Hellion's Reckoning

When they returned the mass of unconscious figures were stirring and cleaning the glade of their trash. Someone had produced a cauldron of coffee and passed it out to everyone as they woke. Inias gathered Keira, Varen, Vestin and the rest of his troop so Ashryn could explain things. “That’s it!” Keira had interrupted, “I sensed something amiss when I caught you two, it was your gaze.”

Ashryn nodded and flashed her hazel eyes at them, “It brings out desire and passion.” Inias blushed and nervously fiddled with his hair. “Moving on…” He cleared his throat and urged her to continue. When she told them of the Redwood’s massacre a silence fell over them. Another Hellion clan gone, wiped carelessly from the world.

“I’m no better…” Keira spoke softly looking up at Inias, then to her father. “I’ve been spying for him.”

“What?” Inias snapped, “You too?!”

“What did you expect?” Varen spoke up, resting a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “You were struggling to pick a side. We couldn’t trust you.”

“But I believed in you!” Keira said, stepping away from her father. “I knew you’d come through. And everything that happened…it was real.” A blush tinted her cheeks as she reached out, hoping he wouldn’t be upset. “I understand,” Inias muttered, taking her hand.

Varen looked at Ashryn and frowned, “I’m sorry for your losses,” he said as a servant brushed past them, scooping wine bottles into a bag. “Sorry…we really left a mess,” The girl muttered, keeping her head low as they parted and let her pass. “So sorry Ashryn, we’ll burn his palace to the ground and spike his head upon the gates.” The girl continued, cautiously reaching out to grab a bottle between Lord Varen’s feet.

“We burn Dusk Haven to the ground.” Vestin spoke up, crossing his massive arms. “Burn the city!” Someone cried, overhearing them. The cry echoed across the clearing and Keira shook her head. “Just like the Magistrate!” She cried out, the crowd falling into hushed tones. “Why should we show him mercy?” Some of them whispered.

“I never said we’d show him mercy!” She corrected them and climbed onto her brother’s back. Hoisted upon one of his shoulders, she looked over the crowd. “We can’t justify burning the entire city because of him. That’s how he justified the village attack, how he justifies everything.” Keira turned to Ashryn and offered a gentle smile. “I promise your family will have justice, but not like that. It’s not what they would want.”

Ashryn looked up to her and nodded. She wanted to watch the palace burn, to see him spiked as a warning to all the other purists. If they made the city suffer, it would never mend the wounds. The zealots would feel justified in their wrath and begin more ruthless purges. The people of the city would be made into martyrs to further their cause. “I know,” she said and reached out to catch Keira as she slid from Vestin’s back.

The crowd had grown quiet, whispering among themselves. Some were still ready to torch Dusk Haven, but most had come to support Keira. “We’re not like them,” An older woman said, offering Ashryn a sympathetic smile. “We can’t be the monsters they think we.”

“We’re not the monsters we think they are,” Inias said grinning as he leapt up onto Vestin’s back. “Hey!” Vestin cried out, reaching back to push him off. Inias evaded his hands and hopped up onto his shoulders. Both of his long legs hooked around his friend’s neck, and he gripped his silky blue hair. “They’re so afraid of us, they’ve forgotten their own demons,” He went on as Vestin groaned up at him. “Off!” Vestin said and threw Inias to the ground.

Inias yelped when his chest slammed into the grass. His head spun when it hit the ground and he moaned, rubbing his temples. “You’re tall enough to make your point!” Vestin said as he pulled Inias to his feet. “Hey…” Keira whimpered beside Inias, “Not that short.”

“Well, what are we going to do, prince?” Varen asked, a challenged hinted in his eyes. “Do you have a plan, or is this more boasting?”

“For heaven’s sake leave the plans to me! Haven’t you all botched this enough?!” A voice called out from the crowd. They all turned to each other, shrugging and whispering. “Down here!” It spoke again and Inias looked down to find a little white mouse standing beneath them. He was no taller than the blades of grass and wore a little blue rube around himself. As he looked closer, Inias saw the tiny spectacles upon his face giving him a sense of wisdom.

“Thaddeus…” Inias said, falling to his knee, trying to fight the laughter bubbling from his lips. “Thaddeus Whiskertail?” He cleared his throat and bowed his head slightly. “Well go on, laugh,” Thaddeus answered him, “It’s a silly name, I knew that when I chose it!”

A rustle in the grass startled Thaddeus, who gave a squeal. “Get that fox away from me!” he yelped, scurrying up Inias’ arm to seek refuge in his hair. Styx stood behind Inias, licking his lips. “He hounded me all night, missed half the revelry dodging him!” Inias extended a hand to placate Styx, “Styx! He’s not food! We need his help.” Styx whined at his words, lowering his head with an apologetic whimper. Peeking from Inias’ dark locks, Thaddeus remarked, “Well, I suppose I’ll let it slide. We were all a bit tipsy last night.”

“Pleasure to make your acquaintances,” Thaddeus addressed them with a nod, including the prince. “Even you. Though your little escapade left me in a desperate place, it was quite clever. Few have dared to pull off such a stunt. With a touch of guidance, you could become a magnificent strategist.”