Guardian

Chapter Twenty-Two

Yang stared into the blood red eyes of her mother, unable to speak, her jaw locked in place. If she opened her mouth she was sure she would either scream or cry, perhaps even both.

After what seemed like a tense eternity, Raven broke the silence. "I believe the question you had for so long was 'Why' correct? Did I finally give you the answer the were looking for?"

Yang's jaw loosened, only slightly, enough to grant her the ability to speak through her teeth. "You expect me to believe you were scared?"

"I don't expect you to believe anything I say Yang," Raven's face was still blank, like she didn't want to reveal whatever she might be feeling.

"Why not just tell me? Why keep telling me you had a sense of loyalty to the tribe?"

"That isn't exactly a lie either. I've led them for so long that I do feel an obligation to them but I can't show fear around them. You've seen the men and women in my camp. I show fear around them and they will eat me alive."

"You act like you couldn't take them on by yourself," Yang scoffed and crossed her arms but she was slowly relaxing a bit more.

Raven let a small smile slip. "Your faith in my abilities is flattering Yang but even I can get overwhelmed. I have over a hundred bandits in my tribe and while most are pretty useless outside of raids there are a few that would give me a run for my money. Like Vernal for instance."

"Oh please she basically worships the ground you walk on."

"Only because she wants to take over when I step down. It isn't worship, it's ass kissing. She may be my most trusted bandit and is basically my right hand but she is still a bandit. If I showed weakness it is likely she would turn against me too."

Yang watched her mother's expression fall for only a moment, a brief revelation of the broken, exhausted, and scared woman she was on the inside, and sighed. This isn't the time for this. We have more important things to worry about. "You found Adam?"

"I did," Raven seemed relieved for the change of topic.

"Did you see my parents?" Blake finally spoke and stepped up to Yang, startling her. She had almost forgot her girlfriend was there the whole time.

"Big guy, loud deep voice? And a woman about your size with short hair and feline ears that are are pierced on the right side?"

"That's them! Are they okay?"

"They seemed fine physically from what I could see. They're in the middle of the camp but really you could find them just by listen for your father's yelling."

"How far are they?" Blake was getting anxious, Yang could tell by the tremble in her voice. She reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"About a mile and a half straight north of your camp. Do you need me to lead you?"

Yang actually paused and considered her offer but shook her head. "It would be less tense if we got there ourselves. I don't think the others would be overly trusting."

"They seemed to trust me enough to find the camp but I understand. I'll keep and eye out though. If I don't see you return in a timely fashion I'll check on you. Another sword against them couldn't hurt right?"

"Sounds fair," the corners of Yang's mouth turned up in a slight smile. "Take care mom."

Raven replaced her mask and with a quick flourish of her sword opened a portal, making Blake jump. "You too Yang. Be careful," and in an instant she was gone.

"So that's what she meant by portal," Blake mumbled. "How does she do that?"

Yang huffed and allowed the rest of her tension to release from her shoulders. "It's her semblance. She can form a bond with certain people and when she does she can make a portal straight to them. She has one for me, my father, my uncle, and one for Vernal," she tugged Blake to her and wrapped her arms around her. "Thank you."