Frey

by Melissa Wright

  Chapter Ten

  Summit

  Steed sat across from me, quiet.

  “Seems so sad,” I said. I was thinking of Chevelle’s loss, of my own, and now of Ruby’s. How could we all be without family? “Your mother…” I trailed off.

  He sighed. “My mother died years ago, with a large part of the northern clans.” I cringed. His mother had died because of my mother. The same as Chevelle.

  I was almost afraid to ask. “And your father?”

  He smiled. “My father wanders the mountain… killing fairies.”

  My jaw dropped. “You mean Ruby is your sister?”

  “Half-sister,” he emphasized. He let me roll that around for a while before he spoke again. “You know, Ruby told me she’d had dealings with the infamous Chevelle Vattier, but I didn’t believe her. One can never believe the tales of a fairy.”

  Infamous?

  “But imagine my surprise when he walked out of the trees, following a green-eyed beauty.” Steed smiled at the memory and then turned serious. “When I ran into the… trackers, I had hope Ruby had told the truth and might know where to find you.” He laughed. “She tried to hide you, but I recognized the horses out front.”

  “She tried to hide us?”

  “Ah, yes. Fairies are full of treacheries and wickedness. Always meddling in the affairs of others, causing trouble whenever possible. They have quite a time. At least Red’s only half wicked.”

  His sister. I was having trouble wrapping my mind around it all.

  “Don’t worry, she’s had her fun with you. She’ll be helpful now.” He grinned and I wasn’t sure if it was sarcastic. “Besides, sounds like you’re the biggest trouble going. She’d do well to stick around you.” I frowned. “I’ll keep an eye on her,” he promised.

  “You?” I asked, remembering Ruby’s announcement. “You’re traveling with us?”

  “You don’t mind, do you?”

  “No, of course not,” I gushed. It was too eager, so I explained, “Chevelle’s been training me.”

  “Well, we can certainly help with that.”

  I grimaced at the thought of Ruby’s training methods.

  “Don’t fret. She’s actually very talented.” His smile warmed. “An asset, you’ll see.” An asset?

  Ruby came through the door, in a movement that could nearly have been classified as whirling. “Come on, Steed. We need to set you up outside of town. Chevelle is afraid we’re causing a scene in the village.” She laughed lightly. It seemed like she was having fun. I wondered if that meant she was causing trouble. “Don’t think he trusts you with the girl,” Ruby added, smiling playfully.

  “I prefer the outdoors anyway.” Steed dipped toward me, his hand folding his waist in a bow as he stood to go. “Sunshine.”

  My head was not up for this at all. His sister. Traveling with us. An asset. I leaned forward, resting my head on my knees.

  “Are you ill?” Chevelle said from beside me. I hadn’t even heard him come in. He was sitting forward on the bench next to me and when I jerked up in surprise, it put us too close. I tottered and he steadied me, but didn’t move away.

  He leaned closer. “You smell… like morning.” I bit my lip, heat rising up my neck, but he lingered, breathing in the scent.

  “Ruby,” I said. He looked confused. “Soap.”

  I had been reduced to one-word sentences.

  “Oh.” He nodded, leaning back. “She does have a way with potions and such.”

  “I enjoy the mixing,” Ruby said, startling me again as she entered the house. “But not to worry, I keep it contained to elements and minerals, no breeding. I leave that to Steed.” She laughed at her own words as she passed us on the way to her room. I found myself reevaluating her now that I knew she was Steed’s sister.

  Chevelle noticed me watching her. “Do you mind staying with Ru—” My expression cut him off. “I have some business to take care of outside of town. She has given me her word she will behave.” He eyed her as he spoke, a warning.

  She replied from the open door of her room, “Yes, yes. No naughtiness.” And then, under her breath, “On my part.”

  “No qualifications, Ruby.”

  “Just teasing. Now go, we have stuff to do.”

  My stomach knotted. Stuff.

  Chevelle appeared reluctant to get up. For a moment, I thought he might reach out to me, but he only stood and left without another word. It ached. I didn’t want him to hate me.

  Ruby whirled into the room and grabbed me around the waist from behind, spinning me up, over the back of the seat, and through her door before I could process what was happening. She plopped me down in the center of her bed and swung around to sit in front of me. My head was reeling from the spin as she smiled at me, waving her hands and bringing a plethora of bottles and canisters flying toward us to drop on the bed. I thought with disappointment that I hadn’t responded to her attack as Chevelle had taught me and laughed at the image in my head.

