She could only see his eyes. The black iron mask fit the lower half of his face perfectly, and the helmet covered the rest of his head. Her gaze traveled down the rest of his armored body, lingering at the open spots where only a corse black fabric held to his skin.
"Do you have the command token?" His deep voice brought her eyes back up to his, and she smiled behind her own veil.
Her voice deepening, "Of course, commander." She felt a blush in her cheeks at the last word. From within her robe, she pulled a small, rectangular object. It was gold plated and had the word 'Ling' on it, signifying it as the command token. She held it out to him, and watched as his hand slowly reached out to accept it. Her heart fluttered.
"Where did you say you were from again?" His eyes narrowed at her while he fingered the token, examining it.
She saluted to him with her two hands, bowing slightly. "I'm from Heping City Fortress, commander."
"Uh-huh."
Knowing he'd find nothing wrong with the token, she accepted it back from him when he'd finished looking it over. Tucking it in her robe again, she allowed herself to stand at ease before him. The two stood in the massive tent, centered in the middle of the military camp. All around them were swords, spears, shields and a sand table. This was were the generals and their commanders strategized and planned out their battles, it was a very important place. So it was understandable that the man before her was wary of her sudden appearance.
"Since your identity has been confirmed, is there any news or messages from general Fa?" He stared at her. "That is why you're here, am I correct?"
The question brought her back from her roaming gaze and she straightened her stance. The last couple of minutes had made her relax and lose her act, and now she could see the wariness in his eyes heighten again.
"General Fa, yes." She cleared her throat. "He ordered me to send the urgent message that a military camp has been set up at the border by Kang's soldiers. It's apparent that they look to start a fight and that since they're stationed closer to your camp, you should be prepared and ready to defend the borders."
She had intercepted the message the day before, so she spoke the truth and had only delayed it from being delivered by a few hours. He wouldn't blame her, she hoped.
The commander titled his head, his eyes showing a dark storm. He stepped closer to her, his massive form pressing her to step backwards and lower her head. She wasn't scared of him, but her act as a insignificant messenger needed to be played out to the end.
"You're telling me you recieved this news in Heping? Before me?" He scoffed. "Your fortress is nearly a hundred li further from the border than we are. Unless your pigeons fly faster than my fastest scout can ride..."
"Of course not, commander.'' Her voice wavered, but she made her character stand his ground. "General Hu has his ways, and he urged me to send the news to you as quickly as possible, so as to prevent any losses!"
"I don't believe you-"
"Commander Bei!" Another man stumbled through the tent flaps, nearly falling over his feet. His breathing was hard, and his legs shook. "Report!"
Commander Bei brushed past her and stood over the scout, reaching to support him. "What do you have?"
The scout took a deep breath. "Kang has dispatched twenty thousand men to the border! They're only a days ride away!"
The commander looked over his shoulder to the young woman in armor, though what he saw was a veiled young man. His eyes searched past the sheer black fabric which hid her face, uncertainty lingering in them. He turned back to the man sliding to the floor.
"Ju, Zhou!" He called and two guards from outside hurried in. "Take Deng to his tent to rest. Then call the other leaders here, there'll be an emergancy meeting. Hurry."
The two men brought their fists together and assisted the scout from the tent. Satisfied with being proven innocent as well as correct, the woman smiled. She could only wait for the commander to turn and thank her. But instead...
"Who are you really?" He growled. In a swift move he closed the space between them and grabbed shoulder, shoving her backwards.
Suddenly, she felt a jolt of fear corse through her. The strength of his hands and the digging of his fingers into her tender skin nearly made her cry out. But she couldn't expose herself. She fell to her knees.
"Commander! I've told you the truth! I'm just a messenger from Heping. General Hu personally sent me to warn you!"
"Ah, yes. That too." He knelt before, leaning in close to her face. "How did you get the token. Not just anyone can steal such an important item, nor create a perfect replica. Speak now, before I sent you to be interrogated!"
This was tight corner, but she wasn't suprised to have been backed into it. Everything about this situation had crossed her mind when she'd first began planning it, but she'd hoped it wouldn't happen. Yet here she was.
Sighing, she tilted her head to look up at him. Her back straightened, and her voice lowered even further. "Are you able to find out?"
No longer allowing herself to be taken with his clearly handsome and fit appearance, she hardened her focus and tensed her body. She could see the change in his expression, and his own body prepare for the unexpected.