Disclaimer: I don't own these characters; WB/DC does. I only own any original ideas found in this.
AN:Thank you for returning once again to my story. I do apologize for the delay in getting this next chapter out. Part of the problem is having so many other stories going at the same time. So glad that, despite how devastating this year's mid-season finale was, it didn't spur me to start seven new stories. Of course, having so many unfinished ones did help curb that pesky Muse from beginning any more, for the moment. Anyway enough of whining. Here's another chapter. Enjoy!
Previously:
Suddenly reality burst through his rattled brain, making him doubt if escape would even be possible. No, it wouldn't be possible. Even if he had no doubt about Oliver's loyalty, Ra's wouldn't allow Oliver to not be under watch at all times. Thus it was doubtful whether Oliver would be able to escape, if indeed he decided to do so.
A huge sigh escaped Oliver's lips. He was suddenly very tired indeed. The threatening headache was now a reality. Shaking his head, War...Oliver turned over. Purposefully slowing his breathing he began a meditation he now faintly remembered.
~~OQ~~
His day began as the other days in Nanda Parbat had begun in his recent Wareeth memory. After breakfast, Oliver went to the gym, where he sparred with various soldiers. He allowed muscle memory to take over, and he was neither Wareeth nor Oliver, just a soldier fighting. The exercise felt good in letting out the stress threatening to take over his mind. Having a respite in thinking about an escape plan rejuvenated him.
After stopping for their midday break, where he joined the rest of the men exercising with him in the nearby lunchroom, Oliver took advantage of looking at the group assembled with new eyes. He quickly gathered various bits of information which might prove useful in the future. He quickly cataloged possible weapons at hand, likely escape routes, particular soldiers of which he needed to be particularly cautious. Luckily "Wareeth" apparently wasn't known to be much of a conversationalist, so he was able to sit quietly and listen to the sparse conversation occurring around him. Gathering possible useful information about upcoming LOA missions, and other topics occupied his time while he finished his meal, ensuring he wasn't obvious with his detecting.
The problem occurring with the reintegration of his memories as Oliver Queen was his knowledge of the daily routines of Nanda Parbat was slowly but surely disappearing. Unless he purposely made sure he still remembered them, he felt like he'd lose touch with them completely. Luckily, because of his past, Oliver had the muscle memory of skills needed to pull this charade off. At least that was what he kept reminding himself.
After lunch, the exercises resumed. Ra's, for some reason, didn't appear as he usually did. Oliver didn't know whether he should be concerned about his absence.
Another area of concern occurred when Maseo approached Oliver to ask how he was with his return to his former hometown. Oliver was fairly certain he had acted like Wareeth consistently throughout the exchange. Certainly Maseo didn't give any indication of any suspicion.
The exercises were stopped at 5pm, per usual, and Oliver made his way back to his room. He was allowed an hour to himself and then be expected in the dining room at 6pm for supper. He had just sat down on the sofa when there was a no routine knock on his door. A small twinge of fear went through him, which he quickly tamped down, and went to the door. Opening it, he found Maseo...err, Sarab.
"I think you are due for some outdoor exercise. Would you like to go for a walk outside with me, Wareeth?"
Nodding silently, Oliver walked over to his closet to get his tennis shoes. After putting them on, he followed Sarab down the hallway and out a side door of which he hadn't been aware.
They walked along the path in silence for five minutes. Oliver tried to keep his nerves under control but it was becoming more difficult as the time passed.
When the path took a turn into some woods, numerous trees hiding them from the fortress, Oliver sensed a difference in Sarab's bearing. Sarab then stopped and faced Oliver.
"What's going on...Oliver?"
Oh shit, I was wrong. Sarab did notice. Does Ra's suspect as well? Did Sarab tell him?
Oliver was pleased he hadn't reacted at Sarab's statement. Keeping his expression blank, Oliver asked, "I don't understand the question. I also wonder why you called me Oliver. My name is Wareeth."
"Don't worry. Ra's doesn't suspect anything."
Deciding to continue to play his role, not trusting Sarab, Oliver said, "I still don't understand your questions, Sarab. What would Master suspect?"
Sarab sighed. "What will it take to convince you I'm not a threat? I know you've broken the brainwashing somehow and want to help you get out of here. I want to go with you."
Oliver continued to keep his face expressionless, even though it was a struggle. To have Maseo truly help him? It increased his chances of success 200 percent. At least.
Closing his eyes, Oliver said a quick prayer he was doing the right thing, and opened them to find Maseo studying him.
"I really hope I can indeed trust you...Maseo."
Maseo smiled and said, "You can. We don't have much time, for we shouldn't stay out here too long."
"And I have to be at supper at 6."
Maseo nodded. "So...have any ideas I can help you with?"
Letting out a cleansing breath, Oliver said, "Well, nothing definite yet. It's somewhat difficult to plan with so many unknown factors, such as whether I can trust Nyssa and Malcolm."
"What?" Maseo asked. "You're not seriously thinking of helping them escape as well?"
"They've both have helped me in the past..."
"You cannot bring them with you. It's much too risky." Maseo looked at Oliver sadly. "It's quite a long shot getting us out of here. I have no idea how we'd be able to rescue them from the basement dungeons."
Oliver was disheartened to hear this, but decided to reexamine the subject at a later time. "Do you have any possible ideas?"
"I think our best chance is through the catacombs. They are hardly used any more, and mostly forgotten." Maseo paused for a moment. "I think we should plan for tomorrow night. Ra's is leaving the next morning and will be preoccupied with getting details ready."
Oliver suddenly had a chill. Tamping down his worries, he said, "Why isn't one or both of us accompanying him, and should this be a cause of alarm?"
