The Thief (A Tale of Heroes & Demons Book 2)

Chapter 15

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The breeze whipped through the trees--a whistling song that spoke of ancient days and rivalries, told tales of feuds long since forgotten and was blowing Saege's hair ruthlessly across her face. She frowned and pulled it back into the tie.

"So, what's your story?" Rhett's deep voice rumbled through the air towards her, a rough melody that ripped her from her thoughts.

Back aching, Saege twisted and eyed the man riding behind. "What do you mean?" she asked.

He chuckled. "You don't have to tell if you don't want to, lass. Just trying to make conversation, is all."

She twisted back. "There's nothing to tell, really. We were in a bind and I did what needed to be done to get us out of there." She didn't miss the look Raenen sent Rhett from his place before her. "My story doesn't matter."

"That's not what Stryder believes."

Saege tensed. "Orelius believes many things. Doesn't mean they are true. Besides," she shook her head, "he doesn't know anything about me, either."

Nobody spoke afterward, the only sounds swirling around them the curling song of the birds as they soared through the trees and the scuttling of the animals through the undergrowth.

The forest was vibrant--the leaves were changing colours and the animals were scurrying to prepare for the cool months ahead.

Until it was shattered by a piercing howl.

Spurring their horses towards the sound, they burst onto a dirt path where a carriage was parked haphazardly across the way. There were people milling about--some dressed formally, with jewels dripping from every part of their bodies, while others dressed in plain clothing with dirt-streaked faces circled about.

As Saege, Raenen, and Rhett emerged beside them, all eyes turned to the newcomers. A brief spark of recognition lit the eyes of a couple of the men as they eyed Saege's companions, but they didn't back down.

Strips of red cloth were tied around various articles of clothing, but all the men wore them. Not just a random group, then. Saege's eyes trailed across the scene, attempting to discern a peaceful resolution that could be found.

"Oi!" One of the men broke away to approach them. "Stop gawking and move along!"

Raenen tilted his head to the side, eyeing the man. "I'm afraid we can't do that. What have these poor people done to you?"

"They have things we want." The man crossed his arms. "This is no business of yours, raven."

Sliding from his saddle, Raenen unsheathed his sword and held it up towards the man. "The moment you targeted innocent people, it did become our business, weasel."

Confused, Saege watched the encounter with furrowed brows. When the man pulled out his own sword, she jumped to intervene.

Standing between the two swords, Saege held up her hands and turned a wide-eyed gaze towards both men. "Why can't we just talk about this? I'm sure we could find a peaceful resolution."

The weasel smirked when he met her gaze. "And who might you be? Don't tell me someone such as yourself is associating with these mongrels?"

A shiver ran up her spine and she took an involuntary step back. There was nothing not right about this man. His grin turned feral as the strode forward until he was only a couple paces away from her.

But before she could reply the world turned to chaos.

Sword against sword, Raenen forced the man back a couple stumbled steps. Tension soaked the air. Then the others came to their friends' aid.