It was late morning at the camp, and a drizzle outside continuously tapped against the cabin's roof. Cassian had left at the break of dawn to search for an Illyrian Warrior that might take Devlon's place, at least for now, until someone more qualified could be found.
Azriel and Feyre played chess while Nova watched. She never said a word- she never did when watching them play. Instead, she watched with incredible focus.
"Are you hungry, Nova?" Rhys asked from the kitchen. She hadn't eaten that morning or requested anything, not even the blackberries she loved.
Looking up from the chess board, Nova stared at her father. She didn't smile as she lowered her gaze to the game. It wasn't the same here. The cabin was small, and the only bed was in the corner of the same room they were in. She didn't have her squirrel or fox and couldn't explore the camp. But there was something else, too, something she'd never felt before.
"It's like the key all over again," Feyre sighed sadly, "Worse. I think she feels guilty."
Rhys pursed his lips; it was a difficult lesson to learn. One everyone had to face sometime in their lives, even Nova. As much as he hated that she felt this way, knowing it wasn't all her fault…it was a terrible way to spend the morning. Basking in guilt while the rain poured. "Nova," he ventured an idea, "Would you like to check on Bran?"
Nova looked up, only interested in her father's voice at the sound of Bran's name. "Bran?" She asked. "Bran…okay?"
With a small smile, Rhys said, "You can visit him. Like you visit the squirrel in the trees."
The dots seemed to connect because Nova was on her feet instantly as Rhys chuckled, "I'll take that as a yes."
"Nova," Feyre said, her voice firm as she picked up a pair of boots. "You're going to wear these to the camp. It's getting too cold, and I don't want you to step on anything."
Nova seemed to lose the function of her muscles as she slumped to the floor. With her face pressed against the floor, she grumbled. Feyre was almost certain that if she were speaking their language, it would be a string of curses.
Trying to hide her smile, Feyre shook her head. "Nova, you have two choices. You can either wear the boots, or you don't go." She set the boots at her side. "When the boots are on, then we can go to the camp."
Nova peeked over her arm to look at her mother with sad, soulful eyes.
"That's not going to work," Feyre said before returning to the chess game with Azriel, who hid his smile better than Rhys.
It took nearly fifteen minutes for Nova to finally give in and stuff her feet into the boots, pouting as she did. When her laces were tied - she watched Azriel's scarred fingers attentively – they were ready to walk the trail to the camp together.
Nova led them, splashing through the rain and jumping into each puddle she could find.
"I had a thought," Feyre said as they walked, watching Nova jump into another deep puddle. "Maybe we should think of hiring outside help. Not a…sitter," she cringed at the word, "But someone who could teach her things maybe we don't have the skill to teach. I feel out of my depth in certain areas and wonder if we could do more. Imitating alone doesn't seem to be expanding her vocabulary or her understanding. Not how I thought it would." Glancing at him, she raised a brow. Waiting for a response.
"I…wish it wasn't necessary," Rhys finally admitted, "But I agree. Especially now that there will be times in the near future, when everyone will be otherwise occupied. Especially with Devlon gone."
Feyre cringed, "I think of Nova in the Spring Court. Yes, I permitted to run off and explore the manor out of spite, but what about when we'll no doubt be summoned to another court? Whatever the situation, having someone who can assist in those moments, someone Nova can learn to trust, might prove vital."
"I can post an advertisement in the Rainbow District," Rhys replied, and Feyre nodded in agreement. Now, she had her own guilt to combat- having someone else teach her daughter.
"Almost everyone has a mentor at some point in their lives," Rhys murmured as he took her hand and brushed a soft kiss against her knuckles, "There is no shame in seeking help." Though she offered a tight smile, the shame in her chest didn't subside.
It didn't matter that the branches above helped cover some of the icy rain. Each jump sent out a muddy splash in all directions. They were soaked by the time they reached the camp.
"Nova," Feyre said gently, "You won't be able to go inside the tent. You're dirty, and people who are hurt can't be around dirt."
Nova looked up at her in response to her name but only smiled. None the wiser of her warning as she excitedly skipped into the campgrounds. She took Rhys' extended hand and walked with him toward the tent where Bran was being treated. Reaching for the flaps that whipped against the wind and rain, Rhys gently pulled her hand back.
