"Widen your scope and roam around more. Clear the way and make sure to sight any suspicious thing around aside from this steel container," I quickly ordered the soldiers around me as I was hoping to find more things.
I looked at the steel container again and found that there were no scratches. It was as if it had been freshly placed there. There were no scratches around, nor any sign that some falling debris fell into it. Given its distance from the exact location of the explosion, it should have had several scratches and marks. Yet, it does not have one.
Whoever placed it here must be swift enough to move around without being detected. It is either he knew this place by heart, or he memorised the path of this entire forest. I am afraid that it is my father who disclosed that information for the culprit to quickly move places. The culprit waited before the explosion calmed down before placing the steel container, thus creating a possibility that the culprit is still around here lingering somewhere. Unless he studied the information about this forest thoroughly to get him out of here safely.
"Your highness!" A shout was heard from a distance. I looked at my side only to see Fergus also looking at the direction of the shout. A few seconds later, a soldier emerged from the darkness of the forest and ran towards us directly. Panting, he was only able to bow his head a little before showing to us a piece of torn cloth.
Inhaling deeply, he said, "I was widening the scope of my roaming as instructed and was able to hear silent footsteps around. Well, it is not exactly footsteps but the crumbling of leaves and twigs. I tried to go see what made that sound only to hear a very swift move. He saw me and knew that I was there, therefore I had no choice but to run towards him."
I nodded my head, picked up the cloth, examined it carefully, and then gave it to Fergus to keep for a while. "Unfortunately, he was extremely fast and you cannot keep up with him. By far, he has already escaped under our noses because he was detected. He was not able to completely hide from us and soy on our reactions and steps to take. Go back to the barracks and dest, this discovery is a huge help. Thank you," I said dismissively.
The soldier followed what I said. Honestly, this piece of clothing won't really make much of a discovery, nevertheless, to know that someone is here iz a huge help for us. It means that we should be extremely cautious now that the culprit is just hanging around the corner. Spying on us and watching our plans take action.
"Let's go back first. I believe after this episode, they won't be making any moves for now. They already put on such a show. Let's focus on preparing," I told everyone present there. In which they readily agreed, we walked back to the open field only to find the women who were practising in the facility.
Nana spotted me and immediately went to me. She held both of my hands with her worried eyes. "Your highness, we have heard the explosion. As soon as we heard it we immediately left the medical facility in panic. I thought you were going to need help, that is why some women here brought first aid. We were not able to follow you inside the forest for a fear that it might complicate things. That is why we are only patiently waiting here. Are you alright? Or is anyone injured and is in need of medical attention?"
Sensing her intense worry, I removed my hands from her hold and patted her back lightly. "Nana, rest assured that no one was harmed in this incident. All of them were practising in the field and were about to go home when the explosion happened. Besides, I don't think that the intention of those who planted the grenade was to hurt someone. They might just be sending a warning and threat. Nevertheless, thank you for the concern."
She smiled and nodded at my response. I looked at all the women bringing cloth and other materials needed for first aid. "Everyone is fine, thank you so much for your immediate actions. You may return those in the facility now, at least I know that all of you are reliable now when it comes to situations like this. Let us end this night now, go home and take a rest early."
Slowly, they followed my command. The men and women alike slowly dispersed and returned to their own homes. All of us can feel how tiring this day has become to all of us. We waited for everyone to leave before Lachlan, Nana, Fergus, and I went back to the manor. We dragged our worn out bodies back to our own bed chambers.
"What do you think will happen now?" Fergus asked when he saw me combing my hair. I sighed deeply and placed the comb in the drawer. I laid down beside Fergus while facing the ceiling.
"Truth be told, I don't know. Things are slowly getting out of hand. They are making excessive moves. All we can do is withstand the force while other reinforcements are still not here." I felt him nod beside me and shifted his position. I placed both of my hands in my stomach and closed my eyes.
"Good night." I heard him say that to me. Still with my eyes closed, "Good night," I whispered back to him. Now in serene silence and peace, the tiredness is taking over my body, I slept the night away.
The next morning, we continued the training. Twice, harder than before. Everyone minded their own business. The women are moving left and right while the men can be heard shouting in a distinct voice. I was instructing some who were still struggling while the others were keeping up with the lessons and discussions.
"Come on everyone, we can certainly do this. We need to double time right now. All of us had witnessed the explosion yesterday planted by the other camp. Now more than ever, we need to do all our best to double or triple our efforts. Everything is at stake here and I hope that we will be able to withstand the upcoming storm."
As soon as I said that, J turned my back on them and went to the back of the facility. All of our herbs were stocked there. Afraid that it will be targeted next, I single handedly lifted the heavy baskets and kept them hidden in a mini storage room.
I paced around back and forth. All of us are exhausted but our passion in saving our country is far greater than any tiredness. Everyone is cooperating well and I really do hope that some of the reinforcements provided by the other countries will arrive in time. Because by the looks of it, the cold war won't last. This calmess won't last. I am afraid that tomorrow, the next day, or the following days, the war will soon break out.