Chapter 25 - A Leader’s Lesson
SOUNDTRACK: Daylight by Tommee Profitt and Sam Tinnesz
~ DONAVYN ~
It had been some time since Kgosi had done more than encourage or instruct me. A long time since he’d sat with me as teacher and student. Something about it made the hair on the back of my neck bristle, but I shoved the feeling away.
My dragon was good, and right, and strong. And he was teaching me.
I felt silly, standing there with my eyes closed and my attention turned inward—it wasn’t my way. I always trained my senses out. But Kgosi was right. I could feel something when I concentrated.
‘That sense you have of her… your heart is a compass. Turn and breathe. Let your mind be quiet—reach out with your heart. Pay careful attention. You will discover the direction in which she can be found.’
I knew the sensation he meant. When she was close enough to hear, or just out of range, I could feel her presence, especially if she was feeling anything deeply.
Often, if I was in the castle, I knew whether she remained in the Keep, or not.
But I’d never imagined I could sense an accurate location from a distance.
‘Close your eyes and turn, Donavyn,’ Kgosi growled.
I sighed, and did as he asked, turning slowly, measuring that space in my chest that was only filled by her—yet sang with a hollow ache because I couldn’t reach her.
It took several rotations, and Kgosi’s rumbled encouragement, but finally I could identify the smallest whisper of her true direction.
North and west. The city, of course.
I opened my eyes and started for the door, but Kgosi growled and I stopped, turning to face him.
‘Remember your purpose as well, Donavyn.’
I was about to argue—I’d never forgotten my purpose. But then his nostrils flared, and I realized what he meant.
‘Taking time to stop, and sense the Creator-given path, and follow her into it… it is a skill that benefits you beyond the location of her person,’ he added, then promptly turned and settled into the straw and tucked his head under his wing, while I gaped.
‘And please, shut the door on your way out. My mate will be some time.’
I huffed a laugh at the dismissal, sensed the edge of humor in him, but didn’t wait.
Because I was going to find Bren and make certain she was safe—just watch over her while she and Terra did…
whatever it was they were doing. So, with a tight farewell, I hurried out of the stable and out of the Keep, starting along the road to the city, only stopping to close my eyes and pause, to be certain of my course.
Until, finally, halfway on the road to the city walls, I felt her come alive in my chest.
She was near. Near enough that I’d be able to reach her mind soon.
Thank God.
She was here. And safe.
Terra’s brows rose when she saw me on the road—walking, and still in my leathers.
I hadn’t thought about how odd that might seem, but it was too late now.
I already battled the urge to get sharp with Bren about leaving without word, but when I’d reached her mind, she’d assured me that Ronen and the squad knew where she was, and who she was with, so I was left with little room to complain.
Dammit.
When they reached me, Bren’s eyes sparkled. It was odd to see her in skirts. It reminded me of the day when she’d arrived, so vulnerable and timid, like a fledgling bird.
“Sir! It’s good to see you. Are you well?” Terra asked me, her tone a mix of bewilderment, and an edge of unease.
“I’m well—I was looking for Furyknight Kearney. I’m glad to have found you both,” I lied.
Terra glanced at Bren, who’d snapped to attention and saluted me, as any Furyknight would coming across me on the street.
“At ease, soldier,” I muttered, frustrated because I was forced to turn my attention to Terra who, as a civilian, and a woman, should be given my regard and assistance if she needed it. “Terra, are you well? Is there any need for—”
“I’m well, Sir. I was only walking back with Bren. We’ve been.. spending some time together.”
“Very good,” I said, my words clipped as my head screamed, yes, but doing what?
“I’m training, Sir,” Bren said brightly, and I could feel her in the bond, quivering with suppressed excitement.
It was a relief to know she was safe and well—better than well, it was the lightest I’d felt her for days. Weeks, even. But I was forced to keep my mouth shut and deal with Terra.
She couldn’t know.
“Kearney, I hope you’ve saved some energy. You’ll have more training this evening—and again in the morning.”
Bren blinked. “I will? I mean—yes, sir. Of course!”
My lips thinned, but I turned to Terra, whose eyes snapped to me from Bren. “Thank you for your help. Do you require an escort back to the Keep? I have duties for Furyknight Kearney, but they can be delayed for a short time.”
Terra tipped her head. “So attentive of you, sir, to seek out Furyknight Kearney when the task isn’t urgent.”
“Oh, it’s urgent,” I pretended to grumble. “I only don’t mind delaying her sleep that much longer if it means you’re safe on your return.”
