Sapphire, by lyradaemon, beta'd by Aria Naerwyn
Chapter 8: Risks Are Worth It
A/N: Yes, I know, I'm a very bad person. I haven't update since who knows when, and for that I apologize. Still, I would like to thank dancingwithinbrokendreams who badgered my about writing another chapter: this one's for you! And to my wonderful beta Aria Naerwyn - thank you so, so much for doing this. I really appreciate it - this one's for you too!
Again, that too familiar question: "Where are we going?"
They were all there; Surreal, Daemon, Noelle and Amaya, brought together by their circumstances. They all reeled at the previous revelations – especially Daemon, who had learned that Amaya and Noelle were the grandchildren of Lia and Jared, two people he had regarded fondly.
Daemon lifted his head at the question. Shaking his head resignedly he sighed. "Where else? Hayll."
Surreal nodded her reply. "Draega. That's where Dorothea works from, and that's where her people are. If we want questions, we have to go to Draega."
"So close to her?" Amaya asked, eyebrows raised. "Are you sure that's necessary?"
Unfurling from his chair with characteristic grace, Daemon ran a hand through his thick black hair and surveyed the others. "It's the only way. Dorothea has spies everywhere, it's true. It's possible we could find out the necessary information somewhere else, somewhere less dangerous. But if I know Dorothea, the people with the most information – the most important, at least – would be in Hayll, especially Draega, where she can keep her eye on them. There's nothing else to it."
Noelle had been silent during this exchange. Now she looked up and her gaze locked with Daemon's. "Are you sure you want to do this?" She asked softly, searching his golden eyes. "Are you sure you want to walk straight into Dorothea's arms and risk being found?"
Silence filled the room as Daemon regarded the younger woman thoughtfully. With a slight smile he shrugged gracefully. "I'm a Black Warlord Prince, lady," he replied. "I can evade even the best of people. I won't come to any harm, I assure you."
Noelle nodded, apparently satisfied. Only Surreal had seen the small glint in his eyes which told her Daemon wasn't convinced; that, and they way he shuddered when Noelle turned to her cousin.
"So you're up for it?" Noelle questioned concern in her eyes. She knew it would be hard for Amaya to give up the freedom and shelter she had had for so long.
Her cousin laughed. "Sweetheart, if an escaped Warlord Prince and an assassin are prepared to saunter into Dorothea's arms, I'm quite happy to accompany them." When Surreal and Daemon both shot her startled glances her expression changed to one of frankness. "I'm not stupid. I've heard both your names before: and your status is usually tacked on the end." She chuckled at the look they exchanged. "I know more than you realize."
"Evidently." Surreal.
Apparently trying to avert any possible confrontations, Noelle cleared her throat politely. "So when will we be going?"
"We'll set out tomorrow – the sooner we get going the better," Daemon replied, pacing restlessly. "There's a small town on the outskirts of Hayll, big enough to be separate from it, but small enough to provide easy access to the city. We can catch the Winds to there, and then sneak into Hayll somehow. After that, I have no idea." He turned to face them. "I have my own house there, which Dorothea doesn't know about. Only a handful of people do; people I know I can trust to keep secrets. We can go there, but I have to be certain I can trust you," here he pointed to Noelle and Amaya. "I can't afford to make mistakes: do you swear to me, both of you, that what you see and hear will be repeated to no one? That you will never tell another living soul about where the house is?" They nodded wordlessly, eyes wide. "Because if you do, I swear, there will be nowhere far enough away to hide from me. I will hunt you down, and when I find you, you will wish you'd never been born. Do you understand?"
Even Surreal was impressed. Daemon's golden eyes blazed and his beautiful face an expression of such intensity and ferocity that even she shuddered at the thought of what Daemon would do if betrayed. She wasn't surprised to see Noelle and Amaya nod their heads vigorously, swearing devoutly that they would keep his secret, that he could trust them implicitly.
Satisfied, he turned his gaze on her. She rolled her eyes. "Do you even have to ask?"
His expression turned amused. "Just a precaution."
She glared back at him. "Of course." Don't test me Sadi, she warned via a psychic thread. I have put up with enough of your crap over the years for you to know that you can trust me. Just don't put that trust to the test. I value my life, you know.
As do I, he replied, with just a hint of sorrow. Her words had struck true: 'I put my life before yours.' He gave a mental shrug. I understand Surreal. Just don't expect me to come running whenever you need help.
Her reply was acidic. And when have I ever needed your help Sadi?
You never know.
The cousins had been oblivious to the silent exchange. Giving Surreal one last appraising look he turned to Amaya. "Lady, do you know anywhere we can stay? Somewhere safe, where people don't ask questions." Direct and to the point.
"Yes, I think so. It's on the outskirts, perhaps a ten minute walk. I've known the owner since I was a child; I would trust them not to tell anyone about us staying there."
"Alright," his reply was cautious.
She paused, considering a moment. "I can take you there; what I can't do is conceal you. With your looks," here she inclined her to Surreal too, "you stick out like a sore thumb. I can't guarantee you won't be recognized."
"No problem; I can shield us all."
