A Court of Blood and Feathers

13

Branwenn

"Are we even going to talk about what just happened back there?"

"Nope." I cut Delwyn off sharply as I stagger back out into the cold, arms folded across my chest still shivering. Everything was so blurry and tree-like shapes seemed to be lunging out at me from the winter night's shadows. I flinch multiple times before a pair of hands come down and rest on my shoulders to stop me. I sway and lean into Ianto.

"C'mon, you need to rest," he silences my protests, "any power release like that for one of us, we'd be on the ground already passed out. Rest now. Fight me later, Wenn."

I sigh and nod begrudgingly. It's more dangerous to stumble around in the dark sleep deprived then to quietly sleep secluded with allies. 

*****

Working our way across and up the mountain proved to be more difficult than initially planned. It seemed that the entire area had caught wind of our presence and had made it their personal objective to try and take down the so-called "half-breed bitch" who kept escaping and kicking their asses.

Speaking of which, I lodged my booted foot up yet another male's said ass. He spun around with a yelp of pain.

"You'd think that by day 4 of this they would get the hint and try and stay clear of us," I shout over my opponent to my also busy comrades.

Delwyn lets out a nasty cackle and continues slugging a male he has in his grasp. The cackle is cut off as another male comes up behind Del and takes him down in a choke hold. I let out a brief snort, knowing Del is merely toying with them and is well capable to handle his little situation.

"I don't know, Branwenn," I hear Ianto as I dodge a punch, spin onto my knees and knock the legs out from an attacking male. "They must not have anything better to do."

I scoff, well of course all of the male brutes come out within the last hour of The Blood Rite. Delwyn, Ianto, and I have been trecking around this hellish landscape for the past 4 days with no headway towards reaching the top. But apparently no one else has yet to reach the top either. It seems that they've all united to take down the female. 

No success on that one so far.

Bastards.

"We need to disperse all of them to try and break away," I yell over the noise. The head of the male that I was currently locking my legs around to choke out made ugly gasping noises as he passed out and curmbled. I quickly dismounted, dodging and weaving through the crowd, making my way to Ianto's side. 

"What did you have in mind, Branwenn?" Delwyn pops up next to me out of nowhere grinning mischievously with a bloody nose to match. The three of us face out from one another, panting as the vulture like males circle us.

"Well normally," I huff, "I'd suggest some winged defense, but under these circumstances," I flex my bound wings for emphasis, "I'm thinking something a bit more effective."

Ianto flashes me a look of concern, a single eyebrown raised.

"Wenn, is that really a good idea, again?" Delwyn asks, concern leaking into his voice.

"Probably not, but any other ideas?"

There was no response other than the heckling calls of males still circling.

"Alright then, it's decided. On three then. One."

I survey the soon-to-be- victims.

"Two.."