The army marches into the field between the Valley's, and anxiously waits for the Rebel army to appear. Birds fly over the field filling the silence as the breeze brushes across the grass, and the Banner. A deep sickening feeling starts to set in her stomach, she tries to play it off not wanting to draw attention to herself but she can't shake the feeling of a knife being driven into her gut with the reality of battle beginning to set in.

She watches as the army continues to march across the field taking notice of the various units: Heavily armoured Cavalry, Swordsmen with shields, spear, and archers. One thing stands out to her: the fact there are no House specific Banners. Regimental Banners, but only one Banner that seems to be their main: an orange and red phoenix with its wings ablaze on dark purple background. She finds it odd that no visible House Banners are present, and asks Marcus, why are there no ruling banners?

"They say it's the flag of their Dominion. The Phoenix represents their rise from Tyranny, and signifies their unity. Not letting Lords or Houses rule them. A Dominion built of the people to forge their own destiny."

Their own destiny? A destiny of violence, starvation, and war? They've killed thousands, and are starving countless others in the South!

Marcus, and Liam begin going over the plan of attack one more time: Liam will draw the enemy into range of the Archers while Marcus flanks his Calvary around, and hits them from the side and rear.

"We'll give those bastards a thrashing they'll not soon forget!" Liam says while laughing.

Kara looks at him not certain what to make of his almost amused manner, while Marcus looks calm and composed. His focus is zeroed in on the enemy Calvary, and what their potential movements will be. As the finalize the plan they order riders to deliver the orders to the other regiment leaders when Kara insists on going with her uncle to charge the Rebel centre line not wanting to look weak staying back, but what she hears Liam say isn't exactly what she wants to hear,

"You won't be coming with me, lass. You'll be going with Marcus."

"What!? What do you mean?" She exclaims angrily, head snapping to Liam.

"You lack experience, Kara. You won't be able to handle it. Staying with Marcus is best." Liam explains, with Marcus agreeing. Visibly angry, she agrees, Fine!

Marcus sighs, shaking his head while Kara rides off followed by her Guard with a word.

"Lad, stay close to her. She's not thinking straight. Her broken heart is clouding her thoughts, make sure she doesn't get herself killed." Liam understands some of what she is feeling having lost his wife some years ago to an illness.

"I'll make sure she's safe, Mi'lord. You have my word." He reassures before riding to catch up with the others.

He's right, Kara is blind by her emotions. Her order back at the Creek was in a sense justified but that wasn't the woman I know. Liam asked me to protect her, I'll do my best to do so. But war changes, and hurts people in other ways. Ways we can't see. I can protect her from harm but I can't protect her from war.

He rides toward Kara who led the Cavalry to the top of a hill, a move that seems to have caught their Rebels attention: they followed suit, and positioned themselves on the lowlands. A position that puts the Rebels at a disadvantage. He stops beside her not looking at all surprised by her decision to put the Calvary on the hill, making it a favourable, and ties up the Rebel Calvary as well. Kara looks down at the Rebel Calvary awaiting their next move knowing she has the advantage where she is.

I knew they wouldn't be able to resist following us. My father had a theory: Isolate, and Dominate. Making them fight us on my terms put them in a bad position. They can't afford to risk us hitting their flanks unopposed. Now they have to make a decision: make a move, or waste time standing there.

"Looks like you got their attention, Mi'lady. Well done." He says smiling at her, she returns the smile, feeling confident in her decision, and in the fact that the Rebels will have to face her on her terms.

Knowing they can't wait forever the two of them agree now is the time to make their move but before she gives any order she asks him if the man who killed Aidan would be down there

"It's hard to tell Mi'lady, since they fly no Banners. But he'll be easy to spot, he wears a lions helm." He explains, knowing why she asked.

"Mi'lady, I know you want to avenge Aidan's death, but please don't do anything stupid. Stay close to me and your Guard." She says nothing, simply telling him to prepare the men to charge.

"Yes, Mi'lady!" He replies with a moment of brief hesitation.

He rides up the front ranks of the regiment shouting, with a loud, commanding voice, "Calvary! Prepare to charge! Today you fight not only for the memory of your Lord, but for your Lady who will see you into battle!"

She guides her horse up the ranks of the regiment as Marcus takes his place back with the Guard, taking some deep breaths trying to compose herself knowing her next words will either make or break her status with these men.

"Many of you don't know me, but you knew my husband: Aidan McKaeyln. I know he was a brave man, never asked what he wasn't willing to do! I will do the same, that's why I ask you if not for me, I ask you to fight for our common goal: home, family, and peace. For your wives, your sons, and daughters. Fight for your brother-in-arms who've died in this valley, and their families who now grieve for them! For your families who cry every night you are not home! Fight for your home! By the names of the Gods we will drive them into the dirt, and this valley will run red with the blood of our enemy!" She draws her sword, and begins fast riding back down the ranks as they begin yelling out enthusiastically and raising their weapons in the air as Marcus and Kara yell out the order to attack.

The Calvary thunderously charge down the hill, yelling out war cries, and shouts as they rapidly close the gap between the Rebels who begin a counter charge against them not wanting to be caught idle. Kara's blood runs cold as she sees the Rebel Cavalry charging at them, her heart pounding against her chest, her breaths becoming rapid.

With what sounds like an explosion the two sides collide with the sounds clashing swords, horse neighs, and yelling filling this section of the Valley. Kara wielding her sword clashes with several Rebel riders grunting and straining with each collision of her sword sends a burning sensation up her arm. Marcus following some feet behind cuts down a number of riders with ease, sending blood flying through the air as the bodies fall hitting the ground with heavy thuds.

Kara rides deeper into the Rebel ranks getting separated from her Guards not realizing how far she's gone, getting singled out by a Cavalry soldier who charges towards her with his sword raised, ready to strike. She charges at Kara, shouting wildly as their swords collide, the force sending a burning feeling up Kara's arm as her muscles strain from each rapid swing and impact. She frantically tries to block each attack, struggling to keep up with the speed of the rider's swings but despite her best efforts the sharp pain of the blade cutting across her bicep, blood immediately starts to run down her arm. Marcus, managing to make his way to her, calls out her name, and cuts down the rider who doesn't see him coming, cutting her across the throat.

Blood spits from her throat, some hitting Kara on the face as she falls off her horse choking on her own while Kara watches her fall, the woman's eyes wide as she struggles for air. Kara feels a hand touch her shoulder, flinching not realizing right away it's Marcus.

"Mi'lady! We have to get you to safety!" He yells over the noise of swords clashing, and soldiers yelling as the Guard finally manages to break through.

"No! I can keep fighting! I'm not gonna run because of a cut Marcus! I'm not a coward!" She yells in response

The Guard make a space around Marcus, and Kara with a way out of the enemy ranks as Marcus continues to argue with her.

"Kara, there is a fine line between brave, and foolish! You are the bravest woman I know but bravery won't serve anyone well if you're dead!" He locks with her as the fighting around them intensifies, with one of the Guards yelling out their way out is closing.

Visibly displeased Kara agrees, and begins withdrawing from the mob of enemy Calvary. Marcus makes sure Kara is the first one to leave while the front Guards begin their fighting retreat, and the Rebel line begins to reform following their withdrawal. The two sides begin trying to regroup as the fighting continues when out of nowhere a horse slamming into Kara's, the horse neighs from the impact as Kara is thrown from her horse and into the ground. She hits the ground hard on her injured arm, she screams in pain as the impact tears the skin and opens the wound more sending extreme pain firing into her arm.

She struggles to stand as the Guards try to reach her through the renewed Rebel. She stands and sees who ran into her: the man Marcus described with the lion's helmet as he charges at her, a spear aimed right for her. She freezes with her hand on her sword handle, unable to react or even move, one of her Guards rides in front of her without hesitation, putting himself in the way of the spear, yelling in pain at the spear pierces his chest and out his back, she yelps in shock with tears running down her face seeing one of her men die right in front of her. Marcus grabs her arm, pulling her up and throwing her on the back of his horse, and gives the order for the regiment to withdraw, and the Rebels appear to do the same with both sides being evening matched.

He... he sacrificed himself for me... he died right in front of me, because of me...

The regiment begins to regroup on the hill with Marcus handing Kara off to one of her Guards, ordering them to take her back to her tent to get treatment for her arm while he stays to continue the fight.

The Guards ride with haste back to the fort, some of them battered, bruised, and bloodied with blood from either their own cuts or from wounds inflicted against the enemy. Kara and the Guards remain silent as sentries open the gates allowing them through. They ride to her tent where the woman is waiting with two other members of the House Guard, the woman seeing Kara bleeding from her injury yells orders to the Guards,

"Don't just stand there! Help her down, and get her into bed! You there, so find a healer! Now!" Yelling the commands with a firm tone that the Guards respond to without delay.

