Dakkonin's Grudge

by C A Ardron

  Falcon’s gaze remained locked to his for several seconds. ‘Green Python?’

  ‘That’s what he said his name is.’

  Falcon let herself fall against the chair back as she raised her hands, rubbing at her eyes with her fingers. ‘Oh, no, no, no.’

  ‘You’ve heard of him?’ Coyote asked, faint surprise in his voice.

  ‘You haven’t?’ Falcon returned, turning her head to look at him.

  Coyote’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. ‘Of course I have, but how do you know the name?’

  For a moment Falcon met his suspicious stare, her brain spinning to find a believable answer. ‘Python’s as infamous as Jackal and Mantis.’

  ‘You’ve heard of him, Coyote?’ Dove spoke to Falcon’s relief. ‘Can you tell us anything that might help?’

  Coyote’s gaze shifted and Falcon breathed a little easier.

  ‘Not really, only the obvious. He’s a green warrior so is naturally very skilled. The records indicate he’s been a Sarpien for perhaps sixty years.’

  Falcon fought the impulse to correct him. Python had been around longer than that, more like eighty.

  She stared down at the table, this changed things. The notorious Green Python shows up in Steiron and wants to see her? This was more than it seemed. Could he know who she was?

  ‘I don’t think it’s a good idea,’ she said, her words slow.

  ‘What isn’t?’ Lion asked.

  Falcon took a deep breath. ‘With Komodo Dragon loose in West Sector you can’t possibly come with me to Central tomorrow.’

  ‘The Unicians have been in contact, Falcon, they’ll be actively dealing with the problem over the next few days.’

  Falcon bit off her curse at meddlesome Unicians. ‘It might take them days to track him down,’ she argued, ‘and in the meantime who knows when he’ll strike again.’

  She watched the conflict of emotions flitting across Lion’s face. The captain couldn’t ignore his obligations to West Sector, he was already pushing it by having no one on patrol for this meeting.

  ‘You can at least take two of us,’ Lion finally countered.

  Falcon knew she had him but kept a tight lid on everything she was feeling, not wanting Dove and Jay to pick anything up. ‘What if the Sarpien isn’t alone when I get there? Two more aren’t going to make that much difference. Let me go in early, I’ll contact the captain of Central, it’s his Sector to guard anyway. I’m sure he’ll agree to help me.’

  Lion gritted his teeth. ‘Fine,’ he grated, ‘but you keep me informed.’

  Dove went to him and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. ‘Golden Baboon is the captain of the Central Sector unit,’ she said to Falcon. ‘He’s experienced and has worked under General Jaguar in the past. I’m sure he’ll be willing to aid you, Falcon.’

  Falcon nodded. She had no intention of contacting any of the Predgarians in Central but wouldn’t be telling anyone that. She exhaled slowly, trying to keep calm. There’s no way the others could be involved in this, not if it was Green Python, not if he knew who she was.

  For all Falcon knew Python would have all of his sclithe’s Elite there, ready to drag her down and hand her over to the Emissaries. Tomorrow she was walking into something worse than a death sentence. No amount of Predgarians could alter that fact or save her from it.

  Could she save Hawk? Would the Sarpien let him go?

  ‘Tiger, Coyote, start your patrol,’ Lion ordered. ‘There’s nothing else we can do for now.’

  Everyone began to leave. Falcon saw Jay glance at her, but he left too. She must look as grave as Coyote right now. She didn’t blame him for wanting to be away from her.

  ‘Falcon, what happened to you?’ Dove asked.

  ‘What?’

  ‘Your head, you’ve got a bruise.’

  Lion had been in the doorway but looked back in her direction.

  Falcon felt the side of her head. ‘Huh, he must’ve got me a bit more with that Wind-Kick than I realised.’

  ‘Who?’ Wolf asked from out in the corridor, ‘your date?’

  Falcon looked up at his tone of voice. Why was Wolf so angry? ‘No, Harrier. He ambushed me on the way back.’ She shook her head as she saw the three of them tensing up, their mouths opening for questions.

  ‘It’s okay, it was over quickly,’ Falcon assured them, raising her hands. ‘I goaded him into the air and froze his wings. It gave me time to get away.’

