Kingsbane

Chapter 6

     "I'll need to see your papers." The solider stated, "Even if it is you, General."
    "Of course. I would expect no less from one of my own." Rafferty replied, standing before the watchmen at the border of Unseelie. "Here." Producing a small, piece of parchment with the Queen's seal upon it, he waited for the man to determine it's legitimacy.
    Of course, it was legitimate. Siofra had given the forms in surplus in order for him to come and go betwixt the border whenever he chose. It was a small sin she'd committed, but it had not seemed to dim her shine any. It was for love, and love was equally as important as honor to Fae.
    "Shall we prepare you a wagon, General?" The solider inquired after concluding that all was in it's proper order.
    "Please. You know the one I like."
    "Yes, sir." The man turned to his counterparts. "Make ready the red wagon!"
    As his subordinates set about doing his biding, Raff sighed and looked up at the stars twinkling in the night sky. What was he doing? This was treason. He should turn back now, to hell with his debt to Siva. But he couldn't do that. Not after all that had happened between them, the blood Siva shed, the blood he hadn't had to because of it. Even if the King was a selfish child, he was his friend, and savior also.
    If he abandoned him now, would that not also bring him dishonor? It seemed he was going to lose face no matter which path he chose. On the other hand, all he really had was his job. If he lost that, then what? Join up with Sverre and his outlaws? Two fallen general's out picking pockets and pinching purses, how admirable.
    "The wagon's ready, Sir. I apologize for the delay."
    "Not a problem. Good work." Rafferty stepped past the man and got into the carriage, signaling the driver to go.
    "Where to, General?" He called back as he started the horses at a trot.
    "The Black Boardwalk." He ordered, kicking his feet up on the seat opposite him and lighting a cigarette. "The Red Rabbit."
     He closed the little curtain on the door's window. He had no want to see Unseelie, all dead trees and darkness. It only made him bitter, and reminded him of all the friends they'd lost for nothing. The war had been pointless, if the only outcome was a land divided.
    Raff closed his eyes as the carriage bumped and shuddered along the dark dirt road leading into Unseelie. It was a road he'd travelled often, a road he'd help carve during the war. Thousands of soldiers tread this sinful street, into darkness, never to return. It made his heart sink and his stomach turn. As if it weren't enough to relive it in his dreams, but to have to enter again day after day, into this twisted land, was a torment no man deserved.
    "Nearly there, Si-" Suddenly, the driver cried out and the horses panicked. Raff didn't move from his leisurely position. He had expected something like this to happen, and he did not fear what came next. The carriage shook and the door swung open.
     A sleek and menacing dagger was held beneath his chin, the blade cool like the icy eyes of the cloaked man who controlled it.
    "Welcome to Unseelie, General." His attacker grinned, those cold blue depths warming a little.
    "What did you do to my driver?" Raff inquired with a sigh.
    "He's not dead, if that's what you mean." The hooded Fae replied, withdrawing his weapon and falling heavily into the seat beside Raff's boots. "It serves you right. I told you not to come to the bar. It's bad for business. Had no choice but to stop you here."
    "Which solider betrayed me to you?"
    The man snorted and threw back his hood, revealing a head full of pale blond hair and a wickedly perfect face. "As if I would need the aid of those dimwits. I have eyes and ears everywhere."
    "I suppose I should expect no less from you." Raff muttered, tossing his companion the pack of unopened Marlboro's he'd smuggled into Faery just for him. "Siofra asked about you again." He stated, as the man's ring-adorned fingers packed and opened the carton.
    "Did she send you?" He inquired softly, leaning over so that Raff could light his cigarette.
    "No."
    "You must really have missed me then, to want to see me twice in one week like this."
    "Sverre," Reaching into his coat pocket, he offered the man Siva's letter. "Your little brother has gotten himself into trouble."
    "Is he alright?"
    "For now." Raff sighed, watching as Sverre broke the seal on the letter and scanned through it with increasingly vibrant eyes. "He used my debt against me. That is the only reason I even entertained his desire to ask such a thing of you."
    "Bring him back to Faery." Sverre whispered, his anger evident in the shaking of his hands, but none present on his stony face.
    "I can't. Siofra ordered me not to bring him back until she needs him."
    Sverre rose, Rafferty's words striking a chord in his soul that sent a dark melody drumming in his heart. "I will not help him." He breathed, "No debt is worth his dishonor to me. And, after all," A cruel smile spread across his pale lips. "Siofra needs him."
    "Sver-"
    "Hush, now, General." Sverre ordered, removing a slender piece of cord from beneath his cloak. "Let's make this little attack more believable, shall we?"
    "Can't I just say I escaped?" Raff grumbled, though he knew better.
    "Nope." Sverre ripped a few badges from his friend's uniform and rumpled his collar. Raff put his hands behind his back and allowed the other man to bind them with the cord. "When you wake up, please be sure to set my dear little brother straight for me. Okay, Raff?"
    Rafferty didn't have time to answer. Sverre hit him in the head with the hilt of his dagger, knocking him unconscious and then proceeded to strip him and the carriage of anything of value.
   
