The Hybrid: Chasing Destiny (Chp8:Ep4)

Chapter 8

Episode 4 - The Crimson Rogue

It was stiflingly hot. Ava pulled at her shirt in discomfort in a vain effort to cool herself. She did not think she would ever miss the cold of Spectermere but freezing to death seemed preferable to this. I could always fight off the chill with a warm fire, but how does one avoid such smouldering heat? Not that she could if she wanted to. The Fire Spirit's presence in her mind felt like a hot breath on her neck. He retreated after the eruption, but not fully. Always there as a persistent reminder to harry her into action and as a compromise to keep him stationary atop the Red Mountain.

It took all her willpower to ignore it, hoping Prince Caeden would come up with a solution soon. She did not want to poke the hornet’s nest again as she did in Spectermere, nor did she want an enraged spirit burning its way across the Casimir Empire to get to her. Her best recourse right now would be to find out everything she could about Castle Caedence and establish a weakness she could slip through to escape if necessary.

“Miss Ava, are you listening? Are you feeling unwell?” Oswin asked, flicking his bronze sleeves back to test her head with his hand.

They were standing in another one of the many courtyards Oswin brought her to for his tour. It was an ideal way to gather information, but she was finding it difficult to concentrate on anything with the wyvern’s invasive presence within her mind.

They had released Beast in the King’s Wood surrounding the castle while she was unconscious and assured her of his safety since they restrict hunting there to noble events. Perhaps she could have him scout around the edges and see if he could find a weakness she could sneak through.

“I am fine. My apologies, Oswin. My mind was elsewhere. What were you saying?” she asked.

She was still distracted when she noticed a robed figure sauntering over — a wizard, judging by the unmistakable brown garb. Unlike Minervin or Oswin, the figure’s dress was highly decorated. He looked young at first glance. Not a wrinkle in the taut skin stretched over a sharp bone structure, nor a single grey strand in his long, auburn hair. But he had the grey eyes of a very old man.

“Master Oswin, you are dismissed. I will take this hybrid into the Mage’s Guild’s custody,” he ordered, wrapping long fingers around Ava’s upper arm.

Ava frowned, ripped her arm from his grip and backed away, alarmed by the audacity of this stranger. Ser Derric, who had been trailing behind at a distance, moved swiftly to her side.

“Grand Master Gildaen, this is quite improper! Miss Ava is Prince Caeden’s guest! I doubt he will be pleased with her being manhandled in such a manner!” Oswin admonished in shock.

“I am sure the prince could not deny the value of the research we could get from a captured demonkin,” he responded smugly.

His fingers snaked out and grabbed her wrist. He was surprisingly fast and strong for a magic wielder. Ava could not react fast enough to avoid his grasp nor pull her wrist free of his grip.

“Release her immediately, Grand Master!” Ser Derric ordered. His hand slowly and hesitantly unsheathed his sword.

Oswin's posture changed as well. She had never seen him angry. He eyed the offending wizard with a singular focus and his brown eyes blazed with undisguised loathing. This had escalated into a fight, but she was unprepared to leave with this wizard to calm everyone down. Perhaps…

“Grand Master Gildaen, did you forget your manners?”

A man slid between them, his face friendly and smiling. His fingers curled around Gildaen’s wrist and squeezed. The hold must have been punishing because the wizard flinched, and his grip eased enough for her to free herself.

Ava had thought it was Caeden. Both men, at first glance, were similar in height, colouring and physical features. But this man was slightly leaner and had shockingly bright blue eyes instead of green. His voice had a cheery lilt as if every conversation amused and bored him simultaneously. He wore a crimson mantle cape over his left shoulder and stood in elegant and impeccable noble attire.

“Crown Prince Kael,” Gildaen blustered in surprise.

He bowed to the prince as did Ser Derric and Oswin. All the fight had gone from the three men's postures.

“I was only acting in accordance with Guild law. A new species must be turned over to the guild for research. Oswin has flagrantly flouted this rule numerous times and has compromised the Imperial family due to his incompetence,” he said, giving Oswin a hostile once over.

“If I recall correctly, that rule only applies to animals. Field research is required for living humanoids with their permission. I trust Mater Oswin is completing…”

“That thing is a hybrid! Not some peaceful-thinking creature. You might not understand the nature of its schemes now, but it needs to be secured for your safety. You will thank me later, Your Grace,” Gildaen interrupted.

Something dangerous passed through Kael’s eyes. His mouth turned downward in a small frown for a moment and then it was gone, replaced by the charming demeanour once more. Alarm rang through Ava’s mind and put her on edge.

“I am sure if she posed such a threat, both Caeden and Oswin would have taken appropriate measures.”

“Prince Kael, I doubt your mother would approve of you cavorting with a demonkin,” Gildaen admonished smugly.

