Leverage & Blood

Strelitzia knocked on the door quietly before slipping inside. She didn't want to wait for an answer lest she lose her nerve. Her hands held tightly to the lump bundled in her skirts. She used her foot to nudge the door shut then cleared her throat loudly.

"If I remember correctly, a certain cousin of mine has a birthday around this time."

Ray'ven offered her a weak smile. "You remembered." She sat up, hugging her knees as her cousin came to sit on the bed.

"Of course." Her eyes narrowed before raising a finger to her lips. "I've got something for you. I might have stolen it so eat it quickly."

Strelitzia unwrapped the fabric revealing a slice of bread with a single slice of hard cheese on top and half of a red apple, though it had browned from the air exposure, there was not a single sign of mold or bruise on it. It was perhaps the freshest food they'd seen since their capture.

"It's not much but it's the best I can do for now." She smiled.

Ray'ven chuckled, picking up the apple. She broke the already small piece in half, offering it to Strel. "Here, we can share." She said, "Thank you, Strel."

Strel gently curled her cousin's fingers back around the fruit. "Keep it. They're a lot harder on you. You need it."

Ray'ven pulled her cousin into a one armed hug, taking a bite of the fruit, savoring the flavor. "I miss home. Miss Cleo always made the best pies." She said, "You would love her, she's the sassiest old lady I've ever met."

"I think right about now I'd love just about anyone who had pie." Her mouth watered at the thought of a fresh hot meal. Strelitzia gave her cousin a fond pat before pulling from her embrace to stand. "I'm sure we'll be home in no time."

 ***

The king of D'treroh listened while the waves lapped against the ship as it sailed through the dark depths of the Onyx sea. His mind found solace towards the only thing he truly considered precious in his life: his daughter–her hardened yet soft eyes, the smile which graced her lips whenever she'd been given a challenge. He missed her, and his heart felt cold and empty—hands feeling like when someone had lost something and a trace still lingered where it had once been.

Had Aurelia not been enough for the pirate lord, or would he claim Ja'ule's daughter too? He shouldn't have listened to that long-nosed, elephant-eared Garvet when he'd requested that Ray'ven should visit Strelitzia. The old fool thought he could sway her by allocating her more freedom, but he only managed to put his daughter's life in jeopardy. Not all of it had been the councilman's fault. Ja'ule couldn't resist that smile.

He turned from the rail, glancing one last time at the slivers of moonlight weaving through the ripples of the sea. It was nearly as dark as the skies above. There was this briny smell lingering near. He cared not for storms because he was the gathering storm Razmyr Krestov would fear. He'd have him swimming away like the kelp when the waters stirred and turned; have him on his knees. The bastard moved many chess pieces, but he wasn't king. He wasn't the deadliest player in the game.

I'll have you wishing you had never taken my daughter or my wife. If it was gold and fortune or his throne Razmyr wanted, he'd first have to learn not to take the only risk his opponent had. Ja'ule had only her to lose.

He sensed Caldren before the maggot spoke. "What do you think, Captain of the guard?" He asked, the rumble deep and rasped when he spoke. "Do you think he can reap what he sowed?"

Caldren's eyes narrowed, his hatred for Krestov showing on his face, his hands balled into fists. "He will reap it with his lifeblood." Was his response. If there was one thing that he and the king could agree on it was the safety of Ray'ven and Razmyr Krestov made a mistake when he chose her as his prisoner.

The king nodded his head and left for the deck below. Caldren had more sense than to disagree. If his answer differed, Ja'ule would've crafted his mouth into a well consisting of teeth and blood and sharpened bones.

Once entering his cabin, he lowered himself to the edge of his bed and reminisced about all the birthdays he and his daughter shared as he drifted off into sleep.

 ***

It had been several days since the incident, and since Ray'ven had last seen Strelitzia, nor had she heard anything more from her brother for that matter. Held true to his promise, she had not received any food or other substance since then and she was beginning to feel the effects of it. Her stomach knotted painfully and her throat was parched, lips pale and cracked from the lack of hydration.

She was lying on her side, back to the door simply staring blankly at the wall when the doors to her "room" opened. She could tell immediately that it wasn't Strel this time from the heavy booted footsteps. Razmyr. On instinct, her body tensed in fear, a leftover reflex from the last time he had visited her. She sat up, turning and scooted as far away as possible from where he stood just in the doorway,

Ray'ven despised the fact that he made her react in such a way, but it didn't release the tension that had set into her body the moment he had stepped through the door. She drew her knees up to her chest, hugging them as though that alone would shield her from him.

Razmyr lingered near the threshold of the entrance, gaze locked into Ray'ven's back. He could barely make her figure out on the bed through the darkness, but it was the small bundle of darkness that rose and fell in a breathing pattern. "Get dressed and follow me. I'll turn around until you're finished." Was all he said.

