The Fall Of Imbria (The Fendara Series. Book One)

Chapter Sixteen: Simon

I feel the hangover pounding in my head before I even open my eyes. fingers still gripping my flask as I go to sit up in the bed, my stomach growls as it begins to feel like it's eating its own lining.

I tuck the metal flask back in my breast pocket and throw my feet over the edge of my cot, when they smack the floor my head screams louder. That should've been gone by now, the effects of me over consuming alcohol yesterday. After all, I'm immortal and with my power, well it makes it easier to control these types of things.

Reaching over into my leather bag sitting beside my booted feet, I grab a small piece of stale bread. I begin ripping it from itself with my canines. It's tough to chew, not my favorite either but as it settles in my stomach I already start to notice my migraine simmer and the bile trying to rise in my throat, go away. Thank the God's.

I finish off the brick of bread and rise to my feet. Leaning back with a twist my spine cracks, releasing the built up pressure from sleeping so still. Trudging sluggishly towards the mirror hanging on the old wooden wall to my right, I take a long look at myself. My hair is a mess, the buckles on my leathers have loosened from sleep and I have puffy bags under my eyes.

Combing my hair with my fingers a few times makes it look better, not great but it'll do. Taking a breath and tightening the buckles on my chest I throw my sword off the dresser into the scabbard on my back instead of my hip thus time and saunter down the stairs and out the creaking door over to the big metal pale of rainwater setting in front of the porch.

I cup the crisp cold water into my hands and take a sip before splashing my face with it. With my damp hands I comb my hair back from my face again, this time it stays. Now at least I feel somewhat put together. Right in time for Cassius and Atara to approach me.

"Good morning sleeping beauty." Cassius calls at me.

I huff out a grunt in response. looking to Atara I ask "Did you get word yet, from your brother?"

She looks off into the distance above the beautiful quaint Castle where the leader of this city dwells and right there soring through the sky is a black bird. Far bigger than most, a few inches longer and probably heavier than the average crow but dark as night faethers with glints of blue gleaming off its wings from the beams of the sun.

"That'll be him now." She says with a smile.

a few moments later the large bird glides down the the clouds and lands on the bricks surrounding the waterfall. He stands, little clawed feet stepping back and forth as he stares at me, then flys off behind the corner wall of the inn.

Cassius standing beside me, leans over and whispers "He's a bird?" he questions

I smirk. "Therians, remember?"

He nods, mouth open with the realization.

all three of us stand and wait as Reed rounds the corner, tall broad shoulders, tan and tattooed, fixed hair and war leathers. Around a few inches taller than me and Cassius. And the emblem on his shoulder that of Imbria's crest.

I clasp my hands together in front of me as Atara greets her brother.

she sprints over to him, throwing her arms around his neck, even on her tip toes it's a hard stretch. He hugs her tight before they both let go. "Welcome home brother." Her smile slowly dwindles as she asks next. "Do you bring news?"

He eyes me and Cassius, staring us down. "Yes, I do, but we should go back to the house and speak there." His voice is deep and rough. I can tell his words are pointed at us. Cassius can too, judging by the glare he's shooting back to Reed.

"We'll go back but they are coming with." She says gesturing to us.

He takes a breath, contemplating his sisters choices. "What have you gotten us into now, Atara?"