Shame Me Twice | Shame On Me

Bynx smirked the entire time they led him to the prison, his gaze roaming every inch of detail and all the exits whenever his time for escape would come. Razmyr and the closed eyed blonde haired man turned the corner while the guards carried on through the stone corridors. They had halted once.

These would be his living conditions until he could figure out an escape plan. The cell was dank and dark, mildew seeping through the bricks and cracks on the wall. Brown muck leaked from the ceiling too. He may not have been the king's favorite or had the luxury Ray'ven was offered, but this kind of living condition wasn't acceptable.

Once he stepped inside and they shackled his feet, Bynx squatted near the wall. The ceiling was somehow lower than when they walked through the halls. If he were to even stand his head would touch the top. Things could've gone differently if Ray'ven surrendered, though his sister wouldn't do anything that'd anger their father.

He'd seen the shadow passing over her hardened eyes. Ready to watch me die. Just those words alone had Bynx's teeth grinding more than the air whistling through the small space area. They'd simply left a silver pan of black mushed up food, and a bucket of water that looked more like piss for whenever he felt parched. Like he'd drink that shit.

He closed his eyes, listening as the droplets of water made a soft pitter-patter tune. Then, the softest rapping caught his attention. Good. Good.

 ***

Ray'ven's heart was beating frantically, her thoughts whirling at the new development. Her brother was here. Captured and now beaten because of her reluctance to give any information. She had not shown any outward reaction to his last words to her, but they had burned and she had deserved them. It was always the same, she chose father over him, no matter how many times she told him sorry, was she truly?

She swallowed, staring blankly at the cracked wall across from her. She sat on the small cot in her "room", having been escorted back there some time ago. What would her father do in a situation like this?

Father would have never allowed himself to be in such a situation. She thought. Biting her lip, she ran her hands through her tangled hair, wincing when it pulled slightly. No, she couldn't think like her father in a time like this. She was on her own and needed to think for herself and devise a plan. There was no way that she could let her brother be killed. No matter how much he resented her. He probably wouldn't even want her help at this point.

Shaking her head, her eyes hardened. She would save him. She had to.

Standing, she left her room swiftly. Apparently, they had deemed her not much of a threat any longer and as such, was allowed to roam the hall freely. Well as freely as a prisoner could any way. She was well aware of the eyes that watched her every move.

Ray'ven stopped in front of the room that Strel was being kept in and knocked, waiting for the other girl to open the door. When she did, Ray'ven pushed her inside, closing the door behind them.

"I need your help." She whispered, keeping her voice low.

Strelitzia eyed her younger cousin. She wasn't feeling very helpful after the stunt she pulled with Bynx, but she couldn't really hold it against her either. "With what?" She took hold of Ray'ven's arm and pulled her to the far corner of the room. Whispering would do them no good if someone walked by and eavesdropped.

"I need your help to save my brother. I have to save Bynx." Ray'ven said.

Her brows rose and she couldn't hide her shock. "You weren't trying to save him before. Why the change of heart?" Strel whispered back.

Ray'ven flinched at her words as if physically struck. She deserved that. She looked away from her cousin's accusing eyes, she had seen those before. "You don't understand...I wanted to, so badly, but being heir, my father's daughter. There are some things that can't be decided by what I want." She inhaled through her nose. "There are never any easy choices and sacrifices must be made." She recited. "But Strel, I can't. I am not as strong as Father, I cannot allow Bynx to die." Her voice cracked slightly and her eyes were pleading as they met Strel's once more.

"Please, help me."

Strelitzia listened quietly as her cousin besought her aid. It made sense. She understood to an extent although she was sure there was so much left unspoken. There would be time later to figure things out further. If they actually wanted to save Bynx then they'd need to be quick.

She glanced at the clock on the wall and then gave Ray'ven's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "It's okay, little cousin. I'll help you. But we don't have much time. They go and check your room every hour. They come to find me every hour and a half. Today it should be.." She paused in thought before rushing to continue. "Razmyr and James. I can create a distraction while you go and try to free him. You'll have to find him on your own though, alright?"

Ray'ven nodded her head enthusiastically. "I can do that. Thank you, Strel." She pulled her cousin into a brief hug.

 ***

Strelitzia had to wrack her brain to figure out what exactly would be big enough to catch everyone's attention. That was until she passed the kitchen. She turned her head this way and that to make sure no one was around before entering.

Next to the stove lay a pile of kindling for the fires. She grabbed a thin piece of lumber. She didn't want to burn the whole place down with everyone inside, just a big enough fire to warrant aid. Strelitzia stuck the end against the smoldering ashes of the dying fire from their last meal. Luckily for her, the wood was dry and caught quickly.

She tucked her makeshift torch behind her back and took off down the hall. She made sure not to hold it too close to her hair so that she wouldn't be the blaze that needed quenching. Strel slipped into the old library where row after row of parchment and books sat ready. Some part of her truly regretted what she was about to do, but her cousin needed her to do this, both of them.

She set the kindling on the nearest shelf before turning to head out the door. She could already hear the crackling of paper behind her.