Amaya's eyebrows rose. "You can do that?" She asked, slightly incredulously.
In turn Daemon's eyes narrowed and his face hardened. "You don't know the half of what I can do," he replied stiffly. Amaya didn't fail to heed the warning laced beneath those words: Don't try me either.
"Alright," she said aloud, quelling a shudder at his gaze, so cold and hard. "I'll take you there."
Surreal exchanged a glance with Daemon. His immaculately arched brows rose and she inclined her head with an imperceptible shrug of her shoulders; the two of them had long ago learned to converse silently. Surreal looked at Noelle.
"Coming then?"
Getting stiffly to her feet Noelle replied, "I suppose I don't have much choice in the matter."
Daemon grinned unexpectedly, "Probably not, little witch."
Grumbling to herself, Noelle followed the others out the door.
---------------------------------------------------------------
What was more like half an hour later the four of them arrived at a modest sized building, partly shaded by the huge trees growing in a clump in front of it. It had taken them longer than expected to steal out of the town; even under Daemon's considerable protection, he refused to move so near other people. 'I like to be cautious,' he had snapped when Noelle had asked politely if they could move a little bit faster.
Still, they had arrived safely and unhurt, for which they were all greatly relieved. Having heard Amaya's story, none of them were particularly willing to trust to the discretion of other people.
"And you're sure there's no risk involved?" Daemon queried for what must have been the hundredth time.
Exasperated, Amaya shot back a retort. "Mother Night, you're a Warlord Prince! You're not the one meant to be asking about risks."
Surreal stifled a giggle. If Daemon hadn't been so wary of women, she thought, Amaya would make an almost perfect match for him. If he wasn't already taken with Noelle that is…
"No need to get snippy," he remarked absently, sizing up the place. There didn't appear to be anyone around. "Let's go inside."
He led the way, the other three trailing along in his wake, exchanging glances amongst themselves. Daemon seemed decidedly preoccupied. What's he planning now? Surreal wondered silently.
Inside it was well lit, with candles tucked into corners everywhere and the late evening glow pouring in through the large windows and a skylight in the roof. It looked just like a normal tavern, albeit a wealthier one, with well-made wooden chairs and tables placed in little niches around the spacious room. A bar ran one length of it, well-polished and clean. Behind it stood a young man, absently cleaning already clean glasses with a worn out towel. He looked up quickly as he heard them entering.
"Good evening," he said pleasantly, putting down what he was doing and moving closer, still behind the bar. "And what is that rare jewel?"
Daemon looked positively startled at the odd question; but before he could say anything, Amaya glided past him, giving him a prod in the ribs on the way.
"Good evening to you too, sir," she replied politely. "Sapphire."
"Ah. Welcome, lady…?"
"Celeste." On some instinct, none of the others started at the given name, much to Amaya's relief. "Is Orianne here? Or Stephan?"
The young man hesitated then nodded. "I'll tell them you're here, lady," he said, before leaving through the door behind the bar.
"Celeste?" The three asked together with varying degrees of confusion.
Amaya laughed. "If I went around calling myself Amaya, I'd have no chance of passing undetected. I've got several names I use; I try to make sure I don't leave a trace others can follow. Changing names often helps."
The door opened again and the young man returned, followed by two strangers, both of whom looked no older than Amaya and Noelle.
"Amaya?" One of them – a woman – asked.
"It works obviously," Surreal muttered at the sound of Amaya's real name.
"What are you doing here?" The man demanded, incredulous, before slipping out from behind the bar and approaching them. "I thought you'd left for good."
Amaya laughed; "You're not getting rid of me that easily Stephan," she replied slyly, before throwing herself into his arms, much to her companions' surprise. "I missed you," he murmured into his neck.
In reply Stephan folded his arms around her, holding her close. He regarded the others over the top of her head. "At the risk of sounding rude, who the hell are you?" He asked curiously.
Surreal stepped forward smoothly. "I'm Aline," she said graciously, "a friend of…Amaya's," she hesitated over which name to use. She gestured behind her. "These are Lucian and…" she glanced over at Amaya, unsure as the whether she should reveal Noelle's identity.
Amaya took over. "Noelle, my cousin."
"Noelle? The Noelle?" This last came from the woman, Orianne. Coming forward into the light, they could see that she too was the same age as Stephan and the cousins. She had a mass of auburn hair that fell below her shoulders, and startling grey-green eyes. At that moment she had a confused and hopeful expression on her pretty features.
"Yes, it's me," Noelle said softly, stepping forward.
"Mother Night," Stephan gasped, letting Amaya go. "We thought they'd got you too." He had the same auburn hair as Orianne, although it was slightly darker, and his eyes were a brilliant green. Relatives of some sort, Surreal observed.
Noelle glanced at her cousin; she didn't know what to make of it all. "Stephan and Orianne's parents were close friends of mine," Amaya explained. "They were killed, along with everyone else, by Dorothea's men. We were working together to try to find out who betrayed us; but I haven't seen them in months. I told them about you, and what happened to your family." Noelle nodded, understanding. Friends; or at the very least, people she could trust.
