Kaye grabbed a small bone knife from her bag and knelt to cut an herb that was still unknown to her when there was a thud beside her and she jumped, nicking her finger. She turned, holding the knife out in defense, then relaxed and stuck her finger in her mouth to stop the bleeding.

Bryant scowled at the tiny weapon. "You shouldn’t point a knife at a Faye."

"You shouldn't sneak up on someone who’s had her wings cut off." Kaye put the knife away and checked her finger. "What are you doing here?"

"I should ask you that. Do you know how far inland you’ve come?"

Kaye looked at the mountain looming before her. "Oh no. I didn't mean to come this far. Timin's going to kill me if I'm gone all day again." She stood and stuffed the unknown plant into her bag.

Bryant smirked. "Maybe you can fight him off with that little knife."

Kaye frowned. "Don't mock me. I come from a long line of warriors. I've used a knife before." She glanced at the small blade in her hand before shuddering and tucking it into her bag as well..

"I am sure you have." Bryant crossed his arms. "You should pay better attention to your surroundings. If someone followed you here, you have lead them straight to us."

"No one follows me. I'm a guest, not a prisoner."

"You‘ll be a wingless slave if you aren’t careful."

It sounded like the idea wasn't all that unwelcoming to him and Kaye hugged her arms around her chest and pursed her lips. "Why do you hate me? What have I done to you?"

He took a step back and he dropped his arms, scowl turning to surprise. "I do not hate you…but I cannot trust you."

"Why?"

That annoyed look again. "Because you are an Odion. Because you grew up Tarrin and your tribe hates the Faye."

"We don't hate the Faye.”

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

"Why do you think your warriors are whipped?"

She paused. That was a strange argument. "To make a blood-bond with the tribe. To mark them as Eoin's chosen, and discover their warrior name."

He shook his head. "That might be what you‘re told, but they do it to make sure your warriors have no wings." Bryant crossed his arms. "The Odion did not want Faye warriors."

Kaye wanted to argue, but what could she say to that? It made sense, when she thought about it. "But they don't hate the Faye. They didn't take my wings…”

"Your High Priestess let them do it." He pronounced each word carefully, as if she were a child.

"It wasn't the Aledans." Kaye hugged her arms closer and looked away. She didn't want to tell him the real story because it meant she had to tell him about Corbin, and what she did to him.

"I thought she betrayed you?"

A burning in her chest, as if her soul itself was wounded. When Kaye spoke, her voice was weak. "It was the Obsidians. She has no power over them."

The suspicious look didn’t leave his face, so Kaye sighed and told him what happened, fingers twisting around themselves as she confessed. Everything. Start to finish. By the end his face was much less stern.

"I am sorry," he said, manner softened. "I know what it feels like to live in a tribe that would rather get rid of you."

"I don't get the sense that the Faye want you to leave."

"They are good at hiding it."

She smiled despite herself. "On the contrary, the Faye use their wings so much that I find them excitable and loud. That's why I like Celeste—her wings stay down. Yours too."

The shadow of a smile crossed his face. "I suppose it would be odd to grow up in a Tarrin village and then come here."

"It's... animated." Her twisted fingers released and dropped to her sides in relief. "But formal. We only wear hides when we have ceremonies. Your village looks like it's celebrating a Festival every day."

Bryant rewarded her with a reluctant chuckle. "You are woefully underdressed and sober."

She was enjoying his presence for the first time when there was a whistle and he looked at the mountain.

His reluctant smile disappeared. "I must go."

She looked in the direction of the coast, frowning at how long it would take to walk back. "I need to go too." When she turned to him, his face was stern again, but less cold.

"Do not let Timin hurt you."

Kaye sighed. "He won't—he thinks I'm a silkie."

At Bryant's unsure look she blushed. "Never mind. He wouldn't hurt me, especially not for coming home late. The Tarrin are not as dangerous as you think."

He stared at her for a moment. "No, I think you are the one who doesn't fear them enough. Be careful in Gaerlom, and be careful when you come inland. They fear us, but not enough, and we have no weapons."

Kaye stopped smiling and nodded. "Don't worry. I wouldn't put the Faye in harm's way." She couldn't take the destruction of yet another village on her shoulders.

"Good. Be careful."

She bowed and began to walk in the direction of Gaerlom. When she turned Bryant was still watching her go. He didn't nod or wave, so she kept walking until she was out of sight. Then she ran to make up for the time she had been talking.