I suddenly froze, my fingers no longer feeling the calm warmth from Ezra's fingers.
"Did they say who? Did they mention which part of the east they are from? Did the—" Ezra cut me off in a hushed tone.
"Don't you think I would have told you already, Mor? If they had mentioned those vital details? Trust me, I stuck around to try and hear more, but that's all I got, except for the continuous bickering over which courtesan had the bigger breasts," Ezra said and rolled his eyes at the last part. I scrunched up my nosein disgust as he proceeded to explain. "Also, given both of our dislikes for a thriving kingdom, I doubt Fala would let them be welcomed to her arena. It could be anyone from the eastern territory," Ezra spoke up now, making his thoughts sound more confident.
I gave a slow nod and then smiled, feeling slightly more at ease.
I left the hold that his hand had on mine and moved swiftly through the pine. "We might not get the run you have desired, but I'll race you there!" I called out getting a head start, laughing into the wind.
"That wasn't a fair start, Mor!" he shouted back. The sound of thudding boots against the dry fallen leaves echoed. Even as we laughed, I could still feel the cold feeling on my hands. The chill that stayed when the thought of an enemy being invited into the arena could be possible.
That cold feeling hadn't seemed like it would be going anytime soon.
***
The air smelled of jasmine. An almost dull light had settled over Fala's tent. Candles had been lit and some were scattered over her desk, along with neatly piled manuscripts and books. There she sat and standing right opposite her, Lord Dritan.
We stood in front of them. Waiting, etching for the news she held.
Fala began to conclude her meeting with Dritan. Watching the two converse, was like watching two rigid cold worlds bend into each other. Fala was beautiful, and Lord Dritan was also beautiful in his own way. A way that made him look brave with those unfeeling assessing eyes. He was no friendly man and neither was Fala a friendly woman. She had her moments,where worry and concern broke through especially when I was the one causing it. Nonetheless, they were both equally strong opponents and allies.
The inside of the tent was spacious, bigger than other tents the arena warriors were given, clean, bed made and dinner untouched which seemed to have gone cold long ago. Fala's artefacts were always kept in here, such artefacts many would question as to how she came into possession with. Fala had her secrets, just as everyone seemed to have theirs and yet her secrets had a darkness looming about.
Leaning against wooden dresser chests were swords, beautiful and enchanting instruments of metal. Some of them were the ones Ezra had forged, she took pride in acknowledging what her younglings achieved. The ones that were not Ezra's work, seemed to be the type that whispered of death in battle and glory all in one. When looking at it for far too long, I could hear the steel whispering, the silent cries and screams from whom it pierced. Its seductive call was hypnotic.
"Don't stare."I scolded myself inwardly.
I immediately brought my eyes down, back to where Fala spoke hushed words to Dritan, pointing over to the map of Terran.
Dritan spoke lowly and then it happened so quickly, I couldn't decide if I had seen right, he had placed his palm over Fala's hand and brushed his thumb along her skin. Without any question or rejection from Fala, he whipped around and left the tent, sparing me a glance of acknowledgment on his way out. Fala didn't spare either Ezra or me a glance as she fixed her stare on the map of Terran. No doubt to the spot Dritan pointed at.
"So, are you finally going to tell us who we are performing for?" I asked, taking a step forward, fixing my gaze on the map. Ezra remained silent as he focused his gaze on Fala. I could tell he was in deep thought.
"No," Fala said, finally lifting her argent eyes.
My mood began to deflate, the frustration of getting my hopes up stung, but I listened nonetheless and kept silent. Too frustrated to say anything to her. I straightened my posture and understood the look she was giving. She needed something. That's the only reason she called. Mother like figure or not, I was bound to her. If it was a soldier she needed, a soldier I would be. No matter how much she takes and uses from me, I would give and serve.
"I have a mission for you both. You leave before the moon rises," Fala said with an even tone and brushed her gaze back onto the map.
Ezra gave a dark chuckle. "Of course, you need something. Typical." He scoffed, looking away from her. I bit my tongue from scolding him for disrespecting Fala. She didn't bat an eye at his comment and merely went on, choosing to ignore his complaint.
She took a pencil into her hand and then circled a point on the map. "Oakenhold Forest. That's where you two will be scouting and hunting. There have been discrete rumours of bandits who plan to ambush our guests who arrive in two days. Word has been told about this, and a good guess is they have set camp in Oakenhold, waiting for the arrival of these guests."
Oakenhold Forest was a maze if you didn't know your way around. With trees that had no differences from the others, bore no markings and contained no bushes or other flowers to identify whether you've passed a certain route before. Without a tracker, you'd easily get lost and never be found again. Luckily for ourselves, Ezra knew this forest so well deep into its roots that it became ingrained in his memory. It's where he took Rhey to hunt bigger game. The forest wasn't a problem at all. The two factors at hand were the actual issue. My palms began to sweat and my mind fogged up. Unable to think too much into detailabout what this actually meant. Ezra rolled his eyes and before he could give a snarky reply, I decided to cut in. "The bandits. Dead or alive?" I whispered, unable to meet her eyes.
"Alive. Dead if there is trouble. Lord Dritan will take care of them if alive," Fala replied.
"Why can't Dritan take care of this mess? Why ask us? After what happened the last time we went on your personal missions, I thought we had an agreement." Ezra bit out loudly, loud enough to startle Rhey from his slumber. Ezra was fuming, he wasn't particularly pleased with what Fala had asked from us and he wasn't looking at me either. Which meant he was upset with me for being compliant.
"You two will get the job done much quicker than Dritan's men. The main factor is that this is my performance arena. And if bandits want to sabotage our guests, then the responsibility settles on me. I expect you two back at dawn. The both of you are more than capable," Fala explained as she pushed up from her desk.
All I could do was nod and take my leave.
I could hear the faint voices of Ezra speaking to Fala. "If it weren't for her taking your mission, I would have refused."
I clenched my fists and began my walk to the weaponry tent.
***
