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Stumbling forward, I pretended to find my footing while simultaneously drawing the dagger from my hip. I whipped around slashing at Tuck who was closest. He stepped backward avoiding my blade. I turned quickly, slashing at Einri who drew closer attempting to subdue me again. The blade sailed through the air, but I could have sworn I cut arm hair.
Moving fast, I ran to a low hanging branch, knowing that I couldn’t keep them at a distance with their speed. I leapt onto the branch before using it to jump to another, then another. With each jump I drew my bow, then drew an arrow and nocked it.
I stopped on my fourth branch, drew the string to my cheek and turned to take aim then fired. The look on Tuck’s face was a mix of surprise and confusion. Before the flint could pierce his skin, the blur of a hand moved in front of its trajectory and stopped it in midair.
Cursing inwardly, I moved, dancing from branch to branch as I circled around them. Hoping for the element of surprise I knew I probably wouldn’t get it.
“Arrow, please.” Tuck managed before I fired another arrow, cutting off his next words.
Einri caught the arrow again, making me second guess my shooting skills.
“Arrow, we just want to talk.” Einri’s voice made me pause for a moment, but I shook it off quickly.
“We had plenty of time to talk while at the camp, but you decided to imprison me in a cave.” I nearly yelled but kept my voice just below that.
I drew, nocked, aimed, and shot within seconds. I aimed for the black heart pumping within Einri’s chest. He caught the barb but was not expecting the second one shot right after the first. My arrow hit its mark, barely. The head pierced his flesh but didn’t sink further because Tuck managed to grasp the end and stop it. A bead of blood dripped from the wound, and I felt immense satisfaction that I had drawn it. If I could bottle it and wear it as jewelry, I would.
“Arrow, stop this. Let us explain.” Tuck pleaded, while he pulled the arrow from Einri’s chest with a satisfying grunt.
“I have nothing to say.” I retorted, nocking another arrow.
“You may not, but we do. Please, there’s more going on than you realize.”
“Like the fact you’re all secretly working for Brural trying to destabilize and destroy my kingdom from within? This is my home, my people, and I won’t allow you to bring it down. Not without a fight.”
“We want the same thing,” Tuck reasoned, stepping in front of Einri, protecting him.
“I saw the goods and treasure you stole, so I highly doubt that.” I snorted, drawing another arrow.
“We didn’t steal from Thimmarians. We took them from a caravan of Bruralian elites who were traveling too close to the border. Thimmaria is our home now, why would we jeopardize it and our safety?” Tuck replied, stepping forward away from Einri.
“If that were true, what would you do with it? From where I’m standing it seems everything is going to Brural. Perhaps you’re paying them off to turn a blind eye to your whole operation. Regardless, it doesn’t change the fact that you're here illegally, putting my countrymen at risk. I won’t allow it to happen.” I drew the string of my bow back, resting the fletching against my cheek.
This would end with my blood or theirs. I wouldn't lie down and submit to Einri or any Bruralian. If it came down to submitting or dying, I’d choose death.
“Enough.” Einri growled, stepping around Tuck to face me. “I’ve done everything I could to mislead you, but apparently I’ve done it too well.”
“Ominous statements won’t save you.” I warned, looking down the shaft of my arrow until the head was pointing right at Einri’s black heart.
“I know but if you’ll give me a chance, I’ll explain everything.” Einri promised, his gray eyes were full of sincerity, worry, and urgency.
“Why are you offering me answers now?” I was imprisoned in his encampment for days.
“We left Greenwood at an inopportune time. It’s vulnerable. Bruralians are closer than they’ve ever been. They can sniff us out. Everything we’ve been working toward for years will mean nothing.” He nearly snarled, eyes flashing silver, his wolf peeking out at the threat.
“And what have you been working toward exactly? According to Tuck’s story, you drank a potion from a witch that turned you into what you are. A beast. Doesn’t explain your loyalty to the people in The Greenwood? Or why would you so easily go against your king? You’re a soldier. You follow orders to the letter so what changed?” I asked each question, getting immense satisfaction when they both flinched with each word.
“We aren’t traitors,” Tuck answered his voice dropping to a deeper note.
“You’re not answering any of my questions. I thought that’s what we’re here to do.” I smiled feeling like I was the one holding the power now.
“Tuck told you his story. It’s time you knew mine.” Einri’s shoulders slumped, and Tuck grabbed his arm in a supportive gesture. I snorted inwardly wondering what he would say next. “King Rusalko is my brother.”
“Pardon.” I asked, stunned.
“Technically we’re half-brothers. Rusalko is my younger brother and rightful heir to the throne. It was me for a few years until he was born then our father named him heir. I never wanted to rule so I was content being a soldier. However, Rusalko always saw me as a threat to his position. He sent me to the front lines hoping I’d die but I didn’t. I became a hero in his war, well respected, I had the loyalty of my men and I took care of them.” He paused to run his hand through his sandy hair. The fading sun glittered off the golden strands reminding me of the wheat harvest back home.
“My men and I were the first to receive the witch’s potion. It worked, but the laws of nature trump those of man. Wolves will not follow a man and usually pay them no mind. Suddenly, now they are sharing the body and mind of one. When Rusalko demanded the allegiance of the men he’d turned, the majority of them refused. I had their loyalty as a man, and I had their wolf’s allegiance as an alpha.”
