Ch. 33: Ragtag Runaways!

Disguised by the cloak of invisibility that Maceren had cast over the three of us, I led the way into the city, following twists and turns until we came to a stop in front of a warm, cozy building.

“The Grape Vine?” Maceren chuckled. “I beg your pardon, Miss Aven, but now is not the time for a dinner date.” He winked playfully. “I’m greatly flattered. But perhaps I can indulge you some other time.”

I rolled my eyes. “First of all, Mace, I already have a boyfriend, so don’t even think about it. Second of all, this is where we’re going to find him.”

Arius sighed. “I remember now. I stayed here with Strubin before you-” He gave me a glare- “-Ratted me out. Not in the same room, but Sarigus gave me a cot in exchange for helping clean the restaurant at night. I guess Aven and I don’t have any relatives in the city.”

I nodded. “This is where we’re going to find Strubin since he’s coming with us. He’ll know where the others are.” I stepped forward and opened the door, causing a small bell at the top to ring, announcing our arrival.

I looked around. It wasn’t nearly as well-lit as it was last night, when I had dinner with Strubin. I was surprised the door was even unlocked.

As Maceren and Arius filed in behind me, I glanced over at a clock on the wall and gasped. The hands read: Five o’ clock.

We only had an hour before sunrise.

Maceren muttered a few words under his breath and the invisibility shield vanished, leaving us wide open. He saw the clock and cursed under his breath. “Lune, we’re running out of time.” He glanced at me. “Tell me, where is your friend?”

“He’s upstairs,” Arius replied shortly. He pushed in front of me and went to the back of the counter, opening a door and heading upstairs. Tentatively Maceren and I followed, the floorboards creaking ominously under our combined weight.

We entered the dark hallway and to our surprise saw Arius standing in front of a dark doorway, facing a huge figure. The figure growled, a low rumble reverberating from their throat.

I surged forward before Maceren could protest and stepped in front of Arius, shielding him. “Wait!”

The dark figure paused, golden eyes blinking. “...Aven?” He rushed forward and scooped me up, chuckling. “You little tease! Where have you been?” Strubin put me down and paused, then narrowed his eyes at Arius. “...Who is that?”

Before Arius could reply, Maceren stepped forward and bowed. “Greetings. You are a friend of Miss Aven; therefore you art mine. I take it you have a moment to spare? ‘Tis a very important matter at hand.”

Strubin flexed his muscles uncomfortably. “You again?” Then he sighed. “...What’s the matter?”

“Can we talk for a moment, Strubin?” I asked. “All four of us.”

He smiled when I spoke. “...Of course. But first I have to open the restaurant. Sarigus will be awake soon.”

“Great. We can talk downstairs and tell you what we need.” Maceren turned and headed back downstairs, and after a moment Strubin, Arius and I followed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“So!” Strubin set four mugs of steaming coffee on the table and sat down next to me, looking curious. “What’s the matter? I haven’t seen you since yesterday morning, Av.” Then he looked me over. “...You look so disheveled, darling. Did something happen?”

Arius groaned. “More than a little ‘something’,” He spat. “And why don’t you recognize me? Don’t you remember?”

Strubin squinted at him. “...You look familiar, but I can’t place it,” He muttered.

Maceren chuckled, resting his chin on his hands. “Miss Aven, seeing as the green giant is your soon-to-be mate, I would’ve assumed that he had known your very own brother. Am I mistaken?”

Strubin’s eyes widened. “Holy- Arius?! You… you look awful!”

The gray aetyr snorted. “Yeah, yeah, I get that a lot.”

Suddenly Strubin snarled and rose to his feet, baring his claws. “You… you tried to kill Aven! Your very own sister! How could you?!”

“Strubin, we talked about this,” I stopped him. “Arius and I are on good terms now. It’s in the past.”

While Strubin stared at me, Arius muttered, “I don’t think anyone else seems to think so. I really must look like a freak if Strubin didn’t even recognize me. Gods, the dungeons must have really messed me up.”

“Giant, I hate to break up the friendly reunion,” Maceren smirked, setting his mug on the table, “But we are in quite the predicament. Your sweet Miss Aven met with me yesterday morning in the palace gardens for our rendezvous, and there we discussed my reasons for coming here. To summarize, you, alongside three other individuals, were chosen by the Crown Prince himself to join Miss Aven and the prisoner Arius on my quest to escape the city. We must leave before sunrise, for the Queen’s guards are going to be sent out to find me on account of a disturbing individual hunting me down.”

