I Will Be the Greatest Knight

Chemoians knew very well about how desperate the wildlife and monsters became for food when the seasons grew colder.

As Irene stared at the dire wolf, measuring its next move, she recognized instantly that its thick fur was a bit unhealthy and hanging off of its skeleton as if it were starving to death. Starvation or sickness could both result in such a beast becoming willing to face a fire for a meal. Normally, they were more cautious if they didn't have cubs with them.

Irene knew that the beast was about to pounce when its stance lowered, and she knew it was now or never to respond.

She leapt over the fire, dealing an overhead strike from her freshly unsheathed sword, sliding underneath the animal. Her landing caused her leg to ache, but it was far less painful than her commander being killed in his sleep.

Irene was successful in slashing its chest and underbelly. When it landed, the animal dealt its own blow to her as it sank its claws into the soft flesh of her shoulder, dragging it down to just under her chest plate.

"Commander!" she cried.

She had wanted to let him sleep because of how much he had done for her during the day and take care of the animal herself, but she knew when she had met her match, and warm blood was dripping into her clothing.

Already having woken up, the Commander heard a shout and was quick with his sword.

Irene gasped as the wolf gnashed at her face, but the Commander's beautiful, silvery blade came into view and took care of the wolf with little effort.

Like a fish caught on a hook, he dragged the beast away and finished the animal off with a slash to its throat.

Irene could only stare at the sky for a few moments, her heart racing and chest heaving. The action had happened so suddenly, she was in a state of shock until she felt the other knight grab her and help her into a sitting position.

"You saved my life," the Commander uttered.

Irene had to glance away as wherewithal returned to her.

"You big men need protecting too sometimes," she responded with a small smile, but it ceased. "... I think I'm bleeding."

No, she knew she was bleeding, but she was trying to downplay it after he called her tough earlier that day. It didn't yet hurt, but she knew that it would.

"What?" the Commander uttered in disbelief.

Rather than wait any longer, he lifted the woman onto her good leg and helped her get to where she had set up her blanket rolls before and got her comfortable. Her back was towards the deepest wall in the alcove, but neither one of them allowed their backs to face outward in case there were more beasts lurking.

"Take off your armor. I have bandages and ointments in my pack," he directed.

Even though it was with great hesitance, Irene began unstrapping her armor. She knew from earlier that day that she couldn't fight him when he was offering her help. He was a bit stubborn. It made her want to fight and resist him all the more, but that would only add to his amusement.

As soon as the material of her undercoat moved against her body, Irene could tell that it was wet with blood.

Getting down to only her light blue tunic, she held her arms tightly around her body, feeling grateful that it wasn't that cold with the large fire just beside them.

When her attention returned to the Commander, he was scrutinizing her silently before removing his gloves and getting closer.

"Your tunic is badly torn," he explained. "Could you remove it as well?"

Irene knew that she was staring at him in disbelief and quickly pulled her eyes away from his face.

He was being so kind while she was the one who was awkward and overthinking things. It really wasn't fair how little he thought of the situation while she agonized over his every action.

She would have to pray to the gods to take these ridiculous feelings away. It was the only way she would ever be comfortable around him.

However, her lack of an answer caused the Commander to back off, and she was nervous she had offended him by seeming to question his character again. Yet he returned to her with a fur from his blanket roll and he put it over her shoulders.

He thinks I'm cold, she realized. What sort of idiot would have a crush on their commander, after all?

"It's alright," he promised, his voice full of reassurance. "I just want to properly wrap you up so the bleeding slows down."

"Okay," she responded softly, knowing she needed to stop acting so shy.

She had a half chemise on underneath her clothing as usual. It wasn't as if she would be totally bare in front of him, but it was the barest she had been in front of someone who wasn't her family.

When her belt was loosened and she pulled her tunic off of herself, she grasped the fur a bit tighter around her body. If she needed to continue the charade that she was cold, she would.

Worst of all, the Commander was so considerate that he averted his gaze and warmed his hands by the fire while he waited.

How was she not supposed to fall for something like that? The others weren't gentle with her the way he was. It always made her feel so special, but he said time and time again that he was just like that with knights.

As she agonized, she knew she was being ridiculous for overthinking once more.

Rather than dwelling, she adjusted the fur and pulled out her shoulder so that it was visible to him.

"I'm ready, Commander."

As his gaze fell upon her and he came closer, Irene couldn't help thinking he was looking at more than just her shoulder. His eyes seemed to travel a bit further and she became insecure, knowing her body was littered with freckles and pale skin. Most thought of freckles as blemishes even though she couldn't help them.

His voice took her from her thoughts.

"I'll be gentle. Please, tell me if you're uncomfortable."

But it was too late for that. Simply having to be next to him was far out of her comfort zone.