Ch 28: The Savage Mockingbird and Little Sparrow

Felt energized and creative from the last chapter! Taking some time to let the Blue Lions and Ashen Wolves mingle ✨

Ashe scanned the crowd as the Ashen Wolves fanned out. Quickly he spotted Yuri, as popular as ever for the young man was surrounded by rogues who seemed keen on debriefing him with various news. Trying to be respectful, the archer stood off to the side and waited his turn as he watched the bustling crowd pass him by. Ashe noted the assortment of people from all walks of life just as Balthus described, and the young Archer was overtaken with memories of his time as a street urchin, surrounded by similar folk.

Lost in thought, Ashe jumped like a spooked cat when Yuri suddenly asked, "Thirsty?"

"Oh! Um, yes actually," Ashe replied hastily, rubbing the back of his neck with slight embarrassment at his fright.

Yuri chuckled in turn, then beckoned with a tilt of his head for Ashe to follow him round the corner and down a busy alleyway to a storefront with the name 'Wilting Rose Inn' upon the sign. As they entered the dingy inn Ashe overheard one of the seated patrons wistfully say, "Just once I'd like to taste something worthy of a noble."

"Go ahead and grab a table, I'll get us some drinks," Yuri noted before he headed towards the bar. The bartender looked up, his gruff face lightened at the sight of Yuri and the two immersed themselves in conversation.

Ashe broke his gaze from his old friend and surveyed the tables. He chose to sit at the furthest one from any customers to deter eavesdroppers, because he had many questions for the Savage Mockingbird.

Yuri drew closer with two mugs in his hands and set one down in front of Ashe. The archer could already smell the energizing hint of mint before looking down at the cup of mint tea, Yuri remembered his favorite tea. Ashe opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted as the other young man held up his hand.

"I can see you are brimming with questions Ashe, but first a toast to our reunion," Yuri stated as he lifted his own cup. "To two street urchins finding each other again in this large wide world," Yuri proclaimed as Ashe smiled and clinked their mugs together in turn.

"I'm still amazed that I and my siblings were adopted by Lord Lonato, and then you were adopted by Count Rowe. What happy circumstances for us," Ashe remarked happily as he tested his mint tea.

Yuri softly smiled upon hearing his adoptive father's name. "Those feel like simpler times," the young man murmured into his tea.

"But what happened to you, Yuri?" Ashe began as he eagerly leaned forward, unable to contain the bubbling questions any longer. "You set off to the Officers Academy, you promised to keep in touch, but my letters were never answered…"

Yuri's smile fell, but his expression remained placid as he gently set down the mug. His heather hued eyes fell down to the steaming tea as he began carefully, "I was on a mission, which turned out to involve executing some members of our old street gang." Yuri paused, his eyes looking back up to see Ashe listening keenly with a deepened frown at that news. "You know that everyone in that group was like family to me. So I refused my orders." Then Yuri let out a deep sigh, "But things got heated and while I acted in self defense, I killed soldiers of the church."

Ashe let out a small gasp but Yuri continued on, "I am not ashamed of what I did, but with being expelled from school I couldn't bear to return to Count Rowe…or to you." He frowned, but then his expression softened as Yuri added, "One of the Monastery monks named Aelfric, stepped in and implored Lady Rhea to spare my life during my sentencing. He then organized it so that I could remain in the Abyss, where he had begun the Ashen Wolves…and so I've been here ever since tending to his flock of lost souls."

Ashe, who was absorbing his old friend's every word looked thoughtful as he softly remarked, "Yuri, I would never think ill of you, after all that you have done for me, for my brother and sister."

A genuine smile spread upon Yuri's lips and reached his eyes as he remarked fondly, "You're too kind, and good Ashe." Then sadness touched his expression as he added, "I am sorry about Lord Lonato."

Ashe took a moment to finish sipping his tea, but his bright lime eyes saddened, "It…it's still hard to believe."

Yuri took in his friend's sadness, his eyes falling towards Ashe's hand and a sudden urge to reach out at hold it. To let Ashe know how sorry he truly felt, and more. Yet Ashe's next remark stayed Yuri's hand, and he reached for his own mug instead.

"But I had the chance to talk to Lord Lonato, one last time, thanks to the Professor," Ashe remarked thoughtfully as he set down his mug.

Yuri paused in the midst of sipping on his tea as he mulled over Ashe's words. Then the young man's eyes darkened slightly as he noted, "She seems to take good care of you, and the rest of the Blue Lions."

"Yeah, she does," Ashe acknowledged with a happy smile, and Yuri could see a glimmer of adoration in the archer's eyes. "I think you'll like the Professor too, if you give her a chance," Ashe added with renewed enthusiasm.

At the remark, Yuri tilted his head questioningly, while he folded his hands underneath his chin, "And what makes you think I don't like her?"

At the question, Ashe picked back up his mug and replied slyly, "Call it a hunch from an old friend." And with that the young archer took a long sip while Yuri looked taken aback.

His little sparrow has grown bolder…

(Author notes)

I hope you enjoyed the developing relationship and insight into past history between Ashe and Yuri. I plan to give Constance and Hapi some time to catch up as well. I also have an idea for Balthus so we'll see how that turns out.

Like and reviews are always greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading!