The World of Rhune

Bella walked smiling through the barracks as men saluted her and she enjoyed Avery’s reactions to them. He’d earned plenty of respect after finally overcoming Telain, and earning plenty more bruises and scars while he was at it. “Enjoying this?” Bella asked, not bothering to really whisper, though her voice was kept down. “I can’t really tell, princess. It’s really an odd feeling, since I know most of these men are better than I,” Avery spoke back slightly stiff. His jaw was sporting a nice punch. “Well then, I’ll just take it as too nice for words. By the way though, no more sparring until after my wedding. I should very much hate for you to have bruises and bandages for it. It would be such an unpleasant sight.” Isabella nodded to a captain of the third band within the fourth foot soldier regiment. “People like him would beat my butt off,” Avery whispered into Bella’s ear, tickling it. “Well then, after the wedding we can find out,” She cut into another passage, noting how the building lacked enough lavatories and shower chambers. She’d have to do something about that for the men here, they reeked from practice and the duties they carried out through the day. Bella walked down the final stretch of walkway to where Captain Gill’s men and himself were situated and standing outside their doors. She smiled as she walked past them, especially because this section didn’t seem to smell as bad. She noted how a shower chamber was across the hall from them and that the windows were plentiful here. “You look lovely, all of you,” Isabella smiled, because that was her job as princess and future queen, to smile. “Thank you, your majesty,” a slightly off chorus sounded, and Gill’s eyes twinkled slightly. “You are quite welcome. I cannot wait for your part of the ceremony at the wedding,” The men looked slightly puzzled for a second before Gill cleared his throat meaningfully. “You think your extra drills and hygiene has been because I like you? Nay, men, you’re to be serving in the princess’s wedding ceremony” The men smiled, the men looked slightly soured, and some stood there blank, not comprehending. “Yes, that’s true. You’re group has been chosen to serve. My fiancé and I liked you’re number, group eight of regiment eight of infantry.” Bella offered, and the faces didn’t really change. “Well you’re certainly worth the job if you all fight like the man I sparred with earlier, nice challenge Captain,” Avery spoke up, nodding his head towards Gill. The Captian respectfully nodded his head. “I should hope Telain was worth the effort, the little…” Gill’s eyes trailed to Bella and he cut his words short. “Excuse me,” he bowed, though no embarrassment showed. “It’s alright Captain Gill, I can’t expect you to completely change your nature no matter how much I will it. Though, ignoring the fact that I’m a princess, your words suit you and your personality well. Still, I shall be off now. Thank you, Captain Gill and all you infantry men,” Bella curtsied, and Avery bowed slightly at her side. The men all bowed and saluted Bella. Their train of servants and people exited the barracks, and Bella nearly gasped in the fresh air. “Nice, princess,” Avery remarked, smiling and staring at the trees above. “Yes, well I’m princess, so get over it,” she playfully shoved him, and he rolled his eyes as she failed to knock him off balance. “So what are we doing now?” Avery asked, and Isabella shrugged. “I guess I’ll go help my mother set up things for the wedding. We could go and I’m sure all the men in the room, including Gent, would be thankful that you helped make the wedding more masculine and less completely feminine like my mother is probably planning.” Bella walked back to the carriage that had brought them to the barracks and sparring centers in the first place, and stroked one of the horse’s head. “Yes, that sounds nice, and easy way out of getting credit for something. Mother would love that,” Avery scratched the same horse’s ear before the other knickered in protest. He rubbed the other’s nose and then followed Bella into the carriage. “Good for you then. I’ll probably be drowned in responses for the guest list and colors like ‘which do you like better? Oh, that Gent will like too honey,’” Bella mimicked her mother’s sweetly high tone. Avery laughed, “You sure that’s not my mom?” “Yes, I’m pretty sure.”