Mythic (NaNoWriMo14)

Chapter 4 - Antisocial

Dedicated to _Palen ~ SLAY THE NANO! 

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Chapter 4 - Antisocial

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Rena's few belongings beat her to her room.

The knapsack was resting against the foot of the bed when she pushed open the door, which made her wonder if the Order had been watching her long before she entered the city. How else could they have known what tavern entrance she'd barely managed to find in the backstreets? 

Rena shrugged and decided she didn't care. Her earlier conversation with the cardinal had killed her ability to give rise to any words past a simple yes or no. Even nodding had been an effort, but the action was the only she'd made it through dinner with the other Mythics at the priory while Cayden and another two personal guards watched nearby. 

Two mer, three fae and from what Rena could gather was the male's dae lover, a beast, a giant that'd knocked over the table every time she stood up, an elemental, and Nazine's prestigious halfling status positioning him at the head of the table as they gossiped over dinner. Also known as ten too many Mythics for Rena's current mood as they continued to pester her with questions about her own family and sub-species. 

Rena had made her excuses and left as soon as possible, finding herself wondering if she could simply slip out of the priory and find a tavern with the music and dancing she longed for. 

She stared at the door, considering the consequences of such a thing when it swung open.

Nazine's long blonde locks draped over a red robe Rena found she preferred to the over-the-top decor of his ceremonial one. It made him relatable again, the Nazine she'd last seen struggling to master his fire before she'd decided the world was bigger than just the priories the Order wanted them to stay in. 

"Rena?" he said, hesitating in the door way. "You seemed a little down at dinner. Need to talk?"

She met his eyes, trying to predict what his reaction would have been if she'd told him about Elijah. Not just about the waiting room and his threat to take her key, but about those minutes that still ran through her head, no matter how hard she tried to shut them down every time they rose. 

"Fine." The lie slipped off her tongue easily. "Just tired. Going to sleep, didn't get much last night."

With that, Rena turned and made a show out of plumping her pillow and preparing the blankets. She sensed Nazine linger in the doorway but she kept her back turned until the whisper of cloth told her that he'd left. 

Rena waited an extra second before standing up to close the door. When her hand rested on the handle, her eyes flicked up from the floor to see Cayden standing there. 

"What?" she said with a sigh. "Aren't you supposed to be with Nazine at all times?" 

"He's safe within the priories," said Cayden. Rena noted the papers in his hands. "But he isn't outside of it, which is why I'm here. I understand you'll be joining us to Leristith?" 

Rena felt numb as she stepped aside and let him in. 

With nowhere else to sit, Cayden sat on the end of her bed and motioned for her to join. Mechanically, Rena moved beside him and trained her eyes in the direction of the papers. 

Cayden cleared his throat. "First, I wanted to be clear on your capabilities. As an unknown, we really don't know what to expect from you." 

"Fire and illusions," said Rena. "I'm good at convincing people, too. Influencing them to feel a certain way if I try hard enough."