Strubin paused, then looked at me. “...Aven, is this true?”

“Of course it’s true!” I snapped. “Listen, do you know where Sophi, Kirune and Zerhea are? We have to find them before six o’ clock.”

He nodded. “Kirune and Zerhea were stationed to train together. As for Sophi, she’s been outside the city ever since the battle with Maelstrom. She has no idea that Arius was even convicted.”

“Great.” Arius groaned, flopping back in his chair. “Now we’re screwed.”

“Nay.” Maceren laughed. “Miss Aven, do you have any artifacts that may have belonged to your friends? I can seek them out.”

Strubin fixed him with an uncomfortable stare. “...Why would we have anything belonging to them?” He asked, narrowing his eyes.

The Black Mane shrugged. “Then the hard way it is.”

Suddenly we heard footsteps coming downstairs, and we turned to find Sarigus at the front counter. Strubin waved sheepishly. “Good morning, Sarigus,” He greeted him. “Just having a little conversation.”

The tall pale green aetyr nodded knowingly. “Of course! No rush.” He looked over each one of us. “Hello, Aven. Greetings, Maceren.” Then he stopped when he saw Arius, and he adjusted his glasses. “...You look familiar. Aren’t you Arius?”

Arius nodded brusquely. “Who else would I be? I’ve lived here for the past few months.”

“Where have you been?” Sarigus asked. “You’ve been gone for the past few days, and you look terrible. What happened?”

The gray aetyr looked away. I coughed uncomfortably. “Sarigus, have you seen Kirune lately?”

Before he could answer, I heard the door open and the tinkling of a bell. I turned and gasped. “Kirune! Zerhea!”

“Speak of the devil!” Maceren grinned, leaning forward. “Perfect timing, Miss Aven.”

Kirune waved hello while Zerhea dipped her head. Then they paused when they saw Maceren and Arius. “...What’s going on?” Kirune asked, eyeing them cautiously.

Zerhea grit her teeth when she gave Arius a closer look. “...Aven, why is he here?” She growled. “Don’t you remember what he did?”

“What do you mean?” Kirune asked Zerhea, sliding in a seat beside Maceren. “Who are you, anyway?” This was directed at Maceren and Arius. Instantly Arius groaned and buried his head in his hands.

Maceren smirked and shifted his chair to give Zerhea a place to sit down. “I was under the impression that all of you were acquainted with each other. This, dear friends, is Arius Elsgard.”

“WHAT!” Kirune stared at Arius. “But you’re supposed to be in prison! How did you escape? What are you doing here?”

Sarigus whistled uncomfortably.

Arius growled. “I’m not going to kill you, dimwit.” He gave Zerhea a glare and snorted derisively. “Why do they need to come with us, anyway? It’s clear they’ll kill me in my sleep.”

“Shut up, Arius.” I snapped. “Guys, listen. Arius and I made up. I forgave him. We’re good now.” I nodded to Maceren. “Mace, tell them why you’re here.”

He repeated what he had said to Strubin, and both of them pricked their ears. Zerhea raised an eyebrow. “Who’s this ‘dangerous individual’ who’s following you?” She stood to her feet. “And why should we trust you? Never mind the traitor?” Arius growled low in his throat at her pointed comment.

“There’s a Baron from the West who came here to court the Queen,” I replied. “He just so happens to be a slave driver. He keeps White Manes like us and tortures them.” I waved my hand. “We have to leave the city. Have you heard from Sophi, either of you?”

Zerhea shook her head, but Kirune nodded after a moment. “...I saw her in the southern woods a day ago, but it was from far away. She’s on a hunting trip with several other aetyrim.”

“Then we have to go there.” I rose to my feet. “Are you coming with us?”

Kirune looked away, a sheepish expression crossing his blue face. Zerhea gave me a stare, her green eyes blazing with indignation. To my surprise, even Strubin didn’t look so sure.

“What?” I asked them, narrowing my eyes. “Do you have a problem?”

Kirune shuffled his paws, then spoke before the others did. “...I’m sorry, Aven, and I trust you, but I don’t know if it’s a good idea to trust Arius again so easily. He tried to murder you, remember?”