* * * *
    Siva had tried to calm his companion down, but nothing he did seemed to lessen the rage in him. "Grayson, what is going on?"
    "Some son of bitch is about to die." He snarled, pulling up in front of a large yellow house. There was a bonfire going on in the back and gaggles of people stood laughing or puking in the yard.
    "Grayson, this is-"
    "What good am I if I can't even protect my little sister?"
    "You're in no shape to be-"
    "Just stay out of my way. I can take care of it." The boy snapped, getting out of the car and storming across the lawn.
    "Gray!" Danielle called, opening the front door and ushering his sister out, glancing over her shoulder with a fearful expression on her face.
    "Both of you get in the car." He demanded, his fury only furthered by the black and blue bruise above Sarah's brow. "Where's Ricky?"
    "Dont Gray. He'll hurt you." Sarah whimpered, grabbing at his sleeve as he prepared to continue his manhunt. "You can't-"
    "Get your ass in the car Sarah Jean." Freeing himself of her grasp, he continued toward the house.
    "Gray!" She sobbed as her friend struggled to pull her toward the vehicle. "Don't be stupid! Let's just go!"
    "I'll take her from here." Siva volunteered, scooping the distraught girl into his arms, unfazed by her flailing.
    "Who are you?" Both the girl's inquired in unison.
    "Siva." He answered simply, carrying her quickly to the curb. "Now, stay here. You'll only cause more trouble for Grayson if you don't."
    "You have to stop him." Sarah pleaded. "He-"
    "I know. I'll take care of it."'
    Stowing the frantic females in the blue Nissan, he hurried into the party in search of his Bane. It didn't take him long to find him. In the living room, amidst the splinters of a broken coffee table, Grayson sat atop another boy, furiously beating at his face. No one moved to stop him.
    By the bleeding of his nose and the swelling of his lip, Siva deduced that Grayson had not been winning the fight for long. As much as he was enjoying watching his boy punish the man that had dishonored his sister, he could see how quickly Gray's strength was waning. If he did not intervene now, it could mean a trip to the hospital.
    "That's enough." He sighed, walking into the circle of people and grabbing Gray by the shoulders, pulling him easily off of his victim. "You made your point."
    "He's still breathing." Gray huffed. "Let me go."
    "Your sister needs you more than this man needs a bloody nose." Siva breathed. "He's not worth it."
    "That your boyfriend, faggot?" Ricky panted, rising and wiping his face with his stained shirt.
    Gray went to lunge at the other man again, but Siva held him firmly. "Come on."
    Ricky taunted as the left, but Siva was concerned only with the bleeding boy he was restraining. Sarah got out of the car as they approached. "Oh god, did you kill him?" She sniffed as Siva released her brother, "Your bleeding everywhere."
    "He'll be fine." Siva assured her, removing the car keys from Gray's jeans and setting him in the passenger seat. "Get in the car."
    His green eyes were cold and fierce as they flicked up at her. Only when he'd turned his gaze back to her brother could she move to obey.
    "Tilt your head up." Siva whispered, removing his shirt and holding it to Gray's face. "Are you hurt anywhere else?"
    Grayson took the shirt from the Fae's hand and pulled his legs inside the vehicle. "Let's just go." He whispered woozily.
    "Ricky's coming." Dani informed, locking her door. Grayson tried to get out but Siva shoved him back against the seat.
    "Allow me." He whispered, an order bathed in charm. "Richard, I'd advise you to go back inside.
    "Fuck you. This ain't any of your business." Ricky snarled, looking at Grayson. "Get out here you son of a bitch. Finish the fight you started."
    Siva stopped him as he began to round he car. "If I'd not stopped him, you'd be dead, so why don't you just be grateful and go back to your party?"
    "Get out of my way. I'm tired of you homos-"
    "So full of hatred." Siva sighed, dropping his first layer of Glamour and revealing his slit pupils and long, pointed ears. "That's what is wrong with humans."
    Ricky stumbled backwards, startled. He was about to fall on his ass when Siva graciously caught him by the collar, returning his Glamour and grinning eerily. The man fought his hold but nothing he did caused Siva do as much as flinch.
    "Let me go!" He squeaked, "I'll go back."
    "Don't forget my face." Siva whispered, bringing Ricky close. "Because when you see it again, you'll know you're about to die."
    Throwing the man away from him, Siva waved pleasantly at the onlookers and got into the car.
    "Can you even drive?" Grayson mumbled around the shirt.
    Siva started the car and then looked hesitantly at the gears and switches. "Yes?" He muttered.