The Guard with the help of the woman assisted Kara into her tent, and onto her bed. The woman begins removing her armour with help from the Guard, then lays her down as the second Guard returns with the healer and begins treating her arm: cleaning the wound, disinfecting it, and wrapping it all the while Kara remains silent, barely even wincing. Eventually she passes out from exhaustion as the healer finishes her treatment. The woman asks the healer how she'll be, if she'll be okay.

"It's not deep, but the skin ripped so there will be some pain. With rest she should heal up nicely. Here, make this into a tea and it'll help with the pain." She says with a light accent handing the woman a bundle of plants, and bark traditionally used in healing teas amongst other things, the woman assures she'll make sure that Kara will have the tea everyday until she's better.

Some hours later the battle comes to an end with no decisive victor, only a bloodied stalemate. Marcus with the rest of the army return to the fort exhausted, hurting and hundreds in need of help from their injuries. Despite being tired Marcus goes straight to Kara's tent.

Liam's gonna have my ass for this. I promised him I'd keep his niece safe, I know I could have kept her safe. What was she thinking charging in like that? She could have gotten herself killed doing that!

He arrives at her tent where he sees another house, Liam's horse.

Ah shiteballs, of course he'd beat me here. Well, might as well get this over with.

He dismounts his horse as a Guard takes the reins, and enters the tent where he sees two House Guards, and Liam at her bedside. Liam looks over at Marcus, and immediately knows by the look in his eyes he's pissed, and he knows he's about to get an earful from him. Marcus stands silent, ready for whatever Liam does or says as he approaches him, eyes crossed. He stands over Marcus looking down at him as the two lock eyes with each other for several silent moments. The Liam does something he didn't expect: he places his large hands on his shoulders, and says,

"Thank you for getting her back alive, Marcus. You did well today. I'll leave you now to watch over her." Then walks out of the tent, Marcus says nothing and simply stands there as he leaves.

Marucs, and the woman look at each other both a little surprised by what happened.

"I thought he was gonna rip me a new arsehole for a moment." He says letting out a sign of relief.

"I thought he was gonna hit you instead. His hands would be like getting hit by a hammer I would think." She says with a light chuckle.

Marcus chuckles as well knowing she isn't wrong. He takes a seat on the chair by the table groaning as he lowers himself onto it, most of his muscles straining and burning from the battle.

"You'd be right, ya know, about being hit with a Hammer. Liam 'Hammerfist' Conway, of House Conway. He's the strength of ten, but a good heart. Loves his niece to no end that man. Fiercely protective." He says, leaning back into the chair as the woman looks back at Kara then him.

"She's a beautiful woman, I can imagine the lads would be a right proper pain in the arse to her so I can imagine he is."

Marcus chuckles thinking about the many times boys would bother her, and how more often than not it was Kara who'd be the ones hurting them for their actions but does remember one particular story.

"There is one story that comes to mind: this one lad back when she was sixteen or so wouldn't leave her alone, he wouldn't take no for an answer. He made the mistake of putting his hand on Kara, and Liam made sure he never used that hand again. He dragged the lad to the local blacksmith, took a hammer and crushed his hand." He explains while seeing the woman looking surprised for a moment.

Her attention is grabbed by the sound of Kara groaning as she moves in her sleep, she quickly leans in to check on Kara making sure she isn't putting too much pressure on her wrapped arm.

This woman, she doesn't act like a criminal. She hasn't even moved it seems from Kara's side.

He asks her what her name is, hoping the formality may start to get him answers about her. She looks shocked by the question since after all this time one's bothered to ask.

"Connie, Mi'lord." She says simply,

"Connie... what? What's your House? Where are you from?" He asks, very confused.

"Just Connie, Mi'lord. I have no House, and am from no one place." She answers vaguely, adding to his confusion.

He's left with several questions about Connie now: How does she not have a House? Where is she from that she doesn't want to say? Is she hiding something? All questions he wants to know the answers to.

As the evening sets in, Marcus falls asleep in the chair, while Connie remains awake by Kara's side as the Guards keep watch over them. The night cold begins to settle in, and Connie ensures Kara is warm enough before beginning to get tired herself, and starts to doze off. Marcus awakens after his head slips off his hand that was he was resting in, seeing Connie asleep on the ground he takes a fur blanket folded at the end of Kara's bed and lays it over her before leaving to his tent for the night

This woman is a mystery to say the least about her, but she seems to care about Kara. That's most likely because Kara spared her life but there is certainly more to her than she's saying. I just wanna know what that is.