Aveline had tears in her eyes as she watched her home grow closer. When she looked at Kyra, the maid could only smile with out holding back.
"I've been waiting for today for a long time!"
Aveline nodded vigorously.
"Same here!"
Lyla watched Aveline with a small smile, the fox eager to see every emotion Aveline could muster. She was hugging the noble's arm as she watched her. Nora had healed up in the last few days, now capable of walking freely. She avoided Aveline, the younger girls flirting capability leaving her unable to concentrate.
"Aveline, when we get you to the mansion, you'll be fussed over a lot."
Nodding profusely, Aveline quickly covered her face behind the curtain of the carriage.
"Ah- what? Aveline?"
Sighing softly, Aveline stuck her arm out and motioned for Kyra to come closer. After she complied, Aveline explained.
"We were attacked by a glaringly obvious entity. They think I am dead... so why not make them believe it longer? My family will 'give up' on finding me, while my long lost sibling will arrive in my place."
Kyra was confused, but she didn't question her. She believed in Aveline, yet something bothered her until she finally relented.
"And your parents?"
Aveline peeked out.
"Hush. Of course they'll be in on it! I'll be going to the Academy in the capital in three years after all!"
The rest of the ride was relatively silent until the arrived before the mansion. Aveline could hear footsteps approaching, followed by a haggard yet familiar voice.
"Kyra, what happened? I didn't receive word of you returning! Ah, Nora. It's been a while."
Aveline held in her tears as she rubbed Lyla's ears.
"Go ahead and climb out. They won't let you get hurt, while I have to calm myself down!"
Lyla nodded, slipping out the back of the carriage.
"Oh? Is she a new addition to your group?"
"No, Duke Synclair. She's a current travel companion. We returned to inform you that we had a traitor in our ranks. We wish to imprison him, with multiple inflections."
Aveline tried to calm her trembling heart until another voice came forward.
"I can feel her..."
Aveline felt tears suddenly fall down her cheeks. The voice she missed the most was suddenly touching her ears.
"Mama..."
Aveline attempted to stand, but her legs suddenly failed her.
"This is what you get, bitch!"
Aveline looked back. Fen was awake, his gag removed. Though he still had stone cuffs, he wiggled close enough to stick Aveline with a needle.
"You..."
Aveline sighed as the mark on her back trembled slightly. As it calmed, she moved her feet away from Fen.
"W-what? That poison was the strongest in my collection!"
His raised voice caused some concern from outside, but Aveline ignored it.
"You could have lived in a prison for a while longer. I've finally made it home, yet you attack me. You realize that my parents are outside right now? This chill in the air... it's my mother, and you chose to attack me?"
Aveline cackled loudly. A concerned face peeked inside.
"L-Leen? What'swrong?"
Aveline peeked back.
"This man poisoned me."
Aveline could see the blood leave Kyra's face, as well as the grip strength of her longest friend explode. A part of the carriage erupted under her strength.
"Oh, don't worry. Poison doesn't work so great on me anymore."
Aveline began to walk towards Fen, a strange smile on her face. When she got closer, she whispered down at him.
"You fucked up."
A red blazing mist seemed to erupt from her leg. Grabbing the cuffs she had made, Fen was lifted to his feet. He towered over Aveline, but he couldn't get his footing. As soon as she released him, she whipped around and slammed her foot into his stomach. Fen had blood fly from his mouth as he was launched from the carriage. Following suite, Aveline climbed out.
"What the hell was that, Kyra?"
Nora's voice, as well as a dozen footsteps came closer. When they rounded the end of the carriage, Aveline looked directly up at her mother and father. They hadn't seem her yet, yet her heart broke. Their faces had aged drastically, while their eyes had lost their spark. She couldn't forgive the men that wanted to leave her parents in such a state.
"Fen? Why'd he get sent so far? Was it-"
Nora's eyes locked on Aveline. The merc leader felt her heart twinge with pain as she saw the devastated look in Aveline's eyes. She sighed to herself as she began to walk towards Fen.
"This stupid... ugh. Now he's done it."
Thorin seemed confused as he saw Fen limp on the ground. Before he could begin looking around, Aveline cleared her throat.
"He isn't dead, just a little... winded? I guess. Either way... I'm home."
Aveline was looking down, fumbling with her tattered clothing.
'I got us home, Aveline. I hope you can see this.'
As she looked up, Aveline felt a cold chill run through her body. Thorin and Nilly had looks of utter disbelief, fueled with a cold distance. Aveline froze in fear for a moment before Kyra stood beside her.
"Duke Thorin, Lady Nilly! Stop this, it's her! She's back!"
The freezing atmosphere seemed to shatter as Nilly dropped to her knees. Tension and sadness fell off her face like a waterfall as she reached towards Aveline, while Thorin was only able to stare back at Fen.
"What are we doing with him?"
Aveline had been pulled into her mother's embrace, but she squeaked out an answer.
"He insulted and tried to kill Kyra as well as Nora, then he poisoned me while I was in the carriage."
Before anyone could react, the ground trembled. Aveline reached over and touched her father's hand.
"The poison didn't work. Kill him or imprison him, that is your decision as the Duke. Though, he did attack three really important girls..."
Aveline's final remark was all it took. Fen was pinned to the ground, Thorin's spear protruding from his chest.
"Oh. Well that was abrupt."
---
Thank you,
Anna Haig!