Blood Revenge

Chapter 21

It started one day with a simplequestion from Stefan. I was sitting outside the stables withStephanie as she gossiped about Reif and whatever romantic thing hehad done. After we'd shared blood, Reif had gone back to Stephanieand begged her forgiveness. I was glad because they were both sohappy. I saw Stefan approaching and he hailed me. I waved him over,pausing Steph's story. "What's up?" I asked.

"Have you seen Beri around? Wewere supposed to go riding," he asked smiling.

I shrugged. "Not sinceyesterday. Steph?"

She shook her head. "Not sincedawn. We were practicing and she just took off."

I frowned. "Took off?"

"She looked a bit upset, butyou know her, she always looks upset." Steph shrugged, cutting apiece off her apple and popping it in her mouth.

"She'd be more upset if shesaw you using your throwing knives to cut your food," I scolded.

After that day, Beri disappearedmore and more often. She would barely speak to anyone and herroutines became erratic. I was ready to go and talk to her when oneday Daeron came to me. "Ana, can I talk to you?"

He was carrying one of his monthold twins with him and he bobbed up and down, rocking the child as Ianswered. "Of course, what's on your mind?"

He was obviously agitated and theinfant was picking up on it, fussing and half crying. I held my armsout and he gratefully passed her to me. I cooed and rocked her,instantly calming her. She smiled at me as Daeron fidgeted and said,"I'm worried about Beri. We were talking yesterday while Wen hadthe kids and she said something out of the blue."

"Nothing would surprise me withher anymore," I sighed. "I'm surprised she even spoke to you atall."

"She's talking aboutleaving," he said. "For good."

"She said that?" I asked, myeyes widening in shock.

"Something is really botheringher, but she won't talk to me or even Stefan. Perhaps you could getsomething out of her?" he asked hopefully.

"Of course, I'll try," Ipromised. "Though, I don't know what good it will do."

"Please, try. As much of a painin the arse she can be, she's still my sister," he saidgratefully.

I handed little Renwilwen (Renfor short) back to Daeron. "Do you know where she is?" I asked.

"I saw her by the barracks withthe new soldiers just before I came to you," he described.

"Great, I'll head there now."I walked down to the barracks in the afternoon sun. Summer was infull swing. I wiped sweat off my brow just before spotting her."Beriima!" I called and she spun.

"Commander, is everythingokay?" she asked.

I glanced at the fresh youngknights and grinned. "Fine, but your recruits could use a break.It's a bit hot for all that armor. Why don't we take a walk andthey can cool off?"

"Of course." She nodded andthe recruits scattered.

She fell into step next to me andI angled us toward the garden for some shade. "So, how are thingswith Stefan?" I asked, giving her a sideways grin.

"Fine," she respondedirritably.

I knew that subject would get menowhere, so I quickly picked a new one. "The new recruits lookpromising."

"They are as any new set ofsoldiers, belligerent and defiant," she said.

"You'll whip them intoshape," I said. "If you're here long enough."