Small secrets

[Baian]

@Jones

Perhaps it was in her blood. Her parents, easing those fleeing from Witch out of Askavi and into safer lands. Raej and beyond. Perhaps it was too much freedom in Ilithian’s house. Allowed to clean rooms on her own, free from prying eyes or scolding tongues. Baian had grown adept at snooping. At finding out the secrets of others, even if she didn’t understand them all.

She needed some secret of her own. They were easy to have, Baian discovered. Most had at least one, and the Eyrie was all windows. Every room had one big enough for a person to fit through. So Baian has escaped out into the world. Pretended to go home for the evening, and told her parents she was staying in the Eyrie. It proved quite simple.

She wanted to see the circus. Which she did. Clutching the edge of her seat through daring performances. And then slipping away afterward. Not toward home but toward the edges of civilization. Walking a path near the trees. Covered wicker basket in her hands as she went. An offering to the blind prince she’d been told about. Grey old warrior regaling her with stories in the kitchen garden.

A secret army. Heroes of Askavi. How could Baian not bring them supplies and well wishes?

Still, she skittered at the rustling in the bushes. Spinning around, wings widening as she tried to keep her balance. To reach for the sky, where she was sure to ne safe. “Hello?” She asked the night, heart pounding as she realized how dark it had gotten. The sunset cut off by the trees. Everyone was going to be very annoyed with her if this went poorly.

[Peitar]

”What is it girl?” Peitar asked with a click to draw his dog’s attention. A whine in answer made him send of a pulse of Craft out in a circle for several feet around them. Probes returning small clues. Treeline to the left. Dog just ahead, still grinding out the growl that had alerted him in the first place. He didn’t see the low set of her ears or the agitated flick of her tail. Only heard the soft padding of her paws when she turned back to his side, sticking her damp nose to the palm of his hand. Something was wrong.

They were not very far from his cabin. Night was on them. He could tell because the air was chill instead of warm. Some used the night for sleeping but what was the point when you saw just as easily sun or none?

In the thicket that boxed in the lane a twig snapped. Far ahead, but Peitar heard it even before Dog. Her growling louder a moment after he sent a targeted probe to see what upset his companion. Another animal. Feline and big his probes told him a second later. So that was her upset. A cougar hunting in her territory. There was no reaction to his demanding probe. The wild creature just that- no intelligence beyond primal instinct. Too busy to even notice them at this distance. Busy hunting.

He left her to it, clicking for Dog to heel. Still angry over the encroachment she stuck close to his side. The tactile feel of her weight a comfort as she leaned heavily against his calf. Chest vibrating with her discontent. Perhaps, he decided, it was best to go the other way. Avoid being caught in the middle of a dog fight.

Before he could make up his mind to test Dog’s loyalty she bolted into the bushes. Racing up and around a bend in the road where the cat stalked its prey. Running to catch up Peitar tucked his wings in tight. Probes rushing out ahead to make sure he didn’t trip over anything. His mouth opened to call her back to him again but it was another voice that broke the air.

Small and feminine. Just beyond the radius of his probes. Now he understood why Dog was so upset. Heavy fighting cane called in he launched himself into the air, faster on his wings than on his feet. Fast enough to bring it down on the cat’s head just as it pounced out from behind the bushes. He used his wings to beat the girl back, shield her from the sharp claws that batted the air so close he felt the wind off its paw. Another heavy handed whack left his stick reverberating in his hand and sent the cat fleeing. When he heard the telltale snap of underbrush he turned to the girl.

”Lucky we came along.” Women never knew what was good for them. Stick still in hand he drug it across the ground until it found her feet. Probes washing over the spot as he stepped forward to investigate. Girlchild- hearth witch, and a little white jewel to match. Teeth clicking he probed farther, out around them in a circle until he felt Dog working her way out of the bushes. ”What are you doing out here alone?”

[Baian]

Baian wasn’t sure what was happening. She thought it was the heroes in the underbrush. There were still men and women out there fighting though the war was over. She wasn’t sure if it was loyal or disloyal to Ilithian to be carrying on so. But they did. And had. She thought it might be them. And she wasn’t wholly wrong. There was a warrior.

