Post 15

Cassia bowed before the Eldest, unflinching as he tapped her sword to each her shoulders.

It had been weeks and weeks since she had come to Laddinley, but they seemed like mere hours to the girl who never rested, never seemed to have a moment of hesitation. She rose in the morning, did some quiet stretching to warm her body, and to not wake her sister. Honey often slept through these meetings, preferring playing with Padrig to watching her owner fight. Then she was off, swinging through the city like she was one of the Elves.

Then she began her training with Step. At first it had been simple, childish exercises, such as shooting an arrow into a dummy or throwing her dagger into one of the trees. Then it moved to endurance training. Running all around the city branches, climbing vines to get to a lookout post, jumping up and up and up trees to strengthen her leg muscles. Finally she began really training: using her sword against Elvin adversaries, keeping lookout with the Brotherhood, occasionally shooting at kyrees or harpies came too close.

One day, Step told her that her father had talked to the Elders of the city.

“He wants to make you an honorary Brother.” He explained as they took their daily walk around the city.

“Is that even possible?” She asked, trying to read his face. “I’m not even a boy, let alone an Elf.”

“He’s pushing for it. And as a member of the Brotherhood himself-”

“What?”

“He joined when he was younger. I would assume you would know that.” Step smiled.
For an Elf, he had quite a sense of humor. “As I was saying, as a Brother himself, he has a say in the matter. And with Atropos behind it as well…It just might happen.”

And here she was, now. Accepting the ear piercing without screaming, just as any male Elf would do. There was sparse applause from the small audience. Her family was present, though her father was standing next to the Eldest. Atropos and Step were there as well, with the rest of the Brotherhood. Her brothers, now.

Honey barked in joy from her position next to Cassia. Cassia couldn’t help but smile at the dog, her eyes shimmering like she was a puppy.

It seemed, for the time, that things were right. Here was where she belonged.


That night, when the aether lights had been relieved of their duty, there was a low howl in the distance. At first Cassia didn’t hear it, but then suddenly Honey was up, barking and howling, growling and pacing next to Cassia’s bed.

There was another howl, this one higher, and closer. The werewolf was somewhere in the forest.

The light flickered on in her room. Still half asleep, Cassia could barely see her mother in the light.

“Get up and get dressed.” Her mother whispered. “Travel clothing, wear this over it.” Something heavy landed on the foot of her bed. Cassia struggled in the lighting to find it. The smooth texture told her what it was. A leather tunic, just her size.

When she went out into the entry hall, Honey in pursuit, her father and mother were talking in low voices to the Eldest, who Cassia recognized from the events of the day before. He had two of the Brotherhood with him, armed as if for combat. Atropos was with them, standing with his bow and quiver, and sword on his belt. A pack was on his back, he was ready for travel.

“Cassia.” Her father said, holding up his hand to beckon that she join them. Honey took to pacing around the group, protecting them. Mistress Graystone had Cassia’s weapons: her sword, her dagger, her bow and quiver. Cassia put them on without question, already knowing the direction of events.

“Brother Cassia,” the Eldest creaked, using her full title, “the werewolf has found the three of you again.” Cassia nodded. Atropos seemed to know this as well. “For the safety of the city, you must leave. Atropos has offered to slay the beast, and with your help, I believe it could be accomplished.”

“We’d have to stay for from the city, from any city, to keep the people safe.” Atropos continued, his voice unfeeling. “We’d eventually find him, and kill him.”

“Of course.” Cassia said. Her mother was now placing a prepared pack on her shoulders. She kissed her cheek gently, in farewell. Cassia picked up Honey and placed her in her familiar pouch to be safe. “We must leave now?”

Atropos nodded. “Immediately.”

They stole from the city quietly, not even talking as they descended the great tree that was the gateway. This time Cassia was as fast as Atropos, almost beating him as her feet landed quietly on the forest floor.

“Where are we going?” Another howl rang out from the north.

“South.” Atropos said, quickly making his way away from the tree.

“We’ll pass Keshia.”

“Yes, we will.”

“Will we stop there?”

“Of course not. It would be too dangerous.”

“Atropos?”

“What?” He asked, turning to glare at her briefly. She realized his unhappiness. He had to leave Diamantina, and now it was as if she was following him. Only it was not his love, but an illusion of her.

“Do you think Tempest sent the wolf?”

“Yes. And we’ve done the worst we could have; we led him to your father. Maybe we can pull him away, but if we can’t…”

“My father won’t let anything happen to him.”

“He already has.”