Future IX

Lena’s eye shone as she nodded slowly, offering the rifle back to the hunter. Her missing eye was covered with the leather, her hair ruffled all around the string. She slept, barely, fitfully. The blanket fell from around her shoulders and she swayed. Thuleos stood with a sigh, taking the rifle and leaning it against the house again. The elves were sitting around their fire just out of earshot, but he could hear the Darnassian language trilling between the group. They were here to help, he reminded himself. He had never really been a fan of the other races on this planet, but he supposed the night elves could be trusted after so many years of fighting and dying together. But he would be damned if they would do any more harm to Lena, even in trying to help.

He wrapped an arm around Lena’s shoulder and guided her back into the house, lifting her into the bed and tucking her in. Pulling a chair close, he sat and leaned back, watching her watch him. She still hadn’t spoken more than a few short words since they found her, and most wondered if she ever would again. He crossed his arms over his chest and stared at her, stony faced. Other than the nightmares, she showed little emotion or interest in anything, until he saw her pick up his gun. Then it was clear. Vengeance. No, that wasn’t quite it. Revenge was more gracious a word for the fury he saw in her face. While he was more than eager to seek out those who killed his uncle and did this to Lena, he knew he had to keep his taste for blood in check.

She stared at him, laying on her side. Her body was still sore. She itched, both physically and figuratively. She was ready. They were going to tell her no, they were going to tell her she wasn’t to be involved, but she rehearsed scathing words slowly in her head as she planned conversations. They weren’t going to let her avenge her lover’s killing. But she would anyway. Thuleos would help. She knew he would. They had to uproot the Underground. But she had to get back into fighting shape immediately.

Thuleos watched her blank face for a long time, having unspoken, unmoving conversations, until she finally rolled over and he assumed she went to sleep. She was going to go back, and he knew it. She was going to go give the Underground a taste of her fury. But fel if she was going alone. He sat and watched her back for hours before getting up and returning to his post outside.

They would start training tomorrow.