“So this is for revenge.” Riley's eyes briefly studying the ceiling.
“Partially, certainly,” says the Blood Mage, “but the real goal is returning things closer to how they were in order to mend what's been broken, rather than letting it fester. Among us, the Thieves had it the worst,” glancing at Magpie, “I am very sorry about that. But the group most affected? Them. If things continue as they are, it will be very bad. How can I even describe it? Blood has so many subtle ways of revealing its intentions, and the future is hard to decipher because it's so colored by the present. Suffice it to say, revenge is the least of what we're trying to accomplish.”
Riley taking in the explanation with a patient concern.
“You said we're going to be attacking House Solstice?” the man addresses me.
“That's what I was told. Nothing solid and no timetable, but that's where your guy is making us hit. Looks like you're going to get your stuff back first.” The tick hitting, three o'clock. “Shit, I've a got a work thing. I need to be at the gate in about a half hour. Very nice to see you,” shaking James's hand, “very nice to meet you,” shaking Derrick's hand, “and-” The girl regarding me with a seemingly neutral expression. “Julie, I'm not going to apologize for what I did to your thing, but since we've become such good friends I'll try not to do anything like that again. Truce?”
The girl grasping my extended hand with no visible emotion. “Truce,” she says. Even sounding like she means it. A capable liar.
“Evie-”
“Yes!” Riley bounding to her feet. Magpie slower getting to hers.
“Kate?” says Riley.
“Your name is Kate?” says Julie. “I want to thank you for today, and I want to thank you for back at the gala. I'm sorry I was so upset and snappy earlier.”
“You're welcome, and water under the bridge,” Wolfe says.
“Kate, before you leave,” says James, “I need to get your schedule to figure out how we're going to do this.”
“Sorry Evie, I'm going to stick around here for a bit.”
Magpie slightly tilting her head in Wolfe's direction. “I'll stick around for a bit, then, too.”
“Okay.” Thank you.
“Alright, I'll see you,” says Riley. “Very nice to have met all of you.” Taking in the whole room. Remaining poised. The two of us exiting the front door and the girl putting her hand on my shoulder. “What, precisely, did you get me into?” Exasperated, tired, and more than a little annoyed.
“It's basically a revolution.”
Looking past me a long way into the distance.
“Their demands are reasonable.”
Just looking into that distance.
“What did your thing have to say about it?”
Taking a deep breath. “How long you been involved in this?”
“With this whole this vision?” Waving both my hands in front of me, causing a smile to crack through her irritation. “Not that long. Apparently Kate got in before me by a cycle - that was an interesting first face to face, let me tell you. Met that particular individual last cycle, and I got you in quick as I could.”
“Why,” favoring me with several blinks, “did you get me involved in this?”
“Well, I never figured you for a revolutionary, but you're one of the few people I actually have some trust for in this world. And Kate wanted you in, so I had to find a way to get you in. You think we were going to let you sit this one out? Nope. Sorry. I know you're in admin, and I realize we're putting you in an interesting position because of that, but who else could I possibly turn to?”
Riley turning her head to the side, bringing a hand up to her face. Turning back. “I want you to know this is completely insane.”
“What did your thing have to say about it?”
Pressing her lips firmly together.
“Did it have any objections?”
“No, she did not. She was supportive of whatever choice I made, even if it meant allying with these people.” Indicating the brownstone. “I'm only going along with this because you phrased your reason so nicely.”
“That's the best reason I could hope for. You have my sincere thanks.”
Giving me a dismissive wave followed by a puzzled look. “You, I can see joining this revolution - I assume it has something to do with you and the Director - but how did Kate get involved?”
“Kate's fairly sensible, but she can be a bit of a do-gooder.” Riley opening her mouth to argue, but then conceding the point. “One of the reasons for joining this thing is because three of the masters are spearheading it, and one of them is Kate's.”
“The Empath master? I've met him at the temple multiple times. He seems extraordinarily nice. Is that only an act?”
“I'd say he's sincere, and, most likely, sincerely trying not to let this whole thing spiral out of control. If I didn't see him there I probably would've considered running away screaming, because one of the other guys is their guy.” Pointing at the door.
“Which sounds scary as all hell.”
“He is. But the Empath master is in on it, and they have reasonable demands. We hit a place, or two, and both sides come to the negotiating table. Some demands are met and, hopefully, Director Shaker doesn't have so much power around here anymore.”
“I knew it was for revenge.”
“Kate's the do-gooder, not me.”
***
Jogging to the West Gate after buying a four quart pot for the trip, as well as an additional stop to place my order at the weapon shop. Wilde standing just inside the gate with a large wolf at his side. Dark grey on the top, with lighter coloring toward the legs, and the unmistakable spark of intelligence in its amber eyes. Two men standing there with him, Stormhawk symbols visible on all their cloaks.
“Lucy,” Wilde yells, cupping his hand around his mouth, “you're late.”
One of his friends saying something to him after that.
