Heart:
"You saw him again?" Nosedive exclaimed while nearly dropping his jaw as he tried to eat his breakfast.
"Yes?" I replied.
"Heart, you danced with one of the biggest stars of our age!" he said in a bit of awe, "Do you know how many girls would have killed for that chance?"
"I'm aware," I mentioned while recalling the encounter with Vonda McDrake, "I mean, do you think I should have turned him down?"
"Did you want to?" Wildwing chimed in curiously.
"Not really...I just thought it would be better for him if I tried to...there were a lot of other stars there that night...not to mention his fans," I replied with a sheepish shrug.
"Sis, have you ever worried about what others thought before? Remember the kids that told you to stop singing?" Wildwing mentioned.
I gave a nod, "Yeah?"
"Did you ever stop?" Nosedive nudged me playfully.
"Of course not," I said.
"Then why should this be any different?" Nosedive questioned.
"So then, what about this magic you mentioned to us?" Wildwing then asked, "Have you been able to use it since that night?"
"Well, I wouldn't know if anyone was hurt to use it in a crowd like that," I pointed out.
"It's still crazy to think you had something like that in you all this time, and we never realized it," Wildwing said while sitting down to eat his breakfast now.
"You guys believe me, don't you?" I asked.
"We have no reason to doubt our own sister," Wildwing chuckled while rustling my hair.
"So are you going to see him again soon?" Nosedive asked.
"I...I don't really know. I mean, he's sorta found me each time so far..." I said.
I hadn't been able to bring myself to tell them of Duke's warning in regards to The Order of the Light. Wildwing had grown up looking up to them since he was just a kid. With taking care of Nosedive and I since our parent's accident on his plate, how could I tell him what his own heroes had tried to do? Besides, I did understand that most of them probably were what my brother saw them as, helping to protect the world from evil as best as they could. They simply didn't understand magic, and they had left me alone thus far since that night. So why trouble him over something I didn't feel I needed to?
This meant that I hadn't mentioned him checking in on me to make sure this is how things stayed. Nor did I tell them of his mentioning that he researched magic himself. For some reason, I felt that should be kept between Duke and I for the time being.
Though I couldn't help but wonder over the things I'd realized during our last meeting. Why did he look so warn? What did he think would happen? Where had he come from before arriving at the party? Was he wearing himself too thin in some way? Was him keeping an eye on me causing him unnecessary strain? Yet at the same time, I couldn't help but admit, "I hope it's sometime soon...when he's not so busy maybe?"
"Busy?" Wildwing asked.
"I think he's just been working hard, practicing on his stunts and such," I said, "I imagine it takes a lot out of him."
"Not to mention being swarmed everywhere he goes. Something to keep in mind when we're big hockey stars!" Nosedive grinned.
"I take it you're getting hyped for your first game?" I teased.
"Just you wait, sis! I'm gonna make the winning shot and make my mark!" Nosedive assured.
"I'll be there to see it!" I promised while giving him a hug.
Duke:
"I've finally found it!" Falcone laughed as he barged into the galley.
"Found what?" I half taunted, "An outfit that doesn't have a bright red cape sayin' catch me?"
"Very funny, old friend," he sneered while walking over with a news-clipping in his hand.
"What's that?" I ventured, humoring him.
"The prize that will prove who the greatest thief actually is, and make you step down so I can take the lead!" he insisted while placing the parchment on the counter for me to look over.
"The Storm Dragon's Heart, huh?" I read aloud with some curiosity tugging at me, "It's a sapphire?"
"A heavily guarded necklace that is heavily guarded. I heard some of the girls fawning over it when I decided to look into it. There's a few legends surrounding it, but I didn't have time to research them. Besides, my focus is just getting it in my hands, rather than worry over the silly stories told about it!" he scoffed.
"You'd think you would have learned by now that certain prizes should be researched," I mentioned, "Enchanted items can hold curses."
"Oh, this isn't something like that painting, I know that much. Some of the girls were admiring it, in fact. It's supposed to be well guarded, the perfect target for our contest," he insisted.
"What are the rules you're goin' to try an' break?" I asked while rolling my eyes.
"Tomorrow night, we both go out prepared how ever we like, alone, and whoever steals it in the end is the winner." he said, "If there are any rules, it's that neither of us can head out before tomorrow evening, and we must work alone! We're proving who should be the leader, after all."
"Why tomorrow?"
"Oh, there's supposed to be some sort of game to keep the public occupied," he shrugged, "but it's more so I'm ready to prove my metal. Question is, are you, dear boy?"
"I believe I already have, but I guess I could exercise my skills for a night," I retorted with full confidence.
"Then it's settled! May the best thief win!" he declared while offering a hand for me to shake.
I gave in and accepted it in good faith. Regardless of the current strain between us, we had been friends for quite a while. Perhaps this would help settle things and remind him of that as well.
Over the next few hours, I spent my time studying and prepping for the heist at hand. Avarin told me a bit about the necklace in question, and confirmed that some of her fellow lady thieves were admiring it. Through my own research it, I was able to find detailed photos of it. This allowed me to forge my own copy, cutting the glass carefully to mimic it's heart shape, and lacing it with a matching gold chain. I'd been careful to use gloves throughout the whole process. My public identity as an actor helped in this endeavor, as most of my characters wore them. Many thought I just liked the style of it. It was mostly true.
