Battle Strong by Elizabeth McCready (have you read this book TXT) 📕

eyes. She stopped walking and dropped to her knees, staring at the lifeless corpse of her friend lying before her.  Around her stood the rest of her team, but she didn't even notice. Beth was too focused, on the boy in the grave, the boy who had been hurt on her watch, died because she wasn’t there to save him. She blamed herself.

Flashbacks flooded her mind with all the few memories she had with and of Chaess Belleza. Her body was like stone, unable to move. Her heart felt as if it was being crushed beneath the weight of the entire world that had been nothing short of cruel to her for those past few years. She sat, unmovable until finally, her body unleashed all of her pain and strife in a long array of screams. The startled boys huddled around her. She felt two bodies against hers, but didn't bother to look to see who, her body crumbled in their arms. Her screams hollowed into vicious sobs, still held by the two boys, she gathered a fist full of earth that had been dug to make room for Chaess's lifeless body and threw it with every ounce of power she could muster into the hole that would forever haunt her memory.

*~*

Noeh squeezed his eyes shut as he and Ander tried to move Beth from her spot aside their dead comrade. He knew her better than he had known anyone, and to see her in that kind of pain was torture. He was well aware that she could rip all of them to shreds in a matter of seconds if she so desired. She was the best warrior he had ever faced. Beth was a force; a force that no one should have dared to oppose. He felt for the men that would be slaughtered in the wake of her pain. He sometimes wondered if she was capable of more than she let on.

Her body shuddered and trembled as they pulled her further and further away from the grave. Noeh figured they would bring her back when it was time to give Chaess honor through a warrior’s farewell ceremony. Usually, the ceremonies would consist of two commanders in the infantry, one male and one female, singing a tributary song. Considering the circumstance, Noeh was unsure of how that would result.

"The stables." Ander grunted as Beth fought against his grip.

"What about them?" Noeh asked.

"That's where I found her, we can take her there until she calms down."

"Why not the commons?"

"Because," Ander started with obvious irritation. "Stables are comforting for her and she won't be bombarded, or reminded by pools of blood stains on the floor."

Noeh went along with Ander's suggestion, though he wasn't entirely thrilled with the idea that Ander could just waltz in and assume he knows better for Beth. Noeh was there when Ander was not. Ander left her, he hurt her. And Noeh comforted her, he helped her through it, he listened to her. Beth never cried, not in front of anyone but Noeh. Ander hurt her. He had no right to swoop in like some knight and steal her heart away.

*~*

Ander guided Noeh into Beth's chosen stall and gently set the sobbing girl on the ground. She stayed, wiping the tears from her eyes with the same bloodstained suit she's worn the day before.

"I'm sorry." She managed.

"Don't apologize," Noeh said kneeling beside her. Ander laid a hand on his shoulder and nodded his head, looking at Beth one last time.

"I am going to plan the ceremony, if you need me she will know where to find me." He swallowed a sob as he bolted from the stables. He sprinted through bushes, around trees, under branches, and over roots and fallen trees until he reached the very spot him and Beth had spoken for the first time in this now familiar place. Ander dropped to his knees and cried out with all the pain and anger this day had burdened him with. Losing one of his men, facing the anger of Quinn and Peitre when they heard of Chaess's fate, but mostly Beth. Seeing Beth like that again was the worst experience imaginable, behind the first time. The first time. Kallide. The very thought of losing Beth's older sister sent a shudder down his spine. Beth was no more than twelve years old when her sister was murdered by a Dumar man during a village raid. That was at the beginning of this war. A war that Ander and Beth had every intention of winning. Kallide hadn't yet turned eighteen when that swine stole her life from her. Kallide's death devastated Beth, and Ander couldn't even imagine what it must've been like to be in her place. Ander gathered himself, brushing the dirt and debris from his knees, and walked out of the woods leaving nothing but tears in his wake.

Ander planned Chaess's ceremony, though it was not easy. He'd grown so close to his team, and having to bury one of them was something he hadn't wanted to think about. The first few deaths hadn't even been entirely difficult, he hadn't even learned their names. For that, he felt awful. He was finishing the speech of remembrance when he eyed an approaching silhouette. He was surprised to see that Noeh had his furious eyes fixed on Ander.

"She asked for you." Noeh grumbled.

"Thanks, could you look over this? It's for Chaess's ceremony."

"Whatever." Noeh grabbed hold of the paper, Ander gripped his arm and yanked him closer.

"Cut this act, or I will cut you." He promised.

"What about your act, Ander? What, you think you can just jump right back into her life and be her hero? Her long lost lover? You can't Ander. She doesn't care about you. She hasn't forgotten what you've done to her. You hurt her."

"Oh right, because what she needs is for you to be picking fights over her. Quit being a child and instead be her friend." Ander paused, anger turning to spite. "But, if I recall correctly she has called for me when you were already at her side. Goodbye Noeh."

