She glared at him as he approached from where he and Larak had been waiting in the forest. She might have glared at Larak too, if she didn’t have to crane her neck so high to see him. “I think you could have given me some warning that he was so…so…”
“Well, yes,” he made an acknowledging gesture, “he’s a bit of a…charmer. But we figured if we told you that, you’d only be more nervous going into it.”
Talea crossed her arms. “I think you should have let Wylan or Ki take this one.”
Yhkon shrugged. “Talk to him.” He indicated Larak. “I actually suggested that.”
Larak took a deep breath and started talking as he walked back toward camp. They followed. “I said I thought you would be better because Rikky needed to hear it from someone he wouldn’t feel threatened by. Any of us Wardens, or even Wylan or Ki, probably wouldn’t qualify.”
“Because Ki is so threatening?”
“No, because Rikky is easily threatened.” He gave her a meaningful look. “His father has both verbally and physically abused him. The other boys at school disliked him because he was more popular with the girls. Most of his coworkers gang up on him too. The only people he’s ever gotten validation from are his mother and…girls.”
She bit her lip.
Larak’s tone became more gentle, even if his voice still sounded like thunder. “I understand it puts you in an awkward situation, but try not to think too badly of him.”
“I don’t,” was all she said.
There was a momentary silence, before Yhkon cleared his throat. “But I’ll still be keeping an eye on him, don’t worry about that.”
Back at camp, the twins were on her in an instant, wanting to know how it had gone and what Rikky was like. Terindi and Wylan approached more calmly, waiting for the report as well. Talea did her best to satisfy their curiosity while avoiding the details of her interaction with Rikky that would be likely to make her blush.
Yhkon let them finish, then announced it was time for some training. Each ward worked with their Warden on whatever they deemed fit. Yhkon had her do some practice with his sword, then she and Wylan did some drills involving two people under the scrutiny of Yhkon and Grrake, the pair looking quite alike as they adopted their training stance: feet spread, arms crossed, chin lowered and expression stern.
After that, supper. As usual, it was a lively affair. Yhkon was in one of his better moods, even chuckling with the rest of them at some of Ki and Tarol’s antics and tales. Ahjul and Resh ended up trying to sing a song in Calnec-Arayn together, fumbling over the lyrics and laughing almost as much as their audience. Yhkon told them with a smirk that they’d alert anyone within three miles of their presence, if anyone dared to investigate such a horrific sound. Though truthfully, she didn’t think anyone could deny they could both sing surprisingly well…if only they knew the words.
Leaving the rest of the group to continue the merriment and clean up the meal, Talea, Yhkon, and Larak rode back to Rikky’s village. They stopped a short distance from Rikky’s haliop, just far enough to be invisible in the gathering darkness. All three of them dismounted, watching the haliop for movement. There must have been a candle inside, by the dim orange light coming through the window. Two shadows passed in front of it. His father must have still been home.
So, they waited. They had arrived early, anyway, it wasn’t yet six o’clock.
A voice, muffled by distance and the dirt walls of the haliop. It grew louder and more aggressive, to the point of shouting. Talea stood up straighter, looking at Yhkon anxiously. It had to be Rikky’s father…what if he was going to hurt him? If—
Yhkon put a calming hand on her shoulder and shook his head. “He’s not drunk. He won’t hurt him.”
That was only so comforting. She could tell Larak was tense as well, but he remained quiet.
She wasn’t able to breathe easily until the voice lowered, and a moment later, a man left the haliop and disappeared in the direction of the village.
They were just starting toward the haliop when Rikky slipped outside. His eyes landed on Talea and he smiled. They shifted to the Wardens, and he frowned. “Rikky,” she stepped forward to meet him, putting on a cheery smile of her own in hopes of easing his uncertainty, “these are two of the Wardens. Larak, who’s your Warden, and Yhkon, he’s the lead Warden.”
Yhkon and Larak both made their greetings and shook his hand. Rikky seemed to already be recovering from the initial wariness. He admired their armor and weaponry with unconcealed interest. “You guys look legit,” he said finally, his grin slowly returning.
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Larak was smiling more than he usually did. “Now. I know Talea told you quite a bit earlier, but do you have any other questions for us?”
“Um,” he shrugged, “not really. I want to come with you guys.”
“Are you sure?” Larak looked at him keenly, as if probing. “This is a serious decision. And it’s not as though you can come with us, decide you don’t like it after a few weeks, and come home. We want you to be certain.”
Rikky’s lips twisted into a sneer. “As if I’d have any reason to come home.”
“Rikky,” it was Yhkon who replied, to her surprise. “Don’t be a little boy running from your father. Make your own decisions. Otherwise, you’re letting him control you.” His tone was brusque. And bitter. There was a pause, in which he seemed to shake off whatever had come over him. “So you want to come?”
Talea blinked, contemplating the unusual comment. The way he’d said it...she glanced at Larak. He was frowning at Yhkon, with some sort of dissatisfaction. Perhaps not directed at Yhkon, but at what he’d said.
Rikky’s expression was a little offended at first. It quickly softened with thoughtfulness. Straightening his posture, he nodded firmly. “I want to come.”
Smiling again, Larak clapped him on the shoulder. “We’re glad to hear it. Let’s go get your things.”
~♦~
Rikky’s addition to the wards came with mixed responses. Ki found him to be great fun, and Rikky must have felt likewise—they were buddies within minutes. Kae and Terindi were neutral, though perhaps sharing in some of Talea’s confliction simply due to Rikky’s undeniable good looks and winsomeness. And then there was Wylan. He was Wylan-level polite, while Rikky made very little effort at hiding his own immediate and unexplained hostility. It wasn’t long before Wylan abandoned common courtesy for indifference, peppered with some distaste. They were ignoring each other only minutes after the introduction. Though of course, Wylan generally ignored everyone if he could at all possibly help it.
The next morning, after training, the group set out as a whole, leaving Rikky’s village behind. If Rikky felt any nostalgia or doubt, he didn’t show it. He was enamored at the prospect of riding a celith. Talea couldn’t help her amusement. You’ll be over that tomorrow, when you’re so sore you can barely move.
He had enjoyed the training, too. Though he had no experience with a sword, he excelled in the workouts and drills. Talea guessed he had some growing to do yet, but he was already tall, with an athletic build. The drills were not something he’d ever done before either, still, they seemed to come naturally to him.