While out and about, I had seen Heart talking with her brothers and their friends. It gave me some relief that she didn't have a gig to try and appear at during this time. Though she had noticed me, and waved with a cheerful smile on her beak. I'd waved back, but then left just as quickly to finish getting ready. I didn't want her to see what I was doing, nor anyone, for that matter, if I could help it.
I'd made sure to get a decent bit of rest before heading out that night. I waited for the game to be started when I made my move. Dressed in my form fitting stealth-suit of burgundy and black, I looked over the museum carefully to find a way in. The calling card had already been sent hours prior to this. As expected, guards were added to the routine patrol. This was of little concern to me. If anything, it made things a little more challenging.
The cool night air comfortably wrapped around me like an extra cloak that night. As I breathed in, I took note of the full moon above my head. I wouldn't need any other light with it providing it's soft glow to guide me. This proved true as I made my way to the sky light of the central room of the large building, and began making my way inside. With a grappling hook secured to the rail of the roof, I began my decent into the low lit room below. My stocking covered feet made contact with the smooth, marble floor.
My steps were masked by the burgundy fabric, as well as the rest of me whenever I needed to press my lean frame against a wall. I'd made note of the cameras, quickly cutting out the power as I came across them, or turning some of them out of view from where I needed to go.
Eventually I would find the display case I'd been searching for. After ducking from view from a patrolling guard, I began to examine the glass a little closer. It was well locked, or would have been to guard it from any other thief maybe. However, I'd been at this for quite a while.
With a smirk curving my beak, and my tumbler and pick in my hands, I began my work. Barely counting the few seconds that went by, I would hear a click. Then sliding the glass open with one hand, I slipped the other into the pouch hanging from my belt, and retrieved the glass heart I'd made. Placing it gently over the velvet bust, I in the same motion slid the real thing off and into my palm. Securely in hand, I placed it in the pouch and covered the traded necklace back up in it's new home.
My way back out had gone just as smoothly, as I avoided each guard without having to knock out a single one. I couldn't help but think that if my usual partner had been there, then this would not have been the case. Soon I was back at the rope and making my ascent now. Before anyone could detect my presence there, I was up on the roof and making my way off of it.
Several roof tops away, I would suddenly hear the alarms going off behind me. I shook my head knowingly, and made sure I was hidden enough to observe what was happening. Search lights graced the sky, and sirens blared as the culprit eluded them thus far. In the distance I could hear shouting for someone to be found. I gave a frustrated sigh as I waited for things to calm down a bit. Some luck was on our side at least, as he escaped their search and eventually found the roof I was on.
"I've done it! Just wait until I get back to the hideout! I'll bet Duke hasn't even left yet!" Falcone snickered to himself.
"I wouldn't put money on that, Falcone," I scoffed while walking up behind him.
He turned on his heel quickly, his smirk becoming a slight scowl. Then it shifted back to a bit of a smile as he laughed, "There you are, old friend! I'm afraid you're a tad late to the party, however!"
He held up the deep blue glass heart by it's chain, "I hope you're ready to step down, Duke. Don't worry, I'll be a good leader, and I'll make sure you get plenty of jobs to sharpen your skills with!"
I tilted my head slightly, "Oh really? I think my skills are quite sharp as they are."
"Then why do I have the prize here in my hand, dear boy?" he questioned.
"'Cause to this day, ya can't tell glass fro m the real thing," I stated smoothly while holding up the true necklace, watching as it captured the radiant moonlight in it's depths.
His eyes went wide in humiliation, before narrowing with irritation, "You cheated!"
"You an' I both know I don't need to do that. I was picked by Kasim because I balance skill with style, an' I do it while looking after everyone. Otherwise I would have gone ahead to the hideout an' left ya to get caught," I said.
"You're soft is what you are! Thieves of The Brotherhood of the Blade shouldn't need to be watched like they're greenhorns!" he pushed.
"Most of them don't," I parried back with my own eyes narrowed in frustration now, "Jus' the one that trips alarms, makes a mess where ever he goes, tonight included, an' can't follow an order to save his own life!"
"I don't need you looking out for me! None of us do!" he sneered, "We need a leader that pushes the limits of what we can do! They need me to do that, and the risks that come along with it to test them!"
"Until ya all get caught!" I snapped, "Falcone, drop this! I'm not steppin' down! Your game is up, an' I won it!"
"You think that little trinket proves anything?"
I didn't say anything at this point, too angry to. Taking a deep breath and releasing it, I shook my head and turned to head back to the hideout. Finally I said, "Let's just go."
My first mistake was turning my back on him, I realized too late. Then again, I wasn't expecting to hear the slash of a blade in the air as it was drawn out at the moment. I never imagined any of what would happen next.
"If you won't step down, then I have no further choice!" he hissed as the whistle of his saber made me turn and step to the side just in time.
"What the heck are ya doin'?!" I exclaimed in sheer disbelief as I rolled to the left to avoid the next slash.
"I'm sorry, dear boy; but if I wish to be the best, then I need to get you out of the way!" he insisted while lunging forward.
This time I shook myself from my shock and managed to draw my own saber by now. Blocking his blade with my own, I tried to push him back, "Ya know that's not how it works!"
"It will when I tell them what happened!" he insisted with a dark chuckle in his throat, "That I tried to save you as you went in recklessly, finally cracking from the pressure! Your last words was for me to take your place, to bring everyone to glory in your memory! Until they forget about you and realize I was right all along anyway!"
I blocked the next lunge, a growl escaping my throat as I did, "Have ya lost your mind?!"
"Not at all!" he assured in his calculated tone, "I just know what I have to do to make my way to top; and unfortunately that means removing you!"
