The Warrior's Assault

by Kristen Banet

  7

  Mave

  She saw Luykas enter the dining hall as she approached. She couldn’t blame him for not waiting outside since there was a bite to the winter air. It was easier to stay warm when they were training. She landed with an ungraceful thump on the cleared ground, ten feet from the door. Barely on her feet, she started walking as the winter winds grew stronger. It felt like a storm was coming.

  “Let me get that for you,” someone called when she was nearly at the door. Looking over her shoulder, she saw a male she didn’t know.

  “And you are?” she asked softly.

  “The name is Learen,” he answered. He reached out to grab the door, moving around her when she didn’t move out of his way. She noticed something off as she got a good look at him—he only had one hand. “Saw a female coming to the door and decided to grab it for you. Don’t mean any offense.”

  “My name is Mave. No offense taken,” she replied. She met his eyes, noticing they were a deep purple, an unusual color, not found in any of the other races. Then again, the Andinna had a lot of eye colors not found in the other races.

  “Everyone knows your name,” he said, chuckling as he dropped those purple eyes, admitting she was the more dominant Andinna. “The newest member of the Ivory Shadows, working for the king. Also, the big scary demon we all heard about, fighting in Elliar’s Colosseum.”

  “Yeah, that’s me,” she said, suddenly uncomfortable.

  “The stories never scared me,” he promised. He smirked, nodding to the door. “Go on. I’m sure there’s someone waiting on you.”

  She could only nod, moving inside, leaving him to follow her in. She didn’t waste any time creating distance, finding Luykas quickly, and walking directly for him. When she sat down, he didn’t seem very surprised.

  “You hovered outside. Worried about having a meal with me?” he asked lightheartedly.

  “Do you know a male named Learen?” He frowned, looking over his shoulder at the rest of the dining hall. “He opened the door for me. Introduced himself.”

  “Well, damn. I wonder when he showed up,” he said softly. “He used to be in the Company. Lost his hand about nine hundred years ago and disappeared to one of those more remote villages. Haven’t seen him in…four hundred years. Before that, I was lucky to see him once every decade.”

  “Really?” She turned, trying to find him again. “He was once in the Company?” She hadn’t really pinned him for that. Then again, she had been shocked and hadn’t gotten a chance to look him over.

  “He’s good, but be careful around him. He’s been…” Luykas shook his head. “He’s never been the same since he lost his hand. He deals with some things…”

  “What happened?” she asked softly.

  “He was captured and tortured by some Elvasi here in Olost. The hand…it was sent to us in Namur while we were looking for him. When we rescued him, he never wanted to see us again—blamed us. Losing the war, losing our people to slavery, losing him…He never really forgave us. He got over some of it, would see us from time to time, but never really moved on.”

  “You and Alchan?” she asked.

  “Yeah.” Luykas was somber now, his eyes distant. She continued to try to find Learen, but he was gone. “I wonder why he’s here now.”

  “We could try to find him, learn what’s up. He didn’t tell me he was Company.”

  “There’s a few old retirees and people who have come and gone from us. None live here in this village. With the heat we get from the Empire when someone retires, they generally go deeper into the mountains, find a little cave or a small village, and hide out. There’s not many of them, but some have to walk away from our life. Alchan and I try to make sure they’re taken care of.”

  “That’s…really kind of you both,” she said cautiously. “I mean…if someone walked away from me…”

  “You would just let them?” He gave her a small smile. “Can’t blame you for that. Not many people have been in your life in a good way. We tried to help Learen as much as we could, but sometimes, they don’t want help. Leshaun keeps up with the rumors of our old members, but he doesn’t tell us anything unless he thinks there’s trouble.”

  “Has there ever been?”

  “We had to hunt one down once,” he explained, his gold eyes dimming. “He’d…woken up with a nightmare one night and killed a few males in a rampage, lost in memories of a fight from the war. We…we had to go find him and deliver justice.”

