Shades of Gray
Footsteps sounded up the corridor, a gentle breeze slipping through the stone cut windows. Candlelight flickered slightly, before trailing back upwards again. The golden swath outside was slowly fading into the dark cobalt of evening, tendrils of lavender trailing across it. A slight hiss of pain suddenly cut through the tranquility, a small group of warriors rounding the corner. Scarlet dripped onto the gray flagstone, a single figure half doubled over in the ring of white plumaged males. Their partially extended wings gleamed with a golden tinge in the light, in contrast to the female’s deep ebony plumage.
Kyra swallowed painfully, jaw clenching as one jerked the tether that bound her hands behind her back. Woven hemp bit into her already raw wrists, making their point clear. The feminine warrior’s fingers twitched slightly, as if curling around the cold steel of her confiscated lance. She forced herself to straighten after a moment, biting her lip when her aching and torn muscles screamed in protest, trying to remove her shoulder length tresses from her eyes. Refusing to give the satisfaction of utter submission.
She briefly bowed her head as the pace resumed, before finally succeeding in getting the bloodstained umber locks out of her face when she raised it again. Hardened amber eyes, half glazed with worsening illness, soon fastened upon the dagger tucked in the belt of a male ahead of her. Its alloy hilt was well polished, as was the curved weapon’s sheath. Tempting, but unfortunately out of reach. Frustratingly so, considering it could possibly be her way out. Kyra’s gaze flicked to the sides, stifling a sigh upon seeing they were just out of reach of her restrained wings. They had been quite thorough in removing any possible weapon she possessed.
The young woman stiffened slightly as stairs came into view, knowing they’d irritate her still open – and quite possibly infected – wound. Although now two days old, the gash hadn’t even begun to placate. Torn black cloth directly beneath her ribcage remained quite moist, as the offending broadsword had taken more than she’d expected. Needless to say, the wound still bled. Kyra stiffened slightly as they began mounting the stairs, not about to be dragged up them. She’d preserve what dignity she could.
Candlelight steadily increased as the group continued, eventually coming to a halt at an open archway. “Lord Anias?” the lead warrior queried, making their presence known. A now familiar male glanced up from the scroll parchment in his hands, brushing a loose pale blonde lock out of his eyes. The nobleman stood, motioning the others aside. A slight smile touched his lips, even reaching his piercing silver gaze, upon meeting the feminine warrior’s glower.
Anias slowly extended his ivory shaded wings to stretch them, before once more folding them against his back. Having exchanged his simple commoner’s garb for material that suited his rank made a clear difference, the fine white and emerald colored cloth clearly standing out. Both his darker colored breeches and pale tunic were loosely bound together with a deep blue sash, a curved saber tucked underneath the band. “I trust you did not have much trouble after my departure in battle?”
“No, sire,” the warrior murmured, dropping into a kneeling position when his overlord’s wandering eyes fastened on him. Amusement touched the lightly clad young man’s façade upon noticing that his ‘guest’ was the only one to ignore common gestures. Kyra blatantly held his gaze, though silently. Ignoring the order of her foes to kneel at the same time. A sharp gasp was jolted from her when one of those surrounding her suddenly lashed out, knocking the wind out of her as the hilt of his weapon connected with her wound. She slowly inhaled, though stiffened when the now bloodied weapon retracted.
Anias’s brow arched, before shaking his head. “Nay. Stay your hand. One cannot expect the norm out of an opposing combatant, can they? That aside … There are some things I would like to speak of. Commander Kyra’s corpse does me little good.”
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