Hellion's Reckoning

Inias led them back to his camp and into his tent. Pouring a glass for the two of them, he then filled a bowl with water and set it out for Styx. The fox eagerly buried his face in the bowl, slurping noisily. “Why is the fox here?” Varen asked, glancing from Styx to Inias. “I asked to speak alone.”

“Without my troop is what you asked,” Inias gently reminded him, pulling up a chair beside Keira. “Styx isn’t just any troop; he’s my partner.” The three turned to see Styx sprawled out on Inias’ bed, sound asleep and snoring loudly. “And he’s passed out. So, what does it matter?” He took a long deep sip of his drink, cheeks red and eyes bright as he glanced over the table at Lord Varen. This wasn’t how Inias wanted to meet him, drunk and reeking of piss and sweat.

Keira’s eyes darted back and forth between the two who sat in silence. She nudged Inias with her shoulder, “Well?” she prodded. Varen’s voice finally pierced the silence between him and the prince. “Why aren’t you in Knivae?”

Inias hesitated for a moment before replying, “I hoped to spend the season in Dusk Haven. The hot springs are simply enchanting this time of year.” He had hoped to show up at the manor and surprise him, catch him off guard. Now it was Inias in shock, fumbling over what to say. Varen narrowed his eyes and Inias felt he could see right through him. He had once pulled the truth from Rurik simply by casting a hypnotic gaze upon him. Inias kept his eyes averted, avoiding those bright eyes of his.

“You’re not here to spy for your uncle?” Varen asked, causing Inias to grip his seat tight. He didn’t need to cast a hypnotic gaze upon him. The intentions of his uncle were obvious, using Inias’ friendship with Keira to uncover Varen’s plans. “That’s what he thinks.” Inias admitted. “You’re betraying him?” Keira asked, turning to him.

“Not exactly.” Inias said with a shake of his head, nervously fidgeting with the ends of his hair. He couldn’t reveal his intention to stand with them should his uncle strike. Saving Ashryn and Vestin had opened Ivaran’s eyes. “If you agree to stand down, rejoin the court, uncle will see that the hellions aren’t the demons he thinks they are. It’s a start.”

Keira sighed and shook her head, but Varen let out a laugh that echoed beyond the tent. “I envy your youthful naivety, young prince,” He said with a clearing of his throat, “We have loyally served the court for centuries and they still turned on us. How long can you expect us to stand by and watch? How many more lost lives until you see your uncle for what he is?”

“He spared my life!” Inias defended sharply. “I have to give him a chance.”

“A chance to what?” Keira asked, slamming one of her knives into the table. “Slaughter another village? Who do you think gave Ailog the order to attack?”

“He’s not that far gone!” Inias snapped back, slamming a knife of his own beside hers. “What about the crescents? Forget about them? They’re an enemy to all of us, purist, and hellion.”

“Naesala is hard at work, forming a coalition to strike them. No doubt she has you two in mind to join her.” Varen explained and finished his glass. “Ivaran allowed a group like the Crescent to grow under his watch. Allowed both Thorne and Rouan clans to use his hatred to exploit our people for their gain.”

Inias shook his head. Ivaran knew nothing of the Crescent, none of them had except for Aubron and Varen. “It was fine until they killed his brother,” Keira said, resting a hand on Inias shoulder. “His sentimentality for your father and mother saved your life. He changed his mind, not his heart.” Varen stood as he spoke and wiped some wine from his lips. “I admire your optimism, but I’m afraid your uncle cannot and will not be changed.”

“Why did you wait so long to act?” Inias stood and met his eyes, the anger burning in his voice. “Centuries watching your own kind suffer while you were safe behind your wards. And now, when the king’s wrath turns towards you, suddenly it’s time to protect your people?”

“Inias…” Keira warned as she stepped back and pulled her knife, standing beside her father, who began snarling. The men’s eyes were glowing. Inias gripped the knife he left buried in the table. For a moment Inias’ eyes burned as Varen’s gaze bore into him. His other hand slammed onto the table, digging their claws through the solid oak. “Out of sight, out of mind.” Inias accused him, eyes flaring with rage. Varen widened his and glanced away. There was a hint of guilt in Varen’s eyes, uncertainty, as if Inias’ gaze had pulled it from him.

Varen rubbed his eyes and groaned, shaking his head. “Your gaze is strong,” he said, keeping his eyes averted from Inias as his head lifted again. “What does that mean?” Inias asked, pulling the knife from the table as Keira sheathed hers. “The hellion’s gaze. You didn’t know?” she asked, her eyes glowing a bright purple, then returned to their inky black coloring. Inias shook his head. He knew his eyes would glow when he was angry or even excited, but no one had ever taught him how to use it.

“You really know nothing about your kind,” Varen said, looking at the claws still present on Inias’ hand. “Let’s teach him!” Keira said, almost bouncing on her toes. She ran around the table and grabbed Inias’ arm, tugging it. “We need someone to guard our southern wards against the Magistrate.”

“Absolutely not-.” Varen sighed, looking between the two of them, shaking his head. “Despite your indecision, you saved my children.”

“So, you owe me!” Inias said, leaning in against Keira. “You’re the reason they needed saving.” Varen corrected him as he inspected the boy with a small smile. “But I will say, after witnessing your gaze, I’m curious to see what other skills you possess.”

Inias looked to the window, catching the red glow in his eyes. “I’ll leave his tutoring to you,” Varen nodded to Keira and Inias snapped his head back to him. “There’s a small cottage on our southern border and plenty of space for your company to camp.”

“You’ll love it!” Keira squeezed his arm. “Right by the waterfall!”

“I need to look for someone while I’m there,” Inias remembered Aubron’s advice to find a Thaddeus living south of Dusk Haven. “Do you know someone named Thaddeus? Served my father during the goblin war.”

Varen curled the end of his short beard with a light hum. “You must be speaking of the Sage, yes I know of him.” He seemed to think for a moment, then nodded. “After the war, he vanished. Many lords over the centuries since sought his services, but none have found him.”

“That’s discouraging…” Inias groaned, pulling away from Keira. “If no one can find him…” Then draw him out. He clamped his mouth shut before he finished that sentence. “Then it’s not worth looking.” Varen nodded in agreement with the prince. “You’re welcome to spend the night, leave in the morning?” Inias looked between the two, who nodded. Even Styx let out a bark, then laid back down. “And we’re keeping him up.”