The Death Market *Obi x OC* (COMPLETE)

Broken Bones

Song: Broken Bones - Kaleo

"Obi? You came for me. Are we going back to Torin's?"

I can't look Iladriel in the eye as I carry her through The Death Market's crowded streets back to her booth. It's the safest place I can think of here since Torin's was very recently invaded and I'm not sure what state it's in now. He's rather bloody himself and I know there is at least one corpse inside. I can't subject her to that.

"I- we're going to your booth. Torin is busy right now and asked me to take you here. I have to do something after I take you there but it shouldn't be long. You need to wait there for Torin."

"Why can't I go with you? Where is he... and why do you have blood on your hands? Is Torin dead!?" She starts to struggle in my grip so I hold her a little tighter and hurry my pace.

"He's not dead I promise. I'm not injured either. I don't have time to explain, I have two minutes to make it back to do what I have to. Torin will explain later, okay?"

I help her stand once we're in the safety of her room then turn to leave.

"Don't leave me Obi. I-I'm coming with you."

"You can't come with me, Ila, I'm sorry. I really can't stay."

"I'm not leaving you behind! Miss is mad at you and it's dangerous."

I sigh and weigh my options against the timer I have running through my thoughts, then softly push her just enough to knock her onto her pile of blankets and rush toward the exit.

"I'm sorry Ila, but I have to keep you safe."

Despite her protests and best efforts, she rushes after me but I manage to shut the door and edge a barrel onto the edge of the door. It'll give her air still but it'll be too heavy for her to move right away. It'll give me the chance to escape.

My time runs out as I throw open the door to Harlowe's cottage. I pull the dagger from the door beside me and throw it on instinct. It hits her hand before she can slit Torin's throat and she drops the dagger in her hand as she looks up at me.

"You're late."

"I'm here, aren't I? I did what you asked, so let him go. You have what you're after."

She releases the fistful of Torin's hair and shoves him to the floor. He was barely conscious when they brought him in and I can see him slowly blinking and trying to focus on us.

"Let me take him outside and-"

"You are not going anymore."

"I'm not even going to leave your line of sight. I'll put him outside of your cottage and leave him there, then I'll come in and lock the door. I'm yours after that."

Harlowe doesn't say anything so I slowly make my way over to Torin while she tracks me with her eyes and ties a scarf around her bleeding hand to stop the flow. I lift Torin's face and try to get him to focus on me. He's doing better, but he's still not fully aware. None of his injuries are severe so he should be fine. I hook my arms under his and start to drag him back toward the door, keeping my eyes on Harlowe as I go. I prop him up against a tree within her line of sight and as I straighten, his hand falls on my forearm.

"I-Ila?"

"She's safe. I have her trapped in her room in the booth. Once you're able to, go to her. Keep her safe."

"What..." He trails off as he looks toward the door.

"We have an agreement. I'll be fine. Iladriel is your priority. Don't come back here."

I shut the door and lock it behind me, leaving me to Harlowe's mercy. Our eyes meet and I hold my hands up slightly as a show of surrender. She tells me to come over to her so I comply, keeping a mental tally of the various weapons I can see in the area and their locations. I have no intention of staying here with Harlowe longer than necessary, but I have to keep Iladriel and Torin safe for now. Maybe he'll actually listen to me and will hide out somewhere safer with Iladriel until it all dies down. Once I manage to escape The Death Market, I won't see them anymore, so I won't know what happens to them.

"Alright Harlowe, I'm here. So what are we doing now?" I ask.

She doesn't answer but bends down and the cuff is secured around my ankle once again.

"You've got to talk to me Harlowe." I sigh as I lean back against the couch. "I'm not staying here just to sit in silence."

"Who is the castle man you work for and what do you do?" She asks finally as she moves to the kitchen to pull a box from a cabinet.

I watch curiously as she unties the scarf and tries to clean the stab wound. It's minor but it needs wrapped firmly to heal.

"Why?"

"I do not wish to launch an assault against your employer, I just need to know."

"I am a messenger and personal attendant for the second prince of Clarines, Zen Wistaria."

I leave the couch behind and join her at the counter, taking her hand in mine. She tenses immediately and flinches as she tries to pull her hand away but I grip tighter.

"You're fumbling. Let me do it." She stops struggling but I notice her hand trembling slightly as I wrap the bandage around it. "I gave you information, now it's my turn. Why are you afraid of castle workers? More specifically, who are you afraid of?"

Harlowe looks up at me, her hardened gaze faltering slightly before her eyes drop to the counter.

"Y-You are not in a position to be asking information of me Obi."