Azriel's Tale

Azriel's Tale - Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14:

After making sure everyone was happy and well as can be in Aideen's camp, Azriel flew back to where Cassian was and quickly spotted the army commander. He wasn't difficult to find, with his 7 Siphons he stood out easily. He walked over to see that he was speaking, rather aggressively, to 2 other Illyrian warriors. As he neared their conversation became clearer.

"They are Illyrian's whether you like it or not," Cassian growled.

"It's not our fault if they don't want to train," the other Illyrian, Durin, retorted. Azriel made his presence known by walking loudly as to not startle the warriors and demanded,

"What is going on?" 

"They're not letting the few women here train." He replied to his brother in an eerily quiet tone

"They don't want to train!" The male next to Durin snapped. 

"Because you won't let them!" He growled, his temper failed him and he attacked. Instantly limbs were attacking and defending. Cassian was expertly taking on both males as though they were nothing, it was as if Cassian was performing. The rise in volume and violence drew the attention of others, and a crowd began to develop. In one swift blow Cassian had knocked Durin unconscious, his body limp with his wings, rattled with scars, covering his back. He then turned to attack the second male, showing his teeth in an act of anger, but the male quickly flew north. Cassian made to follow but Azriel stopped him with a forceful pull on his shoulder.

"This isn't why we are here. You've already made your point," he gestured to Durin's body, who now, was being escorted to the infirmary on site. "Let's train." He pushed. Azriel understood that he needed to dispose of the Illyrian's adrenaline and anger. Cassian's face changed and looked as though he was agreeing, so Azriel loosened his hold on him. 

"Okay," he uttered. So they both made their way to the ring. Azriel knew he would get knocked off his ass multiple times in front of an audience, but if it calmed Cassian and showed that his brother was indeed worth the position of army commander, he didn't care one bit. 

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When Azriel and Cassian returned to the house bloodied and dirty Rhysand drawled,

"I take it didn't go as planned."

"Durin is an asshole. I'm going to wash." He marched upstairs without a second glance. Azriel himself was also not in the best of appearances but thought it would be best to inform everyone what had happened before he attempted to clean the grime caked onto his body, his wings. He told Rhys, Feyre, Mor and Amren of Aideen and her camp, their own smiles reflecting Azriel's thoughts on the matter. Then he spoke of Durin and what he had claimed and that is what made the Illyrian's appearance make sense.

"Cassian knocked out Durin," he stated.

"I would expect nothing less," Amren uttered.

"Where is he now?" Feyre asked, she was still to meet Durin but from his manner today, she certainly wasn't missing much.

"Durin is in the infirmary at the moment," He replied. "I'll check on his recovery tomorrow." As much as they were glad Cassian had punished him, Durin was still a camp Lord and had authority in the camps. They couldn't be seen as going around killing all the camp lords, that could possibly lead to trouble. Rhysand nodded then made a suggestion to the shadowsinger.

"Maybe you should go clean yourself up too, Az." He nodded.

"I will," Azriel turned and followed his brother's path upstairs to his own bathing room and washed away both the blood and thoughts of the day.

As he exited the bathing room and entered his bedroom Mor was lounging on his bed. With only a towel wrapped around his waist, this wasn't ideal. 

"Oh!" Mor said as she took in Azriel's lack of clothes, "I thought you would be dressed, sorry, I'll give you a moment." 

"Thanks." She stood from his bed and hastily scurried to the door and closing it lightly. Azriel dried and changed promptly, thinking that Morrigan obviously wanted to talk about something important if this couldn't wait until morning. He called her to come back in and she did so.

"Sorry about that," She uttered. He quickly dismissed her worry and asked what had brought her to his bedroom.

"I was just wondering how Aideen's camp is doing. You didn't go into too much detail earlier." She responded. 

"Yeah, I wanted to get to the point, sorry."

"Don't apologise. Tell me about the camp," she demanded again, her eagerness getting in the way of her manners. He chuckled and told his dear friend about Aideen, the other females and how their training was going. Mor seemed satisfied with what she heard from Azriel, but not overly happy.

"Are you alright?" He asked tentatively.

"Yeah, yeah I'm okay." She replied. "It's getting late. Goodnight," She quickly winnowed away and soon her body was no longer present. He'd never seen her so eager to leave. Obviously, Azriel wasn't the only person faking their happiness. 

Let me know what you thought of this chapter. Also, would you prefer longer chapters, but less frequent updates, or smaller chapters like this but frequent updates? Do let me know. Thanks! -Jessica