Of Men and Dragons

During their short lunch break, Em'brel sat by her friend's side, listening to Sare'en's story. "I know it was nothing like being on the front lines of a battle, but until Lon'thul and Chal'ac showed up, I honestly thought I was going to die!"

The younger noble shook her head. "I don't blame you! From what I've seen and heard, Dek'thul is terrifying even when he's not trying to intimidate information from you! I'm surprised you didn't break down and cry!"

Sare'en looked ashamed as she looked down at her feet. "I probably would have. I think I was just still in shock and didn't have time to realize what was happening."

Em'brel sighed and looked at her hands, which the noble flexed as she tried to process her feelings about the day. "That's alright. If yesterday taught me anything, it's that being bloodthirsty is overrated. The only two things anyone wants to talk about are how amazing the battle went or Ger'ron's...his...loss. But I can't help but think how the two are intertwined. I get why we fought; we didn't have any choice, but every time I think about our victory, I think of a phrase Jack taught me a while back; 'necessary evil.'"

Sare'en was troubled by her friend's distress but couldn't think of anything to say or do to make it any better. Instead, the moment seemed to draw out into an uncomfortable silence until it was interrupted by a loud proclamation behind them. "There's the two cutest argu'n in the caravan! Jack wanted me to check on you and make sure you actually got something to eat. He said, 'They might not have much appetite after yesterday, but make sure they eat something, or they'll be collapsing before we stop for the evening!'"

With that, Lon'thul handed the girls some churlish meat to munch on. It was dried and tough, but Sare'en knew from experience it would fill her up for a few hours at least. As she tore off a mouthful, she saw Em'brel looking at her portion with disgust.

Sare'en started silently cheering her friend on while trying to think of some less than silent encouragement when Lon'thul sat down and pulled out a haunch of his own, and started munching on it.

Seeming to realize he wouldn't leave until his duty was fulfilled, Em'brel finally took a hesitant bite. Evidently, something in the pit of her stomach awoke to the sensation of food because the next bite was less uncertain, and the third seemed positively eager.

Sare'en was enjoying her own tasteless meal when something occurred to her. "Why didn't Jack come to check on us himself?"

Realizing her question could be taken in a way she hadn't meant, the herder girl frushed to explain. "Not that he's required to, but it seems like something he'd normally do. I didn't mean to say he was neglecting us or anything..."

Lon'thul laughed and waved off any further explanation. "Oh, he wanted to! But he and the rest of the camp's leadership needed to work a few things out. Where to go from here, what to do if B'arthon catches us again, oh and Lack'nul is officially taking over as the captain of the guard! Against his own protests, I might add. But when Fea'en mentioned that Ger'ron had already chosen Lack'nul as his eventual replacement, that silenced further protests!"

Em'brel looked thoughtful a moment before replying. "How's...how is Fea'en doing anyway? I mean, with Ger'ron being...gone and all..."

Lon'thul's jovial attitude sobered up as he thought of how to answer. "Well, she alternates between quiet and angry. The anger doesn't seem directed toward anyone in the caravan, but you can see it in her eyes." The hunter shuddered at some memory. "When Jack brought it up, she said, 'I'll mourn on my own time. Right now, there's work to be done!'"

He was silent another moment before continuing. "You can tell it's hard on her, but I think she's decided the best way to honor Ger'ron's memory is to continue his fight. She's like a momma wolgen, and this caravan is her cub." A bit of Lon'thul's grin returned, though it was slightly tainted with sadness. "I pity anyone stupid enough to threaten us if she's within arm's reach!"

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Sare'en thought of her family's matron and couldn't help but giggle a little, even if it was half-hearted. "Yeah, she was the same when she lost her first partner. From what my parents told me, she became obsessed with fulfilling his life's ambition, and that's actually how she ended up becoming the craft master of the woodworkers. Apparently, she was also a lot scarier back then than she is now!"

Lon'thul looked at Sare'en in horror. "I'd find that hard to believe, but after recent events, I'll take your word for it!"

