Bird of a Wing - Chapter 56: Chapter 56

The fires were lit and burning high as the night settled in and people gathered to eat and socialise. Most were still wearing clothes covered in mud, their hair and wings a mess with leaves but people were smiling. Big warm smiles with loud teases about who had slid over doing what, which made some weight leave Ryraso's shoulders. The k'nairi hadn't all changed from the D'mar influence. They were still a good people.
The feast started without any ceremony, the band happily starting the music as people ate. Ryraso's eyes drifted over the body of people, picking out those he knew from the mass. Nel'os and Tai'ray were either side of him, Nel'os lounging like the pampered noble he was and Tai'ray sitting upright, looking regal in his own way.
Guardian Fl'ex was the easiest to find, sitting with his two remaining mates, the two fussing as they watched over him openly, clearly embarrassing the elderly k'nairi. Ryraso watched with careful eyes as Fl'ex coughed, rubbing his chest. Fl'ex had a few decades in him yet if he was careful but he was still vulnerable at the moment. Healer magic wasn't the only magic which left people open to danger.
Yellow eyes met his and winked at him, as Fl'ex tapped his nose. Ryraso smiled back, understanding the message. Fl'ex had enough people watching over him without a stranger adding to the list, even a healer.
Ryraso looked around again, spotting Herymi with his friends or courters depending on who was talking about them. The village was clearly happy to have him home and every time Ryraso's eyes glanced over at the caw, wings, feathers and hands seemed to be patting Herymi in a friendly way. A distinct k'nairi way of reassuring themselves Herymi was there and whole, as well as welcoming him back into the fold.
Ran'mosy was cuddled in close to Herymi, who had his arm around the smaller k'nairi. The human was clearly taking Ran'mosy's behaviour, as well as the rest of his family's behaviour in his stride, a big grin on his face as he laughed and joked with people. Ryraso didn't miss how Herymi's eyes were flashing over to Fl'ex either though. He wasn't the only one worried about the Guardian.
"You both need to relax," Nel'os commented from his slouch, pressing a bowl of roots into Ryraso's hands. "Fl'ex isn't about to drop on us just yet, so eat," he demanded.
"Guardian Fl'ex," Tai'ray reminded softly, reaching around Ryraso to flick Nel'os ear. "And please do eat Ryraso. You are still recovering, you need your strength."
"I'm eating fine," Ryraso grumbled unhappily as he bit into one of the roots. "And I would be happier if Fl'ex was drinking some more honey," he added, knowing it wasn't really his place to get involved. He wasn't the k'nairi's healer. "That cough..."
"You have been nursing that bowl of soup instead of eating it. That cough is the result of having to use a lot of power at once during a storm," Tai'ray said calmly, rubbing Ryraso's back. "Healer, let yourself heal first. The village healer will be back tomorrow. He can scare Fl'ex into taking his medicine," Tai'ray reassured, kissing Ryraso's cheek.
Ryraso rubbed his arms, shivering as a cold wind went down his back but forced himself to stop worrying about Fl'ex. Instead, his eyes drifted over to one of his troublesome charges. Aw'endo was sitting with Dyn'ad and some of the village hunters. The young k'nairi had spent the day looking over real hatchlings for their parents and now was being allowed to listen to some hunting tales.
The hatchlings were real babies with the youngest at 2 and the oldest at 5. Still, the next k'nairi living in the village was 26, which suggested there were at least two generations of hatchlings missing from this village. Typically the outer villages were allowed a new set of eggs every 5 to 7 years. But a twenty-year gap? That was unheard of. Even if you disregarded the previous generation as being missed because of the dangers of the war, that wouldn't explain why there was now a younger group.
"Stop," Tai'ray ordered, hitting Ryraso over the head slightly. "You are overthinking things again," he scolded softly, wings wrapping around Ryraso, careful not to block Nel'os out. "Stop trying to distract yourself and enjoy the feast. The food really is excellent," he said picking up one of the roots from the plate Ryraso was holding and placing it against Ryraso's lips.
Ryraso bit down on it and forced himself to swallow. "I'm not overthinking, it's a valid thought. Stop listening in," he scowled, taking the rest of the root from Tai'ray's fingers and eating it himself.
"Can't just listen in and you know it. You're broadcasting to me," Tai'ray teased, staying close to Ryraso. "Breathe Ryraso. You're safe. The answer is most likely that either no one wanted a nestling or the population was high. It isn't unusual for villages to have a gap every now and again. Even in Navat, there are occasions when fewer eggs are given out," Tai'ray pointed out gently.
"I guess," Ryraso nodded slowly. It was an acceptable, even logical answer.
"Because it's what happened," Tai'ray added out loud.
Ryraso elbowed him and Tai'ray laughed. The sound bright and cheerful. The hour or so of making out with the man had brightened Tai'rays spirits considerably and assured him of Ryraso's feeling for him. Sadly for Ryraso, things weren't so simple and it had only left his chest clenching with guilt and nervousness.
The brand was coming closer and closer to his son's back.
Suddenly the food wasn't as delicious anymore. The taste turning to ash in his mouth. He swallowed thickly and put the plate down. Nel'os shifted and sat up, pressing against Ryraso, clearly able to feel the sudden turn of feelings inside Ryraso. Ryraso let his head rest on Tai'ray's shoulder and his arms wrap around Nel'os. He felt lost.
