Arya stirred, the fragrance of human fare filling her sense of smell. Her eyes fluttered and she waited for them to adjust. A rotted wooden roof with a hole at least two feet wide to welcome the morning sky loomed overhead just out of focus. 8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yck4zUFr6 維尼
She lay awake trying to regain her bearings and hears the sound of footsteps nearby. Realization sets in. She’s no longer in the grass. She’s lying on top of a cot made of crates, pillows and dirty blankets. Panicked, she quickly pushes to her feet and checks for her weapons. They’re all still there. She searches for her sack, but it’s gone, her valuables with it.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkCA1PVNsL 維尼
Gripping the stilettos at her hips she quietly follows the sound of footsteps to a set of stairs leading to the lower level of the dilapidated home. There’s a gaping hole that leads several feet down into the basement. A fall here would leave a person injured. She quietly leaps the gaping hole and continues towards the footsteps.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0kk3dgHK5 維尼
Peering around a corner she spots a human person hovering over a stove. A male from what she can tell. His shoulders are broad, he’s tall, and even though he’s wearing a dirty wool long-coat she can tell there are muscles underneath.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡTM5bDu3owx 維尼
Slowly and as quiet as a mouse she sneaks up behind him and in a quick motion she places one dagger to his throat and the other at the small of his back. “Move and I’ll gut you like a fish,” she whispers into his ear. “Where are my valuables?”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pyHrSEUPJ 維尼
The male drops his cooking utensils, hands suspended in the air, careful not to move an inch. He motions behind them. “There’s no need for weapons,” he spoke with a deep voice. “If I wanted to harm you I would’ve done so when I found you outside.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpBCqJIAem 維尼
“Daddy?” A frightened small voice came from behind them.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbPSbufg5y 維尼
Arya whirled them both around to face the voice behind her. A frightened little girl no more than three cycles sat behind a warped wooden desk with three legs, clutching a filthy doll. “It’s okay Lila, she won’t hurt me she’s just frightened. She’ll be putting the weapons down now, right mi Dame?” 8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2J081Eldi 維尼
The little girl reminded Arya so much of herself when she was that age. Frightened and confused. Not wanting to damage the girl by spilling her father’s blood on the floor in front of her, Arya withdrew her stilettos and placed them back at her hips. She could always kill him later. Perhaps once the girl turned down for the night.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04TGADn80I 維尼
Fashioning a smile, Arya tipped her head to the little girl, “My apologies little one.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGfhds3FSW 維尼
Lila walked over to Arya and handed her back her sack. She quickly went through it to make sure her valuables were still there. They were. He hadn’t taken her weapons, her virtue, or her valuables, even though she could see he needed them more than she did.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrsBMhPNSw 維尼
“What happened here?” Arya asked.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoFQC7Yl6x 維尼
“Here?” The male asked confused.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡyctLZhBFPV 維尼
“This township.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFdST8nocm 維尼
“The others…they came like thieves in the night and ransacked this and the next several townships over,” the male explained. “I’m Eli by the way.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoLdX98kWS 維尼
Eli brandished his hand for Arya to shake and after careful consideration she shook his hand. “Others? What others?” 8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡioio91ZBdT 維尼
“The magic ones.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡCK2Eu5tfbG 維尼
“Magic ones?” She knit her brows together in confusion.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbLSzFAT6g 維尼
“Where have you been mi Dame? Have you never heard of the Fae?”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡG87to7WWci 維尼
She hadn’t. She knew about the old and new Gods, but the Fae? She wasn’t familiar with their kind. Eli could see the confusion in her expression and smiled. For all of his misfortune, his teeth were a pearly white.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVWKrHWEiK 維尼
“To be fair, we knew nothing of the Fae as well. They looked like us and blended in as if they belonged here all along. Then one day they just…turnedon us. Many of us were captured and forced to work as slaves. Those who weren’t captured must either pay the Red Legion for protection or agree to be a slave,” Eli filled her in.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNJSLALUKu 維尼
