They all left the deep valley together. Andrew heard some of the people mutter to themselves that they were finally free. Andrew understood where they were coming from, but he couldn't completely agree. The Warden was dead, and they were able to walk right out of the compound, but Andrew didn't think they would ever be free until they were safe from the risk of Corona throwing them right back into a life of slavery.
They still had a long fight ahead of them, and the first thing to do was to make sure they were all on the same page. Andrew's people looked to him as their leader and king, and he didn't want to let them down. He wasn't the only leader. If they were going to remain allies with the Brotherhood of the Dark Kingdom, which Andrew wanted, then he needed to make sure that his people saw that they were united.
They traveled together, taking their time and not leaving anybody, especially not the sick and injured, behind. By the time night fell they set up camp. Andrew's people laid down on the grass and dirt and just took in the earth around them. It had been so long since they'd been able to properly appreciate nature.
As excited as the Saporians were, the Brotherhood seemed to find new life. They were basking in the moonlight like they were looking in the face of their creator, and Andrew realized that, to them, they were. Quirin didn't seem as enthralled by the moon, but he was there with his son and siblings, so he looked like he had just as much new life as the others did. The only one from the Dark Kingdom who didn't seem completely at peace right now was Eugene…Prince Horace.
Andrew still couldn't believe it. Eugene, the arrogant, proud, jealous fool that followed Princess Rapunzel like a lost puppy couldn't be the prince of the Dark Kingdom.
Andrew knew that Eugene was on their side, that he was the ally that Hector had seen in his vision. He also knew that Eugene was the son of Edmund, because the family resemblance was clear once you knew the truth. What Andrew had a hard time understanding was that Eugene was the same shy, quiet, terrified five year old that used to look to Andrew for leadership and protection.
Andrew spent the first part of the evening keeping an eye on his people, making sure that they were comfortable and settling. He shared with his people the natural herbal remedies and cures that had been passed down through the generations, but had been lost to those that had been trapped in slavery.
When the Saporians were all either relaxed or sleeping Andrew turned his attention to his old friend. Eugene had been doing something very similar to Andrew, talking to the people that weren't Saporian or from the Dark Kingdom. Eugene looked completely out of his element, but he was doing his best, and it was more than Andrew had ever expected from Corona's prince consort.
Andrew just watched Eugene for a bit. Eventually the younger man turned his attention to the guards, who were tied up and being carefully watched towards the side of their makeshift camp. They didn't need food or water, as the former slaves had unanimously agreed that they wouldn't resort to the cruelty that they'd been treated with.
The old guards didn't need to be taken care of, so Eugene was just checking on their comfort. He was talking casually to them, seeming to not care that none of the guards were relaxing around him.
Andrew watched Eugene for a few minutes before he sighed and went to join him. If they were going to be on the same side, why not start by finding a middle ground in the one thing that they'd already disagreed on?
"Making new friends, Ace?" Andrew asked as he came up to them. Eugene jolted ever so slightly and looked at Andrew in shock. Eugene gave him a small smile.
"Hey, Drew." Eugene said. It had been so long since Andrew had been called that name. It felt strangely nice.
"How are our guests doing?" Andrew crossed his arms and looked at the guards. What injuries they had had already been treated. Now that the heat of the short fight had worn off only two of the guards looked defiant still. The others just seemed tired, scared, or uncertain.
"Oh, they're having the time of their lives." Eugene said with cheerful sarcasm. His grin dimmed. "What are we going to do with them? I don't like the thought of just leaving them tied up like hostages, and when we get to Corona we can't really afford to have somebody constantly watch them."
"I suppose you're right." Andrew said. They didn't have the manpower or skillset to cart prisoners around. He looked at the guards. "What do you guys think? It's your fate. It's just fair that you at least get a say."
The guards were all quiet for a long moment. Finally Julien was the first to speak up. "That depends on what your plans are for Corona. I speak for all of us when I say we aren't traitors. Corona isn't perfect, and over the years I've come to learn that your people deserve your freedom and identity, but so do mine."
Andrew honestly hadn't thought that far ahead. Eugene had though.
"I have Coronan friends." Eugene said. "And I know that the citizens don't deserve to be punished for the mistakes of the people in charge."
Andrew quickly but carefully considered it. They would have to talk about this in more detail, for now Andrew thought it was safe to say that the ideal was to do this with as little bloodshed as possible.
"I don't want King Frederic on the throne." Andrew said. He looked at Eugene. "If his daughter took over, we could arrange a truce and actually ally our kingdoms the way the lie says they are."
"It might take some time to convince Rapunzel that her father's not as good as she thinks he is." Eugene said. "But trust me, I'm going to be doing everything I can to convince her that something's wrong. I don't want to lose her, but I'm not going to betray my family either."
Julien eyed them carefully before he nodded. "I grew up being told that Corona was a kingdom of honor. I was disillusioned to learn that it was a kingdom built with blood. If I can play a part in bringing that honor and glory back to Corona, then I'll do it."
That was what Andrew wanted to hear. He looked at the other guards. "What about the rest of you?"
Many of the guards nodded, but the two fighters still looked dubious. "What happens if we say no?" One of the guards said slowly.
Andrew looked at Eugene. He knew Coronans much better than Andrew did, and he cared so much more about their wellbeing. Eugene sighed.
"We'll take you with us to Corona." Eugene said. "You'll be locked up in the dungeons while we work this whole thing out. You'll be treated with as much decency and humanity as we can manage while you're locked up, and when it's all over you'll be let go, no questions asked."
It sounded fair to Andrew, but he had one more thing to add. "After we let you go you'll either be banished, or closely watched on probation until we know you can be trusted. I'm not going to risk you causing trouble for us when all we want is what's rightfully ours."
The guards were quiet for a moment. They just looked at each other, seeming to have a silent conversation. Andrew couldn't allow that. He didn't want to give them the chance to conspire. He walked up to one of the guards and pulled him up to his feet. "Come on, you're going to tell your decision to me and me alone. Your friend can talk to Eugene." He didn't want them to influence each other's decision.
Andrew pulled the guard just out of sight and earshot. "Alright, tell me just how much I'm going to have to worry about you. Why are you reluctant to allow us our freedom?"
"You were all prisoners for a reason." The guard said coldly. Andrew agreed, but he was pretty sure that the guard didn't think that the reason was because the king of Corona was a ruthless tyrant.
"So you think we're criminals." Andrew said. He thought he could work with that if the guard was willing to listen to reason.
"You were arrested for terrorism against Corona." The guard said.
"Fair enough, but I assure you I'm the exception, not the rule." Andrew said. "Just what do you think a child could do so bad that they would deserve a life of slavery."
"The alchemist is far from an innocent child." The guard said.
"That's debatable." Andrew said. "But I'm not talking about Varian. I'm talking about me. I'm talking about Eugene. I'm talking about half of the slaves in the compound. We weren't brought here because we committed a crime. We were born into this."
The guard's hard look softened ever so slightly. It was barely noticeable, but it was enough for Andrew to feel some hope. It was time to learn a little more about this guard.
"What's your name?" Andrew asked.
"Devlin." The guard said. Andrew didn't know whether that was his first or last name, but it didn't really matter.
"Devlin." Andrew relaxed his posture. "How long have you been a guard at this compound?"
"Thirty years." Devlin said.
"So you were here when I was born." Andrew said. "Do you remember that?"
Devlin was quiet for a long moment. "...Yes, I remember it well."
Devlin would have only been working as a guard for about two years. Guards were considered new until they'd been there for five years. The new guards were the most squeamish and reluctant to do what they were told.
"Do you remember what you thought about it?" Andrew asked.
Devlin shook his head. "It doesn't matter what I thought."
"I disagree." Andrew said. "It matters a lot."
Devlin sighed. "I was sick, and may have tried to quit then and there if I thought I could have been allowed to."
"So you don't think that children deserve this life." Andrew said.
"No innocent does." Devlin said. "But innocents aren't brought into slavery."
"But they're not taken away from it either." Andrew said. It seemed that Devlin saw slavery as a prison that involved labor. Andrew could work with that. "What do you think is most important when it comes to dealing with criminals? Why should they be locked up for their crimes?"
"For justice." Devlin said.
"Do you think that justice and punishment are the same thing?" Andrew asked. Devlin reluctantly shook his head. "And what was the compound an example of? What is slavery for?"