My fur flared. “We talked about it! We worked together to-”

“-Aven, listen.” Zerhea stopped me. “I understand that you truly believe that you’ve made things right. But, perhaps… maybe it’s time that you realized that you may be a little naive as of now.” She gave Maceren a long look, her expression never changing. “...I have no idea how you managed to gain the attention of a new Black Mane, or break the traitor out of prison, but it is a death wish if you’re going to blindly follow them.” She dipped her head. “...Strubin, you’re her boyfriend. You know everything about her. What do you think?”

For once Strubin faltered. “...She’s told me everything up until this previous morning,” He murmured, scratching behind his ear. “But then she was gone all day and all night. Av, Maceren- where did you go?”

Before I could speak, Maceren broke in. “Surely this can all be discussed later, my friends. The clock is ticking, and soon we shall be caught by her royal Highness the Queen on behalf of Baron Arrakhan. The question is simple, and the consequences just as crystal clear: Will you join us, and risk further betrayal from the one you already fear? Or will you stay behind, and face the wrath of the Crown Prince? Remember, he appointed you all to join me. Even the ‘traitor’ Arius. Choose wisely, my friends.”

Zerhea and Kirune gave him uneasy looks. “...I had forgotten that you had received Illesior’s blessing,” Zerhea murmured. “That shows he trusts both you and Aven to protect her from Arius. Very well. It is no laughing matter to go against his wishes; therefore I will go.”

Kirune gave her a look of surprise. “You’re giving in that easily?”

“I have no choice,” She replied, narrowing her green eyes.

I turned to Strubin with pleading eyes. “Please, Strubin. Trust us. Trust me. You have to come with us.”

Strubin’s face softened. He reached out to wrap an arm around my shoulders and pull me closer to him. “Sugar, I wouldn’t have let you go on alone,” He murmured. He shot Maceren and Arius both a pointed look as he added under his breath, “Especially not alone with those two. You might trust your brother, but I don’t.” He straightened himself and stared down at the gray aetyr, golden eyes narrowed menacingly. “I’m going to make sure you’re safe from him. I won’t let him hurt you again.”

Arius met his gaze, but for once his prideful bravado fell. “...I understand Kirune and Zerhea not trusting me… to an extent.” He muttered. “But, you? Strubin, I’ve known you my whole life. Listen to Aven. I’ve changed… somewhat.”

Strubin growled, flexing his muscles. “I don’t know who you are anymore.” Then he turned to Maceren. “As for you, I have no idea the true extent of what you and Aven have discussed- or, rather, been through- but while I don’t trust Arius, I expect you to keep to your word… or you’ll have one more enemy to deal with.”

Maceren nodded, a slow smile crossing his face. “Then that leaves one more to join us.”

We all turned to face Kirune. The blue aetyr began sweating nervously, his heterochromatic eyes flashing with anxiety. He twirled a strand of white fur between his fingertips as he glanced at his feet. “...Strubin…” Kirune murmured, “...I know I was never on bad terms with Arius prior to the battle with Maelstrom, but Aven is a friend of mine. For him to betray his very own sister… it’s hard to stomach even being near a would-be murderer.” He pointedly kept avoiding Arius’ gaze as he continued, “...But I understand the stakes at hand. I know you need me. And, Strubin… if you can keep Aven safe for our sakes, then… I guess I can come with you.” He glanced at Zerhea. “Even if I don’t have a choice.”

Maceren leaped to his feet and stood on the table, striking a pose. His perfect teeth flashed in the pale light as he grinned. “Excellent choice, my friend!” He turned to every one of us and bowed deeply. “My earnest gratitude. You may have just saved my life today.”

Arius pricked his ears. “Wait, what?”

“To the gates!” Maceren roared, ignoring him. He launched off the table and raced for the door, flinging it open and motioning for us to exit. “Come ‘long, come ‘long! To the gates! To victory, my friends!”

We all gave him unusual looks but gradually rose from our seats to meet him, one by one.

Behind me, Strubin nodded to Sarigus, smiling nervously. I saw him mutter something in his ear before turning to follow us.

I stepped outside in the fading gloom and looked around, the pre-dawn breeze ruffling my mane. Maceren’s jacket and Arius’ eyes gleamed dimly in the early morning light, their forms illuminated by the lamps that lit the streets.

“What is the fastest route to the gates of the city?” I asked Maceren.