  Ruby gave me a genuine smile as she began twisting the lid on a small metal canister. “No mother to teach us the tricks of the trade,” she sighed as she leaned in.

  I jerked away from her, wanting to be angry about the comment. But Ruby had just told me her own story, no less tragic.

  She mistook my reaction. “Oh, don’t be silly. I wouldn’t play the same design twice.”

  I relaxed, but only a little.

  “Besides, I will let you in on a little secret… the fairy’s breath isn’t really breath. Can you imagine if it were? Why, everywhere we go we’d cause a terrible ruckus. It’s a blend, is all. We keep it in a tiny capsule in our cheek and when we need it…” She chomped her teeth together with a click, the look surprisingly feral. And then she smiled, her face melting back into something very near adorable as she held a finger to her lips, protecting the secret. “Old family recipe, you see. My mother left a diary.” She was thoughtful for a moment. “Ah, what a thing, a mother’s diary.”

  Ruby went silent for too long and I wondered if she would be returning to this one-sided conversation any time soon.

  Her eyes flicked back to me. “It was very fortunate for me she’d kept a journal, you see, for I would have no fairy knowledge without it.”

  I felt my brows draw together and tried to smooth my face.

  “No, don’t feel bad for me. With you in such a position.” I didn’t know what she meant exactly, but she continued, “And my dear brother has been there for me all along, helping me with the elf parts.”

  She kept talking as she leaned forward, seemingly unaware I’d not spoken a word in response. Not that she’d given me much opportunity. I contemplated whether this was her usual behavior toward strangers or if she felt we had a special motherless bond.

  She ran her finger through the substance in the canister and it came out coated in a deep, dark green that had the consistency of grease, which she smeared across the base of my eyelid. She continued rambling as she coated various parts of my body with lotions and powders, smoothed my hair with a sweet-scented cream, painted my lips with a soft balm that smelled of spice.

  After she ran out of areas to work with, she opened a tall glass container with black liquid inside and dipped a cut braid of hair into the bottle. She drew it out, using the tip to brush an intricate design on the inside of my wrist. When she was finished, she leaned over and blew gently on the paint. Or ink? I was anxious to see the finished work. I waited impatiently for her to raise her head again and hoped whatever it was wasn’t permanent.

  She finally glanced up at me, smiling an easy smile. I looked nervously at my wrist. It was magnificent. A simple outline of a bird with outstretched wings marked the delicate skin at the base of my palm. Unbelievably tiny runes surrounded the bottom of its wings, making a pattern appear.

  I smiled as I praised her. “It’s beautiful.”

  One eyebrow shot up and she jumped from the bed, grabbing my wrist and pulling me with her. I hoped she hadn’t smudged t
he design. I checked it as soon as she stopped in front of her mirror and let my arm go. “And this.” It wasn’t a question. She was proud of her work.

  The eyes that stared back at me in the reflection grew large as they took in her mastery. Gone was the girl I’d been in the village. This woman, dressed in leather and dabbed with war paint, was striking, imposing even. Her dark gaze might have been fierce if it weren’t round with astonishment. Ruby was thrilled at my response. She bounced twice and clapped her hands at her success.

  And then she was over it. “Let’s eat. I’m famished.” She fired a look back at me, her hair flipping in the process. “Hmm. I’m not supposed to take you outside. Not supposed to leave you.”

  I stood, waiting.

  “Food,” she decided. She yanked two cloaks from the corner and tied them on, covering our heads, and led me to the wardrobe by her bed. I couldn’t imagine how we could get any more clothes on as she opened the door and started to throw them onto her bed. But she leaned out of the wardrobe door to whisper, “Come on.” She stepped into the cabinet, dragging me with her.

  We were standing outside the rear of her house. She slid the false wall back in place and grabbed my arm again, our heavy cloaks moving like shadows as we ran from the village.

  We didn’t go far before she stopped and jerked me into a squat beside her. There was movement a brief distance ahead, a rabbit weaving from the cover of one rock to the next. As I watched, a stick shot from the ground and speared the animal through the chest, killing it instantly. I gasped. Ruby giggled at me. She grabbed her quarry and we rushed back to the house.

