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Knight and Smith
Book Two: Chapter Two

Book Two: Chapter Two

Tessa didn't know how long she ran for.

She remembered the word Orin spoke. She saw his lips move again, as though he was trying to tell her something, but no sound reached her. Nothing he could say would have made her stay.

'No.'

It broke her. Her heart was rending in two and all she could do was sit there, her hands on his. For years she had avoided touching him. For years she had pushed him away whenever he gave her a friendly pat on the back, or a reassuring touch of the arm. She couldn't let him get close, because his touch was like torture to her. The soothing feeling that came over her hadn't changed since they were children. She vividly recalled that time. Of touching his forehead, brushing a few stray strands of hair from his sweat covered face. The bliss of the connection, one which transcended all logical meaning. It was a Gift from the Gods. At least, that was what her father's books had said. If a member of the Five Houses touched an Heir their fates would be irrevocably tangled. They were one before the Bonding even took place.

But Orin didn't feel it.

How could she explain it? How could she make him understand?

She was good at fighting. Growing up in Myrin had been miserable and lonely. Her only friends were the older members of the Brigade, ones that Boldrin trusted with his life and hers. But she was never truly a friend to them. She was a burden, a charge, someone to watch over and protect. She was also a pupil. Each member of the band had their strengths and Boldrin's vigorous training knocked the Noble right out of her. Slowly but surely she had been honed down into a finely sharpened blade, one that was without flaw. A perfect warrior who controlled her emotions and followed orders to the letter. She was good at it. She enjoyed it. But he always managed to throw her off.

She had begged and pleaded to be a part of the band after it was decided that Orin would be joining. Boldrin had been hesitant, a feeling reflected by the Sister. Each were wary of treading on her father's toes. It was by his order that she was kept away. He wanted her to resist the temptation of Bonding with an Heir. She knew what he meant. She had almost done it when she was seven years old. One touch was all it took. She had been ready to push her small body past the point of sanity and Bond before she was ready. Her training had helped her then, but the fear was that repeated exposures to Orin could result in them Bonding prematurely.

If it wasn't for her attunement, Tessa believed that she would never have been sent to Venos at all. The ability of House D'viritazi was incredibly potent, if limited in application. Once a Smith of their House attuned their soul to an Heirs, they could find them anywhere and at any time. It was not shackled by distance, nor could it be switched off. That meant that every time Tessa closed her eyes she saw the faint glimmer of black flames, burning brightly in the distance. Such beauty they had, so different from the clear ones he had before. Of course, he didn't know that. He didn't know anything.

After much pleading, Tessa was finally allowed into the band. Before that she had been forced to watch the group from a distance. Alec had actually caught her once but was quickly talked down by Boldrin before he could raise any sort of alarm. It was at that point that the old band leader had been forced to allow her to join with them. Boldrin trusted her self-control, one which Tessa had mastered through years of intensive exercises. That was the day that she had spoken to Orin for the first time.

She had known exactly where he was. She remembered peering at him from around a corner of one of the tents. Orin hadn't been allowed one back then, so he slept on the outskirts of camp. He had been practising with his sword. His body had grown by a fair amount during his time away from Myrin. A year of growing and good eating had done wonders for his health, not to mention his ability as a swordsman. He made a hundred mistakes in the span of seconds, but still she saw his potential. She thought of him wielding Raiken. She knew his Weapon as soon as she had touched him, she saw it in her dreams at night. Her heart pounded in her chest just thinking about it.

She had never been as close to him as then. Not since that night years ago when she sat by his bed. Yet when she tried to speak she found that she couldn't. She had always been shy as a child and over time it had transformed to become something more. It was armour that she wrapped around herself, a way of avoiding the outside world that she had been forced to leave at such a young age. She found that the idea of actually, finally, talking to the object of her mission terrified her. A thousand thoughts had gone through her head, each more crushing than the last. She had decided to retreat and release her hold on the ward, letting her soul shine for a few moments so that she wouldn't be overcome with negative emotion.

The ward was her protection from the Knights in Myrin, but it was double-edged. Having the ward up for prolonged lengths of time could have drastic effects on her emotions. She would become frustrated more easily, panic would quickly overtake reason and sometimes she would lash out if it's hold on her was great enough.

Three days. That was her limit, one she had tested extensively. There were a few close calls where she had to be restrained by other members of the band who joined her for her lonely vigil. One came to mind quicker than others. Orin and Pater had been having an argument. Orin had just turned twelve, his birthday had been only one week prior. Tessa couldn't remember what they had fought about but it turned into a childish brawl, as was the way with young boys letting off steam.