Pay for protection?From the looks of things Arya didn’t think they could pay for much of anything. No wonder the clerk at the Inn was more than willing to turn her in. If Malich was offering him protection, he had to remain loyal or face the wrath of a Red Dragon.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0ho5RljgR 維尼
“So you’d rather live free in squalor, than kept as a slave.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEad2xjLpS 維尼
He simply nodded, eyes trailing over to the little girl now smiling. He did this for her. His daughter. His freedom meant hers and if they had to live in squalor then they’d do it together. Sadly, it reminded her of her own relationship with Malich. He’d rather keep her near than expose her to the life of an assassin. The life expectancy wasn’t very long. Still the choice should be hers.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9DNqP21br 維尼
“What about you? Where’d you come from? Girls like you either end up in pleasure houses or as concubines for the Fae princes.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoLvwSPTEd 維尼
Arya held her tongue. All this talk about Fae went over her head and she didn’t want to sound unintelligent. “Nowhere,” she finally answered.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgqnvpRQiR 維尼
“Your name?” There’s no way she’s giving him her name and she hadn’t thought of a false one so she just glared at him. “No one it is,” Eli smiles, “no one from nowhere. A little word of advice though, no one from nowhere, girls aren’t usually as heavily armed as you are. Nor do they carry as many valuables. Valuables accustomed to the Redlands I might add.” Her scimitars were halfway out of their sheath when Eli held up his hands in surrender. “Relax, it’s none of my concern, just advice if you plan on staying in these parts. The locals will peg you for an outsider in a heartbeat if you go out like that.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTUH5LdU0Q 維尼
Arya took in Eli and Lila’s appearance and then her own. A vast difference. Her hair was pulled back into a fish braid; she wore black leather armed to the teeth with weapons and a heavy cloak. She was also clean and her clothes looked new. Not like the rags Eli and Lila wore.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXkUijN9z3 維尼
“Lila’s mother passed away a few cycles back. You look like you might be the same size. If you want, you can borrow some of her clothing. She won’t be needing them.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYpPpGp00h 維尼
“Thank you.” Arya nodded.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYZCw3tj4M 維尼
“Are you one of them? Fae or God?” He asked.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XDlpdmJ1z 維尼
“I’m just a girl.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXoL6Zpu5k 維尼
“With more weapons than everyone in these parts combined,” he pointed out. “You can trust me, I won’t tell anyone.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzpEV1wEWt 維尼
Glaring at him, Arya stepped closer placing the tip of one of her stilettos at his chin just out of Lila’s view. “I trust no one, and I. Don’t. Know. You.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2V4p4zrpNt 維尼
Eli swallowed hard, hands still raised. “Alright then. Keep your secrets. Lila honey, show this nice lady where mums clothes are.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rTux7YpZR 維尼
“Okay!” Lila leapt excitedly from her seat and ran over to grab Arya’s hand. Arya quickly retracted her stiletto and allowed the little girl to drag her to the set of broken stairs. The first six stairs were in tact at the bottom, barely, but the next four were missing. Lila scales the railing to the next level as if she’s done this a thousand times and Arya follows her lead. The upper portion of the home is a lot cleaner and more organized than the lower portion. 8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKgwwQVKkx 維尼
Lila takes her to a room that’s eerily untouched. It seems more like a shrine to Lila’s mother than an actual room, or a tomb, and Arya is willing to bet Eli kept it in the same condition it was in when his wife died. Clean dresses hang inside an armoire. Arya takes one look at them and frowns. Malich has been trying to get her into a dress since she learned to walk. She hates dresses. 8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DCcr6NVoF 維尼
“Is this it?”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKYFDE0qwS 維尼
Lila nods and smiles. Arya feigns a smile back at the little girl and chews her bottom lip. In order to stay hidden she needs to blend in. If blending in meant putting on a dress, she’d rather take her chances in the Redlands.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vCxlmh2KB 維尼