Blocking again, I tried to force myself through my lingering shock that held me back.
"We've been partners for years!" I finally snapped, "Is it really that easy for ya to forget that? I stuck my neck out for ya! Kept ya from getting' caught! When ya did, I went back for ya an' got ya out!"
"That was your mistake!" he growled as he went to strike past my defense, both with words and his blade.
Both landed. The metal bit into my left side, luckily missing anything vital. Still it hurt, a lot. My free hand went to my side to try and stop the flow of blood that followed, a sharp grunt escaping between my clenched teeth.
"Apologies, dear boy, but my goals mean far more to me than our partnership ever did! Thieves are supposed to be cut-throat. If you were, maybe this wouldn't be happening!" he mused while I tried to block his next attack.
I managed to, our blades clashing with sparks of energy upon contact. Yet as I tried to steady my stance, he would give me a hearty kick to my stomach, causing me to yell out as the wound I was trying to tend to was torn a bit. I stumbled back onto the roof top, catching myself from falling flat on my back. As he swung downward, I pushed myself up and rolled to the right. At least I tried to, but his blade managed to catch the left, front side of my beak, cutting a chip out of it. The disorientation of the hit caused me to stop, shaking my head from it to try and gather myself.
When he went to strike once more, I reached up just in time and caught our sabers in a tangle. With a quick twist, I was able to disarm him, knocking his blade clear across the roof. This rewarded me with another kick, this time in the jaw, that sent me into the nearest ledge. I'd dropped my saber this time as I tried to catch myself. My side buckled and screamed in protest as I tried to get up. It was now that I realized in the heat of things, that I'd wrapped the chain of the necklace around my wrist with little time to react. Now it was slowly sliding off as it unraveled from around my hand. Before I could try and tuck it away, Falcone was already giving me another kick, this time in the chest. Another groan of pain escaped my beak as I tried to keep my balance as I was nearly knocked off the ledge I was bracing myself against.
"It's time the Brotherhood of the Blade had a true leader!" he snickered, "Finally I will be the greatest thief on this planet!"
As he went to strike again, I managed to roll out of the way just in time. Yet as I did, I felt the chain slipping completely from my grasp. Out of instinct, I tried to catch it before it could fall. However, he quickly grabbed me by my collar and tossed me back harshly onto the roof.
Heart:
I'd been walking home, reluctantly alone. My brothers had won their game, but were deciding to stay out rather late afterwards. Despite Duke's warning, I'd hoped that the sporting even would have been enough of a distraction for anyone that might cause me trouble. I'd also heard that there had been a robbery at a museum nearby So cops searching for the culprit would likely keep other criminals off the streets at least long enough for me to get home.
I was several blocks away from it in fact, when I was passing by an alleyway. The goal was to dash by it, more so from the instinct being jumped once had given me than thinking it would happen again at the moment. However, a sharp cry caused me to quickly pause in this endeavor. Looking up where the yell had come from, I noticed something falling from the roof, it's blue reflective surface catching the light briefly. Without decision, I ran towards it and held out my hand in time to catch it. Opening the palm of my feathered hand, I would see a deep blue sapphire heart gleaming from the moonlight hitting it.
"What in the world?" I breathed in growing bewilderment.
Then I would hear another yell from a voice above, I realized quickly.
"Was that...?" I wondered as I caught how familiar the voice was.
Still without making a choice that I could recall, I began climbing up the fire escape to find out what was going on. As I did, I would barely notice at first as the gem in my hand began to spark with energy. Half way up, I realized this was happening, and paused to look at the sapphire in alarm. My heart beat was racing, and with it came the pulses of lightening emerging from the heart in my hand.
"Is it...reacting to...to me...?" I asked, before another cry of pain tore my attention away from it.
This time I was certain I'd heard him as he snapped at someone, "You're no leader, Falcone!"
"Duke?" I asked the air around me.
The urge to find out, and the wish for him to be okay seemed to bond with that energy. For as I continued my ascent, a rush of energy would wash over me. As I made my way to the rooftop, I would notice the strange new attire I was in. It were as though I was dressed for some sort of quest, or adventure. A burgundy top held up by black straps at the top, but had odd sleeves as well. One an extra burgundy strap, the other a flowing teal in a flared damsel style. A matching sash was wrapped around my waist, intertwining with itself over my black pants. Pulled up to my knees were a pair of black boots with teal accented cuffs. The hand with the longer sleeve had a finger-less glove on it, the other a long formal glove. My long burgundy hair was swept up into a flowing, off center ponytail at the left side of my head.
Yet my attention was already pulled away from this strange change in wardrobe. For out on the roof before me, was the familiar drake I was certain I'd heard. With him, was a bulky framed falcon looming over him with a sneer over his pointed beak. Duke had just been shoved to the ground, after trying to fight back against this foe I quickly realized.
Why was he here? What was that he was wearing? What was going on?
However, all of these questions were quickly shoved aside when I realized while looking over at him, he was hurt! Worse than that even, he couldn't get away from whatever trouble he was in! There was no one to help him, no one for me to call out to! These rapid thoughts caused more energy to dance around me, my heart racing as I watched him.
He was holding his side at it screamed in protest from the rough impact. However, he had little time to recover. For behind him, he could hear this Falcone retrieving his saber and approaching him.
"And now, the career of the infamous Duke L'Orange comes to a cruel end!" he chuckled, "Sorry you can't even take your final bow, dear boy!"
