Bird of a Cage [BoW 4]

Chapter 21

Cetol walked into the cell room, his head held high and his wing low and trembling. Nel'os glared at Cetol, the effect ruined with the hazed fog in them, but there was no mistaking the look of dislike. Nel'os clicked, not quite an insult but a noise of distaste. 

"<I bring food, Royal Bonded>," Cetol said, falling to his knee to offer the tray. 

Nel'os's wings uncurled and flapped. Nel'os took the thing with his claws unfurled and teeth gleaming. Cetol's wings stayed behind him, his eyes on the ground.  He was a traitor to his people, but he knelt posed like an obedient servant. Head bowed and eyes lowered, aware of Nel'os's eyes judging his worth. It made Taidra's teeth itch. 

Growling low, Nel'os took the tray and put it on his lap. "Get up, I've told you. The floor is dirty," Nel'os said in human.

"As you command," Cetol followed Nel'os's direction and spoke in human before standing to attention though his head remained bowed. Cetol's hands fell to his sides, and his shoulders and wings remained stiff. Taidra's back ached in sympathy. 

"Did you eat?" Nel'os asked, tracking as Oira placed a tray on Taidra's lap full of food. Oira had a tray for Brett, too. 

"No, my Lord."

"Then sit down on the bed and eat," Nel'os commanded, wings lowering as Cetol obeyed and sat gingerly beside Taidra. Oira put the tray on his lap, but Cetol didn't eat until Nel'os had his first bite. "How about you, Oira Zamen? Have you eaten dinner today?"

"I ate," Oira said. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Royal Bonded. Please don't hurt my friend."

"I have no intention to if Cetol'n behaves. Call me Nel'os. You have the same eyes as your brothers, but your hair is considerably lighter," Nel'os observed. "Fetmar mentioned you enjoy playing pranks on people?" 

"Fetmar is a dirty liar," Oira pouted. 

Taidra snorted, remembering a couple of occasions. "Not anymore, but you used to."

Cetol ate in time with Nel'os. Nel'os ate in time with Taidra. Taidra noticed. Taidra glared at him, but Nel'os didn't take notice, the feverish k'nairi more interested in Oira's story about Fetmar flirting with girls for the first time. How that got to be the story was simple. Oira didn't like silence, and Cetol wasn't a conversationalist when he wasn't scared. Nel'os commented about Fetmar and Eyeri, promising to talk more when his head wasn't ringing like a bell. 

Another side effect of being struck by lightning. 

Cetol sat beside Taidra, wings low, while Oira sat beside Nel'os. A wing dropped over Oira protectively despite the fact they'd met that day. Then again, Nel'os's cheeks were red, and his eyes weren't focused properly. 

"Are you sure you want a shower?" 

"Definitely," Nel'os declared, eyes flicking between Taidra and his plate. Taidra ate another bite begrudgingly and finished his portion. It was good food, delicious even. Taidra liked it. It had a good level of spice. He didn't enjoy eating with Cetol trembling beside him, stinking of nerves and fears. 

"I could preen you," Oira offered, "It might be better than putting you in a hot shower."

"I want a shower," Nel'os repeated.

"If you crack your head, we aren't taking the blame," Brett said 

"I'll risk it."

"Come on," Oira smiled, offering his arm as he hopped off the bed. "We better go before you fall asleep." 

Nel'os scoffed but took Oira's arm as he stood. The elegant movement was ruined as he wavered dizzily. He caught Oira and steadied himself with a scowl. Oira came to Nel'os's shoulder, and Oira wedged himself half under his armpit. Cetol helped pull Taidra up on his bad leg and passed over his walking stick. Nel'os's eyes tracked this. Taidra ignored him, striding forward and led their little party. He was not about to take any shit from Nel'os about his leg.