“Nothing to your liking?” Eli asked, standing in the doorway. Arya has one of her scimitars out in a fraction of a second, aiming it at his heart. “You know, you’re going to have to start trusting people.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡkj2GT8ftew 維尼
“Hell would have to freeze over first.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HwN1ZcK7X 維尼
Eli took a step back and Arya sheathed her scimitar. She didn’t like anyone sneaking up on her like that, but she only had herself to scold. She’d only been out of the Redlands for less than a day and she’d let her guard down…let someone sneak up on her.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyLSvhvYvj 維尼
“I take it dresses aren’t your thing?” Eli smirked.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UoNkflvxc 維尼
“You’d be correct.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsWyHV25O9 維尼
“I have trousers in my closet if you’d like a pair of those,” he offered.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnA18pprL5 維尼
Arya took one look at his trousers and decided against it. “No thank you.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6HCi5Xez6 維尼
“Okay, well the food is ready if you’re hungry.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdnBI8FfFK 維尼
Sensing her hesitance Eli lead the way, followed by Lila who rushed to the broken table like a starving animal. Arya took the seat across from Eli, careful to keep him within her sights at all times. If he so much as twitched in her general direction she’d paint the table red with his blood. She waits for Eli to take a bite of his food, and then reaches across to switch their plates just in case he poisoned hers. Eli is surprised at first, but he simply shakes his head and digs in.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVLSHC3eDR 維尼
Thrumming his fingers on the table, careful not to alarm her, Eli watched Arya. She ate as if she had never missed a meal or knew what it was to go hungry. Whomever she belonged to had taken great care of her. Her nails were well groomed, the clothes she wore cost more than most humans make in a cycle, and those weapons were even more expensive than that.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLHNsALDyC 維尼
Arya noticed the way Eli watched her and scowled at him. He quickly looks away. If she had anywhere else to go, she would leave. It isn’t safe for them, her being here. Someone was coming for her, she was sure of it, but oddly enough, she couldn’t bring herself to leave. Lila…she reminded Arya so much of herself.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BVL1elCnl 維尼
As soon as she finished the last bite of her food, Eli scooped up all three of their dishes and set them in the wash bin. Lila ran outside to play in the yard of overgrown grass and Arya watched from the window, making sure to keep an open line of sight to Eli.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7Z5S0uAEi 維尼
He watched Arya watch Lila and realized she had a soft spot for the little girl. “Do you have children?” Eli asked. Arya shook her head. She remembered being as innocent as Lila, playing in the courtyard of the Dragon’s Lair with all the other kids. It seems like a lifetime ago. 8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEb0sInnRL 維尼
For hours she watched Lila play carelessly in the grass, reveling in her every smile and bout of laughter. She was a little girl with no care in the world, as it should be. Arya would give anything to simply exist like this little girl, the girl she used to be, but that wasn’t the hand she was dealt. 8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXNTesmSvj 維尼
Turning away from the window she focused her sights on Eli. He’d tidied up the place while she was half paying attention and somehow made another meal. How long had she stood watching Lila play?8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpH9VHzclk 維尼
Arya looked to the sky. It was growing dark. Was it sundown already?Eli called Lila into the house for supper and she raced to the table, her dark ringlets blowing in the wind behind her. Arya couldn’t help but smile. She quickly wipes the smile from her face as soon as she sees Eli watching, schooling her features back into cold indifference.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMQlClPB38 維尼
For the rest of the night, Arya didn’t say much, she just watched. Eli doted on the little girl, granting her every wish and giving in to her charms. Oddly enough, it shed light on her relationship with Malich. She knew now that he had never been a father to her, not a true one. Although he filled the role of disciplinary and spoiled her with affection, it was never like this. Malich painted a clear line in the sand, one he never crossed, not once. He had other plans for their relationship, and his plans weren’t really clear until now.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJQ52sLRpe 維尼
