The man didn’t add anything after that, and it was a bit awkward. Cassandra had a hunch that he would simply follow her everywhere she went, but it would definitely be uncomfortable if he just tailed her like a shadow, in that awkward silence all day.
“Can I ask your name?” she said, a bit unsure.
“My name is Evin, Madam. You do not need to ask my permission to ask things, Madam.”
“All right. Can you show me around the camp then?”
“Yes, Madam.”
Evin was a very cold, serious, and stone-faced man. Cassandra listened to him as he walked around, explaining to her how the camp, and it’s two hundred thousand men, worked, day and night. Most men were there voluntarily, but the higher ranking men all came from wealthy or noble families, as it was hard to rise through the ranks. Military service was mandatory for any man in the Dragon Empire, but not everyone could join the War God’s Army. Hence, the soldiers in this camp were all considered the best, and were proud to be there. Aside from the regular soldiers, there were also many other professions in the camp. Like the blacksmiths, servants, dressers and farriers for the horses, accountants, and there were even architects and strategists.
“The men are divided between three main units. The Cavalry, the Infantry, and the Artillery. Each is under the command of one of the Generals, and above them are two Assistant Commanders and then our Commander-in-Chief.”
Cassandra already knew that Kairen was, of course, the Commander-in-Chief, the highest ranked man in the camp. She wondered if she had already met the Assistant Commanders.
As they kept walking around, Cassandra was conscious of all the stares she was getting. Some leaders scolded their soldiers for staring, but it was hard for the men not to notice a woman like Cassandra. Even covered in the fur coat, they could tell she was very pretty, with her emerald eyes wandering around. Her pale skin and slender figure attracted all the men’s eyes to her. It was a bit oppressive, but she did her best to ignore them and act normal.
After walking a while, she realized she had come to a large forge, where several blacksmiths operated. It was probably one of the hottest places in the camp, and also one of the most interesting to watch.
“Madam!”
Orwan had spotted her, and came to meet Cassandra right outside of the forge, his face dark from the smoke and ashes.
“Did you come to watch?”
“I just meant to observe for a bit, I was curious. I hope I didn’t hinder your work,” said Cassandra.
“Not at all!”
Orwan seemed a bit happy to have a visitor, and proposed to show her around the forge. Most of the time, they had to stay at a good distance from the blacksmiths working, but Cassandra was still very happy with what she got to see. Orwan was proud to tell her all about how their group contributed to the Prince’s Army, and showed her several weapons they had already made that day.
“How is your arm, by the way?” asked Cassandra.
“Oh, it’s…fine!”
He hid his arm from her though, and Cassandra frowned.
“Can I see it?”
Orwan hesitated, and after a while, agreed to show it. It didn’t look any better. The flesh had turned a bit dark, and Cassandra shook her head.
“You need to get it healed properly.”
“I’m really fine. I don’t need to go to the Red Room.”
“Why are you so against it?”
“We don’t heal there! It’s not somewhere the injured want to go, Madam.”
Cassandra was not content to hear that. She turned to Evin, but he was already shaking his head.
“This is not a place for a concubine to go.”
That answer wasn’t good enough. Cassandra was wondering if she could insist when one of the nearby men clicked his tongue.
“A concubine’s place ain’t in a forge either! How about you go to His Highness’ bedroom? Or do you need someone else to warm you up, beautiful?” he said with a disgusting tongue noise.
Cassandra frowned. She didn’t want to get in any trouble, but Orwan got mad at the man.