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered. What a hard thing to do—kill someone who had once been a comrade, a fellow warrior, because he was broken from the stress of everything he’d gone through. “The Empress wanted me to kill Mat and Rain. I couldn’t do it.”

  “I know.”

  They sat together silently, staring at each other like they both knew the pain they were both experiencing. Even without the bond, there was something there—an understanding.

  “You should go get something to eat,” he finally suggested. “You have practice with Senri after this.”

  “It’s not strenuous, but I am hungry,” she agreed. “Save my seat.” She jumped up, leaving him to find her own meal. The line moved slowly, and when she was in front of one of the young single males, she realized they were the problem. He seemed sore and stiff, taking his time giving her a serving of the beans that were standard at every meal made in the dining hall. She didn’t comment, wondering if he was also a guard, and if it was her males’ faults for the stiffness he was obviously experiencing.

  When she was nearly back at the table, she heard laughing.

  “It’s good to see you looking so healthy, Learen. It really is.” Luykas sounded relieved. She got close enough to see them through the crowd and realized Learen had gotten food and sat across from her commander.

  “Yeah, it took some time, but I’m finally back in good condition. I let myself go there for a few years.” Learen grinned. “Centuries.”

  She sat down slowly next to Luykas. Just a moment ago, he was telling her to be cautious around this one-handed male. Now, he was laughing, excited to see him. She brushed her tail against his to catch the flavor of his emotions. He didn’t jump, but she knew he noticed. He was cautious but was trying to put on his best face. He didn’t want Learen to feel like an outcast. They were friends once, and he saw no reason why he shouldn’t welcome the disabled male back with open arms if he had the chance.

  She read that all in a simple, fast touch. He glanced at her, his smile not leaving, but now she knew it was a touch fake—not completely, but he didn’t want his old friend to see his worry.

  “You should have told me you were once part of the Company,” she said, looking over the male across the table.

  “I didn’t want you to feel like you should know me or about me. I know I’m a sore spot for Luykas and his brother.” He didn’t seem too offended by her calling him out, and his reason was a kind and sensible one. He looked back at Luykas. “Now, tell me what’s been going on. I’ve heard some things, like about Mave here.”

  “You haven’t told me what’s been going on with you yet. What brought you here? You’ve never wanted to visit this village before.” Luykas raised his hands. “I’ll trade you.”

  “I…joined up with a lone female,” he answered. “About three hundred years ago. I hit a rough patch. Hearing you guys killed Tokie for what he did, I slipped into a bad place. She found me. Nursed me back to health and has helped me since.”

  “I’m glad to hear you found someone. Tokie was…” Luykas trailed off. “He’s the one I just told you about. The one who…lost his mind in the end.”

  “Thanks for the heads up,” she replied, looking between them. “I take it that was a nickname?”

  “It was. His parents must have hated him because his full name was a nightmare. Tokinyan. What the hell were they thinking? That name died out among our people generations ago,” Learen laughed as he explained.

  “Yeah. Terrible name,” Luykas agreed. �
��What all have you heard?”

  “Heard about Matesh. I remember when he was a stupid kid. Heard that’s changed, though. Now, he and his stupid friend are fucking males of worth. One even has a kid himself. Heard Mat and said new kid, Rainev, I think, were captured. How you saved them and got her with them.” He nodded in her direction. “I’ve missed a lot. Did Zayden really convince a female to have a youngling with him?”

  “A clan member from Zira,” Luykas explained in return. “Her name was Summer. She was a good female. Matesh and Zayden raised Rainev into a good one as well. If you stick around, you might see them.”

  “I would like that,” Learen said softly, nodding. “I was planning on visiting Alchan too. Knowing him, he hasn’t moved in nine hundred years.”

  “He hasn’t. Same place.” Luykas was losing some of his false good mood. He shifted uncomfortably next to her. “Why are you here, Learen?”

  “I heard about that from last year. Heard you settled here for the winter. I don’t know. My wife said it was a good time for me to come see you all, and it felt right.” He gave a sad smile. “I’ve spent a lot of years being angry with you. Hearing how you saved those two really got to me, I think. You saved me too, and all you got from me was anger.”