"They'll know what happened!" Duke spat with a growl in his throat.
"Then I'll simply take care of them as well," the avian assured.
It all happened at once, and yet slowly it seemed. As Duke tried to move out of the way, I reacted again without decision, my voice crying out, "Duke!"
Causing Falcone's swing to miss his throat...yet it would still land. Duke had turned his head just as startled, and at the wrong time. Just as the blade came swiftly towards his face. A scream of agony tore from his throat as the sight of his right eye was abruptly taken from him.
"DUKE!" I screamed in horror, my hands barely stifling my voice.
A strangled growl emerged from his throat as he tried to stop the flow of blood now starting to run down his face.
The falcon had paused in his attack, seemingly startled by what he'd just done, at least briefly. Then Falcone began to gather his composure as Duke writhed, kneeling before him, shaking his head in pained panic. A dark snickered trickled from his beak, "I'll put you out of your misery!"
"No!" I shrieked in a rising panic as I hurried forward.
I just barely reached them in time to grab a hold of his arm. Despite my size, it was enough to at least throw him off, causing him to stumble to the right a bit until he caught his balance. Once he did, all it took was a good push for him to shove me away from him.
"Who's this little wench then?" Falcone snarled in aggravation as I managed to steady my footing just enough.
I ignored the insult and simply stood between the two of them, with Duke shielded behind me. I didn't know what was going on, or what had caused all of this. I didn't know what all he'd kept secret from not only myself, but the world it seemed...Yet none of it mattered...not right then. So I stood my ground, trying to help him.
It was then that energy was noticed by the three of us, dancing rapidly around my thin, changed frame. I looked to the gem still in my hand, and tried to connect things quickly.
"I'd get out of the way if I were you!" Falcone snickered.
"Run, sw-sweetheart!" Duke choked out through the burning where his eye should have been.
"No! I won't let you kill him!" I snapped bravely, ignoring that my knees were shaking in my boots.
"You think you can stop me, do you?" Falcone sneered.
"Leave her alone, Falcone! This girl has nothin' to do with this!" Duke shouted with a rising anger in his tone.
Looking over my shoulder, I realized that Duke didn't seem to recognize me. This was puzzling to me, due to only my attire seeming to have changed, but I didn't have time to wonder over it! The falcon was making his move again, ignoring Duke's request with his blade being raised over us. Using the blunt side, he knocked me down with a swift strike, causing me to stumble back beside Duke.
"You should have run away while you had the chance, for I'm afraid I can't leave behind any witnesses! She must be one of your misguided fans! Don't worry Duke, the truth of what you really are will die with her!" Falcone chuckled.
Lightening continued to burst erratically over my frame as I fell to the ground. Despite his injury, Duke pushed himself to move just enough to shield me as Falcone went to strike again, "S-Stay back!"
"You'll die!" I exclaimed with widened eyes.
"Jus'...just run...while ya have...a chance...!" he instructed, his breathing becoming labored as he pushed his injured body further.
Holding his side, and shutting his right eyelid tight, he crept over just enough to have me at his back. Facing death head on, he glared up at his adversary. As Falcone swung, I felt that rush of energy running through my very veins as I cried out. Reaching a hand passed Duke's neck from behind him, I conducted that electricity and let it fly. Instantly it caught Falcone's hand, forcing him to drop the blade as he cried out in sudden pain. As he cradled it, growling in continued irritation, Duke made his move without hesitation. He quickly swept his foot under his foe's legs, causing him to tumble backwards onto the roof. The drake rushed to retrieve his saber, but was stopped abruptly when the falcon drew a blaster from his sash and made his shot. This time Duke was hit in his left shoulder, the blaster missing it's intended mark. Yet it was enough for him to try and grab for the now burning injury. Turning to face death once again, the drake looked on as bravely as ever.
"Not so fast, Duke," Falcone hissed with a slight chuckle emerging,
"You're nothin' but a coward!" Duke assured, his stance growing fatigued from the loss of blood, "Killin' me won't make ya the best!"
"It'll be a start," Falcone insisted casually, taking aim as he laughed, "I will at last be the greatest thief of all time, while your light as that, and the star you wanted to be, fades out!"
"No!" I cried out once more.
Electricity raced through me still as I watched this go on. Until now...as I rushed over and let that energy fly from my hand again. This time it knocked him back quite a bit, the blaster knocked out of his grasp. Duke then hurried over as best as he could and picked up his own saber. Falcone was steadying his footing to not topple back off of the roof from the energy I was still sending his way. I wasn't sure how I knew what to do, I just moved. Perhaps it was sheer adrenaline driving me to keep going. When Duke reached him, I managed to pause this barrage. Falcone backed away from the tip of that golden saber, forgetting where he was in the moment. He almost slipped off the ledge, catching himself just enough. At first.
When he saw Duke faltering from the blood loss, he went to strike him with a kick. However, Duke had enough strength in him to avoid it and give a warning slash, "Ya don't learn, do ya?!"
However, Falcone was already falling back off that ledge, his eyes wide with horror as he realized he was beginning to plummet. In a moment of mercy that the falcon certainly didn't seem to deserve, Duke shot out a bola puck that wrapped around the avian, entangling him from the shoulders down to his ankles. This left a cord for Duke to hold onto with what strength he had left. He managed to keep Falcone from falling to his death, stopping his just short of hitting the ground. After a moment or two though, he had little choice but to let go.
