The Dawn’s Dusk - 2. Chapter 2- Autumn Ash Roses

Warning: Unwanted aggressive attention?

My thoughts had been so focused on entering the Vesper estate that I never bothered to think about anything past it. Uniforms? Boots? I couldn't deny that learning a Craft under someone as distinguished as Eld Emery was a great opportunity. He seemed to be serious about teaching me, as well. I had barely finished sorting out my belongings when the man in question returned with the uniforms he had promised.

"Now, these boots are a size bigger, but they will do for our purposes," the elegant wyvern declared. "Change into a set of these and meet me in the hallway when you're ready."

The uniform tops consisted of three-fourth sleeve shirts with three different colors and patterns that reminded me of the bark of yellow, white, and cherry birch trees, respectively. I chose to wear the one that reminded me of yellow birch. The gold hue seemed to be speckled horizontally with a darker gold. The pants were all a sandy beige hue that seemed to blend in with all the other colors. The aprons were the same beige. What gave me the most trouble were the boots. They reached up to mid-calf, and I needed to loosen all of the laces on both shoes before I was able to slide my feet into them. After I tightened them back up, I was relieved that it wasn't too difficult to walk in them, despite the larger size.

I glanced at myself in the mirror that was affixed to the wall of my assigned room. The uniform made my grey eyes look dull in comparison. I was in dire need of a trim. The long, wavy mess was already halfway down my back. The brown hue of my hair made my skin; usually the color of aged parchment, appear as pale as the inside of an eggshell. I opened the top drawer where I had dumped miscellaneous possessions and dug around until I felt soft velvet. Owin loved playing with my hair. The velvet tie that I used to pull it all back into a ponytail was one of his creations.

I stepped out into the hall, and, as he had promised, Emery was there waiting for me. He wore a uniform, as well. But, his clothes were in shades of plum, which made his platinum hair appear brighter, as well as his lavender eyes. I was surprised that he bothered to wait for me at all. Owin's Scholars, having found me to be a slow learner in comparison, were keen to leave me behind in pursuit of students with more talent. None of them would have ever done so much.

"Come," Eld Emery stated as he led me back down to the first floor. I noticed that he had similar boots to mine but wore no apron. We passed the kitchen as we headed towards the back of the mansion. "Welcome to the other half of the Vesper estate."

Outside, we were assaulted by the sound of excited squealing as a group of omegas rushed past us on the grassy slopes. Omegas were generally more vividly colored than alphas and betas. They carried stronger scents than the most fragrant of night flowers. As much as I loved my brother, I had been relieved when Owin's omega scent turned out to be as soft as the scent of a rose. On the subject of roses, the flowers that populated the gardens behind the mansion were even more exotic and beautiful.

"As much as I'd like to say that not many people have seen this area," Emery continued with a sigh. "Word travels much too fast."

I was starting to realize why my mother was so concerned. It appeared as if more omegas were after Vis Sepherus than I previously thought. I didn't know what Emery meant about word traveling fast, but I could tell that he was annoyed. I hoped his mood wouldn't affect his intention to teach me, though I still didn't know what Craft he had in mind to teach me in the first place.

The further we walked, the more I realized that the backyard was a downright botanical garden. The massive, glass-covered dome structure in the center was a greenhouse. The boots were beginning to make sense. As much as I wanted to appear mature and capable in front of the older man, Eld Emery seemed amused by the awe and wonder on my face the closer and closer we got to it.

"As you can clearly see," he stated as he opened one of the doors to the greenhouse. "One of my Crafts involves botany."

Different plants and flowers were artfully arranged in segments that seemed to create a massive swirl inside the dome. Emery handed me a book bound in thick material with a fountain pen that was so ornate and intricate that my hand trembled as I held it. I had never seen such a beautiful pen in my life. And here I thought that the stationary set I had gifted my brother was fancy.

"Those are yours. Write your name inside the journal. Before we begin, I want you to take a good look around. Don't touch any of the foliage, as some of them are poisonous upon contact," my new Scholar warned. "Tell me if there are any breeds that you recognize."

I did recognize some of the flowers, and I mentioned them out loud as I walked closer and closer to the center of the swirl. "Regal hale, plaid lilies?" I continued to guess. Eld Emery gave a nod to each plant I managed to name correctly. "Starry vine…" I trailed off when I reached the center. A single rose bush grew in a round, separate space.

The flowers were bigger than my palms, and the petals were so numerous on each bloom that the loss of several of them wouldn't affect their appeal. What enthralled me the most was the soft, peach hue that was somewhere between orange and pink. I never would have thought that a flower would have the same color as my brother's hair.

"That's a hybrid bush," Emery explained. "One of my own creations. I call it the Autumn Ash Rose. Took me years to cultivate. It's the only plant in this greenhouse that is purely decorative. That's not to say I don't have more delicate projects in other greenhouses and nurseries."

"Autumn Ash rose," I repeated softly, committing the name to memory. For a moment, I wanted nothing more than to show the hybrid rose to Owin. It hadn't been long since he left, and I already felt the loss of his absence. Azure above, I hoped he was safe.

