The next morning, the bright sun shone high in the clear blue sky. The air was fresh, but it was filled with dust and the loud, harsh sounds of clashing metal.

The carriage from the Benson mansion rolled slowly through the wide, open gates of the military camp. The heavy wooden wheels crunched loudly against the dry dirt road.

The carriage finally rolled to a complete stop right in the center of the busy camp, near the large command tents.

Immediately, a young, heavily armored soldier rushed forward. He saluted sharply and quickly opened the carriage door.

Damon, wearing his pristine, dark blue military uniform, moved smoothly. He stepped out of the carriage first, his leather boots hitting the dusty ground with a firm thud. He stood tall, looking around the camp, completely in his element. He was ready to start his busy day of commanding his troops.

He took two steps away from the carriage, mentally preparing his orders for the morning meeting.

Inside the carriage, Camilla sat waiting. She was wearing a beautiful, practical dark green riding dress that Uncle Murry had personally selected for her. She was not going to climb down by herself like a common servant. She was the General’s wife, and she expected proper treatment, especially after he had forced her to wake up early and come to this dusty place.

Camilla sat perfectly still. She politely raised her hand to her mouth.

Ahem.

Camilla cleared her throat. The sound was very soft, but it carried clearly in the quiet space near the carriage.

Damon stopped walking. He heard the delicate sound. He slowly turned his head and looked back at the carriage.

Camilla was sitting gracefully on the velvet seat. She did not say a word. She simply stretched out her small gloved hand toward him. She held her hand steady in the air, waiting patiently for Damon to return and help her come down from the high carriage step.

Damon looked at her outstretched hand. He remembered the old Duke’s strict instructions from the night before to act like a loving husband. He let out a very quiet, almost unnoticeable sigh.

Damon walked back to the carriage. He raised his large, leather-gloved hand and firmly took her small hand.

He held her hand securely and helped her step down safely onto the dusty ground of the military camp.

As soon as her soft boots touched the dirt, Camilla did not let go of him. She smoothly slid her hand up his arm. She held his thick, strong arm firmly, pressing her shoulder lightly against his side. She looked exactly like a perfectly devoted, loving wife.

"Lead the way, My Lord," Camilla said softly, smiling up at him.

Damon nodded slightly. He adjusted his posture, walking a little slower so she could keep up with his long strides.

They walked together into the main military grounds.

The camp was massive. Hundreds of white canvas tents were lined up perfectly. But the most impressive sight was the training field right in front of them.

Hundreds of young, strong men were actively training in the bright sunlight. Some groups were swinging heavy metal swords, the blades flashing brightly as they hit wooden shields.

Other groups were practicing with long, sharp spears, moving together in perfect, disciplined lines. The sound of shouting commanders and marching boots filled the air with powerful, organized energy.

Camilla stopped walking for a brief second. She looked across the massive field.

"Wow!" Camilla exclaimed loudly inside her own mind, her internal voice filled with genuine, profound admiration.

She watched a group of soldiers execute a perfect, simultaneous spear thrust.

"They are very efficient," Camilla’s thoughts continued, analyzing their movements with her assassin’s eye. "Their form is excellent. The discipline here is incredibly strict. Damon really knows how to build a highly functioning, deadly machine."

Damon stood right next to her. He heard every single word of her high praise.

He looked down at her face. He saw her eyes watching his soldiers with true, unhidden respect.

A very small, very genuine smile touched the corners of Damon’s lips. He felt a sudden, unexpected surge of deep pride swelling inside his chest. He worked incredibly hard to train these men. The King and the nobles often praised his army, but hearing her honest, silent praise made him feel strangely, wonderfully accomplished.

"The general is here!" a loud, booming voice called out across the training field. A soldier had spotted them.

Immediately, the nearby soldiers stopped their training. They stood perfectly straight and saluted sharply as Damon walked past.

Kade, Damon’s aide, hurried forward from the main command tent. Kade was holding a stack of paper reports.

"My lord," Kade said, stopping in front of Damon. Kade bowed deeply from the waist, showing his total respect.

As Kade straightened up, he noticed Lady Camilla holding the General’s arm. Kade tried very hard to hide his surprise, but his eyes widened slightly.

Right behind Kade, two women stepped forward from a smaller medical tent nearby.

The first woman was tall and beautiful. She wore a clean, white linen apron over a simple blue dress. Her dark hair was tied back tightly. She was the head physician of the military camp. Beside her stood her young, nervous female assistant, holding a basket of clean bandages.

The female physician stepped forward and bowed her head politely.

"Welcome, my lord," the physician greeted him. Her voice was smooth and professional, but it carried a hint of eager sweetness.

The physician slowly looked up from her bow. Her eyes immediately landed on Camilla. More specifically, her eyes landed on Camilla’s small, gloved hand resting firmly on the General’s strong arm.

The physician’s polite smile froze for a tiny fraction of a second. A brief flash of deep annoyance crossed her beautiful face before she quickly hid it away.

The young assistant standing slightly behind the physician noticed the Lady’s presence as well. The assistant leaned forward, bringing her mouth close to the physician’s ear.

"Why did the general bring his wife to the military camp?" the young assistant whispered softly, her voice full of confused curiosity. She looked at Camilla’s beautiful green riding dress. "It is so dusty here."