A court of wicked lies

Chapter two

The war had been going on for little less than an year and already Cassian was pissed off about it. Pissed of with the fact that he had not seen his brothers in nearly a year. Pissed off because Marie Lafoulfs could not even complete a whole run around the campsite without complaining.

Complaining about cramps in her stomach and within her muscles within her thighs.

Cassian would not lie. Marie was a pretty young woman. She was smart. Smart enough to keep herself alive all these years. Her black hair was tied up into a small bun at the back of her head, her golden eyes looked at Cassian.

"You seem worried." Marie whispered, her voice was soft and feminine. The opposite of what she was. "I'm sure they will be fine."

"Julian got a letter from Rhys." Cassian said. "Four weeks ago. Nothing since then. And nothing for Azriel."

"Azriel was on the other side of the battleground when they randomly attacked." Marie whispered in her sweet accent. "Plus, Alexander writes that he saw his nephew only a few days ago. Trust me, Cassian, Julian would not hide information from us."

"I don't like your tone." Cassian hissed. "We are going for another lap."

"Another!?" She moaned. Her legs were already hurt, as did her stomach.

They had all ready run the outline of their camp twice. Thankfully, they had been put far away from the first lines. But they still heard the stories of the thousands of people that were dying either side of the battle line. Marie jumped from foot to foot. They normally ran around the camp during dawn however, they had to push it back until dusk. Marie did not know why, nor did she really care.

"You talked back to me." Cassian laughed. "Therefore another run."

His wings went wide behind him, Marie found herself looking at them. She then turned her eyes away. A small blush was on her cheek, not due to her desires but because of the coldness of the night. The moon rose between the tents .

"They say General Winston won't last until high summer." She said, "When he does, Miryam wants us to go to Hybern. She thinks it might be useful to try and get a spy into their king's court."

Named and more names. Some names that Marie knew she could link to faces, like Miryam and Alexander. Morgan was Julian's friend, and rumored lover. Alexander was the High Lord of the Nights Court younger brother, nicknamed Alex. But then there were names she knew that did not have faces for, like the King of Hybern and Rhysand Artemis, the heir of the Night Court and Alexander's nephew.

"The people of Hybern love their king." Cassian laughed going into another run. Marie sighed before she ran up to him. "The Miss Miryam will find no one willing to speak ill of their king. Nor a willing spy."

"You never know." Marie laughed. "Anyhow, I don't know who she plans on using for this. As you said, they love their king. Unless she already has one of their. . .slaves. . .as a spy."

"I hear they cut all their slaves' tongues out." Cassian said, looking down as if ashamed by that fact. Marie was a slave once, Marie suffered once. Cassian's only wish was that he got her out sooner. "Just so they don't speak about their master's secrets and they don't teach them how to read and write." He said, trying to change the subject of conversation.

"I want to burn that court to the ground." Marie hissed.

"As would I..." Cassian replied in a softer tone.

They then went half away in silence. Every time they knew someone, they bowed their heads in welcome. Cassian even spoke to a few of the other Illyrians he knew, some called him by his name, others did not even reply. Marie kept silent, trying not to care about how they looked at her body. Perhaps, she might take their hands for it. Seeing her get uncomfortable, Cassian wished them well as they went into their run.

"Why don't you like men looking at you?" He asked when they stopped at the watering hole, together they filled up two clay cups. One to drink now and the other to drink when they came back to the camp. "And don't act like you do not. You even act weird when me or Alexander looks at you."

"That's because Alexander Artemis is an asshole. I swear that man's tent must just be full of mirrors so he can look at that stupid face of his." Marie moaned.

"An Artemis family trait I'm afraid." Replied Cassian. "But you did not answer my question, Marie."

". . . You know why. . . "

". . . I suppose I do." He said looking at the water in his cup. "And I will make each one of them pay for what they did to you, that's a promise, little Marie."

"I already did." Marie said filling her cup up once again, she was finding it hard to catch her breath. "Don't act like that. I am human. We find it harder to do things."

"I don't hold your humanness against you." Cassian laughed. "You're one of the strongest humans I know."

"You have met a handful of humans in your life. So, that is not really a compliment."
Marie said, rolling her hazel eyes. "You hardly know us at all."

"It was a compliment, Marie, just take it." Cassian said.

She laughed and then she was silent. Silence fell over the two of them. Marie turned and looked at Cassian, "I-is it true that your High Lord wants you up close to the battlefield?" She whispered.

"Why?" Cassian asked. "Missing me already or are you just scared you will lose this handsome face?" He smirked.

"Neither," Marie replied.

"Harsh..." Cassian said. He then sighed and said, "Richard is as much of an asshole as his younger brother, Alexander. Perhaps more so."

That was another name Marie knew but did not have a face for. Richard Artemis, High Lord of the Night Court, and according to Cassian the biggest dickhead walking around.

Cassian huffed, "Come, let's go back. The two assholes would be looking for us." Marie let out a huff. As if to say she had not gotten her breath back just yet. "We can stay here a bit longer if you want to?"

"No, it's fine." She said smiling. "Let's get back."

Cassian nodded his agreement. Slowly they ran back to the main part of camp, the red, yellow and blue coloured flags flying in the early spring wind. The tents themselves were of a soft green colour. To help them blend into the lush green landscape around them. The smell of hot soup on the wind made Marie's stomach moan.

"I forgot how much humans had to eat." Cassian laughed into her ear.

Marie turned around, ready to smack him on the side of his head, "coming from you, rare." She said instead. "All I see you doing is filling that mouth of yours with food."

"I would rather feel it with the breasts of a lovely woman." Cassian said winking at Marie.

"Eww." She said rolling her golden eyes. "Snow would have to fall in the Spring Court and the. . . mountains of the north must fall before I ever, ever sleep with you."

"I could arrange the second bit." Cassian laughed.

"I would rather die." Marie laughed.

She then stepped into the main road. It was full of mud and dirt and the gods knew what else. It had rained the day before and everything was still wet. She was about to say something else as Cassian pulled her to his side. A second later a black carriage, flying a roaring wolf, went zooming past.

"Who is that?" She asked Cassian.

"Scalswind." Replied Cassian.

"What is she doing here?" Marie asked.

"I don't want to know."

"Me either."