The Powerful Gifts (Chapter 3, Part 1)

Rune sat at the cave entrance, staring out at the rising sun, its light already blinding. His mind was spinning with concern. He had just gotten a report from one of his night scouts saying that she had heard talking and found Fyron Crane laying on the ground, with four daggers scattered around him. But the worst part was that Fyron wouldn't tell anyone what he had been doing. Immediately Rune's thoughts had turned to Maven, but she had been in the cave when his scout brought Fyron back. Did Maven have something to do with this? Or was Fyron out there all on his own? But Fyron was just a boy of twelve, an innocent young boy. Could Maven had influenced him somehow?

Rune looked back at his still sleeping sister, the sword he had given her clutched in one hand and laid across her stomach. Then he remembered something.

The first morning Maven had stayed with them he could remember her and Fyron talking to each other. It was a rather long conversation, and it now began worry him greatly, but they hadn't been seen together since. His distrust for Maven was burning, and screaming at him to accuse her of something. But the distrust also mingled with fear. Deep, harsh fear that kept him up at night. He shivered at the thought of her wrath. He had experienced it. Once. When they were children. And once was enough. And not to mention how much stronger she'd be now that she was an adult.

Rune now gazed down at his lap. Would he really let Fyron go out with her at night because of his fear? Would he really put one of his own in danger because of his cowardice? He hated his answer and felt much shame for it, but yes. He feared Maven down to his very bones.

Rune sighed deeply and stood. He turned around to go further into the cave, but something blocked his way and he found himself jumping back in surprise, eyes widening.

“What's going to happen to Fyron?” Maven asked, hands on her hips, her long braid flung over one shoulder.

Rune cleared his throat uncomfortably and straightened. He ignored Maven's slight smirk of amusement and said, “I haven't decided.”

Silence.

Rune only looked once into Maven's eyes, but it was enough to make his heart race and the place under his arms to feel damp.

“Well, it'd better not be anything bad,” she growled.

He could feel his skin burning. But he forced himself to say, “And since when do you care what happens to other people?” A very dangerous reply, and he regretted it the moment they left his lips.

“I care what happens to people I like.” She spat the last word harshly.

Rune almost flinched, but he resisted. He knew what she meant. But truthfully, he didn't care if Maven liked him or not, just if she thought enough of him not to kill him.

“I'm not going to kick him out, if that's what you're thinking,” Rune told her, thankful that his voice didn't quiver.

“You think I have something to do with this, don't you?”

He felt his face turned red. “N-no,” he stammered. The back of his neck became very itchy. “But its best to consider everyone, right? You know, he's just a child. And I doubt he knew where to get my weapons. Surely someone got them out for him and--”

“Stop, just stop.” She put a hand to her temple. “Did you know that its very painful to watch you lie?”

Embarrassment made him turn even redder.

When he didn't say anything she said, “Well I really don't care if you think it was me or not. Because I know that you won't say a word against me. And neither will Fyron.”

“So you're admitting that you were with him?” he asked.

“No, just that you have no proof, other than you don't trust me.” A wicked grin flashed across her deadly face. “Which you shouldn't.”

She turned and walked away, hips swaying, black braid sweeping behind her.

*

Fyron sat on a large stone, head rested in the palm of his hand. Rune and his second in command, Dague, stand in front of him. Fyron was immensely bored with the current conversation and would have enjoyed to be anywhere else. Like with Maven. Even though their last encounter had been bad. At least she wouldn't make him feel like a helpless child.

“Just tell us who was with you, Fyron,” Rune growled, his voice getting harsher with each word.

Fyron lifted his head from his palm. “Can't you guys understand words? I said I was alone. I hated that you wouldn't train us until with we fourteen so I decided to train myself. End of story.”

Rune searched his eyes as if scanning for the truth.

“Maybe he really was alone,” Dague suggested, almost hesitantly.

Rune said nothing, but he seemed to have relaxed a little bit.

“Can I go now?” Fyron asked. He was seriously thinking about Manipulating Rune's feelings.

“Fine, but you listen here boy.” Rune took a step forward, bending over slightly. “Maven is not to be trusted. She's killed a man before, and she's far from regretting it. She is not a person to make friends with, the moment she sees an opening she'll betray you.”

“You seem to speak from experienced,” Fyron shot back defiantly. Usually he would never have dared speak to Rune like this, but now with Maven as someone to seek help from, he respected no one but her.

Rune's jaw tightened. “Just don't come crying to me when she hurts you.”

Fyron took this as a dismissal and stood, heading toward the cave. Nothing Rune could ever say would sway him from Maven. He hadn't forgotten that she was the only one who spoke with him, the only one who understood him. And the only one who he felt truly himself with.