Maji Born

31 - Allies In The Dark

"I suppose that would be our escort," Zehara said, gesturing toward three approaching figures clothed in heavy cloaks.

They spotted Zehara standing on the deck by the rail with her hood drawn. Beside her Eirian, Lavinia, and Devarak watched the newcomers warily. They felt the toll of a week at sea and all longed to be back on dry land.

The newcomers arrived on deck and gave Zehara bows of respect.

"My Queen," The first one said, she lowered her hood.  She had lightly lines features, soft brown hair, and hazel eyes.

Zehara gave her a soft smile.

"Erissa Frissen at your service. We have been in touch."

"I am in your debt," Zehara said in response. "And your companions?"

"This Liqu and Harris," Erissa said gesturing to the two men behind her. Zehara acknowledged both with a slight nod before turning back to Erissa.

"We will discuss the journey somewhere more private," Zehara said gesturing for them to follow her to the captains quarters. The captain closed the door behind the group and leaned against the door as the rest of the group hovered just inside the room. Eirian and Lavinia stood closest to him, unsure of their purpose within this specific meeting.

"Tell me, how are we leaving this port?" Zehara asked. She moved to sit at the desk.

"We have set a carriage at the town entrance. We will return to this dock with it at dusk. From there we shall travel by night to the capital. Should take us two days if we stop only to stretch our legs," Erissa said.

"Very good," Zehara said. "And what happens when we reach the city?"

"We have a contact in the guard who has managed to gain us entrance."

Zehara quirked a brow.

"How did you ever manage that?"

"He came to us wanting to help," Erissa shrugged. "It was a stroke of luck if I'm honest. In fact," she glanced over at Lavinia. "I believe, he knew you. You're Princess Lavinia are you not?"Lavinia straighter at this, she had not expected to be recognized.

"I am. What name did they give you?" Lavinia asked, genuinely intrigued.

"Leard Carsire. He said he was your personal guard," Erissa said. Lavinia immediately perked up, a look of delight darting across her features before she could hide it.

"Carsire isn't in the castle anymore?" She asked, sounding surprised.

"Not anymore. It seems the King didn't trust him due to his allegiance to you." Erissa said.

"Of course. Radek would do that," Lavinia said with a sigh.

"Carsire said you would return with the Queen. He was right. It seems he really does know you," Erissa said. She gave Lavinia a look of curiosity.

"He does," Lavinia said, a small smirk cracking her still features.

Devarak shifted in the corner, brow creased as he frowned at Lavinia from across the room. His fingers formed a fist involuntarily at the mention of his interrogator.

"Can we trust this man?" Zehara enquired.

"I would trust him with my life," Lavinia said. A small grunt gave away Devarak's disapproval of this comment. Zehara gave him a look and waited for him to speak.

"The man seems honourable but he's also responsible for my lashing..." he tried to stay casual but looked bitter. "What proof do we have that he isn't working for your brother still," he asked Lavinia.

"I trust him and you trust me. I grew up with Carsire and can vouch for his honour. He would have felt deeply betrayed by Radek when he was dismissed. He will have no love for the King. He always disliked him as a child as things were. As for the lashes, though your actions were for a worthy cause you cannot blame him for doing his job. You were trying to steal from the King," Lavinia said.

Devarak shifted, as much as he hated to admit it she was right.

"Would you trust him with my life?" Zehara asked. Lavinia nodded.

"Yes. He did his job, but he's never liked, my brother. He was loyal to my father, and will not follow blindly," she finished. Zehara sat in contemplation for a second and then turned to Erissa.

"Well, that settles it. Erissa, please bring the carriage around." Erissa gave a deep bow, "yes my lady."

The captain held the door open for her to exit, Liqu and Harris followed her out.

The others sat in silence for a moment or two waiting as the footsteps faded. After a few minutes, Devarak took his leave. He was followed soon after by Eirian, who had to walk quickly to keep up.

"Devarak, slow down," Eirian said, grabbing his arm as she managed to catch up. He continued below though he did slow his gate ever so slightly. When they got below he slumped onto one of the hammocks and Eirian tentatively slid down to sit beside him. There was silence for a moment as Eirian waited for him to speak.

"That man enjoyed torturing me. I saw it in his eyes."Eirian grimaced and reached out to touch his shoulder. Devarak shrugged her touch away and continued. "When you do something like that you can't be a good person. You don't hurt people and enjoy it."

"It was his job. If he didn't punish you he would have been tried for disobedience and with a King like Radek that would most likely have led to him being executed or dismissed." Eirian said reasonably. "I understand what you're saying though. My mother..." Eirian paused and took a deep breath. "she used to beat me. I swear she enjoyed it. Got a thrill out of it. She was drunk a lot."

Devarak seemed to pull back from his state of indignation. He glanced down at Eirian. She was staring at the floor, eyes glued to one of the beams several feet away.

"She stopped when I was thirteen and that was only because she was scared of me by that point. My majik was unpredictable and the last time she did it, I almost killed her. She hasn't walked the same since," Eirian paused, trying to remember why she had started her story. "Anyways that's all to say that I've seen first hand the adrenaline first hand."

Devarak rested his hand firmly on her knee.

"That must have been tough. Thanks for telling me."

Eirian grimaced.

"It wasn't the easiest childhood that's for sure." Her blue eyes darkened and Devarak suddenly felt light-headed. Eirian was emitting a faint blue light.

"Woah. Steady there." Devarak rested his hands on her shoulders and pressed firmly. He had to concentrate hard in order to retain his focus. Eirian shook slightly as she struggled against her emotions.

"It's okay. You're safe," Devarak said. He slid to the floor on his knees, making eye contact with Eirian. "Look at me." He moved his hands to cup her face. Eirian's blue eyes glowed with majik. They were wild and filled with ferocious emotion. 

Devarak held her gaze, "Breath." He took a deep breath and urged her to do the same. At first, Eirian did not respond, if nothing else her majik flared brighter, but after a few minutes, it began to fade, leaving her shaking. Devarak released her and lay back on the floor. Exhausted.