My heart leapt to my throat as I watched Duke collapsing to his knees, his injuries taking their toll on him. The electricity ceased it's erratic dance as I hurried over to him. I managed to catch him as he stumbled back, his lean frame crashing against my smaller one. It was enough to keep his head from hitting the solid stone of the roof. His breathing came in short, rapid gasps now as I tried to cradle his upper half. Below we could hear the yells of Falcone drawing the searching police nearer. Adrenaline surged through me as I realized, "They can't find you!"
"...what are ya...?" he attempted as I began carefully dragging him away from the ledge.
From what we could hear, they'd found him below. Yet no yelling of where Duke was ever drifted up. Regardless, I managed to pull Duke over to beside the roof exit, hiding with him as they arrested his attacker.
"S-Stay with me...please...!" I begged as I looked over him, seeing him nearly fading from consciousness.
"...who...who are ya...?" he asked.
"Duke, it's me-!" I attempted before hearing the sirens grow louder at first, before fading as they drove off.
Yet this could only provide some relief as I took in how worn Duke was. Blood soaked the suit he wore, his breathing was growing shallow, and looking to his face...where his eye should have been...made my own well up. Still cradling him a bit, I reached a shaky hand to his cheek, gingerly brushing my fingers against it, "Duke...please, hang on! I'll find a way to help you, just don't give up!"
His remaining eye fluttered from barely open, to nearly closed. He'd lost so much blood, and he just didn't have the energy to stand, let alone climb down a flight of stairs. My heartbeat raced with my mind as I tried to think of what to do. When he about drifted off, I brought my hand to my beak in an attempt to hold back the sob hanging in my throat...that my hand brushed against in fear.
Wait...my throat? My...
My eyes went wide as I realized what I had to do. Looking to Duke, I thought quickly. Then, with my hand brushing against his feathered cheek again, I found my voice...as it trickled out in a trembling melody, a song to try and reach him with...one I'd grown up with.
We're...we're running with the shadows...of...the night...
Please take my hand...you'll be alright...
Surrender all your dreams...to me...tonight...
They...They'll come true in the end...!
I didn't know why this song was coming to mind now...maybe I was just trying to reach him with what comfort I could provide to him. I couldn't allow myself to be scared, not with him lying in my lap bleeding to death like this. He needed someone. It didn't matter whatever truth they'd spoken of...not then. What mattered...was...
You said, "Oh girl...it's a cold world...
When you keep it all to yourself..."
I said... "you can't hide on the inside...
All the pain you've ever felt...
In these trembling moments, my voice came through clear and strong. As it did, and as I watched over his still form, that glistening light from before returned. Wrapping around us like a warm blanket, I could see Duke's wounds starting to heal. I pushed on to try and help him as much as I could. It seemed I couldn't heal everything, for the chip on his beak remained...but I continued on to try and heal what I could for him.
Ransom my heart, but please don't look back
'Cause we got nobody else!
We're running with the shadows of the night
So please, take my hand
He did just that, but didn't fully wake up still. Though it was enough to let me know it was working at least. Some of his strength returned gradually as he held my hand.
You'll be alright...
Surrender all your dreams to me...tonight...
They'll come true in the end...!
"H-Heart?" Duke then asked in a thin voice as he at last opened his eyes...or that's what I'd hoped.
As I looked to meet his gaze, I would find him having to keep his right eyelid closed tight. The pain that showed on his face made my heart crack inside my chest. It seemed I could only heal so much...Even still, I nodded my head and replied, "Duke, please hang on! I'll get you to a doctor, and-"
He quickly shook his head, "No...I need to get back...Trent...he...he'll be able to help..."
"Trent?" I inquired.
"I...I can go...on my own..." he tried to insist while attempting to sit up.
However, the loss of blood was still quite apparent, as was the loss of his eye. From both he nearly collapsed, weakened and disoriented. I managed to catch him by his shoulders. He kept his hand pressed against the right side of his face.
"I...I can't go...to a hospital...if they find out..." he attempted tiredly.
"Then I'll take you where you need to go!" I insisted while sliding my shoulder under his arm, "Come on!"
"Heart...ya don't have to do this..." he protested, "If we're caught...I don't want..."
"Stop it! I'm not leaving you alone like this!" I snapped, my voice shaking as I kept his arm firmly in place over my shoulder.
I was at his right side, so I realized he couldn't really see my expression. Nonetheless, I forced my tears back, and began helping him to his feet.
"I've got you...okay?" I promised him.
With this, we began climbing down that fire escape, reaching the quiet street below. His steps were unsteady, but we managed to go quite far from the building before having to pause.
As he sat with his back against the brick wall of the alley, I knelt down in front of him. Not knowing what else to do until he was ready to move again, I finally asked, "Duke...why were you up there? Why was that guy trying to...?"
The reality of it all finally began to take over. Thus far I'd been able to just move with adrenaline driving me. The shock of everything a sort of shield...that was starting to crack as I looked over him.
He caught his breath before answering. He opened his remaining eye to see I wasn't going to leave him there. Finally he said, "I...I hoped...ya wouldn't find out..."
"Find out what?" I asked him gently.
"What I really am...the side of me the public doesn't know about..."
"That guy...Falcone...? he said something about being a thief...is that...is that what you're talking about?" I asked just as softly.
At first I wasn't sure if he would answer this. He closed his eye, and took a deep breath while trying to manage his lingering pain. Then it seemed some pride took over in him, as he released that breath and said, "Yes, sweetheart..."
He looked to me again and added, "The Brotherhood of the Blade...? I...I'm their leader, Heart."
