth where she started swallowing pieces of ice for a while until her temperature stabilized again and she felt asleep again… mostly.

Chalsea's sleep was rather unstable. She would wake up all the time during the night, moaning in pain and thirst as her body would constantly build up heat all the time. She felt like she was burning and the ice she ate up seemed like the only thing that helped while everyone else was asleep. With each ice block she'd swallow, she felt it melt inside her throat, cooling her down a little bit. Luckily she had a lot of ice let by her bed, but she was not completely conscious while doing so. She moved on autopilot the whole time, her mind in a haze. In between waking up from thirst, she would have dreams and nightmares. She had visions of places and faces she had never met before, almost as if reliving someone's else memories for fractions of a second every now and then. With all the images there was one thing that repeated on nearly all of those memories and that was fire. There was always fire surrounding her while she saw through someone's eyes. It felt confusing and disorienting, but she had no choice as the fever continued to rage inside her body despite the effects of both Rose's and Adalia's magic.

By morning, Chalsea's body had finally stabilized for the moment. The fever mostly broke and her body temperature seemed to normalize as she no longer felt feverish or hot. Her body was still hotter than normal, but just a tad. She slowly opened her eyes, feeling a lot better than yesterday. It was strange, she could swear she had seen something important, but couldn't remember what it was. Feeling slightly thirsty, Chalsea reached for the bucket of ice once more and crunched down on the last remaining frozen chunk.

“Ahhh... this felt good.” She managed to say with a relieved smile and looked around. She... didn't recognize this room. Where was she? 'What happened after I... fell?' She thought, trying to put thing together. She vaguely remembered the start of the training yesterday along with the rain. She was putting Adalia's soldiers under the deathmarch... then around the final laps everything went hazy and afterwards she remembered nothing. It was just a white mist blanket that covered all her memories. Judging by the bucket of ice and water it must have been for fever... and the fact how sweaty she felt...

'Yeah.... I need a bath.' She concluded and tried to leave the bed, but didn't get past managing to roll over to the side and get her legs over the edge of the bed. She didn't even try to stand up as her feet felt so weak and wobbly. There was no way she would be able to walk like this, but it didn't stop her from trying in the end. Gathering all possible strength she could muster in that moment, she managed to bring herself to her legs with the help of her hands as she grabbed the edge of the bed, then a nearby table and finally the window. It wasn't so much her legs holding her than it was actually her arms. She finally lost even the strength in her hands as her grip loosened and she felt on her knees by the window. Wow she had not felt like this in years.

Still in this curious position, she noticed something nice through the window. She could recognize the backyard outside! This was Adalia's mansion!!! Chalsea felt all happy inside, knowing the queen took her in while she was sick! The realization even made her blush like a girl in love for a few moments, before she realized how it looked and shook her head to push the thoughts away. Then just as she had successfully managed to push her silly love thoughts away, she saw Adalia walk through the yard and vanishing behind a line of trees. All the emotions she managed to bring under control just a few moments ago, flooded her mind once more at the mere sight of the queen. Even from the distance, Chalsea couldn't help but admire Adalia's beauty, especially in that dress that perfectly suited her gorgeous curves. She wanted to go out there and follow the queen, but knew her body wouldn't allow it. She instead decided to get back to the bed, especially since she realized she was naked. They must have taken off her clothes because of the fever.

With last strength, she managed to pull herself into the bed again. Despite feeling very happy she was like this in Adalia's mansion, Chalsea also felt really regretful since she couldn't be out there with the queen and spend time together. After a couple of minutes in that condition she finally narrowed her eyes in determination and rolled in the bed again, attempting to sit up. She quickly spotted what she assumed was her clothing. It was strange she didn't remember getting dressed in that yesterday for the training. Someone dressed her in that after she fell sick? She blinked a few times and pulled the clothing with some difficulty. Eventually she started to dress up, she even missed the symbol on her hip that Adalia had left with her magic.

Finally dressed up, she struggled to stand up and with sheer force of will, take a few steps to the door of the room. She wanted to get out there and meet Adalia! The force of will was a powerful thing! She manged to get to the door and open it, with wobbly legs, she took a step into the hall, before her legs gave up and she fell on a knee, barely keeping from falling by keeping firm hold of the doorframe. She felt silly... She needed to stand up, the last thign she needed was for a maid or servant to pass by and see her in this pathetic state.

“But I feel a lot better now!” Chalsea replied in almost childish like stubborness, from desire to stay with Adalia, and put her willpower into play as much as she can to get some additional strength into her wobbly legs. Which proved some results to her great joy. What was even better for her mood and overall condition was when the queen helped her stand up.

When their bodies touched, the mercenary's eyes slightly twitched in surprise as she didn't except Adalia to help her up as she did, not she expected them to be so close to one another like that. It was not bad by any means! In fact it was great and the blond woman couldn't help, but feel great about it and her decision to force herself into moving again so soon after coming back to consciousness. If she didn't do that, maybe right now she wouldn't be with Adalia like she was right now!” I will be grateful for something to eat, alright.” She replied when the other woman proposed they go down to get breakfast. Aside the thirst she felt, Chalsea also felt incredibly hungry, which was not a surprise considering the amount of energy her body had used up since she fell with the sickness. She needed to recuperate for quite a while if she was to get better and to her feet again, but the changes in her body were just starting, her blood was awakening and there was still a long way to go before everything was settled down.” Also some water... a lot of water...” She added with a shy smile about it.” I feel like I could drink an entire bucket of water more.”

“Don't worry, step bravely.” Chalsea said as she noticed how careful the other woman was while they were walking down the stairs.” I may not be in great condition, but I'm not so bad that I cannot get down some stairs with someone's help no less.” She added with a smile, grateful that the queen was helping her with it and very happy about it.” The worst that could happen is I roll down the stairs.” She then added with a smirk and slight giggle. She was not afraid of the fall really. She had seen worse than stairs.

Finally they were at the living room and Adalia helped with sitting down on the couch. By this point, Chalsea already felt better and was smiling a lot, refreshed by Adalia's mere presence. She had fallen for the queen hard.” Alright, not like I can go anywhere, you know.” The mercenary replied with a joking voice as the queen walked away to arrange for the food.

The mercenary captain followed Adalia's every movement with great focus, memorizing every curve, every move of the other's body. 'She's just so beautiful.' She though, feeling herself blush. A blush that was luckily not easy to see due her loss of color in the face. Once the queen was out of the room, Chalsea took a deep breath and relaxed completely into the couch. She couldn't believe her luck, to meet a woman like that in a place like this. Their worlds should be so much apart with Adalia being a queen and Chalsea a simple mercenary's, but the queen was so different from anyone the nomad had ever met before. Right now she could only hope she got to spend even more time with Adalia and maybe eventually tell her how she felt. Even if her growing affection wasn't mutual, she wouldn't regret telling her.

“I don't know why this is happening.” Chalsea replied when the queen returned and told her about her condition.” I can't even remember clearly when it started yesterday. I only know it felt hot all of the sudden and next thing I know, I woke up upstairs all thirsty like I've wandered a desert without water for days.” She explained, reaching with shacky hand to take the cup of tea.” Even now I feel thirsty... “ She explained with quiet voice and looked at the queen.” Look, I don't want you to take risks on my behalf, Adalia. If you are saying that you are experimenting, then it's not completely safe, right? I don't want to be responsible if something goes wrong and you get hurt. I'm fine... I'm recovering...” Was what she told, hoping it was truth.