"...Punishment." Devlin said quietly. "But it's not my place to question the decisions of the monarchy."
"What makes King Frederic deserve your respect?" Andrew asked. "Because of who he was born to? That's not good enough for me. Him being born into royalty is just as likely to happen as somebody being born to a slave. Take it from somebody who was born into both, it's luck. Are you really going to let chance dictate your morals?"
"...I don't want to be a traitor." Devlin said.
"Nobody does." Andrew said. "But you can't be loyal to both a tyrant and the thought of justice. Which matters more to you?"
Devlin sighed. "Justice, and honor, just as Julien said."
"I guess we have more in common than I thought." Andrew said. He held out a hand. "Truce?"
Devlin reluctantly took his hand. "For now."
"That's all I'm asking." Andrew said. "Let's go see what your friend had to say." The two of them made their way back to the rest of the guards. Eugene watched them.
"So, what's our friend say?" Eugene asked.
"Devlin here is going to play nice." Andrew put a hand on Devlin's back.
"Wouldn't you know it, so will Nathaniel." Eugene said, gesturing to the guard next to him. Nathaniel just glared at Eugene, who shrugged. "Okay, okay, just until he hears from Rapunzel herself that she doesn't approve of this slavery business."
So Nathaniel was loyal to the monarchy. As long as Rapunzel was as kind and genuine as Eugene thought she was, that shouldn't be a problem.
"I'm glad we have that worked out." Andrew stretched. "So when we get to Corona we'll talk to the princess, and work things out from there."
"Our plan can't seriously be just to talk." Hector's voice said from above. He was sitting around on a tree branch. Andrew couldn't help but wonder how he'd climbed up when his legs were bothering him so much. Hector loomed down at them. "This isn't a civil negotiation between our kingdoms. Corona enslaved us. We're revolting. This isn't the time for peaceful discourse."
"What do you want to do?" Andrew asked. His tone was annoyed and tense, but he sincerely wanted to hear what Hector had to say. All of them should have the chance to have their opinions be heard.
Hector plucked a leaf off the tree and fiddled with it. Andrew couldn't help but cringe. Such a casual display of disrespect for nature. Andrew knew that Hector meant no harm, but that was part of the problem. He wasn't picking the leaf because he was malicious, he just didn't care to consider the harm this kind of behavior could do.
Andrew reluctantly set his displeasure aside. He knew that picking a single leaf from a single tree couldn't do that much damage. It was just a problem if it was done excessively.
"As far as I'm concerned, Corona declared war on our kingdoms when they enslaved us. We finally have a chance to fight back." Hector scoffed. "And you guys want to talk."
"There's a benefit to diplomacy." Edmund said.
"I don't think that applies right now." Hector fell back off the branch, grabbing onto it with his hands. He dangled for a moment before he let go and landed on the ground with far more grace than he looked like he should be able to manage. "I say that if you guys want to send a message to Corona, the most effective way of doing that is not through words."
Andrew couldn't help but be intrigued. "What kind of thing were you thinking?"
Hector looked towards Eugene and held out his hand. "Can I see the moonstone for a sec?"
"Uh, yeah, sure." Eugene reached into his pocket and pulled out an impressive looking opal. Andrew felt a strange sense of power from it. Eugene held the opal like it was a weapon. When he handed it to Hector the older man held it with reverence.
"It's just as glorious as I remember." Hector muttered to himself. He carefully ran his fingers around the moonstone before he wrapped both hands around it, encasing it. "Do you have any idea how to use it?"
"Uh, I know that it can grow black rocks." Eugene said sheepishly.
"That's just its warning system." Hector snorted. "Let me show you what the power of the moon can really do."
Hector closed his eyes and tilted his head back. He was still for a long moment, but eventually his eyes shot open and Andrew was alarmed and awed to see that his yellow eyes were so bright that they seemed to be glowing. Hector stared blankly ahead, unseeing.
The Brotherhood had just casually been paying attention to this interaction, but now they were fully attentive. Adira leaned forward, looking ready for a fight, but she didn't reach for the sword that she was still carrying from the guards. Quirin put his hands on Varian's shoulder and pulled him back, but he didn't drag him completely behind him.
Edmund was the only one that took a step closer to Hector, though he still kept his distance.
"Brother, tread carefully." Edmund said. "It's been so long since you've harnessed the powers of the moon."
