Return of the General's Daughter

Jethru narrowed his sharp, dark eyes at Lara, studying her intently as if he could pull the truth from the air around her. His shoulder-length, white hair shimmered under the pale glow of the moon, the silver beams casting an ethereal light upon his weathered face.

For a fleeting moment, Lara shifted under her master’s gaze. But she quickly steadied herself, straightening her spine. Her chin lifted, her brown eyes glinted with unwavering determination.

"My brothers were trained from childhood," she said, her voice a gentle melody against the stillness of the night. In her master’s presence, she does not need to use Kane’s voice. "I may have been pampered, and sheltered, but I also received training. My skills were honed early."

Jethru stroked his growing white beard, his fingers lost in its silky strands. "Then why," he mused, his voice carrying the weight of curiosity, "did those well-trained soldiers look at you as though you are their idol, especially Bener? He sings your praises louder than anyone. Shouldn’t they be the better warriors, given their training?"

Lara smirked, shifting her weight to one side before turning fully to face her master. "That’s no longer my concern," she said with a light chuckle. "Ah Master, the answer is simple—I learned from you. They did not. That is my advantage."

Jethru scoffed, though a glimmer of amusement flickered in his eyes. "Girl, I am already full of white hair. You don’t need to butter me up."

"But Master, I’m only speaking the truth," Lara protested, sincerity laced in her tone.

Jethru’s expression turned serious and his amusement faded. "That’s enough fooling around. You should come with me tomorrow. We’re returning to Calma. It’s far too dangerous for you to remain here, surrounded by boorish and reckless men. The longer you stay, the greater the risk of your identity being exposed. Wouldn’t you be charged with deception?" There was genuine concern woven into his words, his brows knitting together.

"Master, they don’t have capable healers here. How many soldiers would die if I leave? So what, if I am exposed. It is not like it is a crime for a woman to be a soldier. Besides, my priority isn’t fighting—it’s saving lives."

Jethru came to an abrupt halt, his boots crunching softly against the dirt beneath them.

"Are you truly set on staying?"