Beltaine
She had felt the presence of someone in the woods, a shadow. Perhaps, another thief, foolishly trying to retrieve the treasures her mother had, the ones that had been left for the Weaver al long time ago, when the world still remembered her.
It was too late to put out the fire or the lights. He knew there was someone at home.
Of all the things he hated, direct body combat was on her flaws. Her mother didn't need of it, her powers were enough. For she had taught her the same way.
When the intruder entered the room, she tried to knock him but failed. Now she was in front of a male. She hadn't met one of his type personally, she´ve only heard rumors. He was a Illyian warrior, a powerful one and really handsome.
He was covered in shadows while going to every side of the room. She knew he was no thief, he wasn't interested in all the treasures, he stared at her instead.
"Who are you?" said the stranger.
"I could ask you the same thing, you are the one who is entering my home" she replied.
"This is not your home".
"It is, this cabin belonged to my mother and now it's mine" he showed no surprise, his face could have been just a sculpture, rigid and beautiful.
"You can´t be Stryga´s daughter".
"I am, believe what pleases you, that doesn't change the truth".
Silence fell in the room. It was the first time in a century she spoke to someone who was not her mother, only the desperate, fools or the brave would dare to trespass those lands.
"What does a Ilyrian warrior has to do in my territory?" she asked dryly.
The intruder stood in silence, thinking well of his answer. Whatever his mission was she stood in his way.
"I´ve come in the name of the High Lord of the Night Court—she had heard many things of him, but knew only one to be true.
"The last time someone came in his name to this lands. Stryga made a bargain with him, she never came back. I see no reason for sending a servant here"he showed no reaction but his jaw seemed to get tighter when being addressed as a servant. He would not be someone easy to provoke.
Azriel
Stryga´s daughter seemed to have little patience and was determined to annoy him. But he was barely able to contain all the questions in his mind. Why her? Why now? Who is she? All the years training himself to show little emotions had not been in vain. He had never thought he'd have that connection with someone, but he thought he would've seen it coming.
He had been in love, he´ve had lovers. Still he couldn't find a way to start, maybe for the fact that she seemed unaware of the situation. That intrigued him, for he left no mystery or problem without an answer.
"He´s worried about the forecomings of this lands and the conflicts they might raise between courts" Azriel lied. Rhys had only expressed a little concern for the woods the reason he flew away had a name, Elain.
"This land belongs to me. Your Lord has little to worry about. The arrangement will be the same as it was and I see no reason for him to be preoccupied. His court is two territories above the middle".
He could see the flaws in his excuse. It was too late to pull back.
"I´m afraid neither of us can determine what my lords concerns are. I´ll have to inform him of the situation and from that a decision will be made".
"Then you shall not waste another second. But I must warn your Lord, it's the last time someone enters unannounced to my lands. I´m no High Lady, but I demand respect". He was pushed back by cold air out of the house. So Azriel went back into the shadows straight into the Court of Dreams.