Warrior Innocent

by Wendy Knight

  Scout leaned over his head, her hair shielding him, and she sobbed. She sobbed with both sorrow and relief.

  Above them, the screaming intensified, the Taraxippus' shrieks so loud, Scout felt her ears start to bleed. She jerked her head up to see—expecting that her unicorn army had fallen—but no.

  It was as Ariston promised. The soul stealers were dying with no Master. Their gray ash fell from the sky like heavy rain, smelling of charred skin and blood. It pooled around them, covering Ariston, burying Scout's knees and waist.

  "We've got to get out of here or we'll be buried alive. Come on, princess."

  Ashra raised her wings, trying to shield Scout as much as possible, but the ash was too thick. Choking now, Scout stood up. "I won't leave him."

  Ashra lowered her head. "I know."

  Trey came to her side. "Get on," he said quietly, but his voice seemed loud in the sudden silence. Like they were caught in a heavy snowstorm, the ash covered the valley floor and everything in it.

  Scrubbing her tears away, Scout climbed on Ashra's back. Trey lifted Ariston's body up to her, and she held it tight against her. "I'm taking him home," she said.

  Trey nodded as he went back to Torz. Ariston had said if he had been human, he would have followed her home and fought for her. It made sense to bury him there.

  As exhausted, bloody unicorns and their riders landed all around them, Ashra and Torz lifted up and away.

  25

  Scout should not have been surprised to see Lil Bit standing alone in the lonely Montana cemetery, but she didn't have her sister's intuition, after all, so she was. She was torn by the need to tell Ashra—to thank her, to tell her of her mate's soul, to tell her—

  But she also needed to hug her little sister, to see her safe and sound, and then maybe to strangle her a little bit because she hadn't even said good-bye.

  "I told you I would find her." Lil Bit smiled like she'd been made queen of the world.

  Scout sat immobile on Ashra's back, still clutching Ariston's body to her chest. She was covered in blood, his, hers, Ashra's.

  She didn't care.

  "You left. You wouldn't talk to me."

  "I was trying to find Ashra. It was hard."

  Trey appeared next to her. She hadn't even heard them land. He reached up and pulled Ariston and Scout both off Ashra's back. She sank to the ground under Ariston's weight, cradling him to her still, smoothing his hair away from his forehead. "I thought I'd driven you away, too." Scout cried again, wondering if the stupid tears would ever stop.

  The smile died on Lil Bit's face, and she hurried over to Scout's side. "I see your heart, Scout. No matter what crazy decisions you make, I see your heart, and I know it's good, and I would never, ever leave you because of it."

  Scout leaned her forehead against her sister's, sniffling. "You could have told me that."

  "She didn't have time. She was fighting armies of her own to get to me. It wasn't easy."

  Scout's eyes widened. "What?"

  "Ashra was fighting the demons before they even got to the canyon." Lil Bit shrugged. "So that's where I went. Except she was already on her way back to you…so I figured I'd just wait for you here. Oh, and I told Mom and Dad we're okay. We're all okay." She knelt next to Ariston. "He finally found peace."

  Scout laughed around a sob. "Yes. I think he did."

  "And you saved the day."

  "I made a lot of people very angry. Angrier than I think they can forgive."

  "Then we will live here, and I'll be a pretend horse. Just don't make me pull a plow."

  Scout tipped her head so she could see Ashra, her heart simultaneously breaking and healing in her chest. "They aren't mad at you, Ashra. You can go home."

  "I don't care who they're mad at. My home is where you are."

  Trey knelt next to her. "I am so sorry, Scout. I should have—"

  Scout shook her head. "You saved us, Trey. You and Torz—Havik would have killed me—"

  "It shouldn't have taken you racing alone away from an army of battle unicorns to make me realize it didn't matter what you were doing, I belonged at your side. I'm sorry, Scout. I will never forgive myself for this."

  Scout reached up, touched each of the leather bands at his wrist, and then traced the tattoo around his arm.

  Forgive me.

  "I asked the impossible of all of you, and I certainly don't blame you for your actions. I would have run from me, too."