Ray'ven hesitated a moment, waiting until his figure was facing away before carefully sliding from the bed, mindful of the pain that was still there in her side and neck. She discarded the old clothing she had worn, grimacing at the grimy feel on her skin and she slid on another set. I wasn't like she had been allowed to bathe.

When she was finally finished, she turned to him, standing there in uncertainty but she said nothing. She doubted she could form words with how raw and sore her throat felt anyway.

"I'm finished."

Since she stated she was finished, Razmyr turned around and gave the princess a glance over. Although he'd taken her food and any form of company she could've had as a prisoner, she still held some defiance in those Aldain eyes of hers. But even so, she was nothing more than a beaten horse at the moment.

He crossed the room and gripped her arm, then steered her out the door. Earlier he sent James for Strelitzia. They'd soon meet.

The walk was silent, and he'd been more than glad she didn't give any lip either. It took effort to brand her. It took effort to bust her lip, especially when It didn't pertain to the mission at hand. All the walls were stone—floor to ceiling—and sconces reflected orange tints across the pathways after every five feet they walked. Razmyr enjoyed the gray bland colors and the lack of decoration. For years these corridors and tunnels had been their home. They were rats beneath the sewers of the cities gathering as one for food and shelter, for their future generations.

That's all they were when the king of D'treroh spared a glance. But now he had something precious enough to make him bow and give Razmyr what he wanted. If he was smart, which the king was. Before the idea of kidnapping the princess became the main plain, he'd been blocked every way he turned. From the treasury, the Capitol, and the embassy. For one plan the king had another.

Razmyr halted, tall double wooden doors painted an emerald and barring crest of his nation and people: a skull wearing a crown and two swords crossing over one another. The snake slithering across the blade had been the rich being consumed by the poor. There hadn't been any need for knocking because the doors swung open for him, as though they knew their pirate lord was awaiting. He entered, chin rose, cerulean eyes shimmering beneath the lamplight.

There at a table placed in the center of the room sat Strelitzia, nervously shifting her eyes around the room, and once they finally entered, her attention found Ray'ven first. She seemed hyped then. That was until Razmyr stepped into view. The smile had been wiped from her face. The pirate lord released Ray'ven. "Sit down and say nothing."

"Not that she would anyway." James whispered his snarky remark and lifted a steamy cup of tea against his awaiting lips. Smelt like Jasmine, one of his favorites.

Razmyr ignored his third in command. "Do you know why you're here?"

She sat as she was told, a small scowl making its way onto her face as she did so. Ray'ven swallowed the smart remark that she normally would have given, opting to stay silent instead, looking at the floor between her feet.

Strelitzia shook her head, not even sure who the question was addressed to, but it was best to answer just in case.

"I want access to your father's treasury. You've been there, and before you say you haven't," Razmyr flicked something onto the table, square and shimmering black faintly before the candlelight lit the picture of her face, where she smiled in front of the building alongside her father who tucked her against his side. "I want access points. How many guards near each entrance? Every way in and any way out. Tunnels. Vents."

He snapped and James stretched his legs out before placing his glass down. His third in command rolled out an exterior map of the building, marking the entrances they only knew, then rolled Ray'ven and Strelitzia a quill. The building was coffin-shaped, square near the back and angled at the top. Razmyr glimpsed towards both of them beneath lowered brows. "Get to doodling, girls."

This time his gaze strayed to Strelitzia, index finger cramming onto her face as well. She was the short person on her tiptoes peering over Ray'ven's shoulder looking like a round-faced pumpkin smiling. "You too."

If there wasn't photo evidence staring them in the face, Strelitzia would've denied any involvement in the matter. The picture was years old and both the girls had grown since then.

How had he even come to have a copy of it? Even Strelitzia didn't have it. She glanced at the quill then Ray'ven. To spill those secrets would be betraying the king. Which ultimately was much more terrifying than Razmyr's wrath. She opted for a half-truth. "I wasn't ever allowed out often and this seems to be a bit dated. I can't say I recall such information. My parents were very protective as you know."

"And that can't protect you any longer from what happens if you lie to me." Razmyr interjected, the corner of his mouth twitching upwards.

Ray'ven made no move to pick up the quill, a frown settling on her face as she gazed down at the map. "This was years ago, I was only there briefly." She explained. "I don't remember and the access points change periodically. I would have only learned them after my coronation."

"Alright," Razmyr abruptly said, leaning back just as someone lashed their arm outwards towards his face. A knife glided past, inches away from cutting into his cheek. He gripped the wrist, stood, and brought his knee to the back of his attacker's elbow until it snapped upwards. From the moment he walked inside he knew there was only supposed to be a total of six men, yet there were seven.

Every time he stared across the room at this person, they kept to the shadows or turned their face, occasionally nodding in agreement with the rest. But Razmyr wasn't someone who didn't pay attention when it came to their surroundings. This person would soon know this. He yanked on the awkwardly curved arm, popping it into place once more. They howled, sounding between a snarling dog and a drowning cat. James immediately rose, dashing across the room and slamming their face against the table by the back of their neck.

