I started awake, sitting up before I realized I was in no danger. Sighing, I ran a hand through my hair. I needed to calm down. Then I took a deep breath and felt at my ribs. Everything was healed.

I looked around, taking note of the soldiers marching around me. I’d been lying on a mattress of air Aston carried two meters above the ground. He flew along beside it. Tenira was on her flying sword not far away.

It had taken hours to sort everything out at the site of the attack. One of the healers had given me some elixir that made me feel sleepy, and I must have drifted off at some point. At least I’d had no weird dreams this time. I didn’t feel rested, but the lack of pain was nice.

I took out my flying sword and carefully hopped on. Aston nodded to me, then dissolved his technique. His qi had to be running low, while I still had enough juice to get to our destination.

Which couldn’t be far, looking at the countryside around us. We’d left the forest far behind us, and were now moving through plains overgrown with vibrant, tall grasses, outside the road anyway. In the distance, a band of water glittered in the sunshine. Judging by the river’s size, that had to be the Great Southern River, which meant the military camp should be close.

“Aston, what’s happening?” I asked.

“We’ll arrive at the camp shortly,” he answered. “The nomads seem to have sent a sizable part of their strength for this maneuver, which means many of our forces were able to push them back until they retreated. Currently, they seem to be consolidating their soldiers again, at a rallying point close to the last two tributaries of the Great Southern River, just north of the Bay Forest. In response, General Wei ordered more of our forces further south. Many are to gather at Provisional Camp Three.”

That’s where we’re heading. I frowned. “So, the majority of the army is going to be assembled there? I suppose that makes sense. The general knows what he’s doing.”

“Indeed, Your Highness.”

I was more concerned by this attack, in any case. It wasn’t the first time someone had tried to kill me, but this attempted assassination still left me shaken. The implications alone were scary enough. This obviously targeted me, specifically. How did the nomads know that — not only that I was with the army in the first place, but where and when I would be moving?

I turned back to my guard. “This can’t stand. I expect my guards to show more competence in the future.”

Aston bowed his head. “I understand, Your Highness.”

“I trust you, Aston.” If nothing else, he’d had more than enough opportunities to kill me. “But if I hadn’t used a priceless artifact from my personal collection, I would be dead now.”

He bowed deeper, but didn’t offer any more reassurances or protests.

I sighed and watched the landscape pass by for a moment, although my gaze was drawn to Tenira after a bit. It felt good to see her whole and healthy, flying on her sword with her usual grace.

“You’re staring, Inaris,” she said eventually, raising an eyebrow. “Are you alright?”

I blushed a bit and shook my head. “Sorry. I’m just feeling a bit shaken from the attack, a bit tense.”

She smiled wryly. “Maybe you should take a concubine, you know. I hear that sort of activity is the best way to work out stress and nerves …”

I groaned, not quite sure if she was joking. Her suggestion didn’t help my emotional unrest.

Luckily, before I could ponder it further, I had a more important thought. I turned back to Aston. “Actually, did we catch all the nomads? I know there was at least one person in the seventh stage with the attackers, but that technique had to come from someone in the seventh stage, too.”

Aston inclined his head. “Yes, Your Highness. I assume that they couldn’t take any more of their elites for this, as it might have drawn the suspicion of our forces. We did find the raider responsible for that attack. She took her own life before we could attempt to interrogate her.”

“Really? Hmm.”

“Would you like to see?”

“Sure.”

He got a bag and opened it, taking out an object.

I almost fell from my flying sword, having to jerk to the side to keep my balance. I’d torn my eyes away after a glimpse, but I must have twitched more than I thought. “Damn it, Aston! Warn me before you show me a severed head next time!”

Tenira chuckled, but Aston didn’t let any reaction show. “I apologize, Your Highness. It’s the usual procedure for dealing with high-stage cultivators.”

“Just … never mind. I assume the blue tint of the lips is from poison?”

Aston explained in more detail what had happened, which was pretty much what I was expecting. They’d found the nomad almost drained of qi, then, once she saw she was cornered, she’d swallowed some pill and collapsed. Well, they surely would have tried to interrogate and then killed her.

“Did we make other captives?”

“A few.” But Aston’s expression showed that he didn’t think highly of our chances of getting anything useful.