  Lion sighed at her. ‘This is getting ridiculous. Just get some rest, and be careful tomorrow, Falcon.’

  The captain turned on his heel and left. Falcon couldn’t help how her shoulders hunched at Wolf’s frown. The big man left the view of the doorway and a second later Falcon could hear him creaking up the stairs.

  Falcon shifted in her seat, crossing her legs as Dove sat across from her in the seat Lion had previously occupied.

  After giving the healer’s face one glance, Falcon dropped her gaze. She recognised the look. It was that patient, no nonsense expression which spoke loud and clear not to get up and walk away.

  Falcon had tried that a couple of times, Dove tended to pull rank on her and make her sit down again. Technically, as a silver she was higher rank than a white warrior, but Dove was also the unit’s councillor. When Dove wanted to talk, even Lion had to sit down.

  ‘Eventful day,’ Falcon commented when the healer didn’t speak. The silence was eating at her.

  ‘I don’t think any of us will sleep easy tonight,’ Dove responded.

  Falcon sighed. ‘Hawk,’ she whispered.

  ‘So,’ Dove spoke, her voice cool. ‘How was your date?’

  Falcon stared at her, not missing the healer’s fixed smile. The woman wasn’t happy with her.

  ‘I really don’t think that’s important right now,’ Falcon tried to brush past it. ‘Not with Hawk-’

  ‘Tomorrow will be dangerous,’ Dove cut her off. ‘If this Green Python is more than just an average Sarpien, then you need to be focused. Let’s talk about this now, then it won’t be hanging over your head.’

  Falcon let out a long breath, examining the table before her.

  ‘So,’ Dove said again. ‘How was your date?’

  When Falcon still didn’t answer Dove stood and began making tea. Falcon watched her back. She knew there was no getting away from this, but what did she say?

  Dove placed a cup of tea down in front of her. Falcon’s eyebrows shot up, it was unbelievably milky, not how she liked it at all.

  Falcon lifted her gaze as Dove sat down at the table again, a not so nice smirk twisting the woman’s lips.

  Oh, the gentle healer was a bit more than just annoyed. Falcon picked up the cup, met Dove’s eyes and took a sip. Her face screwed at the weak flavour, the tea almost completely disguised by the amount of milk.

  Falcon placed the cup down on the table, hoping one sip would be enough punishment.

  ‘You know,’ Falcon said, giving the woman a small smile. ‘I remember what you did when we rescued Jay. I don’t think I’d ever want to be on your bad side.’

  ‘Oh believe me,’ Dove replied, sipping her own tea, ‘armies have trembled.’

  Falcon nodded and sat back, studying her. ‘The White Phoenix,’ she murmured. ‘You’re quite a woman.’

  ‘More than a match for you, Falcon.’

  ‘Yeah,’ Falcon agreed, her voice dry, ‘I believe it. Should I be worried?’

  ‘You’ve vexed me, Falcon.’

  Falcon let out a long breath, ‘I’m sorry.’

  Dove shook her head and sipped some more tea. ‘Save that apology for yourself.’

  Falcon’s gaze dipped again. ‘I…don’t want to talk to people, Dove. I don’t want them to know…’

  Dove stood and took the milky tea away from her. Taking a third cup from the counter, the healer placed it before her.

  Falcon smiled down at it, the drink was dark and fragrant. She lifted her gaze as Dove took the seat next to her.

  ‘T
hat’s where you’re failing, Karen,’ Dove spoke, her voice soft and friendly now. ‘You’d move on from this so much faster if you’d just realise no one here sees you as a Sarpien.’

  Falcon could feel her shoulders tensing up.

  ‘We’re all aware you’ve done things you don’t want to talk about, but no one blames you for them – it wasn’t you. You need to try and see yourself as other people see you.’

  Dove’s words made her think of Adam. Had he really thought she was beautiful? It wasn’t anything anyone had told her before.

  ‘What is that?’ Dove asked.

  ‘Huh?’ Falcon asked, turning to her. ‘What?’

  Dove was giving her a look of open speculation. ‘What is that I’m feeling from you?’ She gave a small laugh, ‘Falcon, how did your date go this evening?’

