Azeron: Day Four: Part Two
Once she realised calling for help was not her best idea, Lilly knew she would have to help herself. She also knew time was a factor. The lack of response she’d received from Baxter, along with the awareness that she may have already alerted Mordrel’s troops to her position, meant every minute she dangled on that tree was her life on the line.
The injuries she’d sustained on her fall had weakened her and it took considerable time for her to summon enough strength to call on her powers.
Her first thought was to bring the ground up to meet her. The convenience of the idea was tempting. She had, after all, had great success manipulating soil back at the village.
The ground however was now very far away, and if by some chance she did succeed, a large enough column of the forest floor rising up to meet her would undoubtedly alert everyone in the immediate vicinity.
Both for ease and discretion she required a smaller solution. Directing her attention to the tree she reached out, making the hand-form she’d grown most used to and hissing, “Kiiat Vash.”
When nothing happened she remembered Kyrel’s instruction to make her words a command and, tried again.
Still there was nothing. Lilly sighed, disappointment conspiring with despair to tie her stomach into unseen knots. She’d been trying to ignore the dread creeping up on her, bringing her closer every second to a useless state of hysteria.
Pushing away all thoughts of her powers being unstable, she closed her eyes and took in a slow deep breath.
Now as she reopened her eyes and told the tree: “Kiiat Vash!” she saw a new stem begin to grow. It was barely a twig and remained so for another couple of tries. Lilly was soon concentrating so hard her head hurt and through sheer frustration she spat the words, “Ta Varee,” at the tree.
Again the stem grew, but very slowly, and squinting with the effort, she watched the delicate sprig increase in length and girth, its strength also growing as it reached out to meet her, its progress painfully slow.
Only when the branch held many smaller ones of its own, complete with enough foliage to blend in with the rest of the tree, did she consider it strong enough climb down onto.
The multitude of scrapes and bangs she’d already acquired made the task all the more difficult, nonetheless - trying not to think of how much easier she could have made things by growing the new branch just a few inches closer – Lilly huffed, and groaned in agony as she struggled to pull herself over on to it.
Finally across, she clung on spreading her weight along the newly grown branch. Gasping for breath she lay still a moment, before sliding slowly down toward the tree’s trunk.
A couple of metres down she spotted Baxter, he was caught in the branches of the tree directly in front of her; his body flopped limp over a thick branch, arms dangling on one side, legs on the other.
“Oh God,” muttered Lilly, her whispered words coming out as a hissing through her clenched teeth. “Please don’t be dead.” She descended faster.
“Baxter…” she called quietly out to him as she got closer, getting no response, she tried again - still nothing.
Lilly began considering, ways to wake him without raising her voice. Looking around she saw a bunch of smaller branches. They were less than an arm’s length from her, but with her injuries, reaching them was a gruelling task.
In her haste she slipped, nearly losing her footing completely. When she eventually managed to snap off one of the branches - she took aim and chucked it across the space between her and Baxter. It fell short, losing forward momentum a good foot and a half from the other tree and plummeting to the ground below. Lilly’s eyes rolled as she tipped her head back with a sigh.
Several branches later she got a second hit and seeing Baxter’s fingers twitch, began calling out to him again as she threw more branches.
The injuries she’d sustained on her fall had weakened her and it took considerable time for her to summon enough strength to call on her powers.
Her first thought was to bring the ground up to meet her. The convenience of the idea was tempting. She had, after all, had great success manipulating soil back at the village.
The ground however was now very far away, and if by some chance she did succeed, a large enough column of the forest floor rising up to meet her would undoubtedly alert everyone in the immediate vicinity.
Both for ease and discretion she required a smaller solution. Directing her attention to the tree she reached out, making the hand-form she’d grown most used to and hissing, “Kiiat Vash.”
When nothing happened she remembered Kyrel’s instruction to make her words a command and, tried again.
Still there was nothing. Lilly sighed, disappointment conspiring with despair to tie her stomach into unseen knots. She’d been trying to ignore the dread creeping up on her, bringing her closer every second to a useless state of hysteria.
Pushing away all thoughts of her powers being unstable, she closed her eyes and took in a slow deep breath.
Now as she reopened her eyes and told the tree: “Kiiat Vash!” she saw a new stem begin to grow. It was barely a twig and remained so for another couple of tries. Lilly was soon concentrating so hard her head hurt and through sheer frustration she spat the words, “Ta Varee,” at the tree.
Again the stem grew, but very slowly, and squinting with the effort, she watched the delicate sprig increase in length and girth, its strength also growing as it reached out to meet her, its progress painfully slow.
Only when the branch held many smaller ones of its own, complete with enough foliage to blend in with the rest of the tree, did she consider it strong enough climb down onto.
The multitude of scrapes and bangs she’d already acquired made the task all the more difficult, nonetheless - trying not to think of how much easier she could have made things by growing the new branch just a few inches closer – Lilly huffed, and groaned in agony as she struggled to pull herself over on to it.
Finally across, she clung on spreading her weight along the newly grown branch. Gasping for breath she lay still a moment, before sliding slowly down toward the tree’s trunk.
A couple of metres down she spotted Baxter, he was caught in the branches of the tree directly in front of her; his body flopped limp over a thick branch, arms dangling on one side, legs on the other.
“Oh God,” muttered Lilly, her whispered words coming out as a hissing through her clenched teeth. “Please don’t be dead.” She descended faster.
“Baxter…” she called quietly out to him as she got closer, getting no response, she tried again - still nothing.
Lilly began considering, ways to wake him without raising her voice. Looking around she saw a bunch of smaller branches. They were less than an arm’s length from her, but with her injuries, reaching them was a gruelling task.
In her haste she slipped, nearly losing her footing completely. When she eventually managed to snap off one of the branches - she took aim and chucked it across the space between her and Baxter. It fell short, losing forward momentum a good foot and a half from the other tree and plummeting to the ground below. Lilly’s eyes rolled as she tipped her head back with a sigh.
Several branches later she got a second hit and seeing Baxter’s fingers twitch, began calling out to him again as she threw more branches.
Harper stared up at the forest’s vast ceiling of leaves, her teeth tightly gritted as she leant up against the trunk of a huge tree trying not to look, or worse: cry out, as Vereena cleaned and patched up the wound on her arm.
As much as it hurt, the twins seemed to have come out worse off. Terrence was black and blue all over and both boys sat at the base of the same tree, each holding their chests in a way that had her suspecting broken ribs.
“So what…” wheezed Tobias “These guys are reinforcements?”
Terrence followed the gaze of his twin. To the right of them in a nearby clearing several Da’ariel clamoured to greet each other. With their fists pressed up against their chests, they bowed their heads and eyed one another with obvious reverence. Those eyes told a thousand tales of distant but deep seated mutual respect.
“I don’t care who they are…” shrugged Terrence before doubling over in a fit of coughs. Coming to a gradual stop, he sat up again and nodded, “They saved our asses. That’s plenty good enough for me”
“And they’re not trying to kill us,” hissed Harper “That’s the part I especially li- iiiiiike!” her words ended in a shriek as the tourniquet being applied to her arm was tightened with a sharp tug.
Both boys looked up, as patting Harper’s other shoulder Vereena said.
“You shall be fine.” Harper threw her a distinctly frosty look. The younger girl appeared not to notice. She was already nodding toward the new faces among them, as these less familiar Da’ariel approached her and the classmates. “These are the warriors of Zanreal,” she spoke with a faint smile.
“Zanreal?” Terrence’s head tipped back for the sake of eye contact. “Then we’re here? We made it?”
“Made it!” Tobias frowned “Made it to where? We’re still in the exact same woods we’ve been in all ni-”
“Yes.” Vereena nodded, “we are here.” her eyes remained on the approaching group as a tall, muscular Da’ariel male stepped forward; his arm already across his chest. Bowing in sync with him Vereena spoke first.
Though they used only the native Azeron language it was obvious they were previously acquainted and held one another in high regard.
It was also obvious when their fast paced conversation went from gratitude and other pleasantries to more serious matters.
The stricken looks passing between them had the twins riveted. Harper was less capable of quiet; one close brush with the business end of a broad sword was more than enough for her. The last thing she wanted was to stand around waiting for Mordrel’s troops to come at them again. If this was Zanreal: the sanctuary they’d travelled two nights to reach, then she wanted in – out of the open.
A tap on the shoulder returned Vereena’s attention’s to her. Harper shrugged, her hand going back to her arm.
“Is there a reason we’re not getting out of here?”
“Yes,” her gaze swept over the three of them. “We are as yet unable to locate Kyrel or cousin Lilly.”
“OK,” Nodded Harper “That can’t be good”
“No,” the Da’ariel man looked to the three classmates now. “It is not good.”
“Hey…” Tobias was the first to point out the obvious. “He speaks… I… I mean You… you speak…”
“Yes,” nodded the man. “I speak the language of our future Queen.”
He turned back to Vereena and they continued their foreign chatter. A minute later the girl was nodding, and calling to his troops the warrior hurried away. Breaking into a run he pulled out his gaashmay and leaping into the air disappeared. Those he’d called on followed suit, while other Zanreal warriors began ushering their fellow Da’ariel off in another direction.
“S’ret was once Mai Mai’s third hand,” Vereena turned back to the classmates. “He moved to be with his life-mate, but he grew up in our village and served alongside my father when my brothers were younger.”
“And now him and his troops have gone looking for Slater?” Harper nodded after them.
“No,” said Vereena “They are looking for Kyrel, without him we would have been overpowered in this battle from the beginning.”
“Yeah, we saw him flambé the first wave.” nodded Terrence. “Neat trick,”
“Definitely,” muttered Tobias.
“Sure,” agreed Harper, “bet he’s real fun at a barbecue.”
“Wielding the forces in such a way takes much effort,” said Vereena.