Razmyr yanked the hood off. "Oh, look what we have here boy," His men barked and lowered their weapons before their pirate lord lifted the person towards the sconce light: Bynx. The second heir to the throne. James tossed two daggers toward the shadows and two others fell face-first onto the floor. They had been slowly shifting towards the door, but James always had his back.

"More leverage." Hissed Razmyr. Baeron flicked his wrist and the second heir of Ja'ule flew onto a chair, bound by Magick. "Now, you were saying you couldn't remember the details?" His head nodded, and the Mage tightened the bonds till Bynx sputtered and kicked.

"God damn it Ray'ven," Her brother's head whipped around wildly. "Give him something before my ribs cave in." Spit bubbled over his bottom lip and James held his head still by the blonde curls at the nape of his neck. Though he muttered about his tea getting cold, and how it wouldn't taste the same now.

Ray'ven gasped at the appearance of her brother. "Bynx I…" What could she say? If she revealed any information then it would be considered treason, but if she didn't…

Snap. Bynx sang high and wailed low. "My rib. My fucking rib." He cried out.

"Going once," Razmyr spoke after. "I'll signal for another if you continue the bullshit lies. You'll be pushing him around in a God damn wheelchair."

"I told you what I knew! Please stop!" Her heart felt compressed at Bynx's pained wails. She wanted to save him, but she couldn't betray her father. Not even for him.

Their pirate lord motioned again. This time Baeron broke the hand he attempted to cut Razmyr with. He didn't stop at one. He gestured several times until the skin bunched and hung loosely. "Looks like he won't be using that hand the same. Won't even be able to wipe his ass right without needing ice every once in a while. Perhaps my Mage should completely put it out of you, Hm?"

"Sounds fun to me. Anything to make the king crawl, though you aren't exactly his favorite."

Ray'ven clenched her eyes closed, her hands fisting on the hem of the shirt she wore. She couldn't look at Bynx, didn't want to see the look on his face as she betrayed him once again.

Strelitzia picked up the quill after studying the map for a moment. Ray'ven was obligated to silence, even at the behest of her only brother's pleas she remained silent. This entire time she brought trouble to her family and even now in her betrayal, it was all she could think of to lessen their burdens.

She marked a small 'x' on the map where a small inlet of water ran in Hedgequill. Next to it was a scrawled note which consisted of a series of numbers. "Here. This is a side entrance and the guard rotation." She couldn't bring herself to look at either of them, opting to stare at the table. "Just please don't hurt him anymore."

For a moment Razmyr, James, and Baeron didn't move. They all stared at her, contemplating whether she spoke the truth or not, and just for sure, The pirate lord gestured for Baeron to break Bynx's other hand. He couldn't even scream this time, only a hiss of air whistled past his lips as he curled forward. "That was for lying Ray'ven. And since you continued to, you get to watch his execution tomorrow at the Capitol. His head will be hanging on a steak beside a few low classed councilmen. Where he belongs."

Razmyr jerked his chin and they drug him out. Bynx's evergreen eyes glared at Ray'ven beneath the fridge of blonde locks swaying. "Always covering you and father." He spat."And you wonder why I bear no love for you in this wretched heart of mine."

Ray'ven almost flinched at his cold words, but her jaw tightened. "This heart of mine must stay hardened for the sake of our kingdom." She said softly remembering her father's teachings. "I understand your hatred of me brother, but your love is not a burden that I could bare either way and for that, I am sorry."

"As I've said before," Bynx spoke as they carried his across the threshold. "Fuck your apology, and I hope you choke on it the next time those words are spoken to me, sister." He hissed the last word before he vanished beyond the door.

James blinked while rolling the map from the table."Family drama. Sometimes I'm glad I don't have to deal with such things. Takes an unhealthy toll after a while."

"I don't think you have any right to talk about family when you've taken mine away." She couldn't even muster the energy to sound bitter, it just came out hollow. Empty.

James' gaze went from soft to hard around the edges, lips setting into a line. "I could say the same, Strelitzia. You don't know anything of complete loss. My loss didn't end with just family. Be glad you're breathing. You're fed." And he'd even kept the promise of keeping her alive for her father, yet he wasn't the knight shining but the demon wearing the royal attire. He had nothing more to say. He dismissed himself.

She shook her head, "I'm sure you would agree that there is more to living than just being alive and fed." A whisper she wasn't sure even reached his ears.

"Easier said than done when that wasn't how you were raised all your life. Only the rich have the money to do more. People like us don't have the luxury of living when we are dying. I thought our chat in the library was a big step. Thought you were actually taking the time to know something, but I see you're still ignorant of the ways you've lived before. Keep your blindfold on, I shall not waste my time trying to move it no longer."

Razmyr clapped his hand onto James's back, leading him where the others had gone. "She knows not your burden. Where her world shattered, you hold ours on your shoulders as well as I. The future."