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SONIC CHAOS 3: UNDERGROUND ARC - ALEENA
(A/N: Second Chapter Up Today.)
Captive
Aleena sat in her room, brushing her hair silently. She couldn't stop thinking about her tutor, and that disturbed her in ways she couldn't explain. She had never trusted a guardian more than him, yet had never distrusted one as much either. How was it possible to trust yet not trust someone at the same time? There was a knock on her door and she blinked a few times rapidly, snapping out of her reverie. Curious, she turned around in her seat. "Who is it?" she called.
"It's your mother dear," the Queen replied. "May I come in?"
"Of course, mother," Aleena replied, setting down her brush and folding her hands in her lap. The queen entered the room and shut the door behind her. "What is it?" Aleena asked.
"I have an errand for you in the city," the Queen replied.
"An errand?" Aleena asked.
"Yes. A parcel I'd like delivered to the orphanage tomorrow," the Queen said.
"As you wish mother," she replied with a smile.
"Sir Sleet will of course accompany you," the Queen said. Aleena's smile vanished in an instant and she paled a bit, suddenly feeling very self-conscious. "Come now Aleena, only two weeks ago a man whose identity we still don't know attempted to drug and have his way with you under your father's own roof in your own bed while the palace was full of guests. If he was brazen enough to try something as foolish as that, he will be brazen enough to try again. Be grateful I'm not sending you with a whole guard detail. Your father certainly would, if he had his way."
Aleena sighed in frustration. "Fine," she begrudgingly replied, tone cold.
"Dearest, please. Don't be like that. You know your father and I only have your safety in mind," the Queen said.
Aleena bowed her head. "I know," she confessed. "But I'm still not fond of this."
"I understand, but it's only for a little while," the Queen said. "Even if we can't find the man, eventually your father will be willing to relax security around you again."
The sooner the better, Aleena inwardly answered. She forced a smile. "As you wish, mother," she said.
"Good. Tomorrow morning come find me and we will fetch your tutor as soon as you are prepared to go," the Queen said. "Please don't try anything funny." Aleena frowned at her mother in vague annoyance, but to be fair it had crossed her mind, so she really couldn't blame her parent for the distrust. She nodded in agreement and the queen smiled and left.
The Next Day
Sleet glared warily at the Queen and her daughter, both of whom stood before him in the training yard after having pulled him aside. "Sir Sleet, my daughter is off to the city to deliver a parcel for me to the orphanage. I would, of course, have someone escort her there and back to see to it she returns home safely," Sonya said.
"And?" he asked, playing dumb. Aleena narrowed her eyes at him. Sonya looked equally unimpressed.
"And you, Sir Sleet, will accompany her," the Queen replied, ignoring it.
"I'll what?" Sleet deadpanned in response. Aleena scoffed.
The Queen frowned at him, for the first time visibly annoyed. "Only two weeks ago someone attempted to drug and rape her in her own bed under her father's roof in a palace filled with soldiers and guards. Need I say more? As her knight, mock or otherwise, it is your duty to go with my daughter and ensure her safety. Chaperone her. Discourage any further attempts at harm against her. I fear she may find nothing but trouble in Mobotropolis, if she goes alone. I refuse to chance losing my little girl."
"Do I look like a royal babysitter to you?!" Sleet indignantly protested. "Find someone else to chaperone your vivacious daughter." Aleena blushed a bit at the term and cursed it.
"You will go with her, Sir Sleet. That was not a question," Sonya firmly said.
Sleet sneered at her, then looked at Aleena who glared scathingly at him in turn with arms folded. "Fine," he bitterly relented. "Orphan waifs. How wonderful."
"That's better," the queen said, smirking a bit. "Don't be so sore, young man. It won't take long." Turning, she left. Sleet and Aleena exchanged grimaces, looking at one another in distaste.
SU
The princess and her mock knight walked through the streets of Mobotropolis side by side, her hidden beneath a greyish-black cloak and him walking along dressed as usual. He, after all, wasn't undercover royalty. "Come now, it won't be so bad," Aleena said, holding the basket of goods her mother had given her close. "We'll drop off the food and gifts, spend a little time with the children, then be on our way."
"Fine. How about we skip the middle part?" he asked. "Entertaining snot-nosed brats isn't my idea of a good time."
"Are we here in the city for a good time?" she asked, smirking a bit teasingly.
"Given we're with one another, clearly not," he deadpanned, giving her an annoyed look. She frowned, placing a hand on her hip, and shook her head at him.