  "But you didn't. You ran toward the danger, not away from it."

  "What do we do with his body?" Lil Bit stood up, holding one of Ariston's hands in her small one. He'd imprisoned her, tormented her, mocked her, and yet she gave him the same kindness she gave everyone else.

  "I don't know. I've never buried someone before." Scout looked down at Ariston's face, still marveling at the peace there. He really was beautiful, even in death. Maybe even more so.

  "We will give him a warrior's funeral pyre. Because a warrior he was."

  Havik and Iros appeared through the trees, like shadows in the night.

  "Scout, I don't even know how to begin. What you did was stupid and dangerous. You risked everything—" Iros's voice raised with each word.

  Ashra stomped her hoof hard enough that the ground shook. "Yes, Iros, she did. She risked everything important to her, everything she loved, to save all of your lives. Speak kindly or leave us."

  Iros stopped. Everyone stopped. Havik's big eyes widened, but he said nothing. Slowly, Iros reached up and clapped Trey on a bloody shoulder. "Yes. Kindly. Yes, Ashra." Trey backed up several steps to let Iros past, but remained on his feet, arms crossed over his chest, and glared.

  Iros stopped next to Scout. He dropped to his knees, his hand cupping his brother's face. "I was so very blind, Scout. So very, very blind."

  Scout nodded, refusing to look up from Ariston's face. "Yes. You were."

  "We will bring him back to Paradesos. We will say our good-byes, and we will celebrate the end of a war that has taken too many lives."

  Scout shook her head, finally looking up. "No."

  Iros blinked. He looked at Lil Bit, at Ashra, who snorted at him, and at Trey. "I don't—what?"

  "Ariston does not belong in Paradesos, Iros."

  Iros's face softened, and he nodded. "Okay, Scout."

  The fire burned darker than any Scout had ever seen. She cried, and Trey held her. There would be a conversation between them, with apologies and explanations. She would tell him she had not loved Ariston, but he'd been her friend. That she could never love someone the way she loved Trey. Never, the way she loved him.

  Trey was her hero. Her best friend. He'd faltered, yes, but he had saved her, and in doing so, had saved them all. He'd fought by her side when no one else would. They had gone through the worst life could throw at them, repeatedly been tested and emerged together. They would grow old together, she and this boy.

  Ashra stood at her side. Her head bowed, eyes closed against the flames. Scout didn't know how she would ever tell Ashra how much she meant to her. How much she believed in her, how scared she'd been, and how heartbroken, when Ashra had left. She didn't know how to tell Ashra she'd never known a piece of her soul was missing until she'd found it in her.

  "I know."

  Scout smiled.

  And her sister, who seemed to be more angel than human, sat on Torz's back, watching the fire. She braided his whispy, smoky mane and hummed quietly, a lullaby Scout could remember their mother singing to them many years ago.

  "You don't have to tell me anything. I already know."

  Scout looked over at her, and Lil Bit winked.

  Iros stood away from them, watching his brother burn. Trey squeezed her shoulders and left her to Ashra. He went quietly to stand by Iros, and without warning, their mighty commander broke. His head dropped to his hands, and he sobbed, great cries shaking his powerful shoulders. He'd lost Ariston all those years ago, and hatred had quelled the hurt of it. But now the hate was gone, and all
that remained was pain.

  Scout went to him, because after everything that had happened, Iros had been protecting those he loved. They hadn't known each other long, only a few months, and that wasn't enough time to ask someone to change everything they believed, even if she had been trying to save them. In those moments, watching Iros break, Scout realized she wasn't angry at him. She only hurt for him, because she knew his pain.

  "Iros."

  "I was so blind, Scout. All this time, I was so blind."

  She laid her hand on his arm, and when he looked up at her, she hugged him. Threw her arms around his neck and held on for dear life.

  "I've missed him, Scout. All these years, all these battles—"

  "I know."

  "And I don't know what to do now."

  Scout patted his back, meeting Trey's eyes. He reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. "Now," Trey said quietly, "We heal."

