Notes:
I finally found a way I can write and get pages, not just paragraphs or single sentences done in a few hours.
This is the last backstory chapter.
Previous Chapter (link thingie is glitching so)https://thethwaphouse.wixsite.com/thwap-house/forum/spoiler-fanfiction/lingering-shadows-chapter-41
Chapter 42
The ache in his hand woke him along with a cramp in his neck from his huddled position, one shoulder up against the barrel. He didn’t want to wake up because the moment he began to return to consciousness he was overwhelmed by the awful feeling that something terrible had happened because of him. He closed his eyes again, trying to sink back into the protected nothingness of sleep. He only kept up the effort for a few minutes.
When the full memory of the night seeped back into him, he found his heart beating faster and his breath coming deep and uneven.
It was still dark, the dry, hot night sky was still flecked with sharp stars, and he realized as he eased forward that he couldn’t have slept for more than an hour. He slowly stood up and moved around the corner of the tent, moving so as not to be heard or seen. Any movement he made with his hand stung, so he held it awkwardly close to his chest and was slower than usual.
The tents were coming down and whatever few possessions their inhabitants owned were being rolled into small packs. There was nothing unusual about that. They traveled to some new place, close to a new mine or some unprotected little village on the outskirts of Yorsha Doon.
It wasn’t unusual until his still spinning mind remembered that it was still the middle of the night. Also not incredibly unusual, but Aro knew that this time it was because of the failed raid. It was highly unlikely that the Doonish force would try to follow them into the desert, but he knew that Ryith wasn’t going to take that chance.
He leaned out to look towards Ryith’s tent. There was still a small cluster of people around the tent’s opening.
His mind raced as he tried to figure out what he was going to do.
Barely anyone saw me…I don’t think. Would they have recognized me? Of course. I wasn’t wearing a mask. Maybe they won’t remember? If I can just hide this cut-
His thoughts were broken off by the sight of two people emerging from the tent and walking towards the Weaponsmith’s.
Immediately, he turned and ran quietly to the other side of the tent, where he had made sure a stretch of the canvas wasn’t staked into the sand. Excellent way to slip in and out unseen.
He dropped to the sand, wincing, and with one hand and his other elbow, pulled himself under.
There were better hiding places inside the dark, cluttered, smoky place. And if they came inside he could pretend that he had been there all night and had just woken up.
And if they already know it’s my fault, at least I can save a shred of dignity if they don’t find me hiding like a coward.
His hand throbbed as he drifted back towards the corner of the tent that was usually his.
Far quicker than he had guessed, he heard noises-the soft crunch of sand, two voices. The opening of the tent being pulled back.
Again his mind raced as he heard them step inside. He was a survivor. Excellent at finding his way out of whatever situation he found himself in, skilled at pulling a story out of thin air if he failed to evade a question.
But at the moment he couldn’t think of a solution.
“Aro, Ryith wants to see you.” The voice wasn’t harsh or angry, but Aro stood frozen with his back turned to them until one stepped forward and put a hand on his arm. He yanked away, turning around.
“What does he want? And whatever it is, I can walk over myself, okay? You don’t need to grab me,” he spat.
“Then I would advise you come,” the man said, his face expressionless. “He’s not in a patient mood.”
Aro nodded slowly and followed them out. as they walked across the short stretch of torchlit sand, one looked down and asked,
“If you don’t know what he wants, then what happened to your hand?”
Aro glanced up at him, trying hard to remember if this man had seen him at the raid. But his memories of the last few hours alternated between terrifyingly clear, and vague and blurred.
“Cut it sharpening a new blade,” he said with a shrug, looking away.
When they reached the tent, Jaid was coming out. His first look toward Aro was furious, but it softened slightly at the roughly bandaged hand, and how small the boy looked between the two warriors. He glanced back at the tent and a flicker of guilt crossed his face.
“Sorry, Aro,” he whispered as Aro passed him, going in.
Sorry for what? What did you do? What is going on?
Aro badly wanted to stop and ask, but the hand that planted firmly against his back when he stopped pushed him forward.
Dim, flickering torchlight filled the tent. Ryith stood with his back to Aro, fingering his blade.
“Were you on the raid tonight?’
“No.” Aro meant to speak with confidence, but it came out a shaky whisper. “Why? Did something happen?”
Depending on how much whoever was listening knew, this question was either innocent, suspicious, or utterly deceitful.
Ryith turned, sheathing his blade with a snap.
“I’m going to ask you again. Were you at that raid?”
Aro’s heart pounded and he couldn’t speak. Telling the truth now would only be to admit that he had lied. Slowly, he shook his head.
Ryith’s grabbed him by the forearm.
“Don’t you dare lie to me,” he said, and despite the anger in his eyes his voice was cold and even, calm as always.
“Lie to everyone, even yourself if that’s what you’ve been doing. This little game of survival you’ve been playing works well. I can put it to good use if you work things right. But I will know when you’re lying.”
Aro swallowed, his heart pounding in his ears..
Sorry, Aro.
“Did Jaid tell you?”
“Yes. But don’t blame your friend. He didn’t want to. But he knows he can’t get away with hiding things from me.”
“Okay. So I went on the raid.” Aro admitted flatly..
A small spark of satisfaction showed in Ryith’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by anger.
“It was your fault that everything fell apart. Nyoken said you weren’t ready for this. The only thing that you did was prove him right. People got hurt tonight, Aro. And its on you. Do something like this again and you’ll regret it far more than you do now.”
The hand gripping his forearm pushed him back, hard enough for him to trip and fall to the ground, instinctively catching himself with his hands.
He gasped in pain, jerking his hand up like he had touched hot coals. He could feel it start to bleed again.
Ryith’s eyes flicked to Aro’s hand and back to his face.
“You are young and inexperienced. Enough so that you have second chances. You have potential. You will yet become a warrior.”
He stepped forward and offered Aro a hand and pulled him up. Aro looked at him in confusion and pulled his hand away, stepping back as soon as he had regained his footing.
“Just remember who you have to answer to,” The glint in Ryith’s eyes was still unpredictable and dangerous.
Aro realized that he had been holding his breath and let it out slowly, then forcing himself to breathe normally.
Ryith turned away from him again, picking up a bow that had been leaning against the tent. Aro’s bow. He ran a hand along it, plucking softly at the string.
He faced Aro again.
“Get your hand taken care of. Don’t come back to training until it heals. That should give you enough time to gets things straight. When you come back to get this bow from me, You will have to be sure you’re ready. Not just your hand, Aro. When you come to get this you will be ready to prove yourself as a warrior. Maybe not right away. It could be a long time. But you will.” He paused for a moment and watched the boy watching him.
Pain pulsed methodically through Aro’s hand and he could feel the gritty cloth wrapped tightly around it start to soak through again.
“And you will not lie to me again, or disobey orders. Have I made myself clear?”
”Yes sir. You have,” Aro answered, grateful that though he spoke in a whisper his voice was steady.
Ryith still watched him, waiting for something more. Aro looked down at the ground to hide the flash of frustration he knew crossed his face.
“I’m sorry for my failure. It won’t happen again,” he said.
“Good. Make sure it doesn’t. As soon as you get your hand fixed, get your things. We leave for a new camp in an hour.”
my brain was not functioning during the first bit of that and I thought we were talking about Esben . . .
So that's why Ryith didn't kill him or kick him out! Very good!!! Next chapter, please! 😀
Oh man...the suspense!! Though this was very good!