“I...I’m sorry…” An apology was offered; it fell on deaf ears. Adelard wasn't buying it. Not yet, anyway.
In the Leader's peripheral vision, Riven's flaxen blond fur came into view. The slightest touch between them did not go unnoticed, but Adelard simply stared.
"He was passing through, apparently," the blue-eyed man stated. "I don't think he meant any harm. He's actually terrified."
Adelard's eyes, once narrowed slits, slowly opened. His brow did not smooth, but he did seal his lips with a snort. Only now did he see how petrified the man was. He noted the slight quiver and the respectful, submissive stance. He really was sorry.
Riven's voice broke the silence again,
"I was thinking we should escort him out."
The Leader's coiled muscles eased and his squared shoulders relaxed. Riven was at his side, and both of them were in front of Rhaegara's daughter. Woya, he noticed, was also opposite them. The rogue had no choice but to relent if it had come to violence or a more physical conflict.
The longer the silence stretched on, Adelard's glare neutralized. Behind him, his tail whipped at the air.
"I suppose he hasn't done much harm," he muttered, his tone still stern. He made a mental note to have Aubine and any other task-takers run the borders again. Kick up the dirt, scratch up the trees, and mark the territory edges with their collective scent. Ensure that this did not happen again. If the man had been anyone else, Enera could have been in real danger.
"You're lucky," Adelard ultimately rumbled, adjusting his stance but remaining guarded. His tail had lowered though his head stayed low. Only the naive and idiotic straightened enough to bare their throats.
"If a safe passage is all you seek, then you may have it." His thoughts shifted to the little Rayvne next, but he would wait to have a word. Better to have the trespasser taken care of first.
ADELARD |
heat stroke, bring the fire black smoke, I take it higher |