Silas let the stick fall from his hand, clattering on the desk. He leaned back in his chair and let out a low, drawn-out whistle, nodding with exaggerated approval. He smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. It was the kind of smile someone gave when they were mocking you.
"Very well then, take a seat..." his eyes rested on Serena. "...both of you."
Darius pulled out his seat and motioned to pull out Serena’s chair, but she beat him to it. She sat down and placed her hands on the desk.
Serena kept her spine straight and looked Silas square in the eye. A hint of amusement flashed in his otherwise dull grey eyes.
"Just when I thought things in Ficus were getting dreary," Silas said with a hearty laugh, thudding his fist lightly against the arm of his chair.
Serena inhaled deeply through her nose and counted to three in her head. He screamed danger to her.
"Silas," Darius began, clearing his throat. "It has to do with Dawnbreak."
The man stiffened and leaned forward. Silas stroked his short beard and raised a brow. "What about that spineless bunch?"
Darius grimaced and tapped hard on the table. "Keep your opinions to yourself. That spineless bunch is a Cardinal pack."
Silas rolled his eyes and slumped slightly, but Serena didn’t miss the tension in his shoulders, or the way his arms folded and unfolded too quickly.
Serena silently wished she had asked more about the Cardinal packs. Her father rarely talked about interpack politics, only politics within. She wasn’t sure how Crimsonclaw related with other packs, and her knowledge was a bit dated. She felt like a scholar who had skimmed the wrong textbook.
For Elder Silas to call the entirety of Dawnbreak spineless told her he did not like them, or there had been disagreements with them.
"Yes, Alpha," Silas muttered.
"I brought Serena here because, as you know, she is the ambassador from Crimsonclaw," Darius said, voice firmly.
Silas grumbled something Serena could not quite pick up. Darius didn’t react to it, so she let it be. His grey eyes rested on her, and he set his lips in a thin line.
"I understand," Silas said simply, keeping his gaze on Serena.
"I am here to familiarise her with you and your men," Darius continued.
Silas’s brows pinched together. He turned to Darius with a frown. "Why would that be necessary?"
"Because she is an ambassador," Darius said, not missing a beat. "I see no reason why she should not be shown this part of Ironshade."
The older man clasped his hands and looked between the pair. "I see."
"It would serve as a test run, as a delegate from Dawnbreak will be with us soon," Darius said.
Silas scoffed, then realised Darius was being serious. "How soon?"
"That, I cannot say. We will wait for a messenger."
Silas looked at Serena and narrowed his eyes. "So about her-"
"It will be taken care of," Darius said, raising a hand.
Serena shifted in her seat, wiggling her toes within her boots. The leather suddenly felt tight. The conversation didn’t include her in any fashion. She hated the way Silas looked at her. Like she was a caged thing someone had foolishly brought to a war table.
"Serena," Darius called, touching her shoulder.
She flinched, gazing at him before she relaxed. Darius had called her twice already, her head was always in the clouds as he noted.
"Yes," Serena answered.
Silas cleared his throat and gripped the armrest of his seat. "As I was saying... she could observe the warriors and talk to some of them."
Serena considered the offer. It would be a great getaway from these men, but she would have to watch herself and her words carefully. All this rush just to fit her into a role that would be discarded at the slightest mistake.
"That would be lovely, Elder," she said with a small, practiced smile.
The man gave her a grunt in reply and turned his head back to Darius. The two conversed in low voices. She didn’t care for their words, so she didn’t listen.
Serena looked out the window, eyes on a robin perched up on a tree. It tilted its head like it was looking directly at her. Her mother said they always meant something good would happen. She hoped her mother’s words were true.
"I would like to converse with the ambassador in private," Silas said, loudly enough to snap her out of her thoughts. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel·fire.net
Darius’s head turned swiftly, brows furrowed. "Whatever you would like to discuss can be discussed in my presence," he said, his voice laced with warning.
Serena straightened and placed her hands gently in her lap. "I’m sure it would be harmless," she said, giving Darius a small, reassuring smile.
Darius opened his mouth to speak, when Silas chuckled. "See... I would suggest we listen to the ambassador."
The mocking tone in Silas’ voice was not lost on Serena, but she ignored it. She nodded to Darius, telling him with her eyes that it would be fine.
"Very well then," Darius said, rising from the seat. "I will be back soon. I just remembered I would like to speak with one of the squad masters."
Serena followed him with her eyes. The door clicked softly, and she was alone with Elder Silas. The older man promptly placed his legs on the desk, a bit of dried earth fell onto it.
Serena crinkled her nose in disgust and then looked at the man, who leisurely gazed at her.
"I am Elder Silas Creststar," he said with slow emphasis, "though I would prefer if I’m called General Silas."
Serena twisted a bit of her dress in her hands and swallowed. "I am Serena Evers."
"Evers, hm?" he said slowly, as though getting used to the name. "Interesting."
Serena’s breath caught in her throat. Did he recognise that name from somewhere? She did not underestimate what kind of resources a Cardinal pack may have at their disposal, but she refused to believe they might know of wolves from the East.
"Yes, indeed," Serena replied, her voice steady.