Calorn AU - Red Queen Retelling

3 - Rebels

Note: This is a Red Queen Retelling in an AU. Things are a little more different from canon.

Note II: There's some angsty plot before we get to Calorn again.

Kilorn POV

Work kept me occupied for weeks before I finally managed to bargain a day off. Or evening, to be exact, as the sun was already setting as I started the trek from Summerton to the Stilts. Walsh had told me she'd spoken to some people, so the news of my current job would find the way to Mare and her family, but I wanted to make sure she knew I was alright. Even more so, I wanted to see her again. We hadn't spoken since I'd left her standing as I walked to Summerton the evening after the mayhem. I felt bad far too long about this, and about Gisa. Mare was my friend, and she deserved better.

Simply said, I missed her. The other servants were nice to chat with and helpful, even Thomas Mayfair who was Prince Maven's personal servant, a young man much more close to his Silver master than to his fellow Reds.

I wondered if Prince Tiberias had hired me to become someone similar to himself, but his approaches, though friendly and more respectful than what most Reds received in the Hall, stayed reserved. Maybe the glares I flashed at him from afar, or my unwillingness to meet his eyes when we were close, were the reason for that. I was glad to avoid him, even when I still wanted to cherish the one night we'd spent as two young men, almost like equals.

The sky was dark, with black clouds promising rain creating an early twilight. Despite the long walk, my pace quickened as I came closer to the Barrow house, only waving to the villagers recognizing me in my stride. I grinned when I saw Mare sitting in front of her home.

"Mare!" I shouted, "it's me, I'm back!" She lifted her head but didn't return my smile. No, as I stopped three paces in front of her, all I saw was a girl who had cried for hours.

I fell to my knees, grabbing her shoulders. "Mare, what is it? I'm safe, I'm here. Took me some time, but..."

" ... You're okay ... " she said huskily.

I nodded. "I've got a job in the palace now, and I couldn't come to visit any sooner-"

"I've heard as much, but I couldn't believe it," she replied, turning her face away as she stifled a sob.

"Mare?"

Suddenly, she hugged me, buried her head in my shirt and breathed raggedly. "I'm glad for you," she whispered. "But Shade..."

My heart sank, and fear settled in my stomach. No.

"They said Shade died, executed for desertion."

I couldn't speak.

I noticed Mare stroking my back, comforting me for her own good as well. We sticked together in our grieve and troubles, as we had done for years. But the loss of Shade was nothing to get over with through some jokes and mock rebellion. The hard fist of the Silvers had dealt a fatal blow, taking away the person Mare and I loved the most.

How could I return to Summerton? How could I continue to work for the haughty and brutal Silvers?

We sat there for a long time before Mare pulled herself away, her eyes red but full of resolve - and vengeance. I swallowed, expecting her to scold me for being a servant though I didn't know what to do about that. I dissembled. "I should go greet your family too." Mare nodded as I rose.

I'm leaving her behind again, I thought, yet I went in. I offered my condolences and mentioned my new job, but neither Gisa, nor her parents nor me felt like talking. I asked abut Gisa's hand yet she only shook her head. She was doing well enough, regarding the death of her brother, she implied wordlessly. But I noticed it in her eyes, the tiny flickers of frustration of seeing her future undone, as well as the relief of meeting at least me alive and well.