Myrina lay on the cool hard ground and stared up at the grey sky. She absentmindedly spun Tristan's dagger in her right hand. It'd been a couple of weeks since she'd seen him. Since his little group returned to the Wall. Naturally, she had followed them for quite some distance, making sure that they actually did return home. She hadn't used her wolf form though, opting to fly in the sky as a hawk. She felt safer, up in the air. Besides, Tristan seemed to have a nasty habit of spotting her wolf form. He had kept his eyes trained on the forest. At times he had looked up and seen her, but he didn't seem bothered by the flying bird.
He scared her. She'd fought him twice, and both times he'd overpowered her. He kept catching her while she was at her weakest. But there was something else too. She didn't like it. She didn't like feeling helpless around him.
Myrina let out a sigh, setting the dagger on her stomach. She had told Merlin what Tristan had told her, about the knights being free soon. It didn't matter though, according to Merlin. As long as the knights served the Romans then they were enemies. Which was true. That shouldn't have bothered her as much as it did. She had hated the Romans and the knights all her life. They were responsible for her parents' deaths.
Her heart fluttered at the thought of going against Tristan again. The problem was, he'd saved her. She remembered him. The one knight who could have easily murdered five scared children. But he didn't. Now they were adults and no longer children. And it was entirely possible that either she or Darren would kill him, or he them. Darren had fully recovered from his injuries and was ready to throw himself at some more Romans, at the Sarmatian knights.
Tristan. He was her enemy. She needed to remember that. They both confirmed that they were enemies at their last meeting.
She let out a sigh and placed one hand on her face, letting out a frustrated groan. If they ever met again she would have to attack him. Maybe next time there would be real blood. Maybe next time one of them would die. That thought didn't sit well with her.
She returned his knife to her belt and sat up, stretching her muscles and rubbing her hands together.
"Rina," Reghan's voice called out.
"Here, cousin," Myrina replied as she stood. There was no point in worrying about something that may not happen. As Tristan said, their duty to Rome was ending soon. How soon, was the question. Hopefully, soon enough. The less Romans they had to deal with the better.
Reghan stepped out of the forest into the little meadow and headed toward her. He was dressed and clearly ready for battle. "We're fighting?" she asked.
He shook his head. "Merlin wants to send you further south," he said.
"Further south?"
Reghan ran his fingers through his hair in clear frustration. "I do not like his plan, but he wants you closer to the Wall. To watch and report."
"If Arthur or any of the knights leave the Wall and travel north again," she stated.
He nodded his head.
"Alright," she said, sounding sadder than she meant to. She would be closer to him. Able to watch him from afar. And if he stepped out where he didn't belong then she would warn her people and they'd be ready for him.
She felt her cousin's eyes on her as he seemed to carefully examine her.
"Does my cousin fancy someone and not wish to be too far apart from them?" he teased.
Although she tried to calm herself, blood rushed up to her cheeks and ears.
"Rina," he said then let out a hearty laugh. "Perhaps I could put in a word with Merlin and have this lucky young man join you as protection. Who is this man that has caught my cousin's attention?"
She quickly placed her hands on her face, shaking her head. "No," she muttered. As if she could tell him that it was a Sarmatian knight made her heart flutter. Enemies, remember?
Reghan chuckled, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and pulling her in. "You must introduce me to this man who has caught your eye," he stated. "I need to see if he is really worthy of you."
Her cheeks reddened with embarrassment. "I don't think- Brandon!" She couldn't help herself as she ran to her brother. He stepped out of the forest, walking towards her, arms raised to hug her. She wrapped her arms around her brother, squeezing him tightly. Their relationship may have been strained, but she still loved him dearly.
"Where have you been?" she asked, playfully punching his shoulder. He'd disappeared before Nola's rescue, after giving them clues on when and where to attack. Not that it was unusual for him to leave. Whereto was a mystery.
"Merlin needs to talk to you," Reghan said as he strode over to them.
Brandon placed his hand under Rina's chin, making her look at him. "You look a bit like father," he commented.
She took a step back, shaking her head. "I don't know if I should be offended by that," she teased.
A branch snapped, putting her on alert. Two men and a woman walked out of the forest. Soldiers. The men were soldiers, but not Romans. Myrina felt her hand go to her belt, clutching the handle of the knife.
Reghan pushed through the siblings, unsheathing his sword. "You're not welcome here, Saxons," he growled.
The woman smiled. She was rather beautiful, just a little bit taller than Rina with long blonde hair and blue eyes. She seemed to be Reghan's age. She raised her hands up in an attempt to look non-threatening, but for some reason, Myrina felt wary. There was a heaviness in the air. Her senses tingled with danger.
"We did not come to fight, but to look for peace," the woman said. "Love?" She directed her attention to Brandon.
Rina and Reghan looked at Brandon in surprise. He gave them both a large smile.