"So am I right to assume you have little love for children?" she asked.
"Yes," he flatly replied.
"Then why did you take in Dingo?" she challenged.
"Because he was just that pathetic," Sleet replied. She stopped, startled, and her eyes began to flame, a scowl crossing her lips as she watched him walk ahead of her. She opened her mouth to fire back at him, but stopped herself and looked around. It seemed strangely quiet in the city, she noted suddenly. Puzzled, she frowned. The streets were completely empty. Unsettlingly so. Very few people were out, and those who were looked nervous. "What are you doing?" she heard Sleet ask.
She looked quickly towards him, surprised, then scanned their surroundings again. "The city seems quiet. Oddly so," she answered.
He frowned and looked around. She was right, he noticed. In fact, it was unsettling how very dead everything looked. "Hmm… It is terribly strange, isn't it?" he said warily. He walked back to her and took her arm. "Stay close. Just in case." Aleena nodded and walked at his side the rest of the way to the orphanage.
When they arrived at the door, Sleet knocked. Aleena put on a smile, waiting. Soon the door was opened, but only a crack. It sounded as if a chain had caught it, preventing it from opening more. "Yes?" a fearful voice asked.
Aleena's smile vanished, concern taking over her features. "Hello? Is this the orphanage?" she asked. Clearly it was, but asking a question seemed the best way to breach conversation.
"If you and your husband are looking to adopt, ma'am, now isn't a good time," the worker said.
"Huh?" Sleet said, eyes widening as he tensed up.
Aleena blushed hotly. "N-no. We aren't here to adopt, and this man isn't my husband. He is a laborer. He works for my family. We've come with gifts for the orphans. Food and toys and the like."
"Medicine would have been best, Miss," the woman behind the door said.
"Medicine?" Aleena asked, a little nervous now.
"You must not be from around the city. Or perhaps you're from the palace. It seems no one there ever takes note of what's happening in the city until it's already too far along," the woman said.
"What is happening?" Aleena asked, shifting uncomfortably.
"An unknown illness has come to the city. No one knows where it came from or what it is. Hundreds are sick. Many have already died. It's only been a week," the woman fearfully said.
"What?" Aleena asked, paling. Sleet too looked a bit alarmed.
"Yes. Mass graves are being dug. Thousands are expected to contract the illness and not make it," the woman said.
"Wh-why has no one told the King and Queen?!" Aleena exclaimed. "They would have begun seeking a cure immediately!"
"It was brought up to them when it was first noticed. They were concerned, but the King wanted to monitor it a little to see just how bad it really was. No one expected it to act so quickly. Now many are too afraid to leave their homes, and those who aren't are stopped by the guards, for fear the King and Queen will get sick and die as well."
"Oh gods," Aleena whispered. She looked determinedly at the woman, eyes narrowed. "I will bring the news to the King and Queen."
"How will you get passed the guards?" the woman asked. Aleena removed her hood and the woman gasped. "Princess!" she exclaimed. "Princess, you're in grave danger coming here at all! You could fall ill."
"I will return home promptly. Don't fear for me," Aleena replied. "The news will reach my father and mother, I promise you."
"Thank you, princess," the woman fearfully replied, voice wavering a bit. Aleena nodded, set down the basket, then turned and ran.
Sleet watched after her, then frowned at the woman in the orphanage. "Are the children sick?" he asked.
"Thus far we've been unscathed," she replied. "Eventually, though, someone will have to go out for food and supplies. I'm afraid they'll come back ill and pass it to the little ones. That's why I said medicine would have been best."
"Stay inside. The royal family will find a way to supply you," Sleet answered, turning and going after Aleena. Now would be the perfect time to take her, he noted to himself. No one was around, she was unaware, he was armed, and his hideout was only a block or two away. She was disguised, so no one would know she was the princess at first glance. All he had to do was knock her out. A strong blow to the back of the head. That was all it would take. That or choking her to unconsciousness. Given their size difference, it would only take seconds. Narrowing his eyes, he picked up the pace, racing after her. Closer, closer. All he had to do was reach out and grab her… So why couldn't he…? His eyes filled with unease and he slowed his pace, stopping and watching as she ran. Why couldn't he do it? He grimaced. He needed to get his head back in the game. He was better than this. He was more efficient than this. He couldn't let himself get distracted. Not by her of all people! Frowning, he set off after her once more. Tonight, they would make their move. That was the plan. There was no backing down from it now…
SU
The King and Queen, along with Argus, Jules, Charles, and Bernadette, listened to Aleena's account of the situation in the city. The queen was visibly horrified. The king was clearly unsettled and a bit upset. "We must lock down the castle. No one goes in and no one goes out," the Queen said to her husband, turning quickly to him.
