The Taming

Somber Issues

Stomping a small foot at his infuriating statements, Elsabet charged up to her room. Smashing vases and raging in her chamber.

She hates that she has so little control here. Sebastian noted. It was an understandable frustration. But one she'll have to acclimate to.

"She seems content." Acharius sighed. His tone eeking of sarcasm as he entered the library.

The large former viking, whom the Alpha had charged with guarding their most sacred items, looked quite pleased to be away from his caves for the day.

Wouldn't I? Sebastian couldn't imagine spending all his days sheltered in a dank cave, killing all Cimmerii that are hunting for it. What a neverending detail.

Sebastian certainly didn't envy that charge.

"She usually is..." Sebastian said dryly. His amusement making his turquoise eyes dance as he looked at his friend.

"Do you truly garner pleasure from tormenting her?" Acharius strode over to take a seat. His massive size encompassing the chair as he dropped down. So big that the chair groaned beneath him, his long legs drawn up awkwardly.

"Immensely." Bast flashed even teeth. "I can't express how much."

"Because she reacts so heatedly?" Acharius filled in. Thumbing his nose as he cast a blue eyed look at Bast. "You never could resist a challenge."

She's albeit more than a challenge.

She's immune to my animalistic charm.

"Most likely." Bast dropped into his favorite red and gold chair. Opposite Acharius. Both seats faced the fire to savor the view, if not the warmth.

Something wasted on us, since we can hardly feel it at all.

"What are you doing here, Friend? You come so rarely." Sebastian decided to cut to the heart of the pleasing visit.

He's certainly here for something.

"I needed a break from the Hideout."

"From watching over the treasury?"

"Yes." Acharius sighed, taking a tiny, shelled nut from the dish on the table and rolling it between his thumb and finger thoughtfully before carefully cracking it in his huge fist.

"I'm honored to do the work." He loosely tossing the fragments into the fire. "But it does grow tedious."

Bast grunted in agreement. "So, you come to me for entertainment?"

"Merely to mock you." Acharius gestured to the floor above them. His tone flat.

Enjoying that she finds her own ways to torment me.

The hint of a grin danced around Bast's mouth as he charged. "You're a cold man, Friend."

"My Norse blood." Acharius acknowledged. "Any word of Chavias?"

Somber twist. Bast noted of the sudden change in conversation. Typical Acharius fashion.

Acharius did tend to be too severe.

Always worried about duty.

***

"Are you missing him?" Sebastian shifted uncomfortably. The topic always unsettling him.

"Of course. He trained me in swordplay. I knew him well." He paused to eye a walnut. "As well as someone can know Chavias, I suppose."

"You likely did know him. He was not easy to get close to, but fiercely loyal to those he favored." Sebastian said wistfully. "None dare say he didn't speak his mind."

Or they'd ended up dead.

"I miss that." Acharius said. "Save you, we all fear upsetting the others with harsh words. Afraid we'll lose the only pseudo family we have..."

So deep for such a lumbering giant. Bast assessed.

There's always more to Acharius then what meets the eye.

Sebastian knew Acharius had lost much of his family to tribal wars with the vikings long before he'd joined them on their mission. Once his family was gone, he'd seen little need for the heritage that had once seemed so important. And had begun to look at the world differently.

His vast intelligence made him ill-suited to remain a pillaging viking indefinitely.

Acharius had a way of looking at something and seeing the entirety of the picture. But with that great responsibility came the constant fear of the worst-case scenario.

He tends to worry over much about what could happen.

***

Bast grunted as he leaned back in his chair. Gripping his armrests as his strange blue-green eyes reflected the fire.

"Why do you not fear losing them?" Acharius' out-of-context question surprised him into paying attention.

"Who?" Bast's head shot up.

"Our brethren."

"Everyone needs me now and then." His gaze flicked back to the dancing orange and reds within the fireplace.

I'm the only one that can hear them all. Able to sense their thoughts, especially while residing in WaterRose. The stronghold served to collect their magic and made Sebastian's powers more potent when within it.

"To save their ass! 'Tis a fact." Acharius laughed coldly. "The great Protector."

Acharius grunted. "I hope to never need you."

Everyone does eventually...Bast gave him a thoughtful look.

"You could best most men in swordplay and all in archery." Bast remarked. Knowing how fast Acharius was with a bow.

"Except Chavias." Acharius said solemnly. "He's killing our own now, you know?"

Bast's jaw tightened. Something I'd rather not discuss...