Chapter 393: Hope
RETH
After leaving Aymora's cave, and a very frustrated Behryn who was ready to be back on his feet, but being held prisoner by his Mate, and old friend, Reth stalked along the trail towards the royal cave with his teeth gritted. The four guards Tobe had assigned to him were attentive, but he could smell their nerves. He was on edge, torn between anger and a desire to begin the fight, and they sensed it and reacted. He had to do better. They had to feel certain and secure, not be watching their King for attack, as well as for assassins.
But he couldn't think of anything to soothe them. The truth was, they were all walking into war. Any one of them could be dead in days. Hours, maybe. And he had one more prisoner that he had to decide what to do with. One more horrendous decision he'd been able to put off, but that weighed heavily. He had already delayed the execution of the bird. But if the wolves were about to attack, she might be an asset to them...
Reth shook his head to free it of the images. He had to find a way to keep her alive without being seen to be merciful!
A peewit called through the forest and he was reminded how life continued, even when you ran from impending death.
He'd considered not going back to the royal cave—there were places he could sleep throughout the Tree City. Any home would have made room for him to keep him out of his normal routine and make it harder for assassins to find him. But he knew with all the outlying Citizens now in the City, even with the homes that had been vacated by the wolves, space and beds were tight. By taking even the smallest Tree House he would be moving out an entire family, forcing them to bunk in the market with the others who had no homes.
Something within him wasn't yet ready to give up on his home, his connection to his mate. Tonight could be his last chance to sleep there for some time. If true war began tomorrow, there would follow days, perhaps weeks, where he would be unable to return to his cave because there would simply be too many things to do. And it might be the target of his enemies.
So, tonight he brought guards and prayed the trackers and scouts Tobe had sent up the mountain had truly cleared it of all threat from the wolves. He needed his own furs, and to possibly meet his mate in the dream—
They took a turn in the trail and Reth's eyes landed on a folded piece of parchment pinned to a tree-trunk by an arrow.
He stopped mid-stride, nostrils flaring, the guards widening their stances and searching the nearby forest for intruders. But then Reth saw the signal.
The white fabric, tied to the arrow.
"Praise the Creator," he breathed. He raked a hand through his hair, then raised his voice for the guards. "Stand down. This isn't a threat." He took the few steps up to the tree, yanked the arrow out and unfolded the parchment, blowing a breath.
It was really true. He'd measured the other note correctly. His source…
His head snapped up and he let his eyes show his urgency to the Guard in front of him. "Do you know the wolf, Charyn? You know where his home is?"
"Yes, Sire."
Reth nodded. "Go, right now, as fast as you can. Bring him, and his cousin to Aymora's cave."
"But, I'm not supposed to leave you, Sire!"
"I am coming with you as far as the City and the other three will stay with me all the way to Aymora's."
"But—"
"Your Captain answers to me, and I am telling you, this is of vital importance. Lives may be saved in the next few minutes. Do as I tell you."
The guard swallowed, the nodded, but Reth was already on the move, the guards circling him as he ran. When they reached the Tree City and the path that branched off towards Aymora's cave, Reth took a deeper breath when the guard peeled off and headed towards the Wolves.
The parchment was crumpled in his fist and he held onto it like a lifeline. He'd been waiting for this. Why had it taken so long?
*****
When he arrived back at Aymora's cave less than half an hour after leaving, Behryn was still on the cot, but grumbling about being a grown male. Hollhye stood over him, her arms folded, and Aymora just a few feet away, frowning. But all three turned quickly when he raced inside.
"Change of plans," he said, low and hard. Aymora opened her mouth, but turning back to one of the guards who'd taken position in the doorway, Reth growled. "I need a report of the Avaline prisoner. Has she slept and eaten today? If she is asleep, have her woken up and kept awake. Do not give her any more food without my order, but she may have as much water as she needs."
"What's going on, Reth?" Behryn said, getting to his feet.
"What's going on is that I know who our messenger was, and now that it's dark, they're coming to see me. To see us. We're going to get the full story. We will not be sleeping this night," Reth said, his heart pinching because when would he have a chance to dream with Elia again? To see if there was a way to hold her there close, for longer? "I have a guard bringing them here now."
"What happened? How did you—"
"A message was left for me near the trail back to the cave. You don't have to worry, this one isn't—"
Reth cut off at the sound of rushed footsteps running up the path. They all turned to find the guard Reth had sent, leading Charyn, his chin down, but eyes up, searching the cave worriedly, and behind him a small female with the white hood of servitude. She waited until the guards had saluted, then stepped back, then she pushed back her white hood and raised her eyes to meet his.
"Suhle," Reth breathed. "Thank the Creator. I thought they'd got you."
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