“Call for the queen!” The guards along the walls and the gate cheered, “The Hound has returned! All hail the hero of Korone! Here, here!”
Dog scratched at his neck and ears as the crowd began to draw in, flowers raining in the streets as the people cheered and celebrated his arrival. Ruby watched in awe and wonder, free of her baggy and obscuring robes. Harlow basked in the attention, and adoration, taking a flower from a nearby knight with a wink.
Cici smiled beneath her hood, “Ever popular, are you? My little brother is a hero.”
“It used to be so much easier to walk the street.” He lamented.
“So grouchy.” Cici laughed as they arrived at the castle walls, ushered in by knights and men at arms. They made quick progress as word spread, their path to the throne room clear as he knelt upon its marble floor.
“Queen Louen of Korone, I have returned as I said.” Dog called.
“So you have, Hound.” She grinned, her hair flowing around her like a river of gold, “Clear my throne room! I wish to discuss my sworn man’s journey! Out!”
The room emptied quickly, her people all too wary of the queen’s vicious temper.
“You grew out your hair.” He said, “That was fast.”
“What’s the point of Merlin being my court mage if he can’t help me grow out my hair. How do I look?” She laughed, twirling in her dress of sapphires, “Rather queenly, don’t I?”
“Maybe if you grew a few more inches.” He conceded with a small smile.
“You’ve all returned happy and healthy.” She beamed, “Is this her?”
“It is.” He said, “Louen, my sister Cliste. Cliste, Louen of Korone.”
“Charmed.” Cliste stood, eyes cold and dark.
“You are most welcome within my kingdom.” Louen tilted her head, “It's an honor to meet you, lady Cliste of Ghiran. I hope my home is to your liking.”
“It will do.” Cliste conceded, “You’re a rather fetching young woman. You have good taste in my brother. Your children would be beautiful, but do not think that makes you worthy yet.“
Louen’s cheeks burned as she stammered, “Lady Cliste I-I would never, I mean I-With the Hound? Surely you must-you must jest?” She babbled.
“Maybe.” Cliste smirked, her nose turned, “Where’s that rotten old excuse for a hedge mage? It's been some time since I taught Merlin his place.”
Louen coughed, pointing to a doorway.
“Thank you, girl.” Cliste bowed, patting her cheek, a hearty laugh coming from her throat as the girl-king flushed, before she made her escape.
“Your sister is… Um…” Louen struggled.
“She can be cruel.” He agreed, “She will warm to you. Do not dwell on it. She is very protective right now.”
“Quite.”
“Ma’am, where is the Highgarden group?” Harlow asked.
“The south courtyard is their temporary base of operations.” Louen said, waving as Harlow jogged off, “Dog, would you join me? Ruby?”
He nodded, beckoning for Ruby as Louen guided them to her war room adjacent to the throne room.
“Dog… Were you planning on seeing Victoria?”
“At least to say hello. I need to leave before Maestra finds me.”
Louen froze, “Ah…”
“Problem?”
“I want to preface this.” She began.
“Okay.”
“I am not telling you this out of jealousy. Only care for my friend. I know there are rumors, but I- You’re my friend, Eadrom. My friend. I care about you.”
“Okay.”
“Maestra and the other elves are adapting well. They mostly stick to the land nearest the forests within the city walls, but some have ventured out. The populace is mingling.”
“Why would that make me jealous?”
“Well… You’ve been gone for a little while, and Victoria and Arlan have begun… Being intimate.”
Dog felt his heart in his ears.
“I see.”
“I’m sorry. I know it must be painful. She wanted to tell you herself. I have my guards stalling her. What would you like to do?”
“I’m going to leave after grabbing some supplies.” He said.
“I have taken the liberty of packing for another three months worth of rations and supplies. Take what you can manage. Shall I summon Harlow?”
“No. May I borrow a helm?”
Louen wiped at her face, “Of course, my friend. You may both take my personal escape route. I will see you when you return?”
Dog grabbed the helmet off the table, “We’ll see. Notify Cici, she will understand.”
----------------------------------------
“Is Dog-Master well?” Ruby asked as they neared the border.
“Yes, Ruby.”
“No lie?”
He sighed, “I just don’t want you to worry.”
