Since Rey's arrival in Rim, she had slept fairly soundly.
Kylo's bed in Jakku was more comfortable than any bed Rey could imagine from her world. It was stuffed with feathers of the highest quality, which must be replaced regularly because it remained so soft and fresh.
When she went to bed, Rey would find Kylo's bed fluffed up like a cloud by the maids. She would dive across it happily and quickly fall into a deep slumber.
When Kylo eventually put his work aside for the night and go to bed, he would climb in next to Rey and watch her until his eyes grew too heavy to keep open. He made a point of falling asleep with his hands to himself, yet Rey would always wake up in a cocoon of his long limbs, wondering if he meant to cuddle her or not.
The first night in Hays Minor, Rey got her answer.
She lay awake, unable to sleep, when Kylo mumbled something unintelligible in his sleep and turned over to drape an arm and leg over Rey. Then he tightened his grip on her, pulling her tightly to his chest, before letting out a long, contented sigh.
Rey was a little disappointed that he was only cuddling her in his sleep, but found hope in the fact that sleeping Kylo seemed to want her around.
She shut her eyes, trying to drift off, but her mind drifted back to the ongoing conflict within the city and how much of it was directly because of her. The queen's schemes went so far as to lay a siege on Hays Minor, just to separate Rey from Kylo.
She squirmed in Kylo's arms, turning over until she faced him. His red, full lips were parted, letting in soft and even breaths. His face was almost boyish in his sleep, nothing but peaceful tranquility playing over his features. She couldn't imagine how he slept so soundly when he was
meant to lead a battle tomorrow.
Rey's heart squeezed again, the guilt rearing its head inside of her. Because of her, Kylo, Poe and Finn would all be going to battle tomorrow. What if they die because of me? Rey trembled and Kylo shifted slightly, leg tightening around her.
"Get some rest, Rey," Kylo breathed before planting a kiss on her forehead and adjusting his arm around her.
Maybe it was intentional afterall…
Later that day, Rey sat with Paige and Rose in a common area of Hays Minor's main palace. There was a tray of food out, something Rey had grown quickly used to, and a pitcher of wine. However, Rey felt neither hungry nor thirsty. She was extremely concerned about the battle, wondering how the Prince was faring.
Paige could sense Rey's discomfort and offered to take her somewhere where she could watch the battle safely.
"There is a plateau with a ridge leading down into the battlefield but it's too tall and steep for anyone to climb. At the top are some stables with shade, and we could see the battle clearly from there. If you'd like, Lady Rey, I could take you there. It's not far at all." She gave Rey a sweet smile, one of many she had received since the Tico sisters had arrived this morning.
Rey returned the smile earnestly. She felt fortunate that the girls were being so understanding, and hoped that she would be able to return their kindness.
"I would really like to see what's going on with Prince Kylo and the others. I'm ready now, if that's okay?"
"Excellent. Hopefully this will relieve some of your anxiety. Rose, why don't you clean up here and meet us at the stables."
"Alright! It shouldn't take me very long. I will see you both soon!"
It turned out that the stables were perfect for viewing the ongoing battle and Rey found herself perched upon a wooden fence, watching intently. The Jakku army was pushing towards the plateau; they were at a disadvantage because their backs were left exposed unlike the Nightbrothers. Rey scanned for Kylo among the Jakku.
As if she had read Rey's thoughts, Paige said, "That's the Prince down there." She pointed to the center of the onslaught, where Kylo, Poe, and Finn each fought from their own personal chariots. "You can tell where Prince Kylo goes because of his Friesian horses. They are a rarity in Rim."
Rey could see that the pair of black horses pulling Kylo's chariot were indeed worthy of their name; they moved gracefully and nimbly despite their size, giving Kylo an advantage when he engaged the enemy. Kylo, Poe, and Finn moved like a unit, weaving through the enemies' infantry and charioteers.
Kylo looked especially threatening atop his chariot, a sword in hand, easily cutting through his opponents. Surprisingly, Rey had little trouble stomaching the carnage, finding that the bloodlust of the Nightbrothers and the Jakku army had spread to her as well, like an infection.
