Scout Stories: Bruised Beginnings

Feathers and Flame

Faye dropped the bird in surprise and annoyance but there was nothing she could do. Not with a blade pressing against the back of her neck. She had hoped seeing a Guardian would shock the men into keeping still for a little longer. Maybe give her a chance to get her things and get out of there. No such luck. She had allowed herself to get distracted. Again.

"Lorcan," said the man, "Get the rope."

"This isn't very smart," said Faye.

The man put a little more pressure into the blade so Faye could feel it. It was pressing against the bones of her spine just below her hairline. She turned slightly so that she could see his face, look into his eye.

"Shut up. You stay still, and quiet, while we tie your hands. Or I kill you."

"I just saved your life, you ungrateful-" she started to say. A hand reached around and grabbed her throat and cut her off.

"I hear one more word and I start cutting. Nod if you understand."

He released her throat, allowing her to nod.

"This is a terrible idea," said Colm still behind her. The man who held the knife glared at him.

"Lorcan," he said while glaring at Colm, "if you can't shut your brother up, I will. Where's that rope?"

Lorcan walked in front of her and knelt down without saying anything. Faye stared at his face as he tied her wrists, daring him to meet her eyes. She didn't need to look at his aura to see that he was tense and angry, but he remained silent. He didn't challenge the man who threatened his brother.

She had been wrong about him being the leader. Something else was going on here, she just didn't know what yet. She checked Lorcan's aura to make sure. The patches of anger, restraint and sadness confirmed his feelings. She didn't look for long; the swirling colours of his aura made her dizzy. There was nothing there she hadn't expected to see anyway. Then she turned her attention to the unconscious hawk, and wondered if the men were going to leave it there. Doing so might make the Aed think that she had rejected its gift, and put everyone for miles around them in danger.

Colm noticed where she was looking and cleared his throat.

"Are we taking the bird?" he asked, "Only I don't think that...that deer-thing wanted it left here."

"It might be worth something," Lorcan pointed out. "Or at the very least it'll give us something to eat."

"Fine," said the man with the knife. "Shove it in a sack. I want to get out of here."

The pressure from the back of Faye's neck vanished. The man caught her hair and pulled her to standing. Then he caught the rope tying her hand and used that to pull her forward, as they hurriedly walked back to the path. All of them turned their heads left and right as they walked, and Faye did so as well. She did not want to be caught by surprise by anything else in this forest, especially with her hands tied. She relaxed a little when they reached the path, and saw the shoulders of them men relax and drop slightly as well.

They travelled along the path until it was dark, then stopped to rest. They pulled out supplies instead of trying to hunt game in the forest. So they weren't completely stupid then. She didn't point out that there was food in her pack. Let them waste their own food feeding her. Besides, she would need that food again once she got out of her bounds and escaped.

She was tied to a tree as they ate. The knot was around her middle though. At least they let her hands free. One of the older ones ordered Colm to bring food to her. He stayed with her while she ate, saying nothing. Which was for the best. He started to tie her hands together. Faye didn't mind the silence. She didn't exactly want to talk to him either.

"I'm sorry about this," he whispered, ruining it. Faye choose not to respond.

"We'll make sure you're treated well," he told her quietly. "At least until we get back."

Faye smirked and rolled her eyes. She didn't need cowards on her side.

"Please don't hate us," he said. "They aren't giving us a choice."

Faye looked at his aura, and saw the telling waves she expected.

"Don't lie to me, little boy," she said. "I can tell."

He flinched, dropped some of her food and drawing the attention of the others.

"It's not a lie," he said. "They have our sister. We-"

"-Colm!" snapped Lorcan, "Get over here. Now."

Colm put the food down next to her and scampered back to his brother. Faye put some fear into Lorcan as he glared at her, and smiled in what she hoped was a creepy way. To his credit, Lorcan didn't look away until Colm reached him. Then he turned to his little brother and started whispering.

Note: Thanks for reading!

I know I always say that but I do mean it. I appreciate every single read on any story. So thanks. 

I won't even ask you to vote or comment this time. Unless that's what you want to do. Because if that's what you want to do I completely support your brave decision.