Bird of a Flock (Bow 2) - Chapter 47: Chapter 47

Fetmar woke up many times that night, not used to sleeping with so many people around him. It was hot and slightly uncomfortable at times, but oddly comforting. Each time he woke up, wings gently moved over him, coaxing him back to sleep. The k'nairi seemed to know when someone in their midsts was struggling to sleep and even while sleeping themselves trying to sooth them. The feeling tickled slightly, but it worked. Someone's wings lulled him back to sleep every time he was struggling but then having Eyeri and Aw'endo in his arms, safe and sleeping soundly also helped.
One time he woke up, Tai'ray was also awake. The Winglord sat by the window watching the sunrise with a solemn expression on his face. There was something almost strangely ethereal about how the leader looked at that moment with the sun's warm rays lighting his golden hair and white wings. He turned when Fetmar shifted, his light blue eyes locking on to the humans. Tai'ray smiled and for one moment Fetmar thought he could see something sad in the look.
"Morning," the Winglord nodded, his wings shivering in the wind. "Looks to be a beautiful day," he mused, looking back outside. "You should go back to sleep. You have a long day ahead of you," he murmured gently.
"So do you," Fetmar replied but didn't get up. He was warm and comfortable for the moment, also he didn't want to wake the boys curled around him.
Tai'ray's lips twitched as he looked back at Fetmar and stood, suddenly looking far more mortal as his muscles flexed and scars appeared in the change of lighting.  "I'm used to it," he pointed out with a heavy tone in his voice. The sun still lit his hair and wings but his body and face were in shadow. A strange look passed over the man's face and he looked at Fetmar. A moment of decision crossed his face before Tai'ray gave him a look which reminded Fetmar almost painfully of Inai. "You are staying."
"I agreed to consequences that comes with," Fetmar nodded, not sure where this was going. He had never really interacted with the Winglord before this. Still, the look on his face right now reminded him of several other conversations he had with people in the early morning or occasionally dark at night.
"The emptiness in the link is still daunting but it is reducing now. More and more of mine are returning. Or at the least taking off their seals. Trying to gain a little more time," Tai'ray admitted, kneeling down next to Fetmar though not directly over him. Tai'ray ruffled Aw'endo's wings, combing the younglings hair out of his face.
"Are you granting it?" Fetmar asked, thinking over everything he knew about the situation at the moment. Even if the first statement was a little vague the next had a far more obvious meaning. About the caw he knew and how they felt about returning to Navat. None of the Sparrows were caw. He knew a few Pigeons and Eagles who were though. None of them were happy with it. The k'nairi caw were angry but also a little resigned, like they had known this would happen eventually.
Tai'ray shrugged, his eyes watching Aw'endo sleep. "To a degree. They will end up returning but the ones who hide will be searched for more urgently."
"Those who are not hidden can be found any time. Those who are hidden cannot," Fetmar murmured, shivering slightly. He could not help but wonder how many would be brave enough to offer such a deal, and how many would hide out of fear or pride. Tai'ray met his eyes and smiled nodding. It was the same sad look he had been looking outside with.
"You are a smart one," Tai'ray said approvingly. "A family trait, I see. I wish I could let you understand why this must happen, Fetmar. But it is very hard for anyone outside of the link to understand just what it is like. This is the first time in thousands of years that such a big group of k'nairi has separated from the flock. There are always a few who are different, but," Tai'ray shrugged helplessly, "We try to keep them close."
Fetmar hummed, his eyes drooping slightly. "That so?" he asked softly. He reached over and touched Tai'ray's hand which was resting on Aw'endo's head in a gesture that was far too informal but Fetmar was willing to risk it at the moment. "I may not understand this Winglord, but even I know what you have triggered isn't going to stop now. Rest. You have a far more troublesome road ahead than I do."
Tai'ray chuckled. "I have already warned you not to assume your place with me. You are right in this instance. I will sleep. And tomorrow we will discuss your new place in the world," he promised almost ominously, but he also pressed a kiss to Fetmar's forehead and patted his hand.
Closing his eyes, Fetmar listened as Tai'ray slipped back under the blankets, this time next to Awen'do. This time Fetmar could feel the Winglord's wings reaching over to brush over them, silently telling him to sleep. Fetmar slowly fell back into an uneasy sleep.
-----x-----
Herymi woke as a cold draft washed over him, revealing he was now sleeping alone. He shivered and sat up, wincing at how stiff his back was. He rubbed his shoulder and glanced around the room to see where his suitor had gone. O'chetur hadn't been gone long, there was a warm spot next to him.