Every encounter with this drake made the world I thought I knew tremble with uncertainty. This was no different. His injuries from before this night, his fatigue, the side of him I knew he was hiding...it all began to make sense now.
I realized as we sat there in the street, letting him catch his breath a bit and ease his wounds a moment, that his hands were balled into tense fists.
Then it dawned on to me as to why. The sort of things Wildwing talked about in regards to thieves, or what should be done with them. How they should be locked up, and the key thrown away. As well as...how one should avoid being caught with a thief. Or at the very least, try to get away from them.
This was why he was trying to get up, I realized. Before the wound in his side forced his breath to seize up sharply, and the shock of blood loss was starting to take over...Why hadn't I noticed him trembling?!
"Duke, hang on! It's going to be okay!" I pleaded while taking the sash from around my waist, and wrapping it around his shoulders, "I'm not going to let anything else happen to you! We're going to get you help!"
"Heart...ya don't...have to..."
"Come on," I urged while helping him to his feet again, "Tell me where to go, okay?"
He managed to point in the right direction, I hoped, and I helped him carefully the rest of the way. As we neared a deeper part of the city, the outskirts of it, I began to worry that I'd taken him the wrong way. Fear tried to grasp at my feet to hold me in place as I tried to get my bearings. Duke's breathing grew ragged as he tried to hold on.
Then I heard a quiet footstep from in the alley nearby.
"Who's there?!" I demanded as bravely as I could manage.
They were already running over, reaching for Duke. A dark brown feathered duck with long dark hair pulled back into a messy ponytail. Dressed in a forest green stealth-suit and a coat of ebony, he made himself known before us, "Duke?! What happened?!"
"Trent...Falcone...he..." Duke was too weak to answer by this point.
"You're Trent?" I asked for him.
"Please, help him!" I begged when he seemed unsure of whether he should tell me or not.
Shaking his head, he replied urgently, "Yes, of course. Come along, Miss!...Here, let me help support him."
His instructions immediately shifted to a more direct tone. Soon other rogues would find us, all asking what had happened and who I was. My head swam with confusion and fear, but I pushed through to focus on what Trent was telling me. Get him on the operating table, bring blankets over, inform him of his wounds as much as I could. As I explained, he began cleaning his wounds and removing Duke's shirt to get to them better. Other rogues had come in to help at first, before being shooed out of the room.
"Miss, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you step outside while I work," Trent then said, "If you pass out, it'll be more troublesome."
I winced at first, before looking to Duke with clear worry in my eyes, "Please...don't give up, Duke."
With that, I stepped outside of the room as asked. Once in the hallway, I was bombarded with the same questions. I tried to answer each of them as best as I could. How I knew Duke, what had happened to him, and how we'd gotten him back. It seemed they weren't sure of what to make of me, but they believed me at least.
One of them, Avarin I soon learned, brought me a blanket to wrap around myself, "Here."
"Th-Thank you..." I said.
"I can't believe Falcone did this!" One of the exclaimed.
"Better yet, how didn't we see this coming?" Avarin asked.
I didn't say anything, feeling it just wasn't my place to. Yet I did listen on, trying to steady myself in this ever changing world that I'd stumbled into somehow.
I was sitting a seat pulled up outside the infirmary of whatever building I was in. It only now dawned on me just how much trouble I could be in just being there still. This was a gang of thieves, people known for stealing what they wanted. Yet none of these concerns really stuck. I was too afraid to think about this. With every passing minute, I felt my heart racing in my chest, my hands clutching at my knees as I tried not to break down.
"You okay?" Avarin asked.
I wasn't sure how to answer this. I hadn't been hurt, Duke had made sure of that despite his own injuries. Yet within my frame, I was falling apart. Everything I knew was tossed on it's head. The friend I had, one of the most famous stars of our age, was an outlaw as well? Not only that, but he was the leader of a gang of them? What did that mean for us now? Would...Would I be able to see him knowing this? Would he even pull through this to see him again? He'd lost a lot of blood, even with my healing magic...I'd gotten to him so late.
"Please...please don't give up..." I finally sobbed into my hands, not knowing what else to say or do.
The rogue beside me rested a hand on my shoulder, offering gently, "Hey, I don't know how you know him or anything...or even who you are...nonetheless, we do thank you for bringing him back here. I know he'll pull through, especially with Trent's help."
I tried to nod my head, but wound up just crying. I tried to recall a time where I'd ever been so afraid. The closest that came to mind was the accident that took our parents, which wasn't helping me any now.
I vaguely wondered if my brothers were home by now, and if they knew I wasn't yet. I realized I couldn't even ask for a phone, for why would a gang of thieves have a way of tracking them?
Avarin seemed to read my mind as she asked, "Do you have any family who might be looking for you or anything?"
I nodded my head, "Two brothers...they would both notice right away when they got home..."
"That could be a problem..." one of the others commented, "But it's a huge risk to just let you leave."
This should have filled me with further anxiety, but I was already pushed pretty far by this point. I just wanted to know that he was okay.
"No one's going to hurt you," Avarin did assure.
I still didn't say anything. I just waited, trying to stop my stomach from twisting in the process.
A number of hours would pass, and I was still there waiting. The others had remained there as well, each of them looking quite worried over their leader.
Suddenly the door opened, and Trent would emerge from it. He was drying his hands with a heavy sigh escaping his throat, "He lives."
Tears I didn't know I had left in me, welled in my eyes when I heard those two words.