But he swept out of the sky, not the trees. Between her at the rustling under growth. Wings knocking her almost to the ground. Fingers brushing damp grass and a cold stone as she fought to keep upright. There was a snarl, and a couple sharp whacks that reminded her of the training ground at home. But different. Different enough to make Baian pull her wings in close and shiver.

It was all over quickly. Mountain cat gone and the danger over. Just Baian and the warrior, who dragged his stick (staff, cane? Baian wasn’t sure) against her feet, making her step back. Right onto a small loaf that had fallen from her basket. Baian gave a soft cry of dismay and set to picking it up, and anything else that might have escaped, a small dazzle of witchlight called in to help her see.

”We?” She asked, seeing no one but him. She thought she could feel him sensing her out, but Baian was too shy to check, or return the favor. For once her curiosity did not outweigh her good sense. Basket repacked, Baian faced him again, wings half ready to help her flee if she needed to. And she knew just where to kick him if she had to make an opening to do so.

”I’m not alone.” It wasn’t even a lie. Baian cocked her head at him. ”You’re here.” She pointed out, turning toward the sound of rustling bushes, afraid another cat was coming. But this time it was a dog. Baian relaxed. ”I was delivering supplies. I am delivering supplies.” She still had them. Plus what was in her cabinet. Baian peered at him, wondering if he was one of them. He looked the sort, with those scars on his face and that funny way of looking at her.

[Peitar]

Peitar let her wonder. Thought she probably deserved to worry a bit; just for being out here unescorted. Stick vanished to his cabinet again he came closer. Hand shifting through empty air, reaching for some part of her to grab. Too soft. Not an arm. He followed what could only be her ribs up to the joint of torso and shoulder. Another step closer and his knees bumped something. He touched that too. Woven wicker by the feel of it.

”Don’t be smart with me, girl.” He warned. She was big for spanking probably. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t try. Lifting the basket he gave it a sniff. Bread and the promise of something sweet. Cocking his ear toward the sound of her voice he let the basket go again. Stepping around her with curious hands. Found a hip to help guide him and patted her head with the other hand to see how tall she was.

Mostly grown, he decided. She smelled like people. A lot of other people. Tinges of excitement not entirely her own left on her psyche. Probes gentler than his hands as they inspected her barriers the same way he rifled her clothing and hair. Clean, well kept baby in good sturdy clothes. ”Where’d you come from?”

Hair silky to the touch Peitar twirled one long lock around his finger. Letting it slip away only once he’d stopped somewhere in front of her again. Fingers itching to touch her face. See if she was pretty. She didn’t feel very nervous. Naive, or not worried he would want her? Maybe she had a goat face. Regardless someone was taking care of her, and they were probably worried sick. Should be worried to death, really. Darling little almost woman nearly ripe for the picking. Ugly didn’t really bother him anymore. Smile wolfish he felt out the basket, fingertips resting on the lid. ”Supplies for who?” Peitar hadn’t eaten his dinner yet. There might be something good in her little basket.

[Baian]

Baian’s wings stretched out on either side of her. The twitched as he came closer. Hands groping her in the dark. She held very still, basket quivering in her hands. No one touched her often. A pat here or there, but that was all. This wasn’t a petting. Or a fondling either, like she’d glimpsed a time or two.

This was something else.

”Yes, sir.” Baian answered instinctively. Quailing some at his tone. She didn’t even notice that he hadn’t answered her question. One hand falling away as he pulled her basket up for a sniff, grasping the handle again when he let it go, wicker crackling against her thighs. It didn’t matter that she was nearly as tall as he was, Baian felt very small. Sometimes her Jewel did that to her. This time some of it had to do with his hand on her hip.

No one touched her there, ever.

”The Eyrie.” Baian whispered, licking her lips. Suddenly she felt very stupid. And shy. Skin chilled and twitchy as he twirled her hair. A probe finally darting out to test his depth and caste. It only made her shiver. ”I work for Lady Ilithian.” Baian told him. Her heart raced and slowed. Ilithian. She would never let anything bad happen to Baian. Even if she wasn’t there, she had to know. She knew everything.