  “You were tortured,” Mave whispered. “It changes people.”

  “Yeah? Did they torture you? The Elvasi?” His words had a touch of anger to them like he couldn’t believe she dared to try to understand him. Some people didn’t want to be understood. They just wanted to be angry or hurt, the only way they could cope. She had seen it before. The pits were notorious for it. Those males had never wanted anyone to try to talk to them. They just wanted to feel powerful and angry, and she was a good target for that.

  “For a thousand years,” she answered. “Wasn’t just the Elvasi either.”

  “Mave…” Luykas tentatively put out a hand as if he wanted to console her. “He might not be the best—”

  “Human?” Learen practically sneered.

  “Andinna.” Oh, she could see why Luykas was worried now. There was a considerably angry male under the veneer of health and humor with a touch of awkwardness. “As you said, I’m the big scary demon everyone heard about in Elliar’s Colosseum. I don’t mean any offense. I just thought I could reassure you. I don’t think Luykas here is upset you were hurting and needed to get away after they had taken your hand.”

  Learen’s face crumpled. “She’s just like my damn wife. Knows exactly what to say.”

  “Females are like that,” Luykas said softly, watching her. “She’s right, too. Alchan and I were never angry with you for being angry. We just tried to make sure you were taken care of.”

  “Yeah, well, that’s why I’m here. To finally say thank you for that. For all of it. I don’t plan on sticking around longer than today. I was following you in here when I caught a glimpse of Mave.” He half stood up, looking around. “Maybe I should go see Alchan, then head out.”

  She made no move to stop him, neither did Luykas. He looked between them and settled back into his seat.

  “What?” he demanded.

  “You were always in a rush,” Luykas whispered. “I guess some things don’t change.”

  Learen started to laugh. It was real, authentic in a way she hadn’t seen yet from the male. He doubled over, nodding. Even Luykas started to chuckle.

  “Fuck, you’re right. I’ll stay for lunch. So, what else has been happening with the Company?”

  “Well, Matesh is in a mayara now. I know you heard about his…activities over the years, so there’s something out of left field,” Luykas told him but turned to her as he spoke. “Well?”

  “He’s my bodanra,” she told Learen. “Along with Brynec if you know him.”

  “I never thought I would see the day,” Learen snorted.

  They fell into easy conversation, Mave mostly quiet, only filling in something if Luykas wanted her to. They learned Learen was living over a week away from them by air. He had to stop at night and sleep on cliffs, then fly all day. Mave couldn’t imagine how hard that was on him, but he didn’t make it seem like too much of a concern.

  She jumped when Rainev sat down next to her.

  “Hey, sis,” he greeted, grinning.

  “Shit. Give a female a warning!” She smiled back. Her blue-eyed illi bodyr only laughed. “How’re you?”

  “Good, good. My dad should be right behind me. Shouldn’t take him too long to get food.”

  “The line is slow today,” she explained. “Noticed it when I went through.”

  “I heard one bitching about the Company when I walked in,” Luykas added, leaning around her to see Rain. “Would you know anything about that?”

  “I don’t talk to most of them anymore, but…” He stood up, looking over the dining hall. “Yeah, a few of them were in drills yesterday with Mat, Bryn, and my dad. That might explain why they’re slow.”

  “Figured,” Mave said, shaking her head. “Learen, this is Rainev, Zayden’s son.”

  “Huh.” Learen eyed Rain as he sat back down. “You survived the Empire?”

  “Yeah.” Rain stiffened. Mave reached over and gently took her little brother’s hand under the table. They still didn’t really talk about it, but they spent a lot of time together, and she knew it haunted him. She just didn’t know what else to do, except be there until he was ready. “Met Mave. She taught Mat and me how to get through it.”

  “Zayden still a grumpy fuck?”

  “He got grumpier after Rain was born and Summer died,” Luykas answered. “Now, he’s an overprotective father.”

