Bird of a Flock (Bow 2) - Chapter 34: Chapter 34

Cai'ress had kissed Aw'endo on his forehead before pushing him back out of the shrine area. Aw'endo left unhappily but went back to the rooms where Herymi was standing, talking to one of the guards outside. Herymi looked over at Aw'endo and a gesture in his direction, making the guard slump slightly. The look was one of stern disapproval and Herymi moved over to Aw'endo.
"Aw'endo," Herymi smiled tightly, reaching out to grip his shoulder. The action was familiar, almost too familiar but it was the greeting of a warrior and one which made Aw'endo's chest feel warm. "Please don't wander away at this time. People are on high alert and the last thing we need is you disappearing too," he scolded lightly.
"I'm fine, I just went to pray," Aw'endo reassured. "Shouldn't people be more concerned with you?" he smirked, tilting his head. "You are the caw, after all," he grinned.
Herymi snorted and led Aw'endo back into the consort rooms, glaring at the guards as he entered. They all looked slightly embarrassed. "It's lucky Navat is mostly safe. The guards here have barely any training on how to look after high-value people," Herymi shook his head, sitting down lightly on one of the pillows. "I'm fine. I've got half the guard reporting my location to Captain Par'nast so he can ask me a billion questions," he grumbled. "The other caw currently here have been rounded up. I get points for being Fl'ex's son."
"But I don't for being Dyn'ad's?" Aw'endo mock pouted, sitting next to him with a smile.
"Do you have a dagger or any kind of weapon on you?" Herymi asked, punching Aw'endo lightly.
"No," Aw'endo muttered, flushing. Herymi just gave him a look and Aw'endo exhaled. "I don't want to be trapped in here. It's bad enough dealing with the noble twats in training," Aw'endo complained.
"I'm sure you won't be, Aw'en," Herymi chuckled. "Now they caught the sparrows, there are only about forty others who can fly?" he shrugged. "I don't know. Either way, I doubt any of them are going to risk coming here with the Winglord claiming anyone who flies."
They both glanced over as the consort room doors opened and Nel'os strode in, several servants behind him carrying trays of food and a few books. The servants hovered around, a few moving into the other rooms before disappearing out again in a whirlwind of activity as Nel'os collapsed on to the pillows and wrapped an arm around Aw'endo to pull him close.
"Hello, Herymi," Nel'os greeted, hugging Aw'endo close. "I heard you and O'chuter have been conscripted to the guard?" he said lightly as Aw'endo curled into him.
"Just so," Herymi exhaled. "Still, better than sitting around all day just waiting," he said softly. "May I ask Royal Bonded, what has become of your wayward son? I assumed he would have been confined in here," he said, looking at the open doors. "The Winglord hasn't..." Herymi trailed off, clearly cutting himself off remembering just who he was talking to.
"In the consort's cage," Nel'os answered truthfully, gesturing over to the curtains which hid the room from obvious view. "No one is currently allowed to see him until the ceremony tomorrow where he is to be branded," he explained, rubbing Aw'endo's back under his wings.
Herymi stopped himself from saying the first thing which came to mind. The Royals had treated him kindly but that didn't give him permission to question the methods they choose. Still, as he watched the royal, it was clear Nel'os was no happier with the situation than Herymi. The man's wings were trembling. Nel'os had managed to keep his voice neutral but his wings betrayed his true feelings on the matter. Herymi nodded slowly and looked over at the curtains. "Is it wise? To leave the boy alone in a cage when we already know he has nightmares," Herymi pointed out. "It's bad enough the Winglord is insistent Eyeri is branded but to cage him as well..." It was cruel, maybe too cruel even. Especially alone.
"Is Fetmar alive?" Aw'endo asked quietly, a slight keen in his voice. Now one of his guardians was there he felt safe not to pull himself together. Cai'ress had helped but it was not the same as being comforted by the people who had been taking care of him since his parent nest had died. He didn't want his brother to suffer. Neither of them.
"Fetmar is alive, yes. As for whether it is wise or not," Nel'os paused, "If Eyeri had not run. If Fetmar had not insulted Tai-ray. The goddess has given us a way to mark someone as k'nairi with all the correct side effects but Tai-ray has made up his mind now and nothing short of a miracle will stop what is about to happen from happening."
"Fetmar insulted Tai-ray?" Aw'endo eyes were huge, as he pulled away to look Nel'os in the eyes. "Tai-ray let him live?"
"Just," Nel'os nodded slowly. That word made everyone go cold and Aw'endo quickly cuddled back into Nel'os chest. Nel'os held him tight for a moment before letting go, kissing Aw'endo on the forehead. "I'm going to break into Eyeri's room. Tai-ray won't stop me. As much as it is his duty to punish the boy, it is my right to comfort and protect him if Tai goes too far," Nel'os said firmly. "Aw'endo, I suggest you go study. I know Tai-ray is still deciding your punishment and it would be a very good idea not to annoy him at the moment, darling."
"But!" Aw'endo complained, clutching onto Nel'os.
"You're old enough now that cutting your secondary feathers won't be dangerous," Nel'os warned, making Aw'endo pale and nod, looking fairly defeated. It was the secondary feathers which were cut to punish adults. Aw'endo kissed Nel'os on the cheek before rushing off to his room and slamming the door.