Some of it because Baian helped her to know. And she was her to help those who helped Ilithian. She would be fine.

”The blind prince.” She never had been told a name. ”An old warrior told me about him, so I thought I would help.” She squinted at him in the darkness, called her little light to life again and hung just over her shoulder. High enough not to blind either of them, and low enough to not spoil all her night vision - which wasn’t very good anyway. Baian tipped her face up to his, to look him over.

The pieces slow to fall into place and not quite fitting.

”Do you know him?” She asked, puzzling out his face as the night grew deeper around them. He didn’t look mean, even with the scars. And he hadn’t hurt her none. Just touched her a lot for some reason. Like he was testing her... ”Oooh.” Baian realized, pressing the basket into his hands. ”That’s what all that was.” She answered herself out loud. ”These are for you then. And this.”

Called in from her cabinet. Small crates neatly stacking themselves around her in a half circle. Bandages. Clothes no one would miss. Dry goods and other things Baian had thought would be useful, not really knowing what raiders needed, but seeing some of what her Uncle Crux went through most.

”I’m Baian, by the way. What’s your name?” She asked, right back to her usual self now that she understood. Though she would not forget his hand on her hip or the lurch in her stomach any time soon.

[Peitar]

 ”Which eyrie?” He pried, head tilting and mouth turning to a thin line of annoyance. There were several worthy of being called the eyrie. Peitar had never seen any of them with his own eyes. The closest he’d ever come were a few hastily occupied cliffside houses during the war. Abandoned places on the outskirts of larger villages. No, taught canvas and leather patches had made the walls of his homes. Until he’d built one from wood, safe on the ground since he couldn’t fly without a guide these days.

After a moment of hesitation the girl clarified. Ilithian’s eyrie. He snorted impolitely, the cloudy pupils of his eyes rolling up behind his lids. Of course she’d come from the queenling. ”Did she send you here?” He asked sharply, hands returning to his own hips. A fist resting on either side. Sure that he could smell a trick or trap. They wanted him; mostly because she was as greedy as every queen he’d ever heard of. People hoarding as if they were pets in need of her care. But what she really wanted were his warriors. Not to strike back at Dhemlan, he would have taken a knee and followed her to Hell and back if that were the case. Instead she wanted him to sit, idle and useless while she tried to talk things out! As if anyone over the border could be trusted! As if they did anything but force their will where they could and spew lies. She wrote him letters about it. Peitar rolled his eyes again. Who wrote letters to a blind man?!

Bringing him nice things was a much better idea. Which made him wonder if this was another scheme. ”You shouldn’t believe old warrior’s tales. They’re rarely true.” Old men in Askavi were either too weak to have died in the war or the luckiest sons of Mother Night. Some liked to tell grande stories to cover up the cowardice that had really allowed them to survive.

Peitar had no need for such falsehoods. His face evidence enough that he had seen what no one should have walked away from seeing. That was not a story he told idly, or to little almost women that weren’t offering much, much more than food. With a sharp laugh he stepped closer, another wash of probes adding a burst of power to her light. So that it sparked across his eyes, their once inky centers gray now. ”Yes. I know a blind prince.”

His stalking was cut short by the basket shoving into him. Hands making the wicker sing as he scrambled to keep a hold on it. ”All what?” He teased, shoulder shrugging. ”Doesn’t everyone sniff hello?” Dog certainly did. Damp nose searching the ground between their feet as if she might find a treat spilled from the basket. Wings flaring wide in surprise at the sound of wood stacking Peitar took a half step back. Probes quick to investigate while he scowled in suspicion. Was it a trick?! Was she helping to catch him?

By his ankle Dog panted idly. Undisturbed by whatever was happening. Things, boxes, that was the sound. He reached out with both hands low. One grazing skirts and one find the source of the commotion. ”Give a little warning!” He snapped. Feeling through the neatly folded bundles in the crate nonetheless. Face turning back in her direction he pulled his wings back in. ”Peitar.” He answered, creeping arms and probes working in tandem to guess at how many boxes there were. Not many, he was sure. Not with only a White.