Terra’s lips curled up on one side. “You’re very kind, General. But if Bren has more duties this evening, she should get to them. She needs rest.”
And Terra gave me a look.
I went still, stopping myself from reacting with the unease and shock I felt.
But thank God, Terra gave Bren a quick hug, then continued down the road with a simple wave and farewell.
While I stood with Bren, pretending to review orders, until Bren couldn’t see her around the corner in the road anymore.
Then, to my surprise and delight, Bren threw herself into my chest.
‘It was good, Donavyn! I did it!’
‘Did what?’
She squeezed me tighter. I wanted nothing more than to hold her, but we couldn’t be sure who else might be on the road tonight. So, after a very quick embrace, I stepped back and met her eyes.
‘Terra wanted me to have a last resort, as she called it.’
I frowned. “What, precisely—”
“She’s given me some herbs that, if added to a drink, or food, will make a man feel drunk, then go to sleep in a short time,” she said quietly, looking up and down the road to make sure we weren’t overheard, but her smile broadened and her eyes twinkled.
“We were practicing—and I managed to get powder into two men’s drinks without them noticing!
” she said, hopping up and down, then pressing her hands to her stomach.
“You knocked them out?!” I blurted, but she laughed and shook her head, dropping her chin and sending the next words.
‘Donavyn, it was practice, just a small mix of salt and sugar. Harmless. But they were sober men who paid me attention. And I did it! The first one took some time, but I did it twice! Neither of them noticed.’
She beamed up at me, clearly thrilled, and I realized how long it had been since she felt like she’d had a victory.
Shit.
“That’s really great, Bren. Well done,” I said quietly, wishing I could touch her.
Bren was less restrained. She grabbed my arm with both hands for a moment and leaned in. “And I got myself out of the conversations without making them angry, too—Terra said it’s a really important skill to find reasons to stop a conversation that won’t raise a man’s suspicion.”
Terra was right, but… fuck. The words rose in my throat to warn her, to caution. But she was so happy. I nodded, Kgosi’s words echoing in my head.
Be her leader, Donavyn. Be her strength. Do not be the voice that tells her she has reason to be afraid.
She realized she was holding me, and she let go. But she smiled up at me with such delight, I couldn’t help but smile in return. “Congratulations, Love,” I murmured. “I knew you could do this.”
“I know it’s a little thing. But it felt like I was finally doing something that might help me—and Terra’s giving me a couple of small vials, so I can carry them on me. She says you never know when you might need a reason to get a man to the floor…”
God, I went cold at the scenarios that filled my head considering that.
But, as she continued her tale, I continued to swallow back fear, and instead encourage her and applaud the effort. A few minutes later, we naturally turned, walking back towards the Keep, but slowly, so we wouldn’t catch up with Terra.
“She’s right,” I told Bren quietly, both of us keeping eyes behind and ahead to make certain we didn’t meet others who might overhear. “And I’m sorry I didn’t think of it. We’ll see if the queen has any other suggestions of this sort.”
Bren tensed. Our conversation grew stilted for a moment, but then I shared some of my experiences with her, and she relaxed again as our conversation warmed.
“…the very best way to extricate yourself, is to force your target to ask you to leave. Your natural humility will help in moments like this. Men may think you’re being coy, but don’t be afraid to profess that you’re overwhelmed, or embarrassed.
A man who claims to be a gentleman—even if he isn’t—will be forced to encourage you to take a moment, or visit the retiring room… ”
She listened, avid, asking intelligent questions—and proving that she did, indeed, understand the risks, which was a relief to my heart. But also a pain. Because the more I offered, the more enthusiastic she became.
But even though every fiber in me screamed to tuck her under my arm and keep her away from these assholes, I couldn’t stop offering her tips and instructions. Because she was so thrilled.
“Thank you, Donavyn,” she said, leaning in, then pulling away when she remembered that we had to be careful out here. “Thank you. This is exactly the kind of insight I need.”
“You’re going to be amazing, Bren,” I said sincerely.
“Don’t let the training discourage you. Your instincts are good—just remember to listen to them.
If you ever feel uncertain or nervous about how anyone regards you, or their intentions, listen to that, even if you have no evidence to affirm it.
It is a mercy of God that He gives us insight about those who would choose ill for us. ”
I didn’t want her ill. Or hurt. At all.
But I kept hearing Kgosi’s voice, as if it echoed from unseen rafters.
Be her leader, Donavyn. Be her strength. Do not be the voice that tells her she has reason to be afraid.
And I tried. I really tried.