Tessa had drawn her knife and was half way out the window before Brin caught her, clamping a hand over her mouth to prevent her screams of rage from reaching the two boys below. She had been more careful since then. If she could, Tessa would release the pressure once a day. It was harder in cities, or when the Brigade worked with Knights but she had made it work.

Orin had come up to her during that first night in camp. He had smiled and offered to shake her hand. Tessa had refused and growled at him not to touch her. He wasn't particularity fazed by it. In fact, he had just laughed awkwardly and welcomed her to the band.

She had grinned like an idiot in her tent that night. The first step had been taken and not even by her! He must like her, she had thought to herself.

Of all the people in the band, she spoke with no one more than Orin. She would wake early to catch him during training. She would sit close by, but not too close, hoping he would say a few words to her. He often would and when he did she knew it was going to be a good day. Sometimes he even invited her to spar with him. She would win, of course. He really was no natural with a sword, but he made up for it in sheer determination. Sometimes during training their skin would touch and lightning would run through Tessa's body. It was the same euphoric feeling she had felt as a child. He must have thought her half crazy, considering that every time he punched her she would grin at him like a mad woman.

Boldrin had put a stop to it soon after he found out. He didn't want to tempt her into doing anything stupid. The last thing they wanted was to pull the Hall down on their heads before Tessa's father had managed to smooth things over. She had protested the decision. It had been years, she had said. The Hall thought he was dead! Boldrin was not swayed and he was her commander, so she was forced to obey.

Well, she did continue to seek out Orin for training, but she was much more subtle about it. She was addicted now. She wanted to make up for lost time. She had rationalised it by telling herself that they would need to Bond one day anyway. What better way to learn about each other than through combat?

Those three years had been the best of her short life. She had made friends other than Orin. Fendi, Padma, even the members of Boldrin's old guard who had known her since she was little. She wasn't their pupil any more. No, she was a true member of the band. It had been bliss.

Then they had gone back to Myrin. Orin had wanted to go home and so Boldrin had arranged it so they would pick up a short contract in the area. They had made it back in good time and, for the first time ever, Tessa had initiated some form of physical contact with Orin. She had punched him on the shoulder.

It didn't sound like a lot, but to her it was a tremendous step forward. She was sad that they wouldn't be able to spend time together any more. She would return to her little room across the road from the orphanage and keep an eye on him, or so she had thought. Boldrin had taken her aside and said to leave Orin alone for a few days. He would be fine, he said. How much trouble could he possibly cause?

He also spoke to her about maybe staying in Orin's life going forward. After all, he knew her now. Well enough to spot her easily even in a crowd. Gone were the days where she could dress as a down and out pickpocket and stalk him through the Commons.

Tessa was definitely enthusiastic about the idea. Imagine that? She would be allowed to say hello to him every day, she could go with him for drinks or even just sit around and talk with him at the steps of the orphanage. She had watched him do that when he was younger, sitting with Gertrand and Pater. She would often imagine she was down there with him, laughing at all his jokes. She would giggle to herself as she peered at them through the cracked window.

It would be perfect. The life she had always wanted. She would finally have a true friend.

Then she ruined everything.

That was Tessa's thoughts at the time. She heard the news about the wedding. She had wanted to go after him immediately but they were hemmed in by the scum of the Commons and forced to fight for their lives. By the time it was over, Orin had already Bonded with Elora and been spirited away to the palace. A place that Tessa could not reach. Not that it stopped her from trying.

Boldrin and Erin had to calm her down. She thought she was going to have a panic attack. He was Bonded to another and had gone to a place where she could not follow. It was her worst nightmare realised. She didn't sleep for days, she refused to eat any food and her inner eye would be constantly fixed on the spot of black flames that she could sense at the border of her soul space. The flames new colour mocking her with their brilliance.

Attunement was a potent Gift. It was the reason that her father had sent her in the first place. She was one of only two Smiths in her family and with Tristan gone they needed someone to keep tabs on the new Heir. But it was an imperfect thing. It wasn't a Bond and so she could not sense his emotions. She didn't know if he was sick or injured. Couldn't tell if he was afraid.

When she had found out about Boldrin's involvement with the wedding she had exploded and attacked the man. He had known. He had known that something would happen and he had done nothing to stop it. Erin was equally appalled.