”Did I get them all?” He asked, straightening up as he vanished the supplies to his cabinet. Basket delved into before it too was sent away. ”Come on. I’ll bring you back to my house. It’s very dark, now, yes?” He craned his head skyward. Felt no hints of sunshine on his skin. Only cool night air and Baian’s nervousness.

[Baian]

Baian hesitated. She must choose between lie and truth. Wanted Ilithian’s protection, but was afraid to lay false claims on her queen. What if she got Ili in some sort of trouble? At first she shrugged, but he kept on glaring at her with his fists on hips, so she finally answered.

”No.” Baian gave up the truth meekly, knees weak with having spoken it. Secrets of this magnitude were tricky, she thought. Gathering those that belonged to other people was much easier. ”Why would they lie?” Baian asked, looking around her. At him. Squinting in the near darkness. She thought that this old warrior had proved honest enough. Especially when her witchlights became blazing suns.

”See. He was telling the truth.” She trembled, more shocked by the scars across his face than the milky centers of his eyes. He’d gotten taller, and closer, in the light too. Baian had never been so thankful for a sturdy basket than she was in that moment. It kept him from walking right over her. And distracted him from whatever he’d been getting closer for. More sniffing maybe.

”No one I know.” Baian squeaked, backing away when he did. Ducking as if something might fall on her head. But it was just the things she’d called in startling him. Wings making shadows of her witchlight as he hissed at her. ”Sorry.” Baian apologized and then apologized again when he groped by her skirts. A careful half step sideways working her skirt free of him.

”Uh.” Baian twisted to look behind her, supplies vanishing with a faint pop that was felt more than heard. ”Yes.” Basket leaving her fingers for his and vanishing too, Baian was suddenly defenseless. And he wanted to take her home. ”It’s not that dark.” She bluffed, trying to inch back the way she’d come. ”I can see well enough for the flight home.” Or at least as far as the inn.

”Lady Ilithian will be expecting me and all. Breakfast and laundry and things.” She rambled.

[Peitar]

Through his probes Peitar tried to judge the honesty of her answer. Barriers so light he could taste the fear on the other side. Deciding to tenitavely believe the girl he frowned at her question. She really was a young and naive one. ”People lie to get what they want. For attention, to sound more interest or important. To cover up their mistakes. He could have just been leading you out here so he could get you alone.”

Sweeping probes out again he checked to make sure that wasn’t the case. They were still alone. And he was proving a poor example of why she should take his advice. Basket temporarily between them he smiled at her subtle brazenness. ”Yes well, he’s the exception not the standard. You should be more careful.” Or she’d end up on a dark road with a dangerous stranger. One lustier and less concerned with morals.

His own drive for sex had dipped without the constant visual stimulation of pert tits and round asses. Not much, but enough his interesting in making this girl a woman was weak. No point in breaking a nice little woman. They were supposed to be repopulating or something.

”No one? You must be very young then. They’ll start sniffing you soon.” He assured her without any doubt. Distracted from that line of thinking by the sudden appearance of her gifts. Thoughtful young hearth witch. If she was here on Ilithian’s orders he could forgive them both the wasted effort. He wouldn’t stop the raids. Probably couldn’t if he wanted to. They were the worst sort, really, the men that gathered around him. Some genuinely wanted revenge, or thought fighting back would hasten the end of the territory’s occupation. That was why there was a village with women and children. There were just as many that enjoyed the murder and rape, though. Aligning with Ilithian wouldn’t stop those men.

Things collected he tried to offer her a safe place for the night. Apparently now she was feeling a bit more cautious. His teeth flashed. She was very clever. Trying to remind him that there would be people missing her if he tried to keep her. ”I wouldn’t hurt you, girl. You haven’t given me any reason to. But I understand.” Virginity making her vulnerable. Which was why he didn’t want her on the road alone. ”There’s an inn not very far from here. I could fly with you there. Then walk myself home.”

As long as he had someone to track he was as strong a flier as ever. ”Silly, though, to be afraid now. What were you going to do if I'd been at home? Leave the supplies on my front step and run away?” That was what she'd come for, she said. To give her treats and useful things to the blind prince.
 