“Not worry. Concern? I think is word.”
“Your common is growing very nicely.”
“Dog?” She called.
“Yes?”
“Ruby… I think,” She focused, “You are my family.”
He smiled, “Of course, Ruby.”
They paused as a figure emerged from the shadow of a tree ahead. Dog sniffed, and frowned.
“Cub.” Siegfried smiled, “I thought you might make a break for it when you got wind of it.”
“Mhmm.” Dog nodded, stepping past him.
“I didn’t tell her.”
“Thanks.”
“Should I deliver a message?”
Dog thought for a moment.
“I told her this might happen. She insisted you would understand. I’m sorry, Cub.”
“Why? It’s not my business.”
“Yet you flee.”
“I do.”
“No matter where you go, Cub, I will support you as my friend.”
Dog nodded.
“Take good care of him, Ruby.” Siegfried said, “Shall I carry a message for you? I will.”
Dog nodded, “Tell her not to seek me out. Tell her I don’t need her men, or her money, or her support. Tell her we are strangers, and we have been since I died. That is all.”
Siegfried felt his heart ache, “Of course, young Cub.”
----------------------------------------
Victoria sat in her desk chair as Siegfried exited, her hands shaking, eyes squeezed shut.
“Why do you value the runt? He’s one warrior. Who cares?” Arlan sighed.
“Enough.” She said through gritted teeth.
“Why bother? I’m just asking. He’s only mortal.” He laughed, reclined where Dog had once slept, “I don’t understand the obsession. Is that not why you call me to your bed?”
Victoria’s glare could melt iron.
“What? You asked me to begin this courting. If you have anyone to be mad at, it’s only yourself.” He shrugged, “You have your dream. Why does he even matter?”
“Out. Now.” Victoria replied.
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
Arlan shrugged, exiting without another word.
“I’m so foolish.” She lamented, “I knew. I knew, and I still did this. Everyone told me, yet I did it anyway. Why did I do this? Am I truly so moronic!” She heaved her desk over, her logs scattered throughout her tent, “What is wrong with me? Why can I not stop myself? Why do I keep doing this?”
She sobbed, turning into her bed, unable to escape Arlan’s scent, her stomach sick, and yet pleased as the handsome elf came to her thoughts unbidden.
“I don’t even love him.” She cried, “So why? Why could I not stop myself? Why did I invite him back here?”
She cried into the night. She failed to notice the woman at the entrance to her tent, with eyes of deep violet, until she coughed.
“So you’re the woman he thought he adored.” Cici laughed, “He could do better.”
Victoria fell from her bed with a start, reaching for her blade only to find it phasing through her fingers.
“Mothers work, no doubt.” Cici scoffed, “You know, I came to take your eye mercenary. But seeing you like this? So weak? So pathetic? Why bother?”
“Who are you!” Victoria demanded.
“Cliste. Daughter of Ghiran.”
Victoria froze.
“I’m glad he didn’t stay with someone like you. You make me sick. I genuinely cannot fathom inviting someone like you into our family.” Cici chuckled, “Ah well. It’ll be interesting to see this dream of yours he mentioned dies.”
“I didn’t want to hurt him! I can’t fight! I needed to do something to move forward! To become queen!”
“By marriage?” Cici asked, “Disgraceful. He spoke of a woman who would only accept her victory if it was earned through blood, coin, and deeds. Here you are, giving up at the first roadblock. You’ll never be queen, you’re too weak.”
Victoria sobbed, “It was a mistake. I can’t let my dream die. I needed to do something.”
“Do you honestly think it was the right decision?” Cici asked, “He spoke of someone wise, and cunning. Not this mess before me. You cracked the second it became too difficult.”
“I can’t stop. I’ve come too far. Not for anyone. Not even him! He would understand, should understand!”
“Why? All you’ve done is hurt him.” Cici replied, “Who cares about your dream? What is a queen to gods?”
“You-“ Victoria fumed, her thoughts muffled.
“Sad.” Cici shook her head, “I’m glad he’s found someone else. Someone who will love him, and cherish him for who he is. He doesn’t need you, anyways.”
Victoria’s eyes were manic, “You lie!”