"Young Rhyad, if I may be so bold," the older man's voice startled me from my sullen thoughts. "A Scholar's true worth is in cultivating interest and skill regardless of a wyvern's talents, or lack thereof. You've correctly identified a quarter of the species here without having resorted to research first. I say that we're off to a great start."

A smile tugged on my lips as I hugged my new journal to my chest. I wasn't used to receiving positive feedback, so a part of me wanted to learn all I could while I was still under Emery's tutelage. Something inside of me really wanted to make the Scholar proud.

Four hours and ten pages full of plant analysis later, Eld Emery finally dismissed me for the day. After ensuring that I knew my way back to my room, he ended my lessons and allowed me to head back at my own leisure. Back home, I either spent my free time with Owin or alone in our shared room. But, the sun was beginning to set, casting a charming light upon the Vesper gardens. Before I realized it, I was already walking along the paths and taking note of the many plants I had yet to learn about.

A familiar sound of squealing drew my gaze to the commotion. I was standing on a slope behind some bushes and instinctively ducked down so that I wouldn't be seen. At the bottom of the hill, Vis Sepherus was cornered by the same group of omegas I had seen before. I was wary of the group becoming violent, so I hesitated.

A moment later, yet another omega approached from the opposite direction and began to spout out threats while pointing toward the garden entrance where a set of guards awaited. I let out a sigh of relief when the young man's words seemed to strike a chord with the other omegas, and the group began to walk away dejectedly. Perhaps my parents were wrong. Maybe Vis Sepherus had a faithful friend who kept the other omegas away. Someone that would pin him against the wall to molest...wait, just what did that young wyvern think he was doing?

The blond's hands were just barely held away from Sepherus's privates, and I felt that I had to do something. I saw a path that led behind the garden wall and rushed in that direction, dropping my notebook and pen in the process. If there was one thing I learned from helping Owin evade groups of alphas, it was how to escape on the fly by scaling walls without equipment. The momentum from my run allowed me to leap halfway against the wall and grasp the upper edge. My feet and upper body strength were used to climbing, so it wasn't too difficult to pull myself up. I dug around my apron pocket for a few stones that Emery had allowed me to keep and tossed a few of them near the omega's head.

The distraction drew his attention enough for him to let go of Sepherus. I quickly reached down an arm, which the alpha didn't hesitate to grasp. Between the two of us, we pulled him up just before the omega turned back around. I showed Sepherus how to lay down flat along the top of the wall so that our movements wouldn't draw any attention from the blond.

"Sephie?" the omega below questioned as he looked around. "Damn it!" he huffed as he stomped away.

I let out a sigh of relief that was echoed by the estate's owner in front of me. We shared a glance, and then the two of us burst out laughing.

"Shh!" Vis Sepherus chided, pulling himself together faster than I was able to. "Taro might still be within hearing range…"

After a tense moment of silence, he moved so that he could sit on the edge of the wall with his feet dangling down. He extended a hand towards me. I quickly followed suit and shook the offering.

"Thank you...Rhyad, was it?"

"Yes," I responded. "You remember my name?"

"We've met before, remember?" he pointed out. "During another of your brother's escape acts."

A blush heated my cheeks. That was the day he had also met Owin, so I figured he would have forgotten all about the younger beta brother that had introduced the two of them. "And here I just revealed one of our trade secrets," I confessed.

"Your secret's safe with me," Sepherus insisted. "Besides, aren't his days of escape over after this Troth Season?"

"Y-yes, of course," I replied hastily. I felt guilty for the blatant lie. Owin still seemed to be in the middle of his greatest escape. "Might I ask why you allow public access to the gardens if you keep getting mobbed by so many omegas?"

My intent had been to change the subject and possibly tease him in the process, but from the dark look that came across his handsome face, I realized that I brought up an even worse subject. I instantly regretted it.

"I have my reasons for that," he responded in a tone of voice that was far less friendly than a mere moment before. "And they're personal."

"I meant no disrespect," I added. My stomach felt clenched, and I didn't know if it was because I accidentally upset the Vis or because it was getting dark out and I hadn't eaten. I decided it must be the latter.

Sepherus dropped off the wall gracefully onto his feet. I had to dangle off the wall with my hands before I could fall down. Even then, I ended up stumbling. I felt the warmth of the alpha's large hands on my shoulders, steadying me, and fought down another blush.

"I-I better head back before Eld Emery sends me to sleep without dinner," I mumbled, refusing to look up and meet his gaze out of embarrassment.

"Just what kind of upbringing did you and Owin have for that kind of concern?" the alpha questioned.

The surprise in that deep voice had me looking up at him after all. The taller man had a frown on his face. For a moment, I considered telling him everything about our parents. But, if I did, would it ruin Owin's chances as the Intended mate?

I couldn't do that to my brother!

"It was a joke, a joke…" I responded weakly, retreating to pick my notebook and pen back up. I was relieved to note that neither was damaged. However, the Vis didn't look like he believed anything I said. His lovely turquoise eyes even narrowed.

"Either way, it's getting late," I concluded. "Have a restful night, Vis Sepherus!"

As I outright ran back towards the mansion, I didn't once look back.