“You’re thinking it was too much for him…” Terrence pulled himself slowly up on to his feet. “That… maybe he’s lying around here somewhere needing our help.”
“Whoa, hang on!” Tobias shot his brother an incredulous look. “I know I didn’t just hear you volunteering us for search and rescue in the forest of sword wielding bad guys?”
“No,” Terrence’s gaze skimmed Harper’s wounded arm, “of course not.” He nodded to her. “You should go in with the others, both of you.”
“Go in! Where are we meant to…” as Terrence gestured behind them with a wave Tobias turned looking over his own shoulder, immediately agape he got quickly to his feet.
Not far from them many of the Da’ariel had gathered together and one at a time, right before his eyes, they were disappearing through some unseen barrier. “Holy cow!” muttered Tobias, “How in the… what in the-”
“Explanations later.” said Vereena “For now your brother is right: going inside with the others would be best for all of you.”
“Yeah…” Tobias glared at his twin. “…Best for all of us!”
“Tobe’s is right,” nodded Harper, “these guys aren’t messing about Tez, staying out here is crazy… if it’s safe in there we should-”
“They are right,” Vereena offered a hasty smile before turning to walk away and adding, “Mordrel’s troops could be back at any time and none of you is equipped to-”
“No, OK!” pushing himself off the tree Terrence grabbed her arm. “I can’t just sit around doing nothing. It isn’t just your people out there. Lilly and Baxter both need to be found too. One of us should be here for them.”
“And what,” Tobias pulled himself up also. “That’s automatically you? You can’t be here for them inside? Together we were barely a match for one of those Deebanaarie guys. What the hell do you expect to do on your own?”
“Look, don’t worry OK.” Terrence shrugged. “I won’t do anything stupid. If they come back I’ll be the first one hiding.” Turning back to Vereena he added, “You might not need my help but you could sure as hell use it. The sooner we find the others the sooner we can all get in out of sight, and I don’t care how badass you are, you can’t want to die today any more than I do.”
Vereena contemplated him a second longer before nodding.
“Very well, Terrence Emerson. You may accompany me on the ground, while my people search the trees. Just know if Mordrel’s troops do return you are to do exactly as you have vowed: you must stay well hidden.”
“Not a problem,” shrugged Terrence.
As she again turned to leave, he took a step to follow and Tobias grabbed his shoulder.
“Seriously bro?” he shook his head as both Vereena and Terrence turned to face him. “Not a problem? You really think I’m going to just let you do this?”
“Tobes…” he smiled, “You can’t stop me. Besides, we both know if it was me out here you’d want all the help you could get looking for me.”
“Then I’m coming with you-”
“What!” Harper’s voice was all alarm. “What’s the matter with you two? All this way to reach safety and you wanna hang around out here?”
“No.” Terrence looked to her wounded arm. “Harper’s right, she’s injured. One of us should stay-”
“Then you can be the one to play gentleman,” Tobias pushed off from the tree’s trunk, and attempting to slip past his brother added, “and I’ll be the one too-”
“This isn’t some stupid pissing contest!” Terrence slammed him back against the tree. “You’re staying here… Got it?”
“No, OK. I don’t got it. What’s it to be Tez, Gentleman or Hero because either way I’m not letting you wander back out into this fight without me.”
Terrence stared at him a moment, lips scrunched inward as he held back a scowl. Finally he rolled his eyes and sighing turned to offer Harper a shrug.
“I’m sure we won’t be long you’ll be fine here with-”
“You’ve got to be kidding!” both her eyebrows went up. “I’ve seen enough movies to know splitting up is never a good idea, there’s no way I’m staying here without yous, besides if you think I’m going to be the only one facing all those difficult questions back home if I’m the only one those sprite things can send home tomorrow morning...”
“You can’t be serious!” Terrence shook his head.
“What, because I’m the girl I gotta be the one that runs to safety?”
“No,” with a frown he glared pointedly down at her arm, “Because you’re already down one limb and I figured it could be something of a hindrance!”
“Oh right, a hindrance,” nodded Harper, her eyes narrowing to slits as she asked, “To all that hiding you just swore you’d be doing?”
“Harper, come on…” rolling his eyes his Tez tried again. “…You really wanna-”
“Yeah OK, you want to stand here arguing with me…” gesturing beyond him with a wave she added “or we going to get moving before little Miss Jab-Happy over there, is completely out of our sight?”
Turning to see Vereena, already quite some distance away, Terrence mumbled “Ah crap!” and limping into action he gave chase.
Harper turned to see Tobias smirking her way, and took a second to respond in kind before they set off together after the other two.
As much as it hurt, the twins seemed to have come out worse off. Terrence was black and blue all over and both boys sat at the base of the same tree, each holding their chests in a way that had her suspecting broken ribs.
“So what…” wheezed Tobias “These guys are reinforcements?”
Terrence followed the gaze of his twin. To the right of them in a nearby clearing several Da’ariel clamoured to greet each other. With their fists pressed up against their chests, they bowed their heads and eyed one another with obvious reverence. Those eyes told a thousand tales of distant but deep seated mutual respect.
“I don’t care who they are…” shrugged Terrence before doubling over in a fit of coughs. Coming to a gradual stop, he sat up again and nodded, “They saved our asses. That’s plenty good enough for me”
“And they’re not trying to kill us,” hissed Harper “That’s the part I especially li- iiiiiike!” her words ended in a shriek as the tourniquet being applied to her arm was tightened with a sharp tug.
Both boys looked up, as patting Harper’s other shoulder Vereena said.
“You shall be fine.” Harper threw her a distinctly frosty look. The younger girl appeared not to notice. She was already nodding toward the new faces among them, as these less familiar Da’ariel approached her and the classmates. “These are the warriors of Zanreal,” she spoke with a faint smile.
“Zanreal?” Terrence’s head tipped back for the sake of eye contact. “Then we’re here? We made it?”
“Made it!” Tobias frowned “Made it to where? We’re still in the exact same woods we’ve been in all ni-”
“Yes.” Vereena nodded, “we are here.” her eyes remained on the approaching group as a tall, muscular Da’ariel male stepped forward; his arm already across his chest. Bowing in sync with him Vereena spoke first.
Though they used only the native Azeron language it was obvious they were previously acquainted and held one another in high regard.
It was also obvious when their fast paced conversation went from gratitude and other pleasantries to more serious matters.
The stricken looks passing between them had the twins riveted. Harper was less capable of quiet; one close brush with the business end of a broad sword was more than enough for her. The last thing she wanted was to stand around waiting for Mordrel’s troops to come at them again. If this was Zanreal: the sanctuary they’d travelled two nights to reach, then she wanted in – out of the open.
A tap on the shoulder returned Vereena’s attention’s to her. Harper shrugged, her hand going back to her arm.
“Is there a reason we’re not getting out of here?”
“Yes,” her gaze swept over the three of them. “We are as yet unable to locate Kyrel or cousin Lilly.”
“OK,” Nodded Harper “That can’t be good”
“No,” the Da’ariel man looked to the three classmates now. “It is not good.”
“Hey…” Tobias was the first to point out the obvious. “He speaks… I… I mean You… you speak…”
“Yes,” nodded the man. “I speak the language of our future Queen.”
He turned back to Vereena and they continued their foreign chatter. A minute later the girl was nodding, and calling to his troops the warrior hurried away. Breaking into a run he pulled out his gaashmay and leaping into the air disappeared. Those he’d called on followed suit, while other Zanreal warriors began ushering their fellow Da’ariel off in another direction.
“S’ret was once Mai Mai’s third hand,” Vereena turned back to the classmates. “He moved to be with his life-mate, but he grew up in our village and served alongside my father when my brothers were younger.”
“And now him and his troops have gone looking for Slater?” Harper nodded after them.
“No,” said Vereena “They are looking for Kyrel, without him we would have been overpowered in this battle from the beginning.”
“Yeah, we saw him flambé the first wave.” nodded Terrence. “Neat trick,”
“Definitely,” muttered Tobias.
“Sure,” agreed Harper, “bet he’s real fun at a barbecue.”
“Wielding the forces in such a way takes much effort,” said Vereena.
“You’re thinking it was too much for him…” Terrence pulled himself slowly up on to his feet. “That… maybe he’s lying around here somewhere needing our help.”
“Whoa, hang on!” Tobias shot his brother an incredulous look. “I know I didn’t just hear you volunteering us for search and rescue in the forest of sword wielding bad guys?”
“No,” Terrence’s gaze skimmed Harper’s wounded arm, “of course not.” He nodded to her. “You should go in with the others, both of you.”
“Go in! Where are we meant to…” as Terrence gestured behind them with a wave Tobias turned looking over his own shoulder, immediately agape he got quickly to his feet.
Not far from them many of the Da’ariel had gathered together and one at a time, right before his eyes, they were disappearing through some unseen barrier. “Holy cow!” muttered Tobias, “How in the… what in the-”
“Explanations later.” said Vereena “For now your brother is right: going inside with the others would be best for all of you.”
“Yeah…” Tobias glared at his twin. “…Best for all of us!”
“Tobe’s is right,” nodded Harper, “these guys aren’t messing about Tez, staying out here is crazy… if it’s safe in there we should-”
“They are right,” Vereena offered a hasty smile before turning to walk away and adding, “Mordrel’s troops could be back at any time and none of you is equipped to-”
“No, OK!” pushing himself off the tree Terrence grabbed her arm. “I can’t just sit around doing nothing. It isn’t just your people out there. Lilly and Baxter both need to be found too. One of us should be here for them.”
“And what,” Tobias pulled himself up also. “That’s automatically you? You can’t be here for them inside? Together we were barely a match for one of those Deebanaarie guys. What the hell do you expect to do on your own?”
“Look, don’t worry OK.” Terrence shrugged. “I won’t do anything stupid. If they come back I’ll be the first one hiding.” Turning back to Vereena he added, “You might not need my help but you could sure as hell use it. The sooner we find the others the sooner we can all get in out of sight, and I don’t care how badass you are, you can’t want to die today any more than I do.”