“Sorry. Things went long today and then I needed to get stuff. You have the tent?”
“Yep, everything's ready for our trip down south.”
Flicking my eyes over to his two friends.
“This guy certainly got big quick.” Holding out my closed fist and letting the wolf sniff. Revealing a small piece of jerky. The bribe, once again, easily accepted.
“This is who you lost to?” says one of the men. “This little girl?”
“That's her,” says the other. “Your name's Macarthy, right? I'm sorry about your brother.”
Sorry about your brother. Sorry about the existence of your brother. Sorry you exist. Sorry about that. Ignoring him and addressing Wilde. “Sorry I'm late. Are we ready to go?”
“Doesn't seem as friendly as you said, Nico,” says the first. “Lotsa luck on your trip.”
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
“I'm ready,” says Wilde, “and I'll see you guys later.” The two starting to wander off and then Wilde speaking again. “You didn't need to act like that.”
“I recall asking you to leave me out of your gossip.”
“I didn't bring you up. They wanted to know what I was doing tonight, and when they heard I was going camping with a girl who actually was willing go out overnight, they wanted to see who. I didn't mean anything by it. They're good guys.”
Nothing to be done about it. An innocent gesture adding a few more pinholes to an already leaky bucket.
“Alright.” Giving a shrug. “Let me see your gear.”
Wilde handing over his bow, quiver and then a spear. His buckler and sword not with him today.
“You're changing it up?”
“I'm going to get some practice in before our rematch. Your energy field extends roughly out to around here.” Making a fairly accurate guesstimate of my range with his hand. “I can't let you get too close or there goes the fight.”
“I guess it's good to see you're taking it seriously, but if you're going that far I may need to get serious, myself.”
“We haven't even talked about stakes yet,” he says. “You may regret it if you don't take it seriously. That ended up biting me the last time.”
“Maybe, maybe not. I'm sure we'll come up with something not too objectionable. Let me do this real quick.”
Runes drawn and activated.
“Listen, if we're going down to that forest,” he says, “maybe we should take the road instead of going back country. House Koln may be willing to put us up for the night. My House is allied with them.”
If Holly had been any indication, a friendly reception at Koln is seriously doubtful.
“Koln is pretty far west. Besides, on the way in I was thinking we keep an eye out for Cave Trolls in the hills. They like to poke their heads out after dark. And then possibly try and get some Night Hounds if we see any closer to the forest.” Wilde starting to object. “Ones or twos. Any more than that and we'll steer clear or run. There should be some safe areas on the northern edge where we can camp. Safer, at least. And then we'll spend tomorrow doing your thing. What'd you end up calling him anyway?”
“Nothing yet.”
“Nothing?” Crouching down to get eye level and reaching into my pocket for another piece of jerky. “What do you want me to call you?”
The wolf taking this piece a little more forcefully than the last, managing to scrape his teeth on my fingers and causing me to jerk my hand back in order to save the ends of my digits. Swallowing the treat in one gulp.
Careful,” Wilde says. “He likes you, but he's still just a big puppy.”
The wolf seeming to smirk at that characterization.
“I'm going to get Nico to give you a really bad name if you don't behave.”
The wolf doing his best to look bashful, pulling his tail in slightly. He told Nico he supposedly likes me? More like he'd like to get a taste. Need to keep an eye on him.
“Ready to go?”
“I am,” Wilde says, before looking away and furrowing his brow. “Give me your hand.” Putting one of his hands on the wolf and holding his other out to me. Closing his eyes for a moment in concentration and then all of our forms taking on the blurring camouflage of natural colors, blending a bit into the background. “You weren't the only one holding back. This will make travel much safer. Especially out there, and especially at night.”
“Is there anything else you're holding back?”
“I have excellent night vision,” he admits.
That particular piece of information, at least, was already known. It had always been particularly more difficult to sneak up on Rangers. The only type more difficult, Blood Mages. They're nearly impossible to catch unawares.
“In that case,” coming to my own decision, “this is for your armor. Makes it stronger.”
Looking at each other for a long moment.
“You ready?” he says.
“After you.”
***
In fresh underwear, feet bare, sitting on our bedrolls on a cleared outcropping overlooking the darkened forest the formerly ravenous Koln had considered his territory. Our clothes airing out on the rope line containing the tarp serving as our tent. A lightly bubbling pot rests on a pile of glowing embers and the smell of nearly cooked stew fills our camp.
Taking a taste. “It's ready. The rabbit your wolf caught was a nice addition.” Taking another taste of the stew. Rabbit, a quarter of the bacon, veggies and a cider base. “I probably should've caramelized the onions a bit more, but it turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself. Just the right amount of salt and pepper.”
Filling his bowl with a wooden spoon before filling my own.
“Finally,” he says. Eyes lighting up in surprise after taking his first spoonful.
“Worth the wait?”
“This is really good. Did you used to work at a restaurant before coming out here?”