  We went to the main room and she started a fire as she easily skinned and gutted the animal. The entrails went into an urn beside the fire and I wondered what she used them for before remembering all the containers on her bedroom shelf with a shudder. She stretched the pelt to dry while the meat cooked. She poured us wine and handed me half of her plunder. “It’s not much, but game close to the village is sparse. Over-hunted. When we get to the peak, we can trade. It is the strangest thing; they herd the animals to town and then corral them to eat at their leisure.” She shook her head at the absurdity. “But you haven’t eaten until you’ve tasted a fattened beast.”

  “The peak?”

  Concerned, she asked, “You don’t know where we’re going?”

  I drew a breath, uncertain how to answer. I would have been sure not to trust her, but she was traveling with us. It was probably best not to tell her, of all people, that I had no clue where I was or where I was going. I needed to stay on this path, now more than ever. Chevelle’s words rolled through my mind. He thought I wouldn’t give up because I’d seen the map.

  Something about that nagged at me, but Ruby waited while I searched for a response. Chevelle opened the door and I knew I was saved from at least that much.

  When he saw me, he was struck still. I had forgotten Ruby’s “treatments” until she squealed in delight at his response. He composed his face again, but she’d already marked him. “Oh, you like it. She’s fabulous, isn’t she?” She was so proud of herself, but I could tell Chevelle was embarrassed he’d been caught off guard. It might have pleased me too, except that I couldn’t tell if it was less how I had changed and more the resemblance to my mother.

  Ruby offered Chevelle a drink and he sat in a chair beside mine. She prattled as she enjoyed the wine, and I tried to focus on her stories instead of the occasional glances he threw my way. And then he grabbed my arm. I flinched, afraid at the quickness and strength of the move, but he only trailed an index finger gently down my arm, over the design, to stop in the center of my palm.

  My arm relaxed into his grip. “You like it? Ruby did it. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

  His finger stayed on my palm as he looked up at me. His eyes lingered on my mouth for a moment and then met mine, piercing. “A hawk?” It seemed like an accusation, but I had no idea why. I sat, blank-faced, staring back at him, and he turned to Ruby to give her the strangest look. “A hawk?”

  She appeared abashed for a moment and then simply shrugged, smiling. “Seemed to fit.” That answered his accusation and he released my hand, easing back into his chair.

  “Well, now that you’re back…” She hopped off her own chair and bounded toward the door. “I can’t wait to visit with our new guests.” She frowned a little. “Too bad they can’t stay inside with us. Frey can have my room, I’ll be out all night, and you can take the spare.” She took one last look at me before she rushed out, apparently satisfied with her project.

  And I was alone with Chevelle again. My pulse quickened and I had to remind myself he hated me. He was my watcher. He was fulfilling a duty.

  Then I realized what Ruby had said and I wondered if my brain would ever be quick enough to keep up. “Guests?”

  He hesitated before answering. “We will be traveling with some friends.”

  He was so vague. A formless irritation started to crawl its way to the surface, but I had to remember I had no right to ask. These were my captors. My fingernails cut into the palm of my hand where the map had been. We’d be traveling to the peak, they’d said. I couldn’t guess what waited there, but that didn’t stop the hope that it was something of my mother, my family. But even if it wasn’t, I’d be that much farther away from the village and council.

  The second bit of Ruby’s parting comment registered, so I excused myself to her room with a yawn and a short good night. I closed the door behind me, and though tired, knew I wouldn’t sleep with him in the next room. I walked to the back window and stared out into the night.

  Moonlight glinted off Ruby’s figure in the distance, heading away from the village. I didn’t think. I just pulled a cloak from the pile on her bed and was out the hidden door behind the wardrobe.

  I ran in a crouch, praying no one spotted me as I gained on her. I only once glanced at the house in the fear I wouldn’t be able to find my way back. If I wanted to catch Ruby, I wouldn’t be able to mark my path. Her cloaked form leapt over a tall rock and disappeared. I hurried forward, sure I was about to lose both her and the route. When I topped the rock, I froze, taking a heartbeat too long to drop to my stomach. Just over that ridge stood a group of elves, though after my pulse settled, I didn’t think they’d seen me before I’d fallen back.

  I wasn’t quite close enough to hear, but didn’t see a better vantage point. I squinted, examining the figures. Ruby’s red curls gave her away. She had tossed back the hood of her cloak and was laughing with a large elf. Steed, I was almost sure because of his stance. I scanned the darkness and found two other figures. One was about the size of Steed; the other was thinner and appeared fidgety, even in the darkness. They approached Ruby and Steed and out of the shadows I could see their dark hair. The thinner one’s hair was long, his bangs falling over sharp features.