"We're lucky he was brought here in time. He lost a lot of blood, but I had enough to transfuse. As for his eye, I'm afraid there wasn't anything I could do to save it. I will get to making him a cybernetic replacement once I've had some rest. He probably won't like it...as it will mar his image and bruise his ego a bit, but it's better than being half blind the rest of his life."
I realized he was more so listing these details for himself, as though still working through his own process. Then he took a breath, and said while looking to me, "He wants to speak with you, Miss Flashblade. When he woke up, he wouldn't stop asking if you were here, and if you were alright."
"Why is he worried about me? He almost...?"
Trent shook his head with a bit of a frustrated chuckle escaping his beak, "That's just how Duke is. Stubborn to a fault, but it shows he's already recovering a little."
When I walked into the infirmary, I tried to ignore the blood stained clothes tossed into the hamper to be cleaned. I kept my focus on the bed I was being lead to, and the drake lying in it. The monitors tried to assure me that he was stable. Yet seeing him like this, bandages wrapped around his face where his right eye should have been, more gauze showing under his loosely buttoned up shirt where his other wounds were trying to rest and heal, the chip in his beak, and just his over all demeanor drained from the fight and getting back here...well...it brought back other painful memories I thought I'd set aside by now.
"Duke?" I asked gently while trying to hold myself together.
"Miss Flashblade is here, as you requested," Trent informed him from his right, "I'll wait outside until it's time to retrieve her."
My nerves jumped as I wondered what that would entail. However, I forced them to settle as I looked to the drake just as he was opening his remaining eye. He turned his head just enough, finding me at his left side, as he greeted casually, "...Hey...are...are ya alright,...sweetheart?"
\ Even his voice and tone ached with fatigue as he spoke.
"Am I alright? I'm not the one lying in bed like this?!" I questioned shakily, "Duke, you almost...!"
He winced, and I quickly shut my beak when I saw this.
"It'll take more than that creep, to take me out for good," he assured with a light chuckle.
I wanted so much to hold his hand, but I held back.
"I'm sorry if he hurt ya, I tried to stop him..." he attempted.
"I wasn't hurt," I assured him.
How could I even begin to ask him what all had happened? How had he gotten in such a situation? Where were we now? His hideout, I guessed. One where it was clear I was never meant to see. Nor was I sure I could leave it now that I was there.
"I'm glad you're alright..." he said with a light smile.
"Duke...I..." I attempted, looking over him as he remained in good spirits, "I'm sorry I didn't get there sooner. That I couldn't stop this from happening to you..."
"What are ya talkin' about? If ya hadn't shown up when ya did...I might not be here at all right now," he said to me in bewilderment, "You saved my life, Heart."
I tried so hard not to cry when he said this...as though the weight of it all finally crashed on my shoulders. The echoes of my own scream shook my very core as I reflected on seeing him in that moment. I hadn't been able to process it in the heat of the moment...but now...
"I was so scared, Duke!" I finally exclaimed, "I didn't know what was going on! All I know is that I saw him attacking you, and I wanted to stop him,...and then he...Duke, I'm so sorry! I'm sorry I don't understand all of this! I'm sorry I-"
"Heart!" his voice was weak, but clear, as it caught my attention.
I looked to him, trying to tell myself that this wasn't helping him either. Yet I couldn't help but cry all the same.
"Heart, there is nothin' for ya to be sorry for...this...this is the life I chose a long time ago, an' everythin' that comes with it. I hoped you would never know about any of this...an' now that ya do..." he looked to me, meeting eye to eye, he then sighed, "Heart, I'm sorry...please don't cry."
"Does...does it hurt...?" I heard myself ask as I tried to calm down at least a little.
"Distantly...Trent has me on medicine to help..." he replied.
"If my magic were stronger...maybe I could have saved it..."
"Heart, from what Trent told me, those wounds could have killed me had ya not healed me at all. I'll learn to deal with this...but my losin' my eye was not your fault. Okay?"
I tried to accept this response. At the very least, I managed to hold back what tears were left for the moment. Taking a breath, I looked to him with questions now burning their way out to the surface. If I could understand just a bit of this, perhaps it would help? Though with what, I wasn't sure?
"Duke, why were you up there? I mean...were you on a heist? Who was that guy attacking you? A rival?" I realized too late that this was all probably very sore for him to try and think about to reply.
He took a deep breath, and attempted to answer, "Falcone, a former friend an' partner... challenged me for leadership of the brotherhood. I thought I would humor him, an' he would finally stop tryin' to overstep his boundaries...I never thought my own friend would try this...then again, maybe I should have known...he hasn't been the same avian I thought I knew for quite some time now...Or maybe he was always like this an' hid it less an' less...?"
Seeing the anguish in his remaining eye, I answered the best that I could, "I'm sorry, Duke. I can't imagine what you're feeling right now...that sort of trust being broken in such a way...I wish I knew how to heal that pain for you..."
He looked to me with a raised brow when I said this. Then his still pained expression eased gradually into one of curiosity.
"What do ya think of all of this, Heart? What I am? My place here among my gang?" he ventured.
"I...I don't really know what to think..." I admitted, "I should be afraid...but...I'm not for some reason...the only thing I was really scared of...was that you would..."
I broke down, my vision growing blurry as I did.
Duke:
As I watched her cave in, her hands trying to hide her tearful eyes, my remaining one widened in disbelief.
"Heart, please don't cry...I can't take seein' a lady like that..." I pleaded, trying to reach a hand to hers as she let one grip the side of the bed.