Vereena contemplated him a second longer before nodding.
“Very well, Terrence Emerson. You may accompany me on the ground, while my people search the trees. Just know if Mordrel’s troops do return you are to do exactly as you have vowed: you must stay well hidden.”
“Not a problem,” shrugged Terrence.
As she again turned to leave, he took a step to follow and Tobias grabbed his shoulder.
“Seriously bro?” he shook his head as both Vereena and Terrence turned to face him. “Not a problem? You really think I’m going to just let you do this?”
“Tobes…” he smiled, “You can’t stop me. Besides, we both know if it was me out here you’d want all the help you could get looking for me.”
“Then I’m coming with you-”
“What!” Harper’s voice was all alarm. “What’s the matter with you two? All this way to reach safety and you wanna hang around out here?”
“No.” Terrence looked to her wounded arm. “Harper’s right, she’s injured. One of us should stay-”
“Then you can be the one to play gentleman,” Tobias pushed off from the tree’s trunk, and attempting to slip past his brother added, “and I’ll be the one too-”
“This isn’t some stupid pissing contest!” Terrence slammed him back against the tree. “You’re staying here… Got it?”
“No, OK. I don’t got it. What’s it to be Tez, Gentleman or Hero because either way I’m not letting you wander back out into this fight without me.”
Terrence stared at him a moment, lips scrunched inward as he held back a scowl. Finally he rolled his eyes and sighing turned to offer Harper a shrug.
“I’m sure we won’t be long you’ll be fine here with-”
“You’ve got to be kidding!” both her eyebrows went up. “I’ve seen enough movies to know splitting up is never a good idea, there’s no way I’m staying here without yous, besides if you think I’m going to be the only one facing all those difficult questions back home if I’m the only one those sprite things can send home tomorrow morning...”
“You can’t be serious!” Terrence shook his head.
“What, because I’m the girl I gotta be the one that runs to safety?”
“No,” with a frown he glared pointedly down at her arm, “Because you’re already down one limb and I figured it could be something of a hindrance!”
“Oh right, a hindrance,” nodded Harper, her eyes narrowing to slits as she asked, “To all that hiding you just swore you’d be doing?”
“Harper, come on…” rolling his eyes his Tez tried again. “…You really wanna-”
“Yeah OK, you want to stand here arguing with me…” gesturing beyond him with a wave she added “or we going to get moving before little Miss Jab-Happy over there, is completely out of our sight?”
Turning to see Vereena, already quite some distance away, Terrence mumbled “Ah crap!” and limping into action he gave chase.
Harper turned to see Tobias smirking her way, and took a second to respond in kind before they set off together after the other two.
“So err…” Terrence kept his voice low, “…that fire thing Kyrel did - you ever see something like that before?”
He and Vereena had been shoulder to shoulder since he’d caught up with her, while Harper and his brother seemed content to remain a few feet behind. All four of them weaved through the trees, straining their eyes for any sign of their missing companions.
“Until he brought Cousin Lilly to our village I had never seen any but our sprites use the active magicks before,” Vereena told him.
“Right,” nodded Terrence. “Of course.”
“Still,” she paused to hold back a cluster of branches for him, her eyes on the forest the whole time. “Power over the Kratack was once a common trait among the Deebanaarie.”
“The Kratack?” Terrence glanced over his shoulder. “And that’s what… like your word for fire or something?”
“Yes…” she turned to give him a brief nod, “It is ‘or something.’”
“So then – no.” He smiled as she turned to look at him.
“Kratack is the force that produces fire,” shrugged Vereena. “The word is more like your word: flame.”
“Well where I’m from, that was definitely more a fire than a flame. In fact by most people’s standards, I’d go as far as to say it was a raging inferno.”
“Yes,” nodded Vereena. “Kyrel possesses exceptional abilities for a male, but then the D’vey family line was always among the strongest.”
“Exceptional,” muttered Terrence.
“Oh yes,” said Vereena. “Unlike many of our time, he has not let his being male limit his knowledge of the magicks. Mai Mai believes he had mastered many of the forces, and was already powerful when he stayed with our clan all those cycles ago.”
“You mean when Lilly’s mother was alive?” Harper interjected from behind.
“Yes…” Vereena glanced over her shoulder to the other two. “He caused much destruction to our clan. Two troops worth of Mai Mai’s guard were killed; my parents among them.”
“Sorry,” said Terrence, then seeing her raise an eyebrow, he shrugged. “You know… that you lost your parents. I didn’t mean to… well… err… dredge up the past.”
“Aah, you believe I may need consoling for the loss?”
“Err… well…”
“Those days are many cycles gone Terrence Emerson. There is not much about them of which I have personal memories, I was but a child.”
“Yeah, but still.” Tobias spoke up from behind them. “To grow up without parents… I mean well…”
“I have always had all the parents I needed in Mai Mai and my cousins,” said Vereena, “Not to mention our clan Doulek’s, Shenti's, and the head guards, on each of the royal troops.” She sighed. “I am the youngest offspring in the Avengturov House, and born to be Qin Am Ness, believe me, I have never lacked parenting.”
“So teen angst does exist in Azeron,” quipped Harper.
Catching the puzzled expression on her face as she turned to ask Harper’s meaning, Terrence shook his head telling her, “Don’t worry about it; totally not important.”
“So…” asked Harper “Are there any others in Kyrel’s family who have the err… that can use the active magics? I mean you know… besides Mordrel? Is there anyone else Lilly should probably know about?”
“In line for the throne there are none,” shrugged Vereena “still, others of the Deebanaarie noble blood lines can wield the forces.”
“Others like who… are there brothers? Are we talking a bunch more Kyrel’s out there who aren’t on our side?”
“No,” said Vereena. “To my knowledge none of Kyrel’s other siblings were born with the mark; although Talyaal the eldest brother was said to be a great warrior.”
“Was?” asked Terrence “What happened to him?”
“He perished.”
“Right,” muttered Tobias “Course he di-”
“Shh…” putting one of her delicate fingers to her lips, Vereena turned to Terrence whispering, “I hear something,” closing her eyes, she cocked her head to one side. Tobias and Harper began looking around, each straining their ears in vain but only for a second before the young Da’ariel girl’s eyes flickered open and waving them onward, she whispered, “This way, stay close.”
Terrence was again the first to give chase; although attempting to catch up proved a pointless endeavour for all of them. There was no chance of any of them matching her speed, but the prospect of encountering the enemy again without her nearby, was more than enough impetus for all three to keep moving.
With the other two close behind him, Terrence had dashed through several clearings, before he heard the clashing of swords in the distance. Barely managing to keep Vereena in sight, he saw her finally slowing to a halt near the edge of the next clearing.
Keeping low, she sidled up to a huge tree and facing him with her back against it, signalled again for quiet.
Terrence nodded, keeping low as he crept as swiftly as he dared toward her.
She was already sneaking toward another tree as he reached the one she’d been at; he watched her peer around its trunk.
Through the foliage he could just about make out shapes. At least three swords were bared and the men swinging them advanced on Kyrel; flanking him, they closed in. His own sword lay glinting in the early morning sun not much farther than a foot away from his position. However every attempt he made to retrieve it was thwarted with a near miss from a blade.
Terrence reached the tree Vereena had her back against, as she unsheathed her long sword with an impatient scowl. Only now, as he took a second glance did Terrence notice Kyrel’s aggressors were not in the uniform dark blue of Mordrel’s troops.
“Hey, those are…” he pointed to the men but speaking over him Vereena said,
“Wait here for your friends,” and darted out into the clearing, at which point he realised she had already identified these troops as Da’ariel - a fact that did nothing to stop her leaping to Kyrel’s defence.
Terrence hugged the tree, watching as this young girl brought her blade down just in time to stop a blow aimed for the back of Kyrel’s neck. In an instant she had flicked her own sword back up in a wide arc that sent the armed Da’ariel at the other end of it flying.
Turning around the Deebanaarie caught a glimpse of his defender before she spun around to deflect several more blows from the men at his front. With no time wasted he made use of the diversion; rolling across the ground, he snatched up his sword, and flicked himself back up on to his feet, weapon at the ready.
He and Vereena had been shoulder to shoulder since he’d caught up with her, while Harper and his brother seemed content to remain a few feet behind. All four of them weaved through the trees, straining their eyes for any sign of their missing companions.
“Until he brought Cousin Lilly to our village I had never seen any but our sprites use the active magicks before,” Vereena told him.
“Right,” nodded Terrence. “Of course.”
“Still,” she paused to hold back a cluster of branches for him, her eyes on the forest the whole time. “Power over the Kratack was once a common trait among the Deebanaarie.”
“The Kratack?” Terrence glanced over his shoulder. “And that’s what… like your word for fire or something?”
“Yes…” she turned to give him a brief nod, “It is ‘or something.’”
“So then – no.” He smiled as she turned to look at him.
“Kratack is the force that produces fire,” shrugged Vereena. “The word is more like your word: flame.”
“Well where I’m from, that was definitely more a fire than a flame. In fact by most people’s standards, I’d go as far as to say it was a raging inferno.”
“Yes,” nodded Vereena. “Kyrel possesses exceptional abilities for a male, but then the D’vey family line was always among the strongest.”
“Exceptional,” muttered Terrence.
“Oh yes,” said Vereena. “Unlike many of our time, he has not let his being male limit his knowledge of the magicks. Mai Mai believes he had mastered many of the forces, and was already powerful when he stayed with our clan all those cycles ago.”
“You mean when Lilly’s mother was alive?” Harper interjected from behind.
“Yes…” Vereena glanced over her shoulder to the other two. “He caused much destruction to our clan. Two troops worth of Mai Mai’s guard were killed; my parents among them.”
