Turncoat

(A/N: And end Act 1. Will start posting Act 2 ideally tomorrow.)

The forest was quiet. Eerily so. It didn't sit well with the teachers, or with the more serious students. The rest were taking it all pretty casually. "I don't like this," Daniel remarked to Sagremore.

"What? It's a forest. It's quiet. Not like anything's off about it," Sagremore replied, tossing a ball back and forth with Geraint.

"It's too quiet, Sagremore," Daniel replied.

"Pfft, you're just being paranoid," Sagremore replied.

Daniel sighed. Of course. No one listened to him. "Hold on, I've got to readjust my shoes," he said.

"Mmm hmm," Sagremore replied, not really hearing him. Daniel stooped down and began lacing up. When he looked up, though… He gasped, shooting to his feet. Where were they? Darn, he'd fallen behind. Great. Sagremore probably hadn't heard him. Or if he'd heard, he hadn't listened to the words he'd said. Ugh, typical. Just, flipping fantastic. Daniel began looking around. If he hurried, he might still be able to catch up with them.

Of course fortune was never that kind, and moments later Daniel was frozen. There was a forking trail! He almost cursed himself and his luck, but he refrained. He couldn't get alarmed right now. He had to stay calm. Which way now? Maybe right? He scanned the ground, searching for signs they'd even passed by in this direction. He saw nothing. Darn it, he'd been daydreaming again and lost their trail. Perhaps he should double back to where he'd bent to readjust his shoes. They'd probably look for him there. He wasn't about to go down a random unknown trail alone, especially when neither one had signs of having been used for a while.

He started back to where he'd been, glad he'd remembered the way. He came to the clearing and sighed, sitting down on a rock. He had to admit, he felt a little hurt, but then that was becoming a more and more common thing these days, it seemed. Would anyone even miss him if he died or disappeared, he wondered? He bowed his head slightly lower. A little voice was saying 'no' another was saying 'yes'. He hated those conflicting voices. There was a crack. Daniel looked sharply over and rose. "About time you guys…" he began, heading towards the bush.

Just then, out stepped a massive man towering high above him! Daniel's mouth dropped in shock. He shouldn't stare, it wasn't polite, but he couldn't help it. This guy was a giant! Well, giant for a man who wasn't of the Giant race. The man looked down at him from behind his wicked helmet, eyes burning. This didn't bode well. Daniel stepped back a bit, inwardly reassuring himself that his sword was right there. He wouldn't reach for it to double check, that might provoke this man, but it was there. "Excuse me, sir, but did you happen to see a group of young men somewhere nearby?" Daniel asked. He didn't care if it was a rival school or not, as long as it was somebody. These woods were dangerous if you were out alone in them. Wait… didn't Servause and Morholt say that Turquine's brother Caradoc was a giant…? And maybe Turquine himself. Oh sh…

"Stupid boy, do you know who I am?" the giant rumbled, drawing a massive cudgel that had to be bigger than Daniel's whole body! Sh… "Answer me!" the giant roared.

Daniel stepped back further, terror mounting in his eyes. "Sir, I don't wish to partake in any sort of confrontation. I'm simply looking to rejoin with my hunting party!" he insisted, hands up in a pacifying gesture.

"Pathetic," the giant grumbled. Immediately he swung at Daniel! Daniel gasped and dove out of the way. Dammit! He grabbed his sword and spun, cutting at the giant and marking him. The Giant winced in pain, but to him it was little more than a scratch. Daniel hadn't sliced him deep enough. The Giant swung the club again. Daniel tried to dodge, but it caught him a glancing blow! He cried out in pain and rolled. He groaned, slowly rising. He gasped, barely managing to roll in time to avoid being crushed by the cudgel.

"Help!" Daniel cried out, grabbing his sword again. He dodged a swing and lunged, stabbing the man's thigh. "Help me, someone!"

KAK

"Dinadan, Aglovale, Ermind, Hoel, Constantine, Galeschin, Dywel," Carados finished. "Everyone is here."

"Good. I could have sworn we lost someone," Bors the Elder said, looking ponderous. Dinadan looked distracted, searching around.

"What's up?" Accolon asked, noticing Dinadan's unease.

"Something's not right…" Dinadan said, trying to puzzle it out. Hold on a second. Sharply he looked over towards Sagremore. "Where's my brother?" he demanded.

Sagremore paused in tossing his ball, raising an eyebrow. "Daniel? He's right here," Sagremore said, gesturing behind him. Wait. Sharply he turned and gasped, shooting to his feet. "No he's not!" he exclaimed.

"Dammit!" Morholt said, aggravated. "Where is he?"

