Sharp Flowers

Part 11

Horns blared early this morning. I snapped upright to peer outside the tent, though most of the other women blocked my view. It was damn near impossible to see. All I have to make of it is everyone whispering something of "Tennoford" and the clopping of a horse's hooves. The only one who might have gotten a glimpse and I can ask about is her.

"A messenger, it was one of Tennoford's messengers," Felicity whispers, "He came right in this morning before the sun rose with a letter for Kisomen. But there hasn't been any word from Kisomen on what it might be. Surely not a surrender," Felicity babbles on.

"It's probably a heap of insults and remarks on how they sent us running for our lives," Elfie supposes.

"We were not sent running. We merely made a strategical retreat," Felicity disagrees, "We'll have them running with their tails tucked the next day," she boasts. I tear myself away from their talk. Peter probably knows something. The poor boy. I pause outside Sebastian's tent. He's at the front, sitting cross-legged, eyes closed and hands folded with this calm look of peace about his features. Sitting there like that reminds me so much of father. I sigh, both lightened and burdened by the memory. He finally opens his eyes after who knows how long he's been there like that.

"Raven, morning," he greets me, "How long have you been there like that?"

"Not as long as you've been praying," I giggle.

"It's important to pray for their souls. For the spirit guardians to provide them safe passage," Peter reminds me. That sounds like something mother would have said.

"I heard there was news," I begin.

"and you figured I knew something of it?" Peter guesses, rolling his eyes. He chuckles, shaking his head, "You always seemed to find a way to weasel your way in things," Peter scoffs at me.

"Well, they say we Wrenwoods are like the foxes," I poke fun at him.

"Tennoford sent a letter demanding Kisomen's surrender," Peter finally spills the details, "He and Henry are-," he begins when I barge into the tent.

"Miss Raven, can we help you," Henry complains at my sudden presence.

"Miss Raven, welcome, come on in!" Sebastian immediately welcomes me, earning a scowl so deep on Henry's face it might become permanently etched there.

"We have serious matters to be focused on," Henry complains. I feel the heat creep up on my cheeks. Sebastian's staring with such a smoldering look in his eyes. They're blue again. Focus on what you came for! I spot the letter among other papers, maps, and drawings before Henry. I quickly read through his letter, his words written out quite clearly. Dark blots at certain spots stain the paper where he left his pen there as if he were deep in thought in a string of insults. Monster. Bloodsucker. Filthy demon. A cursed soul...

"How does Tennoford know about you?" I demand to know. The letter hurls insults every which way. From calling him weak to moronic, but he also remarks on his demonic curse. Worse of all, Ryder is claiming to have copied this letter to Sebastian, sighs.

"His uncle and I were allies at one time," Sebastian informs me. Henry lets out an irritated sigh like this isn't something I should know, "he must hate me still for what I've become,"

"Does she know, though," Henry snaps. He looks from Sebastian to me. Something he sees must confirm it, "Kisomen, how could you risk her life telling her?" he snaps at him, "Your very life is in danger knowing what this- this man is," Henry scolds me. Sebastian stares at the ground, looking quite guilty.

"I made him tell me," I blurt out.

"He never should have risked your life telling you," Henry continues, "He's lost his humanity. He doesn't have the right to go risking anyone else's life like this,"