Bird of a Flock (Bow 2) - Chapter 49: Chapter 49

The next time Fetmar woke, the room was bright with the sun and he was mostly alone. No one was around him but he could hear the gentle scratching of writing to the side. Slowly, he tried to look up but he couldn't see properly so he twisted in the blankets. Kicking some out of the way, he found the Winglord sitting to the side with a small desk, writing on some parchment. His hair was back up and he was wearing distinctly royal clothes. It was a strange look to see the second in command of the Dmar army wearing such clothes.
Blue eyes flicked over to him and Fetmar could feel himself flushing embarrassed for some reason. "Morning?" he offered, feeling ten years younger and facing his father after sleeping in too late. He also felt severely underdressed for that moment. He was shirtless, apparently having wriggled his top off during the night due to the heat of sharing a bed with so many people.
"Afternoon," Tai'ray smiled amusedly. "It's about midday now," he teased, eyes pointedly looking over to the side. "The boys should be back soon."
Fetmar followed his eyes and found a pile of clothing waiting for him. Refusing to blush, Fetmar reached over and grabbed the clothes, pulling the top on. He wasn't really sure what to say now. He stood slowly and glanced over at the doors to the side. "Is there somewhere I can wash up?" he asked.
"Eyeri's room," Tai'ray said, gesturing to a door. "Be quick," he added. "Yerir'o wants to talk to us about your brothers soon. I was going to wake you up soon."
"That's... Yes, sir," Fetmar nodded firmly, feeling less like a teenager with a top on and with the news that Yerir'o wanted to talk to him about his brothers.
That was never a good thing. Fetmar lived without knowing where his brothers were most of the time. Yerir'o had been the one before to tell him when something was wrong. Something was already wrong. His brother had been tied to the k'nairi with no hopes of walking free and he was soon to be. The other three were on their own now. Fetmar gulped as it hit him in the chest and quickly pushed into the room Tai'ray had gestured to.
He collapsed onto his knees and leant on the bed, just breathing as tears threatened to fall and it felt like something was gripping his heart. He almost couldn't breathe as he leaned his head against the blue blankets on the bed. He had chosen to live but he had also chosen to abandon his brothers to whatever fates were installed for them. He could not help them now. All he could do was pray to the gods that they would be safe, and hope Yerir'o continued to help them where he could.
It took a few moments for him to recover but slowly his heart felt like it was about to explode and his eyes stopped trying to water. He took deep gulping breaths of air and forced himself to push off the bed. Panic would not help now. He needed to move forward. He stood up and reached down to change into the rest of the clothes.
They were thankfully mostly human style, with baggy pants and soft leather boots that were likely more expensive than anything he had ever owned before. It almost stung how soft they were. These boots weren't going to cause weeks of blisters to break in. They were comfortable from the first moment he put them on. He grabbed the coat and pulled it on tightly. Something didn't feel right here. He didn't like this.
"Fet?" a soft voice called. Fetmar turned and looked at Eyeri. Eyeri looked at him with an emotion Fetmar wasn't sure of in his eyes. He dived at him and suddenly Fetmar had his arms full of his youngest. Fetmar wrapped his arms around Eyeri and picked him up, holding him close.
"Hey kid," he murmured into Eyeri's hair. "You doing alright?" Eyeri nodded, pressing tight, like he thought Fetmar was going to disappear the moment he let go. That made Fetmar's chest hurt too. "Hey, Eyeri?" Fetmar said worried slightly.
"He missed you," Tai'ray commented, standing in the doorway, watching them. "He's scared you're going to do something stupid." Eyeri shifted and Fetmar suspected glared at the Winglord. "He's a little annoyed I'm speaking his mind," Tai'ray smirked. "Perks of being a Winglord, even the beginnings of the link is enough for me to get a sense of someone."
"The beginnings?" Fetmar asked, putting Eyeri on the ground again and rubbing his back.
"Yes," Tai'ray nodded, gesturing for them to join him outside in the common room again. "It seems the ritual does not create a link but speeds up the process. Normally takes a few years to form the beginnings of a link. Eyeri already has it. It's a relief. Hopefully, this will help him learn k'nairi fast too."
"Nel'os and a few others have been trying to teach me but I've been struggling to get the sounds right," Eyeri murmured into Fetmar's chest. Fetmar gently took his shoulders and pushed him in the direction of the door. Fetmar didn't want to annoy Tai'ray. Not after the look, he had seen in the man's eyes. He was calm now but the Winglord was hiding something much darker inside of him and Fetmar wasn't sure how much or how little it took to unleash it.
"It's only been a few days," Tai'ray reassured, moving to let him pass. "You'll pick it up eventually. As will you, Fetmar," he added, looking at the Namya warrior. Fetmar shivered at the look in Tai'ray's eyes. Tai'ray grinned seeing the reaction and patted Fetmar's shoulder as he passed. "Now you live among us, you will learn the language. Many k'nairi refuse to speak human tongue, unless on human lands," he warned.
"High Priest Ton'eath, for example," Eyeri said softly, sitting on some cushions. "He understands human but only talks in k'nairi."
Tai'ray's lips switched and he grimaced. "High Priest Ton'eath is an excellent example," he said darkly. Fetmar got a gut feeling that whoever the priest was, Tai'ray did not like him.
"Sounds fair," Fetmar said slowly.
"Are you unhappy with this?" Tai'ray asked gracefully sitting down and looking at Fetmar neutrally. A chill went down Fetmar's back and the hairs on the back of the neck stood. He got the distinct feeling he was being judged by the Winglord and not by Tai'ray. He was fast coming to a realisation there was a difference between the two beings. It was the only thing that really made sense.