"I'll make it my mission to help find a cure or vaccine to this mysterious illness. I can get together some help and if we get lucky, it might not be long before we fix this. In the meantime, a lockdown is the best thing we can do, pop," Charles said.
"And I would agree," the King replied.
"What about the people, your highness?" Argus asked.
"The lockdown will be a royal decree," the King said.
"The orphanage needs supplies and food. The woman we met there expressed concern that whoever went out for those necessities would bring the illness back to the children. Many other shelters will need the same attention. Someone from the outside should supply them," Sleet said. Aleena looked at him in a measure of surprise. He had expressed already his distaste for children and general good-heartedness. Why then did he suddenly seem so concerned for the orphans and shelters? Catching her surprised look, he frowned at her in mild annoyance. "Don't get any wild ideas. Just because I dislike the little brats doesn't mean I want to see them all wiped out by some disease," he said.
"I'm glad you feel that way, Sir Sleet, because someone must leave the palace to bring us food and supplies as well when we need them," the King said, glaring at him. "While you're out there, supply the orphans and shelters to your heart's content. Of course we will supply you with the funds."
Aleena looked at her father quickly in shock. "What?" she asked.
"Your tutor is a gracious volunteer it seems, my dear. How very self-sacrificing of him to offer to risk his life for the needy and those in the palace," the King said, eyes fixed on the wolf.
"I volunteered to do no such thing!" Sleet snapped.
"You act as if you have a choice," the King replied.
Sleet scowled darkly at him, hackles rising a bit. "The last people I will risk my life for are the ones in this godsforsaken palace," he darkly bit, voice shaking a little in suppressed rage. Aleena winced a bit and hung her head low.
"Then risk your life for little orphans and shelters," the King replied.
"Since you're so benevolent a ruler, your wonderfulness, why not do it yourself?" Sleet replied.
"I will do it," Aleena boldly said, lifting her head proudly to her parents. Sleet started, looking sharply at her. So did her mother and father. The queen was visibly shocked and concerned. The King looked stunned, eyes wide. "I would sooner risk my own life than see anyone within these walls risk theirs. I will not sit uselessly by while my people are dying, and hope others will fend for me. If my people need me, then I will do whatever I must to help them."
"No!" the queen immediately replied.
"Try and stop me, mother," Aleena replied, turning her back on her parents and storming away. Sleet stared after Aleena in disbelief, eyes wide.
The king, flustered, was mildly panicked now. "Maurice, do something!" Sonya pled of her husband.
"I-I…" the king stammered, too shaken to even comprehend what had just happened here.
Sleet scowled and immediately went after her. "Sir Sleet!" the Queen called.
Aleena froze, turning quickly around with eyes narrowed. Sleet was suddenly right there, seizing her wrists firmly. She stared at him in appalled disbelief, scarcely able to believe he had had the guts to put his hands on her in front of her parents. "Let me go!" she demanded, struggling to pull free of him.
"Sleet!" the King furiously shot.
Sleet spun Aleena around and released her, blocking her from reaching the throne room door. She glared at him, jaw dropped in anger. "The audacity!" she exclaimed.
"You're not going anywhere my princess," he said.
"My people need me," she replied, teeth gritted.
"They need a ruler, and if your brother has refused the throne and remains childless, well, I'm given to understand there's no heir," Sleet stated coldly.
"And I'm given to understand I have a sibling and a cousin I have yet to give a chance to," she answered. He started, blinking at her in shock. "If I should die, Charles will take the throne and marry and have children," she continued. "For now, though, he needs to remain alive to help work on a cure. He will prove instrumental in solving this problem. I will not. That's why I must go."
"Bernadette," Sleet pointed out. Jules started and shot a sharp, narrow-eyed glare Sleet's way. Bernadette for her part looked stunned.
"I will not let my cousin risk her life," Aleena replied.
"And she won't let you risk yours," he replied.
"Get out of my way," she ordered, moving to try and pass him. Sleet motioned with his hand for Argus to come help him. Quickly the Captain did so, albeit reluctantly, blocking the door with the wolf. Aleena paused with a wary frown as the Captain looked down at her, eyes filled with guilt.
"I'm sorry Aleena, but I can't let you do this," Argus apologetically said.
Aleena frowned and looked darkly at Sleet. His eyes were hard and cold. "Just what do you intend to do to stop me?" she icily asked. "You cannot keep me here forever."
"Try me," he answered.
"You have no right…" she began.
"Aleena, since when have I cared about rights?" Sleet borderline mocked with a cruel smirk. "I would bet your parents are willing do whatever it takes to keep you safe. Even if it means giving you into my hands."
"You vile little…" she began.
"Little what, majesty?" Sleet cut off.
Aleena spun on her parents. "Father, mother, you cannot…" she began.
"Enough Aleena. Enough," he father sternly said, eyes narrowed. "We will do whatever we must to ensure you stay safe." He looked at Sleet. "If the wolf can make sure of that, so be it." Aleena's eyes widened in disbelief and a measure of fear. She looked nervously back at Sleet, who grinned wickedly at her. "What would you have us do, wolf?" the King questioned.
"Give me permission to restrain her however I choose, sire, and I'll be your supply runner," Sleet said. This could in fact work perfectly for his plan to get her out of the palace.
"I will not have my daughter made a prisoner in my own castle again, much less by the one who advocated so strongly against it the first time!" the Queen immediately responded.
"Then you'll lose her even sooner," Sleet answered bluntly. The Queen faltered at this, eyes widening in fear.
"You pathetic, hypocritical excuse for a man," Aleena icily said, poison dripping form every word. He chuckled in amusement.
"I will not give you permission to restrain my daughter," the King said, tone dark. "But I will give you permission to do whatever you feel you must, to ensure she stays where she'll be safe."
"What?" the queen asked, quickly looking at her husband. "Maurice…" He closed his eyes, turning away from her. Sonya stared at him then looked away, hanging her head.
"But of course. No details," Sleet said knowingly. "Don't worry, your highness. Leave everything to me." He looked at Aleena. "Come with me, your grace. Don't make a fuss." She went at him with a shout. He caught her easily, dodged around her, painfully seized her arm causing her to gasp, and roughly dragged her out with a swish of his cape as she let out a scream. The King and Queen watched nervously after him. With a soft sob, Sonya looked away and buried her face against her husband. Maurice was silent and pale, looking uncertain. Chuck, Bernie, and Jules exchanged nervous looks. None of them approved of this in the slightest.
SU
"Let me go or I will make your life a living hell, Sleet!" Aleena spewed in rage, struggling to pull away from him. He kept dragging her along, unrelenting, and once more she was reminded of just how powerful the man really was. She jerked roughly back with a shout, pulling him off balance.
Sleet staggered and scowled, catching it quickly and dragging her back to him, a murderous look in his eyes. "Don't even think about it," he snarled.
"If I escape, you will rue the day," she darkly said, voice wavering in wrath.
"Oh, you won't escape your grace," Sleet growled menacingly.
"Won't I?" she challenged.
"Not under my watch," he stated, smirking.
"Damn you! Damn you to hell!" she screamed in rage. It was the first time she could ever recall losing her temper like that. Her blood boiled in her veins, and never had she ever wanted someone dead as badly as she did now. She prayed he suffered. "I hope you never come back. I hope you die out there!"
"I'm sorry, am I supposed to be wounded?" he asked. She kicked him and tried to break free again with a shout. He yelped and wrestled with her, dragging her violently back to him and raising his hand as if to strike. She caught her breath, eyes widening as she braced for it. Quickly, though, he schooled his temper and lowered his hand. A dark, low growl echoed in his throat. She glared hatefully up at him, tears in her eyes. "You have no power over me, Princess," he finally said, tone as cold as ice. "Tomorrow I'm going into the city to buy some food and supplies and check on the situation. Medicine too, just in case. I can't have my meal ticket getting sick now, can I?" he added.
Aleena sobbed, teeth clenched and head dropping. For a while there was silence between them as she trembled in his grasp. Not from fear, though. Everything else yes, but not fear. Finally she sniffed, looking up. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean what I said. I don't want you to die out there, I swear I don't, I…"
"Yes you do," he cut off, letting her go then taking her arm again, albeit much more gently this time. She could only gaze up at him, teeth tightly clenched in hurt. "Not that you can be blamed. The feeling is mutual," he added.
"Then let me go," she pled. "My parents never need to know."
He paused, looking back at her, and seemed to be genuinely considering it. "No," he finally said. Her heart sank into the pit of her stomach. "You're worth far more to me alive than you are dead."
"What?" she asked. She gasped as he pulled her along behind him. What did he mean?
"Am I one of your bounties?"
"Wait and see."
Her heart sped up ever so slightly in a mixture of both fear and adrenaline. She recalled Dingo's words about Drago, and how Chuck had claimed both Sleet and Drago had returned together after she had left the dinner party and Sleet followed. Her mouth felt like it was going dry. She was no one's fool. Two and two equaled four, not twenty-two.
"What does he want with me?!" she demanded, jerking away from Sleet. Sleet paused briefly but didn't turn to her. At least not at first. Soon, though, he looked back, silently reading her. "Dingo spoke to me. He told me of a conversation you and Drago had. He told me Drago said he wanted me in his bed and that he would do whatever it took to get me there. He told me you became angry with your partner and told him he would not speak of the things he planned to do to me in front of a child. He told me you attacked Drago."
"Dingo would do well to keep his mouth shut," Sleet darkly said.
"To what extent does he truly want me?" Aleena asked. Not that she needed much imagination to guess. Sleet was silent. "Will you give it to him?" she questioned.
For a long time, neither of them spoke. Only stared one another down. "What happens to you is none of my concern after I've been paid," he finally answered. She swallowed over a painful lump in her throat and felt like her heart was breaking inside her, but she didn't know why. Or she refused to acknowledge why…
"And here I thought you had started to care," she finally and hollowly said.
"Did you really?" he questioned coldly. She gasped when he seized her arm again, dragging her the rest of the way to her room. He shoved her roughly inside. "Sweet dreams, princess. Tomorrow marks the first day of the rest of your life," he said with a cold smirk before cackling cruelly. She scowled and lunged at him. He slammed the door shut and locked it before she could reach him.
"Damn you!" she shrieked at him, pounding on the door. Miserably she sank down against it. "Damn you," she said again, voice breaking in grief. She didn't want to know what he meant by those words…
SU
"Guards will be stationed outside her balcony. No less than four. More will be stationed in the hallway," Argus heavily said, clearly upset by this entire turn of events. Jules was present too, looking even more distressed than Argus.
"Leave the outside guards to me," Sleet said. The guards that would be stationed in the hallway were the least of his concerns.
"Will eight guards be enough?" Jules asked in a murmur.
"The idea those incompetents could ever match wits with the princess is laughable. If Aleena stays put under guard, it's because she chooses to. Most likely out of respect for her dear parents. It won't be because the guards could keep her there," Sleet said.
"Then perhaps we should station you outside her room," Jules flatly said.
"If you must," Sleet replied. "Tonight I won't be here. The King would have me go out and purchase supplies for the orphans and shelters. Tomorrow night, though, let the games begin. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a waif to check on." Standing up straight, he turned and left to get Dingo.
SU
Sleet knocked on the door of Dingo's guest room and pushed it open, peering inside. He frowned curiously when he saw the pup sitting on his bed looking upset. "What is it this time?" Sleet asked, entering and putting a hand on his hip.
Dingo looked up, eyes wide and nervous, then shifted and bowed his head again. "I-I heard you and Aleena fightin' mate," he answered quietly. Sleet was silent. Dingo looked back up at him. "Didja hava ta do that Sleet? Make her angry with ya?" he asked.
"Yes Dingo, I did," Sleet answered.
"Why?" Dingo asked.
"Because, muffin brain! Don't ask stupid questions," Sleet barked.
"Sorry Sleet," Dingo replied, bowing his head ashamedly.
Sleet glared at him a long moment. "There's a very bad disease spreading in the city. Aleena, in her zeal, decided she should be the one to go down into it to bring supplies to the orphanage and to shelters. Everyone who had common sense and thought with their heads instead of their hearts explained to her it was a bad idea. She wasn't about to be deterred, so instead she needed to be locked up. Besides, now she's in the perfect position for us to strike."
"Strike? We're gonna kidnap her tonight mate?" Dingo asked, perking up curiously.
Sleet smirked. "Tonight Dingo," he confirmed. "Be ready. I'm going to hide you in the garden. Tonight, make your way to the wall, climb up it, and flag down Drago. He won't be hard to see. His fur reflects the moon like snow. He'll join you, and you two wait in that garden until I arrive. When I do, we move." Dingo narrowed his eyes and nodded in determination.