"Eyeri looks like he had a good day," Nel'os murmured after a few moments of silence, never one to let things be quiet for long.
Ryraso looked over hesitantly at his son. Eyeri was with a collection of k'nairi who he had been working with. Laughing at the antics of some of the younger generation. "Yes, he does," Ryraso smiled, the clenching in his chest growing more painful.
"He's going to be fine," Tai'ray murmured.
"Easy for you to say," Ryraso shot back. "You're not the one betraying him."
"You didn't betray him Ryraso. You did your job," Tai'ray pointed out. "He just," Tai'ray shrugged helplessly. "Conflict of interests."
"Doesn't make things better," Ryraso commented bitterly, feeling lost and now also helpless. He couldn't protect his son from his nightmares and was in love with the ones who were going to inflict the fate on to him.
"They will probably get worse before they get better," Nel'os admitted, watching Eyeri himself. Pleased to see Eyeri at ease with the k'nairi around him. Things wouldn't be so easy in Navat. Working shoulder to shoulder with someone, even for a day gave a sense of comradeship. Navat was a different animal to the borderland village. The courts were not a place to make friends so easily and people would be looking to make friends with the new prince, even being human.
"So we better let him enjoy tonight," Tai'ray murmured. "He needs it after the night he had."
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Eyeri stayed with the people he had worked with as long as he could. Eventually, as he was yawning, a pair of arms swept him up like a toddler. "Dyn'ad!" he complained as he was placed over the k'nairi's shoulders. "Put me down!" he grimaced as the others laughed at his misfortune.
"Bedtime," Dyn'ad stated firmly, keeping a hold on him. "Say goodnight."
"Sleep well youngling," several people chorused and Eyeri sent them a dark look. The men just laughed.
"Night," he muttered, cheeks red as Dyn'ad carried him off into the night. "Did you have to pick me up?" he whined, slumping against Dyn'ad's shoulder tiredly. "You couldn't have just told me to go to bed like any normal person?"
Dyn'ad shrugged, the action making Eyeri bounce slightly. "You're tired and your muscles are probably aching. I figured I'd save you the trouble of walking. Plus, it reminds them you are still a child," Dyn'ad commented gently.
"Not a baby," Eyeri muttered for about the thousandth time to the Royal.
"No, but you're not open to advances either," Dyn'ad pointed out.
Eyeri stiffened slightly at the idea before slumping. "Were any of them flirting with me?" he asked quietly, mentally going over the interactions. Nothing had rung alarm bells but he wasn't used to people looking at him that way. Most of the people he hung out with were family or saw him as a child.
"Mostly teasing, nothing serious," Dyn'ad assured.
"Good to know," Eyeri sighed. Watching the forest go past quietly, watching the light of the fire flicker in the shadows. "Will I have to worry about that from now on?" Eyeri asked softly. "Advances?"
"You're going to be the adopted son of the Winglord. Which basically makes you a prince. Yes, you are going to have to watch out for them," Dyn'ad nodded. "Human's have sex from sixteen. No one over the age of 25 should have sex with a human until they are at least eighteen, however. That's the general rule."
"But it won't stop people trying to lay seeds," Eyeri muttered darkly.
Dyn'ad paused and put Eyeri down, cupping his face to look at the young human. "If anyone ever tries anything without your permission, I will castrate them," Dyn'ad promised darkly. "We are not kidding or lying when we say you are going to be safe. Safe means happy too. If someone gives you bother, let us know, ok?"
Eyeri looked up into the yellow eyes and felt something twist in his chest. Dyn'ad was serious here and Eyeri knew it. "Ok," he whispered nodding. He took a step forward and found himself hugging Dyn'ad. The k'nairi returned the hug tightly for a moment. Eyeri burying his face against his chest and enjoying the feeling. Dyn'ad held the small young man, feeling him tremble slightly.
"I miss the ship," Eyeri whispered.
Dyn'ad said nothing, just kissing Eyeri on his forehead. There was nothing he could say to that. Eyeri let go and Dyn'ad picked him back up without commenting on the hug. When they got back to the hut, Ryraso was standing outside, looking up at the moon.
"Shouldn't you be inside?" Dyn'ad asked, putting Eyeri back on his feet.
Ryraso shrugged. "Needed some air," he commented, drinking something from a canteen.
Dyn'ad narrowed his eyes but nodded and walked inside. Letting Eyeri decide for himself whether to duck in quickly or talk to his mentor. Eyeri stood still for a moment, watching Ryraso. Ryraso doing his best not to look at his son directly.
"I'm sorry Ryraso. I lost the seal," Eyeri admitted walking over to him slowly.
Ryraso blinked slowly and nodded. "That's ok," he reassured. "I know where we might be able to get one."
"Really?" Eyeri asked hopefully.
Ryraso made a noise of confirmation but his face was still grim. "But it won't be until we reach Navat," he admitted, his voice pained.
"By which time we will be too far into k'nairi lands to actually escape," Eyeri murmured, the brief moment of hope fading and something in Eyeri's chest shattered. A tear running down his face, Eyeri stood next to Ryraso and looked up at the moon himself, a hand reaching down to catch his father's. Ryraso let him hold his hand. The choice now was whether to give up and face life with the k'nairi or hope for one last miracle.
Eyeri didn't believe in miracles.