  I studied their gestures in the moonlight, occasionally catching a few words. It seemed they were planning, but I couldn’t be sure. There was movement again in the shadows as more figures approached. I inched forward, anticipating when they would come into view. One of the forms was a mass, low to the ground. I squinted to see better and—

  I almost screamed as a hand wrapped around my biceps with fierce strength, jerking me to my feet. I tried to see my attacker, to think of the magic to protect myself.

  “What are you doing?” It would have been a yell it if wasn’t hissed. The tone was harsh and I recognized it at once.

  “Oh,” I managed. Part of me was saying calm down, but the other was screaming I was still in danger. “Chevelle… I…” I didn’t have an answer. What was I doing?

  He released his grip just a fraction. “I went to your room and you were gone.” He shook his head. “I thought I had to come out here to get a search party.”

  “I, uh… you were in my room?”

  He straightened, his expression making it clear he hadn’t expected that response.

  I pressed, taking the chance. “Why?” I heard mo
vement behind me and the fear returned tenfold.

  Chevelle didn’t tense; he only let out an exasperated breath. “It’s fine,” he said. He released me and I turned to see who he’d addressed. Four figures stood in a line, almost a formation, and they relaxed at his words.

  My arm tingled as the blood returned to the limb, freed of his harsh grip. Yes, he hates me. I flexed my fist.

  “Ah, she escaped,” Ruby purred. “And you didn’t trust me with her.”

  The formation broke as Steed came to stand beside me, the corner of his mouth tipping into a grin. I stared at the group. I had no idea who they were, but from the way they spoke it was apparently no secret I was Chevelle’s prisoner. Or his property.

  “Frey,” Chevelle said, “this is Anvil.” He nodded toward a giant of a man who bowed his head respectfully. “And Grey.” The wiry man bent and straightened, his movements too quick.

  I drew in a startled breath as two more figures came into view. A pair of slender elves stepped in sync as they stopped just outside the group. They were tall and lean, dressed in robes the color of ash that only accentuated their shocking silver hair. I was convinced the moonlight must have been exaggerating it. And then I jumped again as, on either side of them, two beasts walked forward to stand just in front of the twinned elves.

  Steed brushed an arm against mine, mumbling under his breath, “Yeah, they’re not from around here.”

  I felt myself leaning on Chevelle for support. “Rhys and Rider Strong,” he said from behind me. They nodded and I was surprised the small gesture also seemed in step. A strange whine emanated from one of the dogs as they shifted to sit on their haunches. By their size, I might have guessed they were wolves, but I’d never known a wolf to be tamed. Their fur matched the robes of their masters, down to the black trim. I couldn’t be certain in the light, but I thought there was even some silver showing. Surely they would be less frightening in the light of day.

  Ruby broke the tense atmosphere with a curtsey. “And Ruby Summit.” I attempted a smile for her, not missing the silent exchange between Steed and Chevelle. They were trying to decide what to do with me.

  “Since you’re apparently not ready to retire for the evening, I suppose we will resume your training,” Chevelle said. I sighed.

  “Ooh, let me!” Ruby shouted. Chevelle gave her a doubtful look and then glanced at me, apparently deciding I deserved it. He nodded once and walked toward the rock ledge. Ruby bounced from foot to foot, celebrating her victory.

  As Chevelle moved past Anvil and Grey, they turned to follow him. The silver-haired elves and their dogs were nowhere in sight. My gaze caught Steed, who was watching me. I always forgot how strikingly handsome he was until I looked right at him. He wore a thin, loose shirt now, rolled at the sleeves and covered by a leather vest. It matched the long cuffs on his forearms, the same dark, worn leather of his saddles. He stepped closer, taking my chin in his hand to examine my face in the moonlight. He purred something toward Ruby about her decorations and gave me a wink as he walked off in the direction Chevelle had gone.

  We were alone then, Ruby and I, and I was sure this was going to hurt more than my other training. She untied her cloak and tossed it to land with a muffled sound on the rocks. She was smiling a touch as she reached a hand across her waist, closing her fist around a black hoop I’d not seen before. She drew it out and around as a long black trail curved in its wake and came to rest at her side.

  My mouth went dry. A whip. Oh yes, this would hurt. I loosed my cloak and pitched it aside, lowering myself in a defensive stance, hands out and ready.

