VIII
"Fabian..." James parroted in panic, his chest seizing up.
?James' head had effectively been put into a guillotine, the rope held by people more dangerous than him. The moment he heard that name spill off Alex's lips, it sealed his part in this conspiracy, a plan that was life-threatening to be privy to.
?Killing a royal was no joke.
?Alex's dark eyes bore him down, an oppressive severity weighing the room.
?His body jerked, instinctively trying to flee. That wouldn't work.
?He knew he had to plan his next move within seconds to know what to say. His life could end if they develop a single sense of insecurity or doubt in James.
?Denying his identity was no longer an option; if he genuinely convinced them he was an innocent civilian he would be murdered on the spot for simply knowing.
?He had to proceed as Jay or, at least, not deny it any longer.
?Alex's gaze only became more constricting, with James struggling to take in steady breaths. The knight was slowly tapping a finger on his folded arm, like he was counting down, reading every single thought that came to James' eyes.
?Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Think.
?There must be a reason they were picking him, a criminal that they wanted dead anyway, rather than trying to assasinate Fabian themselves.
Although an outsider's involvement was a risk to them, it was likely they would kill the one who drew the last arrow for their own safety.
It's possible all the players knew this.
No one in the know would volunteer with this knowledge.
?It was pure speculation. But, it's exactly what James would have planned in their stead. He was almost entirely convinced of it.
?Dead if he did, dead if he didn't.
?"The reward is a pardon?" James asked as filler, trying to buy time.
?The question also served as a weak attempt to bait for information about his client. James could not ask a single thing that could be interpreted as fishing for their identity— he would be dead the moment they thought of him as too nosy.
?Alex purposely blinked. "Yes."
?Predictably, like a true professional, he revealed nothing.
?A pardon simply was not enough leverage for his client to feel secure with.
?"What's the leverage?" James asked, feeling like this question was okay.
?It was hard to refrain from making mistakes after his head injuries and being subjected to prolonged hunger. He battled to tow the line.
?Alex tilted his head, clearly still absorbing as much information from James' face as possible. Those endless guileful eyes like voids made him feel more naked than he was, like Alex's gaze could slither under his skin.
?"Your sword." Alex replied, "It's important to you and I sent it away. My superior has it. You won't get it back unless you come with me to meet him."
?Shit.
?James didn't understand how such a shrewd man who could read James with such ease could be so unaware at the same time. He knew James hung his life on Eris after a single conversation, but didn't know the knights were selling children. It was so peculiar.
?"Truthfully, they thought the threat of death would be enough." he continued, "But, this is better."
?James' jaw was clenched so hard he thought he might break his teeth. His body was plagued by a chaotic storm of danger, frustration, and desperation.
?It was good news that his client underestimated his ability, however, it was dangerous and unfortunate that Alex did not.
?"Okay." James said, finally, knowing he didn't have any other option.
?Alex narrowed his eyes and then nodded, accepting the answer.
?"I'll let my superiors know." Alex told him, pushing off the table to leave.
?Before he left James to his thoughts, he paused.
?"Agreeing doesn't make you safe from me." Alex said, glaring at him in disgust, "I will kill you the moment you make a mistake."
?James forced a smile, even if he felt like he was suffocating inside. "Not sure my client would like that."
?"I have permission." Alex made clear, "You worry about his Highness, King Fabian. I will worry about my superiors."
?James nodded when Alex didn't leave immediately, and Alex took that as a satisfactory answer. He shut the door behind him, the metallic grind of the door locking piercing the space.
?Left in the dark again, James cursed everything that led him there.
? ? ? ?
"You're too possessive." his mentor said down to him, giving his body a weak kick.
?James scoffed, laying flat on the ground, dirt clung to the sweat on his back as he gasped for air from his lost battle. His body was covered in twigs and dust and his skin cooked in the sun overhead. He used his arm to block the offensive beam.
?"Isn't it a good motivator?"
?He glanced at the man, who shook his head. "It makes you desperate, and that makes you reckless. It's inhibiting your growth."
?James pursed his lips in displeasure. "I need to get her back."
?Jay barked a laugh. "You're not going to earn her back at this rate; not with those kinds of reckless moves. You'd be dead twenty times over today alone if this was a real fight."
?Yeah, but it's not real. James wanted to bite back.
?"Your possessiveness over her is a burden. Right now, she's mine, not yours. You don't own her."
?James sighed and dragged his body up, sitting on the ground pathetically. The bruises multiplied by the day from the abuse that Jay called 'training'; and he was sick of seeing only the same person every day.
?"I will get her back from you one day." James warned, glaring.
?This only flared Jay's sick amusement. "You need to learn your place, orphan boy.
You're not in a position to be arrogant right now.
Those are things that come with status and power and you have none of that.
Just your creepy fucking eyes." Jay looked down at his training sword, inspecting it for scratches, "I will beat that haughty attitude out of you if it's the last thing I do. "
?It was something Jay had said to him many times. James was aware his childhood had left him with pride that was too big for his current life. He knew Jay was right, but he disagreed. Eris was his, no matter who's hands she was in.
?After a sigh, James hardened his resolve and picked up the wooden sword from next to him, his hands sore and splintered. Standing in position, he held it out in front of him.
?"Again," he commanded.
?Jay smirked, his own training sword twice as long and his body towering over James'. James felt his stomach knot, anticipating pain.
?Predictably, he ended up on the ground once again. But, he was not discouraged. He stood, stumbling.
?"Again."
?He would get her back.
?No matter how many times it took.
? ? ? ?
Murmurings outside his cell snapped him awake, his brain instantly aware.
