Hellion's Reckoning

The cozy fur enveloped Inias as he woke up to the harmonious sounds of the flowing waterfall and chirping birds. He turned his gaze towards the cascading water with a content smile. “What do you think?” Inias asked Styx, his fox companion lying beside him. Styx affectionately licked his cheek and wrapped him in a tight hug around the neck, eliciting giggles from Inias. Through the lush ivy covering, Inias noticed a stack of old books and scrolls on the patio table.

Inias slipped out of the comfortable bed and draped a light black cloak over his shoulders before stepping out of his room. The top book seemed ancient, with only two decipherable words: ‘hellion’ and another that he interpreted as ‘scourge’ or ‘invasion.’ “Is she expecting me to read all of this?” Inias grumbled to himself as Ashryn walked across the bridge. “How are the others?” Inias inquired, excusing himself to return to his chamber.

“Everyone’s settled,” Ashryn replied, facing away as Inias dressed himself. “They’re curious about our next move. The Ravenmoon clan has rejected peace, and the Magistrate’s influence still looms.”

As Ashryn briefed him on the camp’s status, Inias donned a tunic and leather pants. “Have four of them disguise themselves as patrols and scout the city,” Inias instructed, adjusting the sword slung across his back. “Inform them you’ve dispatched a letter to Ivaran, detailing their response.” They had stolen plenty of armor off the Magistrate’s men and it would take time for ‘orders’ to return from the King. For now, it would keep the party settled.

“Should we send Ivaran anything?” Ashryn asked, her tone laced with concern. “Silence might arouse suspicions. I suggest we tell him we were delayed, give us a few days, maybe a week.” She took a loud bite from an apple Inias had failed to see in her hand a moment ago. He turned to meet her hazel eyes sparkling in the sunlight and she pointed up. Above them were several apples, red and green apples growing from the vine roofing. “That’s…incredible.” Eagerly, he grabbed one and Styx leapt into the air like a bolt of black lightning to take one into his mouth.

“Tell him we were delayed five days due to storms or something,” Inias agreed to her plan, taking a bite from the apple. The sweet taste rippled over his tongue, bringing a smile to his lips. “They weren’t growing yesterday.”

“I believe they only bloom in the morning,” Ashryn said, delicately tracing her fingers over one of the ancient scrolls. Her nails, painted a deep shade of black, stood out against the intricate patterns on the parchment. A pair of red gloves covered most of her hand, leaving only the tips of her fingers exposed like crimson flames. The gloves matched the bright red of her light jacket, which contrasted with the dark black of the top she wore underneath.

Inias set the top book aside to reveal a worn leather journal hidden underneath. “The diary of Rhalyf Nightfang.” He read the name written in centuries old ink. “Your grandfather?” Ashryn asked, reaching out for it as Inias pulled it away, unrolling the string. The black leather binding opened to reveal a date on the first page. “He wrote this six hundred years ago, at least.” Inias pulled a chair and sat down as Ashryn sat upon the arm beside him. She rested a hand on his shoulder, which Inias ignored as he crossed his legs.

“On the night of the blood moon I witnessed a feral wolf devouring all in its path, running this way and that across the Vale until all under heaven had become his domain.” Inias read from the first passage, shaking his head. “It’s just his dream journal.” He flipped a few more pages and found his uncle’s name written. “Ivaran’s glamour weakens, and I fear his resentment only gro-.”

“That’s enough reading,” Ashryn said, gripping his chin to meet his eyes. The sunlight bounced off her hazel hues and bright red hair with hints of orange and yellow. He found himself lost in the colors and the gaze she fixed upon him. He could barely feel it as she pulled the book from his hand, hiding it away somewhere. Unable to blink, look away, a smile spread across his face. Something about the way she looked at him, the way her delicate fingers fell against his neck as she leaned in.

Before her lips could brush his, a voice pulled him away. “Interrupting?” Keira asked, standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips. She wore a long black sleeveless cloak over her a blue tunic top stuffed with knives. Keira stood in the doorway with her hands on her hips, narrowing her eyes at Ashryn suspiciously. Inias couldn’t tell if it was jealousy or concern that flickered in her onyx black eyes. It had all happened so fast. He was holding something and then he saw those eyes pulling him in, stripping his senses. It was all becoming so fuzzy as he tried to recall it. Hormones. That was it. His uncle was often blaming his moodiness on hormones or something. Although, Aubron said the king never understood teenagers at all.

Of course, he’d wanted to kiss her. Ashryn was beautiful and a fierce warrior. They’d fought side by side on many campaigns in the past. With the sounds of birds and water surrounding him, he had just gotten lost in the moment. As he pieced his excuses together, he felt her fingers against the back of his neck, causing him to straighten to his feet and step away from her. Inias looked between the two and shook his head. “Dismissed Ashryn,” he said, watching as she bowed and left the two.

Keira turned as she passed, sniffing with a slight growl. “What were you two doing?” she asked, pulling the cloth over the doorway as she entered. “I was…we were…” He looked at the desk and blinked. What were they doing? Reading? He couldn’t recall. She began tapping her foot and Inias lifted the old book sitting to the side. “Reading,” Inias answered, clearing his throat. The more he tried to remember, the wider the gap seemed to become.

Keira eyed him with the same suspicion she’d eyed Ashryn. He’d never let anyone touch him like that, she was the only one he’d ever allowed that close. “What is all this?” Inias asked, clearing his throat. “Sorry,” Keira apologized, throwing herself into his chair, “Father insisted I bring all the reading material. Don’t tell him, but I haven’t read most of it either.” The sunlight hit the intricate tattoos along her bare arms, causing them to shine as she took a deep breath. The black ink let off a purple glow against her fair skin. “Hellions draw power from nature. Everything here is so alive and full of magic.”

Inias took a deep breath, but nothing glowed. His neck had a fox tattoo, and, on his chest, there was a black scorpion in honor of his mother’s chosen familiar. He set down the book and sat on the table, facing his friend. The magic was in the air, in everything around them. He could feel it against his skin, in every breath he took, but it didn’t fill him with any power. “So that’s my first lesson?” he asked, throwing his feet up on the armchair beside her. “Learning to draw power from nature? I can do that, just not in here.”

Keira gave his legs a shove. His boots hit the floor with a thud as he chuckled. “You’re not a Ravenmoon. The forest sees you as an outsider and won’t share its secrets.” She stood and pulled one book from the pile, featuring a man standing in a striking pose with two swords. “We’re going to start with the devil’s dance.”