"She would not abandon her loyal servant." Hector said flatly, not sounding like himself at all. The air suddenly felt very tense and nearly suffocating. Something was incredibly wrong here. Looking around, only the other awake Saporians looked unsettled.
Andrew didn't like this. He didn't know what the point of this was, but it didn't take him long to notice at least a side-effect. The grass around Hector was rapidly starting to dry and withered. The decay reached the tree and Andrew was terrified to see that the rot had already started to bury deep into the tree.
"What are you doing?!" Andrew tried to make his way towards Hector, but Adira grabbed his arm and pulled him back. "Stop!"
Hector blinked a few times and seemed to come back to awareness. The spread of decay stopped, but the damage remained. Hector gave Andrew a curious and annoyed look. "What?"
"What was that?" Andrew growled.
"A taste of the moon's true power." Hector said. "Destruction. Death. In whatever form that takes."
"How could you so callously hurt the land like this?" Andrew gestured to Hector's feet. The man looked down, not seeming to understand what the problem was, which just irritated Andrew further.
"Words aren't good enough to share the extent of the moon's power." Hector said. "A demonstration was necessary. Would you rather I started draining the life out of us?"
"Whoa, whoa, hang on." Eugene took a startled step back. "That was a possibility?"
"Of course it was a possibility." Hector rolled his eyes. "The moon is capable of far more than you can ever comprehend. But you weren't in any danger, because I was in complete control."
"You looked possessed." Andrew said tersely. "You call that in control?"
"Yes." Hector hissed. Edmund sidled closer to him and put a hand on Hector's arm. Hector relaxed slightly. He gave Edmund the moonstone. "If I thought there was any danger in harnessing the powers of the moon, I wouldn't have done it."
"Is that what you were thinking when you had your vision?" Andrew glared at Hector. "Because look at how that turned out."
Any bit of relaxation that Hector had found when Edmund came to his side vanished in an instant. Hector looked like he'd been struck in the face, and he was ready to either pick up the fight or run.
"What happened to your father wasn't my fault." Hector growled. He took a step back. It seemed he was leaning more towards fleeing, but Andrew wasn't ready to drop the fight.
"You know how Saporians feel about nature, and yet you drained the life out of the land around you." Andrew said.
"It's just grass." Hector said dismissively.
"If it's just grass, then your bearcats were nothing but pets." Andrew said. He didn't understand how somebody could claim to care so much about one form of simpler life and dismiss others. It didn't seem right.
Hector breathed in harshly. "Okay, yeah, you know what, fine, whatever." Hector pulled out of Edmund's grip and stormed off as much as he could with a limp. Adira scowled and tightened her grip on Andrew. Everybody was looking at him like he stepped too far. He couldn't bring himself to feel bad. He'd meant what he'd said. He just hadn't considered how upset it would make Hector.
Edmund sighed and looked down at the moonstone in his hand for a long moment. He approached Eugene and returned the moonstone to him. If Eugene had looked at the opal like it was a weapon before, he looked like he was expecting it to explode any second now.
"Keep an eye on the others." Edmund said. "I don't want there to be any more fighting." He looked specifically at Adira and Andrew. "I'll speak to Hector."
"Be careful." Eugene said. Edmund gave him a small smile.
"My brother won't hurt me." Edmund said. He walked after Hector. Andrew didn't know if Hector was going to be convinced to come back, and he didn't know if he wanted him to come back. They needed to work together. While in the compound Hector and Andrew had worked well, but now that they were out the older man seemed more volatile, and Andrew didn't know if that was because his view had changed or because Hector had.
Their situation was too sensitive. They were on thin ice with the guards, and the Saporians were still new to the idea of standing up for themselves. They couldn't have so much chaos, violence, and unpredictability if they were going to get through this.
Andrew hated that he hadn't wanted fighting between each other, and yet he'd been in the middle of a fight between them. He didn't know what he was doing.
Andrew sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He pulled his arm out of Adira's hold and went to join his people. Adira scowled at him as she joined Quirin, Varian, and Eugene. They'd come out of the compound together, and the very first thing they were doing was separating into groups of their own people.
They weren't slaves anymore, but Andrew really didn't feel like they'd even taken a single step in the right direction.