The Taming

Come Down

WaterRose, Meadow Mountain, Grier Country

Sebastian had been bedridden for a week upon his return. Torn apart by the Targue he'd lured from Acharius' den.

His shoulder and thigh had been ripped to shreds, but he'd left them both to rot at the edge of the meadow. Limping the rest of the way home.

Timus had spotted him limping through the early morning fog and rushed out to meet him. Helping him inside.

Elsabet had met them in the bailey railing about his foolishness.

Dorena had appeared in the doorway, covering her mouth in horror before rushing out to help inside.

Disgusting Elsabet so much, she'd gone back indoors with no further word.

Though he would normally have been relieved at the reprieve, he'd have welcomed Elsabet's company during his recovery, far more than Dorena's.

Today had swept in their tracker. Coming with the afternoon sun.

Now Rhyers was seeking him out. Finding Sebastian and Dorena in the Dining Hall toward evening. Sitting on a fur near the fire while Dorena read animatedly from a book of humors, to Sebastian who was only half-listening.

Likely less than that.

Sebastian knew precisely what this visit was about, the moment he saw Rhyers' face.

To check on me. Bast knew. Guessing his brethren had seen the corpses in the meadow and his meandering step.

Rhyers was an expert tracker. And he'd have caught from tracks, even ones a week old, that Sebastian had been injured.

But instead Rhyers spent the duration of a couple hours sipping wine at the table. His disapproving gaze sliding from Dorena clinging to Bast's arm as she giggled at what she read, then up to the level above them.

Wondering why she's not here. And where she is. Sebastian knew that feeling.

I'm not betraying her. He wanted to tell Rhyers but hadn't yet had a chance to be alone with his brethren.

He didn't blame Rhyers for his assumptions. Despite Dorena's innate sweetness, she was becoming a bit of a nuisance. He was, currently, avoiding all eye contact.

She's everywhere. He worked to hide the annoyance from his expression as he looked to Dorena who chatted amiably even as he shrugged off her grip for about the fifth time.

He was only refraining from a stern putting down because Elengard had advised him that his behavior toward her lately had been rude, bordering on cruel.

It was warranted.

He was still encouraging her to leave Radix's demonic ways far in her past and supporting her progress all the while. But since he'd stopped his rather severe chidings she'd become far worse. Taking his silence for encouragement. But everytime he got the sneering annoyed look on his face, Elengard seemed to appear.

Like a mother keeping an eye on her rude, wayward child.

And his affection for her, did allow her that privilege.

Which isn't serving me well now.

"Will you join us for dinner?" Dorena caught Sebastian's attention as she offered the meal to Rhyers excitedly. Clutching Bast's bicep as though in sheer joy.

Please stop touching me. His cheek twitched as he reminded himself to be polite.

Rhyers' eyes flicked to the movement dully. "Will Elsabet be joining us?"