He hadn't had the whole picture, though. He hadn't known that Erin would be at the wedding with the kids. He had heard about the Princess helping the orphanage in passing but how could he have expected they would be invited to a royal wedding? If he knew Erin had been there he would have tried to cut down Craven, or at least warn Erin.

His excuses were valid but Tessa was still burning hot. She didn't speak to the man for days after that. His ineptitude as a protector had resulted in Tessa losing the First Throne, and not even to one of the other members of the Five Houses, but to a Princess of a country that was a laughing stock of the civilised world.

Tessaraina D'viritazi would be relegated to Second. That fact alone left her seething.

When Orin had escaped the palace, Tessa was overwhelmed with relief. It was tempered by the fact that he had brought his new Smith with him, but it was strong nonetheless. When she opened the door at the orphanage and saw him there, bleeding and broken, she had very nearly attacked Elora. If Orin hadn't needed her to support him she might have gone through with it. She could not stand the blubbering Princess, crying and falling apart as she looked at Orin with tear filled eyes. She was pathetic, a poor excuse for what a Smith should be.

A Smith was a Knight's rock. She was his sword and shield, the greatest weapon and ally in his arsenal. Yet here was this girl. Weak and forgetful, cowardly and inept. Yet the Bond that flared between Elora and Orin was so strong it almost blinded her.

Tessa, Boldrin and Erin initially decided to remove the Bond. They would send the two Bonded back to the palace and leave it to Lady Vera to sort things out. Tessa hated having to do that, but it was safest way to get the Bond removed. Then she had seen the damage to his soul.

It wasn't an option. They couldn't send them back to the palace. If the Bond was removed then Orin would die and that would be the end of everything they had all worked for. Tessa wouldn't allow that to happen.

So a new plan was made. Push them. Push them to the point where the Bond was unbreakable.

Dunwellen. It was the only way. They needed to become closer, inseparable. Their Bond was so powerful that it would be easy enough, it naturally boosted emotional development. Progress that could take years would happen in days if enough cause was given and there was none greater than combat. Elora would take up permanent residence on the First Throne, but Tessa could handle that. At least, she thought she could.

She had slipped when she saw Elora moping around the camp. She had seethed at the silly little girl. She had everything and she still complained. Tessa had lost control and attacked her. She had deserved it. That wasn't the attitude of a Smith who was worthy of him.

Then the Princess had surprised her by fighting back. Elora had made Tessa re-evaluate her, something that the mercenary didn't do often. She continued to prove herself by stopping Orin from ending her life. Then once again before the gates of Dunwellen and in the battle against Craven.

She finally proved herself as a true Heir's Smith during the Severance. A ritual that Tessa had read about but never thought to see. It was glorious. Orin gave Elora the Gift of the Crown, one of the mythical powers that an Heir could bestow.

In that moment, Tessa accepted that Elora would always be first in Orin's eye.

'No.'

Such a small word to have so great an effect. Tessa ran. She was returned to adolescence once again. Sitting in the carraige, heading towards an unknown land for an unknown purpose. The ward didn't help things. She had released some of it's effects to show Orin the symbols but much of it's corrupting influence remained. That, combined with touching him and the relief of his survival had caused her to push further than she had intended. She had waited for this moment since she was a girl, her expectations soaring as she felt their souls resonate. She could feel the Lightning in her blood. It was calling to him, aching to be awakened and given form in the physical realm. She could almost see the outline of Raiken amid the dazzling bolts that dashed across his black flames.

Then it was gone. Orin pulled his hands away and Tessa could only stare at him in horror. What had she done?

His voice followed her out of the room and she could hear his heavy footsteps as he chased after her. Part of her wanted to stop, to talk, to explain, but she couldn't. To face him now was not something she was strong enough to do.

Her flight from Paldrum was one marred by shame and anger. Both directed at herself. Why would he say yes? He had Elora and he wouldn't risk losing their Bond. She had seen how close they were, she had seen the kiss they shared. Tessa had explained little to him. The thought of the ward being gone, the thought of not being alone any more, it had been too tempting a chance. She had felt she had to take it.

She ran through the guards and the army beyond. She knew that Orin wouldn't be able to catch her. He was always so slow, something that she had been hoping to change. She had listened to Elora talk about her difficulty with Speed. That was her Gift to give. She had known it was her greatest aspect since she was a child. She had worked tirelessly on the perfect Idea, on the perfect rune. Now it was all for nothing.