“Sorry,” said Terrence, then seeing her raise an eyebrow, he shrugged. “You know… that you lost your parents. I didn’t mean to… well… err… dredge up the past.”
“Aah, you believe I may need consoling for the loss?”
“Err… well…”
“Those days are many cycles gone Terrence Emerson. There is not much about them of which I have personal memories, I was but a child.”
“Yeah, but still.” Tobias spoke up from behind them. “To grow up without parents… I mean well…”
“I have always had all the parents I needed in Mai Mai and my cousins,” said Vereena, “Not to mention our clan Doulek’s, Shenti's, and the head guards, on each of the royal troops.” She sighed. “I am the youngest offspring in the Avengturov House, and born to be Qin Am Ness, believe me, I have never lacked parenting.”
“So teen angst does exist in Azeron,” quipped Harper.
Catching the puzzled expression on her face as she turned to ask Harper’s meaning, Terrence shook his head telling her, “Don’t worry about it; totally not important.”
“So…” asked Harper “Are there any others in Kyrel’s family who have the err… that can use the active magics? I mean you know… besides Mordrel? Is there anyone else Lilly should probably know about?”
“In line for the throne there are none,” shrugged Vereena “still, others of the Deebanaarie noble blood lines can wield the forces.”
“Others like who… are there brothers? Are we talking a bunch more Kyrel’s out there who aren’t on our side?”
“No,” said Vereena. “To my knowledge none of Kyrel’s other siblings were born with the mark; although Talyaal the eldest brother was said to be a great warrior.”
“Was?” asked Terrence “What happened to him?”
“He perished.”
“Right,” muttered Tobias “Course he di-”
“Shh…” putting one of her delicate fingers to her lips, Vereena turned to Terrence whispering, “I hear something,” closing her eyes, she cocked her head to one side. Tobias and Harper began looking around, each straining their ears in vain but only for a second before the young Da’ariel girl’s eyes flickered open and waving them onward, she whispered, “This way, stay close.”
Terrence was again the first to give chase; although attempting to catch up proved a pointless endeavour for all of them. There was no chance of any of them matching her speed, but the prospect of encountering the enemy again without her nearby, was more than enough impetus for all three to keep moving.
With the other two close behind him, Terrence had dashed through several clearings, before he heard the clashing of swords in the distance. Barely managing to keep Vereena in sight, he saw her finally slowing to a halt near the edge of the next clearing.
Keeping low, she sidled up to a huge tree and facing him with her back against it, signalled again for quiet.
Terrence nodded, keeping low as he crept as swiftly as he dared toward her.
She was already sneaking toward another tree as he reached the one she’d been at; he watched her peer around its trunk.
Through the foliage he could just about make out shapes. At least three swords were bared and the men swinging them advanced on Kyrel; flanking him, they closed in. His own sword lay glinting in the early morning sun not much farther than a foot away from his position. However every attempt he made to retrieve it was thwarted with a near miss from a blade.
Terrence reached the tree Vereena had her back against, as she unsheathed her long sword with an impatient scowl. Only now, as he took a second glance did Terrence notice Kyrel’s aggressors were not in the uniform dark blue of Mordrel’s troops.
“Hey, those are…” he pointed to the men but speaking over him Vereena said,
“Wait here for your friends,” and darted out into the clearing, at which point he realised she had already identified these troops as Da’ariel - a fact that did nothing to stop her leaping to Kyrel’s defence.
Terrence hugged the tree, watching as this young girl brought her blade down just in time to stop a blow aimed for the back of Kyrel’s neck. In an instant she had flicked her own sword back up in a wide arc that sent the armed Da’ariel at the other end of it flying.
Turning around the Deebanaarie caught a glimpse of his defender before she spun around to deflect several more blows from the men at his front. With no time wasted he made use of the diversion; rolling across the ground, he snatched up his sword, and flicked himself back up on to his feet, weapon at the ready.
Harper and Tobias joined Terrence in cowering behind the tree, as the third man, now back on his feet, took a flying leap at Kyrel, Terrence stepped out, about to yell a warning.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Tobias hissed as he pulled him back. “We’re supposed to be hiding remember!”
Before Terrence could respond Kyrel was in the air again, his blade met the flying Da’ariel halfway, knocking him to the ground and disarming him.
The man rolled over, reaching out to retrieve his weapon. It was a futile effort. Kyrel dived atop him, one knee coming down on the man’s chest to pin him in place. He pressed the tip of his blade against his victim’s jugular before shouting something across to where Vereena stood grasping her blade at an angle which enabled her to hold off the other two men as she and they exchanged words.
They conversed only in the native tongue but body language and tone made it clear that things could be going better.
“You come defending this Deebanaarie, then presume to give us orders!” sneered one of the men.
“Step aside,” the other demanded as he brought his sword up for another swing. “For what reason do you fight to keep him alive?” he asked as their blades clashed. “When he is dead we will let you keep whichever piece of him you wish. A Deebanaarie ear is sure to impress the other youths of your clan.”
“Yes,” laughed the first. “We wish only to pay homage to the ancestors, to smear his blood across the forest’s floor, and celebrate the passing of yet another Deebanaarie. You can say you alone made the kill.” He grinned.
“I have no need of such a false triumph.” Vereena glared at them.
“Then what is meant by this treachery? You betray our people with your actions. Tell us now why we should not cut you down with him.”
“Has not enough blood been spilled in the name of our ancestors this morning?” she told them.
“You are confused young one.” The second Da’ariel took a step closer, his narrowed eyes telling all on where he believed that confusion lay. “There can never be enough Deebanaarie blood on the ground. Now move aside!” With a lunge he unleashed a fierce display of swordsmanship, throwing Vereena into a dance of continuous parrying. The attack was intended to topple and disarm her while giving his comrade, whose step back had been nothing more than a feint, the chance to manoeuvre around her and aid the other from their troop.
Vereena was not caught off guard. She gave as good as she got and when the first Da’ariel attempted to slip past her, she spun around. Flooring him with a flying kick to the ribs, she landed back on her feet in time to block another blow from the first warrior. Her blade clashed with his several more times; the pair of them going at it a few more seconds until he was the one disarmed. Leaning forward with her blade at his throat she said, “One more move… and you will have only one hand on which to bear the needless deaths of your companions. For once their throats are slit, I shall personally be removing the other from you.”
Beside her the Da’riel she’d kicked down froze; his threatened hand mere inches from the dagger he kept in his boot.
“Can you not see we are Zanreal warriors?” his confusion was unmistakable now. “I am Liath, third under the command of S’ret. We have orders to eradicate all Deeba-.”
“I know who you are,” Vereena turned to face him. “As I know your orders. Now have your men set aside their weapons for I will not order them, or you, to stand down another time.”
“This is our territory to protect as we wish young one,” hissed the soldier at the end of Vereena’s blade. “Cease this impudence. Who are you to command us?”
“You do see that you will be the first to have his throat slit?” She tapped the tip of her blade up under his chin. “Your lack of insight astounds me warrior. It is not my wish to injure one of my own but if you must continue your refusal to recognise the superiority of my skills over yours, look to my braid...” she tapped him again nodding, “and know that I too have my orders, and I will do all needed to carry them out.” With a slight tilting of her head and gritting of her teeth, Vereena added, “that does include spilling your insides where you stand, if you insist on forcing my hand.”
“Well Veer…” Laughter came from the trees as S’ret and his men stepped out from behind them. “You certainly grew up with a formidable tongue on you.”
Glancing his way, a faint smile rippled its way across her lips as the man on the ground nearest her looked quickly to the long clan-braid hanging down the side of her head, then muttered, “Veer… Princess Vereena!” He drew his hand back from the top of his boot and bowed his head. “Oh gracious Lady, forgive us our ignorance. We did not know-”
“What?” sneered Vereena. “That I am above your station? Given the ineffective use you made of your weapon, I find that difficult to believe. Unless of course you’re claiming it’s always this easy for we ‘impudent young ones’ to best you and your men in battle.”
“Ny Lady Vereena, I assure you, my men and myself are all worthy fighters.”
“This is true,” S’ret said as he approached the group. “What my men lack in reasoning abilities they make up for in vigour. Still… Liath and his men might well have recognised your braid - if they had been given half a chance to, before you so effectively disarmed them.”
“I can make no use of the awe of your men S’ret. I require only their obedience in the name of my line.”
“And you shall have it,” he placed his hand over her sword and slowly pressed it down. “Liath’s troop was hunting, when we received word you were due. Their ignorance is as true as your blade.”
Behind them Kyrel got to his feet, dragging his captive Da’ariel with him. The edge of his sword remained against the warrior’s prone throat. Gesturing to them with a nod Vereena addressed Liath and his men. “This Deebanaarie is an ally of our people. You will all treat him accordingly.”
The warrior nearest Vereena turned to glare at S’ret.
“First she defends him, now she suggests we work with him as an equal, would not doing so be akin to treachery! Does the Lady Vereena seek to amuse us, Sir?”
A deep scowl tightened the edges of S’ret’s face as he stepped forward hissing, “Still your tongue! That you would even dare to question-”
“S’ret!” Vereena’s hand went up and sucking in his lips he backed up as she stepped forward.
The young girl’s studious glare was more than a match for the defiant one she was receiving from the hot tempered warrior before her. “Name?” she asked, her tone making it clear she was addressing S’ret while her eyes remained locked on his subordinate.
“Rishlek,” S’ret told her. “A little fresh in his boots perhaps, but while he is apparently unaware that we have no need of his mouth, he is an otherwise fine fighter. I assure you Veer, there is much promise in this one.”
“Clearly, that remains to be seen.” She stepped closer to Rishlek, watching as her scrutiny caused his eyes to dip slightly and the lines of his jaw began to tighten. “It does seem he has much to learn,” she added while closing the gap between them. “I can only imagine how pleased my grandmother will be to learn that her orders, given for the good of all Da’ariel, have been deemed treacherous.” With her face now inches from his, she watched him force down a gulp, and nodded. “That’s right Rishlek, you hear me clearly now don’t you?”