"Don't get close to her." He snarled.

"You're going to stop me?"

"If I need to." Noeh straightened his posture.

"I dare you." Ander whispered viciously as he turned away from Noeh and strolled back to the stables as though the little exchange had never happened.

*~*

By the time Ander had arrived, Beth was still crouched in the corner, she was still sad, but she was no longer crying. Beth was glad that he was finally there, something about him always calmed her, even though Noeh tried his best to make it seem otherwise. She wasn't sure what was up with him, ever since he discovered who Ander was he had been different, and she didn't like that. She looked to Ander as he leaned his body along the post of the doorway.

"You okay?" He asked her tilting his head.

"I will be." She managed with a hint of a smile.

"I'm sorry, Beth."

"I know." Beth choked as she looked to the ground before her.

"For everything." Ander sat beside the girl who looked still distant. "I mean it, Beth. I'm sorry." She lifted her eyes to his as he looked at the bland wall before them and whispered with a frail voice.

"Thank you." She slipped back into silence, staring into those deep green eyes for more moments than she could count, "Ander, I want to sing the Tribute. I want to sing it with you."

Ander's head turned so fast that it sent a shooting pain down his spine, yet it didn't faze him. He looked to Beth, unsure of whether she was being serious or if she was just making a rash decision, her face told it all. She had thought about it, she was sure.

"Beth, you don't have to do this you know."

"I want to."

"Okay." He said standing from his spot beside her and extending a hand to her. "You and me, Donoway."

Beth stared at his hand, tears forming in her eyes, and finally put her hand on his, "Me and you, Rockwell."

*~*

When Beth woke the following morning, the cabin was quiet. She noticed then that the only other person in the cabin was Noeh, and he was looking right at her.

"Hey there, sunshine. I was about to wake you." He said tenderly walking away from her bunk. "It's almost time."

Beth nodded, dread of the day ahead setting into her bones. She wasn't ready for the pain she would feel, for the celebrating of a life, the death of a friend. She had never liked the ceremonies even if she didn't know the one who had lost their life. She only hoped it wouldn't be as bad as Kallide's ceremony. Trying to avoid the memories, Beth moved to her armory to look for an appropriate gown for such a mournful occasion. Her eyes glazed over dresses and suits of every color and style until she set them upon a black silk and lace gown. She observed the lace and how it spun down the skirt in long finger-like patterns, the upper part of the dress was laced with silver and stretched down the sleeves. She pulled the dress from the armory and shimmied into it. The dress seemed as though it was designed specifically for Beth, and she wished it hadn't been this kind of occasion that brought the two together. She turned and breathed deeply in an attempt to calm the beating heart that was wild in her chest.

"You look, wow, you look great, Beth." Noeh managed to say, a bit of nerves apparent in his speech. She remained cold in expression and gestured toward the door. "Yes, yes let's go."

*~*

     Noeh couldn't rip his eyes from the stunning girl walking before him. The dress she was wearing lined every curve of her body, accentuating every one of her finest features. Her golden hair swayed elegantly down the small of her back. Any male that wasn't attracted to her had to be either blind or stupid. She was flawless.

     Ahead of them, Noeh could see her eyes fix on Ander. When she laid a hand on his shoulder, she seemed almost scared to do it. Noeh could understand why, there was still damage there, still hostility as much as they tried to hide it. They still weren't comfortable around each other, that was a good thing to Noeh. As selfish as it seemed, he wanted her nowhere near Ander. The fact that she still reached for him was rather infuriating. He would not let her open up to Ander. He couldn't let that happen.

"A warrior has fallen." Stievan started. "A warrior that showed undeniable bravery, skill, cunning, and power until his final breath." Quinn then quoted the warrior's code, and gestured back to Stievan. 

"Chaess Belleza. A man of strength, dignity, and in his case, childlike quirks. Chaess was truly the life of base. While he was a great warrior with no restraints on the battlefield, he was gentle and so kind off the field. Such skill that Chaess displayed were skills that could not be taught in any training. Chaess was born to be a warrior, and a warrior he was. Warrior. Protector. Friend. We honor you, Chaess Belleza."

     Stievan and Quinn each took a handful of dirt and tossed it over the already covered grave. Ander and Beth exchanged a glance and stepped toward the grave. She hesitantly extended a hand to Ander, and after a glance from her face to her hand, he laced his fingers in hers. Noeh's eyes narrowed at Ander, remaining still. He had gone too far.

*~*

     Fingers entwined with Beth's, Ander began to sing. The warrior's tribute was written in the ancient tongue of Delahonte and only taught to those who were destined to be leaders. Ander and Beth had learned the piece together so many years prior, at the ages of eight and nine. Elvesta Sloyette took them into Mansford to be trained professionally for the song, she had seen