The Vixen Trials

An Unpleasant Surprise

Dakkoul

With Jalen's silly giggling, the walk to Keilah's chambers was not nearly as discreet as Dakkoul wanted it to be. The tenseness at the back of his neck did not ease until he was inside and the door shut behind them.

Keilah, restored to former elegance, held out her hands in greeting. He gave them a squeeze, careful to avoid the area still bruised from the attack. An enticing lavender scent filled the air around her and her hair was in two village-style braids, twined with orange ribbon. All his anger at her avoiding punishment dulled and he found himself making excuses for her. Both her background and her current privilege were to blame for her ignorance. Surely as she began to see the truth of her situation, she would change. 

Dakkoul hung back watching as Alyssia led Malek over to a circle of cushions next to a couch. He selected a plump pink one and almost fell down. A knock came at the door. Dakkoul narrowed his eyes and one of his hands fell to the hilt of his dagger. Who would knock? But it was only Pipsqueak entering with a jaunty grin and a flowery speech of thanks directed to Lady Keilah.

Keilah waved her hand to Pipsqueak to stop before limping over to the couch and directing Dakkoul to be beside her. He lowered down still scanning the room. Pipsqueak jumped down on the cushion next to Malek. That left only two spaces together in the middle. Alyssia took one.

Jalen stood hesitating his eyes darting towards Alyssia and then withdrawing. "Swap with me Pipsqueak," he mumbled.

Pipsqueak raised his eyebrows. "Why?" he asked even as he moved. Pipsqueak was very young. The corner of Dakkoul's mouth tugged upwards. It wasn't like Jagur tried to hide his guilt or Alyssia her dislike.

"I'll tell you afterwards," Jalen hissed, glancing at Alyssia and then dropping his gaze. She was staring at the rug beneath them, red staining her cheeks.

Keilah cleared her throat. "Welcome, all. We are having this one and only meeting for Jagur's sake. To remember him and his god." Dakkoul looked at her in surprise. That wasn't the reason he'd been told. Was this some elaborate plan of Keilah's to put pressure on him to return to the Sheradith? Was Alyssia more of a liar than he thought? He gazed her her bowed head and curled his lip.

"Who's Jagur?" Pipsqueak asked.

Keilah frowned at him and continued, "I want you all to pray now for Jagur, alone and defenceless in the land of the Enderaii, a slave of the Sheradith."

Malek whispered to Dakkoul, "Who's Jagur?" Dakkoul rolled his eyes.

"My friend," Keilah snapped. "He follows the God of the symbol Jalen wears. The Sheradith wanted me to stay, but he volunteered instead and if the Hattavah does not go to him soon--"

"Which he won't," Dakkoul supplied.

"Which I hope he will," Keilah said with a frown, "Jagur will die. I wish you all to pray for his soul, so that he won't howl with the Fox, but live on somewhere happy as he believes he will."

"I'll pray," said Jalen and he did.

Keilah looked unsatisfied. "The rest of you too."

Pipsqueak did, a passionate prayer of protection that made Keilah smile and Alyssia got out a whispered prayer for safety.

"You too," Keilah demanded Malek. "You're here. You pray." Dakkoul did grin then at the way Malek's mouth flung open in protest before tightening into polite little smile.

"I don't believe in Jagur's god."

"Pray anyway!"

Malek narrowed his eyes but complied. "Jagur's God. Jagur who is in the camp of the Sheradith needs to be rescued. Send a rescuer. Send the Hattavah. That's all."