  ‘It went fine,’ Falcon replied, beginning to stand. She yelped a little when Dove put a firm hand on her shoulder and pushed her back down.

  The woman gazed into her eyes. ‘You like him.’

  Falcon could feel her face heating. ‘What? No, it’s not like that, I…’ she trailed off and sighed. ‘I didn’t see this coming.’

  ‘Neither did I,’ Dove said. She shook her head, a small frown appearing as she thought about it. ‘But maybe this is what you really needed.’

  ‘What?’

  The frown disappeared, and Dove smiled at her, her eyes warm. ‘Maybe you needed someone who didn’t know you as the Silver Falcon. Did you find him easier to talk to than us?’

  Falcon thought about it, and everything she and Adam had spoken about. She cursed herself, knowing she was blushing again. ‘A little,’ she admitted. ‘I didn’t tell him anything about my past, of course but he…well…he could tell there was something wrong, we talked a little bit about it. He was just really nice, and he didn’t talk to me like I was…’

  ‘Different,’ Dove finished for her.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Falcon murmured.

  Dove shook her head. ‘Don’t be, it’s been unavoidable here. But if this man fills that need for you then it’s fine. Will you be seeing him again?’

  ‘I haven’t really decided, I was considering it but…’

  ‘But?’

  ‘Dove, is there some rule I’ve broken?’

  ‘What? How do you mean?’

  ‘Well, no one’s mentioned any specific rules about dating since I joined this unit, but everyone’s been so…I don’t know, disapproving I guess.’

  Dove caught her lower lip in her teeth.

  Falcon’s eyes narrowed. ‘You know something, don’t you?’

  Dove shook her head. ‘There’s no rule you’ve broken, Falcon, really. It’s just we were all surprised. It really did come out of the blue. Some of the unit are a little worried about you – and your choice.’

  ‘My choice?’

  ‘Yes, we thought that considering your past, and the fact the Red Jackal’s still after you, you might’ve picked someone in the Orders to spend time with.’

  Falcon’s eyes closed as realisation hit her. ‘That’s why everyone’s been looking at me funny,’ she sighed. ‘I didn’t even think about it, Dove. It just happened.’

  Dove nodded. ‘I know, try not to worry about it. Certainly, don’t let their opinions ruin your enjoyment.’ She placed a hand on her shoulder. ‘I know tomorrow will be dangerous, but I’m confident you and Hawk will come through this. I want you to know that after watching you the last six months, it’s been really nice to finally feel some happiness from you.’

  Falcon watched as her friend picked up her tea and left. She laughed to herself. Happy? Falcon wasn’t sure she’d go that far. But maybe if she could just get through tomorrow who knows, maybe she would see Adam again.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Jenna stared out the small window in the quarters assigned her in the Predgarian temple. The garden below was beautiful, lit by pale, hanging lanterns. The bushes were blooming with soft white and yellow flowers despite the winter.

  She wondered what kind they were, to survive the cold. Jenna’s gaze dropped to the bed she was sat on, and next to her, the thick book she was studying.

  Jenna flicked through to chapter seven. How much longer was White Chaffinch going to insist she keep reading about infected cuts?

  Her attention drifted, the sentences on the page melting away before those clear, sparkling blue eyes. She’d wanted to run her hands through his soft blond hair so much.

  Jenna smiled, remembering his handsome face and tight figure. She gave a quiet squeak when she noticed her door was ajar, Chaffinch’s round, cheerful face gazing at her.

  ‘Dreaming of boys?’ The Unician woman asked.

  ‘N-no, of course not!’

  The white warrior laughed. Jenna couldn’t help but think again how different the woman was to other members of her race. The darker, yellow-tinted people of Unicia were a formal bunch and took the matter of religion and healing very seriously.

  Chaffinch sat down on Jenna’s bed, arranging her pristine healer’s robe about her legs.

  ‘Well,’ Chaffinch replied, ‘your emotions certainly don’t indicate a mind at study.’

  Jenna tried to fight it but knew her face was heating. She sighed, letting go of her embarrassment and pride the way Chaffinch had shown her.

  The healer had taught her everything she knew of empathy, what was the point in trying to hide from her?

