She looked around seeing a slash of light beginning on the horizon realizing that morning was coming. She found Mistress Clara washing her hands in a basin of water. Lilly came up to her. “Is there anything else I can do?”
The old woman looked at her and laughed tiredly. “No. You’ve been here all night and you need to rest. Go back to your room, get cleaned up and sleep.” Lilly nodded and turned around. She wasn’t tired, she was numb. Her body moved away but not towards her room.
She barely noticed as Rak came up to her, she was staring at the blood stains in the crevices of her fingernails.
“How are things going?” He asked quietly.
She frowned looking back at the dark mass of people in the city’s center. “As good as can be expected.”
“I came to say goodbye. Half of the king’s guard is going. Sai is still looking for any man who is capable of fighting. The prince has ordered s to protect the border.”
Lilly shook her head furiously. “But you’re just a yearling guard they shouldn’t make you go.”
“I volunteered.” He said stoically. “I can’t just sit here and do nothing while others are fighting and dying to protect me. You understand don’t you?” She saw he needed her to understand. She thought of her parents and all the people who died. She pictured the face of that little girl as her father’s body was taken away to be burned. Her eyes slid back to the camp of injured people. “Lilly.” She heard Rak but her mind was busy with an idea that could change her life.
“Rak do you have time to go back to your house first?” She asked turning back to look at him.
“Why?”
She took a deep breath, committing herself. “I’m going to need your help.”
