Enemies Without The Court

CAIVAN

Even though Aron was the only person at hand to have overheard our conversation, I'm not taking chances. I can't risk an attack whilst I sleep or an open confrontation by some over zealous village man. It's happened before. Wolvens are still unheard of in these parts, and as I have seen on my way here, loathed. 

I make a mental note to strangle Elwyn later, while I make my way to the stable. I never anticipated his presence here, but now he's caught me by surprise, it might upset the balance I've maintained for two years. Especially if he had followed me to and from Eldad. 

I couldn't find him after his little revelation at the bar. I would've wrung the truth out of his large tongue if need be. Things are getting out of hand these days, which would be fine if it were not happening around me.

As I saddle my horse, a shadow falls across the entry way. I pause, watching and waiting, one set of claws drawn behind my back. Then the stranger takes another step forward and I recognize it's Aron. 

I go back to saddling my horse. 'Can I help you, kid?' I ask mildly. He approaches quietly, hands behind his back like some old guardsman. 'You said you weren't from Qarax', he ventures. 'Yes, I am not'. I pull the straps of the saddle under the horse and at the same time, I notice something constrained about Aron; the too-wide smile, the way he stands erect and of course, his arms behind his back. I've seen those before. 

I take a step back from the horse and observe him over the back. His smile doesn't falter, as he asks if I can take him along. I scoff. 'How much were you offered, Aron?' I ask, 'Because frankly, no matter the amount, I doubt it's worth your life'. 

His face shifts then, growing dark as he lunges out with dagger as long as his forearm. I've anticipated the attack, so I parry with the horse, pushing its flank against him. He's distracted long enough for me to slide under the horse, trip him up and hit his head in the ground. He growls, muttering curses and obscenities as he stands up again, eyes fixed on me with murderous intent. In these few seconds, the potentially annoying bartender is a murderous assassin that I have to deal with. 

It's relatively easy. I'm careful not to use my claws, as I catch his arm when he thrusts again, and bring down my elbow on his bicep. He begins to yell in pain, but I muffle him with a knee to his mouth and a kick to the trunk. He drops, neutralized, but I'm not done. 'Who sent you?' I inquire, grabbing him by the collar. He mutters out something, but his mouth is too bloody for me to hear. 'Louder', I hiss. 

Before he can speak again, I hear someone shout, 'Hey!' and I take it as my cue to leave, as two stable lads head in my direction carrying shovels. I stir the horse into a fierce gallop, heading out of the village. 

One thought rages in the back of mind; I've made perhaps, too many enemies at court. 

SAELYNA

I try to smile at Ronn, but I'm sure all I do is grimace. He does give me something of a reassuring look, though. 'The Alpha is a good man. He's seen us through many dark times. He'll not harm you…that job is for Caivan, I think'. He then leaves us alone on the steps of the house. 

I look up at Cyran and ask, 'What does he mean?' 'Maybe that we should avoid Caivan? Come on'. He grabs my hand as he walks in first.

I don't know what I had expected, but it isn't this. This large expanse, larger than the healing hall as Ronn had called it, lit fully by squares in the walls that lets in sunlight in uneven quantities. In the middle of the room, there is a table, long and made for six at most. Ahead of us, and behind it is a large chair, carved out of wood and made for someone much bigger than either of us, and quite tall; taller than Caivan in fact. By the side of the chair is a stool, where a pretty young girl sits. 

She smiles at us as we enter, flashing white teeth and a dimple in her freckled cheek. 'Good morning', she says sweetly, 'And welcome to the abode of our beloved Alpha…' I'm beginning to wonder just how much facades these people have to put up with just to do the bidding of their Alpha; she clearly has the whole speech rehearsed. And not perfectly. 

'What's your name?' I cut in. I must have caught her off balance; she frowns and her mouth is partly open, mid-speech. 'I'm Saelyna. And this is Cyran. You are..?' 'Sera', she says smoothly. 'It's a beautiful name', I say, 'Tell us Sera, what are we doing here?' Her eyes flick to Cyran and back to me as though trying to confirm if I'm being serious. 'I'm sorry. It's just the way you people act…seems forced most times. I just want to get out of here, not live in some kind of play'. 'Don't mind my sister. She can be a tad…gabby', Cyran interrupts, giving me a particularly dirty glance. 

Sera smiles and gestures for us to sit. We take seats at the table, next to each other, and Cyran grabs my hand again. Sera comes to join us, and her smile isn't as wide as before. 'He'll be out, shortly. He's having breakfast…', she says. 'Why not here at the table?' I ask quickly. Her eyes shift again, and I can tell she's hiding something. 'The Alpha has his reservations…do not be offended. He will join you shortly'. She gathers her gown around her feet without ado and heads out a side door. 

Cyran drops my hand as she steps out. 'Come on, Saelyna. You've begun that impossible thing of yours, questioning and poking. We're not in Halden, remember? These people are more prone to violence, if there's anything I learnt about wolvens…' 'She didn't look like a wolven. Do you think some of them were abducted like us? Made to do their will or something?' He throws up his hands in exasperation and shakes his head, but he gently worries his lower lip with his teeth, so I know he must be giving it thoughts as well. 

Unbidden, an image of Caivan sitting at the foot of my bed comes to mind in full detail. The look on his face the evening Cyran had passed out. His expression when he carried me to Veesa. "He'll not harm you. That job is for Caivan…" Ronn had said. In this hall, large and quiet, even as Cyran holds my hand, and with Ronn's words playing in my head, I find it odd that I still wish he were here. 

RONN

I take a moment to breath. Deep draws of air, and slow expulsion of air. I repeat it like I've seen Caivan do when he's pissed. It doesn't work. 

I let out the roar in one single, undulating release and when I stop, the water ripples with the waves and birds take off from the trees. I feel the choler die down as I heave a breath, and watch my fangs retract in the water. 'It's been ages since you've been this angry. Or since I've seen you this angry'. 

Gylen squats by the creek, on the other side, downstream. He gives me a wane smile, and that's when I notice his left eye. 'What happened?' I ask. 'Like you care', he scoffs, looking at his reflection in the water. 'You're right, I don't give an arse about you treasonous turncoat'. He laughs then, a short hearty chortle that ends with a snort, 'I'm not the one banging the Alpha's bitch'.