  Crack!

  Okay, not ready. “Ow! Mother Earth!” I yelled. Blood trickled from the strike point.

  Ruby giggled. “Okay, we start slower.” She considered for a moment. “Maybe we work on your attacks instead of defense.”

  I relaxed my stance. “Um, I don’t really have any attacks.”

  “Well, then, I suppose we had better focus on getting you some. How to begin?” She was talking to herself now. My mind started to wander as I listened for sounds from the men below. What are they doing there? “I’m afraid we will have to use your anger,” she said, a smile creeping into the corner of her lips. “It seemed to work with your lunch.” I remembered the meat I had burnt and flushed. “Yes, this will do,” she hummed with a sly grin.

  “Let me see… yes, I’ve got it.” She began stepping a slow circle around me, talking as she moved, suddenly cat-like. “The dreams you had after the fairy dust, do you remember them?” Oh. “I have a few questions, you see. You had plenty to say about someone as you slept. You mentioned how his mouth tasted… muscles under his shirt. And, well, I was curious just who you meant.” No. “It couldn’t have been Chevelle; you should have seen his face. He was livid.” No. “Steed was certainly enjoying it, but, my dear, he won’t spill the secret to me. Whose strong back were you wrapped around, whose dark eyes—”

  I was mortified. There was nowhere to go, it was too much, and it turned to fury as she continued. I snapped. The flames that had been coursing through me burst in my hands.

  She laughed and tossed her head. “Oh you should have heard it. You gave us such interesting details!” The image of Chevelle hearing my dreams, the sound of their laughter when I woke…

  I knew what she wanted and I gave it to her. Fire shot from my hands toward her, hotter than any I’d ever produced. The warmth hit my face and Ruby’s heeled boots sloshed as snow melted beneath her feet.

  She batted away the flames and smiled. “Come now, you’ll have to do better than that.” She kept circling. “Let me try harder.” She flicked her wrist, and the end of her whip caught my ankle so fast I hadn’t even realized it was moving. She jerked and my leg came out from under me, my hip slamming flat on the ground. It hurt. The pain stole the heat from my anger, and I struggled to stand.

  Crack! The whip struck at my head, forcing me back down. She circled me, cracking the whip every time I attempted to right myself. I couldn’t get a foothold.

  “Come now, Freya, you must defend yourself. Fight me. Stop me.” Snap! Snap! Snap! She was faster now, cracking the whip above me and at each side, moving again and again, closer and closer. I had to think of something but my mind could only concentrate on the snap of her whip. Her boots splashed in the melted snow again, and I sent the icy water racing up under the material of her skirt to her bare legs. Shock crossed her face and I hoped it would buy the time I needed.

  What now? The cold water had thrown her for no more than a fraction of a second, but it was enough time to right myself and execute one quick attack. I volleyed a nearby rock, which struck her in the back of the head and threw her balance off for another instant. I knew I was larger than her so I gritted my teeth and lunged, grabbing her as I tried to figure my next move.

  She raised her face and, when her eyes met mine, they narrowed. Part of me was aware I should have been scared, but I was enjoying myself. Whatever pain I might receive didn’t factor; I had wanted to hurt this wicked little redhead since the first time I’d seen her, since her hand reached out seductively toward Chevelle and collected my ruby. My palms lit where they wrapped around her arms. I would finally burn her.

  She cocked one eyebrow at me. “Half fire fairy, silly.” And I flew through the air to land with a heavy thump a few yards away.

  “Well, it was a little unconventional, but at least you’re thinking on your feet,” she mused, straightening the material of her skirt. And then she giggled as she realized I was, in fact, not on my feet.

  My body ached as I stood and my best skill was useless. I desperately wanted to ask her to show me the way, but my ego stubbornly refused. Not her.

  She must have picked up my mood. “You see, most of us choose one particular favorite. We focus on that and practice constantly. That way it becomes easier, uses less energy, you know.” I didn’t know. “Maybe we should see what your strong suit is,” she said and motioned me to follow her as she wal
ked to the rock ridge and jumped over, hurrying down to the men.

  “Sorry to interrupt, gentlemen,” she announced. “I was wondering if you’d mind a little demonstration?” They broke their circle to give her their attention. “Frey here hasn’t found her rhythm yet,” she explained. They seemed to understand and she bounded back over to me and drew me to sit beside her on a large rock facing the men before cueing them to begin.