  “I heard that!” Zayden called out.

  Mave laughed, still holding Rain’s hand. She leaned close to him as Luykas kept telling Learen something or another.

  “Are you okay?” she asked quietly.

  “I am, promise. Everyone keeps asking, but I’m feeling a lot better since…” he trailed off. “You know.”

  “Where’re my males?” She lightened up, not wanting to make him upset in public. “Did you leave them harassing someone?”

  “No, haven’t seen them. I was on my way back from Alchan’s when I saw my dad headed here for lunch.” He gave her a lopsided smile. “They probably are, you know. Don’t they have patrol tonight?”

  “Oh, Skies, that’s right.” She let him go, rubbing her face in annoyance. “I’ve been distracted all day. Luykas and I worked on sparring and combat with the bond. A new direction for our morning training.”

  “Oh.” Rain’s eyebrows went up. “How was that?”

  “Surprisingly good. What do you think, Luykas? How do you think training went?”

  “I think we could have done without the ass-chewing from Nevyn and Varon, but other than that, it went well,” he answered. “Now, can I eat, or is everyone going to keep trying to talk to me?”

  “I should eat my food,” she realized, looking down at her untouched plate.

  “Well, get to it, amyr. Can’t have you wasting away.” Rain elbowed her. “Remember, dinner at my place tonight. We made a deal.”

  “I know. I would never miss dinner with you and Zayden.” She playfully elbowed him back.

  It was a deal she and Rain had made early into winter. He’d caught her having dinner alone one night when Matesh and Brynec were on patrol and decided that didn’t sit well with him. Now, up to three nights a week, she was over with him and his father having dinner. Zayden warmed up to her as Rain started to improve and seem happier. He was still a grouch, but she knew there wasn’t any animosity between them. He was just Zayden. He loved his son—sometimes too much—and he was a grouch, but he cared for people. Or he tried to.

  “Cool. If there’s a storm tonight, you can crash in my room.”

  “Great. Now he’s inviting her over for sleepovers,” Zayden’s signature grouchy, rough voice cut through the conversations happening around them. Mave looked up to see him walking around the table and sitting next to Learen. Zayden ignored her stare an
d stared at the other male. “Well, by the fucking Skies. Learen. Look at you, alive and breathing.”

  “Hey,” Learen smirked. “Look at you, father and everything.”

  “It’s good to see you.” Zayden smiled.

  “I love how he makes fun of us, then ignores us,” she whispered to Rain.

  “I think Learen surprised him,” Rain whispered back. “Give him a minute, and he’ll remember we’re here.”

  “I know you’re both over there, and I’m choosing to talk to the male I haven’t seen in centuries,” Zayden said, growling at the end. “I’ll be dealing with you two later tonight.”

  “Sometimes, I think you don’t like me,” Mave commented lightly.

  He huffed, looking back at Learen and launching into a conversation, talking about how much things had changed. Mave smirked as Zayden’s chest puffed up with pride as he talked about Rainev and everything his son could do.

  She ate her food, glancing at Rain, who shook his head in mock dismay as a baby story came up. She snickered into her food. Rain’s first shift into his wyvern was quite the story.

  “Then he breathed fire, and you can imagine that changed everything. We had to fireproof our home!” Zayden howled with laughter, and Learen joined in.

  “I’m sorry I missed it!” Learen laughed, wiping his face. “Oh Skies, that sounds like something to see. And look at him now. Fully grown and I missed all of it. Well, Rain, it’s good to meet you finally.”

  “Nice to finally meet you as well,” Rain replied, shaking his outstretched hand.

  Mave gave Luykas a sideways glance. He seemed relaxed, and she had a feeling it was because this old Company male wasn’t a problem like she may have believed. If anything, Learen seemed like he was just an old soldier, looking to reconnect with his old unit. The only evidence she had for the traumatized and broken male Luykas talked about was the small outburst earlier in the conversation, and that was probably her fault for stepping in before Learen was comfortable with her.