He barely managed a nod before stepping back; she was glancing around at the others. “Listen carefully because I only have time to clarify this once and misunderstandings will not be tolerated.” Her gaze returned to Rishlek. “There were no suggestions! Nor did I say anything of you and the Deebanaarie working together as equals. As named guardian of the Princess Lilliath, he is here in service of our Mai Mai. Until she re-joins us his station is my second.” Ignoring the wide eyed glances she received from both S’ret and Kyrel she added, “You will all do everything in your power to assist with whatever he asks of you… Understood?”
In unison Liath and his troop nodded their heads; with Rishlek muttering an accompanying “Yes, Lady Vereena,” as he bowed and backed away.
Switching from the native language Vereena glanced toward the tree line calling “It is safe to come out.”
The three classmates poked their heads out around the tree, as she turned back to Kyrel, with a raised eyebrow, and seeing this he let loose his grip on the other warrior, who immediately stalked away rubbing his neck and muttering something under his breath.
“Qin Am Ness Vereena,” Kyrel slid his sword back into its sheath, “The assistance is appreciated. Now I must return to your cousin. Take me to-”
“Where are they?” Terrence asked as he and the other two ran toward them. “Where are Slater and Baxter?”
Again Kyrel’s eyes grew wide, as he also switched from their native language.
“She is not with you?” he glared at Vereena.
“Nydrel,” she shook her head, with a growing hint of desperation in her eyes. “My hope was to find her with you.”
“And so you would, had she remained where I left her,” anger and frustration seemed about equal in his voice, his face however was all concern. “You!” he turned to Terrence “You say the other boy is missing also… are they together?”
“Err…” momentarily flummoxed, Terrence’s mouth flapped has he shook his head saying, “I… I don’t know.” Nodding and looking to his classmates for support, he added, “I… I mean, he did leave us to go to her. But that was way back when-”
“You were still with her then.” Harper cut in, shoving her hands in her pockets as she muttered. “Baxter was headed over to both of you… was kind of itching to give you a piece of his mind.”
“Of his mind?” Kyrel’s confusion was clear and Tobias stepped forward to clear things up,
“You kind of grabbed her…” explained the younger twin. “Baxter didn’t like it.”
Though there was still confusion in Kyrel’s eyes, there was at least enough understanding for him to raise an irked eyebrow at the three children. A look, which seemed to leave only Tobias unfazed – as his brother and Harper each averted their eyes – he shrugged. “After that we couldn’t really tell you where either of them went. All hell was breaking loose out here… we were kinda busy finding a place to hide.”
“Hide!” S’ret spat his words out with disgust. “If there is no fight in these off-worlders why did they not remain within the sanctuary with the rest of the low born?”
“Hey, who you calling a low…” Tobias was quickly cut off by a curt glare from Vereena before she turned back to S’ret, asking, “Am I to also have my orders questioned by you now too?” Vereena stared at S’ret.
“Ny Veer, nydrel.” His arm went across his chest as he switched to the native language. “I would never dishonour your-”
“These humans are companions of the Princess Lilliath.” Kyrel interjected, he'd also switched language, leaving Harper and the twins clueless as to what was being said.
They watched the Deebanaarie nod Terrence’s way as he added something, that had S’ret affording him a second more intrigued glance.
However the glances became less distinguishable as the pair went on and the urgency with which they spoke, became the only constant.
“Can you spare me more than this troop?” Kyrel was asking S’ret. “The Princess must be found before my sister’s forces return with reinforcements.”
“By the Lady Leyavanya! He is the Prince!” Rishlek’s surprise was as obvious in his tone as it was in the glance he chanced at S’ret when adding, “There is truth in the stories.”
S’ret stared pointedly at Kyrel, his face a blank canvas as he said, “Yes, I can spare more troops. I also know exactly who to send for them.” Without the slightest glance in Rishlek’s direction, they all knew that would be him - Harper and the twins being the obvious exception - with no one showing any inclination to switch languages again, they were still unable to follow the conversation.
Hence, moments later, when Rishlek hurried off in the direction they’d come from; only Harper and the twins had no idea why. Neither was an explanation forthcoming, as Kyrel lead the other two Deebanaarie away in the opposite direction.
“What’s going on?” Harper muttered to Terrence.
Throwing her a brief I-don’t-know look, he turned back to Vereena; tapping her shoulder and saying, “Err guys…” Vereena however, was in the thick of some all engrossing conversation with S’ret. The flow of their words increasing with vehemence that revealed anger, as did the prolonged stares they were soon giving each other.
“Err, Veer,” Terrence tried the shoulder tapping a second time, but was unable to get her attention before S’ret was speaking again.
The warrior’s tone now carried enough warning to make Tobias yank Terrence backward muttering, “Yeah, I think we should leave them to it.”
Harper nodded her agreement and unnoticed by the two Da’ariel, the three of them backed up a few feet; picking out a spot from which they could sit watching the incomprehensible yet obvious argument unfold. Though Tobias spent most of this time gazing about them with thoughts of how safe their immediate surroundings were.
A minute more however, and even his attention was drawn back to the argument when Vereena drew her dagger and pressed its tip to S’ret’s throat.
“Whoa!” Terrence leapt to his feet. “Hang on… hang on! I thought we were all friends here?”
“Tez!” Tobias jumped also, his warning tone escaping through gritted teeth.
Terrence waved a hand at him. “Just gimme a sec here, OK bro?” Reluctantly hanging back, Tobias watched his brother wave that same hand at Vereena and adding “same side remember?”
Without looking his way, Veerena switched language and also speaking through tightly gritted teeth said. “Not content with insulting the Qin Am Ness of our next Mai Mai, this Matfiack now insults our current Queen. For his first offence alone I have the right to take his life.”
“Or…” Terrence raised a finger. “… You could, you know, seeing as you are the Qin Am Ness of the next Mai Mai… you could just… forgive him.”
“And what of the insult to my grandmother?” She pressed the tip of her blade a little more against S’ret’s throat. “It is not my place to forgive in her name.”
“Well no, OK maybe not. But hey… is it your place to kill in her name? Is it?”
“Yes,” Vereena’s tone was brusque. “To do so is my duty,” glaring at S’ret she added “An honour.”
“Alright then,” a slight, and somewhat nervous, chuckle escaped Terrence. “Should have probably seen that coming.” He rolled his eyes before speaking up again, “But we do need every able body we can get right now, don’t we? I mean… well aren’t things very much all-hands-on-deck at the moment?”
“On deck?” Vereena’s, eyes remained locked with S’ret’s.
“Yeah, you know…” called out Harper; without her injured arm for support, getting off the ground had been a strain and the effort rang clear in her voice. “Possible huge fight scene coming up and all that.” She panted out her words as if recovering from a short run. “Is depleting your people’s numbers now really such a good idea?”
“Exactly,” Terrence agreed, “everything Harper just said.”
In silence they watched Vereena suck in her bottom lip, affording Terrence the briefest of sideways glances; during which he offered what he hoped to be a winning smile.
“You may be right.” Her gaze returned to S’ret.
“See…” grinned Terrence, “now that’s what I’m talking ab-”
“Perhaps I shall simply cut out his disloyal tongue instead.”
Though there was no reaction from S’ret, Harper and Tobias developed a similar wide eyed look of horror, while Terrence gave voice to their thoughts; his disgust as evident in his words as it was on all three of their faces.
“Seriously?” he grimaced. “You’d do that?” the look Vereena shot his way was answer enough. “Ick!” he shivered. “Come on! What the hell is the matter with you people? Is a simple court martial so much to ask? Why’s everything gotta be death, and blood, a-nd tongues getting cut out! Look…” he reached out slowly grasping Vereena’s blade hand as he gestured to S’ret with a nod “…Whatever he said about your granny…” seeing the Da’ariel girl’s eyebrow bounce upward, his eyes did a quick roll. “Sorry, your… your grandmother: Mairiel! Whatever…err… S’ret?” he glanced to the older warrior for confirmation and receiving it in the form of a cautious – for obvious reasons – nod he added, “Whatever he said about her; I’m sure he didn’t mean it.”
“That is untrue,” insisted S’ret, “I would not speak words to Veer that I do not mean…” though he’d also switched language to accommodate Terrence, S’ret’s eyes remained on Vereena and the nature of his next statement made it clearly for her benefit. “The Doloch Ty should be considered if only to ensure the full co-operation of my troops.”
“If your troops are so unruly, then your appointment here was a mistake I am willing to correct.” Vereena hissed in response.
“They are not unruly Veer. They are confused! As am I – how many generations have we avoided the Deebanaarie? Now finally we’re ordered into battle against them, yet expected to take orders from one.”
“My cousin does not only possess the active magicks S’ret, she is the only living heir of the Avengturov line. Protecting her should offer no confusion for any of us.”
“But Kyrel, Veer! He is the reason Herrella died before your grandmother could pass on that birth-right to her.”
“Then perhaps you are needlessly concerned S’ret. Guilt could be his only motivation for his now protecting her daughter.”
“As if that would be reason enough for Mairiel’s appoint-”
“The reasons do not matter. If anything holds true since the days of my parents it is that our people have no defence against Deebanaarie magicks. That alone makes keeping Kyrel an ally, far favourable over again making him a foe. Mai Mai knows this and I do not need the wisdom of a thousand generations in my head to know what this opportunity means to our people. Too long have we waited to reclaim all that is ours. Now the task of seeing this chance is not lost falls on me until Mai Mai is again with us. And I will not allow that to happen because your troops could not let go of the old hatreds and do their duties.” As S’ret’s mouth opened she raised a hand. “There is no more to be said on this matter, we both have our orders, if you will not follow yours-”
“I did not say I would not do my duty Veer. I would never disobey the orders of our rightful Mai Mai. I question only whether that is still Mairiel. You must know she may already be lost to us.”
