we can all learn things(just maybe in different ways.)

In Which the Playing Field is Evened

Techno almost released it, narrowing his eyes. But a nagging voice kept him from killing the hunter. What if he isn't bluffing? What if he really does have one of them?

If one of them died because of Techno's mistake, he doubted he would ever be able to forgive himself.

Slowly and carefully, he made his way towards the clearing and the tent, keeping his arrow trained on the hunter. Surprisingly, he made no move to strike. Techno held his breath as he came closer and closer, circling around the hunter to keep at least four or five meters away.

He could almost see inside the tent. Just a couple more steps.

Techno peered inside and all of his breath left his body.

Because the hunter hadn't lied.

He could see the hunter's smirk from underneath his mask. "You see?"

"You wouldn't dare." Techno growled, aiming the bow at the hunter's forehead. He felt red-hot rage bubble inside him, nearly impossible to contain because that was Tommy that the hunter had in the tent, with his arms and legs tied up and propped against a rock, unable to move other than the panicked flapping of his bound wings, his words and panicked yells muffled by a gag and a crossbow aimed at his forehead.

"Oh, I would."

"The second you make a move, you're dead."

"So is he."

Techno swallowed. This is fucking sick.

"Now you're going to put away your bow and drop your satchel and weapons on the ground." The hunter stated calmly.

"No."

The hunter's finger clenched around the trigger and Tommy let out a muffled scream.

"Fine! Fine." Techno snapped, burning rage flaring behind his eyes. But what choice did he have? He couldn't just let Tommy die in front of him. There was no way he could stand to watch that happen.

He set down his bow and unstrapped his quiver, axe, and shield from his back, slowly setting them on the ground. He took off his satchel, not caring about the tiny wooden box because they were worthless compared to his brother's life.

"The dagger too."

Letting out a soft, inaudible growl, he unsheathed it from his belt and tossed it to the ground.

"Now you're going to come with me."

"You're a fucking monster." Techno growled.

The hunter only stiffened for a second before relaxing. "If this is what's necessary to get you to cooperate with me, so be it."

"You fucking sicken me." Techno hissed, red-hot rage blazing inside him. "You're really willing to murder a sixteen-year-old kid just so you can make me come with you back to your king, and for what? A little more power, more money going into your pockets?" The hunter tried to speak but Techno cut him off, raising his volume and daring to take a step closer to the hunter. "You're a goddamn puppet, and he's entangled you in his strings so much that they're suffocating you." Techno rasped, his voice dangerously low and his seething, red-hot anger barely contained within him. "And what does he do for you in return? What do you gain from this?"

For a moment the hunter was quiet, seemingly considering his answer. After an agonizing moment of empty silence he finally spoke.

"It's not about what I gain from this. It's about what I have to lose."

Techno swallowed, allowing himself to be vulnerable for a couple of seconds before molding his face into steel as tough as the axehead of the weapon that now sat at the feet of his opponent. "Ungag him."

"Only if you agree to come with me."

Techno hesitated for only a second until he saw the terror in his brother's eyes, the way he was thrashing and struggling in the ropes that bound him. "Fine."

The hunter's jaw twitched in satisfaction and he lowered the crossbow, quickly gripping Techno's hands behind his back and tying them together with a thick rope. Techno gritted his teeth, resisting the urge to deck him.

The hunter picked up Techno's weapons and belongings, standing. He walked over to Tommy and swiftly ungagged him, leaving him gasping and coughing for breath.

"I'm going to get ready to leave. We're going to start for the Kingdom in a half hour. His wings and arms are staying tied. Don't try anything; you'll regret it. Trust me."

Techno let out a low growl and the hunter dismissed it, walking off into the forest, seemingly to find a bag or way to carry all of the stuff.

Instantly Techno ran up to Tommy, who was still coughing and hacking, his wings straining against their bonds.

"...you're such a fucking idiot."