Hellion's Reckoning

While they were visiting the Magistrate, Inias sent Ruvyn and his scouts to spread rumors through the forests south of Dusk Haven. From the dense forests around Bloodbone Bay to the towering gates of Morningstar Valley, whispers of Sage Thaddeus offering his services to the Magistrate would soon echo through land. Disguised as learned scholars, students of the revered Sage, they spread whispers and rumors. By associating the Sage’s esteemed name with a tyrant like Ailog, they were certain to lure him out of hiding. All they had to do now was wait for him to make a move. Ruvyn and his troop remained hidden in the southern forests, ready to spy upon the Magistrates’ every move and wait for this sage to reveal himself.

Inias had emerged from a refreshing shower beneath the shimmering waterfall as night fell and now glided through the crystal-clear pond surrounding the humble cottage. Thoughts of the Sage tugged at his mind. His father, a man of pride and independence, never cared for scholars or played the role of a humble student. If the rumors were true and the Sage was even half as skilled as whispered, Inias knew he would be a crucial ally. With danger looming on all sides–from the power-hungry magistrate to the crescents, from the threat of Ivaran to the zealots of the Talos Cult–Inias found himself isolated, his allies dwindling as foes encircled him.

Ivaran’s actions against the Ravenmoon’s had forever drawn a line between their two clans. The Purists would never seek a resolution with demons. Hellions could never be expected to reconcile with their oppressors. So long as people like the Magistrate could hold such power, peace was not a virtue they could afford. The blood of all he and his uncle had killed cried out for justice from their graves. The king knew what kind of man Ailog was, what he was capable of, and gave him authority to do as he liked with perceived enemies.

As Inias settled on a moss-covered rock beneath the cascading water, droplets sparkling in the moonlight, he pondered the uncertain future that lay ahead. The melody of the falls soothed his troubled thoughts until a faint sound of footsteps disrupted his solitude. Inias quickly drew up his knees to cover himself and growled. “Whatever it is, can wait!” He called out to the figure lurking on his patio deck. They had all day to bring concerns and ask questions. It was rude to disturb one’s bath.

The figure stepped into the moonlight, revealing Ashryn in a red floral sundress. “But you look so lonely out there,” she said, leaning against the rail. “With those sad, broody eyes.” There was a hint of playfulness in her eyes as she watched him from across the water. “Besides, it’s not every day I catch you soaking in a moonlit pond like some mystical water spirit.”

Inias felt a rush of embarrassment at being caught off guard by Ashryn. He quickly averted his gaze, feeling his cheeks flush with color under the moonlit glow. “I-I’m not lonely,” he stammered, trying to hide his discomfort as he shifted beneath the water. “Just needed a moment to clear my head, that’s all.” Ashryn chuckled softly, her laughter echoing in the tranquil night air. “Oh, I see how it is. Clearing your head, huh? Must be some serious matters on your mind then,” she teased gently, her smile warm and inviting. “You know exactly what’s on my mind!” He let his anger show, hoping it would distract him from the vulnerable position he found himself in.

Ashryn hopped over the fence and stood on the stone at the pond’s edge. She smirked, her eyes twinkling mischievously. “Oh, do I now? Pray tell, oh brooding water spirit, what troubles weigh so heavily upon your royal brow this night?” she teased, her playful banter causing Inias to relax slightly despite his initial embarrassment. He swam over to the rock he left his shorts on and hid behind the water to cover himself properly. “My royal brow?” Inias asked as he returned to his rock, keeping one knee up to rest his chin upon. Her lighthearted teasing had brought a smile to his face, allowing him to relax.

“Oh, yes, your royal highness,” Ashryn replied with a curtsy, her eyes full of amusement. “For whom else but the brooding water spirit could command such attention under the moonlight?” She crossed her arms, leaning against the railing with a grin. “I’m a selkie now?” He joked and kicked his leg beneath the water. Ashryn laughed, the sound echoing through the night as she settled onto a nearby rock, dangling her bare feet in the water. “More like a siren, luring wayward souls to their doom.”

Inias flashed his red eyes and looked down at his reflection in the water. “Don’t think I’ll be luring anyone with these sad, brooding eyes,” he said, lifting them to meet her across the water. There was something about the way she watched him, hazel studying his every move closely. “They got my attention.” She said, slipping into the cool water. As she surfaced, her dress floated away across the water. Beneath it, he could see her underwear covering her, but he still looked away as she swam around the pond. “So, then, I must be leading you to your doom?”

As Ashryn glided through the water, Inias couldn’t help but admire her graceful movements. The moonlight painted her skin and fiery hair with a mesmerizing glow, turning droplets into shimmering pearls. He cleared his throat, trying to push away the lingering tension in his shoulders. “You’ve led me in and out of doom, remember?” She asked him. Of course, he remembered, it seemed like forever ago, but he would never forget it. “I remember,” he replied, his voice cracking slightly.

She’d never blamed him for her capture, only thanked him for coming to rescue her. Ashryn swam closer, her touch sending shivers down his spine as she placed her hand on his shoulder. “And I’ll follow you again,” she whispered, gently squeezing his shoulder. “And again. Because I believe in you. Because I trust you to guide us through.” He was caught in her gaze and found the cliff wall against his back. Trapped. That’s how he felt between her and the wall. Even as her hand slid up to cup his cheek, he felt like a mouse cornered by a cat.

Inias felt a mixture of warmth and unease from Ashryn’s touch. It felt nice to be touched and admired. A pleasant change from the dirty looks he was used to. He shifted his eyes away, trying to avoid the loving gaze she had pinned on him. “You shouldn’t put so much faith in me,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. Ashryn tilted her head, her voice softening. “But I do, Inias,” she whispered, her voice carrying a hint of conviction. “I see the strength in you, even when you doubt yourself. We’re in this together, remember?” His eyes widened as he felt her arms close around his neck, hugging him tight.

Inias heard faint whispers when he returned her embrace. “A sprinkle of affection and watch how quickly he melts in your hands.” He gasped and pushed her away, looking around for an eavesdropper. “Are you okay?” She asked him, giving his shoulders a little shake. “I heard someone…”

“There’s no one here, just us!” Ashryn tried to reassure him, but he pushed her away and kicked off the cliff to swim deeper in. “You’re not in the mood, I get it.” She said as she watched his eyes dart from one direction to the other. “Wait, I didn’t say that.” Inias turned to find her ahead of him, climbing the patio stairs. There was something following behind her as she left, Inias could almost feel a sense of relief in her wake.