The Lover's Cost

Attack into Action

"We've spent enough time lying in wait." Amber's voice boomed over the spectating allies. Aldous agreed with her, and he looked around to see the similar faces of pride. He sat among the god of Sallrine, Jewel, and several other noble mages and deities who'd joined the rebellion.

Judging by the fidgeting among the group and the exchanged nods, the Zeridian felt everyone's eagerness to make their first move. Amber continued, "The last report of Violet using magic was nearly five months ago. I'm concerned, honestly. That isn't like her but it's a weakness. It's an opening. There's no better time for us to act than now."

Concerns of his own pressed against Aldous's canine throat. He barked, "What will you have us do?"

"We're going to attack, of course," the god of Sallrine chimed in.

"He's right," Amber confirmed. "Of course it will be more refined than just that, but...we're going in with two goals. We will escape with Vivian, and we will...put Violet out of commission..."

Quiet swept over the group. None were oblivious to the reason behind Amber's saddened tone. The team spent hours to go over their intricate plan, and it involved far more aggression than Aldous hoped. His friend still resided in that awful palace, after all, and the need for attack clashed with his beliefs.

After the group had dispersed for one more night of rest before the raid, Aldous crept his huge body, as softly as he could manage, into Amber's tent. Thankfully she remained awake and could satisfy his questions.

"Amber...I respect your courage and our cause, but I do not believe in harming others," the huge canine admitted. "I don't know if I can go through with our current plan."

The Frostylian lowered her glass from her lips, having chugged gulps of water while listening to her comrade's burden. Her chocolate eyes zipped aside momentarily and she rubbed her chin. Despite her buckets of bravery, she could not meet the swirly gaze of the beast as she said, "Believe me, I don't like this either."

Aldous's ears pivoted. "You're an assassin."

Light chuckles escaped Amber. "Heh, I never really liked my job much," she revealed with a shake of her head. "I try to just subdue people. I don't like to kill."

Curiosity jabbed the Zeridian's ribs, but his manners remained even against his recent bitterness. Instead, he asked, "Aren't you scared?"

"We all are."

Huffing, the canine walked in a circle and plopped down among the scattered papers and cloths littering the floor. Amber cast him a suspicious glance when he elaborated, "I'm not scared of your sister, if that's what you think." He shut his eyes and breathed slower than the still air outside. "My friend is there. I can't fight her."

"Heather?"

Aldous nodded. "I don't think she ever knew..." His voice softened, quivering like a half-dead moth. A tear trickled from each closed eye, dripping down his furry cheeks. "I never told her. She never seemed to realize."

He opened his eyes to look at the kind-hearted assassin. Her chin in her hand, elbow on the desk, she showed him a sympathetic expression. "You love her, don't you?" Her voice was low, calming.

Those words brought the truth surging through Aldous's heart, his emotions through his mind. Her sobering question summoned doglike whimpers from the canine and tears which wet his fur. He tried to turn his huge head away but Amber was quicker; she reached out and stroked between his ears with the care of a mother.

"Why!?" Words exploded from Aldous's snout. "I'm a monster. I'm not human! I've got no chance with her now!"

"Aldous, I had no idea you were going through all of this. I'm sure you can be turned back –"

"And your sister has completely swayed her," raged the Zeridian, his lip curling up and his fangs glinting in the lantern light. Growls accompanied his verbal downpour. "I'm so jealous! Do you know how much it hurts to see her love someone else? Someone so horrible? She's only going to get hurt!"

Chocolate eyes drifted aside. "I'm sorry. But we all have to do things we'd rather not to stop my sister."

"I don't think I can fight anyone...least of all Heather," Aldous admitted. Where his yelling and tears subsided, his erratic breaths remained. "I don't know if I can do this."

"Then don't do harm," Amber advised. Her firm gaze burned into his fur. "But come with us, and save her."

Silence fell over the two. Aldous's ears drooped as he contemplated. Envy bit into him when he thought of Heather doting on the wicked queen, and that envy turned to anger and determination when he imagined Violet breaking Heather's heart like glass. "You're right," he rasped, nodding. "I'll do my best to save her."