Chapter 3: A Reluctant Embrace

     Gale was fighting her own mind, alone and awake, a Docile somewhere in the shadows awaiting her command, probably wanting to sleep themselves. 

     She dismissed him, surprised to find he actually looked startled, wanting to ask her if she was sure, but not wanting to question her authority at the risk of being beaten. 

    They don’t know me yet. 

    She sighed heavily. Maybe it’s time I did something about that.

    While she didn’t want to be a slave trader, she’d been trained for nothing else, and if she was being honest with herself, she worked hard at it to do well in order to please Karis.

    Was it a matter of survival, or did I want to please the only mother figure I had left?

    She supposed it was both. That Karis would have sold or killed her was not a question.

    Pouring another cup of wine, she took stock of things. 

    I don’t want to do this.

    I love Zephyr. 

   I need a way to sabotage the rebellion, or betray the slavers. 

  Another heavy sigh. Considering all, I’m already in with the slavers. 

  She finished her wine, took a look around her beautiful, moonlit room in all of its delicate loveliness, a look that belied what she really was, but maybe not who. 

  Taking some comfort in that, she lay down on the big, soft bed she’d enjoyed all these years, and went to sleep.

 Betray the slavers…

Chapter 4: The Journey Back

    Riselle and Zephyr both woke to the sound of ringing metal.

    Their heads hurt from the strong, cheap, bitter wine, but Amadi was already working at the forge. 

     He smiled at their dour, pained expressions. 

    “Sorry,” he said with no apology in his voice. “Dealing with the two of you, I’m behind in my work. No Guild business for me today, and you both need to leave now, unless, Zephyr, you want to stay and help me.” 

    He wanted to because he enjoyed it, and it would delay the inevitable with Riselle, but his head wouldn’t take the ringing. 

    “I’d like to stay my friend, but in my current state I’d likely make more mistakes you’d have to correct than help you be productive.”

    Amadi saw the wisdom in that, nodding. “That is true. Best be on your way then.”

    “Why the rush?” Riselle asked. “No breakfast or nothing?”

    Amadi smiled. “No. Leave. You have much to discuss between you, and I’d rather not be privy to it.”

    The seriousness of the dilemma began to build, but Amadi was right. 

    “You ready, Zephyr?”

    “Yes, Riselle.”

    She kissed Amadi on the cheek. “Thank you. We’ll see you soon.”

    Amadi shook Zephyr’s hand. “See you soon.”

                                                             ***************

    Out of earshot of the busy forge, and neither wanting to start the conversation, they rode in a companionable silence enjoying the morning view and breeze that did nothing to relieve their bleary heads but was pretty to see and nice to feel.

    But the journey back would be too long, and the subject was too serious a matter to wait.

                                                          *****************

    “Zephyr, we have to talk about Gale.”

    “Amadi stepped between us, but I made my position clear. It hasn’t changed. It won’t.”

    “So you’re going to force me to do it.”

    “Not forcing you to do anything, I’m trying to stop you from making a mistake.”

    “Because you’ll defend her? Because you’re in love with her?”

    “Because I’m not so sure she wants to be a slaver, and it may yet be that she’ll help us with the rebellions. They’re starting to gain some ground, and if you kill their mistress, there’s more of them than us. 

     “It’s become clear the king will not support us no matter what. He’s sent not so much as a useless diplomat here because he profits from it, so why would he see it ended?

     “We’re on our own, Riselle. Let me talk to her.” 

     “And if she doesn’t want to help?”

     “I’ll find a way to work around it, but I won’t let you kill her.”

     “I can have them send someone else.” 

     “Then I’ll have to come after both of you.”

     “You’d do that?”

     Zephyr raised his voice. “Have you not been listening? I will challenge you, Riselle. You trained me, but I’ve been studying and practicing as well. You’ve taught me a lot, and for that I’m grateful, but you haven’t taught me everything I know.

     “Killing Gale would be the easy way out, and we’ll have lost a possible ally who’s on the inside.

     “Don’t be so quick to revert to our baser skills.”

     Riselle, taken aback by the knowledge he’d done independent studying, let the silence settle back down as she considered her own options. None of them involved a way around him.

     “Talk to her, then. See what she’ll do.”

     “Very well. I’ve got free entry into the palace. I’ll speak to her tomorrow.”