"I can't help it...I know you need to rest, and you need someone right now...to hold themselves together...still...I...I don't care what you are!" she burst out, "As long as you're okay, that's all I need to know! You must have your reasons for doing this! It doesn't change who you are...not to me! You're my friend...and I just didn't want to lose you too...!"
"...Heart...?" I breathed out, quite stunned to hear all of this.
She was trying to gather her composure after having said all of that. Finally I rested a hand over hers, and said, "I'm okay, Heart...thanks to you...I'll be alright...an' now that I know you're okay, I can have Trent escort ya home."
She looked to me in a bit of shock of her own when I said this, "What? Home?"
I assured her with a pained chuckle, trying to console her "I wasn't goin' to keep ya here. Your brothers would come lookin' for ya! Then I'd really be in trouble!"
"Duke...?"
I could feel myself getting really tired, wanting to just close my eye. She sensed this as well. Despite the questions I could almost hear racing through her head, the white feathered duck beside me pulled away from me. She then placed her hand over mine, smoothing the feathers in place as she did. For a brief moment, I thought I heard a question trickle out from her throat, but she never moved her beak, "Will I see you again?"
She seemed just as surprised to hear me answer, "Of course you'll see me, sweetheart."
When she looked to me with widened blue eyes, I simply smiled and assured her, "Ya won't lose me."
Trying to dry her eyes in vain, she insisted, "Please get some rest...okay...?"
"I don't have much of a choice," I winced from the slight laugh I attempted.
When she slipped her hand away from mine, I watched as she stepped back from me. Trent, as though knowing, entered the room to usher her out to the hall way. He assured he would follow after her shortly, and that he just needed to check on me first. She went ahead out as he turned to me. Being sure it was just the two of us, Trent looked over me as I pushed myself to focus my remaining eye on him, "...Yeah...?"
"Things just got more complicated, didn't they?" he asked.
"I guess...? Not much I can do at the moment," I said.
"You're letting her go home, with her knowing where we are, and what we are?"
"She's not goin' to tell anyone, Trent," I assured.
"I'm surprised you have that much trust in anyone right now," he remarked.
I wondered myself over this for a moment or two, before replying, "She could have left me there once she found out. She could have turned me in with the cops came lookin' for Falcone; but she didn't."
"She was still in shock," Trent pointed out.
"Even still...Heart's not goin' to turn us over...or our gang..."
"What about that sapphire she's been holding?" Trent asked.
"Sapphire?" I asked while trying to recall.
"I believe it's what created the bursts of electricity you told me about when you woke up. It seems to be creating an aura around the girl."
"That makes a little bit of sense...when I first saw her, I didn't recognize her as Heart. Which is odd, because I don't think it changed her appearance, other than her clothes, but it didn't register that it was her...until she sang to me..."
"That aura probably protected her from being seen by Falcone then," Trent noted.
"That's one thing to help me rest easy then," I said, "He won't be able to go after her."
"Should I ask her for it? I'm certain if I said it could help you that she would hand it over, and we could put it with the rest of our horde you've gathered?"
I thought over this for a few tired minutes. Despite how much it made sense to ask her this...it didn't at the same time.
"As crazy as it sounds, I think she was meant to have it...I mean, it did bond with her for Heart to be able to wield it's magic to begin with. Besides,..." I started thinking quickly, "They don't know the real one's missin'...an' I could..."
"You could what?" Trent questioned.
"Well, it's not uncommon for celebrities to buy art to adorn their walls...once the difference if I place it in a chest in my home, or give it to someone."
"Won't the public know you gave it to her?"
"Not if I don't make a big deal about it," I replied, wincing as I tried to shrug, "Besides, no one knows the one I'm about to buy is a fake...I think it's one of my best forgeries yet."
I gave a confident smile, forcing Trent to shake his head.
"You're doing a lot to stick your neck out for her," he pointed out.
"She saved my life, Trent," I parried back, "I owe her this much."
"Is that the real reason, though?" he questioned with a raised brow and a bit of a smile on his beak.
"Well...it does go with her eyes," I chuckled softly, before shaking my head, "I jus' feel this is right."
"It could be dangerous for her to have," he mentioned.
"It was more dangerous for her not to have it," I retorted, "Besides...I'll keep my eye on her."
"You only have one at the moment," he jabbed with full concern in his jest.
"Then I guess I'll have to be extra careful about it, won't I?"
"For now then?"
"For now, bring her home before her brothers send out a search party. Then we'll be in trouble!" I insisted.
"Very well, Duke. I'm leaving Avarin here to make sure you rest," he warned.
"I'm not goin' anywhere," I promised, "An' tell her that too for me, alright?"
"Of course," Trent assured with a sincere smile.
With that he stepped out to find Heart waiting quietly. When I glanced over to see the door ajar, I gave a wave and a weak smile. Clutching her hands close to her chest, she allowed one hand to wave back. Then, as she turned to follow Trent, I would drift off to sleep again, unable to stay awake much longer. I only awoke when he returned to report that she was safe and sound at home. Despite everything...all the changes that were surely about to occur, the uncertainty she was certainly feeling, the dangers that may come with all of this, and the confusion of my fellow thieves...
I found myself holding onto a source of trust. Trust that things would be okay. Trust that I would indeed see her again, and perhaps answer some of the questions we both had now. Trust that despite having that broken from another...that hers held true when it shouldn't have. Of all the things that she had done for me in that night...even saving my life...her trust in me was probably the most precious gift she could have given me...and trading that for a sapphire seemed more than fair to me.