?James listened as his cell door was unlocked, and a knight he didn't recognise came in, lamp in hand.
?The knight whistled, long and low, once he got sight of the state James was in.
?"Clay face really fucked this one up, huh." he said, joking with the knights lurking beyond the door.
?James recognised one of the knights outside as one of the ones who had attacked him before.
?The man in question grinned in response. "Yeah I suppose not even an assimilated Ashadi can hold back their barbarism. The psycho probably got off on it."
?James held back his desire to spit on their faces. How could Alex not suspect these people when they behave like this?
?"That's unlucky for you," the first knight said, bearing his teeth in a smile at him. "probably feels like shit eh? Normally his race are the ones in your position, not the assailant."
?The man's smile fell slightly when James didn't respond.
?"What'd you do to end up like this?"
?"Rude carvings." James muttered.
?The guy laughed and shrugged. "Whatever. Brody, fetch us some clothes in this guy's size. We'll be up in a minute."
?Without knowing how dangerous James was, the knight cheerfully unlocked James from his chains at his hands and feet, too merry to be wary of any damage a free prisoner could do.
?Alex must have considered James clever enough to not try anything with these guys.
Despite being entirely unshackled, he knew better than to struggle now that he was complicit with something larger.
Not only would he probably not even be able to leave the building, even if he did succeed in getting past the knights here, but Alex would fucking murder him instantly.
Plus, his mental map of the prison was hardly accurate.
?Now free from his clasps, James groaned in relief as he rolled his aching shoulders in circles, and regained blood flow to his hands. He would never take being unchained for granted again.
?"Don't suppose he's gonna let me eat?" James asked.
?The knight shrugged. "No idea. Bet you're feeling glad enough you're leaving this shithole though," he laughed again, "some fuckers don't even make it out breathing."
?James didn't feel all that grateful, he didn't know how much longer he'd be allowed to breathe for.
?After the knight nudged him out the door, he walked past numerous knights who were loitering outside in interest. The mood seemed inappropriately high and jovial as they watched him leave.
?The knight who had assaulted him took initiative to lead him, muttering quietly.
?"Be grateful you gave him head well enough." the guy uttered under his breath, just loud enough for James to hear, "if it wasn't for clay face I would've made you beg for death, bastard."
?James raised an eyebrow at the spiteful man, but his gaze wasn't returned.
?"No need for jealousy."
?The knight kissed his teeth but otherwise said nothing.
?James savoured the increasingly fresh air as they led him towards the surface, the damp sticking to his body being brushed by it.
?Despite expectations, they didn't take him to his original holding cell. James only later began to recognise the corridors that stretched beyond them.
?The other knights had gradually broken away as they walked, leaving only the jovial one and spiteful one.
?The jovial one knocked on Alex's door, receiving an "enter" from inside.
?"Your Lordship," he announced, a twinge of sarcasm lacing his words, "I present the man of the hour to you!"
?James allowed the address to confirm his suspicions about Alex, he was definitely of nobility.
It did not make the situation any less strange, however.
James had memorised all noble houses as a child, and not a single one had someone of Ashadi race in them.
Alex didn't appear to be mixed race, so it was unlikely he was an illegitimate child of a noble and slave, unless his looks were deceiving.
?Alex took one glance at them and frowned.
?"You didn't tie him up."
?The knight chuckled. "This guy is harmless, ain't that right son?"
?James stared at Alex directly in the eye, smiling slowly and deliberately. "That's right."
?Alex's frown deepened.
?The young knight called Brody returned that moment, clothes in hand. "I've got them."
?"Good lad. We'll leave you to it then, Your Lordship."
?Brody dropped the clothes on the desk, and followed his colleagues out the door, not even acknowledging Alex.
?James found that pretty harsh.
?Worrying about himself first, he quickly examined the room, glancing at every corner for any sign of Eris. He thought he had been discreet enough, but evidently not.
?"It's not here." Alex said, "I told you, I've sent it to my superior."
?James clicked his tongue in disappointment, but he already knew it wasn't going to be that easy.
?A wooden drawer opening at Alex's desk caught his attention, and he watched as Alex waved a thin but tight rope at him.
?"Come on. There's no need for that, I behaved myself didn't I?" James complained.
?In fact, he probably would have done Alex a favour by punching a few of them.
?"You must think I'm an idiot if you think I wouldn't tie you up. I want to keep my blood inside my body."
?James gritted his teeth, not liking it one bit, but submitted. He held his arms out but Alex batted them away.
?"You stink. I'm not going to dirty this rope with your filth, come outside."
?James titled his head slightly, his gaze landing on the other door inside the office.
Alex opened it, revealing a small and tight outside courtyard.
Being manhandled outside the doorway, James stood in it, looking up, and recognised the walls around him were too high and smooth for him to escape from.
?He didn't expect the sudden shock of cold water dousing him, however.
?"Fuck!"
?He snapped his head back to look at Alex, who stood behind him, dropping an empty bucket to the ground with a clatter. He had another bucket in the other, filled with more water and a bar of soap floating in it.
?"Wash yourself."
?James scoffed, snatching the bucket from Alex. The door was slammed behind him, leaving James wet and shivering in his little outdoor cell.
?He stared down at the cold water in the pail. He couldn't help but bring it up to his lips to quench his urgent thirst, soap be damned. He took ravenous gulps of the stuff before stopping and it was just as cold as the water doused over him. He sighed.
?At least he had the opportunity to wash himself after so long.
?He looked up at the sky again, and measured up with walls surrounding him. He groaned, dispirited. Just as he thought the first time, it wasn't possible.
?So, he obeyed.
?It wasn't as if he had any other choice.