Paige also appeared to be completely unaffected by the battle playing out before them. In fact, most people she had encountered in Rim appeared to be desensitized to violence and death. It was normal here, and it was strange to Rey that she herself was not more bothered by it as well.
Something else struck Rey as very odd. "So no one rides directly on the horse's back here?" She asked Paige, who gave her a strange look.
"Of course not. Horses are meant to pull chariots," she said, as if it were obvious.
"I see." Rey let it go. She knew it was a bad idea to reveal that at home, riding horses was normal, because then she would have to answer more questions about where she was from. She made a note to herself that she should ask Kylo for help in constructing a sound backstory for herself.
Rey finally turned her attention away from Kylo, to the larger picture and watched carefully. The change in flag colors, from the Nightbrothers' black to the Jakku's red, showed Rey the frontlines of the battle. "Does it seem like they are being pushed back? I mean, aren't they losing ground?"
Paige watched carefully for a moment before saying, "You're right. They are being pushed back. But, the Nightbrothers should not be able defend well against the royal army." Paige's eyes scanned left and right in genuine concern- her hometown's safety was threatened. "Maybe some information was leaked…?"
Ventress! It must be the Queen's doing. The army was losing ground quickly and she watched fearfully as Kylo barked out orders to his officers. What if something happens to him? Rey did not believe she could bear it if the prince was hurt, or worse.
The approaching sound of clattering horses' hooves pulled Rey's attention back to the plateau. She looked behind her and to her horror saw Savage mounted on a large chariot with four horses racing towards her. Paige and she quickly scattered, going in opposite directions.
Rey ran towards the stables and hopped over the wooden fence, within which a few horses roamed. Savage chose to pursue her so she instinctively vaulted onto the nearest horse, a large palomino with a coat so gold, it was almost orange, and a white mane and tail.
Rey managed to wrap her arms around the beast's long, thick neck before it broke into a quick canter, throwing its head back in response to Rey's presence. She pulled its mane hard, trying to balance herself before she squeezed her thighs together, urging the horse forward. It jumped the fence easily, but Savage was quickly closing in on them and there was nowhere to run.
Sensing danger, the horse charged towards the cliff. This horse is going to get us both killed! Rey tried to pull the palomino's mane back, urgining it to stop, but it kept galloping forward. Too quickly, they reached the edge; the horse became airborne and Rey clung on for dear life. In a moment, the horse landed in the thick of the fighting and continued galloping as if there hadn't been a cliff at all.
And chaos erupted.
The battle descended into madness.
Kylo dislodged his sword from where he had stabbed into a Nightbrother's neck just as fresh screams erupted. Men shouted 'Ambush!', 'They're attacking from the rear!' and 'Run for your lives!'
He shifted his weight quickly, pulling his shield tighter to his face and the reigns with it while he quickly scanned for the source of the army was parting for an enraged golden horse, with someone small clinging atop its back.
What the fuck? It can't be Rey… Of course it's Rey!
Soldiers scattered like cockroaches and Rey was the flashlight. Her horse darted straight towards Kylo, and he watched her hold on for dear life. Before they could reach him, they encountered a thicket of Nightbrothers outnumbering a few Jakku soldiers; and the crowd slowed the horse down considerably.
Rey took the opportunity to retrieve an upright spear from a corpse and deftly changed her grip on it, ready to strike. They reached the first Nightbrother and Rey took him by surprise; she quickly skewered the man in the back before ripping the spear back out.
Her horse had not stopped moving; it was now circling with quick steps for Rey to attack another Nightbrother who was cornering one of Kylo's younger soldiers.
Rey made quick work of the Nightbrother, slicing across his back with the spear before swinging the shaft across his head. The soldier Rey had saved finished off the Nightbrother and shouted something at her, smiling. Rey returned the smile and it was blinding; her huge grin shone bright and her eyes crinkled and sparkled.
