The training Grounds As the large black dragon was eyeing the group, it lowered its head to Cassandras side, where she gently scratched under its chin.
Krai was obviously glaring at the man, though.
Could a dragon have understood his words? Was he upset about the words used toward the Commander-in-Chiefs concubine just now? It couldnt be, right? The Captain swallowed slowly.
If you do not wish to be healed, I suggest you see another doctor in the camp.
But please dont be so noisy in front of the hospital or Ill have you removed.
Re…removed? said the Captain, though he had lost most of his voice.
Cassandra nodded, still scratching Krais maw.
The dragon was chewing some snow, some of its back still white.
The men around the Captain, despite being impressed, tried to convince him again.
The Lady of the Mountain is very skilled, Captain! She stitched the Lieutenants arm and now he is fine! Please, Captain, at least let her examine you.
As the Captain was still frowning and glaring at Cassandra, one of his men walked to her, pleading.
Please, Lady Cassandra, our Captain is very stubborn, but he is a great soldier and like a father to most of us! If he loses his leg, he will be sent back! What happened? finally asked Cassandra.
He twisted his leg while training a while ago.
We thought it might get better, but now its been two weeks now, he cant even walk, and the area is all black and blue! She sighed.
This was probably only a muscle contusion, but if that man was this stubborn, he probably hadnt taken any rest for his leg to heal.
Two of the men pulled up one of their Captains pant legs to show her the large bruise that had spread up his thigh.
The Captain immediately became red.
You little scums! How dare you undress me like that! Youre all going to regret this! How is it, Lady of the Mountain? Is it bad? Dont you touch me you vicious…! But before he could end his sentence, a loud, angry dragon growled at him.
The men ran in all directions, just before Krais paw landed on the Captain, pinning him on the ground.
He lost all air in his lungs in a funny expression, the beast crushing him to the ground.
Hey, Krai, no.
No, no, get your paw off.
Here.
Krai was still growling, but Cassandras calls managed to distract the dragon enough.
She kept making gestures until the red eyes looked her way instead of the Captains.
Her voice was as gentle and calm as usual, yet every man was shocked to see the dragon attracted to her like a moth to a flame.
Krai kept growling, unhappy, and the Captain was still being crushed under his humongous weight.
Let go, come on.
Come here, said Cassandra, stepping away so the dragon would follow.
Eventually, Krai turned around, its paw finally lifting from the mans body, who painfully tried to breathe again.
Good dragon, said Cassandra.
Come here.
While she was scratching and petting Krai, Evin rolled his eyes and walked to the soldiers, helping their Captain up.
You idiot.
Insulting the Concubine in front of His Highness Dragon.
The dragon listens to the Lady of the Mountain! said one of the men, impressed.

Evin clicked his tongue.
His Highness Dragon listens to His Highness only.
He just likes to act as Lady Cassandras bodyguard…and pet, apparently.
? Even so, all the men were watching the scene of the young woman, standing in the snow to cuddle and pet a dragon that was about a thousand times her size.
Krai seemed to have already forgotten about them, only focused on Cassandra.
At some point, she had the dragon walk away, though they had missed how she did that.
Had she thrown something away to play catch? That death machine just acted like a dog around this woman… You should have him rest and apply fresh snow on his injury.
It will most likely heal by itself as long as he doesnt overdo it, she said to the men.
Thank you, Lady Cassandra! said some of the men in unison.
You better take him out of here, though.
Next time, I cant guarantee His Highness Dragon wont bite him on the first try.
The men left swiftly, taking away the Captain who was still acting grumpy.
Evin turned to Cassandra.
You did a good job preventing His Highness Dragon from eating him.
Yes.
Even dragons can get sick from rotten meat.
Cassandra laughed.
Sometimes, Evin really surprised her.
Was he ironic or really trying to crack a joke? Either way, it was amazing to see how his facial expression never changed one bit.
The weather is getting worse.
I suggest you go back now, Madam, said Evin, looking at the sky.
All right.
Let me give some instructions to the men in the hospital and then we can go.
Indeed, a few instructions were sufficient for the men to know what to do even if she was absent.
Cassandra had been surprised with how fast some of the younger soldiers were able to learn from her.
Many were very proactive and curious too, always asking questions and coming up with suggestions.
They obviously held her in high esteem, as she was always called Lady Cassandra or Lady of the Mountain by the men.
Some were coming daily, even for a few hours, just to learn more from her and spread the knowledge about first aid around.
She didnt feel too bad about leaving the mountain a bit earlier than usual that day, knowing she was leaving it in good hands.
Since the wind was too strong, Krai stayed on the ground, walking beside her, its huge body actually shielding Cassandra from the snow during the whole trip back.
This is going to be a storm, said Evin.
Are the storms bad here? They can be, but the men only need to stay confined in their tents.
If it lasts several days though, it can be problematic.
Cassandra nodded, and looked up.
It was all grey and white in the sky.
How long would this last? Evin was probably right, as the snowfall was getting heavier.