To my surprise he shrugged. “My ways may be considered… unconventional.” He winked. “Can any of you phase through walls?”

Beside me, Kirune gave him a look. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“That answers my question.” Maceren replied, furrowing his brow. “Hm. I suppose you, my friends, shalt lead the way. You know the city better than I.”

Zerhea, who had been quiet all this time, cleared her throat. “Is the air an acceptable option, Maceren?”

His eyes lit up. “...I like the way you think, golden one.” He murmured. “You have the magic of flight, then?”

“Nay.” She turned to the north and murmured a few words that I couldn’t hear. “...But I know a creature who does.”

We stood there for a few moments in silence before Strubin lifted a palm to his forehead. “I should have known!” He laughed. “The Hycross, right?”

She nodded. “...I fear it may take a minute for him to arrive,” She replied. “So let us get moving. He’ll catch up.”

As Maceren strode ahead of us, he laughed. “Ah, Beast Taming! A rare and beautiful magic, indeed.” He grinned at Zerhea playfully. “Much like that striking fur of yours, golden one.”

For the first time since I met her, Zerhea was caught off guard. She opened her mouth to speak but stopped, and eventually she just looked sheepish. “...Much gratitude,” She muttered, a faint red crossing her cheeks. “And call me Zerhea. Beast Tamer, if you will.”

The Black Mane chuckled. “Very well.”

As we strode along, Strubin fell in step beside me and gripped Arius’ arm. Arius hissed at him. “What’s wrong now? Did I exist too close to you?”

“I’m not going to let you out of my sight,” Strubin growled, reaching in my satchel to grab some rope. He tied one side around his belt and the other around Arius’ waist. Then he turned to me. “Aven, can you cast a binding spell so he can’t cut it?”

I looked them up and down. “Isn’t this a bit much, Stru?”

“I don’t want him to hurt you again,” He muttered into my ear. “So these are the measures I’m resorting to. Please, just cast a spell if you can.”

I sighed and shot Arius an apologetic look, then reached out to touch his waist. Instantly the gray aetyr growled and reached out to swat at me, but was stopped by Strubin’s glare.

I placed my hands on the rope around his waist and recalled the binding spell. “...Rope of twine, become one with thine, and bind the one to the other to make them mine. Steel of heaven, bind to earth, and make yourself of unfathomable worth.” It was a mouthful of a spell, but I could feel magic draining from my body as the spell took form. The rope glowed a faint blue, then faded.

Strubin shot me a look of gratitude and leaned over to kiss me softly on top of my head. “Thank you,” He murmured, his warm breath washing over my ears.

Arius groaned, holding back a gag. “If I’m going to be stuck with you, then keep the mushy crap to a minimum.” He turned and continued to mumble to himself.

Strubin tsked softly to himself. “If I feel that I can trust him again, I’ll unbind him from myself- with your help, of course.” His eyes softened when he saw the anxiety in my blue eyes. “What’s wrong, Av? Aren’t you glad I’m here?”

“What? Of course. I don’t know what I would do without you.” I leaned against him as we walked. “It’s just… I’m a bit worried, is all.”

Strubin was quiet, subtly drawing me closer to him until my head rested against his side. The rise and fall of his chest and the long strides of his legs made me move like waves, up and down, up and down.

“Aven?” He asked after some time. “Are you scared of Arius?”

I looked up at him. “To… tell you the truth… no. Not really.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”

My gaze drifted to the rest of our group. Zerhea and Kirune walked, huddled together, while continuously shooting looks of hatred and fear at Arius trailing behind us. In front of us, Maceren looked confident, and yet I saw a trace of worry in his eyes.

What if we don’t make it? The words reverberated in my mind clearly as I could recall what was probably racing through his head. And yet… it was something that was prominent in my own mind.

“Aven?”

I snapped back to attention. “...It’s a long story. Once we’re out of the city, maybe I can explain.” I glanced over at Arius, trying to catch his eye, but he stared at the ground in monotony. I sighed and looked back up at Strubin. “And maybe you’ll feel different about him yourself.”

Strubin’s gaze softened. “I don’t hate him because of what he did to me,” He murmured. “I’m against him because of what he did to you. Don’t think I’m being unreasonable, baby. I’d do anything for you. And the first thing I plan to do is keep you safe.”

