Bird of a Flock (Bow 2) - Chapter 32: Chapter 32

The sound of Tai'ray bearing was more than enough to make even the most stubborn warrior's blood freeze. Ryraso almost couldn't breathe as Tai'ray lunged at Fetmar, talons drawn and ready to strike. Fetmar managed to dodge out of the way and tried to defend himself. Except he was already badly injured and tired.
Tai'ray was not.
Nor was the Winglord in any mood to show any mercy. Ryraso tried to pull out of Dyn'ad grip but the man refused to let go of him. Blood dripped around his arms and Dyn'ad forced him to look in his eyes as Fetmar yelled in pain.  There were no words said but Ryraso could suddenly feel the mark on his arm from the goddess burning intensely. Dyn'ad hugged Ryraso tightly as Ryraso started to breathe fast. He couldn't interfere in this? He couldn't watch Tai'ray kill Fetmar either.
Fetmar tried so hard to defend himself. As a testament to his skills, he did actually manage to get a few hits in. Though they bounced off Tai'ray like they were nothing more than a fly on Tai'ray. Claws cut into his skin and flesh. Tai'ray spared nothing. Eventually, Fetmar found himself on his knees, the Winglord looming over him. Talons at his throat ready to rip it out. They were about to tighten when Yerir'o rushed to Fetmar's aid.
Before Tai'ray could make that final move, Yerir'o yanked Fetmar out of his grip. Forcing the human to the floor behind him. Tai'ray snarled and Yerir'o quickly fell down on one knee in front of the Winglord, praying he would be forgiven his interference. "My lord, please calm yourself!" he pleaded.
"You dare interfere?" Tai'ray growled, his voice dripping with anger.
"Only from what you will regret. Sir! He is your chosen one's son!" Yerir'o pleaded, one hand behind him keeping Fetmar from getting up. Not that the man was going anywhere fast. Every inch of Fetmar's body was covered in cuts and bruises. Fetmar was breathing heavily but staying still.
Tai'ray snarled, but the words made him pause. The meanings behind them pulling him from the anger haze and reminding him of just who had had been about to injure dangerously. Slowly he looked over at Ryraso. Ryraso looked back at him cautiously, desperation on his face. Dyn'ad was holding him close but Tai'ray could see blood running down Ryraso's arm. Dyn'ad had clearly been holding the man back from interfering himself. Fear was radiating from Ryraso and it was almost sickening to Tai'ray. He didn't want Ryraso to be scared of him.
Please don't hurt my sons!
Ryraso's words came back to him. Sons. Plural. Eyeri may have been his apprentice, but his brothers were also family. Including the foolish one on the ground in front of him. Something inside him cooled slightly. He was still angry, but no longer furious. Breathing deeply, Tai'ray decided to take a different approach.
"You should think yourself lucky, boy," Tai'ray snarled, his lips curling back to show off his fangs. "If you had been anyone else, I would have killed you tonight." He had been planning to before Yerir'o had reminded him of who Fetmar was. His rights for claiming people were clear and no one other than the goddess herself had the right to question them. "But, you are fortunate that you are Eyeri's brother. Killing you would only ensure the little one's hatred. Something I do not desire," His voice was softer as he said that, not that Fetmar noticed but the others in the room did.
"Then let him go," Fetmar spat back.
Tai'ray smirked, "You don't know when to shut up do you?" he asked. Waving Yerir'o away, Tai'ray crouched down next to Fetmar and patted this face lightly, speaking directly to him. "In a few days, Ryraso and several of the other caw are to be branded. As will the Sparrows." There were sounds of protest but a single glare from Tai'ray had them quiet again. No one wanted to piss him off more, not after the display he had just given. Tai'ray had reigned himself in but he still looked seconds away from killing someone.