“As a cook? Nah, I learned how to do this all out here.” Out of necessity. Lumeer didn't used to have quite so many restaurants and other conveniences. Blowing on my spoon and starting to eat.
“I had thought-” he starts to say. “How long have you been here?”
“Long enough. My life sort of changed when everything went sideways about a year back.” Leaning against him. “And then a couple months ago it changed again, but I think everything is finally getting all situated now. You're proving yourself to be a big help.”
Sitting in silence for a bit eating. A growl from his wolf setting my teeth on edge. Oh, it isn't directed at me. Wilde getting to his feet and looking down the hill.
“Is it a monster?” Safer area does not mean safe.
“No,” he says. “Three people, looks like, coming up this way and they're not trying to hide it.” Squinting. “They're waving.” Lifting up his arm and waving back.
Getting my socks on and buckling my boots as the three shapes come up the hill. Getting closer to the firelight, three men, Koln emblems, a white wolf's head on a field of green, on their cloaks. Two of them unknown, but the one at the front familiar. Last time seen when getting caught picking his pocket, stealing the spell component required for Melgorhen's Mask, and vanishing. Following him afterward as he scaled the West Gate and left town at that late hour. Robert Barnes.
“We saw your campfire,” he says, glancing at Wilde. Then at me. His expression hardening. “You're Macarthy, aren't you?” Putting Tracing on my entire hand. At the sound of my name his two friends glancing at him. Then all their eyes on me.
“Yes, she is.” Wilde steps in front of me.
“Stand aside, kid. I wasn't talking to you.”
“I fixed my shit with Shaker.” Peeking around Wilde.
“Even so,” says Barnes, “I'm surprised they're letting you wander around as you please.”
“I've got my minder.” Hugging Wilde around his middle, still peeking around. “You planning on starting something, Barnes?” You'll regret it.
“Lucy, don't worry,” Wilde says quietly, while patting one of my hands. “You don't need to worry, she's my responsibility. What do you want? I'm in Stormhawk.” Now why'd you go and tell him that?
“Stormhawk?” Barnes says. “We were heading home and saw your fire. Came by to say hello. That's it.”
Neither of us returning his hello.
“Well, have yourselves a good night.” The man gives Wilde a polite nod. Starting to leave, but then turning back. “Watch yourself with her. She's much more dangerous than you've probably been told.”
“Thanks for the warning.”
Watching Barnes and company make their way back down the hill. Wilde taking my hands, still clinging to him, into his own and turning around.
“I'm your minder?”
“Yes, and you're doing a great job. Keeping me out of all sorts of trouble.” Squeezing his hands. “I figured Sam would've told you that much, at least.”
“He only wants updates on you.” Getting a hard look. “But I suppose it makes sense. I should've assumed the worst.” Releasing one of my hands and bringing his up to touch my face. Then, without warning, grabbing the braid at the base of my skull and giving a solid tug to make me look at him. “Aren't you going to pretend to be sorry about this?”
“About what?”
“Get on your knees.”
His furious expression and the low rumble of his command releasing a blistering torrent of emotion. Ready to balk, to laugh in his face, but also thrilled to my core at hearing it. Both put off and titillated by his anger, and satisfied at driving him to it. Swallowing my initial impulse to resist and instead giving into tantalizing desire. Kneeling down on the hard stone.
“You're so troublesome.” His face above, rolling thunderclouds. “But at least you're eager and you don't complain.” His face becoming even more severe at my grin. “Get to it.”
Pulling down his underwear and discovering my slowly expanding prize. Starting with a slow tease, coating the outside from the base as it continued to grow. Pulling at the skin and then sliding my tongue underneath the skin, around the head. Alternating my attention, his hand only lightly on the back of my head, but then forcing me onto his member. Breathing through my nose, keeping my teeth out of the way as he used my mouth. A laugh starting in my belly, vibrating up my throat, driving him further and making me gag. Letting me recover for a moment.
“I want to hear you say it.”
“I'm sorry I'm always causing so much trouble.” Back to teasing him, looking up at his face and unable to control the giggle. “Let me give you a kiss, that'll make it all better.” Planting an exaggerated wet one and grinning up at him.
The hand on the back of my head forcing me again. The laugh starting to come up, but not getting a break this time. Eyes watering, trying to get as much air in through my nose as possible, but starting to gag in earnest. Releasing me and letting me recover again.
“Better.”
Roughly being pulled to my feet, my tee and panties shucked off. Easily picked up and placed on one of the unfurled bedrolls. Expecting his fury to continue, anticipating it, excited for it, but instead enjoying a gentle insertion.
“I know you've been dealing with quite a lot,” he softly whispers, “but you can rely on me. I want you to know that. I want you to- don't cry, shhh, don't cry.” Pressing his lips against my now tightly closed, leaking eyelids, and gently starting to move. The two of us falling into a deliberate and intimate rhythm. A long, slow lovemaking after the earlier roughness and emotional turbulence. Afterward, laying pressed against each other in the roll. Closer now than before and our earlier troubles forgiven.