I nodded and leaned against him, and he wrapped an arm around my shoulders, shielding me from Arius’ line of sight. “I know.”

In front of us, Maceren suddenly stopped and paused. He turned to give us a strange look before a mischievous smile crossed his handsome violet face. “Getting steamy back there, my friends?”

Both Strubin and I turned red. “N-no!” I sputtered. “Keep it to yourself.”

Maceren chuckled and nudged Kirune playfully. He leaned over to murmur something in his ear, but I couldn’t care to hear what he had to say.

Zerhea stalked in front of them and stopped, glancing to the sky. Her lips moved, as if she was speaking, but no words came out.

I peeled myself away from Strubin and came up beside her. “Where is the Hycross?”

The golden aetyr turned to me, her emerald eyes gleaming. “Near. Let us keep moving. Perhaps we can find an open space before dawn arrives.” She glanced at Maceren. “I do not know how much magic you have mastered, Black Mane Maceren, but is there a possibility you can cast a cloak of invisibility over us should we be unfortunate?”

Maceren nodded. “No need to worry, Beast Tamer. We will leave the city in due time. But if it ever came to it, then yes, I can disguise you all.”

We trekked for a while longer and eventually came to a ladder at the base of a building. Zerhea pushed past and began the ascent. “Follow me!” She said. “Oilug will meet us up here. He is near.”

Maceren gave Kirune a questioning look. Kirune whispered back to him, and the violet Black Mane nodded in understanding before following her up the ladder.

Strubin nudged me forward, and I placed one hand on the cold steel bars, the frigid air freezing my paw pads. I grit my teeth and pulled myself upwards, a steady rhythm of left-right-left-right, up-up-up-up, until I could see the other three aetyrim at the top.

I stood up and looked around, my breath hitching in my throat. The sky was no longer filled with stars; instead, a milky band laced the horizon, turning the skies dark gray.

Dawn was approaching.

Behind me, Strubin hauled himself up, and I stifled a laugh when I saw that he had slung a very tired Arius over his shoulder. The green aetyr saw my smile and grinned. “He couldn’t get himself to go up one step,” He explained with a chuckle. “I suppose he needed a shoulder to sleep on, huh?”

Before I could respond, I heard the whirring of wings far off in the distance. Yet when I looked around, it was too dark to see anything.

Zerhea looked pleased. “He’s almost here. Just as predicted.”

Maceren grinned, placing his hand on her shoulder. Immediately she flinched and pulled away.

The Black Mane was sheepish. “My apologies, Beast Tamer. I was simply going to congratulate you.” He murmured, scratching his head.

“Thank you, but I only receive words of gratitude, not touch,” Zerhea replied simply.

Suddenly I heard scraping noises from below. Kirune pricked his ears. “...What’s that?” He asked. We shrugged and he moved cautiously to look over the side of the roof.

Instantly a black figure reached out and snatched his arm, dragging him downwards. He screamed and swatted at the figure, but before any of us could react he fell.

“Kirune!” I yelped, leaping forward. Suddenly Maceren held me back with one arm.

“Don’t!” He hissed. “Stay behind me. I recognize that aura.”

Without another word he motioned to us to stay put, then launched himself off the side, hurtling into the streets below.

“What happened to him?” Strubin asked, holding back a growl as he held Arius on his shoulder.

I glanced downwards and pricked my ears. To my surprise I couldn’t hear anything. No pattering feet, no scuffling, nothing. Had something happened to Maceren and Kirune? And at this time, too! Dawn was almost here and our mission was in jeopardy.

“Aven, be careful,” Strubin whispered, moving in behind me. Zerhea’s fur stood up and yet she made no move to follow me.

I tentatively leaned over the side and for a moment saw nothing but darkness.

“...Where are they?”

Then suddenly a golden arm lashed out of the void and latched onto my arm, claws digging deep into my skin and drawing blood. I shrieked and instantly Strubin raced to my side, fury burning in his golden eyes.

“Keep your claws off of her!” He roared, grabbing the suspect and lifting them into the air.

In the dark gloom, it took me a moment to recognize the figure, but when I did, my heart stopped. That gleam in their eyes was… all too familiar.

It wasn’t even dawn yet.

And yet the creature in Strubin’s grip was none other than a mind-controlled beast.

It was Zayex. Dorai’Kur had sent out his personal slaves to track down Maceren.