Flak marched along with Rorick to the Vanguard, a smug smile on his face. Wren hung back behind Beorn, wishing she could pull her hood over her head and hide as they passed Shaxx and descended the stairs to stand before the Vanguard. She fidgeted with her hand, wringing the index finger of her left hand as she waited.
Ikora grinned and inclined her head when they entered and Cayde's chest puffed out a bit. Only Zavala had an emotionless expression but Wren didn't miss his stern gaze on her before he spoke to the fireteam, addressing Rorick.
"Good work, Rorick," Zavala said. "Your fireteam's victory in the Black Garden brings hope to the City. You've proved yourselves capable and worthy of more difficult missions."
"Thank you, Commander." Rorick have a little bow of his head. "It was an honor."
"We've arranged for your rewards and they'll be available for you to pick up first thing in the morning. Glimmer, new armor, and Banshee has some weapons for you to choose from. I believe Holliday has also offered new Sparrow models as well or modifications to your existing Sparrows. For now, you should all rest. The Darkness is still out there."
"Yessir," Rorick said, taking it as their dismissal.
Flak didn't move when the rest of the team began to walk away but Zavala called Wren and Rorick back before they could go more than a couple of steps.
"We have some things to discuss," Zavala said.
Rorick glanced between Wren and Flak. "Yes, Commander?"
"I received a report after your team came back from the Garden."
Ikora and Cayde looked to Zavala, confused. Wren couldn't make herself look beyond Zavala's boots. A burning sensation filled her throat and her cheeks felt hot. No one was looking at her, and yet she felt the eyes of a thousand were on her, viewing her guilt.
"Flak claims that Wren killed him on Mars while fighting to locate the Spire."
Now their eyes were on her.
"Wren?" Rorick turned to her. "Is this true?"
Her heart pounded in her ears and she went to speak but Cayde jumped in first.
"Woah, woah," he said, waving his hands, "do you have proof of that?"
"I'll admit that I stole her kill," Flak said. "There was a Centurion she was engaging, and I killed it and ran. The next thing I knew, Marr was reviving me."
"That's hardly proof," Ikora said.
"Wren has had problems with me for a while."
"For what reason?" Zavala said.
"I pointed out Cayde's favoritism and challenged her on it. Ever since then she's disliked me."
"Favoritism?" Cayde sputtered. "I don't have favorites!"
"The Better Devils at her hip says otherwise," Flak shot, glaring at Cayde.
"That was…. Something completely different," Cayde said. "I give Hunters weapons all the time."
He was floundering and Wren knew it. She bit her lip.
"Enough," Zavala said. "Wren. Tell us what happened."
She focused on her gloves, caught between the guilt of her actions and the added guilt of lying. And Flak was likely right. Telling them everything he had done would be just as questioned. She had no proof, no witnesses. It would come off as her trying to get even with Flak, but she didn't want to lie either. But telling the truth had too many unknown consequences.
"Wren?"
She glanced up at Zavala. "I…. it was an accident."
"You did shoot and kill Flak?"
"She didn't do it on purpose," Cayde interjected. "You heard her. It was an accident. It was battle. Those things happen."
"It was no accident!" Flak insisted.
"Wren doesn't strike me as the type to kill another Guardian without reason," Ikora said, putting her hand on Wren's shoulder. "She's still new to being a Guardian herself. These things are taught over time when working with a team. She'll have to be more careful next time."
Flak opened his mouth again and Zavala held a hand up to stop him. He stared at Wren for a long while, then took a deep breath and passed his judgment.
"Wren, killing another Guardian is a terrible offense. I understand, these things happen," he said, looking at Cayde to shut him up before he could even start. "And I agree that I don't think you're the type to kill another on purpose. However, you must learn our rules and how to fight with your team. Some of this lies with your leader." Zavala raised his head to address Rorick. "You should keep better tabs on your formations and train in the Crucible. As for Wren, if you do have an issue with another Guardian, you settle it here, in the Crucible. Do you understand?"
"Yes Commander," Wren said.