“Say that again,” growled Vereena, her eyes narrowing to slits as the tempo of her words became menacingly slow. “See if I do not cut you down where you stand.”
“Hey!” snapped Terrence, attempting to push her hand down, but failing mostly through fear of causing her blade to slip.
Instead he glared S’ret’s way, hissing, “Not… helping!” before he turned back to Vereena and sighed “Look… I - I’m sure he’s sorry. Or, you know… he will be later on when he comes to his-”
“As Qin Am Ness to the next able heir, declaring Doloch Ty is a right you hold.” S’ret spoke over Terrence.
His gaze had shifted to Vereena’s blade the moment she’d pulled it on him. Yet even now - with the tip piercing his skin and a thin trickle of blood running down the centre of his throat - he made no attempt to escape it. He did however close his eyes, at least appearing to take a moment composing his thoughts - or possibly working on his resolve. Then he had them open again, his voice every bit as steady as before “Do it, Veer. Take my life if you truly believe my words to be ill founded. I would rather die knowing I remain loyal to our people than live with you thinking me capable of any treachery against them.”
“Then you do forget yourself S’ret,” her scowl was deep; forbidding. “Even your place as Herrella’s mate did not make you worthy of suggesting I consider usurping my grandmother.”
With growing comprehension Terrence and the others watched as S’ret chuckled, “You speak as if such words should still bear truth for me.”
“I know not of what you spea-”
“Veer please. Must you also treat me as a fool? Have I not just seen the truth with my own eyes? Heard it with my own ears?”
His glare proved enough to make her gaze shift; while watching them Harper and Tobias exchanged wary glances and Terrence, feeling Vereena’s hand slacken decided to try again on playing the voice of reason.
“OK… this sounds a lot like an issue for another-”
“I have held command here in Zanreal for nearly four cycles,” S’ret cut him short again, practically spitting out his words in anger, “yet you appoint him over me.”
“The appointment was not mine to make. He is guardian of our people’s next Mai Mai.”
“He is Kyrel D’vey!”
“I have not forgotten his name S’ret.”
“Then perhaps you have forgotten that he alone is responsible for the deaths of so many of our clan.”
“That is not-”
“Both your parents and Herrella among them,” S’ret spoke over her now. “Is it not insult enough that he again walks among us? Now by seeing himself named protector and guide to our next Mai Mai-”
“That is enough S’ret!” seeing his eyes grow wide and his mouth snap shut, she nodded. “You go too far!”
“Do I?” he raised an eyebrow.
“Truly Veer… tell me these things do not insult you. That they do not sicken you! Tell me and I shall never again speak of your grandmother being far beyond her days.”
“Perhaps it is you who is beyond his days.”
“Vereena please…” Terrence hissed as he felt her pressing on the blade again.
Her and S’ret’s eyes remained locked on each other.
“And so it is…” nodded the warrior. “New duties or not, you are still the princess I know. So make me take orders from that Deebanaarie moolach in front of my own troops if you must, but do not speak to me as if I am a fool.”
Terrence watched as her lips tightened, realising as he did, that each time he garnered some fresh understanding of their discussion it took new turns and he was left more confused than before. All he knew for certain was an intense desire to end the situation and return to the search. With that in mind he forced an end to their staring by shoving S’ret back and pushing himself between them.
“Tez!” Tobias came closer as he again called out with warning. This time Terrence ignored him outright.
“I know you’re pissed,” he nodded Veerena’s way “but this guy’s one of you lot, we need him.”
“Need?” she sneered, “there are many other able warriors of the Zanreal, Terrence Emerson.”
“Yes,” he nodded “and we need every one of them!” All too aware that she was yet to lower her blade, despite his now being on the receiving end of it, he shrugged. “Come on… be smart about this. The odds aren’t exactly in our favour. You said yourself Mordrel’s forces outnumber your own, like five to one or something. You seriously telling me all that ancient knowledge you’re carrying around has you thinking this is your best course of action right now? Slater and Baxter need us, remember! Your princess, Veer! Your, Lady! She could be out here all alone, isn’t getting to her your most important duty?”
Vereena’s gaze went beyond him to S’ret but only for a moment before she closed her eyes, took a deep breath and let her arm drop to her side.
Terrence and the others breathed quiet sighs of relief as her eyelids fluttered open and she nodded.
“Cousin Lilly is right about you, Terrence Emerson. You are swift in learning our ways.” Then she was turning back to S’ret, “This entire conversation is a distraction we can ill afford. But make no mistake; you keep your life this day only that you may serve Mai Mai. Speak again of Doloch Ty and it is you who will be lost to us.”
“As you will it, Qin Am Ness.” with the customary bow he backed away before stepping back and running the back of his hand across his throat then glancing down at the blood it left smeared there.
It was a brief, almost dismissive glance, one in which Terrence could read no emotion.
“Come…” Veerena turned to him, then on to where Harper and Tobias stood watching, “There is still much of the forest to search before we re-join Kyrel and the others. Let us not waste what little time we have.”
“Sure,” agreed Terrence; he threw his friends a weary glance as he added, “Let us... not.”
Vereena nodded S’ret’s way, and without another word he took the lead and they all set off again.
With the other two still hanging back; Harper half listening to Tobias complaining in whispers of what he saw as his brother’s stupidity, Terrence remained alongside Veerena, his voice as quiet as it was cautious.
“Not that I want to lose my tongue or anything, but isn’t there a chance,” he nodded to where S’ret weaved through the trees ahead of them. “This warrior friend of yours… couldn’t he be on to something?”
“On to something?” Vereena’s eyebrows dipped a moment. “You’re suggesting S’ret may be right about Mai Mai?”
“Well no… Of course not! I… I just… well I’m-”
“Do not be concerned Terrence Emerson,” She gave him another of her frank glances. “Like you, I am my cousin’s servant…”
“Hey now,” he began to protest. “I’d hardly say I’m-”
“Taking my blade to your tongue would seem - for now at least - to be very much against her wishes.”
“Right,” nodded Terrence. “Of course. I totally serve Lilly a…and my tongue – totally important for my telling her all the stuff I’m learning.”
Hearing the undeniable relief in his voice Vereena let her hand drop to her waist, resting it on the hilt of her short sword, as she shrugged,
“There are of course other less important parts to you. A finger or two maybe.”
“Say what now…” he came to a dead stop, gaze shifting momentarily from her to where the other two were out of hearing range.
Vereena turned to him with a smirk of such obvious amusement; it proved infectious. “You’re messing with me!” He pointed her way, shaking his head, and forcing words out through his partial chuckle, “and thank God for that because the alternative… had me scared enough to be needing a clean pair of pants.” Seeing her frown as she set about divining his meaning, he grinned, clapping his palms together before waving both hands at her. “So… terrifying… and funny. Good to know.”
“What the fuck are you doing?” Tobias hissed as he pulled him back. “We’re supposed to be hiding remember!”
Before Terrence could respond Kyrel was in the air again, his blade met the flying Da’ariel halfway, knocking him to the ground and disarming him.
The man rolled over, reaching out to retrieve his weapon. It was a futile effort. Kyrel dived atop him, one knee coming down on the man’s chest to pin him in place. He pressed the tip of his blade against his victim’s jugular before shouting something across to where Vereena stood grasping her blade at an angle which enabled her to hold off the other two men as she and they exchanged words.
They conversed only in the native tongue but body language and tone made it clear that things could be going better.
“You come defending this Deebanaarie, then presume to give us orders!” sneered one of the men.
“Step aside,” the other demanded as he brought his sword up for another swing. “For what reason do you fight to keep him alive?” he asked as their blades clashed. “When he is dead we will let you keep whichever piece of him you wish. A Deebanaarie ear is sure to impress the other youths of your clan.”
“Yes,” laughed the first. “We wish only to pay homage to the ancestors, to smear his blood across the forest’s floor, and celebrate the passing of yet another Deebanaarie. You can say you alone made the kill.” He grinned.
“I have no need of such a false triumph.” Vereena glared at them.
“Then what is meant by this treachery? You betray our people with your actions. Tell us now why we should not cut you down with him.”
“Has not enough blood been spilled in the name of our ancestors this morning?” she told them.
“You are confused young one.” The second Da’ariel took a step closer, his narrowed eyes telling all on where he believed that confusion lay. “There can never be enough Deebanaarie blood on the ground. Now move aside!” With a lunge he unleashed a fierce display of swordsmanship, throwing Vereena into a dance of continuous parrying. The attack was intended to topple and disarm her while giving his comrade, whose step back had been nothing more than a feint, the chance to manoeuvre around her and aid the other from their troop.
Vereena was not caught off guard. She gave as good as she got and when the first Da’ariel attempted to slip past her, she spun around. Flooring him with a flying kick to the ribs, she landed back on her feet in time to block another blow from the first warrior. Her blade clashed with his several more times; the pair of them going at it a few more seconds until he was the one disarmed. Leaning forward with her blade at his throat she said, “One more move… and you will have only one hand on which to bear the needless deaths of your companions. For once their throats are slit, I shall personally be removing the other from you.”
Beside her the Da’riel she’d kicked down froze; his threatened hand mere inches from the dagger he kept in his boot.
“Can you not see we are Zanreal warriors?” his confusion was unmistakable now. “I am Liath, third under the command of S’ret. We have orders to eradicate all Deeba-.”
“I know who you are,” Vereena turned to face him. “As I know your orders. Now have your men set aside their weapons for I will not order them, or you, to stand down another time.”
“This is our territory to protect as we wish young one,” hissed the soldier at the end of Vereena’s blade. “Cease this impudence. Who are you to command us?”
