Lyra stopped her horse and pulled out her bow, nocking an arrow. She could hear the other horse coming. When it rounded the corner, she dropped her arrow in shock at the sight of the filthy man on the fine horse. "Geryl?!"

She rode up next to him. He didn't respond, slumped over on the saddle. She looked around cautiously, half expecting an ambush or some other trick. The horse stopped as she cut it off and Geryl stirred. "Lyra?"

"Yes, it's me, what are you doing here?"

She dismounted and grabbed the reins from his limp, bandaged hands. Geryl let out a rattled chuckle and tried to dismount. He essentially fell, his fall slightly broken by Lyra's attempt to catch the bigger man.

He sat on the road and she knelt down. With a burst of energy, he reached out and snatched her wrist, locking around it like a vice. His eyes met hers and concern turned to wariness when she saw the crazed look in his eyes.

"I've got a message for you...and a few words of my own."

Casually she tried to pull herself free, but he tightened his grip. She turned to his hand to remove it forcefully and saw there were only three fingers and a thumb around her wrist...and two stumps. A cold feeling filled her stomach and her survival instincts kicked in. She turned back to Geryl and he shoved a paper in her face.

"Read it. That bastard brother of yours gave it to me."

Her curiosity was enough to make her take the letter with her free hand and delay any more extreme attempts to get away from Geryl.

Lyra,

Father wants you back. If you return there will be no punishment, just a position at his side. We're not children anymore, there's no need to compete. Let's work together.

If you don't come, Bryn will come to you. I was kind to the people who sheltered you, but you know if he comes, Taka will burn.

I will be at The Spotted Mate in seven days. I will wait there for three. If you do not show up, I will return to the estate with your refusal. I will join father in finding you and finish what I started.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

As for this messenger. I'm curious how you'll repay his loyalty. His life is in your hands.

Fenrin

"How long ago?" she asked, her gears turning. This was perfect. A chance to talk to Fenrin one on one and an idea of Bryn's plans.

"Three days ago. Maybe four. I kept blacking out." Geryl was scanning her face, trying to see what she was thinking.

She thought he was an idiot. She'd deliberately told him not to pick a fight or deny anyone from her father anything. Fenrin could be cold hearted and rough, but he wasn't one to pick a fight for no reason. Knowing Geryl, the man probably ran his mouth.

"Why'd you piss him off, Geryl? I told you to leave it alone."

Geryl smiled, though it was more of a grimace. "You know me too well. You should know I'd never betray a guild member."

She sighed and pocketed the letter, placing her hand on his maimed one. "You lost your clever fingers for nothing, Geryl. I thought you were smarter than that. Don't worry though, I'll go meet with him."

She moved to get up but he didn't let go, looking at her with hurt and disbelief on his face.

"You really are like him." Lyra flinched at Geryl’s accusation. "You're not going to save the guild. You were going anyway, that's why you were riding this way. You don't give a rat's ass about the guild, about me, Raldo, or Zari!"

She twisted his wrist, finally forcing him to let go and stood up. "Yes I planned on going anyway. I'm done running from my past. I do care about the guild, but I don't plan on dying for it or anyone else. I don't think Zari or Raldo would either, only you're stupid enough for that."

Geryl laughed. "I always knew you were a cold hearted bitch but I thought you got it. The guild isn't a means to an end, Lyra. It is the end, it's my home and my family. I thought you were one of us, but I was wrong. You'd torture me just like he did if I'd been in your way."

Slowly he stood up, staring down at Lyra. He spat in her face. "Do us all a favor and don't come back, you and your brother deserve each other."

She punched him and he fell back to the floor. He couldn't see her face, eyes wide at what she'd done without thinking before they narrowed and she knelt down and grabbed his shirt. "I never claimed to be loyal to anything but myself, so don't go applying your philosophies to me. And you’re right, if you ever do get in my way, I will kill you. But I think you've already been beaten enough and paid for your mistake. I'll leave you some food and water, go back to Taka, Geryl. I'll be back though and don't try to stop me."

She turned back to her horse, tossed a waterskin and bag of food down at Geryl, and without looking back at him, rode off for The Spotted Mare.