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Snow was piling up on Krais back.
As they progressed in the camp, many men warned her to take cover, too.
Cassandra was looking for the Prince though, and was directed to one of the training grounds.
Despite the name, it was in one of the buildings.
A very large room, like an interior stadium, was conceived for men to train and attend meetings inside.
It could easily contain thousands of men and their steeds.
There werent any horses when Cassandra got there though, actually most of it was empty.
On one side a group of men were practising movements all together and on the other some were doing physical exercises.
The center was the busiest, twenty soldiers in full armor were all fighting against one man, Kairen, alone with two swords.
Immediately, Cassandra couldnt help but worry about the obvious difference.
Is this okay? Probably not.
I hope His Highness remembers its a pain to replace soldiers.
Cassandra frowned.
Was the Prince still at an advantage, despite the numbers? He didnt even have his armor on! Yet, after a few minutes of observing the battle, she had no choice but to admit Evin was right.
The Prince had no need for armor.
With his two swords, he effortlessly dismissed any attempt the soldiers made to get to him.
He didnt even seem to get tired, or put any effort in.
Each movement was perfect and precise.
Despite his broad frame, he moved with the agility and speed of a tiger.
His muscles hard at work were showing with each gesture, under his tan skin.
Cassandra couldnt help but slowly start blushing after a while.
The lines of his body were just dancing perfectly, the Princes perfect form revealed.
Cassandra felt a slight fever coming up inside.
She could have used some more of the snow.
She was just watching from the side, but Cassandra was hypnotized by the fight, as if it had been some dance.
Her heart fluttering with each of the Princes moves, she reacted to every action, fearing for him when a soldier seemed to stand a chance, relieved when he pushed them back, excited when he attacked himself.
As Cassandra didnt bother him and stood silently, Kairen hadnt noticed her entrance.
Yet, the fight was over after only a few minutes.
Each of the twenty soldiers, no matter how good they were, ended up butt or face in the sand, full of aches and muscle pains.
Kairen was unscathered.
How impressive, whispered Cassandra.
Of course.
His Highness wasnt named this Empires War God for nothing, said Evin.
She couldnt even hear Evin, her green eyes still stuck on her Prince.
Kairens skin was barely sweating despite all this exercise, but it was shiny and lustrous, making her blush even more.
She could vividly remember the feel of his skin under her fingers.

Shall we go get His Highness? Just as Evin suggested that, Kairens eyes suddenly turned to them.
Cassandra immediately blushed even more from having his eyes on her.
Just as the Prince turned to walk up to her, Cassandra saw one of the soldiers aiming a knife at him.
My Lord! she yelled, a bit too late.
Though Kairens shoulder movement to dodge was near perfect, it was a second too late.
The blade scratched his shoulder, before falling on the ground.
A vivid red line appeared on Kairens skin, before he turned to the man who had done this.
Cassandras heart was worried for a moment.
Was he going to kill the soldier? Or get mad for attacking from behind? And injuring a member of the Imperial Family? But contrary to all her thoughts, Kairen talked to the man, calmly, something she couldnt hear.
They exchanged words briefly.
Whats going on? she asked Evin, confused.
That man managed to injure the War God.
His Highness is asking for his name and unit, for him to be rewarded.
Rewarded? Isnt wounding the Imperial Family something to be punished? Things are different on a training ground.
Cassandra nodded.
So it did seem.
The Princes talk with the soldier was short, though.
As soon as he was done, he turned around and walked to Cassandra.
She found herself unable to stop blushing again as he came closer.
Once he faced her, as she was on some stairs that put her at the same height as him, he put his arm around her waist and leaned in for a kiss.
Despite Evin being there, Cassandra couldnt resist him, putting her hands on his chest to respond.
His smell was even stronger after training, enticing her.
Their kiss lasted a while, as Kairen kept playing with her tongue, caressing her hair and holding her close.
When they parted, Cassandra had to catch her breath a bit.
Why are you so red? he asked his concubine with a frown.
I was…watching you, she admitted, unable to answer any further.
It made you like this? he asked with a little smirk, his hand noticeably going down her back.
Cassandra felt ashamed that his hands were exciting her even more, and in the presence of Evin, too! She was about to burn away if things kept going.
My Prince, a winter storm is coming… Can we go back to our tent? she asked shyly.
Kairen frowned a bit, turning to Evin, who nodded.Then, without adding a word, Kairen lifted Cassandra, carrying her effortlessly against his shoulder.
Since she knew there was no use in protesting against this, Cassandra held on to him until Kairen brought her back to the tent, inside which Evin didnt follow.
Once inside, Kairen put her down, and she put her fur coat aside.
My Lord, let me look at your injury, it… Its fine.
But Cassandra didnt listen and got on her toes to take a look at it.
Immediately, she wondered if her eyes were going crazy.