Chapter Six
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. All OC's belong to me or their creators.
Steph was loathe to leave the safety of the Cistern, instead stalling by begging her injury to Charlie, Toby, and Cry. They only half bought it. For some reason, Steph felt they needed to wait, that someone was coming, or multiple someone's. She confided this to Yami while they were keeping watch one night. He gave her a sideways glance.
"Like who?" he asked. Steph shrugged.
"Gold. Something bright and golden. And a few other Youtubers." As if in answer to her words, Cry and Toby returned, leading a group of bedraggled people. Yami and Steph joined the circle around the lantern and dimming fire.
"Steph, this is Dan, and this is Ian and Anthony of Smosh, and Ken." Cry said, lightly punching the man with the beard on the arm. Steph nodded, shaking hands with all of them.
" We're all good friends of your father. We're so sorry he's been captured." Ken said, gripping her shoulder. Her eyes looked back in confusion.
"Captured?" she gasped, fists clenching.
"Yeah captured. I should know, they've only been celebrating for three days. a different but familiar voice with the burr of French said, Her voice broke as Steph said,
"Stephano?" and turned. He smiled wearily at her, shirtless and trembling, but very much okay.
"Hey there Steph." he murmured and opened his arms. She ran into them, shaking, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"How'd you escaped?' she asked through her tears.
"Dumb luck and good timing, love." he responded, brushing a knuckle over her cheek bone. She choked out a laugh, burying her face in his chest. Behind her, Charlie locked eyes with Stephano and nodded approvingly. The statue sighed and laughed, stroking Steph's hair, which was braided. Everything was finally coming together... but it was only Steph and her little group.
X
The Bro Army was lead to a huge room filled with people and Barrel Guards. Pewdie glanced at Piggeh, raising and eye brow before being shoved away. The Barrels laughed as the Bro King stumbled. Pewdie righted himself and continued, head held high for all to see. The workers around her fell away, recognizing the power he held. Most bowed their heads in respect. The Barrels grew agitated when Pewdie joined a line of workers and one snapped him a tiny salute.
'Maybe,' Pewdie thought, 'They realize they have little power over my army.' His mind snapped to what he was doing and he looked down. They were making weapons, stamped with the Barrel Queen's seal. The King's heart thudded. What were they planning?" A scuffle broke out a little ways away. Pewds recognized Shane Dawson, who attacked his Barrel Guards with one of the weapons. They touched a silver collar around his neck and Shane went limp, face falling into a complacent expression. He turned mechanically back to the work table.
"Magic collars." Pewdie murmured, looking around at the workers. A familiar mop of blueish hair confronted him across the table.
"Tyler." he said, surprised.
"Hey Pewds. The uprising have been getting worse since the rumor came up that you had come back." Tyler said, jerking his head towards Shane. "The collars put you into a sort of hypnotized state where they can suggest you do as they say. It breaks once you return to the barracks." Pewdie nodded, scrutinizing the collar around the other man's neck. A Barrel walked by and cracked him across the shoulders with a hard wooden stick. The Bro King arch his back with pain.
"Back to work!" the Barrel roared.
X
Steph and Stephano sat together, talking quietly at the edge of the circle.
"I taught your father Chopnese. It's an ancient form of swordplay and telepathic communication." He said, turning the sword they'd supplied him with in his hands. Steph grinned, brushing a few strands of stray hair behind her ear.
"That's amazing." She murmured, grinning wider. Stephano dragged her to her feet and pressed the sword into her hands. Then he moved behind her so that they were back to front, his arms guiding hers. They made a few movements as Stephano murmured what each swipe meant in Chopnese. They stopped and Steph turned to face him, eyes bright with excitement. His hands rested on her lower back and his face grew warm.
"Steph?" he asked, looking down at her.
"Yes?" she replied softly.
"May I…. May I kiss you?" Stephano inquired, face now very red. She responded by reaching up and locking their lips together. They fell into the kiss, desperately clinging to each other. Both would realize later, that first kiss felt right, simple as that. It was sweet, hesitant, and exploratory. They pulled away, breathing slightly harder and giggling softly.
"Okay." Stephano said, a silly grin on his face.
"Shut up." Steph laughed, and Stephano ducked in to kiss her again.
X
The Barrel Queen paced angrily around the throne room. Stephano had escaped, right under her nose! One of her most dangerous prisoners was free and probably already joined with that impertinent Stephanie. The slaves had been revolting and the Bro Army continued to stir up trouble. It was infuriating! The Queen whipped a knife out of her belt and hurled it at the dart board she'd set up. It struck the middle ring and stuck, quivering. There was no more room for mistakes. Stephanie Kjellburgh had to be eliminated. She summoned her lieutenant and ordered,
"Bring out the Three and set them on the Kjellburgh girl's trail."