As if she knew they were there – because she did – the healer who aided Bran the night before carefully pulled one of the flaps back and smiled kindly.
"Nova would like to know if Bran is feeling better," Rhys said as Nova tried to peek around the healer who stood as an obstacle.
The healer, Inez, nodded. "Hm, I can let you peek in, but he's under tonic now and must be kept warm."
Carefully, Rhys wrapped a hand around Nova's arm so she didn't try to move forward. As Inez stepped to the side, she allowed just enough room for Nova to look into the tent. It was clean and organized, and a fair bit of magic helped keep the rain and wind out.
On a cot further in lay a still figure, breathing deeply. Bran's eyes were closed, covered in ointment-soaked bandages that Inez changed every hour on the hour. The last thing she wanted was for him to get an infection, particularly to his wings. He'd have difficulty re-engaging those muscles after the welts scarred over.
Nova started to step forward, but Rhys kept her back as Inez approached her with a soft, sad smile. She said gently, "Maybe another day when there's less risk of infection."
Frowning, Nova looked up at her and realized with a long sigh that she wouldn't be permitted in. Digging into her pocket, she pulled out a few items, including a small smooth stone, a half-eaten acorn, and a bit of frayed twine. She offered them to Inez with a furrowed brow.
"Would you like me to give these to Bran when he wakes?"Nova stared at her, but Inez nodded with a smile. "I'll see that he receives them."
Rhys smiled softly. "Tell her thank you."
"Thank you," Nova said, to Rhys' delight, and he guided her away. Her shoulders drooped a little.
"I wonder if you can find your Uncle Cassian around here," Feyre said with a raised brow and a smile, trying to aid Nova's disappointment. His name seemed to do the trick because she looked up with excitement.
"My Cas?"
Feyre nodded with a grin as Az led them to the training ring where Cassian stood among possible contenders to take Devlon's spot. The lineup looked decent, but looking like a leader meant nothing. The opportunity to push the Illyrian Army into a new state of mind was at their fingertips; they just had to grip it tight enough.
The moment Nova saw Cassian, she slipped out from between Feyre and Rhys before either could grab her. She darted between bodies and slammed into her Uncle with full force, nearly knocking herself on her ass.
Cassian barked a laugh as he returned the hug. "In case you didn't know, this is my niece," he looked at them in turn, suddenly serious, "Your High Lord and Lady of the Night Court's daughter. She is to be protected at all costs." He scanned their unwavering faces.
As Rhys, Feyre, and Az approached, a sudden idea struck Cassian. The smile he had for Nova widened into a grin.
"I have a new test for who will be the next Commander," he glanced down at Nova and smiled before looking out at his soldiers, "You will need to retrieve a key. Nova will be its holder."
Rhysand burst into laughter as a smirk graced Azriel's lips. Feyre put her hands over her mouth to hide her smile, eyes widening.
The soldiers exchanged a quick look of confusion before Cassian held a finger up. "You cannot fly," he held a second finger up, "nor can you touch her. Use different skills to retrieve the key—different strategies. When leading on the battlefield, brute strength will only carry you so far. Get the key…then you'll be one step closer to commanding."
"Key?" Nova asked, looking up at her Uncle. "Key?" She asked again just as he removed a key from his pocket. This key was not brass but golden. She took in a soft gasp, eyes slowly filling with glee as he offered it. Nova snatched it quick as a flash and clutched it to her chest, hugging it like a lifeline.
"Nova," Cas smirked.
Looking up, she tilted her head.
"Play keep away." He winked.
Nova grinned wide, glancing at the soldiers out of the corner of her eye. She turned to them, stuck out her tongue, and said, "Is mine key!"
The first soldier started walking toward her, his face rigid with fierce lines. Indeed, a fearsome beast to anyone… except Nova. She zipped around him just before he could get too close and laughed maniacly. He blinked and turned to see where she'd gone, but every time he moved, she moved. He looked more like a dog chasing its tail than a soldier fighting for his place in an army.
Cassian stepped to the side, smirking as he joined Rhys and the others. "How long do you give them before they realize it won't be as easy as they think?"
"I think they already know." Feyre laughed, watching Nova run to the building off to the side that housed weapons. She clenched the key between her teeth and easily climbed to the roof. Sitting on the top, she waved at them before hugging her treasure.
