Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Yes, I finally updated. This is the last chapter. I had intended it to go into Snakecharm, but I changed my mind. If there's enough interest, or if I get bored, I may write some one-shots showing Kel's or Rei's POV during various events in Snakecharm. Thanks to all reviewers!
Chapter 7
A week later, Kel stood in the courtyard watching Danica, the cobra, and the guards dismount. She had just returned to duty after taking a leave of absence to bury Brenson. He had been killed in a skirmish between avians and serpiente, and was listed as a traitor. She still couldn't believe that he was dead. What she barely admitted to herself was that she was relieved that he had died in the fight. Having to see him tried for treason would have been more than she could stand. She was beginning to understand why Valene said that war stained the souls of those who survived. Although she had not fought in any of the battles before the truce, this war kept reaching out to touch the lives of people she loved, and ruin them. She gave Zane a half-hearted glare, unable to summon the intense hatred she usually felt. She had expected to hate him even more, but her anger seemed to be directed more at the war itself, as though it were some kind of intelligent entity. She shoved the thoughts away from her mind as she registered just how tired Danica looked. She swiftly followed the other members of the flight, reassuring herself that Shardae was all right. She listened in shock to Danica's explanation of an assassination attempt. Although Andreios hid the worry he had to be feeling, Kel could see subtle hints of strain in his eyes.
The next day, Andreios announced that two of the palace guard, Adelina and Ailbhe, would be allowed into the Keep in light of the assassination attempt. He warned the Royal Flight not to make trouble with the two vipers. For the next few days, Kel watched them carefully. She disliked having snakes in the Keep-especially these two. Kel could tell at first sight that both of them were extremely competent fighters. Adelina's obvious resentment of Danica only made Kel worry more. Ailbhe regarded the avians with wary distrust, but he didn't seem to strongly object to Danica like his sister. Kel learned from another member of the Flight that he had been teaching Danica to use the serpiente-style bow. As Kel entered the practice yard, she saw Ailbhe there sparring with Andreios. She smirked slightly as she saw Rei score a kill on the viper. When he sat down to drink some water, she cocked a challenging eyebrow at her commander. He tossed her a blade. She put extra effort into her fighting, determined to show the white viper up by lasting longer. Turning towards him, she shot him a victorious glance-and felt a chill. He studied her with cool evaluation. "She fights well for a recruit," he commented lazily to Rei. "She's got talent, and she's a quick study," the crow replied calmly. "Do all your new recruits fight like veteran soldiers?"
"The ones that survive a week in the Royal Flight do. I'm sure it's the same in the palace guard."
"More like two days," Ailbhe laughed. Kel felt relieved at his apparent decision to drop the subject. After the practice, Rei warned her to be careful. "I doubt that he would guess you aren't avian, but he will wonder if you have more experience than you claim to."
"I'll be careful," Kel assured him.
Chapter 8
A few weeks later, Kel scanned the crowds for any sign of trouble. She and the other members of the Royal Flight had not been allowed to bring weapons into the serpiente synkal, where they would celebrate the serpiente holiday of Namir-da. Kel watched the dancers with interest and amusement. Their performances couldn't compare to the falcon dancers back on Ahnmik, but they did dance well. She spotted Ailbhe in the crowd, wearing festival clothes and a watchful expression. Seeing Kel, he shot her a look of wry amusement. "Everything's fine," he said in the usual cool, laconic voice he used when speaking to any of the avians. "The crowds would swarm anyone who tried to harm Zane or Danica, especially tonight." Despite his words, Kel noticed that he was strung as tightly as any of the other guards. He usually ignored her except to bait her, and she was surprised at his effort to reassure her. In a moment, he vanished into the crowd.
As the lights dimmed, Irene and her mate Galen, one of the guards, began to dance. Kel enjoyed the performance, and allowed herself to be fascinated, although staying on guard. She saw Charis, Zane's mother, stand bolt upright and drag Danica to her feet. Kel moved toward them as they both fell to the ground. Andreios began shouting orders as Zane carried Danica and Charis into the hall. Half of the palace guard ran to protect Irene and Galen, the others followed the Royal Flight to protect Zane, Danica, and Charis.
Kel paced in the hallway, praying that Danica would survive. Adelina seemed completely distracted, barely able to concentrate. Ailbhe seemed to have taken temporary command of the guard. He seemed preoccupied. As he met Kel's gaze, she realized it was anger and fear. Without consciously thinking about it, she walked straight up to him and shoved him, hard. He reacted instantly, pushing her into the wall with enough force to bang her head against the wall. Andreios stepped between them as Irene demanded to know what was going on. Rei held Kel's arm in a vise-like grip as Irene dismissed Ailbhe, telling him to go check on Zane. Andreios told Irene to get some rest. She speared him with a look, agreeing only to go if he promised to let her know when Danica woke up.
Kel stared at Rei when he told the Royal Flight that Charis was dead. Kel was grateful beyond measure when he told them that Danica was recovering. She felt something hollow inside, but couldn't quite figure it out. She didn't really know Charis, so it wasn't grief. Kel suddenly realized that she couldn't be glad that Charis was dead. She had more than once wished that she could kill any of the Cobriana, but she wasn't even sure that that was true anymore.
Kel learned later that week that Adelina had resigned from the palace guard. Kel realized with a sudden chill that she didn't really remember seeing Adelina anywhere immediately after the assassination. Kel frowned as she thought. Charis' death could certainly be considered a failure by the guard, but it still seemed odd that the white viper had chosen to resign. Kel had learned through talk and observation that white vipers in general were feared and hated among the serpiente. Most of them lived as outlaws on the edges of serpiente lands, and many of the court members questioned the wisdom of having white vipers in the palace guard. Where would the woman go? As she stood talking to Rei, Ailbhe came up to them. "We've got a problem," he said tensely. A shout made all three turn. Ailbhe began to run towards the sound, Andreios and Kel following closely. The viper gestured for them to move silently. They turned the corner to see Adelina and Karl arguing. "You weren't supposed to hurt her!" Karl yelled. Kel's body reacted as her mind fought to catch up. Everyone moved at once. Within moments Karl and Adelina were disarmed and bound. Ailbhe held his sister's wrists behind her back, Kel held Karl's. Both of them looked at Andreios as he told them to hold the traitors while he went to apprise Danica and Zane of the situation. Kel noted absently that Ailbhe obeyed Andreios as though Rei was his commander. Adelina's resignation suddenly made sense. When Karl tried to speak, Kel ordered him to shut up. Adelina didn't say a word. She stood stiffly, staring at the wall.
Time flowed strangely for the next few hours. Adelina and Karl were both sentenced by Danica and Zane. Andreios executed Karl, while Ailbhe executed Adelina. Kel saw Ailbhe standing outside by himself, soaking wet in the rain. Kel hesitantly walked up to him, not sure what to say. He turned to look at her as she approached. His expression was bleaker than the dead of winter. Kel felt the words stick in her throat. "I know it hurts," she began. He gave a short, mirthless laugh. Kel cursed softly, knowing he probably hated everyone right now. She shouldn't have come, but she had to finish now. "I just…" She halted, then forced herself to continue. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry." Ailbhe gave her a look of mixed anger, pain, and skepticism. Meeting his eyes squarely, she didn't back down. "The funny thing is," he said softly, "I think you actually are." Studying her a moment more, he said abruptly. "Who are you, Erica?" For a moment, she had no answer. "She's a soldier and a guard," Andreios said behind her. "The same as you." Ailbhe turned away from the two of them, clearly wanting them to leave. Rei took Kel's arm and they went back inside. Behind them, the rain slowed to a stop.