Arya followed Eli and Lila up to the latter’s room and watched while he tucked her into bed. Her bed was also set atop crates that were covered with dirty blankets and pillows. Eli read Lila a story from a worn book with missing pages until she fell asleep. 8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGfCkOVkZn 維尼
“Where do yousleep?” Arya asked.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38rSNXBuAG 維尼
In answer, Eli grabbed a rolled up blanket and set it beside Lila’s bed. The room with his dead wife’s clothes, it seems, was indeed a tomb. She wondered how long it had been before either of them had even gone into that room.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡdba0JhBeu2 維尼
“Do you sleep?” Eli asked.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKvYJvIyMP 維尼
“When necessary,” she replied. She still didn’t trust him. 8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTxS8FyIf9 維尼
Lila’s room was the only room in the house with its roof fully in tact. Arya sat next to the only window in the room, staring out into the night sky, waiting for Eli to fall asleep. It wasn’t long before he began snoring like a grizzly bear. Still she waited. She waited until his chest rose and fell in rhythm with the thunderous sound coming from his lips.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZo4l9Ecfn 維尼
Hands on her stilettos, Arya allowed herself to drift off to sleep. She would need to be well rested for her trek tomorrow. She couldn’t stay here and put Lila or her father in danger. She would leave so they could continue their happy existence.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCPbwibNaK 維尼
The sun had barely risen in the sky when Arya heard the faint sound of footsteps outside. She hurried to the closest window and peered out of it. Red Soldiers were everywhere. The clerk had indeed sold her out and they followed her here. How, she wasn’t sure. As far as she knew she’d left no trail.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXaqRMquGm 維尼
Looking at Eli and Lila sleeping peacefully, she realized just how grave the situation was. Knowing Malich, he’d want to be here when she was apprehended. She didn’t know how much time they had, all she knew was if he found her here with both Eli and Lila, he’d kill Eli and send Lila to train to become a Red Dragon. Eli opened his eyes and sat up alarmed. He too heard the footsteps outside.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡsppMyg8aah 維尼
“Sh…” Arya put her finger to her lips. “Whatever you do, don’t make a sound.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL7TJhb6he 維尼
“What’s going on?” Eli asked, alarmed.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21EIfjixQL 維尼
“It’s my…employer. If he finds you here, he’ll kill you and your daughter will be sent to train with the Red Dragons,” she explained. “Wake her in case you need to make a quick exit, but keep her quiet.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfAgEhyeNp 維尼
“I knew it. I knew you were one of them.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdKhpem4Uz 維尼
“Quiet as a mouse and sit still,” Arya instructed, ignoring him.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8udHJBz6k 維尼
She crept back downstairs and unsheathed her scimitars. The front door to the home opened and she prepared herself to fight, but lost all fight when Malich stepped in. Lumi stood to his right and Dax to his left, but she knew better than to lower her blades. He knew what bringing Lumi would do to her. She could never hurt the friend who’d been like a sister to her.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wAKBnyGqZ 維尼
Malich smiled looking around at the place but his gaze came to a stop at the three-legged table with a dirty doll resting on it, his smile fading. “Have I not been good to you Arya?” He asked, slowly approaching her.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xSbUPvh15 維尼
“Does stifling my potential count as being good to me?”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99YzZ9pGmL 維尼
“Making me angry will not help you get your way,” he finally met Arya’s gaze. “It willhowever get your gracious hosts killed.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IudKmPu5c 維尼
Arya swallowed hard at that thought. “I have no hosts, it’s just me here,” she lied.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡExQOEq766l 維尼
Tilting his head to the side his lips curl up into a smile. “Search the place from top to bottom,” he ordered.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡCei8cEupcL 維尼
“Wait! No!” Arya shouted. “There’s a little girl Malich. Three cycles. You’ll frighten her if she sees soldiers.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0BLjfE38Q 維尼
“Just a little girl?” He asked, a carefully worded question.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4dHzijUBu 維尼
Nodding she replied, “Yes.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡV19xVgcegP 維尼
