Something to Prove (Razia's Shadow AU)

Estrangement

Pallis sneered in disgust, "not a chance, she goes with us."

     "Ah ah ah i require payment. I've done my job so I should get my reward." The doctor's eyes crawled from Pallis' face to leer at Anhura from over his shoulder. Pallis leaned forward and produced a knife from its sheath.

     "You are lucky to not be executed on the spot! For, as it would seem, you have been found harboring both the runaway prince and a person of the light. By all the laws of the land you should be dead at my feet, your life is your reward."

     The doctor shrunk in on himself and gave a nervous chuckle."Of course, of course." Pallis resheathed his knife as the doctor turned away muttering something about 'ungratefulness' and being 'cheated.' Begrudgingly, he stepped away from the three, retreating to stand among his beakers and tinctures. Pallis gave a nod of finality and strode out the door, leaving Adakias to assist Anhura with a gentle hand up off the dusty rotting bench and follow after him.

    Stepping out of the hovel of glass and wood, a chill bit into Anhura and she shuddered. Adakias pulled off their coat and draped it over Anhura's shoulders, leaving a lingering hand on her back. Pallis diligently prepared his two horses, making sure the saddle was secure on his own mare he turned to look at his company with a cool stare that rivaled the biting air. Adakias looked down to the ground and walked toward their own horse. Once they were situated on the horse they held out a hand for Anhura to take.

"Here," Pallis said quietly, moving to help the princess up onto the horse. Anhura flinched at the sound of his voice being suddenly so close but didn't resist. Pallis then wordlessly got up on his own horse and started off toward home.

Adakias urged their horse forward and followed alongside Pallis, who kept his iron gaze focused on the horizon. Anhura's arms which were wrapped around Adakias's waist squeezed them slightly. Adakias placed a hand over hers and gently caressed it with their thumb before moving their hand back to grip the reigns. Adakias tried to think of something to say, anything to break the tense silence. 

"Pallis, I-"

"No." 

"But-"

"I said, no." Pallis never turned to look at them.

Adakias huffed and shut their mouth. Everything falling silent once more.

Pallis's anger could be felt like waves rolling off of him. If Adakias looked closely, they could see how his brother's hands slightly shook. 

Adakias held their own anger as well. Pallis was always trying to control everyone and everything as if he didn't it would all just crumble without him. It was a trait that Adakias hated most about their brother. They'd be sure to bring that up in their next inevitable argument. 

Adakias felt Anhura shiver against their back and worriedly placed a hand back over hers. Adakias had a quick flash of fear that maybe the doctor's cure hadn't worked, but just as quickly tried to shove that thought away. She was just tired and cold from the dropping temperature as the dull gray day turned into evening. That was all.

"It's getting dark, we stop here." Adakias started slightly when they hear Pallis's voice after so long of being in uncomfortable silence.

Pallis dismounted his horse and went to help both Adakias and Anhura down from theirs. Anhura stumbled on her feet slightly and Adakias was quick to support her. Their worry only grew deeper.

Pallis was quick to set up camp, using wood from the few dead twisted trees in the area to make a fire. He still barely said a word. Though Adakias was familiar with all of Pallis's moods and behaviors, they were still unnerved by this one in particular. Adakias thought they much preferred Loud Angry Pallis as opposed to Silent Angry Pallis. They were almost tempted to rile Pallis up again just so that he would talk to them. Of course, they didn't, they just silently observed as Pallis rolled out the sleeping mats. Only two of them, since Pallis only planned on retrieving one Runaway Royal. He improvised a third with one of the blankets. Adakias let Anhura lay on one of the actual mats. She was asleep almost instantly. Adakias sat next to her, watching the rise and fall of her chest. 

Adakias was startled by Pallis again when he crouched down next to Adakias, studying Anhura closely and placing the back of his hand gently on her forehead.

"She's alright, she might feel weak for a few days, but all she needs is rest, I've seen it before." 

"Oh," Adakias responded softly, eyes still trained on their partner. They smiled lightly though, Pallis was trying to put them at ease. Adakias lifted their head up to say something but Pallis had already stood up and was heading to where the horses were tied. Adakias sighed. This was going to be a long journey home.

°°°

When Anhura awoke it was dark. She could hardly see anything besides the dying embers of the fire. She turned her head to the side, she saw a dark figure sitting up. She willed her eyes to adjust to the darkness. The figure had an arm resting on their knee, she could see the outline of their profile. It was Pallis, she realized. Without moving, she followed Pallis's line of sight to see Adakias sleeping soundly, just a few feet from her head. Anhura looked to Pallis again, studying him. She didn't know what to make of Pallis yet. She had a feeling that there was more to him than his cruel exterior, though. 

She sighed and sat up. Pallis snapped his head to face her, slight surprise written on his face.

"You should be asleep." He said in a low tone, as not to wake Adakias

"I was." Anhura whispered back.

"I apologize if I woke you." 

"You didn't," Anhura shook her head.

They fell into silence. Anhura didn't lay back down, she tilted her head at Pallis. He seemed less hostile now, so she took a chance to try to speak to him.

"I realize that you are right, I must return to my kingdom. It's the responsible thing to do, but I don't wish for things to continue on as they were. I feel we're meant to do something." Anhura said. Pallis had an unreadable expression on his face.

"The prophecy. You think you can fulfill that prophecy, but you're wrong. It can't be Adakias, I wouldn't let that happen." 

"But you believe in it," Anhura looked up at Pallis expectantly. Pallis paused.

"No. No, of course not, it's impossible." Anhura could tell he was lying, but she didn't call it out.

"And what do you mean 'I wouldn't let that happen', would reuniting the light and dark be something you wouldn't want?" 

"I take, Adakias didn't tell you the whole prophecy," Anhura looked at Pallis, confused," now if the prophecy were true, it would mean that there would have to be a sacrifice of true love. I'm not allowing Adakias to be foolish enough to get themself killed because they think it will...magically fix everything."

"Well, they didn't."

"And that should be proof enough to them that there is no prophecy, Adakias just needs to settle down and stop believing in fairy tales."

"Adakias is right though, we should try to change something. Don't you think any of this happened for a reason? Even if it doesn't follow the prophecy exactly." Pallis shook his head and sighed at Anhura's words.

"You're trying to take on something much bigger than yourself. Just because two people fall in love doesn't mean people's minds will change over night. Years and years of hatred and estrangement will take a long while to heal." Pallis stared off into the distance, looking almost sad.

"Doesn't mean we shouldn't try." Pallis stared at Anhura for a moment.

"Get some sleep, it'll be a long day tomorrow." Pallis layed down on his back, resting his head on his arm. Anhura followed suit and turned onto her side away from him and closed her eyes.