Tessa ran for Spirit knows how long. She ran until the shouts of the army behind her fell to murmuring and then silence. All she heard now was the sound of her own heavy breathing and the forest around her. She was thankful that Venos had such dense woodlands, especially on their western border. Disappearing would be trivially easy. The only one who knew her methods was Orin and he wasn't a good enough tracker to take advantage of that knowledge. He had always been a poor student when learning had involved anything other than swordplay and she didn't even give a thought to the scouts employed by the Spymaster Yale. Boldrin had acquired as much information as he could on the Spymaster, Vera, Annabelle and every other member of the Nobility that would be a potential threat to Orin. Yale was young and had only recently been promoted to his current position. He had been a renowned shadow blade when he still served as one of the Crown's assassins, but even with his experience Boldrin was just better. The Brigade were trained by one who had hunted renegade Knights for years as one of the Hall's Vigilant, before he became a mercenary. The band leader had been almost offended by Yale's pitiful efforts to track them through the forest of Estalin.

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There was a fear that Vera and Annabelle would try to take up the search personally, but Boldrin had contingencies for everything. He didn't fear the First Knight of Venos and that alone was a testament to his proficiency as both a warrior and leader.

Tessa came to a dead stop, her hands landing on her knees as she exhaled explosively. She must have been running for hours now and the sun had long since past it's peak. She was safe here. Orin was still in Paldrum from what she could see, so at the very least she didn't have to worry about him catching up with her.

“Stupid,” Tessa muttered, her fist hitting the tree beside her gently, “Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Her fist hit harder and harder, blood being drawn as it collided again and again against the hard bark.

“Idiot!” Tessa snarled and began to pummel the tree, not caring for the pain it caused her. She had acted impulsively and it had cost her future.

Eventually she stopped, cradling her hands to her chest as she fell to the ground and leaned against the towering oak. The skin of her knuckles were torn and wept crimson tears onto the grass beneath her. Tessa herself did not cry. It had been a long time since she had allowed herself to.

Her conversation with Orin was on repeat inside her head. She could barely move now, her legs having turned to mulch from her prolonged need to escape her Knight's words.

“No,” She whispered, “Not my Knight. Not any more.”

She sat there for hours more, her eyes staring at nothing, her defences completely lowered. If it hadn't been for a rustling in the undergrowth nearby she doubted she would have moved. But move she did.

Realising she had let down her guard, Tessa jumped to her feet, snarling and spinning as she reached for a dagger that was absent. That was right, she had left her daggers at camp because turning up armed to Paldrum might have resulted in a misunderstanding. Without flinching Tessa prepared to fight with her fists, getting ready to put her training into action once again.

“Tess? It's me.” The voice belonged to none other than Fendi, who smiled at her though it was strained. Behind him stood Padma, who grimaced at Tessa's appearance.

“Shit, we actually found you. Boldrin was right,” The girl muttered, looking at something in her hand.

Tessa recognised it. It was a perfect golden sphere covered in arcane symbols that glowed with a faint red light. A tracking beacon, one which Boldrin kept on his person at all times. Another gift from her father. Tessa could track Orin, but Boldrin had needed something to keep tabs on her. The beacon could locate the faint power that the symbols etched into her skin gave off. It was imperfect and nowhere near as efficient as her attunement for Orin's soul, but it gave a general idea of where to go. As far as Tessa knew, this was the first time the old man had actually used it.

“Why do you have that?” Tessa asked dangerously, her eyes narrowing at the happy go lucky Padma who returned her look easily.

“Boldrin woke up and gave it to us, idiot. He wasn't happy that you took off like you did. He told us everything, or a lot of it at least,” Padma replied, dropping the sphere into one of her pockets. “He thought you might need a hand.”

“I have everything under control,” Tessa stated, ignoring the fact that her bleeding hands stated the opposite.

They knew? Why would Boldrin tell them now?

“Orin... Is he alright?” Fendi asked gently, his hands playing with his bow.

Tessa snorted, “He's fine. On his way back to Myrin with the Princess in tow.”

Padma frowned. “Doesn't sound like him. Figured he would at least want to check in on us.”

Tessa gritted her teeth, “Complications. I need to talk to Boldrin.”

“About you being a secret Smith?” Fendi cut in, his tone sharp and accusing, “Why the fuck would you and Boldrin keep that a secret?”

“None of your Spirit damned business, Fendi.” Tessa said, walking past the man, “Which way to camp?”