  Lil Bit appeared at Scout's side and took Iros's hand. She reached for Ashra, who moved close enough for Lil Bit to lay a hand on her nose. "I can help with that. I have a friend." She smiled up at Scout as Eirene shimmered into place next to her. "Now, we heal."

  Scout hadn't wanted to go back to Paradesos. After everything, days of talking, days of healing, days of mourning, Trey finally convinced her to return. Iros had returned after the first night, staying with them for the twenty-four hours it had taken Ariston's fire to burn. But Trey, Torz, Scout, Ashra, and Lil Bit had stayed much longer, waiting for Scout to realize what they all realized.

  Montana was not their home.

  Their parents had come back after Iros had left. They'd told them of the great celebration in Paradesos. The end of the war. Many had left to go back to their lives before, or what was left of them. Their world was in tatters, and it would take much rebuilding.

  Trey found Scout in her old room, holding a dance trophy and staring at pictures from high school. "This doesn't seem like my life," she said quietly.

  "These past few months have changed us, Scout. I don't feel—I don't know if—"

  "You don't belong here anymore," she finished for him.

  He sighed and sat down next to her. "Remember when we had it all figured out? Football scholarships, scientists, three point five kids?"

  She laughed quietly. "Yeah. I remember. You wanted to be an architect. Now I have nothing figured out. I don't know where I belong anymore."

  Trey pulled her into his lap. She had hurt him, this girl he loved so much. She had hurt him more times than he could count, but he had hurt her, too. Maybe that's what relationships were—pain and forgiveness. Maybe that's what made love so strong. "You belong with me. And with Ashra and with Lil Bit. And Torz. Because he belongs with me. That's all we need."

  She leaned her head on his shoulder and twined her fingers through his. "But I think we need Paradesos."

  He'd been clinging to the hope she would say that, but hadn’t believed it would happen. She was afraid—afraid that they wouldn't forgive her, afraid they wouldn't forgive Ashra. And yet, here she was, saying just what he'd been hoping for, and he didn't have a clue how to respond.

  "Havik never said a word, Trey. After everything, he just…left. He can't forgive me, and I can't go back there with him as my enemy."

  Ah. That was it, then. The reason she wouldn't go back to Paradesos. From the very beginning, she and Havik had been so close. If Iros hadn't already been his rider, Trey wouldn't have been surprised if Scout had taken his place.

  "Scout, emotions were running high. He may have just not been ready to handle that."

  She sniffed. "Maybe."

  "You won't know if you never go back. Even if we don't stay, we should at least say good-bye."

  Scout gave a shaky laugh. "This is stupid. I was born and raised here. Why does it feel like Paradesos is my home?"

  "Because sometimes your roots don't decide where your heart lives."

  She raised her head and looked at him, eyes sparkling. "Okay. Okay, if you start coming up with lines like that, I know it's time to go. Tell Torz. I'll talk to my parents."

  Trey hadn’t realized how right Paradesos was until they left Montana behind, and the doubt eased from his shoulders with each long stride.

  "Hey Torz, maybe could you split the sky quietly?" Scout called to be heard over the wind as they soared through the sky.

  Torz snorted, and Ashra snickered. They were anxious to be back where they belonged, and their wings pumped them quickly toward home. But there was no quiet way into Paradesos. They'd found that out well enough sneaking in and out for Ariston's visits.

  Instead, both unicorns called the lightning together, rending the sky wide open and gaping. As they soared through, Ashra lit her wings and even from where Trey sat, he could see Scout roll her eyes. "Thanks," she muttered.

  The air hit Trey first. The smell of Paradesos was sweet, like honeysuckle, and clean. He resisted the urge to spread his arms and crow that he was home, because as Scout had told them all before they'd left, this was temporary. She was coming to say good-bye.

  But the look on her face, as the air hit her, too—Trey knew she would change her mind. Paradesos was where they belonged. She'd known once. She just had to realize it again.

  Iros and Aella waited for them in the valley. When Ashra touched down, Scout was nearly dragged off her back as Aella wrapped her in a hug. "Thank you," Trey heard Aella whisper.

  That was the closest Trey came to Scout for the next several hours. Warriors, unicorns, healers, seekers—they all flocked to the valley to see her. To thank her.

