The Taming

No Charm

"I do." Bast reiterated. "I have it."

Lucien eyed him askance. "Well, you've the journey back to WaterRose to practice...You may need it."

"Your confidence in me is overwhelming." Bast said dryly.

"These are skills you've never had to hone. You've a pretty face." Lucien knuckled his friend's square chin. "But no charm atall."

Bast looked affronted. "I feel as though I should call you out."

"You can." Lucien shrugged. "But I'm a better strategist then you."

"But I'm a better fighter."

"You're impulsive."

"I'm strong."

Lucien's glance skid sideways. "I could outmaneuver you."

But there was doubt on Lucien's face.

"We'll challenge that one day." Bast's chin hitched. His eyes narrowed.

Lucien chuckled a bit nervously. "Go away before my 'pretty prey' spots you. It will disgust me to watch her drool on your frilled tunic."

"It's understandable that you envy my tastes." Bast plucked at his sleeve. Giving Lucien's black, metal beaded tunic a derisive glance.

"Go away." Lucien whispered.

Laughing, Bast turned to leave.

"Bast." His friend stopped him.

"Thank you." Lucien flashed his hand jeweled with the red ruby.

Bast lowered his head in a nod. "I know what it means to you."

"Yes, you do." Lucien said. Rolling it between his fingers a bit sadly.

Bast moved to leave a second time, and lifted a finger as he whirled back around on his heel. "Ah, and one more thing..."

"Yes?" Lucien lifted a dark brow.

"By and by, your pretty prey," He turned his finger to point to the brunette across the Ballroom. "Is a Watcher."

"Are you certain?" Lucien gasped. His brows shooting up.

Dead certain.

"Most definitely. She's shining." Bast glanced at her. Seeing the pulsing glimmer that surrounded her. Like a silvery aura that circled around her. Twining like a serpent in constant motion.

As all Watchers possess.

Lucien's head whipped to assess her again. Realizing the importance of protecting her.

***

Merwood, Dread Hideout (Free from Udora for six years)

The lumbering blonde viking, strained his leather armor. So massive, that it was a great feat to make no sound when he walked.

Yet Acharius always manages it. Bast noted. Deciding to sneak ahead and await Acharius in his lair.

And see if I can startle him. Bast couldn't resist the mischievous hope for some chaos.

It was good for each of them to ensure their instincts were on point and they were ready for an attack any moment.

And though Bast enjoyed messing with them, he also like to challenge their skills.

So he was nearly twitching with anticipation as he settled into the main chamber of Acharius' caves.

Acharius rounded the corridor into the vaulted stone room, and he paused. His head swinging both directions. Even as his eyes turned green as a serpent's. Iridescent red scales climbing his wrists and winding his arms, before consuming his neck and shoulders.

Just as Acharius prepared to explode into his beast, Bast stepped from behind the shelf he'd been lurking aside.

He clearly knows I'm here.

Though Acharius had appeared to not be paying attention as he trudged this way, there was no lack of his interpretation of his surroundings.

He'd known immediately someone was here.

"Whoa. Whoa!" Bast declared. Knowing he needed to move quick.

Before Acharius turned into a dragon.

"Just me, Old Friend." Bast lifted his hands in surrender.

"Bloody Hell Bast!" Acharius blew a long breath that told Sebastian, the bigger man had nearly taken his head off. "I didn't expect you back so soon!"

"A bit high strung?"

Acharius glared at him.

"I was on my way back from the Netherwood and figured I'd swing through and see how you were faring. Afterall, I thought we were old friends. But seeing how you're looking at me now," Bast gestured to Acharius. "I wonder if you've failed to inform me, we're now enemies?"

"Ha! Very funny."

"What has you on edge? I'm sensing it's something more than just me."

"No, Bast." He sighed. Moving to the chair to take off his boots. "It's not just you."

"Cimmerii?"

"Something has been following me the last few days. And a couple past, I killed a Targue."

Cimmerii are hunting him?

That surprised Bast. Acharius spent nearly all his time in these caves, so if Radix was sending his minions to harangue Acharius it implied he may have figured out what Acharius guarded.

And if Radix was hunting Acharius than he could be sending his most formidable mercenary.

His warlord.

Bast was standing painfully still as he watched Acharius removing one boot than the other. "Has it been something or someone?"

"I don't know if it's Chavias." Acharius cut to the heart of the question, taking a seat on the edge of his cot, before gesturing to a rickety wooden chair. "Have a seat."

Bast couldn't help the fact that, even now, mentioning his former friend made his chest tighten and guilt washed over him. Quickly doused by bitterness that Chavias was now hunting them.

In service of the demon he'd always claimed to hate.

Seeing Acharius was just as unwilling to discuss him further, Bast decided to force beyond that painful subject.

Acharius tugged the crushed burlap next to his ankles and began rummaging through it. Weeding out chunks of broken glass with a forlorn expression. It was ironic to see the large Viking inspecting the jars so carefully.

What the hell happened to those? Acharius was always meticulously careful with the goods the women in the nearby Abbey provided him.

How'd they get broken? He immediately wondered if Cimmerii had already been in the caves.

But Acharius looked morose not distressed.

Whatever happened, he's aware of what it was.

"Not good." Bast's comment was dry.

Acharius gave an acknowledging nod, studying the floor. "I'm worried about the girl, Bast."

"The woman?" Bast corrected. Thinking of the young child Acharius had rescued and taken to the old women to raise.

Acharius shot him a scathing look. Not appreciating the reminder that the pretty redhead in the abbey was far from a girl, now.

"She seems a sweet thing." Bast swept his coattails aside and took a seat.

"Is that a hint of envy in your voice?" Acharius' busy hands paused to study his friend with lifted brows.

"You're perceptive as always."

"Everything comes so easily for you." Acharius explained in faint confusion. "You've never longed for anything..."

"To hear Alazareth tell it, even your own mother favored you." Acharius murmured.

"It's true." Bast grinned proudly as he imagined his brother's irritated tone reciting just such a thing.