Taker

Taker Sect. 2

Thorn cursed at herself silently as she picked her way through the undergrowth. She couldn’t believe that she’d invaded Ashe’s cell without the proper information. That was a mistake only a green warrior would make, which she was not. The cardinal rule in this game: Always be informed and she’d forgotten it. 'Not to mention, what was with Trigger? The little information she did have and it had been farce? Boy was he going to pay,' she thought.

Climbing over the columbine wall that surrounded Trigger’s domain, she glanced around. Thorn stood in a clearing; there was a small wood cabin about 100 feet away, surrounded by green grass. The cabin had a thatched roof which hung over two windows cut into thick walls. Thorn smiled, glad that Trigger was vain enough to believe his enemies could never breach the walls. This made getting into his house so much easier. Strolling noiselessly towards the nearest shuddered window, she easily pried it open. Peering inside, she saw Trigger lying fast asleep on his side facing away from her, snoring. Stealthily she launched herself inside, landing silently on her feet. Creeping over to where he lay, she paused next to him. A mental picture of the gashes lining Ashe’s body was all the motivation she needed. Swiftly she wrapped her arms roughly around Trigger’s waist, yanking him out of bed.

Trigger was awakened almost instantly to find himself flying through the air and crashing painfully into the wall. Springing to his feet he spun around to face his attacker. And blinked. Twice.

“Thorn?” he asked in a confused tone. “What in the name of the Gods are you doing?”

Thorn’s eyes blazed at him as she raged, “What are you doing? Giving me false information! I can’t believe you sent me in there, totally unprepared!!”

Trigger winced at the fury in her voice. He hadn’t thought that she’d be this upset. He sighed, knowing that now he would have to tell her or die trying to keep the secret.

He looked at Thorn wearily and said, “Let’s have some tea.”

She stared at him, shocked. He wanted to have tea, now? She was about to say something, but found he was already opening the door that led to his kitchen. She let out a growl and followed, silently fuming.

Trigger’s kitchen was very simple, a wood stove for cooking and heating that sat in the far left corner, cabinets the lined the wall to the right, and a thick oak table with engravings sitting in the center.

He walked over to the cabinet, took out two cups and a kettle and filled it with water from a small bucket sitting next to the stove. Lighting the fire, he placed the kettle on the stove top and then went to the table to sit down. Thorn followed suit, still angry and hurt.

“Thorn, I’m sorry about lying to you, but if you’ll just listen I can explain,” Trigger began.

Thorn sighed and nodded, noting the relief on Trigger’s face. In any other circumstance she would’ve attacked first and asked questions later. However, she needed to know; she had a feeling Ashe’s life hung in the balance.

“The young man’s name is Ashe, which I figure you’ve probably already procured from him,” he inquired and when she nodded, continued, “Hadrian, his father…”

Thorn jumped as a loud squealing noise was emitted from the kettle. Trigger got up, picked up the kettle, poured hot water into both cups and handed Thorn a thing of tea leaves. When they’d both taken a sip, Trigger started up again.

“Thorn, Taker society isn’t what it used to be. In the last 30 years or so, Hadrian, the number one Alpha, has been devastating his people by pursuing useless wars and pointless expeditions. He’s so wrapped up in his own greed, he doesn’t know or care what happens to his people,” Trigger stated.

“I realize that I wasn’t entirely truthful when I told you the basics of this mission. So, forget everything I told you, okay?” he asked, noting that Thorn was annoyed with him. However, she nodded anyway.

‘Good, maybe she’ll forgive me after all,’ he thought. He knew from experience that Thorn, although a softie at heart, had a menacing temper. He’d seen her in action and frankly he didn’t feel like being her next target.

“First, I was contacted by a source inside Loftagone requesting your services. Apparently your reputation precedes you. She, yes she,” Trigger confirmed when Thorn started, “has requested that you help free Ashe from the clutches of his father.”

Thorn put down her cup and asked incredulously, “And how am I supposed to do that?” She didn’t add that Ashe would refuse her help anyway.

Trigger apparently read her expression because he added, “She realizes he could leave at any time, but that he refuses.”

She glanced questioningly at him. “Ashe was blessed at birth; he was born on the first full moon of the New Year. This alone would place him in Alpha society; so that when he matured, he’d become a clan leader. Add that to the other situation and he threatens the balance of everything Hadrian holds dear,” he told her solemnly, watching her intently for a sign of what she was thinking.

Thorn’s face may have been blank, but her mind was working a mile a minute. She had suddenly figured out just exactly who Ashe might be and she didn’t like where this was headed.

“He’s the Black Wolf, isn’t he?” she asked, her throat dry. It was suddenly very hard to breathe.

Trigger nodded, “Yes, he is. There have only been two others in Taker remembrance, which reaches back several centuries. Each time the Black Wolf appeared during the darkest hour and ascended the throne. This means, because of the situation Hadrian has placed himself in, Ashe could de-throne him. Each and every member of Loftagone would rise in his defense. Hadrian wouldn’t get anywhere near Ashe, ever again.”

