The outpost was called Tira-Lian and Anna was not pleased that Chenzhou was going.
No one remembered what the name meant, or even what language it had come from. The outpost itself had grown from a small village that had been present since long before there'd been a Land of Sorrow or a Land of Song and Snow. Even the nomadic tribes that had in habited that area since then didn't remember the name.
"They avoid the ruins too. The tribes believe they bring death." Anna gripped Chenzhou's hand, pulling him to a stop in the middle of his packing. "You cannot go, Chenzhou. You only just woke up. You're still healing. We don't even know if she really healed you? It could come back at any time."
"I'm healed, Anna. I've never felt this good. I didn't ache when I stood up from my chair! I got hungry in the middle of the day." He took her hands and kissed the delicate fingertips had brought him the majority of the little pleasure he'd had over the last decade. "I'll be fine. Yuze and Eirian will be there."
"But-"
"I'm excited." It came out a bit stronger than he intended and Anna jerked back in surprise. "I'm sorry, I just, I'm excited. I haven't left the Camelia in years. And it was always to fight, and I was so exhausted and in so much pain I barely remember any of it. I'm not even sure I know what the contested lands look like. When I try to picture them in my head, I see the tapestries and the paintings hanging on the walls. The maps the Generals use to plan."
Anna's expression softened and she cupped his cheek. "Oh, sweetheart."
"The last time I was on a horse was two years ago. I used to love to ride."
"I know. I remember." She sighed, she still didn't look convinced, but he could see her softening.
"It's been so long Lord Blue probably won't even recognize me." Chenzhou loved that horse. Had raised him from a foal and trained him himself. The only part he hadn't been able to do was breaking him, because Chenzhou's health had been so frail a single throw would probably have killed him.
Lord Blue had seen him faithfully through the few battles he'd managed to participate in, and he had a smooth gait that managed not to aggravate Chenzhou's frailty.
"You could come with us?" Chenzhou offered. Anna wasn't much for travel or camping out or anything that came with traveling with the army, though she'd put up with it before. Eirian and Yuze were only planning to bring a small group so they could travel quickly. Eirian was confident enough in her magic and Yuze was bringing two of his most trustworthy spies and Captain Li had chosen a small contingent of guards that, barring a full-on assault by the tribes, would keep them perfectly safe.
They were even taking a few tents instead of sleeping under the stars with the bare minimum supplies.
Mostly because Eirian, who apparently loved to be on campaign, had insisted that even war wasn't a reason to be uncomfortable.
Chenzhou's wife was turning out to be very….interesting.
And now that he had time to learn her better, he found he was actually looking forward to it.
To a partner that clearly outclassed him but cared enough not to leave him behind. Because why would she have saved his life if she didn't find him at least a little bit useful.
They may not know one another well, but Chenzhou is confident that Eirian didn't spend her time on people she didn't think were worth it.
"I wouldn't want to be in the way." Anna pulled away. Her father had been a successful trader, and she'd left his house for Chenzhou's. The hardest conditions she'd ever experienced were on campaign with Chenzhou and even then, she'd never been at the front. She'd waited in the camp where she had a spacious tent, comfortable bed, and enough of the army around her that she'd never really been in danger. She wasn't very confident in her skills when it came to riding out in the prairie in a small group, she wouldn't be much help when it came to setting up camp or examining ruins or cooking over a fire or any of the many things they'd need to do without servants available to do it for them.
Chenzhou kissed her palm as he pulled away to finish packing. "You wouldn't be. There are plenty going who know what to do. Someone could teach you. Or you could simply come along to keep me company."
Anna picked at her nails, a nervous tic her mother had never been able to break. "Are you sure? I wouldn't want to slow you down."
"You won't. The tribes are farther north this time of year and Yuze sent out eyes to check the area. It unlikely we'll see anyone but ourselves."
She watched him pack an extra pair of robes. "Don't forget extra socks." Chenzhou shot her a grateful smile and grabbed another two pair he dropped into his saddlebag.
"There's waterhole nearby, so you'll even be able to bath while we're there."
She'd never bathed in a waterhole in her life. How did one even do that? Wouldn't it take hours to heat all that water? Should you even do that? Could the animals drink it when it was warm?
She didn't voice any other those questions, of course. Admitting she knew so little after being in the Camelia for so long was terribly embarrassing. "I'm sure the others wouldn't be comfortable with my presence." She murmured.
Chenzhou tied his saddlebags shut and turned to her, brow furrowed. "What do you mean? They'd be happy to have you along."
Anna gave him a brittle smile. "I doubt your wife would enjoy being in close quarters with your mistress for so long."
Chenzhou blinked like he'd forgotten that minor detail. She wouldn't be surprised if he had. Men were skilled at forgetting things they didn't want to deal with and Chenzhou was amazing, but he was still a man.
"Eirian would not have a problem with you joining us. We are partners. Perhaps we'll be good friends someday, but she knows what you are to me. And we do not feel that way towards one another."
Anna frowned. Chenzhou could mean that with all his heart, but Anna still lived in fear of the day Eirian Soliel got sick of her husband keeping a mistress he was so openly fond of.
Anna had stayed out of her way so far, careful not to overstep and caring for Chenzhou from the shadows while Eirian got the credit for caring for him in public. Her magic may have fixed things in a day, but Anna had kept Chenzhou alive and almost happy for years before the Princess had shown up.
"Alright. If you're sure they won't mind, I'd love to join you."
~ tbc