Empire of Ashes

Chapter XXXI - Hedging My Bets

"Hold on just a second," Anlai began.

And Fendur complained, "I want to hear the story!"

"You can both stay right where you are," I decided. "Tem can leave, if he's so eager to be rid of your company."

Fendur grinned, and Anlai scowled, but their ears seemed to prick up. Oh, goody, front row seats to our friend getting hided by a girl.

My cushion looked at me incredulously. "You're going to kick me out of my own tent?"

"I'm going to do worse if you keep up this territorial bullshit. So — either shut up and quit being such a pain in my ass, or you can find yourself somewhere else to sleep."

Temris smirked then. "If I'm such a pain in your ass, why do you persist in sitting on me?"

"What can I say? I enjoy a nice warm body after spending an afternoon on the hillside," I drawled.

"And what, exactly, were you doing on the hillside?"

I folded my arms. "Apologise and I might just tell you."

He grimaced. Every word sounded forced, like he was fighting his own pride. "I'm sorry, Lyra, for being such a domineering bastard. Is that acceptable?"

"No. You should probably apologise to your friends while you're at it." I was pushing it now, but I didn't really care. He was giving in, and I enjoyed pressing my advantage.

Temris turned to the boys with a muttered curse. His voice full of eternal boredom, he said, "Forgive me. I didn't mean to give offence."

"You know, I didn't actually hear an apology in there," Fendur mused.

"I'd just shut up and take it if I were you," Anlai advised him. "You're forgiven, cousin. Get on with the story. I've been stuck with these two idiots most of the day and I could really use a diversion."

"Very well. Yarrow cornered me at the paddocks with both of his lapdogs—"

"Being an Iyrak myself, can I just say that none of us appreciate that comparison?" Fendur interrupted.

I frowned, "Objection noted. Now let me finish. He wanted me to kill Temris in his sleep, for obvious reasons. I played along for the sake of self-preservation, and as it turned out, he was offering to make me a Valkyr in exchange for saving his worthless hide. Long story short, he tried to kill me, and with a little help from the horses, I turned the tables. So there's likely a price on both of our heads."

"Whoa, slow down. Elaborate on the turning of the tables, if you please," Temris said.

So I told him and watched as Fendur's jaw dropped. The cousins didn't show their surprise so obviously, but I could see the faint traces of amazement in their eyes. It was high time someone recognised my genius for what it was.

At least, I assumed that was the shock factor, until the story ended and Temris scowled with barely concealed rage. "He hurt my horse?"

"That's crossing a line," Anlai agreed, haughtily.

Attacking helpless peasant girls wasn't what ticked the northerners off. Oh, no — it was animal cruelty that got their blood up. I was neither surprised or happy, but I wasn't about to make a fuss. Let them forget that I'd nearly started a civil war with my provocation.

"Nightmare will be fine." I waved a hand dismissively. "It's you I'm worried about, Tem. He'll try again. Soon."

Fendur stood up quickly and collected his sword from the table, returning it to its sheath. He decided, "I'll wake Colloe and round up a few of the corps. We can surround this tent if need be."