Thorn nodded, still reeling. She couldn’t believe that Ashe was the Black Wolf. Even more unbelievable, he’d acted as though he wanted her. Thorn wasn’t completely stupid, even if she’d ignored the first signs. That last push he gave her toward the barred window had said it all and it hadn’t been physical. He’d allowed just for a second his emotions to shine through, and they’d reflected in his eyes. She couldn’t look at that kind of fear and concern without listening to him. It went against every instinct she had.

“So, does she have any idea why Ashe won’t claim the throne? And does she have an identity?” Thorn asked quietly.

Trigger hesitated, remembering his promise not to reveal her identity. Then he glanced at Thorn, who had sensed he wasn’t going to tell her and bristled. His choices: break a promise and swear Thorn to secrecy or not live to see daylight.

“Ravyn. Her name is Ravyn and yes she does know why,” He gave in. Thorn shot him a question, which he answered promptly, “Hadrian has every assassin within the city limits on alert for any sign of Ashe’s escape. After the last time Ashe decided to go for a run, Hadrian beat Ashe and hired at least 10 assassins. Hadrian’s warned Ashe and what he would do to Ashe’s sister if he tried to escape.”

Thorn closed her eyes. “What would he do?” Thorn asked, dreading to hear the answer.

Trigger’s voice was quiet and his eyes were watchful, knowing this was a painful subject for her, “Hadrian said he’d rape her and then allow Nathanial and Lance to have their fill as well. None of them are gentle and even if she managed to survive, there would be a long line of men Hadrian could charge for a night with her. Ashe’s sister is very beautiful and incredibly smart and brave. She also has a body that all men seem to want. Ashe taught her some defense moves when they were young and he realized the problem that she was going to have. No man has been able to touch her, yet.”

Thorn paled, memory taking her far back to the year she turned 13.

...He laughed, pushing her roughly down on the bed, forcing her to spread her legs. Hands grabbing at her, pain exploding inside and out, her crying for him to stop…

Thorn pulled herself back to reality, firmly planting herself in the present. What was done was done; she couldn’t change the past. She could prevent someone else from her fate though.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, she croaked, “Who is Ashe’s sister?”

Trigger looked at her thoughtfully, wishing he could change what had happened. Every time she heard about an incident like it, she ended up crawling into his bed like a little child wanting comfort from her daddy. Trigger sighed; he wished he was her father. It probably would’ve saved her a lot of heartache.

Pulling himself out of his reverie, he replied, “Ravyn is his sister, our contact. No,” he added as she started to ask, “he doesn’t know what she’s up to. She left their home to stay with a friend after Nathanial got a little too drunk and tried, unsuccessfully mind you, to feel her up. He got a broken arm for his trouble.”

Thorn gulped down the rest of her tea, processing this information. Ravyn, Ashe’s sister, wanted her to rescue him. Ashe wouldn’t leave because he was protecting his people and his sister. Not to mention that Ashe was the Black Wolf. All this information made her dizzy.

Yawning, she questioned, “Is there anything else you can or want to tell me?”

Trigger shook his head. “Nothing that’s relevant at this time. It might come in use later though,” he told her, shrugging.

Thorn was relieved, she didn’t know if she could handle any more information tonight. Her eyes felt heavy and she knew she needed sleep. Still…

“Trigger,” Thorn asked, wearily, unsure of his reaction, “would you mind if…”

Trigger smiled sadly; he had known that she’d ask. He also knew he couldn’t tell her no. She was like a daughter to him.

“…if you slept in my bed tonight?” he interrupted, finishing the sentence for her.

She nodded. “I know I’m too old and it’s not proper, but you’re the closest thing I’ve ever had to a father and…”

“It’s alright,” he told her quietly, pleased with the sudden compliment. “Just as long as you promise to never wake me up like that again!”

Thorn laughed as she got up, following Trigger into his bedroom. He was barely lying down when Thorn crawled in next to him, resting her head on his chest. As he wrapped his arms around her, Thorn finally allowed the pent up tears to fall. Trigger gently rubbed her back as she cried herself to sleep.

Ashe groaned as he slowly woke up the next day to find his upper body on fire and throbbing with pain. He was lying on his stomach on his cot; Nathaniel must have dragged him there after he was done. He tried to move, wanting to glance out the window to see what time it was, and instantly regretted it. A sharp cry of agonizing pain left his lips as he felt tiny daggers stabbing all across his back and front.

He lay back down, feeling dizzy from the sudden pain. He wondered what time it was and if Thorn would be coming back. He found himself wishing desperately that she would. She’d managed something no other woman had; she’d comforted him, simply by offering him her warmth. He sighed, knowing he was way in over his head. More than anything he wanted to get up and do something, so that he wouldn’t have to think about her. However, he couldn’t move without passing out so he rested where he was, puzzling over his feelings.