That Night
The full moon shone brightly in the sky. The wind softly blew the filmy white curtains on Aleena's balcony, letting in a refreshing breeze. For a moment, the clouds blocked the moon's light, but when they cleared the moonbeams shone upon a masked figure who had appeared like an apparition. A figure who now stood tall and straight listening for the sound of any potential threat. His cape fluttered gently in the breeze. As soon as he deemed all was clear, he relaxed and looked toward her bed. A wolfish grin spread across his face.
Two more masked figures clambered over the railing onto the balcony and joined him, one of them rippling with muscles and as white as the moonlight that shone on his fur. The other was small but freakishly muscular. It was clear that one day he would surpass both his companions. Quietly the trio approached the flimsy curtains. The leader pushed them gently aside and stepped into the room. The second followed him. The smallest, though, suddenly tripped over seemingly nothing and landed in a heap with an exclamation of pain! The leader winced. The second growled warningly, looking back.
"Sorry," the third said.
The slumbering princess made a soft sound and began to stir. The trio froze and waited with bated breath, but soon enough she settled down. They sighed in relief. The leader quickly regained his composure and scowled at the third one. "Keep quiet Dingo," he hissed sharply.
"I said sorry, Sleet," the little one whined in defense.
"I guess we're lucky she's still asleep at all after that racket," the second said.
"See? Drago gets it," Dingo said.
"Just make sure it doesn't happen again," Sleet said. "Now come on. Let's get this over with. Amateurs," he said. Quietly he made his way across the room, beckoning with his hand for the others to follow. The moon was once more obscured from view by the clouds, shrouding the trio in darkness.
They came up to the princess on all sides of her bed, Dingo moving to the side farthest from the balcony. Drago went to the foot. "How are we gonna do this, Sleet?" Dingo asked his mentor.
"Elementary my dear Dingo," Sleet replied with a villainous smirk, pulling out a set of handcuffs. Quickly and carefully he clamped them on her, then looked to Drago. "Drago, you do the honors." Drago grinned evilly and pulled up the bottom of the blankets to expose her ankles. He pulled out a second set of cuffs and slapped them on her. "There. Rendered near immobile. She'll still struggle, but this way she won't be able to fight back."
"Now Sleet?" Dingo asked.
"Now Dingo," Sleet confirmed with a smirk. Seizing her blankets, he tore them off her!
SU
Aleena gasped, instantly waking when she felt the sudden motion, but visibly confused and disoriented. She saw the three intruders and tried to scream, but quickly Sleet's hand covered her mouth. She tried to strike at him but realized quickly that she couldn't. Why couldn't she move her legs and hands?! Sleet pulled her head roughly up with his free hand. "Shh, don't make a sound my lady," he said in a dark, disguised voice that sent chills racing down her spine. Drago chuckled then pulled out a gag and wrapped it around her mouth the second Sleet took his hand away. "Grab her!" Sleet ordered. Aleena tried to scream and struggle, but Drago easily picked her up and the trio ran for the balcony, their prisoner at their mercy!
They reached the balcony railing fast and quiet. Sleet leapt easily over the edge and clambered down the ropes. Dingo had a little difficulty but managed nonetheless. Drago, however, struggled to hold the princess while still making it down. "Stop struggling!" he barked at her, growing nervous about losing his grip on the rope and plummeting to the ground. She, of course, didn't listen. Near the end of the climb, Drago finally gave up and just leapt the rest of the way, hoping he didn't end up breaking something. He landed unharmed and smirked. The princess caught sight of the unconscious guardsmen at the base of her balcony and caught her breath, stiffening. Drago darkly chuckled and raced after Sleet and Dingo, heading for the walls surrounding the palace.
Sleet crouched at the base of the wall and pulled out three grapples. Quickly he handed them out. He and Drago's grapples hooked on. Dingo couldn't quite get it, so Sleet quickly did it for him. The trio scaled the wall fast, Sleet helping Dingo when needed, and scrambled over. Sleet hit the ground on the other side first. Dingo followed. Drago reached the top of the wall scowling, growing fast annoyed with the princess he was carrying. Suddenly Aleena violently thrashed, kicking him hard and throwing off his balance!
"Whoa!" he shouted as he toppled over the edge. In a desperate attempt to save himself, he dropped the princess and seized a rope, clinging to it. She screamed through the gag. Sleet gasped and ran quickly to catch her. She landed in his arms, eyes at first wide in shock then quickly narrowing in fury. She began to struggle again.
Sleet scowled, holding her tight, and shot a sharp look at Drago. "Idiot! You're paying me to keep the package unharmed! Don't make my job more difficult than it already is."