The dark skinned horseman grabbed Tessa's arm as she made to move further away, “Hang on a second, Tess. You and Boldrin have been keeping secrets. We deserve to have some of our questions answered.”

“Let go of me.” Tessa replied quietly, her grey eyes meeting his. She felt nothing at his touch, not like Orin. It felt empty and without form.

Tessa had known for a while that Fendi had a thing for her. It was almost painfully obvious to the whole camp. At least, to everyone except for Orin. The idiot was oblivious to a great many things, including her. It was something that Tessa had no intention of pursuing. More than once Fendi had pushed for it but every time she had rejected him, once even at knifepoint. He really needed to learn to take a hint. His pathetic whining grated on her nerves.

“Tess-”

“Stop it, Fendi,” Padma cut him off before he could begin. “Let go of her before she kicks the shit out of you.”

Fendi released Tessa and turned away with a curse. Padma was right to tell him to stop. Tessa was about to cripple him.

“Camp?” Tessa asked again. She didn't know where she was and the fact that Boldrin had given Padma the sphere meant he had been panicking. He didn't know about the Severance, nor what she had done. Being told that Orin was taken by the Queen wouldn't have helped matters.

“East. We're right on the border. Follow me and I'll take you.” Padma said, walking away and not bothering to check if she was being followed.

Tessa hurried to walk next to the woman, cradling her injured hands against her chest. She could hear Fendi walking behind them, his feet dragging across the ground.

“What happened there? Get into a fight with a tree?” Padma asked, not looking at her friend.

“I was angry.”

“Well, that explains it. Whenever I get angry I like to punch the shit out of trees too,” Padma smiled sarcastically as Tessa glared at her.

The three walked in silence for a few moments until Tessa could restrain her curiosity no longer. “Who else knows? About me, about Orin?”

Padma shrugged, “Just us two, seems like. Explains a lot if you ask me. At least now I know why you kept following Orin around.”

Tessa's eyes widened, “You knew about that?”

#

Padma laughed, “Course I did. Half the camp knew about it. You're good, Tess, but you were at it for years. Someone was bound to notice eventually. We all just thought you had a crush on him.”

Tessa grimaced and said nothing in reply.

“Just a warning,” Padma interrupted her swirling thoughts, “Boss says he's going to tell everyone the truth as soon as he's on his feet. More than a few folk are gonna be unhappy about being a part of some secret mission.”

“Well, they can join the club,” Tessa quipped. “I'm not exactly happy about it either.”

“Right, right,” Padma nodded slowly, “So... you and Orin. You two..?”

Tessa grumbled but didn't answer. The last thing she wanted to do right now was talk about her feelings for Orin. They changed with the wind and were twice as tempestuous.

“Noted,” Padma said with a smile.

They walked for only three hours before Tessa noticed the tell tale signs of a camp in the area. Marked trees, disturbed undergrowth, all of it was a small sign that the band was nearby. They had been about to leave their last spot when Tessa had slipped out of the convoy. Mildred had taken charge since Boldrin was out of it. Thank the Spirit Alec made it back alive from the attack on Dunwellen. He was in a bad way but he would live. If Mildred had been mourning for her husband then the band suffer for it.

Tessa, Padma and Fendi walked into camp without being challenged, which was faintly concerning. The professionalism of their Brigade had been replaced by sheer efficiency. Alec's group had suffered great losses during the attack at Dunwellen. They had even been attacked by a Knight that they had thankfully managed to escape. Alec lost an arm during the melee but he had still managed to carry another member of the band back. Say what you want about the humorous man, but he was a fighter if Tessa had ever seen one.

The mercenary spotted Mildred almost immediately. The leader of the band followers was streaked with blood as she moved through the wounded, her hands deft and quick as she worked to ease their pain. They had been arranged near the centre of camp and were ringed by warrior tents to protect them should an attack come.

They had a doctor with them but even he couldn't handle so many patients at once. It seemed that Mildred and her followers had been helping to pick up the slack.

“Tessa,” Mildred said sharply, “So good you could finally join us. I hope your little trip away was a good one.”

“Needed to do something. Orin was in trouble.” Tessa replied simply, walking right on past the woman and heading in the direction of Boldrin's tent.

She heard Fendi, Padma and Mildred muttering behind her but she ignored it. She needed to speak to Boldrin, needed to tell him what happened. She also needed to ask him what the hell he was thinking giving her tracking stone to Padma.

