Cruel and Unusual Punishment (Part 1)

"Lady Neve!" Reed shouted, rushing forward to the fallen noble. Erwood yanked him back, choking Reed with the fabric of his cloak.

Neve was sprawled, face-down, on the snow-covered ground. Her long, silver hair fanned around her frame, blending in with the rocky terrain.

The smaller knight, Beavin, knelt down beside Neve. He rolled her onto her back, her head lolling to the side as the knight handled her.

"She alive?" Erwood asked, ignoring the squirming boy in his grip. "Be careful with her. We don't need the Duke breathing down our necks."

Beavin leaned down, tilting his head to listen to Neve's breathing. "She's alive, Sir."

Erwood peered down at Reed, his lips curling back with distaste. He relaxed the cloak just enough for the boy to step back.

Red-faced, Reed gasped for breath. His hands circled his neck protectively, shielding it from Erwood.

"Save the dramatics, boy," Erwood sneered. "What's wrong with her?"

"Her–her shoulder. It's infected," Reed rasped. "Fever. Needs treatment now."

Erwood grabbed Reed by the jaw, pulling the boy's face towards him. The rough leather of his gloves dug painfully into the soft flesh of Reed's cheeks.

"Don't give me orders," the knight growled, spittle spraying across Reed's face. He turned to Beavin. "Take the Lady to the medical ward. We can't have her dying...yet."

"Yessir!"

Beavin gathered Neve in his arms, lifting her prone body with ease despite his smaller stature. He bowed his head politely to Erwood as he passed by, pointedly avoiding Reed's desperate eyes.

Reed's gaze followed Neve's retreating figure, forlorn. A cold sense of dread gripped his heart. This fear was something he was accustomed to, but it was terrifying all the same.

Erwood laughed darkly. "You better pray for salvation, rat. This is going to be hell."

Reed squeezed his eyes shut–and he listened. He prayed that Neve would wake up soon. If she did not, there might be nothing left for her to save.

–––

Neve heard the muffled sound of voices, though they seemed distant to her ears. The voices were slow and distorted, as if she was underwater.

As she teetered on the border between consciousness and sleep, Neve slowly became more aware of her other senses.

It was warm. She was enveloped in thick, woolen fabric. Her head rested on a pillow, a sensation that she dearly missed. It was so comfortable.

'I need to wake up,' the voice in the back of her head reminded her. 'I need to wake up.'

But it was so comfortable.

Neve hadn't slept comfortably for days. After her rigorous training with Oliver, followed immediately by the journey to Hell's Gate with Reed, Neve was exhausted–mentally and physically.

Suddenly, panic bloomed in the pit of her stomach. 'I need to wake up.'

But why was she so worried? Barely conscious, Neve strained to recall the events that unfolded before she fell asleep.

Was she at Hell's Gate yet? She must have arrived. After all, she hadn't allowed herself to sleep on the journey there. She couldn't risk Reed escaping.

That was right–Reed!

'I need–I need…'

"To wake up!" Neve gasped, bolting upright.

"Oh my goodness!" a feminine voice shrieked. The sound of something metallic falling to the floor echoed through Neve's ears, making her head pound.

The room was bright–too bright for Neve to see. She squinted, eyes darting around the room blindly.

"Where am I?" Neve croaked, her voice rough with misuse. "Where is Reed?"

Neve felt small hands flitting over her body, gently pushing her back onto the bed.

"Please calm down, Lady Neve," the girlish voice spoke. "You're still recovering from an infection."

"How long–" Neve managed to choke out, her voice catching in her throat. It was dry–almost entirely devoid of any moisture. "Water. I need…"

"Oh, of course!"

The rim of a cup was quickly lifted to Neve's lips. She gulped down the cool liquid inside, quenching the severe thirst she did not realize was present.

"You've been unconscious for two days, My Lady."

Neve's eyes were slowly adjusting to the blinding brightness of the room she was in. It seemed to be a small medical ward. Neve was situated in an empty row of beds, each separated by thin, white clothes suspended from a ceiling beam.

She looked up at the person tending to her–a young woman, perhaps Neve's age. The girl looked northern, with fair freckled skin and dark features.

Neve leaned back, meeting the girl's eyes intensely. She repeated her words from earlier, with more force behind them now. "Where is Reed?"

The girl averted her gaze nervously. She opened and closed her mouth wordlessly, struggling to find the words to say. "I...I am not the best person to answer you. I know very little about your–your companion's situation."

"Tell me what you know, then," Neve snapped impatiently.

"He's being held captive by the Commanding Officer," the girl replied quietly. She gnawed on her lip, pausing before she spoke again. "He refused to speak until you regained consciousness. No matter how much they...tortured him."

Neve inhaled sharply. "Where is he now?"

"He's–"

Creak!

The door to the medical ward swung open. Past the edge of the hanging cloth, Neve could see a young man stride in, his eyes searching enthusiastically for someone.

Neve narrowed her gaze at the man. He looked familiar.

"Sir Beavin!" the girl exclaimed, jumping to her feet. A rosy blush quickly spread across her cheeks, but she schooled her expression as she glanced back at Neve.

A calloused hand pulled back the cloth to Neve's bed. "Miss Kalina. How is–"

Beavin's jaw dropped at the sight of Neve, awake, staring back at him. He rushed to bow, almost hitting his forehead on the footboard of Neve's bed.

"L-Lady Neve, I offer y–you my humble greetings." Beavin stammered. "I apologize for your, um, unpleasant arrival."

"Bring me to Reed," Neve demanded, ignoring the knight's words.

"I'm sorry, My Lady, but I cannot," Beavin replied meekly.

"He is not a spy!" Neve shouted, her voice breaking with frustration. "He is just a boy! Just a victim of the war."

"I believe you, My Lady," the knight assured her quickly. He met Neve's gaze, his expression open and honest. "I do not think he is a spy. But the Commanding Officer does, and if you are seen with the boy, you will be arrested for treason."

Neve clenched her jaw, falling silent. What could she do to protect Reed? She had no power here. Neve's eyes widened as she came to a sudden realization. "Where is Prince Hale?"

"The Commander has not returned from the Capital yet," Beavin answered. "The Order was dispatched before he left. But he should arrive in the next few days."

"Prince Hale will believe me," Neve said, sounding more confident than she felt. 'Even if he doesn't, he won't let a child suffer.'

"I truly am sorry," Beavin apologized again, hanging his head. The girl, Kalina, placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

The sight filled Neve with even more anger. "Your apologies are mere words to me."