  The largest stepped forward, boasting deep brown hair and eyes. He wore plain clothing but his broad shoulders and massive size made him seem regal. “They name me Anvil but I am Reed, of Keithar Peak.” His voice was thick, though it was impossible to tell whether it was an accent or he had difficulty speaking. He was huge, frighteningly so, but something about him drew me in. I wanted to be his friend for no reason I could rationalize. He walked to me and reached out his hand in greeting. As I took it in mine, a tingle ran up my arm, the fine hairs standing on end.

  Anvil smiled. “Apologies. I will try to avoid touching you.”

  “It’s fine, really,” I said, though I didn’t understand. It was like a static charge. Meanwhile, I had decided the thickness was a drawl. “I don’t know your accent. Where is it from?”

  “North Camber,” he replied. A snicker slipped from Steed and Anvil glanced at him before amending, “Well, that is where they cut out part of my tongue.” I recoiled, wrenching my hand from his. The tingle remained. He didn’t seem offended; he simply took a few steps backward to start his demonstration. I brought my arm back to my side and it brushed Ruby, shocking her just enough to make both of us flinch. She only smiled as she returned her attention to the start of the show.

  The other men drew back, some sitting, some standing, but all giving him their full attention and space as he raised his hands and braced himself, taking one full deep breath before shifting forward, ever so slightly. A thunderous crack and excruciating light flew from both of his outstretched hands, slammed into a tall pine, and snapped the top third of the tree off. Several limbs splintered and popped as it crashed its way down.

  I stared in open-mouthed astonishment. Sweat glistened on the large man’s forehead and his breath was a little labored, but still, he stood. Understanding came slowly. He had shot lightning from his hands. The others nodded appreciatively, but I was having second thoughts about friendship with this man. Though not being his friend was probably more dangerous.

  I was shaking my head in disbelief as he turned back to me and bowed.

  He stepped back, taking a seat as the wiry man stepped inside the circle then. He nodded to me. Grey. He was thoughtful for a moment, deciding the best way to display his skill, before finally approaching to offer his hand. I reached forward, placing my palm against his, and then he was gone. His entire body had vanished. I half expected to feel his touch—perhaps he’d merely camouflaged himself—but my hand was empty. I looked around, baffled. The makeshift audience wore easy, amused smiles. They watched me, not the vacant space from which Grey had evidently disappeared. And then I noticed someone beside me who hadn’t been there before… it was him.

  “How…” But he was gone again. I’d been staring right at him and had no idea where he’d gone.

  I was just beginning to doubt whether I’d seen him at all when I spotted him standing across the circle, grinning fiendishly while he dangled an object from his hands. It was the feather Ruby had tied in my hair. I’d forgotten about it. I reached up to feel for it and it was gone. I started to get irritated but then the feather was in my other hand and he was back, his hands now empty. And then, for no apparent reason but amusement, he did a few somersaults and landed in the center of the circle, smiling. I could only shake my head as Ruby clapped beside me, clearly thrilled with the show. I thought I must have missed something.

  Grey bowed out of the circle and was replaced by the two tall, silvery elves. I found myself startled again; I had not seen them sitting with the group, or anywhere else. For some reason, it was much more eerie than the little wiry man who blinked in and out of vision.

  One of the men spoke, his tone formal. “We will not demonstrate their full power at this time, in fear of shorting our forces a man for mere display.” I assumed he was probably joking. “As you can see, they can be frightening, however, without attack.”

  At that, the dogs walked into the circle. I had not seen them either, before they were approaching their masters. They came forward to snarl, one regarding Ruby and one Steed, and I could only be glad it wasn’t me as their muzzles pulled back and exposed a vicious set of teeth, complete with meat-tearing fangs. The hair rose on their backs and I was suddenly positive they were larger than Ruby. A horrific growl ripped from their chests in unison and I cringed. Then, at once, they settled back into relaxed seated positions as if they had never been angry.

  “We also do not do tricks.” Yes, there was humor there. I was relieved to see the intimidating pair might not be as strict as I’d imagined. “We will return to watch.” They inclined their heads and walked out of the circle in unison, disappearing from view.

  I twisted the feather I was holding in my hand. How remarkable it must be to master a beast. I wouldn’t have to be battered during training then, I thought, and winced at the idea of Ruby cracking one of those wolf-dogs with her whip.