Chapter XX: Trouble Brewing At Home
Liege lost all sense of tiredness when she reached home, knowing that she and Jack had been followed at various points during the day. Passing Riddick's room, Liege walked into her room and almost slammed the door when she realized Riddick might blow a fuse if she disturbed them. Quietly closing the door, she considered locking it but that might seem suspicious.
Letting her hair down, she paced around the room for several minutes, her head spinning with what had happened and what might be happening. Why would they follow her now? The pact had been made, she was going to be an indirect part of the family 'business' or legacy, as she was told when she was growing up. How could it have been broken?
Liege suddenly stopped dead in center of the room, realizing what the worst that could've happened might of happened. Running her hand through her hair, she told herself it wasn't true. They wouldn't of killed her father, he was one the strongest and wisest in the family. But if they did, well, it would explain why they were following her. She assumed that the pact was held if her father was alive, since he could then prevent anything from disrupting the pact.
Sitting down on Jack's bed, Liege held her head in her hands, confused as what she should do. Looking up, she felt the sunset's rays on her and she suddenly knew what she had to do.
Digging through her bag, she found a notebook and tore a page out. Snatching a pen from Jack's desk, she hastily scribbled a note and left it there, with the pen holding it down. Feeling the oncoming evening breeze, Liege dug out her floor-length brown leather coat.
Slipping it on, she considered going out through the door. But Imam might see her and Riddick would certainly hear her. Moving out to the balcony, she looked down and found she could jump from hers to the one downstairs and then jump the street. Thanking her luck that the courtyard was only in the front, Liege leapt from balcony to balcony to ground.
Tying up her hair in a quick braid, Liege walked as silently as possible for four block before she felt it safe to run. Racing through the streets, she weaved in and out of evening traffic, not paying attention to the carts filled with goods that were scattered between the modern automobiles.
Barely breaking a sweat, Liege swiftly turned the corner and found herself in an almost empty marketplace. Cursing, she stalked down the aisles where the busy stalls had been not half an hour ago.
Seeing the one that was next to Khan's still packing up, she asked them if they knew where Khan had went to. Giving her directions, Liege thanked them and was on her way again, grateful that she couldn't feel anyone following her.
Taking small streets, Liege found herself in an alley that curved and swerved, never quite able to see the end unless you were at that exit. Slowing to a walk, she took in the brightly coloured awnings that draped over hand-made porches. Even farther up there were clothes lines, where some birds perched. Listening to the sounds of dinner being prepared in different households, Liege felt calmed by the smell of the flowers that some people had used their porch for. Overflowing veins of velvety petals of many different colours, Liege took in a deep breath.
Seeing that she was only a few doors away from Khan's home, Liege almost smiled, wishing that this were just a social call. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she rapped her knuckles against the wooden door. As she heard movement within, she wondered if Jack had found her note yet, and if she did, she hoped she understood why she had left the house.
The door opened to reveal a very tired-looking Khan. Upon seeing Liege, his eyes widened and he immediately dragged her in and quietly, but quickly, closed the door behind him.
"My good friend, why are you here? Do you not know what has happened? The danger you are putting yourself in?" Khan asked with confusion and concern lacing his normally jovial and friendly voice.
"What do ye mean, 'what has happened'? Khan, answer me." Liege demanded, her old demeanor of being a child of high status returning.
"There has been a massive overthrow of power in your family, little one. I'm afraid your father has been put out of power and chained away somewhere. Yet, I know he is alive, for the pact is still in place."
"Then why be there people followin' me? Answer me that, Khan." Liege asked, trying not to sound shocked at the earlier news.
"Ach, this is worse than I thought. Are you quite sure it is them? Not another group, perhaps?"
"Yes, for the first damn half of me life I've been under tha' constant followin'. I know what it feels like. Exactly what it feels like. If the pact is still in place, wha' do they want me for?"
"That I cannot answer. What are you going to do, Liege?" Khan asked, sitting down from mental exhaustion. Such an overthrow was not only bad for business, but it meant his neck was on the line as well.
He looked at Liege, who was still standing, but deep in thought. He marveled how much she looked like her father, a dark intense stare into nothing showed when he was planning something. Usually something big and system-shaking, as he used to call it.
"Khan. What do ye 'ave in life?" She asked, still thinking.
"Well, my business, which is very hard to keep going right now. I still need to find what side I'm supposed to be on. Why do you ask?"
"If, hypothetically, ye were to accompany me-"
"Oh no, little one. I am not going back with you. It is too dangerous for both of us. What are you planning?"
"Well, if they want me back, it must be for a particular reason. And I believe I know what." She replied, eyeing him again. She had the beginnings of a plan that could definitely work.
"Of course, but why? Liege, what do you know that I do not?" Khan asked, amusement and anticipation creeping into his voice, making him sound more like the Khan she knew and liked very much.
"Since me da be locked away, they be needin' a new leader, aye? But, there be high chances of all the ole' bosses creatin' a sort of…alliance. But, they be needin' a puppet to act as a figurehead. So, they know they can't possibly use me da, so why not put in the stock of the new generation? But, they 'ad to lock up me da because a) 'e would fight like the devil if 'e knew they be hauntin' me 'n b) how could they 'ave me as a puppet if me da was still around? But they can't kill 'em cause they know I would gather mself an army to break 'em down." Liege finished, running out of breath by the end.
"That is brilliant, Liege. Truly brilliant. I'll look into it, but you need to get home. It's already very dark out." Khan commented, motioning towards the small window next to the door.
"Shit. One more thing, Khan. Ye remember tha' little lass I bought with me? The one tha' bought the ring?"
"Beautiful piece of…er…yes, I do. Why?"
"Ye be keepin' her out of trouble. If she be outside alone, and ye hear about it and I hear yer arse isn't out there guardin' 'ers, I be stealin' various…vital parts of ye, are we clear?" Liege threatened, taking out a knife to make it more realistic.
"Sure! Sure! Keep that blade away from me. I know your father trained you, and he was better than the devil himself at using them!"
Laughing, Liege moved to the door and began to let herself out when Khan stood up and held the door open for her. Nodding, she slipped out of the door only to hear Khan call her back.
"Be careful, Liege. You of all people know it's dangerous now."