"I-I don't know!" Sagremore replied. "He said something about doing something. I just assumed he was muttering to himself. You know how quietly he speaks! It's practically a murmur every time he opens his mouth."

"We have to go back and find him!" Galeschin worriedly exclaimed.

"Sagremore, take us back to where you remember him being," Gaheris said. Sagremore was already taking off in a run, racing through the woods with a now obviously worried Dinadan on his heels. Quickly the rest of them raced to catch up.

"Oh man, if anything happens to Daniel I'll never forgive myself," Sagremore said tightly. Daniel was his best friend! Heck, pretty well only friend, come to think of it.

"Forget forgiving yourself! I'll never forgive you!" Dinadan furiously said. "That's my baby brother you left behind!" Sagremore cringed. A vengeful Dinadan was not something you wanted breathing down your neck. He had connections. Many of them none too savory. Of course he didn't generally bother with them if he could deal with matters himself, and usually he could deal with matters himself. Like, you had no clue how well. So yeah.

KAK

Daniel screamed in pain as the cudgel struck him. He slammed against a tree and painfully gasped. The Giant pushed the handle of the weapon up against Daniel's neck and pushed him up the tree letting the bark and sticks scrape the boy on the way up. Soon the youth was dangling in the air by the neck, gasping for air and struggling to reach his sword before it was too late. The giant took it and threw it away from him. "Suffer," the man growled.

"Wh-who are you?" Daniel hoarsely breathed, choking as the Giant slowly began pushing against his windpipe.

"I am Sir Caradoc, and I am searching. You are not the one I am searching for. You must die," Caradoc answered.

"Wait, don't, please!" Daniel begged, gasping for air.

"What can you offer me? Do you know where the one I'm searching for is? If not, I have no use for you," Caradoc replied.

Servause, he meant Servause, Daniel realized! Should he betray Stephen, he would live. If he stayed silent, he died… No. He wouldn't stoop to Agravaine's level and throw someone else to the dogs just so he could live another day. He could never live with himself for that. If he died, he died, but he wouldn't betray the slave. "Nothing… I can offer you nothing…" he answered finally, mind made up.

"Then your life is forfeit," Caradoc stated. He threw Daniel down to the ground and raised the cudgel high above his head. Daniel, weakened and badly injured, lay there gasping. He couldn't move anymore. Perhaps it was for the best. No one would miss him anyway… Caradoc swung the hammer down.

"Daniel!" a panicked voice screamed. Dinadan! Sir Caradoc suddenly screamed in pain. Daniel's eyes shot open and he caught his breath upon seeing the arrow protruding from the large man's back. The others. They'd come back! Tor was there, holding a bow. He'd obviously been the one to let the arrow fly. Dinadan and Sagremore were charging towards the giant top speed. The two threw their combined weight into the man, knocking him off balance. Dinadan immediately ran to Daniel, falling next to him. "Little brother, look at me!" he begged, eyes filled with fear.

Daniel glanced weakly at his sibling, struggling for each breath. "It-it hurts to-to breathe," he whispered. He shuddered and slipped into unconsciousness in his brother's arms.

Immediately rage awoke in Dinadan. Body shaking in anger, he slowly stood and looked sharply towards Caradoc. "You bastard!" he screamed at the man, drawing his blade and leaping on the giant, plunging the weapon down fully intent on impaling the man. Caradoc, though, got his hammer up in time and kicked Dinadan off before glaring hatefully at the group of knights. Upon doing so, however, he froze. His eyes fell directly on Servause…

"You," Caradoc said, pointing at Stephen. Darkly he chuckled. "I'll be back for you," he growled. Morholt swiftly stepped in front of the boy. Caradoc summed up the number of his opponents and began to back away. It wasn't worth it. Not when he was alone. He retreated swiftly into the woods to better summarize these new roadblocks.

Dinadan went to try and pursue, but Carados held him back. "Your brother. Worry about your brother," he seriously said to Dinadan.

Dinadan paused, looking back at Daniel. Fear came to his eyes and he hurried to his sibling's side, picking him up in his arms and carrying him back to the others fearfully. "Can anyone help him?" Dinadan fearfully asked.

"Carados can," Segwarides answered, fearfully staring at Daniel.

"W-we need t-to find one of the other schools and m-meet up wi-with them! More protection f-for Daniel there," Hoel said in concern.

"And we have no idea where any of them are," Geraint grimly said. "We should have stuck with Worcestershire."

"Lay him down gently so I can get to work on him," Caradoc ordered.

Dinadan nodded helplessly and gently laid his sibling down. "Oh if Brunor saw this…" Dinadan muttered. He trailed off. If Brunor saw this, no one would have stopped him and his brother from going after the one who had assaulted Daniel…

KAK

Sagremore sat on a rock watching the unconscious Daniel, fists balled in front of his mouth. Guilt was tearing through him. This was his fault. He should have paid more attention. He should have done something. He'd just kept walking and playing competitive catch with Erec. He heard the teachers talking.