"In part. I am unsure about what my fate, and Eyeri's for that matter, will be," Fetmar admitted. "Also I'm not very good at learning languages. I know a few insults in k'nairi but that's about it," he shrugged, trying to hide his unease.
"Why am I not surprised?" Tai'ray said with dead-panned expression. "The troops really need to watch their language," He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "But no, your fates are to live here. That means learning the language and a few other things. In return, we will complete Eyeri's healing education. As for you Fetmar..." he paused, "You made a promise to Yerir'o. One you will keep," His voice was serious and almost threatening.
Fetmar shifted nervously, that was something else that had been haunting the back of his mind. "I was intending too," he said tensely.
"Good. Yerir'o cares far too much for you not too," Tai'ray warned. "He has requested your help with training the young ones in self-defence. As you are more skilled than most humans at disabling us."
"I see no problems with teaching self-defence," Fetmar nodded, considering the idea carefully.
"There is a difference, as I'm sure you well know" Tai'ray nodded, "Eyeri?" He asked the boy gently. "Are you okay with this?"
Eyeri shrugged. "If Fetmar lives with Yerir'o will I get to see him often?" he asked nervously.
"Most likely. Yerir'o is part of my court and has a nest reasonably close. I'm sure you will be able to see each other plenty of times. If nothing else, everyone in court is expected to attend dinner in the great hall regularly. At least once a week," Tai'ray promised, "Yerir'o is not going to stop you from seeing each other." Though he might try and challenge me, mused Tai'ray to himself. Having Fetmar in the nest last night maybe wasn't the best thing, given Yerir'o's claim. But Eyeri had needed his older brother, and Fetmar had needed to know his baby brother was ok.
"When you say you are going to finish Eyeri's healing teachings, does that mean Ryraso won't be teaching him anymore?" Fetmar asked, able to smell something was different.
"From what I understand," Tai'ray said calmly, "The k'nairi for a long time have taken human healers under wing to teach them more skills. Ryraso himself earned himself a pass from the Healer circle here."
"I was aware, but I thought given the attitude towards humans..." Fetmar trailed off uncertainly.
"You will find the people of Navat different to others. Navat is the heart of the k'nairi and what the people of Navat decide, goes. The people of Navat like humans. Partly because of the healer circle. Humans are very good as healers and we have more human working as healers than any other profession," Tai'ray informed, giving Fetmar a gesture to sit down.
"What are the other professions humans get into?" Fetmar asked, slowly obeying.
Tai'ray shrugged, "Pretty much anything you can think off. Humans who grow up go into trades same as anywhere. Human hands are no less skilled if taught right. Only things which require flight are blocked to humans."
Fetmar nodded slowly. "So the next question is what is the plan for my punishment? And Ryraso's I suppose."
Tai'ray visibly paused, looking suddenly very tired. "The plan... is still a little in planning. The link is demanding I get you, Zaro and the caw here branded as soon as possible. You'll be happy to know that the link does seem to be leaning towards offering the Sparrows the oath. You're stuck though. Zaro... The link judges the deal to be that he is saved from Fiant in exchange for the brand willingly or at least as willingly as one in his situation can take it," Tai'ray sniffed, knowing the words to be weak at best. "The rest of the punishment is still a little hazy, as is the exact date. In a few days, for sure."
Fetmar grimaced but didn't openly protest. He did not want the brand. He didn't want to stay in Navat, but given the alternate, things could be a lot worse for both him and Zaro. Fiant was still an option until that brand was pressed into his skin. Fetmar's stomach curled with nervousness. He didn't want this.
"Fetmar, if you don't think you can remain calm for this..." Tai'ray trailed off, able to smell the man's nervousness and distaste. He knew the human didn't want this, but Fetmar was not innocent like Eyeri. His actions were for a good cause but that did not excuse them.
"I can and I will, Winglord," Fetmar said firmly, "I'm not a coward"
"Was not suggesting otherwise," Tai'ray smirked, musing at some of Eyeri's stubborness and fire on the rare occasion he showed it was clearly in his blood from the look in Fetmar's eyes. A man who had committed himself to something and wasn't going to back down. "But, just in case," Tai'ray stood and walked to the side, picking up two boxes and bringing them back over. "Your collars."
They were two necklaces to be exact. Thin silver chains with a pendant on the end bearing the k'nairi royal crest. Eyeri picked one up, and played with the chain with his fingers. It was delicate, but when he tugged on it, it stayed put.
"Mage work?" Eyeri asked, looking at the chain links carefully.
"Of course. Fetmar do you understand how these work?" Tai'ray asked, gently placing it around Eyeri's neck and kissing his forehead. Eyeri clutched at the charm and seemed to shrink in on himself. Tai'ray's arms wrapped around Eyeri and Fetmar felt an overprotective surge rush over him that he pushed down. Now was not the time.
"They keep us from exiting k'nairi lands. If we try, they transport us back here?" Fetmar said questioningly, almost scared to touch the metal.
"Correct. The only bit of transporting magic we have left for the most," Tai'ray nodded. "The reasons are unimportant. For now though, put them on please," He asked politely but Fetmar knew it was an order not a request. Breathing deeply, Fetmar allowed himself to put the chain over his head. Idly he tried to pull off, but found it suddenly too heavy to do so. Tai'ray smirked watching him. "Works well doesn't it?" Tai'ray teased.
Fetmar glared lightly but didn't say anything, resisting the urge to growl or say anything. Tai'ray was the Winglord after all. If he learnt nothing else yesterday, it was that Tai'ray had it in his power to do anything to ensure his command and Fetmar was not quite healed up enough to even think about challenging the man.