Much like the others in camp, Boldrin's tent was bare and patched in places. He was entitled to have a bigger tent because of his status, but he hated to lord himself over others. Something that Tessa had grown to admire over the years. She didn't have the time to wait and so she just ducked her head and entered.

Boldrin was wrapped in bandages. The large man, the immovable warrior, looked broken and with one foot in the grave. His chest was heavily wrapped and the sickly smell of blood and various tinctures filled the air. Tessa had been told how the battle with Craven had played out. Boldrin had been a fool, had believed that he could talk his former friend down. That hadn't ended well for him. He had made a mistake, the same one he did at the wedding. Tessa didn't know much about Boldrin's past, nor did she know where Craven fit into it, but that kind of action was unlike him. Boldrin had fought Knights before. Shit, he had killed his fair share. He had let his emotions for the man override his reason. She tried not to think about the similarities between the two of them.

Boldrin's face was covered in sweat, his hair sticking to his brow. His beard looked to have been singed by fire and his huge body was pale from blood loss.

“T-Tessa!” Boldrin cried out, wincing as he raised a paw to settle against his chest. Nearly all his ribs had been shattered by Craven's attack and a lung had been punctured. If the Brigade hadn't had a skilled alchemist and doctor on hand he would have died days ago.

Tessa settled down next to the man, her legs curling up and under her chin as she wrapped her arms around them. “Hey, old man. Still breathing.”

“Barely,” He replied with a short laugh before he turned serious. “The kid. He alright? Where'd the Queen take him?”

“It was Severance, Boldrin,” Tessa replied quietly, a tremble running through her body. “I was right.”

Tessa proceeded to tell the band leader everything. She told him of how she had revealed who she truly is, how she had made sure Elora was in the same room with Orin during the ritual. She told him of the Gift of the Crown, of how Elora had managed to wield her own Element.

“Must have been a sight to see,” Boldrin smiled weakly. “Sorry I couldn't be there.”

“You would've been there if you hadn't knocked me unconscious and proceeded to fuck everything up,” Tessa snarled. “You put your own feelings ahead of Orin. Something you've been telling me to avoid doing for years.”

Boldrin frowned, a hint of self-hatred in his eyes. “You wouldn't understand, Tess. Hammond and I... We went back to the very beginning. He was my brother once.”

“Once,” Tessa replied. “Then he became intent on ending Orin's life. He comes first. You know that.”

“I know it, girl,” Boldrin spat out. “Don't talk to me about what I should and shouldn't be doing. I've been playing this game a long time.”

“It isn't a game, Boldrin. Orin nearly died because you were inept. You and your men could've killed that yellow-eyed bastard before he even knew you were there.”

Boldrin's nostrils flared and his face flushed as he stared at the young mercenary. Tessa held his gaze for a moment before the large man deflated and he looked away.

“I... I know, Tess,” Boldrin was quiet. “I was a fool. It was like the wedding all over again. I thought I could talk him down. For a second, it was working. But whatever was done to him changed who he was at a base level. Hammond was still in there, but something else had taken over.”

Tessa grimaced, “That's alright, Boldrin. All it cost Orin was an eye. I'm sure he'll recover.”

Boldrin stared, “What? The boy lost an eye?”

“A result of the second Knight who attacked them. It's gone for good now.”

“That ain't true,” Boldrin said, realisation lighting up his face, “You could give it back to him if you-”

“Not an option,” Tessa snapped, “He doesn't want me.”

“What?” Boldrin asked, frowning at the girl. “What do you mean he doesn't want you?”

“He... He said no, Boldrin,” Tessa could barely keep her face straight, she tucked her legs in tighter and tried to suppress the trembling that ran through her body. “I rushed things. I was so excited to finally be a part of his life, truly and completely. I didn't tell him half of what he needed to know. He said no and I ran away. I couldn't stay. I just... I couldn't. He won't forgive me for leaving him like that.”

That was the conclusion that Tessa had arrived at. She had done exactly what she had told Elora not to. You don't run away from your Knight; You protect them, you guide them. She was a hypocrite and a fool. She didn't deserve him, not like Elora did.

Boldrin laughed. It started out small before becoming a booming bellow that caused the tent and ground to vibrate. Tears ran down the man's face as he clutched at his bandaged chest painfully. Even that didn't seem to slow him down.

“What's so fucking funny?” Tessa growled, her hands tightening into deadly fists as she barely stopped herself from attacking the man.