"She wouldn't hold still!" Drago snapped back as he reached the bottom. He seized the girl's wrists and dragged her from Sleet's arms. "Don't worry, though. Next time I'll hold tighter." Emphasizing his words, he squeezed her wrists in a grip that was almost bone breaking. She winced and bit back a cry of pain.
Sleet scowled, seizing one of her arms and pulling her partially away from Drago so she was held between the two of them. "Forget it. Let's get out of here," he ordered. Quickly the trio fled the vicinity of the palace and disappeared into the night…
SU
Morning dawned on the palace. The King, troubled by last night's events, made his way to his daughter's room. He nodded at the guards, who nodded back at him in acknowledgement. "Any trouble?" the man asked.
"We haven't heard a peep," one of the men replied.
The King frowned at this. "Nothing?" he asked. "No muffled weeping or angry whispers or things being thrown about?"
"No sir," the man replied.
He shifted a bit uncomfortably. That didn't seem right. He looked at her bedroom door and knocked. "Aleena dear, are you decent?!" he called. No answer. The king's concerned frown grew. Something wasn't right. "Aleena!" he called. Silence. He exchanged nervous looks with the guards, then seized the handle and shoved open the door. What he saw chilled him to the bone and he gasped. "Aleena!" he cried out in terror. His daughter was gone, her blanket thrown to the floor and signs of a struggle abundant! He rushed to the balcony, looking over it, and gasped upon seeing the unconscious guards there. "Guards, guards hurry!" he shouted towards the barracks. All eyes turned his way. "Someone has kidnapped the Princess!"
SU
Sleet led the way to the hideout, dragging along their struggling captive. He pushed open the door to a bedroom and stepped aside, gesturing to the bed and letting Drago take it from there. Drago lifted the girl from the ground and threw her down onto it. He forced her wrists up above her head and chained the cuffs up to the headboard. For good measure, because better safe than sorry, he chained the cuffs on her ankles to the baseboard as well so they could be double sure she didn't escape. Aleena thrashed against her bonds, but there was no chance of escaping them. Sleet took off his cape, hanging it up, then approached the bed. He paused at the base of it, looking the princess over ponderously. The moment their eyes met, Aleena froze and caught her breath. His eyes… She knew those yellow eyes. Though she wasn't surprised, her own blue ones widened fearfully. Darkly he smirked at her. He knew she knew…
"Welcome to your new home your majesty," he mocked, taking off his mask. Why bother hiding anymore, after all? Her eyes began to blaze and she tried to shout at him despite the gag. "Thank goodness you can't talk," he dryly said. "If you're half as good at tongue lashings as your mother is, enough said." He got the gist of what she wanted to say through her blazing eyes that burned with hatred and disgust. "Come on. Let's let her royal highness get accustomed to her new room," he said, turning to the other two. He beckoned for them to follow and walked out. Dingo obeyed loyally. Drago growled but obeyed as well, albeit more reluctantly. The trio stopped in the doorway and looked back. "I do hope you enjoy your stay, Princess," Sleet sarcastically said. He laughed a cruel and wicked laugh, the others joining in, then slammed the door, leaving Aleena in the darkness.
Furiously and frustratedly, the princess screamed through her gag. She looked around the room quickly, getting a sense of her new environment. The more familiar she became with it, the better she could use it to her advantage. That had been one of Sleet's lessons. She laughed sardonically through the gag.
"Acquaint yourself with your environment. Know every nook and cranny of it. It will save your life one day. Take note of where to hide, what to weaponize, how best to flank, everything. Always know more about your location than your enemy."
"That won't be a problem. I've lived here all my life. You decidedly have not."
"Cute, your Majesty. Very cute."
Scoffing, Aleena tested her bonds then began to struggle more desperately. She twisted and turned, urgently trying to wriggle free or break her restraints. It was a long shot, she knew, but she had to try! The hours crawled by like years before she finally stopped in frustration, giving up. At least for now. It wouldn't do to exhaust herself for nothing. Besides, her wrists and ankles were raw and wet with blood. She felt it leaking down her arms and feet. She began to try some deep breathing. She had to calm down. Being panicked and agitated wouldn't help her now. The clearer her head, the more likely she was to come up with a solution to her problem.
Mentally she reviewed her current situation. She had been taken from the palace and was now chained to a bed Chaos knows where, and at the mercy of two men and a child. All three were more likely than not stronger than she, even the boy, so her situation was not favorable. Still, they had yet to do anything. Perhaps this was all just a matter of ransom.
