Three Strikes [✓]

The Beginning of the End

Although the Princess wouldn't look up at the kids, she took no issue in them constantly wanting to play with the dogs, hers especially. Bandog only allowed them near Sarge on the conditions she wasn't working, so the retriever became the popular ones. The dogs were probably single-handedly supporting the children's morale, keeping them calm as they marched along. This wasn't an ideal situation for anyone, let alone them, but Avril figured they should count the few blessings they had.

"How long have we been walking?" The oldest of the children, the eldest daughter of Georg and Adelaide, broke the silence first that morning. Well, the quiet had been pleasant while it lasted.

"I'm not sure," Adelaide answered quietly, adjusting her hold on their youngest child.

The younger kids were fortunate enough to be carried most of the journey, only being let down when their parents needed a rest. They didn't catch up on their sleep any, too scared to rest most of the time, so they just rested their heads on their parents' shoulders and stared ahead with blank expressions. Avril would take the rifle she carried over a three-year-old due to the weight difference and her leg being unsteady enough, but they all seemed to be good kids. Most children would scream and throw a fit, either because they were being carried or because they weren't, but these kids were taking whatever they were given. To be fair, most children shouldn't be in life or death situations like this, though.

The three-year-old, Avril was certain she'd heard her called 'Fiona', tried to answer with whatever perception of time she had. She sounded exhausted, and her voice was slightly muffled because of the stuffed animal she held in front of her face. "It feels like a long time. Like thirty minutes."

"It's been longer than that. Thirty minutes isn't a really long time, Fi," Adelaide said, giving a half-hearted laugh she tried to suppress.

The rest of the group couldn't help but smile a bit either, even Bandog found it amusing. Avril never would have taken him for being that soft. He was starting to remind her more and more of an onion. Just way too many layers to peel away. But not only did he chuckle, but he decided to answer the eldest – Cynthia – and correct Fiona. "You were close," he lied first, just to humor the kid. "It's been about two hours."

Cynthia mumbled a 'thank you', apparently sheepish once she realized everyone could hear what she'd asked her mother. After that she went quiet again.

Avril glanced over her shoulder, everyone sticking close together behind them. Avril and Bandog had taken up the point position while Major Hamilton covered their rear...well, Avril figured she should probably just call her Kathryn at this point. Formalities weren't going to do them any good out here. They all marched on only a few paces apart, making conversations hard to keep private, not that anyone had much to say. Still, Avril didn't want to upset or worry anyone just because she wanted to make an observation.

Although Cynthia didn't complain, Avril didn't have to be a genius to figure out why she probably asked. Keeping her voice barely above a whisper, she subtly closed the gap between them so she was walking right by his side so he could hear her. "Two hours is a long time to ask these people to be on their feet."

"Is that your way of asking for a break?" Bandog asked her, keeping his eyes on the path ahead of them. His attempt at teasing her wasn't at all what the situation called for.

"Oh, shut up, you can see it as well as I can," Avril said, trying not to raise her voice. Dragging her leg along wasn't the easiest task, but she still wasn't about to lean on him again. There was too much at stake to risk putting them down a soldier. "They can't keep up a pace like this forever. Save for those two guys and the Major, none of them have the endurance we do. This place is hell enough without anyone collapsing from exhaustion."