"How could I have missed him twice?" Bors was asking of the other staff—minus Carados, who was tending to Daniel—guilt stricken as well.

"It wasn't your fault. Daniel is so quiet, and he's always present. You took for granted he was there. It's not unusual, Bors," Petipace assured.

"It's the silent ones we should be watching the closest," Bors said.

"You're right. And none of us were watching him," Bagdemagus stated. "It was as much our faults as yours."

Sagremore winced, closing his eyes tightly and bowing his head low. He glanced over at the unconscious Daniel. "I'm so sorry, Dan…" he muttered softly to his friend.

"Stop beating yourself up about it. It was bound to happen," Dinadan dryly remarked, approaching with some water and handing it to Sagremore. Sagremore eyed the waterskin then took it, drinking. Honestly, he wouldn't be surprised if Dinadan had poisoned it. He almost hoped he had. He'd never seen Dinadan so distracted by anything before. Not for a good long while at least. The older boy looked grim, to say the least, and highly unimpressed, and that didn't fit with Dinadan. The guy probably wouldn't be sleeping tonight.

"You need rest," Sagremore remarked.

"Forget it. Not while my brother's like this," Dinadan answered.

"You can't do anything for him, Dinadan," Sagremore said.

"Bite me!" Dinadan shot sharply.

"He's right. There's nothing you can do," Brandelis said from his sleeping position. Dinadan shifted uncomfortably and sighed. He didn't like being unable to do anything.

"Dammit, Daniel!" Dinadan angrily shot at his unconscious brother, throwing a stick angrily into the flames. He buried his face in his hands, shaking his head and willing back a burning sensation in his eyes. "Dammit," he repeated, voice breaking slightly.

"Hey, Daniel's a hard nut to crack. He'll pull through," Percival gently said, placing a hand on Dinadan's shoulder.

Dinadan looked up at the other quietly. "Yeah, I guess…" he finally replied. He rose, going to Daniel and covering him over with a blanket. Gently he drew a hand through his brother's hair. "Don't you dare die," he murmured to him. "Daniel, I swear to god if you do… Brother, if you do, there is nothing in this world Brunor and I wouldn't do to avenge you or get you back…"

KAK

As the new day dawned, Daniel groaned, shifting. His eyes flickered open and he frowned. Something was lying next to him, snuggled close. He looked over and started. Dinadan, fast asleep at his side. He must have stayed up for as long as he possibly could. Daniel was touched. He nudged his brother. Dinadan groaned. "Bro, last time we shared a bed we were like kids. And it was with Brunor," Daniel said, smirking affectionately at his sibling.

Dinadan frowned and opened his eyes. He gasped, sitting up. He seized his brother in a tight hug. "Daniel! Thank god you're alive," he exclaimed.

"Dinadan, pain," Daniel whimpered, grimacing in pain as bruised—if not broken—bones were squeezed.

Dinadan winced and let him go. "Right, injured. Sorry," he said.

"It's okay," Daniel replied.

"Daniel!" Sagremore exclaimed in delight, racing to Daniel and hugging him.

"Pain!" Daniel cried out.

"Sorry!" Sagremore replied, immediately releasing him.

"Hey bros, for once I wasn't the unlucky one!" Balin exclaimed in delight.

"For once," Balan teased, smirking at his brother. Honestly, words couldn't express his relief that it had been Daniel instead of Balin facing off against the giant. It if had been his twin, Balin might not have survived. He inwardly winced at that thought. Perish forbid it ever happen. Protectively he placed a hand on his sibling's shoulder. Balin gave him an understanding look, returning the gesture. The two were close. Very much so. They loved no one more than each other.

Daniel was soon sitting with ribs bound tightly up. He grimaced in pain. "There's not much more we can do for you," Morholt said to his student.

"It's alright, sir," Daniel quietly replied.

"No. It isn't. These injuries must be dealt with properly," Morholt seriously replied.

"Worcestershire, doy," Dornar said. Worcestershire Accomodations were always crazy prepared with medical supplies. After all, they couldn't go ten minutes without being at each other's throats, so they needed all the first aid they could get. Carados would need those supplies now.

"If we can find them," Morholt agreed. "Let's hurry."

"This is all me fault. They were searching for me and Daniel was nearly killed because o' it. I'm so sorry," Servause miserably said, head bowed.

"It's not your fault, Stephen," Accolon said, frowning.

"It feels like it is," Stephen sharply replied, rising and kicking the ground, starting to walk off.

