A Rogue's Restraints

Chapter Nine: Sciakinesis

"Few are nice around here. In this house, we keep our eyes down, subserviently show your brands and hunch your shoulders." Those were the first words of advice I was given at House Taveniel.

"You're a Blackheart." I finally spat, not bothering to hide my reproach.

"No, I'm not." Bernadette said firmly. Do you see an amulet?"

"No, but that doesn't matter. You're not going to fool me. You tracked me down, you killed these men, just so you could get the bounty. For all I know your direct employer could be Gov'ner Bellamy!" I realized I was practically screaming at her.

Her face darkened. "I guess it does look that way."

"You guess? You guess?" I scoffed. Dark daemons I was bordering on hysterical. "I don't care who you are, or what your intentions are. You are going to let me be. I want nothing, I repeat, nothing, to do with you or your kind."

If I hadn't been so wrapped up in my out of control emotions, I would have noticed her stricken face sooner. "My kind?" She demanded. Her features trembled. Her jaw was clenched so tight I thought she was going to crush her own teeth. "I'm nothing like them. And I never want to be. That's why I need your help."

"My help? That's audacious of you. Why in the world do you think I would ever help you?" I asked venomously. I leaned heavier on the wall. I held my dagger in a white-knuckled grip.

Bernadette took a deep breath, calming herself. "I was at your execution." She said. "I've been trying to track you down ever since. Is what you said that day true?"

I snorted. "You've gone to a lot of trouble for nothing." I forced myself to lower my volume. I hadn't seen too many people out in the storm, but I didn't want to tempt fate.

"No, I don't think I did." She had gone from startled to furious to contemplative. I didn't know what to make of it. "You look like I did two years ago. When it all started to happen."

"If you're wanting me to ask 'when what happened?' you might as well get lost. Haven't I made my feelings clear?" I said. This had to be some sort of sick ploy. I was not going to fall for it.

"You have." She said. "But if you don't come with me, you'll never walk again, and you'll be wrapped up in the same problem I'm currently facing. You'll wish you had someone who knew what you're going through."

"I'll make my own way." I said. I tried to take a step forward but my weightbearing foot slid on the wet ground. I tried to catch myself with my other foot, but that went as well as I'm sure you assume. I cried out in pain as I fell, with a splash, on my rear. I sighed, feeling stupid. I turned and leaned my back against the wall. Sitting was better anyways. It felt like my head would never stop spinning. I spat blood and winced. I turned my attention to examining my knee. Bernadette knelt down in front of me. I pointedly ignored her. I gingerly pulled up my pant leg. Through the dark fabric it was hard to see the full extent of the damage. My skin was filthy, I won't gross you out by telling you how long it'd been since I'd had a bath, but just know that I was very worried about infection. The stab wound was to the side of my knee cap, and bleeding. A lot. I cursed. I wished dearly I knew more about medical procedures. Yes, I knew how to treat minor wounds, but I had no experience recognizing how much damage had been done to my knee. If what Bernadette said was true, I needed help, otherwise I wouldn't be able to walk again. And that was just my leg. I was almost positive that my arm was broken too.

"I understand your apprehension." She said. She paused as if considering. "What if I provided you with a way to get your friends back?"