“You do see that you will be the first to have his throat slit?” She tapped the tip of her blade up under his chin. “Your lack of insight astounds me warrior. It is not my wish to injure one of my own but if you must continue your refusal to recognise the superiority of my skills over yours, look to my braid...” she tapped him again nodding, “and know that I too have my orders, and I will do all needed to carry them out.” With a slight tilting of her head and gritting of her teeth, Vereena added, “that does include spilling your insides where you stand, if you insist on forcing my hand.”
“Well Veer…” Laughter came from the trees as S’ret and his men stepped out from behind them. “You certainly grew up with a formidable tongue on you.”
Glancing his way, a faint smile rippled its way across her lips as the man on the ground nearest her looked quickly to the long clan-braid hanging down the side of her head, then muttered, “Veer… Princess Vereena!” He drew his hand back from the top of his boot and bowed his head. “Oh gracious Lady, forgive us our ignorance. We did not know-”
“What?” sneered Vereena. “That I am above your station? Given the ineffective use you made of your weapon, I find that difficult to believe. Unless of course you’re claiming it’s always this easy for we ‘impudent young ones’ to best you and your men in battle.”
“Ny Lady Vereena, I assure you, my men and myself are all worthy fighters.”
“This is true,” S’ret said as he approached the group. “What my men lack in reasoning abilities they make up for in vigour. Still… Liath and his men might well have recognised your braid - if they had been given half a chance to, before you so effectively disarmed them.”
“I can make no use of the awe of your men S’ret. I require only their obedience in the name of my line.”
“And you shall have it,” he placed his hand over her sword and slowly pressed it down. “Liath’s troop was hunting, when we received word you were due. Their ignorance is as true as your blade.”
Behind them Kyrel got to his feet, dragging his captive Da’ariel with him. The edge of his sword remained against the warrior’s prone throat. Gesturing to them with a nod Vereena addressed Liath and his men. “This Deebanaarie is an ally of our people. You will all treat him accordingly.”
The warrior nearest Vereena turned to glare at S’ret.
“First she defends him, now she suggests we work with him as an equal, would not doing so be akin to treachery! Does the Lady Vereena seek to amuse us, Sir?”
A deep scowl tightened the edges of S’ret’s face as he stepped forward hissing, “Still your tongue! That you would even dare to question-”
“S’ret!” Vereena’s hand went up and sucking in his lips he backed up as she stepped forward.
The young girl’s studious glare was more than a match for the defiant one she was receiving from the hot tempered warrior before her. “Name?” she asked, her tone making it clear she was addressing S’ret while her eyes remained locked on his subordinate.
“Rishlek,” S’ret told her. “A little fresh in his boots perhaps, but while he is apparently unaware that we have no need of his mouth, he is an otherwise fine fighter. I assure you Veer, there is much promise in this one.”
“Clearly, that remains to be seen.” She stepped closer to Rishlek, watching as her scrutiny caused his eyes to dip slightly and the lines of his jaw began to tighten. “It does seem he has much to learn,” she added while closing the gap between them. “I can only imagine how pleased my grandmother will be to learn that her orders, given for the good of all Da’ariel, have been deemed treacherous.” With her face now inches from his, she watched him force down a gulp, and nodded. “That’s right Rishlek, you hear me clearly now don’t you?”
He barely managed a nod before stepping back; she was glancing around at the others. “Listen carefully because I only have time to clarify this once and misunderstandings will not be tolerated.” Her gaze returned to Rishlek. “There were no suggestions! Nor did I say anything of you and the Deebanaarie working together as equals. As named guardian of the Princess Lilliath, he is here in service of our Mai Mai. Until she re-joins us his station is my second.” Ignoring the wide eyed glances she received from both S’ret and Kyrel she added, “You will all do everything in your power to assist with whatever he asks of you… Understood?”
In unison Liath and his troop nodded their heads; with Rishlek muttering an accompanying “Yes, Lady Vereena,” as he bowed and backed away.
Switching from the native language Vereena glanced toward the tree line calling “It is safe to come out.”
The three classmates poked their heads out around the tree, as she turned back to Kyrel, with a raised eyebrow, and seeing this he let loose his grip on the other warrior, who immediately stalked away rubbing his neck and muttering something under his breath.
“Qin Am Ness Vereena,” Kyrel slid his sword back into its sheath, “The assistance is appreciated. Now I must return to your cousin. Take me to-”
“Where are they?” Terrence asked as he and the other two ran toward them. “Where are Slater and Baxter?”
Again Kyrel’s eyes grew wide, as he also switched from their native language.
“She is not with you?” he glared at Vereena.
“Nydrel,” she shook her head, with a growing hint of desperation in her eyes. “My hope was to find her with you.”
“And so you would, had she remained where I left her,” anger and frustration seemed about equal in his voice, his face however was all concern. “You!” he turned to Terrence “You say the other boy is missing also… are they together?”
“Err…” momentarily flummoxed, Terrence’s mouth flapped has he shook his head saying, “I… I don’t know.” Nodding and looking to his classmates for support, he added, “I… I mean, he did leave us to go to her. But that was way back when-”
“You were still with her then.” Harper cut in, shoving her hands in her pockets as she muttered. “Baxter was headed over to both of you… was kind of itching to give you a piece of his mind.”
“Of his mind?” Kyrel’s confusion was clear and Tobias stepped forward to clear things up,
“You kind of grabbed her…” explained the younger twin. “Baxter didn’t like it.”
Though there was still confusion in Kyrel’s eyes, there was at least enough understanding for him to raise an irked eyebrow at the three children. A look, which seemed to leave only Tobias unfazed – as his brother and Harper each averted their eyes – he shrugged. “After that we couldn’t really tell you where either of them went. All hell was breaking loose out here… we were kinda busy finding a place to hide.”
“Hide!” S’ret spat his words out with disgust. “If there is no fight in these off-worlders why did they not remain within the sanctuary with the rest of the low born?”
“Hey, who you calling a low…” Tobias was quickly cut off by a curt glare from Vereena before she turned back to S’ret, asking, “Am I to also have my orders questioned by you now too?” Vereena stared at S’ret.
“Ny Veer, nydrel.” His arm went across his chest as he switched to the native language. “I would never dishonour your-”
“These humans are companions of the Princess Lilliath.” Kyrel interjected, he'd also switched language, leaving Harper and the twins clueless as to what was being said.
They watched the Deebanaarie nod Terrence’s way as he added something, that had S’ret affording him a second more intrigued glance.
However the glances became less distinguishable as the pair went on and the urgency with which they spoke, became the only constant.
“Can you spare me more than this troop?” Kyrel was asking S’ret. “The Princess must be found before my sister’s forces return with reinforcements.”
“By the Lady Leyavanya! He is the Prince!” Rishlek’s surprise was as obvious in his tone as it was in the glance he chanced at S’ret when adding, “There is truth in the stories.”
S’ret stared pointedly at Kyrel, his face a blank canvas as he said, “Yes, I can spare more troops. I also know exactly who to send for them.” Without the slightest glance in Rishlek’s direction, they all knew that would be him - Harper and the twins being the obvious exception - with no one showing any inclination to switch languages again, they were still unable to follow the conversation.
Hence, moments later, when Rishlek hurried off in the direction they’d come from; only Harper and the twins had no idea why. Neither was an explanation forthcoming, as Kyrel lead the other two Deebanaarie away in the opposite direction.
“What’s going on?” Harper muttered to Terrence.
Throwing her a brief I-don’t-know look, he turned back to Vereena; tapping her shoulder and saying, “Err guys…” Vereena however, was in the thick of some all engrossing conversation with S’ret. The flow of their words increasing with vehemence that revealed anger, as did the prolonged stares they were soon giving each other.
“Err, Veer,” Terrence tried the shoulder tapping a second time, but was unable to get her attention before S’ret was speaking again.
The warrior’s tone now carried enough warning to make Tobias yank Terrence backward muttering, “Yeah, I think we should leave them to it.”
Harper nodded her agreement and unnoticed by the two Da’ariel, the three of them backed up a few feet; picking out a spot from which they could sit watching the incomprehensible yet obvious argument unfold. Though Tobias spent most of this time gazing about them with thoughts of how safe their immediate surroundings were.
A minute more however, and even his attention was drawn back to the argument when Vereena drew her dagger and pressed its tip to S’ret’s throat.
“Whoa!” Terrence leapt to his feet. “Hang on… hang on! I thought we were all friends here?”
“Tez!” Tobias jumped also, his warning tone escaping through gritted teeth.
Terrence waved a hand at him. “Just gimme a sec here, OK bro?” Reluctantly hanging back, Tobias watched his brother wave that same hand at Vereena and adding “same side remember?”
Without looking his way, Veerena switched language and also speaking through tightly gritted teeth said. “Not content with insulting the Qin Am Ness of our next Mai Mai, this Matfiack now insults our current Queen. For his first offence alone I have the right to take his life.”
“Or…” Terrence raised a finger. “… You could, you know, seeing as you are the Qin Am Ness of the next Mai Mai… you could just… forgive him.”
“And what of the insult to my grandmother?” She pressed the tip of her blade a little more against S’ret’s throat. “It is not my place to forgive in her name.”
“Well no, OK maybe not. But hey… is it your place to kill in her name? Is it?”
“Yes,” Vereena’s tone was brusque. “To do so is my duty,” glaring at S’ret she added “An honour.”
“Alright then,” a slight, and somewhat nervous, chuckle escaped Terrence. “Should have probably seen that coming.” He rolled his eyes before speaking up again, “But we do need every able body we can get right now, don’t we? I mean… well aren’t things very much all-hands-on-deck at the moment?”
“On deck?” Vereena’s, eyes remained locked with S’ret’s.
“Yeah, you know…” called out Harper; without her injured arm for support, getting off the ground had been a strain and the effort rang clear in her voice. “Possible huge fight scene coming up and all that.” She panted out her words as if recovering from a short run. “Is depleting your people’s numbers now really such a good idea?”