Everyone chuckled, but soon the mood sobered again. They ate on in silence, lost in their own thoughts or unwilling to intrude into the contemplations of others.

-

To'brel laughed nervously. "I can't believe you just let him go like that! You had your knife to his throat and everything!"

Chal'ac Shrugged and then finished swallowing her rations before answering. "As much as I hate to admit it, Lon'thul was right. We didn't have time to deal with his father. If what he'd told us was correct, we needed to move immediately, and if there was even the faintest chance Dek'thul managed to stop me from killing him in one quick strike, the ensuing battle would have taken far too much time."

The huntress sighed as she took another bite, talking around the morsel in her mouth. "Besides, I don't think the 'gifted' son was ready for a fight to the death with his father, and I didn't feel like holding his hand through the battle."

To'brel's eye ridges furrowed as he looked at Chal'ac. "Why do you do that? You know he didn't have anything to do with your banishment from the village, right?"

Chal'ac sighed and tilted her head back, eyes closed as if facing an unpleasant truth. "Yes, I know. He even tried to make it up to me before we left by allowing me to take him captive."

The younger male looked even more confused. "Then why...?"

Letting out her breath in exasperation, Chal'ac answered. "I don't know, alright? At first, I thought it was because of how easily everything came to him, but he works every bit as hard as everyone else. Maybe it's just hatred by association with his father, maybe I hate admitting he's a better hunter than me, or maybe I'm just a spiteful kovaack at heart, but every time I see that smug grin, I just want to tear it off his face with my bare claws! Logically I know there's no reason for my hatred, but I just can't help but want to be on the opposite side of the camp from him at all times!"

To'brel shrugged and shook his head. "Well, I don't suppose you need to justify how you feel so long as you don't take it out on him..." Then, seeing the expression on Chal'ac's face, he added, "too much."

Chal'ac reacted defensively. "I don't! Not as much as I used to, anyway... He's stopped trying to be my friend and just treats me like a hunter under his command. He gives me my orders for the day, then leaves me alone until I report back at the end of the day. Honestly, it's probably the best relationship I've ever had with a male other than my father."

The younger male couldn't let that one go. "What about me? I don't seem to bother you so much!"

Chal'ac rolled her eyes. "Yes, okay, and you. I don't know... It seems like most males are either condescending or trying to get into bed with me. You just treat me like a person. It's almost like you're just another female!"

To'brel couldn't help by feel annoyed being so casually disregarded. "Well, how do you know I'm not trying to get into your bed? Maybe I'm just tracking the long hunt!"

Judging by Chal'ac's laughter, his remark missed its target. "Oh, please! I know you well enough to know that if you ever end up in my bed, it'll be because I invited you, not the other way around!" She smiled to take some of the sting out of her words. "Don't feel bad about that, though. It's one of the reasons I actually like you. You're one of the few genuine males out here. You don't tell me what I want to hear. You just say it like it is, but you do it without judgment or condescension. That's a rare combination."

To'brel smiled wanly in defeat. "Well, it is hard to be condescending to someone when your first meeting involved them holding a knife against your throat. Who knew the female I thought was going to kill me instead ended up one of my best friends in this camp?"

Rather than responding with her usual sharp wit, Chal'ac was silent a moment before answering. "I never did apologize for that, did I? Here I am badmouthing inconsiderate males, and I'm doing the same thing... I guess... What I'm trying to say is I'm sorry. You were just a kid in over your head. You didn't deserve how cruel I was to you."

Suddenly uncomfortable, To'brel took a moment to respond. "Uh, yeah, don't worry about it. We all made mistakes back then, I turned a blind eye to my father's incompetence and vindictiveness, but the important thing is we're all trying to do better, to be better. So I'll forgive you if you're willing to help me be a better me. How's that sound?"

Chal'ac's grin definitely had a predatory edge to it this time. "You realize you basically just invited me to take a more active interest in your life, right? After all, helping you be a better you means I'll have to check in on you more often... I suppose I can set aside more time from my busy schedule to check in on you each day!"

To'brel wasn't sure if the huntress' response should make him feel happy, terrified, or both...