Conquer

~11~

Photo by Oscar Nilsson on Unsplash 

We pack up the next morning. The camp feels almost quiet, which should be impossible with over a hundred men. And one hiding woman.

I barely slept last night, mulling over Barns' words. When you reach the mountains for the battle, there is a place you must go first. And whether or not I should actually do it. There is something about him that feels familiar, like remembering a childhood friend.

But I am sure I've never met him in my life...something Cruz left to damage you in every way, every life.

"Perch, snap out of it," Percy snaps his fingers in my face. His eyebrows furrow when he sees the confused and wary look on my face.

Before he could say anything, I say, "Just morning grogginess, sir." He looks even more concerned, knowing I never call him 'sir' - at least not anymore.

"On your horses, gentlemen, let's go!" General Hedge barks.

I ignore Percy's stare, and grip the saddle, heaving myself on. My horse snickers, as if knowing how lost I've been in the past 24 hours. The meeting with Barns in the forest is as if it awoke something in me, reminded me of who I really am. And that I am hiding every part of me, every part that makes up who I am. I pat my tied up hair self-consciously.

By the time I look to my side again, Percy is at the front and seated on his own horse. He converses tersely with General Hedge, as we start moving. I watch the cloudless sky, blocking out my thoughts as the wind tells me the story of the rolling hills in my ears.

~~~

"I hear he is stronger than five armies combined," Leo says to our little herd in the middle of the pack.

We ride early in the morning after settling down for the night on a hillside. The mountains, of where Iytche's army was spotted traveling to, sit in front of us. But the more we ride, the further away they seem, like a painting being moved every time we do. The rolling hills were endless in the beginning, but now a plain of flat land splays out in front of us.

Jason rolls his eyes. "Whoever you heard that from was clearly exaggerating."

Every now and then Percy would look back, meeting my eyes. I would then proceed to take part in the conversation, blocking out his stares and Barns' words.

"Or maybe I'm right, and you'll be sorry when we face them," Leo shoots back.

"You say that as if you want to face someone that powerful." Frank raises an eyebrow.

Percy's sea-green eyes meet mine. I wish I could get a closer look, to see the speckles hidden in the depth of them.

I clear my throat, looking at them all, "How do you know it's a he?"

Luke butts in, from behind, "Because no girl is as strong as five armies. Besides, Iytche sounds like a boy's name."

"No person is as strong as five armies, at least not physically," I hear. Percy smiles, blindly, at us all.

I would have smiled back for defending females if my heart didn't start racing a million miles an hour. I don't know what's wrong with me lately. He always joins us for conversations, and I always shy away. But part of that is I can never fully be myself around him, or any of them. I am a living lie, dressed as a boy but really a girl. I have lived a completely different life than I claim to, and I do not act this shy or quiet in group situations. I am not myself.

Luke only scoffs. Leo says, to me, "You're right, Andrew." That name is like a pierce through my heart. "It could be a woman. And Luke, who says a girl doesn't have your name?"

Luke sneers.

"Percy," Jason addresses the smiling boy to my right. "What do you know of who we are facing?"

"I do not know that person's gender, but I don't think it matters. In terms of their army, I have heard of it's decent size. Not massive, but easy killers. They have wiped out every village and war camp in their path. We are the fifth army going into battle."

Frank gulps. "How many are alive that went before us?"

Percy, this time, doesn't meet our stares when he says, "One."

"One what? Army?" Luke demands.

Percy meet's his gaze, unflinchingly. "One person."

~~~

One.

No other armies have survived before us. I thought I was going to fall off my horse when the words came out of his mouth.

The moon ascends into the sky above as I lay out my bedroll. I hear shuffling beside me, and turn to see Percy sit down next to me, at the edge of our camp. I watch him expectantly, and fearfully - wondering if my lies are written across my forehead.

"Stop looking so tense, Perch."

I force myself to ease. "What is it, sir?"

At that, Percy turns to me. "Since when have you called me sir?"

I look down. "Apologies."

Percy sighs, "Don't. I just hate when my friends are so formal with me, this environment and situation is already so intense."

"You think I'm your friend?" I ask him slyly, my mouth quirking upward.

"Yes. You're easy to talk to. Don't look so smug." But he's already fighting a smile.

I sink into my sleep bag, asking, "Is this your first war?"

"Yes." He is quiet for a moment. "I fear I am leading us all into doom."

I study him. "You seem to be doing a good job so far."

"Thank you."

I shrug to myself, watching the stars above, "I never felt like I was enough. At home." I feel his eyes shift to me, but I keep mine straight. "My father disowned me before I came here, and I often wonder...if they'll ever accept me for who I am."

"And what is that?"

"Strong. Independent. Ambitious."

"Those are traits every parent wants in their child," he says softly.

"Not mine." The air suddenly feels tight, and I add, "Point is, I understand how you feel. And I want you to know that your best is enough. None of us know what to expect, and we will face it. Together."

I am reminded of how I told Leo that, and how we have all become a team over training. And yet, they don't even know my real name. 

Happy birthday to Keefoster0208 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope you have a wonderful day, and that it is filled with many memories. 

Have a great day/night wherever you are! - The Fangirl