"You, on the other hand, I have yet to decide," Tai'ray added with an icy cold tone. Fetmar looked up silently, his face neutral but his eyes couldn't quite hide the fear. "You tried to steal something precious of mine. Something that will not go unpunished," Tai'ray stated. "Originally I was going to have you whipped after being branded. However," Fetmar looked slightly ill as the Winglord said the 'however'. Being whipped he could deal with. Being branded he could hide. A 'however' had a darker connotation. "I am reluctant to send your tech officer to the D'mar prisoner camp on his own. You have proven yourself disrespectful, rude and trouble. Why should I risk Loror's wrath, over you?"
"Eyeri," Fetmar found himself saying. He would rather die than be taken to the D'mar prisoner camp. Everyone knew what happened there. How people were torn apart and used in gruesome experiments. Horror filled him at the idea, along with the dark voice that maybe being stuck in Navat from now on was not the worst idea.
"Would get over it knowing I could have killed you," Tai'ray said harshly. "Frankly, I see more advantages of sending you away than keeping you here," the voices echoed slightly as his volume increased by the end.
"Winglord," Yerir'o whispered in horror. "Please, no."
"Tai..." Ryraso murmured over the link with the same plea. Both of them knew his words were true. It would be far easier to send Fetmar away and take away someone who could be a bad influence on Eyeri adapting to his new life. That didn't mean it was the best thing to do. "He's young, don't send him there with no trial."
"I would be quiet if I were you, Yerir'o," Tai'ray growled, mentally petting Ryraso gently but with the regret of a man who was not going to change his mind. "Who am I, Fetmar?" he demanded.
"The Winglord," Fetmar acknowledged, looking down. An action that suddenly reminded Tai'ray of Eyeri painfully. Tai'ray tapped his cheek firmly and Fetmar looked up at him again. Fear was still filling his eyes but something else was too. Something Tai'ray couldn't quite name.
"Correct. Now I give you one chance. You can stay, if you want. Though if you wish to do so I expect you to apologise. Ask nicely and kiss my ring," Tai'ray ordered with a dark smile and wiggled his fingers to show off the ring in question.  It was a serious request to make of the man. The action of kissing Tai'ray's ring meant Fetmar would be swearing fealty to the Winglord. It meant Fetmar accepted his rule and seemed the most fitting punishment for questioning it to Tai'ray.
Fetmar gulped. "Can I think about it?" he asked slowly, his eyes moving back to the floor, clearly needing to try to get a few moments to think things over. Submitting to his orders meant living under Tai'ray's rule, it meant agreeing to be branded and whipped. It also meant living with Eyeri and Ryraso in a relatively peaceful place. Fighting meant being taken to hell and never seeing any of his family again but to submit was to go against all of his loyalties.
"I see," Tai'ray murmured as the man stayed down. He stood and looked down at the young man darkly.
"Don't you dare! Give him time!"Dyn'ad ordered over the link, sensing Tai'ray's desire just to throw the man in prison and throw away the keys. Part of Tai'ray wanted to say no. He was the leader but Dyn'ad was his mate. Fetmar was his intended's adoptive son. A protective older brother who had only wanted to save Eyeri from a fate he thought was going to be something worse than death.
The very thought of Eyeri in a D'mar prison camp made Tai'ray ill.
No. While the brother had tried to steal something which was his, Tai'ray wouldn't punish him for being a good brother. Looking down at Fetmar, he mentally huffed. "I will give you some time to think. Yerir'o!" The General was by his side in an instant. "Clean him up. Put him in a cage by himself."
"Yes, sir!" Yerir'o responded, picking the injured man up and holding him close. Fetmar grunted in pain but did lean against the General, his eyes watching Tai'ray warily. Tai'ray smirked, letting Yerir'o know the Winglord knew perfectly well how he felt about the other. Yerir'o flushed and tightened his grip on Fetmar.
"Fetmar, I warn you now. You try to escape or help anyone else to escape. I'll throw you into the D'mar prisoner camp myself. Got it?" Tai'ray warned, cupping his face again so the young man was looking him in the eyes.
"Yes sir," Fetmar replied, his voice quiet. No doubt feeling the weight of his injuries now.
