405: Stay

Stay

RETH0

Suhle stared at him for a moment, then dropped her eyes in submission. But she was trembling. With anger or fear? He could smell both on her.

Reth softened. "Suhle, we will keep you safe. I am concerned for those who fight at the front lines. I am concerned for the loss of life of those who must help us appear as if we are not aware of our enemy at the gates. That's what is weighing on me. The chances of the wolves actually taking the Tree City are very small—and if they did… you would be no safer. In fact, I believe you would find the wolves finally giving in to their basest of instincts. You say they are already ill-dsicplined and violent. Imagine if there were no checks, no strength in opposition. Do not flee to them because you fear the fight here. I will keep you safe!"

"That is not what I fear," Suhle said through her teeth. "I gave my word. I wish to return to complete the work I have been doing. This faction in the wolves, it must be rooted out! Plus, if the wolves escape… I have been there with them. I can continue to listen, to feed information back to you. I am effective! It would be stupid not to take advantage of that!"

"No, Suhle, you haven't seen war. I'm telling you, everything changes from now on, no matter what happens tomorrow—today, at this point, I suppose. If I am forced to kill Lerrin, those in the encampment will become tyrannical. And if I bring Lerrin on side, they will be searching for anyone loyal to him, and they will kill them. If you have been close to him you will be their first target."

"But—"

"Suhle, I have not wanted to be hard on you, but you need to know: The wolves have been attacking the bears. Some of the males have attempted to take the female bears without… without the signals. Being in that camp is not safe."

Suhle flinched and Reth winced. He hated hurting her. But she had to understand.

"It has never been safe, Reth. I do it because it is right. Because I can help. It is my purpose."

"Your purpose cannot be fulfilled if you are dead or broken," he said bluntly. Then he sighed. "But… Suhle, you know I admire your heart. You are right that those within that faction need to be stopped, whether they are there, or here. You have my word that I will see those Anima finished—and if we bring any of the encampment back here, I will ask for your help to find and defeat any that exist within our ranks. You will keep your word. It will only be delayed."

"But—"

"I will not waver on this, Suhle. Stay. I order you to stay. I know you are safer with me, than there. The gains are not worth the risk of losing you if this goes to shit."

Suhle shuddered as she fought the urge to submit. Reth gave her a soft look

Then he turned to Charyn, leaving Suhle gaping. But he knew her, and he knew her heart. She may resist, but she would obey. He would not even require her to respond. She would stay.

"Are others in the City aware of Suhle's presence with you?" he asked the male who was eyeing his cousin uneasily.

"No, Sire. We were careful. It's possible some saw her when the guard brought us, but we attempted to stay away from eyes and she kept her hood up."

Reth nodded. "Return her to your home—do you have room?"

"We are making room, Sire. She is too important not to."

Reth nodded. "Too important to all of us. If you struggle with rations you have only to ask me, I will ensure that you have everything you need. There is enough, but we have to manage it carefully. Suhle will be provided for without cost to you."

"Thank you, Sire," Charyn said carefully, eyeing his cousin. "I only wonder… she has done such great work. Is it not a risk to—"

"I have spoken on this matter," Reth said sharply, looking at both of them. "This is decision that I must carry—along with the others—of whose life to risk, and whose to save. Suhle is too valuable to risk her for the little gain we might find under the slimmest of circumstances. You are safer nowhere than under my eyes, Suhle. No one else will offer you cover as I will, you know that. So this is the time to be patient. There will be many ways that you can fulfill your purpose coming in the future and you are too precious to risk."

He pushed back his chair to let them be certain that this was the end of the conversation. "Take guards with you, return to your home before first light," he said to Charyn. "Do not let others know she's here until the battle is underway. Just as I have spies in his camp, it would not surprise me to find Lerrin has more than one here. If Suhle has been close to him it will be a matter of pride to keep her. If he is a good male, if we can negotiate peace, you can explain to him then, Suhle. And if not… I will not leave you in the reach of his teeth."

He stood and started for the door. "I have to go, but I am grateful, truly grateful to both of you for the aid you've given me and all of Anima through me. You will not be forgotten for this."

Then he pulled the door open and nodded for the guards to come through.

After assigning two to the pair, he asked the others to accompany him. Tobe was still not back with that report on the prisoner, and the time had come for Reth to use that. He had only hours left. The time was beyond past. 

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