[Baian]

”Yes, alright, I will.” Baian conceded. Learning, slowly, from the males of the Eyrie when it was best just to give in. Even if you didn’t really agree, the quickest way out of a scolding was to agree and get away from it. No one seemed to enjoy stayed puffed up and shouty when you said ‘yes, of course, never again’.

And didn’t even have to mean, not really.

”I hope not.” Eyes wide, Baian shook her head. The sniffing was strange. Though, maybe she would like it. A cautious sort of interest burgeoning in her stomach. Not just then, but sometimes. The blind prince too big and looming for her to fall into daydreams. Baian was too busy dodging and cowering as he set about investigating what she’d brought, and vanishing it all away.

Yes. Definitely not just then. He a was three times more scary than his dog. Who hadn’t sniffed her once.

”Can’t you fly yourself home?” Baian asked, shifting nervously. The inn sounded okay. Probably smarter than flying all the way to the Eyrie in the dark, even if he came along. If she showed up with such an escort her secret would surely be out and trouble rained on her head. And the inn had a good reputation for being safe, Baian knew.

”Yes.” She agreed again. Any plan she might have had chased clean out of her head by reality. That sounded like a good one, even if she wouldn’t have seen the blind prince she’d come to peek at. A very clever and safe choice. ”Just that. Anonymous charity is the best kind.” She’d heard the cook say so, though she hadn’t understood why there had been so much snickering involved, and still didn’t.

”The inn will do nicely, though. Thank you.” Baian twisted her hair and tried to find a good place for her wings. Staring, because he couldn’t see her doing it, at the map work of scars on his face. ”What about your dog? Will you carry her?” She asked, glancing at the big beast with its lolling tongue.

[Peitar]

For a moment Peitar just stood there with his brow wrinkled. Caught off guard by her easy agreement. Too easy, probably. He wondered if she was just telling him what she thought he wanted to hear. Children could be that way, he remembered his younger brother was a brilliant fibber and flatterer. Probably a half grown man now if he had survived the war.

Chuckling at her reply Peitar shrugged in her direction, ”Girls smell pretty. We like it.” All the things she had brought him smelled nice too. He would feel through it all more carefully later. Before he gave it to the old women to distribute to whoever might be in need.

Turning from the vanished goods he lifted his wings. Twitching them playfully as he shook his head at her question. ”Can’t fly alone if you can’t see where you’re going.” It wasn’t like the ground where Dog knew the way. And he could stretch his probes around to find landmarks and stay headed in the right direction. ”Might go right over the border and put down in Dhemlan- or the ocean.” His tone made it clear which he found more alarming.

Peitar was a decent swimmer.

”I don’t need it dark to sleep, so it doesn’t matter if I spend the night walking home.” It wasn’t that far anyway. He could get back in a few hours. If he let one of Ilitihan’s people go off in the night and get herself hurt then he would never hear the end of it. Baian didn’t seem convinced though. He could feel her fidgeting around. Nervous and less naive than he had thought.

When she finally spoke again it wasn’t to agree about what to do for the night. It was to rib him about the supplies. Taking his answer with a bit of cheer and claiming it as her own. ”Is it? Some might call it suspicious. Or even dangerous. Don’t you go leaving shit on my doorstep girly, I’ll trip over it.” He teased. Sometimes he did trip on things people left lying around. Her boxes could have given him a concussion. Which made his smile all the more amused for there being a glimmer of truth in his warning.

”Alright. The inn then.” He agreed, glad she’d finally made up her mind. Talimar would see her taken care of and returned to the eyrie in one piece. ”Yeah. She doesn’t mind flying. We’ve been doing it since she was a puppy.” A big puppy, found in the woods half starved and filthy. Dog was listening, if not quite comprehending. Head turning between the two humans. Slapping his chest loudly Peitar gave a short whistle. That was all the encouragement Dog needed to vault up into his arms. Laughing as she folded her legs in the crooks of his arms he leaned towards Baian, ”You can pet her if you want. She’s friendly.”

She knew how to lay still while he flew too. He never went anywhere without her, and he didn’t plan for that to change. Wings spreading so he could lift off the ground Peitar snaked a probe around Baian’s ankle, ”So I can follow you. Come on.”