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Escape
Song: "Lucifer's Angel" by The Rasmus
Staring at what was his Master just minutes ago, now lying broken on the floor, Fenris is afraid to blink. Almost convinced that the picture before him will vanish the second he looks away, and he will find himself back in his chamber, thrashing in yet another torture. His vision narrows, eyeing that crumpled heap of flesh, his whole life was a trip to this moment, and now it is no more. Is it possible to live without looking over his shoulder in search of hunters, without waiting, without Danarius there, somewhere?
A subtle motion nearby snaps his mind back, sounds and scents of reality flood his senses, forcing him to gasp for air. Hearing slight steps behind, he turns on his heels, still wound up with the buzz of lyrium coursing under his skin, to find her going towards the second, smaller door. Determined to end it all, he closes the distance in one long stride, catching her by the forearm and whirling around to face him. Poising his bloodied hand above her chest, he tarries the final blow, when she lifts her palms in an universal sign of surrender, searching his eyes.
"Wait, Fenris, wait!"
Feeling his markings burn with the sensation of her fear, Fenris growls, phasing his hand. "I've heard these words before, mage!" and she almost shrieks - "Wait! You want to escape, you want revenge, I can help you!"
For a moment he stands frozen in this deadly stance, with only the heave of his chest indicating his living. A drop of blood falls down from his hand, making him shift his gaze. Dimming his markings, he nods. "Speak then."
"Your armor and the sword are in this room." She gestures to the small door. "I brought it here, in case... we were successful. You would need money to escape the Imperium, and you will have to get to the docks before morning". Even though her breathing calmed a bit, it is still too short to be even.
"But first we need to get rid of this." Pointing out to his collar, she tentatively reaches her hand, pleading. "Let me. Please."
Her tone is soothing, and it reminds him of one treating a dangerous, but wounded animal. Scowling at this notion, he nevertheless tilts his head to give her a better access to his neck, holding her by the arm and staying his fist above her beating heart. If he senses even a glimpse of her, taking the opportunity...
Hovering her hand over the gilded strap, she gives him a warning look. "It may not be pretty. Try not to scream... too loudly", and rectifies herself with a dark chuckle - "But then it wouldn't be surprising, considering where we are."
A bitter note in her voice causes Fenris to look at her intently, suddenly alarming him that both of them are naked. Shifting in discomfort, he tries to cough and in this moment every thought in his head is washed away by the sharp pang of fire, gripping at his throat. He jolts, crying out for breath, but a heartbeat later the pain ends as abruptly as it began. Gingerly removing his collar, she takes a short step back, clutching it in her hands. With a disgusted look she throws the collar across the room and he almost believes her sincerity. Almost.
Carefully pulling out of his grasp, she opens the door behind them and disappears inside the dressing room. Keeping an eye out for her, he steps on the threshold to be within reach and watches her shuffle aside multiple garments. With satisfied huff she grabs a bundle of leather, which he recognizes as the pieces of his armor, then passes him breastplate and gauntlets. Straining with an effort, she extracts his greatsword from the corner behind some heavy evening dress, and again Fenris is reminded of their nudity. Awkwardly tucking the armor under his arm, he snatches the sword from her hands and resting it by the wall, begins to hastily dress, eager to cover his body with the layers of protection.
Leaning on a vanity table, she openly eyes him, not even bothering to hide her appraisal. Irked with this brash staring, he points the tip of his sword at her, weighing it in his hand. Trying to stall his seeming intentions, she darts her eyes to his face, exclaiming:
"The money!"
Letting her go past him, Fenris watches her rummaging inside the desk drawers, until she finds a rather large pouch and tosses it to him. Instinctively catching it, he tucks the pouch under his belt and reluctantly straps the sword onto his back, eliciting a sigh of relief on her part.
Gesturing to the window frame, illuminated in a soft moonlight, she briefs him. "Now go through the window, reach the roof and take to the left. You shall get to the backyard; less guards there. I have deactivated the glyphs on that side, this should allow you to get through."
For a minute Fenris just stands with a wild look on his face, before taking a step in her direction.
"Why? Why are you doing this, witch?"
He wants to know which one of the selfish reasons compelled her to aid him. She is a magister, a snake ready to bite, never without second intentions, like all of them. He needs to know what is her intentions, to be prepared to strike her down before he's forced to pay the price.
"A couple of reasons, only few of which is a concern of yours. Danarius is dead and you are free, that's all that should matter." She suddenly shoves him towards the window, avoiding his gaze.
"Now go!"
Opening the window, Fenris crouches on the windowsill, assessing the danger. Nobody is seen in the vicinity and patting on the outer wall, he looks at her for the last time, trying to find any traces of ill will. As if sensing something, she raises her head, looking back at him, and in a bright glow of the moon he sees that her eyes are the color of a stormy sea.
"Run away, Little Wolf."
Her lips are barely moving, and the whisper sounds oddly sad, but the too familiar name makes him scowl.
Averting his gaze, Fenris hoists himself up on the frame and his journey begins.