“You are an idiot, girl!” Boldrin howled, slapping the ground and attempting to get a hold of himself. “You put all these expectations on yourself and hate it when you don't live up to them. Did Orin tell you he didn't want you? Did he say anything besides 'no'?”

“Not in so many words,” Tessa argued, “But I could see it. He doesn't want me. He's better off without me.”

“By the Spirit, you truly are an idiot,” Boldrin hissed and pushed himself up so he was sitting, wincing more than once. “You know that boy better than me, better than Erin. You know that's not the way he is, not the way he thinks.”

“But-”

“No buts,” Boldrin said and grabbed Tessa, pulling her into a hug. “You have given up more for him than anyone else. But you were always kept at a distance, always kept away. I think you're scared of Bonding with him.”

“I'm not scared, “ Tessa replied from over Boldrin's shoulder. She didn't try to escape the hug however.

“Then why run? You know he's not going to curse you out. Sure, he'll be angry for a while but the kid adapts quickly. It's alright to be scared, Tess,” Boldrin mumbled, rubbing her back fondly. “You've been waiting for him to see you, to truly see you, since you were a little girl. You panicked, you sabotaged yourself, but don't for one second believe that you aren't worthy of it. You've earned your place at his side a thousand times over, girl. I'm so proud of you.”

Tessa froze. She tried to stop the tears from coming but it was like trying to hold back the ocean. Tessa wrapped her arms around Boldrin and wept quietly.

“But... But how?” Tessa whispered as she pulled back, her gaze searching. “How do I make him see?”

Boldrin grinned in response, his own eyes red. “Orin's an idiot. He can't see shit unless it's right in front of him. So tell him. Tell him your story, tell him what you gave up and what you did to keep him safe. Talk to the both of them. You need Elora as well. No union will happen without her consent.”

Tessa grimaced, “I should have spoken to them both.”

Boldrin nodded sagely, “You should've. But you can still make it right. Their Bond is the one of the strongest I've ever heard of and I know how close they are, Orin was probably afraid of this new Bond with you hurting his connection with Elora.”

“That's not how it works,” Tessa muttered.

“Aye, but he doesn't know that. He doesn't know anything and neither does she. You need to sit down with them and tell them what it involves,” Boldrin smiled at her fondly. “That boy will be lucky to have you, Tess. Never forget that.”

Tessa felt her confidence boost as Boldrin's words saturated her spirit. He was right, she could fix this. She had to make it up to Orin. She needed to find him.

“Don't bother looking,” Boldrin smirked, “The boy will be headed for Myrin, most likely.”

Tessa blinked, “How did you know?”

“He'll go to Erin. He can't reach me or you so that's his only option. You gave him some answers, but he doesn't know everything yet,” Boldrin leaned forward and placed a giant paw against the side of the girl's face. “I think it's time he learned the whole truth and I know he'd want you there for it.”

Tessa nodded with narrowed eyes. She had given into her emotions before. She had regressed and become a scared little girl again. No more. She was strong, she was a warrior and her whole life had been for this moment. She wouldn't give up now. Not on Orin and not on herself.

“Thank you, Boldrin.” Tessa said with a small smile, “Thanks for reminding me who I am.”

“That's what I'm here for, girl,” Boldrin grinned at her before his expression faded slightly. “I've decided my own path as well. I'm gonna tell the band what we've been up to. All of it.”

Tessa felt queasy. “Father won't be happy.”

“Ah, your old man had his fun. If what you told me is true then Orin's existence won't remain a secret for much longer. That's if the Hall doesn't know already,” Boldrin sighed, “I lied to them for too long. We'll meet you in Myrin after that. It could take some time and I don't know if I'll even have a company after it, but I'm done with lying. That's the Hall's way, your father's way. But it ain't gonna be mine no more.”

“I understand,” Tessa replied quietly, “Thank you, Boldrin. For everything.”

“No, thank you, Tess,” Boldrin's eyes lit up with fire. “Now run, kid. Your Knight and Sister-Smith are waiting for you. Even if they don't know it themselves. You're done with the Brigade and with me. Go grab your destiny, girl.”

Tessa smiled, her canines flashing as her grey eyes lit up with a predatory intensity. She had forgotten, but Boldrin had helped her to remember.

Her name was Tessaraina D'viritazi, Smith of Orin of Myrin, his Second Throne.

It was time for her to grab a hold of her destiny.