Reward 24

I couldn't just bask in the glory of killing some innocent birds which could have aided them in defeating us but still, it was a crime. My mother used to warn me of our karma, good or bad will always come to haunt us later. I have never killed except for food, it had made me feel better about hunting but not anymore. I vowed that I won't kill any innocent animals again unless it hurt me. This deed was a lesson I should have learned from before. People were seeing me in a different light now. I was more than a whore. I was even better than their archers, if they had any. I hardly saw one except Amir, who was a decent shot but never good like me. The war had left us broken. We used to boast about the guns, which were all destroyed by the lycans by now. I doubt anyone who knows how to make it is alive among us.

I have heard about some rebellion from Amir, but then again they sounded so offbeat they couldn't take Igor and Lucien anymore. I have won this round at least though they don't know this is a war yet. I know from Lucien's reaction I shot the bird he must have loved. Well, he only lost a pet, on the other hand I lost all my relatives to him and his father.

"You have done a good job. You have proved yourself today. Ask away. What do you want?", he asked. He looked to me like the predator stares at its prey. But I wasn't scared, I was no longer who hid behind while he killed my mother. "I want two things. The first thing I want is to keep my bow and the second thing is the permission to shoot the next one who calls me a whore", I answered, fixing my glare on the ugly minister. He scowled at me,, but I had the satisfaction of seeing a glimpse.

"Yes you have the permission, but someone should be witness, or you could shoot someone on a whim and blame him later", said Igor. I nodded my head in response. I know there is now much use in asking something for myself from him. He is tactful and dangerous. I should keep my eyes open all the time while he is dealing with him. I bowed to him and went near Mina. All the attention was making me wary.

She pressed something to me. I took it absently, it was a note unsigned, but the handwriting was very familiar to me. STAY WITH LUCIEN. It sounded more like a warning than advice, but I didn't understand it. Why does Aunt Lima want me to stay with Lucien? I was already staying with him. It didn't make any sense. I decided to ignore it for the moment.

"The girl had amazed us with our talents. She doesn't deserve to be called whore by anyone. I declare her to be independent of this day forward. You need not stay with Lucien anymore. You are a warrior and will be treated as such. Likewise, you will get your room. You can choose who stays there", he concluded. I couldn't believe my ears, I was free from serving Lucien. I wondered why the gods were feeling so mercy to me. Suddenly, Aunt's warning strikes me. I now know what she meant. She wants me to stay with Lucien and not lose his protection. I didn't comprehend how could she trust Lucien when she didn't trust his father? But after everything happened,, will Lucien ever forgive me for what I had done?

I suddenly noticed how the entire place had gone silent. I now know that they were waiting for my response, what should I respond? Should I heed her? I decided to go with my gut,, and it told me my aunt was right. So far, I have been under Lucien's protection and I have made it fine. It's good to be under someone or else you will be a target for everyone, starting with the king. I know by now that Igor wants me and the only thing that is keeping him from getting to me is Lucien, his son. I know he didn't fear Lucien,, but he also was afraid to go against him. He is tactfully trying to separate us and even if I put the worst performance ever, still he would have awarded me with freedom which was only a ruse. It was a means to a way. The only thing that stands between me and Igor is Lucien.

The minutes were ticking by, and the king was annoyed to an extent he was tapping his fingers against his thigh. I should convey my decision to him,, and he wasn't a patient man.

"I would like to thank your honor for the reward,, but I want to decline it. I'm thrilled with Lucien and would love to stay with him. I only want respect from everyone, as whom I'm fucking isn't anyone's business but mine. But I would like to continue my training with Amir Sir", I told him, most biting my tongue for speaking so respectfully at him. He smiled in a sinister way. I know not getting his way was making him awry. Good I thought with satisfaction at least my aunt is helping me some way.

"You don't know what you are talking about, girl. The bird you just killed was a gift from his mother. I doubt he will forgive you for killing it. That boy has never loved anything as much as that God awful bird ", he said laughingly. He had a devil's laugh, if I was correct. This was news to me. The decision I made was before I got this key information. I doubt Aunt Lima is making me do the worst mistake of my life. Maybe she wanted Igor for herself. She was welcome to him with my blessings. I have zero interest on him except to stick an arrow in his heart.

"I have made my decision and will stick to that, your majesty ", I told him. I could sense that this could be either too good or too bad for me. Only time will tell in my case.