“Why would I lie? I’m not you. You know he’s strong, capable, and valuable. Anyone would be lucky, you don’t need to be smart to understand that. Someone just happened to value him more.”
“Dog wouldn’t do that!” Victoria denied, “He’s my Puppy! My partner! My friend! I promised I’d be a woman worthy of standing at his side.”
“You lied. Why shouldn’t he? Why shouldn’t he move on?” Cici shrugged, “He held himself back, you know. Pushed away an old lover so he could focus on pleasing mother, and making you proud. Do you honestly think he’s going to do that anymore?”
“It’s not my fault! We never discussed what we were!”
“Then why’re you so angry? If you two were nothing, where’s this jealousy hail from? Do you even understand what you’re feeling? Why are you angry?”
“Stop it! You’re just trying to get in my head.”
“Doesn’t feel so good to be on the receiving end, does it? You preyed on him like a fox, playing at his desire to be needed, to be useful, to be wanted.”
“No! I would never!”
“Is lying all you know how to do? It’s what got you in this position in the first place.”
“I-“
“You’re so stupid. So weak. I hope mother never lifts her curse. I hope that smug elf bastard turns you into a glorified half-blood incubator and your dream dies in your heart. I hope you wake up one day and realize it so I can taste the despair. I hope you suffer for what you did.” Cici stood, “I’m even happier I didn’t need to lift a finger.”
“Wait!” Victoria called as she left, “Where is he? Let me explain! Let me fix this! I’ve made a horrible mistake, I see that.”
“Why would I tell a stranger anything?” Cici asked, “You knew what you were doing was stupid. You just didn’t stop yourself. I heard it all. There's no easy way around this curse, mother would make certain of it. If you want to become Queen, there are no shortcuts. Atonement is a road with no deviations.”
Cici turned and vanished in an instant, a mass of black smoke where she'd only just been, leaving a sobbing Victoria to her thoughts.
Cici stretched and sighed, enjoying the moonlit air and the soft breeze, marveling at the mingling crowds before her. Man and Elf walked side by side, seemingly without a care in the world.
“He left, didn’t he?” Harlow asked, striding up the street towards her bench.
“He did.”
“Why didn’t he bring me?”
Cici hummed, “Likely to protect you. Partially due to your ties to the white haired woman. But who knows? Maybe he doesn’t trust you either. He has always been a free spirit.”
“I figured.” Harlow sighed, “I’m quitting the Highgarden company. Gonna sign up under Louen and join her lady knights. Would you tell me where he’s going then?”
“Why? To spy on him for your master?”
“No.” Harlow shook her head, “Victoria’s losing it. She’s getting all crazy again. The writing is on the wall, and I’m not getting caught out when it all crumbles. Dread can handle things with John and Sieg. I…”
“Yes?”
“I like him.” Harlow admitted, “I don’t usually like most men. They just want my body, that's it. They want something from me. Anything. But Dog? He never asks, never wants. He never counts favors or debts, just looks out for me, helps me out when I need it.”
Cici said nothing.
“This is a lot to admit to a stranger, but he wouldn’t hurt me when I was losing it in the cave. He said we were friends. That I didn’t owe him anything.” She hesitated, “That sorta makes me like ‘em more. I want to give him my best, because he never asks for anything from anyone. I think I want to really put my act together. Joining up with Louen? That’s just two birds with one stone. I will never forget what Victoria did for me, but I served under her loyally, dutifully. If she can flip on Dog, what’s that say about me? I was never her favorite.”
----------------------------------------
“You sure Dog is okay?” Ruby asked.
“I am.” He nodded.
“Dog does not smell okay.” She commented, watching as the rain fell outside of their tent.
“Sorry.”
“Why sorry?”
“Because I’m… I don’t know. I just don’t know.”
“Victoria hurt Dog again.”
“Yeah.”
“Ruby…” She gulped, “I am still bad at common still. But I want you to feel my warmth at your side.” She struggled around her words, swallowing habits and instinct, “Ever since we made our oath, I’ve had good food, reliable warren mates, and… Friend? Even if it’s scary. I wish I could take away hurt.”
He smiled, “Almost had it.”
She cursed, glaring at their smothered campfire.
