Bleeding Heart 84 Easy Peasy

They had set traps, but Lowks spotted them easily. While they were elaborate, he was sure that Vixen was more than capable of dealing with them.

He signaled her to come over and deactivate them. As clumsy as the girl was her hands were quite good at dealing with traps.

He stepped back to give her room to start her work. Falling back beside of Tira in the shadows, he glanced at his sister for a minute before watching their friend work.

Vixen's hands were swift, and there was a confidence to her as she worked. That was one good trait she possessed, even if it did get her into so much trouble. She was so confident in her own abilities, in herself.

Why was she so concerned that they would not treat her like an adult? Of course she was full grown. Just clumsy and accident-p.r.o.ne. He would worry about Tira as well if she had such a penchant for getting in trouble.

It was entrancing watching her fingers work, disa.s.sembling springs and wires like a puzzle. Her mind was well suited for such things.

When she finished she stepped back and gave them her 'Aren't I good, praise me' look. Lowks just gave her a nod of acknowledgement though and pa.s.sed by her, trying his very hardest not to make any noise. He knew very few people would be able to hear him when he tried this hard.

When he saw Vixen's disappointed expression, he patted her head in acknowledgement that she had done good. Sometimes she was childish.

He caught Tira's roll of her eyes out of the corner of his own. She looked slightly annoyed. He was not sure why his sister was annoyed, but he could hardly ask her right now.

As they continued on, he grew aware of voices. So, there were people here. That was a good sign. As he moved even closer, he could make out what was being said.

"…enchantress." There was a note of gloating in the voice. Sounded like an adult male. "After all, they deserve it don't they? Stuck up-"

"Look." A very annoyed female voice that sounded distinctly exasperated. "I am not interested in this awful war you want. So just let me go back to my tower and keep your intentions to yourself."

Mocking laughter followed the female's declaration. "You're not going anywhere till you help us. Someone as powerful as you can surely break through the defenses of the kingdoms. And they will suffer just as much as we have."

"Suffer?" As she began talking again, Lowks had reached the entrance to the cavern where this conversation was taking place. As he peeked in, keeping himself well hidden he got a good look at the room.

It was wide and s.p.a.cious. Rough hewn from the rock. There were about forty or so men in it. All dressed in black clothing, except for one who was dressed in black and gold instead. He looked just a little gaudy, the gold had obviously been scavenged. Probably the leader.

He had hold of a rope that was attached to the female speaking. She was a fairly pretty, young-looking woman with a scar that slashed down from her bright red hair, through one eye all the way to her chin. The woman wore a deep blue robe that was decorated with patterns of constellations and her black sash had a silver crescent moon pinning it to her dress.

Her expression was absolutely annoyed. She continued speaking to the man in a clipped tone, "If Nix'Rylians suffer whose fault is it really? The kingdoms? Why should they be blamed for our own inept.i.tude? Besides I cannot help you. My order is supposed to stay out of affairs that do not concern us."

"Everyone has a price. Name yours. Anything you ask can be yours."

She laughed, "Do you know what happened the last time one of my order muddled? If you want to blame anyone for what you all face, blame the traitor who made this possible! I will not be part of that same mistake. The only muddling I will do is what is required to make up for my own blood's irresponsibility."

"The kingdoms get everything they want. They are comfortable and-"

"And Nix'Ryl could have been the same! When Nireal fell, the people could have rebuilt. But they went anarchic and panicked." She looked annoyed and rather done with the conversation, "I tried to stop them, I tried to inform them that if they waited, all three points of the triangle could be restored. Sure, both Agreas and Lucien had lost their lives. But Agreas had had a child, and if people had waited for him to grow up then he could have chosen Lucien's replacement. But instead - the people made it impossible for the lad to do so! So, blame your ancestors, blame my idiot of a sister! But leave the smarter folk's descendants out of it!"

This confused Lowks. Nix'Ryl had been around for quite some time but the way this woman spoke it was as if she had seen its beginning. But that would make her…

It didn't really matter though. Lowks glanced at his sister telling her with his eyes to go let the others know what they had found. He and Vixen would keep an eye out. He would have sent Vixen but… she was more likely to get caught.

The argument continued as he stayed in his spot.