"Good," Tai'ray nodded before turning on his heel and stormed out of the room. Dyn'ad stayed with Ryraso and the prisoners. Tai'ray felt a twinge of hurt which was quickly smothered with Dyn'ad's love. Dyn'ad yanked him mentally close and reassuring him that his love was still strong, and was still proud of him. His mate knew none of this was easy for him. Taking a moment to enjoy the warmth, Tai'ray spread his wings and flew into the air. He needed somewhere to think over all that had happened.
"Fucking hell," Ryraso cursed as Tai'ray left, leaning on Dyn'ad heavily. "Fetmar, what the fuck were you thinking?" he demanded, pushing off Dyn'ad to storm over to his son. Fetmar said nothing, looking down and clutching onto Yerir'o tightly. Yerir'o didn't move, still recovering himself from what just happened. "Fetmar?"
"Ry," Fetmar said lowly, looking at him.
Ryraso exhaled and wrapped his arms around his feather and paint covered son. Fetmar leant against him and hugged him, Yerir'o still half holding on to the human trespasser understandingly. The k'nairi in the room let them have their moment but after a moment, Yerir'o gently pulled Fetmar from him.
"I had better go follow my orders," Yerir'o said with the tone of a man who had finally pulled himself together. "I'll keep him safe, Royal Consort," he said officially. Fetmar glanced at Yerir'o with a concerned look but didn't fight being held closely.
"Let me know if he is injured," Ryraso said firmly. It was almost impossible to tell with the mess of things over the two men. There were a few flecks of blood from Tai'ray's talons but really there was nothing to do until the mess was off.
"I will," Yerir'o nodded back, before pulling Fetmar out of the room, the two leaving a trail of glitter and feathers behind them.
"Ryraso," Dyn'ad said softly.
Ryraso glanced over at him but exhaled and walked over to Zaro's cage. Zaro looked up at him and quickly reached out to grab his hand as Ryraso offered it. "How your brother agreed to this plan, I have no idea," Ryraso said darkly, kissing Zaro's forehead through the bars, the other man looking surprised by the action but Ryraso refused to blush or show it was not a normal thing to do. "This was a suicide mission."
"He calculated 60% success rate. Lower than his normal 80% but three times higher than any other mission like this before," Zaro murmured. "Things are bad at the moment. In some ways, this mission was safer for me than some of the other options. He just wasn't expecting Fiant to be the default option for failure," he admitted, fear in his voice. Ryraso gripped his hands and made shushing noises.
"Dyn'ad, is it really the only option?" Ryraso asked, looking back at the man.
"It is the closest prison. Unless you can think of a reason why we should keep him here," Dyn'ad admitted. "There is something tugging. Something more than you being Tiew's brother," he mused frowning. "What was your job on the warship?"
"Primarily I am a sniper but I function as tech support too," Zaro swallowed. "I was lovers to Sayskel and Kelenn," he finished softly. It was a strange thing to admit to but the twins had been friendly rivals with the Royals. It was the only thing Zaro could think of that made him stand out compared to the other grunts on the warship.
"Was?" Ryraso frowned. The twins had still been very attached to Zaro three weeks prior when the warship had gone down.  "What happened?" he asked seriously, not liking the implication behind the wording.
"They're fine," Zaro quickly reassured, "It's just. I did something stupid and now they don't want to look at me. So there is that," he said softly, his cheeks blushing slightly.
"What happened?" Ryraso pressed, his voice gentler now he knew they were alive but still pressing down. Dyn'ad also appeared closer and Zaro's cheeks went redder as Dyn'ad furrowed his eyebrows and inspected his face. Zaro looked away, the situation not helped by the fact the Sparrows were listening in.
Zaro gripped Ryraso's hand and pulled him closer. Zaro leant through the bar and whispered into Ryraso's ear. Ryraso blinked and then his face turned soft. He kissed Zaro's cheek and patted his hand. "Behave, don't try anything. I'll make sure you don't go to Fiant," Ryraso promised. "You nor Fetmar."