When they had come to Navat, Herymi hadn't wanted to share a nest. Slightly afraid of what that would suggest but the Navat hut was not big. It was an open plan room with a tiny private room to the side that had a shower set up within it. Herymi could have been stubborn and set up a makeshift bed in the corner near the fireplace but he had been tired of travelling hard and rough.
The nest was comfortable, covered in thick furs and luxurious pillows. A clear sign Cha'em had spent some time in the hut. The man liked good quality products. O'chetur was too much of a warrior to care about nice pillows. It was also big enough that most nights he had been able to sleep with some space between him and O'chetur. Well, he had been able to fall to sleep with some space. Almost every day he had woken wrapped around O'chetur, buried in his arms and wings.
O'chetur didn't like being far from him and he wasn't anywhere in the hut. Frowning, Herymi stood and hissed in pain as his back burned. He fell back to his knees and gripped the fur in front of him, arching his back slightly to try to stop the pain. The only difference between the oath and the brand so far that he could tell was that the metal iron was not pressed to his back. His back still hurt, though possibly not as bad.
"Well, that's a nice sight,"  O'chetur commented teasingly.
Herymi looked over his shoulder and glared lightly. He was currently on all fours so the tease was justified if not unwelcome. Herymi twisted so he was no longer in a provocative position, as unintended as it was. He looked up at O'chetur and took in his appearance. He was wearing light armour and his hair was pulled back tightly.
"You're going training?" Herymi asked lightly.
"Yes," O'chetur nodded.
"You should have woken me, I'll go with you," Herymi offered, sitting up intending to get dressed to go. His back hurt but he couldn't let that stop him from being prepared. He was trained to be able to fight in pain.
"No, rest. Heal," O'chetur ordered, before something flickered across his face. A reminder that Herymi wasn't actually his mate perhaps. "Please," he added softly.
"I can't just stay here," Herymi argued, pushing himself up to his feet. He pulled a pained expression and O'chetur gently pushed him back down. The other knelt over him and cupped his face, pressing their foreheads together. O'chetur looked him in the eyes, before gently kissing his lips.
Herymi let him. It felt strange but... Herymi wasn't sure anymore. Herymi closed his eyes and pulled O'chetur closer, kissing deeper. One of O'chetur's hands moved to comb through Herymi's hair and Herymi reached up to clasp at O'chuter's arm. Strange but nice. Safe and warm, yet something was not quite right and Herymi wasn't sure what. The other hand moved from his hand to move downwards. As it grew close to his groin, Herymi tensed and it moved.
O'chetur stopped kissing him and moved away, kissing Herymi's forehead, leaving Herymi breathing heavily and feeling cold. Herymi forced himself not to reach out and stop O'chetur going. He didn't want O'chetur to leave yet.  But he wasn't ready for what came from stopping him. Slumping back on the furs, Herymi looked up at the ceiling and wondered how things had turned out like this.
"I'm sorry," Herymi murmured, turning on his side, not willing to look at O'chetur right now. He wasn't really sure of the emotions running through him at the moment. The only thing he could really settle on was confusion.
"Probably best. You aren't in any condition right now. Plus, I'm not sure if your risk yesterday marks you as done or not," O'chetur said tightly. Herymi couldn't tell if he was angry or disappointed. Possibly both.
"It was worth the risk," Herymi stated.
"I disagree," O'chetur commented. "I doubt Guardian Fl'ex would agree either," he added. "You agreed to test a spell that hasn't been used in any living memory and that was hidden away. For all we knew..." he trailed off before exhaling. "I understand you wanted to protect people, but you risked too much. We only just got you back. I promised Fl'ex I'd protect you. What would I have told him if that spell had harmed you?" He stopped talking, swallowing loudly. Herymi listened to sounds as O'chetur gathered what he needed for the day feeling slightly hollow in his chest. He hadn't really considered that.
The nest dipped again as O'chetur joined him again, leaning over him to kiss his cheek. An arm wrapped around him in an awkward one armed hug. It wasn't particularly comfortable with the man's armour digging into Herymi awkwardly. "I love you dearly Herymi and I understand you won't change who you are just because you are back in the link. But please don't do that again," he asked softly.
"I'll try," Herymi whispered, not really trusting his voice right now.
"No, don't try. Just don't," O'chetur said, this time not bothering to put it diplomatically. "I'll be gone a few hours. Try to sleep more," he said gently, rubbing Herymi's shoulder before leaving the nest.
Herymi had spent the last seven years looking out for other people without really thinking of his own skin. He was home now. He had people who cared for him and worried about him. He had to be more careful from now on. Herymi shifted, and pulled some more blankets over him. O'chetur was right. Fl'ex was not going to be happy when he heard about this.