Murmurs grew between them—the task Cassian had given them forced them to find a solution as a team.
"Well, trying to intimidate obviously didn't work." One rolled their eyes.
"Trick her into releasing it." Another suggested.
"How? It's a key, not a deck of cards. Didn't you hear what she did to get to the first one?"
"If she drops it? How long can she climb without needing to let it go?"
"He said we can't touch her, not that we can't touch the key. What if we grab it?"
"And risk hurting her fingers? Yeah, sure. Go ahead and have fun with Devlon while you're at it. Ask how he's doing."
This went on for a while. By the time they looked back up at the roof, Nova was gone.
One of the soldiers spun in a circle. "Where'd she go?"
A spout of giggling caught their attention, and they looked over at Nova, who had somehow climbed up a narrow metal flagpole. Her boots lay on the damp dirt at the bottom as she looked over the camp. However, it wasn't high enough to see above the trees, which was disappointing.
"Maybe we…talk to her?"
One of the soldiers cringed as he walked toward the pole, the others close behind. "What do we say?"
"I don't know. Ask for it?"
He rolled his eyes and sighed. "Hey…Nova?"
Nova looked down at them and tilted her head.
"Can we have the key?"
Nova snorted. "Ha, no."
Rhys chuckled as he took a seat on one of the wooden logs. "This is going to take a while."
By dusk, two of the five soldiers left frustrated. Cassian merely watched them pass by and looked out at the remaining three. The ones who left early were not meant to command the Illyrians.
Nova had moved here and there, never seeming bored as long as she was climbing something and had her key to admire.
"I wonder if she'd be willing to make a trade," a soldier named Liam said. Slipping his hand into his pocket, he pulled out a cold coin and walked toward Nova, hanging upside down in a tree. "Nova," he held the coin out, "If you give me the key, you can have the coin."
Nova lifted herself to perch in a sitting position. She looked down at the key, then at the coin in his palm. It was shinier than the ones she had in her window. Slowly, she narrowed her eyes and shook her head. "Is mine key."
Liam puffed out a sigh. "Yeah, yeah, yeah." He shoved the coins in his pockets and started walking out. "Have fun." He retorted to Ansel and Mason, the last two in the training arena.
Another half hour later, it was well into the night, and Nova hadn't come down from her tree, and the only one left in the circle was Ansel. Sitting on the ground, he waited patiently, watching Nova.
Rhys smirked slyly, "I think he's figured it out."
Another twenty minutes passed, and Nova settled back against her tree trunk. Five minutes later, her eyes grew heavy, and a long minute later, they were closed. Still, Ansel waited. He watched her- observed her breathing. When he was sure Nova was soundly asleep, he stood to his feet and began the careful walk to her tree.
It seemed to take ages, but walking was the easy part. He couldn't fly- he would have to climb…without waking her. If he did, the 'game' would start all over. With careful hands, he found the thickest limb from the tree and hoisted himself slowly up. Wrapping an arm around it, he carefully reached for the key while dangling mid-air. It took every bit of core strength he had. Without loosing a breath, he gripped the end of the key and began pulling it free from Nova's hugging grip.
It took a bit of maneuvering away from her fingers, but the key finally came free, and he silently lowered himself to the ground. Ansel wasn't the type of Illyrian one might see as a warlord. He was undoubtedly no Devlon. Smaller in stature, though still strong and agile, Ansel walked toward Cassian with assured steps and offered the key.
Cassian stood with a smile, a glint of pride showing through his eyes. "Congratulations, War-Leader. You'll begin training with me tomorrow."
"Yes, sir." Ansel finally smiled before retreating to the barracks for a well-earned bowl of stew.
Rhys chuckled and patted Cassian's shoulder. "Now you have the joy of waking her to come home."
Cringing, Cassian nodded. "That seems fair. I may need a healer after this," he smiled, "Although she may spare me when I give the key back."
"Good luck." Azriel nodded, not moving off the log he lounged on.
"You know," Feyre said, bumping Rhys' ribs as they watched Cassian walk toward Nova's tree, "We'll have to find a Scholar who will be able to not only teach her but also handle situations like this."
Rhys pursed his lips and nodded, "Nova will need to be there. She's the first person they'll need to impress."
Cassian yelped from a distance, followed by Nova's mischievous cackle.