“Exactly,” Terrence agreed, “everything Harper just said.”
In silence they watched Vereena suck in her bottom lip, affording Terrence the briefest of sideways glances; during which he offered what he hoped to be a winning smile.
“You may be right.” Her gaze returned to S’ret.
“See…” grinned Terrence, “now that’s what I’m talking ab-”
“Perhaps I shall simply cut out his disloyal tongue instead.”
Though there was no reaction from S’ret, Harper and Tobias developed a similar wide eyed look of horror, while Terrence gave voice to their thoughts; his disgust as evident in his words as it was on all three of their faces.
“Seriously?” he grimaced. “You’d do that?” the look Vereena shot his way was answer enough. “Ick!” he shivered. “Come on! What the hell is the matter with you people? Is a simple court martial so much to ask? Why’s everything gotta be death, and blood, a-nd tongues getting cut out! Look…” he reached out slowly grasping Vereena’s blade hand as he gestured to S’ret with a nod “…Whatever he said about your granny…” seeing the Da’ariel girl’s eyebrow bounce upward, his eyes did a quick roll. “Sorry, your… your grandmother: Mairiel! Whatever…err… S’ret?” he glanced to the older warrior for confirmation and receiving it in the form of a cautious – for obvious reasons – nod he added, “Whatever he said about her; I’m sure he didn’t mean it.”
“That is untrue,” insisted S’ret, “I would not speak words to Veer that I do not mean…” though he’d also switched language to accommodate Terrence, S’ret’s eyes remained on Vereena and the nature of his next statement made it clearly for her benefit. “The Doloch Ty should be considered if only to ensure the full co-operation of my troops.”
“If your troops are so unruly, then your appointment here was a mistake I am willing to correct.” Vereena hissed in response.
“They are not unruly Veer. They are confused! As am I – how many generations have we avoided the Deebanaarie? Now finally we’re ordered into battle against them, yet expected to take orders from one.”
“My cousin does not only possess the active magicks S’ret, she is the only living heir of the Avengturov line. Protecting her should offer no confusion for any of us.”
“But Kyrel, Veer! He is the reason Herrella died before your grandmother could pass on that birth-right to her.”
“Then perhaps you are needlessly concerned S’ret. Guilt could be his only motivation for his now protecting her daughter.”
“As if that would be reason enough for Mairiel’s appoint-”
“The reasons do not matter. If anything holds true since the days of my parents it is that our people have no defence against Deebanaarie magicks. That alone makes keeping Kyrel an ally, far favourable over again making him a foe. Mai Mai knows this and I do not need the wisdom of a thousand generations in my head to know what this opportunity means to our people. Too long have we waited to reclaim all that is ours. Now the task of seeing this chance is not lost falls on me until Mai Mai is again with us. And I will not allow that to happen because your troops could not let go of the old hatreds and do their duties.” As S’ret’s mouth opened she raised a hand. “There is no more to be said on this matter, we both have our orders, if you will not follow yours-”
“I did not say I would not do my duty Veer. I would never disobey the orders of our rightful Mai Mai. I question only whether that is still Mairiel. You must know she may already be lost to us.”
“Say that again,” growled Vereena, her eyes narrowing to slits as the tempo of her words became menacingly slow. “See if I do not cut you down where you stand.”
“Hey!” snapped Terrence, attempting to push her hand down, but failing mostly through fear of causing her blade to slip.
Instead he glared S’ret’s way, hissing, “Not… helping!” before he turned back to Vereena and sighed “Look… I - I’m sure he’s sorry. Or, you know… he will be later on when he comes to his-”
“As Qin Am Ness to the next able heir, declaring Doloch Ty is a right you hold.” S’ret spoke over Terrence.
His gaze had shifted to Vereena’s blade the moment she’d pulled it on him. Yet even now - with the tip piercing his skin and a thin trickle of blood running down the centre of his throat - he made no attempt to escape it. He did however close his eyes, at least appearing to take a moment composing his thoughts - or possibly working on his resolve. Then he had them open again, his voice every bit as steady as before “Do it, Veer. Take my life if you truly believe my words to be ill founded. I would rather die knowing I remain loyal to our people than live with you thinking me capable of any treachery against them.”
“Then you do forget yourself S’ret,” her scowl was deep; forbidding. “Even your place as Herrella’s mate did not make you worthy of suggesting I consider usurping my grandmother.”
With growing comprehension Terrence and the others watched as S’ret chuckled, “You speak as if such words should still bear truth for me.”
“I know not of what you spea-”
“Veer please. Must you also treat me as a fool? Have I not just seen the truth with my own eyes? Heard it with my own ears?”
His glare proved enough to make her gaze shift; while watching them Harper and Tobias exchanged wary glances and Terrence, feeling Vereena’s hand slacken decided to try again on playing the voice of reason.
“OK… this sounds a lot like an issue for another-”
“I have held command here in Zanreal for nearly four cycles,” S’ret cut him short again, practically spitting out his words in anger, “yet you appoint him over me.”
“The appointment was not mine to make. He is guardian of our people’s next Mai Mai.”
“He is Kyrel D’vey!”
“I have not forgotten his name S’ret.”
“Then perhaps you have forgotten that he alone is responsible for the deaths of so many of our clan.”
“That is not-”
“Both your parents and Herrella among them,” S’ret spoke over her now. “Is it not insult enough that he again walks among us? Now by seeing himself named protector and guide to our next Mai Mai-”
“That is enough S’ret!” seeing his eyes grow wide and his mouth snap shut, she nodded. “You go too far!”
“Do I?” he raised an eyebrow.
“Truly Veer… tell me these things do not insult you. That they do not sicken you! Tell me and I shall never again speak of your grandmother being far beyond her days.”
“Perhaps it is you who is beyond his days.”
“Vereena please…” Terrence hissed as he felt her pressing on the blade again.
Her and S’ret’s eyes remained locked on each other.
“And so it is…” nodded the warrior. “New duties or not, you are still the princess I know. So make me take orders from that Deebanaarie moolach in front of my own troops if you must, but do not speak to me as if I am a fool.”
Terrence watched as her lips tightened, realising as he did, that each time he garnered some fresh understanding of their discussion it took new turns and he was left more confused than before. All he knew for certain was an intense desire to end the situation and return to the search. With that in mind he forced an end to their staring by shoving S’ret back and pushing himself between them.
“Tez!” Tobias came closer as he again called out with warning. This time Terrence ignored him outright.
“I know you’re pissed,” he nodded Veerena’s way “but this guy’s one of you lot, we need him.”
“Need?” she sneered, “there are many other able warriors of the Zanreal, Terrence Emerson.”
“Yes,” he nodded “and we need every one of them!” All too aware that she was yet to lower her blade, despite his now being on the receiving end of it, he shrugged. “Come on… be smart about this. The odds aren’t exactly in our favour. You said yourself Mordrel’s forces outnumber your own, like five to one or something. You seriously telling me all that ancient knowledge you’re carrying around has you thinking this is your best course of action right now? Slater and Baxter need us, remember! Your princess, Veer! Your, Lady! She could be out here all alone, isn’t getting to her your most important duty?”
Vereena’s gaze went beyond him to S’ret but only for a moment before she closed her eyes, took a deep breath and let her arm drop to her side.
Terrence and the others breathed quiet sighs of relief as her eyelids fluttered open and she nodded.
“Cousin Lilly is right about you, Terrence Emerson. You are swift in learning our ways.” Then she was turning back to S’ret, “This entire conversation is a distraction we can ill afford. But make no mistake; you keep your life this day only that you may serve Mai Mai. Speak again of Doloch Ty and it is you who will be lost to us.”
“As you will it, Qin Am Ness.” with the customary bow he backed away before stepping back and running the back of his hand across his throat then glancing down at the blood it left smeared there.
It was a brief, almost dismissive glance, one in which Terrence could read no emotion.
“Come…” Veerena turned to him, then on to where Harper and Tobias stood watching, “There is still much of the forest to search before we re-join Kyrel and the others. Let us not waste what little time we have.”
“Sure,” agreed Terrence; he threw his friends a weary glance as he added, “Let us... not.”
Vereena nodded S’ret’s way, and without another word he took the lead and they all set off again.
With the other two still hanging back; Harper half listening to Tobias complaining in whispers of what he saw as his brother’s stupidity, Terrence remained alongside Veerena, his voice as quiet as it was cautious.
“Not that I want to lose my tongue or anything, but isn’t there a chance,” he nodded to where S’ret weaved through the trees ahead of them. “This warrior friend of yours… couldn’t he be on to something?”
“On to something?” Vereena’s eyebrows dipped a moment. “You’re suggesting S’ret may be right about Mai Mai?”
“Well no… Of course not! I… I just… well I’m-”
“Do not be concerned Terrence Emerson,” She gave him another of her frank glances. “Like you, I am my cousin’s servant…”
“Hey now,” he began to protest. “I’d hardly say I’m-”
“Taking my blade to your tongue would seem - for now at least - to be very much against her wishes.”
“Right,” nodded Terrence. “Of course. I totally serve Lilly a…and my tongue – totally important for my telling her all the stuff I’m learning.”
Hearing the undeniable relief in his voice Vereena let her hand drop to her waist, resting it on the hilt of her short sword, as she shrugged,
“There are of course other less important parts to you. A finger or two maybe.”
“Say what now…” he came to a dead stop, gaze shifting momentarily from her to where the other two were out of hearing range.
Vereena turned to him with a smirk of such obvious amusement; it proved infectious. “You’re messing with me!” He pointed her way, shaking his head, and forcing words out through his partial chuckle, “and thank God for that because the alternative… had me scared enough to be needing a clean pair of pants.” Seeing her frown as she set about divining his meaning, he grinned, clapping his palms together before waving both hands at her. “So… terrifying… and funny. Good to know.”