  Their peace bringer. Their hero.

  Trey stayed with Torz, and they watched. People stood in lines to touch her, to hug her, or for just a minute to talk to her. Iros stayed protectively on her right, and Aella on her left, with both his brothers towering behind her. But there was no need. Scout's fear about everyone hating her was completely and utterly unfounded.

  It wasn't until the sun had set, the moon had risen and traveled across the sky, and dawn threatened to break again she finally found her way back to his side. "They don't hate me," she said with a small smile.

  Trey grinned. "I noticed."

  "But Havik…Havik never came."

  Trey's grin died.

  "Havik does not come, and he does not speak because he does not think he is worthy to apologize to you again. He said he failed you, and you forgave him once, and this is what he deserves." Ashra ambled up to them, chewing grass.

  Scout had gone absolutely still next to him.

  "I do not think this is what he deserves," Ashra continued. She tipped her head to the shadows of the forest, beyond the cavern. And there, where Trey had not seen him, stood the mighty Havik.

  Scout covered her mouth with her hand as her eyes filled with tears. Without a word, she scrambled to her feet and took off running.

  Ashra munched her grass for several long seconds before she looked away from Scout to Trey. "I think they'll be fine."

  "I waited for you. I waited for you in Montana and I waited for you here, and you didn't come, and I thought you hated me, and Ashra said—" Scout stopped to breathe because she had run clear across the valley, and she was choking on sobs. "I need to know you still love me, Havik. The way I still love you."

  Havik raised his head as his horn lit. "But I'm—"

  "Still one of the most important things in the world to me, Havik."

  "You forgive me so easily after what I've done?"

  "I betrayed you, Havik. I did it for what I thought were the right reasons, but you couldn't have known that. And what's worse, I took Ashra with me. I saw the pain there. It isn't a pain I ever, ever wanted to be the cause of. You did nothing that bears forgiving." She threw her arms around his neck and buried her face in his mane.

  His wing lifted, and he embraced her, keeping her safe beneath it.

  "You bring peace with you. Where were we when you needed that peace?"

  Scout sighed. "You thought you were
saving your warriors, and I will never blame you for that. You, of everyone, have always saved the day, Mighty Havik."

  He snorted, tucking his wings. "I will not fail you again, Scout."

  "I won't fail you, either."

  "Then you will stay in Paradesos? This is your home, Scout. This is where you belong."

  Scout didn't move from beneath his wing, even when she heard Trey approach, or Iros, or Ashra. She leaned her forehead against Havik's soft neck. "I don't know. Lil Bit, she belongs with my parents. And I don't know how to be anywhere without her."

  "But Lil Bit can travel to Paradesos easier than we can. Eirene doesn't split the sky. She just…arrives. Whenever Lil Bit wants to be here, she'll be here," Aella whispered.

  "And you have that bond. You can talk to her any time, Scout." Trey was pleading. Scout knew this is where his heart lay.

  "There will always be battles to fight. Always new monsters. Always those lost in the darkness who need the peace you can bring. We would be very honored if you would stay in Paradesos with us," Iros said quietly.

  "Wither thou goest," Ashra said.

  Scout finally raised her head, peeking through Havik's wing at Trey. He grinned at her, winking. She glanced at Torz, at Aella, and at Iros, who all nodded encouragingly.

  Finally smiling, she nodded at Ashra. "I don't know. She kind of had her heart set on being a plow horse."

  About the Author

  Wendy Knight is the award-winning, bestselling author of the young adult series Fate on Fire and Riders of Paradesos. She was born and raised in Utah by a wonderful family who spoiled her rotten because she was the baby. Now she spends her time driving her husband crazy with her many eccentricities (no water after five, terror when faced with a live phone call, no touching the knives…you get the idea). She also enjoys chasing her three adorable kids, playing tennis, watching football, reading, and hiking. Camping is also big—her family is slowly working toward a goal of seeing all the National Parks in the U.S. You can usually find her with at least one Pepsi nearby, wearing ridiculously high heels for whatever the occasion. And if everything works out just right, she will also be writing.