"You couldn't have snuck him in with you?" Herymi commented lightly before exhaling. "I better go hunt down my keeper. Nel'os. Look after Eyeri, please. He's been scared enough in the short time he's been around the k'nairi and the boy really needs a reason to like it here."
"I know," Nel'os murmured. "Tai-ray has really messed this up."
Aw'endo closed the door a little firmer than planned and flopped on his bed. He was getting fed up of being brushed off. Burying his face in the pillows, Aw'endo drifted to sleep before waking up a little while later. Sitting up, he rubbed his face and heard someone in the main room.
Flying blindly, Tai-ray found himself back in the consort quarters, feeling no better for the long flight. He walked to the cage room, planning to go and comfort Eyeri for a little while but hesitated before he could enter as he realised that Nel'os was already there doing the job. He could feel hurt and fear rolling off the door. Not to mention he could feel Nel'os anger at him for causing their little one to feel this way. Nel'os was blocking their bond as much as he could in clear protect.
Tai'ray wasn't welcome in there at the moment.
That hurt more than Tai-ray was willing to admit. Blocking himself from his mates so even if Nel'os did try to look he wouldn't notice, Tai'ray walked back to windows. Tai'ray was about to fly off when another person made themselves known in the common room. "Papa?" a voice called softly. He turned to find Aw'endo looking at him with big eyes, half hiding behind the door.
"Aw'en," Tai'ray trilled softly, walking up to the boy and drawing him out from behind the door and hugged him closely.
Aw'endo hugged him back tightly, able to feel his adoptive father's trembling. Making the decision, Aw'endo tugged Tai'ray into his bedroom. Tai'ray stumbled willingly and Aw'endo pushed his father to his bed, before curling up next to him. Tai-ray held on tightly to his charge, glad at least one person wanted him around at the moment.
"Why did you cage Eyeri, Papa?" Aw'endo asked softly.
"I ... I can risk losing him again," Tai'ray admitted, his grip loosening on Aw'endo like he was expecting the boy to fall away from him now.
"Where are Fetmar and Ryraso?" Aw'endo pressed.
"Fetmar is with Yerir'o and Ryraso is with Dyn'ad," Tai-ray's voice was tired with a clear desire not to talk about it. "Aw'endo? Can you tell me about what you got up on the ship?"
Aw'endo nodded and began to talk. Letting his father lose himself in the tales and relax for a bit. Enjoying the feeling of having the Winglord to himself for a change. Enjoying seeing him smile and laugh, even if it was only a temporary escape from the reality for things at the moment.
After all, everyone needed somewhere to land.
Dyn'ad walked behind Ryraso carefully, not unaware that the human was on a war stride
Dyn'ad walked behind Ryraso carefully, not unaware that the human was on a war stride. Ryraso's shoulders were tensed and his steps deliberate. He had watched Ryraso say goodbye to the young man fated for Fiant before walking away. Yet strangely to Dyn'ad, it was not to the consort rooms like Dyn'ad had expected but to a shrine.
"You are praying too," Ryraso warned, as he stepped into the currently empty room. "We need the Goddess on our side."
"You're planning to use the Goddess to corner Tai'ray?" Dyn'ad asked confused.
"No, that would be stupid. However, the things that must change may go against an oath she forced me into. The question is, where is the line between fixing wrongs and interfering with the flock?" Ryraso asked seriously, unwrapping his arm. The scar already healed into white lines. He looked up at the shrine and began cleaning the previous users' candles from it. The wax had melted down so the flames had gone out, though there was a lantern of blessed fire in the back of the room to be used to light new candles. Ryraso knew, as every student of the medical circle, how to pray to the k'nairi goddess. Not to mention half a dozen other gods too.
"What oath did she make you take?" Dyn'ad demanded, his nose flaring and his eyes narrowing but he moved over to help prepare the shrine. He locked the door, not wanting witnesses for this and took some incense out of the communal cupboard.
"To not make come between Tai'ray and his duties. I don't know where this falls," Ryraso commented softly, his hands soothing some of the cloth over the shrine before walking to the fire. "I'm not threatening to leave over this but it is personal to me. Fetmar and Zaro do not deserve Fiant, even if they do deserve punishment for their actions."
Dyn'ad was quiet for a moment, just watching as Ryraso pulled out some candles with a lost and conflicted expression on his face. Ryraso's shoulders now looked heavy and Dyn'ad could feel his own heart aching from the options ahead of them. Ryraso was a healer, he cared about all who fell into his care in ways that the Royals could not and that was always going to bring conflict. Dyn'ad moved over to stand next to his love, reaching with his free had to cup Ryraso's face and turn it to him. Their eyes meet and something passed between them. Dyn'ad kissed Ryraso's forehead and held the man close to him.
"Tai'ray was debating much the same problem earlier," Dyn'ad admitted softly. "He too facing moments where it is not clear if his actions are too personal or if they will truly benefit the flock."
Ryraso rested his head against Dyn'ad chest for a moment, a stray tear rolling down his cheek before he pulled himself together. "Come on, no distracting me. Have to do the prays and then deal with everything else." Ryraso said firmly, leaning up to kiss Dyn'ad on the lips gently. Dyn'ad caught him and held him there for a moment.
"I love you," Dyn'ad smiled.
"I love you too," Ryraso smiled back. "Now light the incense."