He turned, staring out at the sea beyond, dropping a hand on her head, “You did great, Ruby. Thank you. Your camaraderie means a lot, and I think we’re friends too. Sometimes it feels like you’re the only person I can rely on.”
She felt her heart flutter, “Ruby will do best-greatest to serve master-Dog faithfully!”
“I don’t need you to serve me, Ruby. I think I just need you to be my friend. I trust you to help me understand what that really means.”
“We left Harlow-thing.”
“We did.”
“Why?“
“She would just remind me of Victoria. It’s too dangerous, too. I don’t want to see her get hurt.”
“You care for Harlow-thing?”
“I do.”
“What happen in cave?”
“We had a heart to heart. I guess she’s not so bad sometimes.”
“Did you… Kiss-hug?”
He laughed, “No, she wanted to kill me. It didn’t feel right, her head was wrong, I could tell. But I don't think I can love anyone if that’s your concern. It's just… Not Une, not Victoria. Not Harlow. I want to figure things out.”
“They are both strangers, now.” Ruby noted.
“They are.”
“Would you take another… Mate-partner? Maestra, or Ariel?”
“Not right now.” He admitted, “It doesn’t feel right. None of them do, I should clarify. I just feel sick inside but I’m healthy. This isn’t like jealousy, and it’s harder than heartbreak.” He failed to notice her slump.
Ruby leaned into his touch, “Dog has Ruby. Dog will always have Ruby. We are Dog Claw of two always.”
“You’re right. Always.” He agreed, pulling her into his shoulder.
She shivered with delight, “Dog is kind. Understand why they call you… Éadrom?”
He laughed, wrapping his arm around her, “You did it that time.”
She preened beneath his touch, “Been practicing hard.”
“I see that. You’re doing a good job.”
“Dog is learning too. Talking more.”
“I’m trying too.”
“Ruby knows. Dog is doing great.” She placed her hand on his head, thrilled when he laughed, “Ruby understands pets are magic.”
“Maybe so.” He chuckled.
“We find big sister?”
“And the twins.” He nodded, “We aren’t far now. They’re within travel distance of a few days now. Maybe less, if I understand the psychic tug.”
“Are they mean-scary? Sister Cici liked to poke and prod Ruby! She took fur!”
Dog laughed, “The twins? They can be. But Síocháin is very kind.”
“She is very big, yes-yes?”
“Yes. Taller than Siegfried by a head or so.”
“She won’t… Eat Ruby?”
“No. She’s not really fond of meat either.”
“She older-bigger?”
“No, I’m the third youngest. She’s a little younger than me, and the twins are the youngest. They’ll have just turned eighteen I believe.”
“Very close in age-time.”
“Elves mature till they’re about teenagers, Merlin said, and then they age much slower then on. Dark elves are a bit quicker than their cousins.”
“Elves are weird.”
“They are.”
“How old are you, Ruby?”
Ruby paused for a moment, “Eight years.”
Dog blanched.
“We grow fast-quick. Mature at five.” She said, “Rats do not live long. Ten, maybe eleven winters?”
Dog felt a chill fall over his heart.
“Ruby-I think,” She corrected, “I might live longer.”
“Oh?”
“I don't feel sick anymore. When in the hives and the warrens… Very little food, very little sunlight. Just darkness, pain, and hunger. My days are not like that anymore. I am warm… And full?”
“Huh?”
“The word for when you cannot eat more. Full?”
“Oh. Yes.”
“I did not think it was real. But I feel it, I think. Ruby is full.” She sighed contentedly, “I think I will live longer. Much. I felt weak, skinny when we met. I was large for a rat. Feel strong. Much stronger. Fur is softer, lush. Muscles are heavy, and reliable? Strong.”
“I hope so.” He admitted, “I suppose it’s not impossible that your kin die so quickly because they don’t really eat properly or see the sun often.”
“Many are sick. Wither, and die. Bodies eaten.”
“That might be it. Plague corpses still spread the plague.”
“We use plague-pestilence against other clans. Still eat. Stupid-dumb.” She admitted, “Would not eat. Starved. Now I never starve.”
He nodded, “Never. I’ll buy an entire market if I have to.”
“Cheese?”
“Every piece I can find.”
“Good-yes.”