"Drago said that he'd love ta have ya in his bed and wants ta do whatevah it takes ta getcha there."
She shuddered at the memory of Dingo's words and hated that they'd returned to her now. She couldn't keep kidding herself like this. She knew full well what Drago's desire was. Fear began to creep up her spine. Chained here like she as, she could never even hope to fight back. They would be able to do whatever they pleased with her, and she would be helpless! No. She had to calm down and think. There was no use in assuming the worst just yet. After all, Dingo had also claimed that Sleet had become quite indignant at Drago's implication. Perhaps her tutor would prove an unlikely ally in that regard. If he did, she would ensure to it that when this atrocity was reported, he received a swift hanging instead of a slower method of death. She huffed something of a laugh at the scornful thought, then shook her head and focused on her predicament. The strongest one of them was, without a doubt, Drago. A physical altercation with him, if she did escape, was not in the cards. The most likely one to sympathize with her situation and help her was the child. He would prove a valuable ally if she played her cards right. Sleet could be counted on for nothing, she spitefully told herself. Suddenly she heard the door being unlocked. Instantly her eyes darted that way, every muscle tensed. Chaos, how did she let herself get into this? She saw a figure enter with a tray. Sleet, she immediately knew. Her eyes darkened. Her tutor looked at her and grinned cruelly. He walked up and placed the tray on the bedside table.
"Have you finished struggling like a good girl now? You should have. It's been hours," he mocked in his evilly creepy voice. She turned up her nose, glaring at the roof in frustration. Sleet checked her shackles. She shot him a furious look. "Tsk, tsk, tsk, you were desperate, weren't you?" he said, noticing the blood. "Aleena, do we scare you that much?"
She half laughed. He started, surprised at that reaction, and scowled. He reached for her gag and grabbed it, but didn't remove it just yet. "Let me clear this up for you right now. This room is completely soundproof. You can scream your fool head off all you want, but no one will hear you, understood? So don't bother trying. If you do, well, let's just say that someone in this house has very limited patience, gets very annoyed very quickly, and will fast become violent. He doesn't take kindly to back talk." He pulled out the gag and she considered screaming just to spite him, but ultimately decided against it.
"I assume you speak of yourself?" she bitterly replied. "Why in third person though, I wonder?"
"Cute," he dryly replied. "I'm talking about Drago, the overstuffed armchair, and you know it. Now eat."
He picked up a piece of bread, holding it out to her. She disdainfully grimaced at it then met his eyes icily. "I refuse to put anything you've touched into my mouth," she defiantly replied.
"Either you eat, starve, or I get Drago to feed you," Sleet warned. The remark shook her a bit, and for a moment she looked uneasy. "Come now. It won't be so bad," Sleet said, giving her a mocking smile.
"I would sooner starve," she coldly answered.
"Fine. Have it your way," he replied, picking up a strawberry and waving it tauntingly in front of her.
"Fruit from a canine?" she asked bitterly, eyeing the berry in annoyance.
"We've been planning for a hedgehog for quite some time," he replied with a smirk. "At least I have. Those two imbeciles couldn't plan if their lives depended on it."
"Do you always consider yourself above everyone?" Aleena questioned bitterly.
"My lady, there's nothing to consider," Sleet replied with a grin.
He offered her the strawberry. She glared at it, then looked up at him. "Bring it closer," she icily challenged. She relished biting the hand that fed her.
He seemed to sense her desire and chuckled, putting it back on the tray and rising to leave, taking the food along. "What? No gag?" she asked.
"If you give yourself laryngitis screaming for help, that's not my problem," he answered.
"My family will find me. They will have the whole city looking. My personal guard will be scouring every house for my captors, King Acorn will send help from Knothole, Commander Jules will hear of this outrage, and you will be hunted down like the mongrel you are!" Aleena declared.
"In the midst of a deadly epidemic? Kudos to those brave enough to try," Sleet retorted as he looked back at her. She glowered at him. He smirked then headed for the door.
"You will rue the day you were born, Sleet," she icily said.
"What makes you think I don't already?" the man replied.
"What do you mean?" she questioned suspiciously.
"That, my lady, is none of your business," he replied. With that he left, locking the door behind him. She glared up at the roof. Those disgusting, vile… No. There was no use thinking on it right now. It was just a distraction from her immediate goal of finding a way out. She would focus on that first and foremost, and perhaps the rest of her answers would come later. She just had to be patient and bide her time…