II - Sigh of Smoke

Chapter 22 - A Matter of Men

-Atlanta-

She felt so much unease she couldn't control her emotions anymore. It was one of many lessons, the ability to control yourself, to not let your emotions show so your enemies would not know what made you weak. For some reason though she just couldn't control her impatience anymore. She let the forester boy get to her, using her own words against her, and allowed herself to be riled. If King Cragon were to see her now... No. She was on edge because King Cragon was so close. Almost within her reach that she could almost feel his hand on her head, telling her she had done well.

Seeing Emiloseph's arrogant grin however, made her even more infuriated. When their eyes met all she could allow him was a scowl.

"Hello there, blue-eyes." He reached out and flicked her nose, making her blink in surprise. Rubbing at the sore, her narrowed eyes followed him as he sat inside the tent as if he was welcomed.

Lucan gave him a look of disbelief. "I thought you'd gone back to avoid the Arena."

The traveler shrugged, "I just had to drop off a package, and soon I got bored without the company of my three beautiful fools." Glancing among them his grin became crooked. "I can see we haven't rescued the damsel quite yet. What's holding you guys back? I thought all o' you were the headstrong, pave-the-way-with-your-fingertips kind of group. And yet there is no Wielder here in my presence."

"Well, it seems that the only access we have to Aleksandra is if we are guards ourselves, or we have the ability of a Wielder."

Piper smirked, "and that's where I come in." He leaned back, stretching out the kinks in his neck. "You guys don't have a plan, with no idea what to do to get your girl back. But I have an idea. Obviously."

Why did they simply accept this man's return? It was as if it was normal to see him back, all smirks and twinkling eyes. Atlanta recalled the expression this man made at the thought of the Arena, and that he hardly looked happy at even the mention of it. His face had blanked, his blue eyes dulled, and not a smile to see for a mile. Yet now he was as bright as day, and just as aggravating.

Dareon leaned forward with anticipation, asking Piper, "what do you have in mind?" Atlanta realized looking at the forester was getting tiring, so instead she watched Piper carefully. She couldn't handle any of the men in her presence at the moment, though she couldn't exactly blame them for how they thought. Lucan had said he'd kill her if she ever turned on them, which was inevitable. So what he was waiting for was when it happened.

She would have said—though never did—that she'd do the same if he ever got in her way. Her fist clenched in her lap at the idea of making that commitment. It was a strange thought, but killing him did not seem so very satisfying.

Emiloseph glanced to the opening of the tent, pursing his lips. "Is this even a safe place to talk? We're seperated from the world by only a sheet of fabric that's barely holding itself down with the ruckus you guys are creating in 'ere. Though of course the place I have in mind isn't that much better..."

Lucan nodded in understanding, preparing to stand as he shook Menaleen awake. It seemed he didn't want her left alone. "We can go outside the walls, unless you have a better place in mind. There's not much privacy in this small city, not from what I've seen."

"You're only not bothered if you're fuckin' in public. But even then you'll be bothered." Piper said casually.

Lucan raised a brow at the Wielder, who only shrugged, smirking as he added, "unless you'll be taking that as an invitation?"

The taller man shook his head, stepping out of the tent with a sigh. "I have no interest, Piper."

Piper chuckled, following after him. "Well I can handle a no." Then he looked over his shoulder, giving Dareon a crooked grin, "how 'bout you, handsome?"