So far, the intelligence people hadn’t had much luck with captives. We didn’t get many in the first place. Some of the Zarieni preferred to go out fighting or even take their own life. And those that had been captured didn’t know much. The nomads might seem barbaric, but they had a good concept of information security.

After that, we traveled in silence. It didn’t take long to reach the river, and follow it upstream for a few hundred meters. The walls of the town rose before us, but in front of them, another level of fortifications caught my eye. A low stone wall behind a ditch encircled a number of tents. As we came closer, I could make out more details. The tents had been placed in orderly rows forming an ellipse. There were a few huts, as well. I watched another group come from the road to the north and enter the camp. It made sense why it left space for more tents, and people were still working at the fortifications. There were a few vacant spots and several open gates. I couldn’t help snorting in amusement as I noticed the scattered tents put up outside the camp proper.

When we reached the camp, lots of soldiers gathered to watch us. Aston talked to a few of the guards, who went to work dispersing the onlookers. Most of them wore standard Imperial army uniforms, but some were obviously nobles or their retainers. At least the paths were wide, and we crossed the camp quickly.

Close to the center, a big tent had been put up. Aston opened the flap. “Your temporary accommodations, Your Highness, Lady Tenira. The rest of the retinue should arrive in approximately an hour.”

I nodded. “What about the local commanders?”

“They respectfully suggest waiting with any strategy meeting until the rest of the troops that are coming, and their leaders, have arrived.”

I stifled a sigh of relief at that. We weren’t in a hurry, and I was glad to wait. So I entered the tent after Tenira. It was big, with a few compartments separated by cloth and several items of furniture. I wouldn’t ask for anything better, although I got the impression this was only meant to be provisional.

Tenira looked poked her head through one of the dividers. “Oh, there’s a washroom with a shower and bathtub! I can’t wait.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Go ahead. I’m pretty clean still.”

The smile she sent me could have lit up the tent. “Thank you!” Then she hurried inside and the fabric swished as it settled into place.

I snorted and started pacing. I wanted to sleep, but I was still feeling too hyped up for it. Tension coiled through my body, and I needed to burn it out. This tent felt too small suddenly.

Especially as I heard the sound of fabric hitting the floor and the swishing of water. I sighed, shaking my head and trying not to think about it. I needed to get myself under control.

Quickly, I got out of my robe and pulled another one on. Then I stepped out of the tent, where I found Aston keeping watch beside the entrance.

“I’m going on a walk through the camp,” I announced. “Feel free to have me watched or followed by as many people as you like, but I want to remain incognito. Is that alright?”

Aston made a few gestures at the other guards and nodded. “Yes, my lady. Please give us a moment.”

Maybe this wasn’t a good idea, but this camp and my presence were so new that no spy should have been able to make any plans for an assassination, and besides, I was surrounded by loyal soldiers and my guards. Caution was good, but I didn’t want to succumb to paranoia.

I waited for a bit to give them time to prepare. Once I no longer saw any obvious guard, I left, pulling a bit of darkness qi around me. Once I reached the shadow of the nearest tent, I used more qi, hiding my presence as I darted to a spot two tents over. Once there, I removed my veil and walked forward, blending into the small crowd on the main path of the camp. That should be enough. I kept a bit of shadow on my face to make it difficult to identify, and avoided eye contact with anyone. The camp was busy enough that I shouldn’t arouse any suspicion.

The fresh air helped to clear my head a little, as did the new sights and sounds of the military camp. I walked through the paths, taking in the soldiers putting up tents, cleaning their weapons or armor, or just chatting with their comrades. They looked like they came from every corner of the continent, and I could hear a few different languages, although most people talked in Common. The scent of smoke lingered in the air, reminding me unpleasantly of the failed battle.

I was still on edge from the fight and the knowledge people wanted to kill me, how close they’d come. I felt restless. And horny.

I sighed at myself. I had the feeling that ever since my transmigration, my self-control in that regard was strained more often. Maybe a difference in hormones. This body only just left puberty. And for all I know, a cultivator’s supposedly improved health has an effect, too.

Shaking my head, I continued walking, focusing on my surroundings.

A few times, I saw people I recognized as my guards, although they were dressed as common soldiers. They didn’t draw any attention to themselves and kept enough distance to me, so I tried to ignore them. I also avoided the center of the camp, and only lingered at the edges of the space the noble clans had claimed. That was easy to distinguish by their colorful tents, which they’d put up with a little less organization.