"I know I should have mentioned it before. I met Cailyn several months ago. Love of my life. I knew Merlin would not approve. I've been working these last few months to secure her hand in marriage. The Saxons are on their way and they need not be our enemies. Cailyn's father is the leader of an army that is headed this way. As her husband-"
"What did you do, Brandon?" Reghan snarled.
"My father is not a cruel man," Cailyn said, giving them a smile. One that Myrina couldn't help but not trust. Cailyn walked forward, placing herself beside Brandon. "With gifts such as my dear Brandon and his siblings have-"
"Brandon!" Rina said in horror. There were only a select few who were well aware of the extent of the abilities of the siblings. It was a secret that needed to be kept.
"Rina," Reghan said slowly as he took a step back. To her confusion, Reghan placed himself between her and her brother. "I believe you should go tell Merlin of this new development."
"Why don't you go tell him, Reghan," Brandon said. "My sister is more than safe with me."
The hairs on her arms stood on end. She didn't believe him. She didn't believe her own brother.
"Rina, go," Reghan said softly as he withdrew his sword. The two Saxon soldiers moved forward, withdrawing their swords as well.
She froze, her eyes moved from the soldiers to her brother, to the woman, and finally to her cousin. She didn't know what to do. If she left she knew her cousin would die.
"Rina, ru-!" Reghan's words were interrupted. He let out a surprised gasp, clasping his hand to his neck as he dropped to the ground. The woman had her hand raised in the air, a bloody dagger in her fingers.
"Reghan!" Rina screamed.
"I really am sorry, cousin," Brandon said softly as Reghan dropped to his knees. Clutched his hand over his throat in desperation. She couldn't help him.
She looked up at her brother, eyes wide with horror. Whatever he planned, she couldn't go along with it.
Rina turned to run, but Brandon grabbed her.
"Sister," he growled.
She grabbed Tristan's dagger and withdrew it from her belt. Before she was able to use it, her arm was twisted harshly, forcing the dagger to fall onto the ground. She elbowed her brother, knocking the wind out of him.
Wolf.
"No, little druid," Cailyn's voice said softly as Rina's muscles started to shift.
Tingles ran through her body, making her drop to the ground. The shapes she was used to taking suddenly became distorted in her mind. No. She staggered to her feet.
Two hands roughly grabbed her arms. The two soldiers picked her up and turned her, before pushing her forward. Internally, she felt as if she were fighting something. A battle against some sort of magic that threatened to invade her.
A thumb pressed against her forehead, making her look up. Cailyn placed her fingers in Reghan's wound then marked Rina's face with his blood. A hand caught Rina's as she went to hit the woman.
"Do not defile my cousin's body," she screamed.
Cailyn smiled. "He would not have died had he left like your brother told him to," she said. "But, I'm glad he stayed. It's easier this way. Blood tying Blood.
Rina looked over to her brother who took off his tunic. Cailyn stood up and marked his chest, drawing symbols with Reghan's blood on it.
"Brandon? Why?" Rina whispered. Her heart ached at the betrayal. She knew he was upset. She knew he felt wronged by the gift he was given. She never expected him to turn on his own siblings.
"Your gift should have been mine, Rina," Brandon spat. "I'm taking what was rightfully meant for me. Do not worry. You won't die. Reghan wouldn't have either. All he had to do was leave. You'll just be normal, Rina. Like everyone else in this world."
Cailyn crouched and picked up Tristan's dagger, turning it gently with her fingers. "Beautiful blade," she commented.
Brandon frowned. "I've never seen that before," he said.
Rina's muscles tightened as she tried to struggle again. Tristan's dagger in the hands of that witch?
"Where did you get this, Rina?" he asked. He went to grab the blade, but the witch moved her hand away, shaking her head.
"It was given to me as a present," Rina said. It wasn't entirely untrue. In a way, it was a gift. Tristan did just let her have it.
Cailyn nodded. "A worthy blade," she said. A quick glance to her soldiers and they roughly grabbed Myrina, forcing her to stay on the ground. "This will hurt a little," she said.
Myrina screamed as the dagger pierced her flesh along the upper part of her left breast. She moved slowly as if carving something. Finally, she pulled away. The soldiers let Rina go for a moment and she collapsed onto the ground.
Rina pressed her hand against her wound and shook her head. "Why?" she asked, looking up at her brother in pain. "The gods gave us our gifts for a reason. You should not try to steal what they didn't give you," she said softly. Her eyes looked into his, begging him to reconsider his betrayal.
He knelt down next to her, placing his hand on her cheek. "I'm the oldest, Rina," he said, gently stroking it. "I deserved the best gift. The strongest."
The soldiers grabbed her again as the woman lifted her skirt and cut along her leg. She made many little wounds, deep enough for Rina to bleed, but not bad enough to kill her.
"Blood holds the power, the key," Cailyn said, slicing into Rina's right side. She leaned up and slowly cut into Rina's upper right cheek. "I understand your sister is a healer. These wounds will not kill you."
