The Vixen Trials

A Sacrifice

Dedicating this part to @LuckyPlum whose thoughtful feedback made me rewrite this section. Check out her truly impressive Lord Vane.

"Your one friend loves another?"

Dakkoul

Jagur was now close to the Sheradith, holding his hands out to show they were empty. Keilah slid from her horse though her chest was thumping. "I'll join him." She picked her way over the muddy ground. Dakkoul sighed and followed.

Jagur was holding his hand out to the Sheradith when they approached. "I represent my people the Vene-Jakaan. We have no quarrel with you Enderaii so I give you my hand in friendship and peace."

The Sheradith shut her large vivid green eyes while she cackled then flashed them open. "Vene-Jakaan you may be, and no enemy of ours, but who are these who come to stand beside you."

"I am Keilah. I live among the Vene-Jakaan," she said, lifting her chin.

"You are Wayvolkan." The designation sounded like an accusation.

"She is of us," said Jagur. "Her father and mother rejected their people's ways to come and live in our village. Her mother, a woman of peace, has died and the Wayvolkan have come to collect her. This is a funeral procession."

The Sheradith stiffened. "But who is he? What is he doing here? He is not a man of peace," she said in a shrill tone as she pointed at Dakkoul. She reached for his grey tunic and pulled it down with her sharp claw-like nails, exposing the tattoo that reached around the corners of his neck. "It is as I thought, he is the Hattavah. What are you here for Hattavah?" She drew back from him and the warriors around her edged closer. Like the Sheradith, they all had necklaces of fox bones and bright colorful scarves wrapped around their arms. 

He kept his voice calm, his arms at his side. "Not for you this time. I am here to escort my friend while she mourns."

"A lie," shrieked the Sheradith waving her hands. The Enderaii warriors had now formed a tight circle around them. "The Hattavah has no friends, death is his only companion."

"She was my friend before I became the Hattavah."

The Sheradith placed her talons on his face, scratching down his cheek in the direction of his square chin. Dakkoul, moving as fast as a whip lash, pinned her hand back.

"Careful Hattavah. If you hurt me, none of you will leave here alive."

"My master has promised me freedom if I execute you," he answered, lashing her with his eyes. Keilah drew in her breath.

The Sheradith pulled on her trapped hand and when she failed to free it, spoke in a cajoling tone. "What quarrel have I with you Hattavah that you would do so? Don't you hate the Wayvolkan like we do? We rejoice every time you kill one and drink to your success. Come with us now and join us in our fight against them. We would win with you to guide us. You would have honor amongst us and freedom."

Dakkoul let her hand escape. "I appreciate your offer but I can't."

The Sheradith scratched at her hair, then jangled her necklace of bones. "I would very much like to know why. Nothing stops you coming with me now. Unless you have loyalty to your master?"

"You jest," Dakkoul said his eyes trained on hers.

"Why then? Because of your daughter?"

Keilah made a sound then strangled it.

"You know all, as they say. Everything I do is for her."

The Sheradith threw back her head and laughed exposing her yellow stained incisors. "I thought you were driven only by revenge until I heard of this daughter of yours." Her laughter ceased. "If we had her, would you join us?"