The Army Camp

Elseyris was taken aback by Maekar's words. She felt the fierce grip of anxiety in her chest, but tried to keep herself from reacting. She had no idea how much he knew, or suspected. She was not so naive to expect that there would not have been any gossip between the other guards that had been stationed around Aegon's tent on the night before the battle, but she hadn't dared to find out how much. Her mind raced frantically, trying to gauge his tone. She looked to the distance briefly, then met his gaze with as much confidence and calm as she could muster;

"I was asked by the Prince to be part of his personal guard, and I believe a good guard stays close to that which they protect. I'm sure if His Grace had wished me elsewhere, he would have commanded it so. His gaze is none of my business, though if it lingers on me, then I suppose I shall take it as a compliment."

She shrugged a little, her eyes flickering downwards, trying to maintain a straight face, to suppress the bashful smile that threatened to escape as she spoke of Aegon's gaze. She quickly gathered herself, and glanced back up;

"As for the decree, I have heard of it. I hope that the woman he chooses makes him very happy."

A moment of boldness took her;

"Does the Prince's gaze trouble you, Ser?"

"If there is nothing useful I can be doing here, I shall not keep you any longer from your own business. If something does come up that I can help with, feel free to send for me," she replied, tentatively smiling back, unsure of the exact nature of his expression. "Apart from heavy lifting, I believe I am quite capable."

She turned to walk away, but then looked back, her intense brown eyes fixed on his purple one;

"Ser Maekar, I want you to know something. I am not my father. I swore an oath of loyalty to Aegon, and I take it very seriously."

She gave a small nod of acknowledgement, then walked away.

"Not poorly, considering," Maekar replied. His arm was in a sling as well, ending in a bandaged stump, and there were still bandages across his missing eye. "What can I do for you this evening, your grace?"

Maekar stiffened at the mention of her name. "It is exactly appropriate to use such a style when addressing the King's daughter," he replied quietly. He had never particularly liked his youngest sister, having no understanding at all for her mental affliction and little patience for her antics when her so-called 'other' was in control. "I am also glad not to be dead, and that you, and all of the King's children, survived the battle whole. How fares your arm?"

"I address her grace the Princess with all proper courtesy in public, and how I address her in private is none of your concern," he replied with some irritation, before sighing.

"I am glad you are healing; do not think me so vindictive that I would wish this upon any of my kin," he added, lifiting his stump a little. "I imagine this is why the Gods gave us two eyes and two hands, I've still got a spare of each."

"I can fight as well as ever; it is nothing over which you ought to worry. I can still perform my duties to the King and crown; my ability will not be diminished by these wounds," Maekar replied confidently.

"Many leal men were struck down today," Maekar agreed. "They will be remembered with honor, for their service and sacrifice in the name of his grace the King."

"I choose to remember them so. If we do not honor their legacy and sacrifice, how then can we claim they died for anything meaningful at all?" He replied.

"The histories will tell of the glory of the King's victory, and none who read them can but know that such a victory can only come through noble sacrifice. Perhaps not by name, but they will be remembered," Maekar replied confidently. It was one of the few things in life of which he was absolutely sure, that a glorious death in battle was its own reward and by doing so one's life would still carry meaning long after it had ended.

After a while she was lured to a cookfire where she saw a young man around her own age sharing a roast fowl with two other men. "Good day," he called to her. "Are you hungry? There's a wing and a leg left if you're hungry."