The next morning arrived quicker than anticipated but nevertheless Jurie pulled herself out of bed and changed.

Making her way to the dining tent, Jurie hurriedly combed her fingers through her hair. As she pushed the flaps open, a whole table full of young men stared back at her in shock. They whispered to each other. Nudging and pushing and then glancing furtively in her direction.

"Good morning!" She greeted them cheerfully. "I'm-"

"The Little Shadow Princess." A soldier with chestnut brown hair interrupted her. "Captain Montero informed us last night. And you're also very famous amongst armies." 

"Oh." Jurie said. "Well nice to meet you guys!" 

"Nice to meet you." They chorused. 

Walking over to the food, Jurie shovelled some toast, eggs and beans onto her plate, sitting down next to a table of young soldiers. 

"Miss." One of them piped up shyly. "Can you train us? Or at least show us how you fight?" 

"Um." Jurie thought. "Sure. I don't see why not." 

They was an uproar of cheers as the three men stepped into the dining tent to see their little shadow princess surrounded by a horde of soldiers. Rami was the first to voice his annoyance. 

"Alright scatter men!" He yelled. "Move it!" 

"Men." Bellowed Giovanni. "Return to your spots at once!" 

Derek merely watched with mild interest. It was amusing how possessive those two men were over the petite, young assassin. 

The soldiers scattered and hurried back to their seats to reveal a scowling Jurie. 

"What are your problems?" She huffed. "I was only telling them about my combat style. And... I'm going to be showing them some new techniques to use while attacking the enemy camp." 

Both Rami and Giovanni stepped forward. "I'll do that." 

The soldiers groaned. 

Sure those two were sworn enemies, who absolutely hated each others guts but there was one thing that they could on. Well one person they could agree about. They would do anything to protect the young assassin. Anything to find a place in her heart. 

"No!" 

Swivelling around they saw Jurie glaring at them. "I promised them that I would teach them and I will keep my word." 

Hiding their smiles the soldiers turned to face their Captain, with hopeful faces. 

"Fine." Giovanni growled out. There was a cheer. "But I am going to be present in all the practices." 

"As will I." Rami called, stepping out form behind Captain Montero. "I will be supervising too." He made sure to make piercing, intimidating eye contact with the men. 

Having finished their announcements the men sat down at the Capatin's table, bending their heads in a heated discussion of strategies and who would lead which army. They were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't notice Jurie slip out of the tent and make her way to the practice arena. When she pushed open the wired door, Jurie was surprised by its vastness. There were rows upon rows of sharpened swords, spears and pointed objects. She didn't miss the rack of machine guns and rifles that sat proudly against the cement wall. 

Arrows were slung on the wall, by a pinky finger sized hook. 

Taking the quiver of arrows and a bow Jurie tested its weight in her hands before making her way to the row of  targets. Notching an arrow into the bow and pulling the bowstring back Jurie let the arrow fly. 

~~~~~

It was safe to say Rami was quite embarrassed after his short outburst.

He was explaining why it would be better for Lieutenant Jasso to lead the offensive at the front when he sudden drifted off.

Something had happened during sparring. Something that made him realise something. Something that he only had begun to put in words after a restless night of thinking and writing.

He was in love with Jurie Capulet. He knew he would do anything to protect her.

At first he thought he was only attracted to her because of her looks. But it was more than that. Behind a beautiful body there was a beautiful soul.

During sparring, every time they touched he felt as if he body was on fire. Butterflies flew in his stomach. He didn't fall for her at first sight. But at first fight.

But he also knew she didn't return those feelings. Any shred of respect she ever held for him was obviously gone. He knew it when she slapped him the night before.This realisation came right after everyone had retired to their tents. 

Then his mind drifted towards the way her eyes glittered with anger. She looked so beautiful and so dangerous. He had to conceal this love. From everyone. No one was to know of it. It would be to dangerous.

Heartache was flipping his world around. He was falling down. He was falling hard.

He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't notice anything until Derek slapped him across the head.

"Oi! Stop daydreaming!" exclaimed Derek.

Apparently he wasn't doing a very good job at concealing his feelings.

"Right...as I was saying...wait what was I saying?" asked Rami.

Montero groaned in annoyance. "Why Lieutenant Jasso would be better off in front..."

"Right...well he's a very passionate man, he would be able to intimidate a lot more easily."

"But I'm more experienced" responded Montero.

"Which is why you should attack the back of the fort. You're a lot more clever which will be better off at the back."

Montero nodded. Silence fell over the Captain's table.

Through the loud rambunctious laughing of the Spanish soldiers Rami heard a screech.

It was Bhaaja, Malek's eagle, and the Clan's messenger. 

"Excuse me...I..." he started but he never completed his sentence as he rushed outside.

Sure enough, Bhaaja was there perched up a tree, a letter tied to its leg. As soon as the bald eagle
spotted Rami it flew majestically and landed on his shoulder. Rami gingerly took the letter. It was written in Arabic.

My Dear Son,

You haven't returned yet. Is everything alright? How is the mission? I hope you aren't as injured as last time. Your mother was worried sick. She is still quite worried. She sends her love. So do Malek and Babbar. Write to us soon.

May Allah be with you.

Your Father

Rami sighed. How long has it been? He groaned realising it had almost been two weeks.

He must have been unconcious for quite a while back in the torture cell.

He needed to write as soon as possible.

He went to his own tent and started writing frantically as Bhaaja landed on the floor and eyed the tent with curiosity.

Dear Father,

I am quite alright. I've been tortured though, whipped bloody. But like the great martyrs I didn't give up my cause. Tell mother I love her. And tell Babbar and Malek I send my love too. I have one last thing to do, then I promise to return.

May Allah look after you.

Your Son,

Rami

He sighed finishing his letter. He looked up just about to tie the letter to the great eagle's leg only to see it going through his notebook.

"Bhaaja, let go of the notebook"

But that wasn't going to happen, The eagle was a messenger and it knew which letters where who's. When the eagle got to the poem about Jurie, the one he wrote last night. Bhaaja ripped it out with its claws.

Rami lunged for Bhaaja. But the eagle was too fast hopping towards the tent flap. Rami lunged for it again. But once again the eagle was too fast and it flew off, Rami fell flat on his face. Once he managed to get up he saw Jurie arriving back from the training area, Bhaaja flew over her head and dropped the poem.

The beautiful Shadow Princess caught it midair as it fluttered in front of her and started to read it as Rami slunk back in his tent. At least he hadn't signed to poem yet. She won't know.

"Stupid Bird" he muttered as he got ready to supervise the training session.

~~~~~

Ooh la la! I do wander what her reaction is going to be...yes I know we are quite evil. Anyway please tell us what you.

We have also joined the #ProjectWomanUp campaign as Jurie is a pretty strong female. So dedicated to ProjectWomanUp because of this campaign.

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