The demon huntress (unedited)

Class war

"Light is easy to love show me your darkness"
R.Queen.

I was half dressed the next morning while Tam was trying to brush my knotted hair when we heard Arik angry voice from below, "I said No, this is my cousin and my friend, and I'm the one who should choose their protection".  "Well boy, I'm the high counselor here, and I say there should be soldiers accompanying us. You heard what happened to sir William Darrel and his wife, the green road isn't safe" "you will regret this" I heard him hiss as I came closer. They were nose to nose, looking daggers at each other. Keenan, who was setting in the shadows stood up his hands on his arm waiting for a sign of danger to call upon his sword "speak like that again Duke and you won't have a tongue to speak with" Arik rolled around bearing his white teeth in a venomous smile "come and try your luck... Duke" he said in no more than a whisper, but his dark voice carried through the hall. Servants were looking from the shadows, not even one of them dared to utter a word.

"Arik what is wrong with you!" Tam shouted from behind me as she ran, the wooden comb still in her hands."Will lady Margery here wants us to be watched by Keenan's knights like prisoners on our journey" he nearly spat. For a moment I was wondering who he was referring to then I realized that, of course, the high counselor has a name, but still even me, who didn't know the rules very well, was sure it was extremely rude among elites to call the elders or any of the ten high counselors by their names. The old lady tapped her crane once on the floor, sending a wave of power that made each and every one of us shiver, "consider your next words carefully boy, or I'll ensure you get a good time in jail." She said calmly, but her eyes were blazing with anger. 

"Arik let's speak outside," I intervened, putting my hands on his shoulders. I could've sworn I sensed a wave of power clawing to be free from his body... I told myself, he is a scholar, he doesn't have circle power. He looked at me and his sharp dark blue eyes softened as he let me usher him outside. Behind us, I could feel an eye blazing and watching our every step. Once outside in the open air, I heaved a loud sigh, feeling relieved that no blood was shed back there. "Arik I know you don't trust seers, but the high counselor isn't a bad person, I've met a lot of bad people Arik and I can smell it on them, she is just a strict old woman. I know you are hurt and that you are trying to protect us, but this is not the way to do it" I said, trying to meet his gaze. He looked at me with anger, but then he closed his eyes, trying to cool down before speaking. "Have you met any of the justice knights personally, darling" he said with a tone that you could only use to explain to a child that one plus one equals two.

When I remained silent, he continued, "they are the worst scum you can ever meet, you let that Keenan fool you Layla, he made you forget how horrible he was because he knows we suspected him. Keenan's soldiers are the worst, they think themselves the elite best getting whatever they want and they loath hunter knights because they see themselves better than you in status, all the justice knights are elites you know, not like hunter knights who are a mixture of elites and fresh bloods." He said as he paced up and down the stairs, "Azadur is not Nevermoria Layla. Here the politics are deadly, people in the citadel have their own class wars. And you not knowing any of it, is like going to a den of vipers without even having a butter knife"!

I was feeling irritated by the minute. I didn't appreciate being reminded of how little I knew, I never wished for anything more than to return to Nevermoria and slay demons as I used to, with demons it was easy, you can smell evil, it was black and white. The most complicated thing that you can face is the right way to gut a demon without getting your face dirty with blood. But these muddy politics and class wars are even worse than that hotel I entered once and found twenty demons possessed angry men waiting for me, my pants never got clean from the blood I had to throw it in the trash.

"But I don't understand Arik, why would the hate hunter knights, they have class and power, and they earn much more gold than any of us! And their job is easy. They never get to dirty their hands, they only glamour people to forget if they saw a demon, and keep the hunter knights from breaking the law. They are having it easy to be honest, What is there to be envious about" I said angrily, going through my hair and ruffling it, Tam won't be so happy that her careful work had been destroyed.

"Well that's it don't you see! They clean up your dirt or that's what they think, most of them don't even have half the power the hunter knights have, but all of them are elite. That's why they think they are better than anyone else. Do you what happens to the elites who become hunter knights, Layla" he asked, "They become outcasts" I said between gritted teeth. I know that well, some of my friends in Nevermoria spoke about how horrible it was for them in Azadur and how they were shunned by high society when they chose to be hunter knights.

"So do you think Keenan's knights won't try and harm you, Layla, after the rumors that have been going around. Ten elite ladies killed, all of them from high society. Do you understand how much danger this will put you in, and Tam as well? She is looked at as the one who helps the assassin, that's what they are calling you now" he was looking disgusted at the words like they were venom on his tongue. "Don't worry Arik I will protect Tam and myself, it won't do any of us any good to get yourself locked in a cell"

"This could all end if you just say you trust me, Layla. I would take the matter in my own hands, but it's so hard for you to say the word" he said, directing his anger and helplessness at me and then strode away toward the carriage. A chill went through my bones as I stood alone again in the vast quiet garden, I felt vulnerable, wanting to go after him, wanting to say that I trusted him and just to feel his touch, but each time I came closer to saying the word I feel something holding me back. All I wanted was not to be alone, I was alone for so long, and now I just don't know how to not be alone anymore.

Who do you think is right 🌚 I know the last chapters didn't have as much action but I'm so excited to share with you the following events because hell is going to break loose very soon !!