"This is a teachable moment and I feel there must be some form of punishment in order for you to learn from your mistake. Your team—"
"Please don't take me off Cerulean," Wren interrupted.
Zavala raised a brow. "I'm not taking you from your fireteam. Cerulean has potential. But I do feel you need to lose some of your reward. You may collect new armor and the Sparrow from Holliday as I feel these are things you need. You're still using one of the starter Sparrows, correct?"
"Yessir."
"Then you'll need a better one. Your Glimmer will go to Flak as a show of good faith."
Wren clenched her jaw. She knew she'd have to answer for what happened, but all that Glimmer going to Flak didn't set right with her. Still, she had no choice. She gave a curt nod.
"Very well. You're dismissed."
Rorick led them out, Flak strutting like a proud peacock, Wren followed, still staring at the floor. Outside Flak walked away without a word but Rorick stopped Wren with a heavy hand on her shoulder.
"Wren, if something is happening between you and Flak, you have to keep your temper and handle it in the Crucible," he said, repeating what Zavala had already said. "I was irresponsible with this team before, I can't afford to do that again. Flak is a problem, I'm aware of this and I'm sorry that I put our glory ahead of everything else. From now on I'll be sure to report Flak's strange behavior."
"Thanks, Rorick," she said, though she wasn't sure how much good it would do. He didn't know even a fraction of the issues with Flak.
"I insist that you split my Glimmer with me. This was as much my fault and I will be a better leader in the future. I won't take no for an answer. If you don't take it, I'll just give it to Sisre and let her buy what you might need."
Wren forced a smile. "We'll discuss it later."
"Right. Get some food and some rest. We've slain a god," he smirked, then walked away.
Wren walked to the edge of the Courtyard, overlooking the City and leaned against the railing. Below, lights were beginning to turn on as the sun set. There were no spectacular colors tonight, no pink clouds or golden light. It was gray and overcast, the fading daylight a gradual shift into darkness. Specs of neon flashed blue, green, and red here and there and Wren considered heading down to get something to eat when a voice called to her from the doorway leading to the stairs off the Tower.
Emelie and two other Hunters Wren didn't know approached her.
"We heard about Cerulean defeating the heart of the Black Garden," Emelie said. "We thought we'd come and offer you a spot in our den since you've proven yourself capable of taking care of yourself."
Wren wasn't terribly fond of Emelie but something about being asked to join a den made the weight of her guilt and loss of loot lift from her shoulders some and she grinned.
"Really? That's—"
"But we decided not to."
Wren's smile faded and she looked up at Emelie, confused.
"See, we ran into Flak on his way down, and he said that you shot him. And that Cayde stood up for you, against him. We want Hunters that can carry their own weight and prove that they are in fact, worthy Hunters. We don't have time or space for Cayde's little pet."
"You came all this way to tell me that?" Wren said, keeping her voice steady though her fists were clenched into tight balls and her face burned as passersby watched the scene play out.
"And to tell you that you'll never be a part of a den. So you can go back to that run down hole in the wall you belong in, like the little rat you are."
"And to think I wanted Cayde to apologize for calling you a bitch," Wren hissed through gritted teeth. She wasn't prepared for Emelie to slap her.
The blow snapped her head to the side and her cheek was ablaze from the force of the strike. Emelie grabbed a handful of Wren's black curls behind her ear and yanked her closer.
"Cayde always has pets. You're not special. And when he's bored with you, you'll be no better than the rest of us. The difference is, you'll be an outcast for it. Lower than dirt. A filthy rat ready to lick the Vanguard's boots." She pushed Wren away and straightened her tunic before walking way, the other two Hunters chattering and laughing amongst themselves.
Kiran appeared beside her. "I'm so sorry, Wren. Why don't we go into the City to the bath house with Sisre? That'll make you feel better."
"I just want to be alone." She started off toward her room when Cayde called to her from the Courtyard.
"Hey kid!" he yelled, and tears pricked Wren's eyes.
He called again but she didn't stop walking.