After a few minutes, I came to the outer areas of the camp. There was still space left, and a gap where they would probably put another gate. I stopped in an alley between a wooden hut and a few tents and leaned against the wall. From there, I watched the people passing by.

The only one to come close was a young woman in ochre clothing that clung to her figure. She paused when she saw me. I didn’t avert my eyes quickly enough, and she smiled and stepped closer.

She felt like she was in the third or fourth stage, and looked no older than twenty. Probably no more than two or three years older than me mentally. The smile on her face brought out her warm brown eyes, and her dark hair shimmered a little in the fading sunlight.

“Watching people from the shadows?” she said. “Do you see anything interesting?”

I returned her smile. I wouldn’t object to talking with a pretty girl. “Definitely. If you come closer, I would even see it more clearly.”

She stepped up and leaned against the wall close to me. “Like this?”

I turned to face her more fully. “Much better. What’s your name?”

“Tia Yarani.”

“A lovely name, and it sounds even better with that hint of an accent you have. Are you from the west?”

She smiled and leaned towards me a bit more. “Thank you, I am. And you? What lovely name do you have to fit that pretty face, and where did you grow up to be so strong while so young?”

I ducked my head, glad that she didn’t seem to mind some awkward flirting. “The center of the continent, although I’ve traveled farther than you could imagine.”

She raised an eyebrow, a clear challenge in her eyes. “Why don’t you try me? I’ve traveled quite a bit for the army.”

“Ah, so you’re not a camp follower.”

Before I could say anything more, she reached out and slapped me.

It stung a bit, but I didn’t flinch. I rubbed my cheek, cursing my loose mouth. “I’m sorry. I guess I deserved that.”

It was probably more of an insult here. If only I’d grown up here, I’d probably know the signs that would express things like that, clues to one’s status. At least the guards didn’t react. They probably think we’re just flirting.

She snorted. “Being a little awkward is cute, but try not to overdo it.”

“Of course not.” Definitely still flirting. I took a step closer and straightened to my full height, which was a little taller than her. “I couldn’t disappoint such a beautiful lady and valiant soldier, now could I?”

She licked her lips a bit, but didn’t move away. “I hope not.”

I put a hand against the wall beside her and leaned closer, until I was crowding her a bit. “Now, I do have an idea how I could make up for it. Should I try?”

Her eyes widened a little as she stared into mine. “Go ahead.”

I brought my face closer, still staring into her eyes. I took care to give her the option to move away, but she didn’t. So I completed the motion and pressed my lips against hers. She responded, and I put my other hand to her cheek, deepening the kiss.

We stayed like that for a bit until I stopped it, but I didn’t step away.

She smiled. “Much better.”

I moved my head a little until I could whisper into her ear. “Now, since you asked. My name is Leri Inaris. Don’t react, I’d rather not make a scene.”

She stiffened, but didn’t move. When I stepped away, I could see how her eyes had widened in shock, but she even kept the smile on her face.

“Are you alright?” I asked.

She ducked her head. “I apologize for slapping you.”

I smiled, more amused than I should be. “Don’t worry about it.”

She straightened up. For a moment, we stayed like that, looking at each other. I felt an impulse that was probably a really bad idea. I’d only been playing around. But I liked the way she’d stood up for herself, I felt like this wasn’t a person who would let herself be pushed around.

I stepped a little closer again. “Actually, Tia Yarani,” I said in a quiet voice. “I have a proposal for you.”

She cocked her head. “Yes?”

“My people tell me I should take a concubine or two. I wonder if you might be interested in coming to the palace with me.”

Her eyes widened even further. “What?”

I ran a hand through my hair. “Just to be clear, there won’t be any consequences if you refuse. I promise I won’t force or push you into anything, and you can leave at any time.” I shook my head. “Just think about it, take your time.”

She didn’t seem to know what to say. “I, uh -”

“Like I said, take your time to consider it.” I smiled at her for the last time, then left.

Once I was walking through another street, I sighed and shook my head at myself. What did I just do?

It had been impulsive, but I couldn’t quite regret it. I hadn’t felt any butterflies and didn’t think I would fall in love, not that I wanted to, but I did find her attractive. This way, I didn’t have to worry about political loyalties. But I promised myself that I would get to know her first and build trust before we did anything more.

And I wouldn’t be in a room with her without guards until they did a thorough background check.