“Call to her.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLOnXEZXVH 維尼
“What are you going to do?” She asked.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHxd8ByVL2 維尼
“I just want to meet her.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡayszri3XQh 維尼
“Don’t hurt her,” Arya begged, pleading with her eyes. “Lila honey, its okay you can come out!”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkkSPdxh3k 維尼
Shuffling, then soft steps, and then finally a small frame entered the room. Lila took one look at Malich with the soldiers behind him and ran to hide behind Arya. Malich slid his gaze from Arya to the frightened child behind her. Smiling he approached and knelt down to Lila’s level.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTjqLbbEwE 維尼
“How old are you little one?” Malich asked. Lila held up three fingers and smiled. Malich examined Lila from head to toe. “How did you come to meet the girl standing next to you?” 8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡyj35sV6mHE 維尼
“Grass,” Lila giggled.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXmXDrSnKt 維尼
“I passed out in the grass outside and she found me.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQy56xVTUo 維尼
Malich’s eyes flicked to Arya, “Do not speak unless I command it,” he warned. There was enough venom in his tone that she knew speaking again would only worsen his mood. “Did you help her or did someone else?” 8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eE0QLYJNN 維尼
Dread filled Arya’s chest, but she couldn’t let it show. She prayed to the Gods that this little babe wouldn’t betray her father, but her soul proved too innocent to comprehend the trap she was walking into. “Daddy,” Lila pointed to the stairs.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcoRlOMsYN 維尼
Arya closed her eyes and sighed. Malich stood to meet her gaze. “Take the girl, find her father and bring him to me. Kill him to remind both him and your Red Sister what happens to traitors.” Malich commanded. Dax and Lumi inclined their heads and did as instructed.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXBVhQQ11A 維尼
Looking down at the girl who reminded Arya so much of herself, she couldn’t help but think about her own lineage. Were her parents killed in a similar manner?Is that why they aren’t here? Will Lila suffer the same as she?8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOg9XtTt37 維尼
“Malich, don’t.” Arya pleaded. “I’ll do whatever you want, just don’t separate Lila from her father. The only thing he’s guilty of is finding me in the grass outside.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvNFB9GSD3 維尼
“Then his blood will be on your hands, and her orphanage will be your doing,” he seethed, clenching his teeth. “How dare you run from me? After all I’ve done for you? After all I’ve givenyou? Your insolence undermines my integrity and everything I’ve built!”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡhONAhRro6E 維尼
Dax and Lumi returned with a frightened Eli between them. He broke free from them and groveled at Malich’s feet. “Please. I did not know she was a Red Daughter, she wouldn’t tell me anything. I just brought her inside so no others would find her and harm her. She was unconscious and unresponsive,” Eli sobbed at Malich’s feet. “Please don’t hurt us. I’ll do whatever you want.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5giYmW1GM7 維尼
“What I want is to teach my protégé a lesson. Your death will accomplish that. She knows the price one pays for defiance,” Malich replied, his gaze never straying from Arya’s.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡKF2zhV71fv 維尼
“Why kill us when you can use us to keep her in line?” Eli cleverly suggested. Suddenly Arya regretted not putting a blade through his skull when she had the chance. “If you’ll have me, I’ll serve you. All I want is to be with my daughter. And your soldier owes me at least that much.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhlRCF36CY 維尼
Silence…8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡKllkPiyTu3 維尼
Malich considered Eli’s words for what seemed like forever before finally speaking. “Very well,” he sighed. Turning to Dax he ordered. “Take them back to the Redlands. Throttle them both before the Red Legion and send the girl to train as a Red Dragon. I want him in a cell until I decide what to do with him and your Red Sister is to be locked away until further notice.”8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2H6zTSoze 維尼
Dax stepped forward and Arya turned Lila away as he used the butt of his sword to knock Eli unconscious. Arya handed Lila to Lumi who was doing her best not to show any emotion as she took the little girl from the room. Knowing what was coming, Arya knelt before Malich and with a blow to her temple she too was rendered unconscious.8964 copyright protection317ＰＥＮＡＮＡinY1dHEfkY 維尼
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