Her horse continued in figure of eights around the thicket of enemies, and she easily evaded the Nightbrothers, dealing out blow after blow. Rey and the horse moved as one, taller and stronger than any human alone, yet faster and more agile than any chariot.
She swung the spear with extreme precision, taking full advantage of the spear's reach and keeping herself at maximum range. She appeared to have years of experience wielding a weapon of that length. Who is this girl? Kylo was completely awed by her fearlessness and determination.
Apparently his army was impressed as well because cheers of 'Niima' spread throughout the battle like wildfire. Wherever Rey went, the cheers grew louder and stronger.
"Kylo!" It was Poe who called his name. "The Nightbrothers are in complete disarray!"
He was right; the Jakku army needed to push now or never. Kylo took a deep breath of air, summoning his most booming voice. "We must seize this opportunity and push! Crush the Nightbrothers at once!"
"We are the storm! We ride with Niima!" The army fed off Rey's tumultuous ferociousness and pushed the Nightbrothers back very quickly, dealing out heavy casualties and turning the tide of the battle in Jakku's favor.
Kylo advanced until he reached Rey, who was still assisting any Jakku soldier she could by disabling their opponent. Poe and Finn had both kept up and now helped to encircle Rey protectively. As much as she had proved her worth on the field, it was not in Kylo's nature to take unnecessary risks.
"Rey!" Kylo's thundering voice cut right through the cries of 'Niima,' and Rey immediately turned to face Kylo. He sucked in a breath- she was breathtaking. Her eyes were ablaze, droplets of blood scattered on her simple white tunic and long legs. She was barefoot. Kylo cursed under his breath; this girl might be the death of him.
After Rey and Paige had left for the stables, Rose found an attendant to pick up their spread while she crept off into the Prince's chambers in search of Rey's wardrobe. She located a chest containing jewelry, elegant shawls, dresses and a few boys tunics. Rose grabbed a shawl, figuring Rey wouldn't notice since she didn't make any attempt to be beautiful.
Kylo's concubine was an oddity to Rose. Rey was plain, with amber hair that fell simply to her shoulders. Though she was tall, a favorable trait, it only accentuated her lack of curves and breasts. Her body was awkward and boyish, muscled and straight like a twig. Rose couldn't understand at all what about the girl Rey had captured the Prince's attention.
Rose hurried out of the palace with the intricate and brightly colored shawl pulled over her head and tightly clutched to her chest.. She hurried down the road towards the stables and almost immediately sensed she was being followed. Good, he took the bait.
She picked up the pace, letting the extravagant shawl lure Savage, who, as the sisters had predicted, had waited outside the palace for any sign of Rey. Rose didn't mind being the bait; she was confident in her fleet footed ability to run if anything untoward happened. The stables were in sight now, and the real Rey was there to pull Savage's attention away from Rose.
As soon as Rose was sure Savage had noticed Rey, she ran to meet her sister who quickly evaded Savage's chariot. They watched their plan unfold. It was working perfectly; Savage went straight after Rey as she foolishly tried to outrun his chariot.
The girl quickly hopped the wooden fence and swung herself up onto a horse that reared its head in protest. "She can ride a fucking horse?" Paige spat with incredulity.
"It doesn't matter. She is heading straight for the cliff. She has nowhere to run." Rey's doom was near and Rose could almost taste the vengeance burning on her tongue.
Then the girl took off over the edge. Savage spat a curse and urged his carriage on, riding onward to either chase Rey or join the battle, Rose could not be sure.
Rose and Paige rushed to the edge of the cliff to search for a dead girl and horse, but instead watched the girl gallop through the field, tearing a hole through the fighting. "The Nightbrothers are collapsing in on themselves!" Paige blurted, shock thick in her voice.
It was plain that the battle shifted in favor of Prince Kylo's army as soon as Rey hit the ground. Who is this girl?
"I can't believe she got away," Rose whispered. Angry tears burned in her eyes; they spilled over and Rose furiously wiped them away. Aiden will be avenged, no matter what.
Paige put an arm over Rose's shoulders and squeezed. "The poison it is."
