The female was obviously one of the fae.
Wingless though she might be, her psychic smell was unmistakable. Any Ckhnuli worth their meat could pick out fae scent from a league away, no matter how weak, and she was one of the strongest. She had picked up on the stench while she was hunting miles away, and hurried back as quickly as she possibly could to foil this pathetic rescue.
The male’s psychic scent was near nonexistent, so she hadn’t counted on him. Even humans had their own flowery perfume, but this one seemed to have counteracting traces of both human and fae. No matter; he was without any definitive power over her, and the fae girl was flightless, although with an unusually powerful elemental affinity.
Both were staring at her like idiot milksops. She struggled to contain her rage at their interference in her task.
And then the fae, immediately after inconveniencing her, had the audacity to demand her identity? As if she was the one being rudely interrupted on an urgent mission.
She said as much, “Under the Mynonys code, after breaking into my camp, I believe I have the right to an explanation from you first. Answer me, fae; who are you, and why did you come here?”
The fae girl took a small step back, fists and jaw visibly clenched. The strange male came up to stand behind her protectively, his eyes narrowed and harsh. How naively cute. As if they hadn’t even seen a Ckhnuli before. What a ridiculous idea.
The small one finally spoke, her tone bold and aggressive. “What are you doing with this man? He’s dying! This fire isn’t enough to help. He needs an inn, a doctor, he needs-“
“I believe I just told you to answer me, little fae.” She relaxed inside, though. They were just worried about a man freezing in the snow, after all. Still, it was best she knew their names and intent, so she could rest easy when she sent them on their way.
She said as much, “Under the Mynonys code, after breaking into my camp, I believe I have the right to an explanation from you first. Answer me, fae; who are you, and why did you come here?”
The fae girl took a small step back, fists and jaw visibly clenched. The strange male came up to stand behind her protectively, his eyes narrowed and harsh. How naively cute. As if they hadn’t even seen a Ckhnuli before. What a ridiculous idea.
The small one finally spoke, her tone bold and aggressive. “What are you doing with this man? He’s dying! This fire isn’t enough to help. He needs an inn, a doctor, he needs-“
“I believe I just told you to answer me, little fae.” She relaxed inside, though. They were just worried about a man freezing in the snow, after all. Still, it was best she knew their names and intent, so she could rest easy when she sent them on their way.
The girl bit her lip nervously, then stood up straighter and looked her in the eye. “I don’t know about any Mynonys code, and I honestly don’t care right now. Please, help me get him to sa-“
She sealed the girl’s impertinent mouth before she could dig a deeper hole for herself. What an appalling thing to pretend. Everybody should know of the Mynonys code; it was a founding law of the land. Her country might be a hidden, isolated place, but it hadn’t been so long since the Founding that the codes were forgotten. The codes must never be forgotten. “Don’t be a fool, fae girl. Playing the ignorance game with me is stupid and dangerous. Now, one more time; answer my questions. Who are you, and why are you here?” She released the girl’s voice.
The fae stumbled back and rubbed her mouth, anger and frustration boiling in her eyes. The Ckhnuli could sense the blatant buildup of power in the girl. The male braced his legs in the snow, obviously prepared to fight.
She gritted her teeth, furious at their stubborn idiocy. “You really, really don’t want to fight a Ckhnuli. I’m here to carry out justice, and I don’t have time to deal with your disrespect. I don’t want to hurt you; please back off and let all this alone.”
The male frowned, and spoke for the first time. “Sharn, we don’t know who or what this woman is. She’s incredibly powerful; I can sense it.”
The Ckhnuli’s eyes widened in shock. “I am Ckhnuli. How can you not know of us? We are…..” She closed her eyes, and walked to kneel by the fire, fully aware of their confused, suspicious gazes. They didn’t know of the Ckhnuli. No wonder…
She raised her eyes to them. “Sit. I have many questions for you. And I expect to be answered. And the man is fine, girl” She clipped as she saw the fae’s mouth twitch to protest. “He won’t die from the mere cold. He’ll sleep, and stay asleep. I don’t want to hurt either of you, but I am strong enough to take both of you out if you try to attack me again. I’m tired, and not in the best mood of my life. So sit, and answer my previous questions. Who are you, and why are you here?”
She sealed the girl’s impertinent mouth before she could dig a deeper hole for herself. What an appalling thing to pretend. Everybody should know of the Mynonys code; it was a founding law of the land. Her country might be a hidden, isolated place, but it hadn’t been so long since the Founding that the codes were forgotten. The codes must never be forgotten. “Don’t be a fool, fae girl. Playing the ignorance game with me is stupid and dangerous. Now, one more time; answer my questions. Who are you, and why are you here?” She released the girl’s voice.
The fae stumbled back and rubbed her mouth, anger and frustration boiling in her eyes. The Ckhnuli could sense the blatant buildup of power in the girl. The male braced his legs in the snow, obviously prepared to fight.
She gritted her teeth, furious at their stubborn idiocy. “You really, really don’t want to fight a Ckhnuli. I’m here to carry out justice, and I don’t have time to deal with your disrespect. I don’t want to hurt you; please back off and let all this alone.”
The male frowned, and spoke for the first time. “Sharn, we don’t know who or what this woman is. She’s incredibly powerful; I can sense it.”
The Ckhnuli’s eyes widened in shock. “I am Ckhnuli. How can you not know of us? We are…..” She closed her eyes, and walked to kneel by the fire, fully aware of their confused, suspicious gazes. They didn’t know of the Ckhnuli. No wonder…
She raised her eyes to them. “Sit. I have many questions for you. And I expect to be answered. And the man is fine, girl” She clipped as she saw the fae’s mouth twitch to protest. “He won’t die from the mere cold. He’ll sleep, and stay asleep. I don’t want to hurt either of you, but I am strong enough to take both of you out if you try to attack me again. I’m tired, and not in the best mood of my life. So sit, and answer my previous questions. Who are you, and why are you here?”
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