Maseo smiled, and Oliver realized it had been a while since he had seen his friend smile so freely. "Oh, sorry Oliver to make you worry unnecessarily. Ra's leaves at this time of year for a week-long pilgrimage. As long as I've been here he has gone to a place unknown."
Oliver considered the information. "All right. I guess the sooner the better. Are you sure security wouldn't be tighter because of Ra's' leaving?"
"That's why it needs to be tomorrow. Otherwise we'd have to wait until Ra's returned, and preoccupied with something else." Maseo looked at his watch. "We better go back. It's time for supper. Tonight I will be eating with Ra's in his private dining room. But I will keep in touch."
Oliver nodded, and with one accord the two men turned and walked back to the Fortress. In the silence Oliver was lost in his thoughts of how to continue the masquerade. With the shock of Maseo coming forward, the remaining pieces of the memory of Oliver Queen fell into place. He was thankful, but anxious regarding the continuation of fooling one of the smartest men in the world.
~~OQ~~FS~~OQ~~FS~~
Supper passed without incident. Oliver again tried to take in as much information as he could, but nothing of much interest occurred. He wondered how Maseo's supper with Ra's was going. Oliver wasn't worried, for Maseo had indeed been around Ra's for years. He was confident Maseo was able to handle himself around the leader without difficulty.
After supper he made his way to the gymnasium after changing into his sweat suit. Sometimes Ra's called for extra work-outs after the supper hour, but tonight he hadn't. Oliver still had excess energy to wear off, due to the agitation he was feeling. There was still a smidgen of doubt about Maseo floating around in his brain. Oliver didn't have any proof of any subterfuge, but there was little to support Maseo's changing sides either. For a moment, Oliver regretted telling him the truth, but he really had no choice. Maseo had seemed insistent in his knowledge that Oliver was no longer brainwashed.
He began slowly to lap the track. As he increased his speed, Oliver's mind slowed down as he lost himself in the mechanics of exercise. Allowing a sense of peace to flow over him, he felt more confident about his choice and knowing what his next moves would be. He then lost himself as he took off at full speed, slowly working his body into a healthy sweat.
After running three miles, he slowed down, allowing his body to relax again as he made several more laps. He then ended his exercise by walking two more laps, then went to the sidelines for a drink of water.
In the middle of lifting the water bottle up and taking several small sips, Oliver heard a slight noise. His inner alarm ringing, Oliver slowly lowered the bottle and turned around. Four soldiers were standing there, watching him, with Maseo in front of a fifth soldier, chains on his wrists.
Reminding himself to be Wareeth and watch what he'd say, Oliver asked, "What is going on here?"
The soldier closest to him approached and placed manacles around his own wrists. "Master requests your presence. Now."
All Oliver wanted to do was look at Maseo and silently ask him what was going on. However he controlled the impulse, let out a breath silently and followed two of the soldiers out the door. With Maseo next to him, Oliver continued not to look at him, knowing the three soldiers behind him were observing every move they would make.
~~OQ~~FS~~OQ~~FS~~
They were brought in front of Ra's. Oliver continued to not exchange glances with Maseo. It wouldn't be a behavior Wareeth would do. Standing tall, eyes looking in front of them, the two men waited for the man in front of them, sitting on an elaborately golden throne, to speak.
Oliver couldn't help but wonder what had made Ra's suspicious. He no longer being fooled was the only explanation for how they had been summoned. In chains.
Ra's walked right up to Oliver and stood in what would be considered his personal space. Oliver didn't break his gaze, didn't flinch, as he waited to see what Ra's was about to do. Without warning, Ra's' open hand met Oliver's cheek with a loud clap. Only barely was Oliver able to not pull back at the last second, or to react to the unexpected slap. Remaining silent, Oliver continued to look ahead.
Ra's made him wait a full minute before he slapped Oliver again. And again Oliver didn't react, didn't ask the question on the tip of his tongue, even though his heart was beating wildly. He remained still as he sensed Ra's walking away from him. Back ramrod straight, Oliver continued to look straight ahead. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Ra's approach his throne and sit down.
"I know."
Oliver sensed Maseo startle beside him. He himself wasn't going give up, yet.
"I slipped a disposable bug into your pocket...Oliver. I heard your conversation outside. Every word."
Oliver wracked his brain to think whether disposable bugs were indeed a "thing". Unfortunately he had heard of such an object. A small microphone that would disintegrate, leaving no trace behind. Something he thought only ARGUS would have.
"So you can drop the pretense, Oliver."
Oliver continued to stand at attention, not willing to admit defeat. In the slimmest of chances Ra's was bluffing. Oliver held out hope. Until Ra's' next words.
"You will not have the opportunity to escape through the catacombs."
Oliver closed his eyes and softly let out a slow breath. He does know. Swallowing his disappointment, Oliver opened his eyes to a pair of black eyes in his face.
"You thought you could beat me, boy? Me, a war lord for over 400 years. How foolish you truly are." Ra's punctuated his next words with four quick jabs to Oliver's abdomen. "And. I. Will. Make. You. Suffer."
Before Oliver could collapse, two League guards were at his side, catching him under his arms and holding him up. Ra's delivered four more punches to his now-tender stomach, then turned to Maseo.
"And you, Sarab? What should I do with you? If only I could blame your betrayal on Oliver. However, you did approach him first with your offer. You had the escape plan."
Maseo looked directly ahead, not meeting his Master's eyes. "It was all a trick, Master. I suspected Wareeth the moment we had returned from Starling City. I wanted to be certain before I informed you, liege. I never intended to leave. You know I am loyal to you until death."
AN: What the hay, right? Did Maseo actually betray Oliver? Will Ra's believe Maseo, whether or not it's the truth? Hopefully I wouldn't make you wait so long for these answers. I do appreciate you reading, and more so, reviewing. Please tune in next time and see what Oliver will do next.