Rina looked away from the woman to her brother again. "Please, Brandon," she said softly.
He placed his hand on her uninjured cheek. "There's nothing to be afraid of," he said. "You're just going to be normal, just as everyone else."
Cailyn opened Rina's right palm and sliced it, making her scream yet again.
"Love," Cailyn said as she reached for Brandon. He held out his hand.
The world around her slowed down. She couldn't let it happen. She couldn't let whatever ritual Cailyn was doing be completed.
She reshaped her muscles so that they were similar to that of a bear, giving her more strength. Grabbing the wrist of one of the soldiers, she twisted it, hearing the sound of snapping bones.
"Do not make her bleed!" the woman screamed as a soldier unsheathed his sword.
A hand roughly grabbed Myrina by the hair, making her scream as they pulled her back. A boot slammed onto her calf, forcing her down to one knee. She elongated her nails, slamming the newly formed claws into the thighs of the soldier who had her by the hair. He screamed, but let her go.
"Enough, Rina!" her brother commanded as she fought. She needed to get out of there. She needed to escape.
Myrina spun, hand raised to attack then froze. Her brother stood in front of her. She didn't have enough time to react as a fist slapped into her jaw. Temporarily causing her mind to go black as she dropped to the ground. A boot slammed into her ribs, knocking the wind out of her.
Another hand grabbed her by the hair again and pulled her up.
"Enough, young druid," Cailyn stated. "You can not stop what I have started."
Myrina felt her energy drain quickly as the blood seeped out of her wounds. She opened her eyes and glared at the woman. Gathering her strength once again to fight, she spat at the ground.
"I'm not afraid of you. I can-"
The woman dug the knife along her stomach, making her scream. Rina slumped forward.
"She's done," Brandon snapped. "Aren't you sister? You won't fight this. You shouldn't. Your gift should have been mine. We both know this."
No.
"She is done," Cailyn said, sounding confident.
Rina stared at the ground. Her whole body ached. He was going to steal her gift. She couldn't allow that. But, her power felt as if it was draining out of her with her blood.
"Blood ties with blood," Cailyn said.
Myrina stared at Reghan. His unseeing eye stared back at her in horror.
"Are you ready, my love?" Cailyn asked Brandon.
Myrina looked up. Cailyn held Tristan's dagger in her hands. No, she couldn't allow her brother to steal her powers, her gift. She didn't stop to think, she just did.
Her talons wrapped around the handle of the dagger, cutting into the woman's skin. The woman screamed as Myrina flew off.
"Rina!" she heard her brother shout, but she was already up too high for him to reach her. "Cailyn, stop her!"
Rina kept flying. She had no destination in mind. She just needed to get away. Her body burned with pain, but she ignored it.
"A hawk you chose a hawk you must be. Bound by blood. You cannot leave far from the side of the blood you are bound to. He is your master. His words you must follow." The wind seemed to echo her words. Myrina felt as if her very bones and muscles were fused.
"Rina return at once!" her brother commanded somewhere off in the distance.
She ignored him and kept flying. Thunder rumbled as it started to rain. She had no focus, no destination in mind. She just needed to get away from him. Bound by Blood. She was in far too much pain to question whatever that meant.
Her vision started to go dark and she found herself falling from the sky. She managed to catch herself just enough to not hit the ground with a hard thud. It probably would have killed her. Although, at the same time, maybe it wasn't a bad idea to die. Keep her powers away from her brother. But then again, what if he received them on her death?
Her body dragged across the ground for a moment before she landed in a puddle of mud. She tried to get up, but she was spent. Her chest heaved with quick breaths, water partly entered her nostril. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw red spill out around her. Was she dying?
A hand slipped under her body, picking her up. She panicked. No! Her brother had found her. She started to fight. Or at least, she tried to. Her brain was ready, but her body was done.
"Easy, little one," a man's calm voice said soothingly. It wasn't her brother's voice.
She heard a little cry escape her beak but that was all she could do. She forced her eyes open enough to see who had her.
By the gods. Tristan, the Sarmatian knight, her enemy, the man she'd daydreamed about meeting again, had her in his hands. And he didn't even know it. He could never know. He'd kill her.
"You're safe, little one," Tristan said softly as she tried to move.
I am not, she wanted to say. But her brain was done. She could only send out one last prayer to her gods, hoping against hope that her body would remain that of a hawk until she was strong enough to escape and return back home. She needed to warn them. Warn Darren or Nola. What if Brandon went after them too? She barely managed to send out her little prayer before her world went black.
A/N: Better a little late than never. Okay. So, I'm going on vacation all of next week. Just to be safe. Let's expect the next update to happen around the week of the 10th of July. But, we've finally gotten to the part I've been most excited to get to. I really wanted to develop Tristan's and Rina's relationship more, have them bond better.