  ‘That’s better,’ Chaffinch told her, ‘you’re learning quickly, Jenna.’

  ‘I’m never going to see him again, am I?’

  Chaffinch stroked the top of her head, her long sleeve tickling Jenna’s cheek, ‘probably not. Was he attractive?’

  Jenna’s lips curved upwards, ‘very.’

  ‘And able to harness fire and read your emotions? He sounds quite the catch.’

  Jenna sighed, studying the grey, blue and green carpet underfoot, ‘he was.’

  ‘Well, who knows, perhaps you will meet him again one day.’

  Jenna looked at her. ‘How could that possibly happen though?’

  Chaffinch’s smile was secretive.

  ‘Mentor! If you know something, then please tell me.’

  ‘I know nothing of certainty, but a boy your age running about the city using fire is not likely to remain a civilian for long. He is clearly very gifted – as gifted as you. You will become one of the most powerful healers we have, and I believe the boy you met will also rise to the top of an Order, most likely the Dakkonin, since they are aware of him now.

  I think there is a high chance the two of you will cross paths again, but in years to come.’

  Jenna beamed at her. ‘When I’ve finished my training and have a medallion of my own?’

  Chaffinch nodded, ‘and that will only happen if you continue to study.’

  Jenna gave a great sigh, her head drooping.

  Chaffinch laughed and got to her feet. ‘Study well, my candidate, but do not stay up too late. Tomorrow I will be testing you and I don’t want you yawning out your answers.’

  * * *

  Martial Eagle glanced at the clock on his desk, it was almost midnight. He closed the file he’d been reading, placing it neatly in the centre of his work space before running one hand through his butter-blond hair.

  Opening a draw under his desk, he pulled out a cloth and began to polish his steely grey medallion. He smiled down at the raptor, its wings and talons out-stretched. Not many could call themselves the owner of a colourless medallion.

  Eagle studied the coin, he’d always thought it a bad name. The medallions of such warriors took on the colour of the animal rather than a coloured rank, but it still had a colour.

  The commander glanced at the clock again, three minutes past. He sighed, ‘no more stalling. Orders are orders.’

  He stood and stepped around his desk, taking down his brown coat from the hook on the door. Gazing about the place as he put it on, he gave another sigh. It was a shame, he’d liked it here.
/>   ‘Oh, well,’ he whispered. ‘Circumstances change.’

  Leaving the office, Martial Eagle peered up and down the corridor before breaking into a brisk trot towards the dorms.

  Would he be coming back here after tomorrow? Would he actually live through the following events? If things went wrong, he’d find himself looking up at the Predgarian, Pharollin and Unician elders, trying to explain his actions.

  Well, this was the last time. Things were getting out of hand. He wouldn’t be sticking his neck out again, no matter what anyone said. He’d happily take a demotion if it meant it kept him off the chopping block.

  Eagle nodded as he passed an armoured warrior, their light, Feline armour gleaming emerald.

  The only warriors about at this hour would be on duty. Eagle didn’t think it would be a problem, he’d worked here long enough to know how to avoid them.

  Passing the majority of the dorms, his pace slowed when he arrived at the section given over to the Unicians during their stay.

  Eagle strode all the way down to the other end of the corridor and quietly lifted the bar on the fire escape. He peered out into the dim light, the courtyard lit by the pleasant spherical hanging lights.

  Beyond the stone yard was a small car park. Eagle could see the light reflecting off the surface of the navy car waiting for him. It would only be a short drive to his destination, but he had to get that far.

  Eagle closed the door slowly, minimising the heavy clunk. He stepped back up the corridor and stopped at the third door down.

  Drawing out the key to the room from his trouser pocket, he slid it into the hole and unlocked it. Only opening the door a crack, Eagle ventured into the room and hugged the wall, letting his eyes grow accustomed to the dark.

  He listened, picking up the sound of faint but regular breathing. Good, she was asleep.

  Able to see the slim form on the single bed now, Eagle went to it and leant over.

  ‘Jenna?’

  ‘Wha-?’ the girl asked as she woke.

  Eagle clipped her on the left temple, causing her to yelp. She fell back, unconscious.