The Noble Queen-A Shadow Slave Fanfic

"Rain?!" Noble's eyes opened wide.

"Where are you hurt?!" Fort was already at the door examining his daughter before his wife could fully turn around.

She joined her husband, pulling Rain gently into the room before shutting the door behind her.

"I'm fine…mostly," Rain groaned as Fort found a tender spot on her shoulder. "Most of the blood isn't mine, at least I don't think it is."

The girl looked down at her clothing and winced.

"Did you kill someone?" Brock's mouth hung open as he peeked over the back of the couch.

Rain smiled at him, "Not someone. Something!"

The words only cemented the worry in Noble's heart.

"Brock, Blaze—go clean up any blood that might be out front. We don't want to attract any unwanted attention."

The boys started to object, but a stern look from their father told them that they should obey. Reluctantly, they donned their summer coats and headed outside.

The door shut, and Fort could handle it no longer. "Were you attacked?"

"Not exactly. At least not at first." Rain winced again as Noble helped her slide her jacket off of her body.

Pulling back the shirt from the girl's shoulder, Noble noted the bruising.

'Are those teeth marks?'

Looking at the jacket, Noble noticed the thick lining. It was also unusually heavy. Had Rain made her own makeshift armor?

Fort's face darkened as he saw the injury. "What do you mean not exactly?"

"I hunted down a Nightmare Creature. I found it! And then it found me," Rain motioned to her shoulder.

"You...went on a hunt...for a Nightmare Creature...alone?" Fort's measured cadence was all that was keeping him from exploding.

"I know how it sounds," Rain tried to defend herself, raising her arm and then groaning with the effort.

"It sounds like you completely ignored your promise to not do anything dangerous." The ambassador gritted his teeth.

Noble looked at the window and glared at the shadow she knew was hiding there. Then she sighed.

"Let's get you changed and cleaned up while you tell us about it," the mother said gently before her husband could let loose the emotion bubbling in his soul. "Can you bring a filled washbasin upstairs in a moment, please, Dear?"

Fort grunted but agreed.

The two ladies walked up the stairs, Noble doing her best to support her daughter as she went.

"You went outside the walls again, didn't you?" the mother furrowed her brow.

"How did you—" Rain hadn't mentioned that detail on purpose.

"I know much more than you think, but I didn't think saying that in front of your father was wise," Noble pursed.

I see," Rain nodded slowly.

Once in her room, the teen was able to change into fresh clothes with some assistance.

Noble noted the scratches on the girl's hand and face.

Although Rain tried to do it covertly, Noble saw the knife that was slipped between the bed and end table when Noble turned to place the stained clothes in a pile.

"Must have been some battle," Noble noted as calmly as she could.

Rain was safe now and that was all that mattered, Noble reminded herself.

The neutral tone worked. Rain's face relaxed even as she allowed Noble to take a better look at her injured shoulder.

"It didn't go as expected," the teen admitted, "but everything turned out alright in the end."

"That last part is good to know. I will be interested to know the rest as well." As hard as it would be to hear, Noble wanted every detail that the girl would give. "This bruise is gnarly, but it isn't bleeding. We may want to check in with a doctor, but I think it may heal on its own."

"I think it will be fine. I don't want to bother a doctor if there is nothing they can do."

Noble hummed softly. "Listen Rainy..."

A knock at the door interrupted the incoming talk.

"I have the water," Fort's voice was strained.

"Come in," Noble answered pleasantly, opening the door using her aspect.

The doting father tiptoed into the room with a bowl in his hand. He relaxed slightly at seeing Rain wearing untorn clothes but tensed once more when he noticed the bloodied ones still on the ground.

Noble followed his eyes and nodded.

"Good idea. I will go set those to soak immediately and see later what can be mended. I'll return in a moment." Noble hurried down the stairs and put the bloody clothing in their washtub.

Already she could feel the tensions mounting upstairs when the boys came back inside.

"We cleared what we could from the sidewalk," Blaze announced. "Now is someone going to explain why Rain came in looking like a zombie?"

"I don't have the story yet, myself," Noble brushed aside the comment. "Now you boys can finish your game or your homework. Actually, can one of you start boiling noodles for dinner? I think this conversation will last a while, and I don't want us all to starve because of it."

"I got it, Mom," Brock answered with a nod.

"I'll clean up our game," Blaze sighed.

Perhaps it was Noble's mood that had a calming effect on her boys, but she was pleasantly surprised with their maturity.

They would likely interrogate their sister later, but for now, they would bide their time.

That was good because the storm brewing upstairs could wait no longer.

"Thanks, boys. I appreciate you!"

Noble filled two cups of water and gripped them tightly.

Rather than fake her steps, Noble flew up the stairs and turned down the hall.

Voices were being raised.

"What were you doing outside the walls of Ravenheart?" Fort was on the verge of hysteria.

"Just what I said—hunting! I told you I wanted to get stronger." Rain spoke through gritted teeth.

Fort scoffed.

"I thought that meant meditation and sparring, not going into the countryside!"

"At some point, this was going to happen."

Fort pulled at his hair, "You promised that you wouldn't do anything dangerous before you turned eighteen, remember?!"

"Maybe you and I have different definitions of dangerous. I came out fine, didn't I?" Rain crossed her arms and whimpered.

"Fine? FINE?! You call all that fine?" The vein on Fort's neck looked ready to burst.

Noble held out the cup to her husband and daughter.

"Good! You got mostly cleaned up, I see, Rainy. Let's have some refreshments."

"I'm not thirsty." Fort had the glass forced into his hand.

"Drink anyway," Noble insisted with a stern glare.

Rain took the cup and both drank deeply per their matriarch's request.

Noble filled the silence.

"I hope I didn't miss too much while I was downstairs. I cannot wait to hear all about your adventure this afternoon, Rain. We are going to listen quietly until you are done explaining and then ask our questions in a calm and concise manner." Noble cut her eyes to her husband.

He lowered his empty cup with a scowl but wisely remained silent. If he wanted to hear what his daughter had to say, silence was his best option.

Noble hovered over the bed and patted beside her for Rain to join her. Fort grabbed the desk chair to round out the group.

Noble gave her husband one more knowing glance before taking their daughter's hand.

"Now, what happened today?"

Rain sighed. "I assume you mean after the field trip. Very well. Here goes…"