“Another disapproval added to an overlong list of disappointments. I can hardly keep up anymore. Now I suggest you take your leave before you earn my father's ire once more by continuing to harass his Imperial guest.”

Kael turned to her and bowed graciously, dismissing any further argument from Gildaen. The wizard fumed silently before turning on his heel and storming off. His failure to bow drew audible gasps of shock from Oswin and Ser Derric. Something Kael had noticed as well because that look appeared in his eyes again. Yet, he did not feel the need to correct the impropriety.

He looked up at her expectantly.

“Did you forget your manners as well?” he asked, indicating to his outstretched hand waiting to receive hers. “Caeden’s correspondence stated that you are versed in social decorum, but whether you deign to use it is another matter entirely.”

It was usually easy for Ava to determine someone’s feelings toward her, but it was hard to get a proper read beyond the persona he chose to show. She hesitantly placed her hand in his and he brushed his lips against it lightly. He did not release her hand, though and fluidly placed it in the crook of his arm and held it there with his hand over hers.

“That will be all, Master Oswin. I will take over from here,” he said.

“Crown Prince Kael, I must protest!” Oswin replied, flabbergasted.

“I am sure you must,” Kael laughed. “It is noted. Besides, Ser Derric is here to dissuade me from doing anything untoward with the lovely Miss Ava. Now, I am sure my brother had a list of things for you to research. We will not delay you further.”

Oswin dithered. Ava had not realised that this tour had kept him from more important work.

“Do you have anywhere in particular you would want to go first, my dear?” Kael asked her.

“The King’s Wood?” she asked uncertainly. Unsure if this would put Oswin in a precarious position.

The mage seemed almost relieved at her suggestion and bowed to Kael before leaving them to it.

“Oh, wonderful! I have been itching to see your beast myself!”

#

Ava called to Beast as they moved further into the King’s Wood. Prince Kael had brought them directly from the Royal Quarter through a private exit, avoiding both the Noble and Common quarters through which she assumed they entered when they arrived. The exit was an enlightening discovery but ultimately useless to her since it was under strict guard and patrol. They dithered, fussed and protested to Kael about letting them through but eventually relented.

It made Ava ever more wary around the enigma that was this prince. That they would allow him outside the castle walls without the company of guards, let alone with a hybrid in tow, was strange. Something was off with him. It was frustrating to try to navigate through his fluff and pleasantries to get to his true intentions.

Beast bounded through a brush in their periphery and startled Kael. He exhaled and laughed nervously before moving slightly behind her when Beast pranced to her. She knelt to scratch Beast’s neck. The expression of wary wonder on the prince’s face was genuine.

“Mother, there are others following the small prince. They watch him from a distance, but their eye magics still burn my nose. Beast will root them out from their hiding places.”

“I see,” Ava pondered. That answers why Kael was allowed to walk around unescorted. His guard moved along with him in the shadows, using illusion magic. What kind of prince used assassins as their royal guard?

“Leave them be, Beast, I have another mission for you to focus on,” she replied and told him what he needed to do.

“Interesting, Caeden’s description of your communications does not do it justice,” Kael drawled out. “But how are we to build trust between us if you keep your conversation so secret?”

“Call your guards to your side where I can see them and I will tell you what my conversation was about,” she countered.

“Oh dear, no chance of you doing anything untoward now that you know more eyes are on you,” Kael laughed. “They must be slacking if you noticed them – or was it your Beast? Can I pet him?”

“You can,” she said. So, this prince was testing me to see if I was a threat? Or was it something else entirely? I still cannot tell. Caeden’s relationship with him seemed strained. It would be folly to discount the possibility that his brother might try to sabotage them both. Perhaps I should test his intentions as well. Kael removed his glove and reached out to Beast’s head. “Whether he will let you is another story.”

Kael paused with his hand in midair. He changed tack and lowered his hand closer to Beast’s nose. The sabre cat stretched to sniff it and then tilted his head to allow Kael to rub it. Kael knelt next to her and stroked between his ears.

Beast purred in delight at the attention he was getting. He was completely relaxed around Kael and did not see him as a danger to himself or her at all. Not an immediate danger, but I still consider him a potential threat.

“Such a magnificent creature, how did you tame it?” Kael asked, smiling as he scratched Beast's neck vigorously.

“Beast is not tame. We just understand each other. I cannot explain it.”

“Like so many things about yourself. You are an enigma to one and all,” he lamented, straightening to a stand. There was an accusation in his statement. Was he under the impression that she was intentionally hiding information?

“Then we are alike in that respect,” she retorted, peering at him suspiciously.

“Those probing eyes of yours will get you into trouble. I do not think I care for them over much, but I do like your mouth,” he said, placing her hand securely in the crook of his arm once more. “Now the real tour begins.”

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