"So, why are you here Amaya? I thought you said it was too dangerous to be about – especially with companions as striking as this lot." Here Stephan shot an appraising glance at Daemon and Surreal, who incidentally were wearing disguise, thanks to Daemon. Surreal's black hair and gold-green eyes had changed – she now had light brown curls and dark blue eyes. Daemon too had transformed himself, although he had shoulder length white blonde hair, velvet brown eyes and such an innocent face that the others could hardly believe it was him. He still had his seductive voice though – that, and his temper.
"We needed somewhere to stay – we're leaving tomorrow, and I don't trust anywhere else in the town, not even my house. You can never tell who may be watching. Do you have spare rooms?"
"Plenty: the whole third floor is empty, if you want to stay there. There are four rooms, each with their own bathrooms – nothing big and fancy – but they work nonetheless. We can have food sent up to your rooms if you like." Orianne looked kindly at them.
"Yes; please. We really appreciate it, Orianne."
"It's not problem," she replied with a smile before calling for the young man (who had politely been sent away) and dispatching him with orders.
They followed Stephan up the stairs to the second floor, where they were each shown their own room, then left to themselves.
The first thing Daemon did was strip off his clothes and climb into the bath: relaxing in the hot water, he let the Craft cloaking his features slide away, heaving a heartfelt sigh at the feel of tight muscles beginning to ease. He could hardly believe that only that morning they had been at his house. Now he was in Dena Nehele, surrounded by people he barely knew, and about to embark on some foolish quest to Hayll – Draega, no less – where he would right under Dorothea's nose. The last place he wanted to be.
After a while the water began to grow cold, so he hauled himself out, wrapping a towel around his waist and rubbing furiously at his hair with another. Just as he was entering his room, a knock sounded at his door. Muttering under his breath about 'inconsiderate, thoughtless people' he opened the door to find Surreal standing there in her pyjamas. Blinking back his surprise he let her in, closing the door behind her.
"Any reason why you're disturbing me?" He asked dryly, rubbing at his hair again.
Surreal regarded him curiously, casting an appreciative eye of his glistening body. Daemon's own gaze hardened and a chill swept through the room when he noticed her eyes wandering. Throwing up her hands in disgust, Surreal plunked herself in a chair and frowned at Daemon. "I don't see why you get so uptight about appreciative looks, Daemon," she grumbled. "You are a man, and I am a woman, after all."
"Most women who have given me that look are normally looking for something other than polite conversation," he returned, though considerably less angrily. "Which is what I assume you're hear for."
Surreal sighed, running a hand through her own loose hair. "I wanted to ask you why you're doing this, Daemon."
He stopped in his tracks, lowering the towel from his head. "Doing what?" He asked cautiously, eyes narrowing.
"This. Agreeing to go on some dangerous little trip to Hayll. Playing yourself in Dorothea's hands. She has people out looking for you, you know. The minute she senses you're nearby, there won't be a single place you can go without running into them. It's dangerous; suicidal even. Why?"
Daemon regarded her seriously. "Because I have to."
"Why?"
"Because!" He snapped, angrily.
"That's not answer!"
"It is to me."
"This is about Lucivar, isn't it?"
"No it's not."
"Daemon-"
"Fine, it's about Lucivar."
"At least tell my why."
"No."
"I swear Daemon, if you don't-"
"Are you threatening me Surreal?"
"Are you being stupid, ridiculous and stubborn?"
"That's not fair-"
"Nor's being kept in the dark!"
Daemon glared daggers at Surreal, who was standing, hands on hips, in front of him. Taking a deep breath, he said slowly, "I have my reasons, Surreal. Yes, it's because of Lucivar. Yes, it's a stupid thing to be doing, I admit that. But I'm not going to tell you why now. Later, maybe, but not now. You have your secrets; let me have mine."
Finally Surreal turned away. "Fine. Whatever, Daemon."
Daemon noticed the hurt in her stance and immediately softened – something which he didn't do often. "Surreal…I don't even know why I'm doing this myself. It's just a feeling I have, a feeling which is telling me I have to go to Hayll, to Draega. I can't explain it, it's just there. Can you understand that?"
She regarded him frankly then. "No Daemon, I can't. But I'm willing to believe you, this once. Just promise me; promise me you'll tell me, one day, what this is all about." He nodded wordlessly. Surreal sighed. "I could get more out of a stone," she grumbled. "Sometimes, Daemon Sadi, you are the most infuriating man I know."
"Ah, but you love me really, don't you?"
"If you say so." She tilted her head, smiling. "Good night Daemon – we should sleep, considering how little we'll probably get in Draega."
"I suppose so. Good night Surreal," he replied.
Surreal turned to head out the door, but paused. Turning back to him she crossed the space between them and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. She searched his eyes quickly, smiled, then hurried out.
Daemon was left staring after her, a small frown creasing his forehead. "Sometimes, Surreal, you are the most exasperating woman I know." Grinning to himself,f he Black-locked the door and climbed into bed. Blowing out the candles with a flash of Craft, his last thought before succumbing to sleep was, 'I wish I understand females.'
Then he sank into a deep, untroubled sleep.
A/N: You know what to do...