Galehaut reached out, catching his arm. "No. You're not going anywhere. We made a commitment to get you out of this, and we'll get you out of this. Don't you dare try and walk away. This was our choice, Servause, not yours. If we hadn't wanted to help, we wouldn't have," he assured.

Stephen nodded, eyes vulnerable. He looked at Morholt. "I'm sorry, master," he said.

"Do not call me master," Morholt said.

"Then what?" Stephen asked.

"Sir, friend, father, whichever suits you," he answered. Servause started. Had Morhaus just listed father? Had he realized he had? Servause simply nodded, grinning gratefully and widely. It wasn't long before he looked nervous again, though. He… he was frightened… He glanced over at Agravaine, who was glaring at him coldly. He didn't like the look in Agravaine's eyes. It was a thoughtful one that implied nothing good…

Agravaine caught his gaze and frowned. As soon as the focus of the group was off of Stephen, he went towards him. Stephen watched warily but held his ground. "I will do what it takes to ensure safety for myself and my siblings, my friends and my teachers," he said, reaching him and pacing around him.

Servause's eyes filled with guilt. "I never meant for this t' happen," he replied.

"I don't care," Agravaine answered, waving a hand dismissively. Stephen said nothing. Part of him honestly hoped Agravaine acted…

KAK

The IAK students continued through the forest. Griflet was watching Agravaine curiously, as was Dornar. "Something's up with your boyfriend," the former said to the latter.

"Oh god, don't even joke," Dornar replied, grimacing. "Love him as a friend, wouldn't want him as a lover."

Griflet shrugged. "I'm just saying. We should really keep an eye on Agravaine. Something just isn't sitting right here," he said.

"I know," Dornar replied, approaching Agravaine without Griflet.

Griflet watched after Dornar. Honestly, he would rather not deal with Agravaine if it could be helped. This was Dornar's thing to deal with. Dornar was among the few who semi-knew how to talk to and handle Agravaine. He might have been able to as well, but again, he'd rather not deal with the guy. It wasn't that he hated Agravaine so much as it was Agravaine got on his nerves. And Griflet didn't really trust him. Well, he did but didn't. It was complicated. See, Agravaine was loyal to only those who earned his loyalty. Thing was virtually no one earned his loyalty. It wasn't an easy thing to win; but when he was loyal to someone, he was loyal to them. It wasn't always so straightforward, however. On occasion, even those who had simply done something nice for him earned a display or two of loyalty. Really the only ones guaranteed to have Agravaine's loyalty, right now, were his brothers and cousins. Speaking of his brothers… Griflet looked towards Gaheris. "Gaheris!" he called out.

Gaheris paused, turning, and spotted Agravaine walking away with Dornar following. His lips pursed grimly. "Say no more," he said. "Dornar should be able to handle it."

"You sure?" Griflet asked.

"No, but I'm hoping," Gaheris answered.

"Something bad is going to happen, isn't it?" Galeschin asked his cousin, looking uneasily around in nervousness. Everything about this felt dangerous and wrong.

"I don't know, kiddo, but I hope not," Gaheris answered. If Dornar couldn't collar Agravaine, he'd take his own stab at it.

KAK

"Wouldn't want me as a lover, huh?" Agravaine teased, smirking coolly at Dornar as the other came up alongside him.

"Eavesdropper," Dornar replied, smiling. That would explain the cold look Agravaine was giving him. He'd probably heard Griflet and him discussing how they needed to watch him. "What are you plotting, Agravaine?" Dornar flat out asked. No use hiding it, he guessed.

"I'm not plotting anything," Agravaine replied.

"Oh please. You're always plotting something," Dornar answered, rolling his eyes.

Agravaine opened his mouth to retort but trailed off. The guy had a point. "Look, it's nothing to concern yourself over," he replied.

"I'm sure it is. It always is," Dornar replied. "Your plan for Stephen. Now."

"I have no plan," Agravaine insisted. At least not a solid one.

"Look, you're getting in way over your head this time, Agravaine. Just let it go and stick with us this time," Dornar firmly said.

"That's exactly what I intend to do," Agravaine said.

"Servause is one of us now," Dornar warned.

"Servause is a little lost boy who dropped in from nowhere not even two days ago," Agravaine hissed.

"He saved your whole reputation when he saved you from being taken out by Xavier Ironside of all people," Dornar said.

"Big deal!" Agravaine shot defensively, blushing on being reminded of the close call.

"Agravaine, this stops here. You're going to get yourself killed," Dornar firmly said.

"Whatever man. Don't worry about me. Worry about yourself," Agravaine said, snorting in derision. Dornar sighed, hopelessly shaking his head.

KAK

It was night once more, and each one of them was asleep. Except for one. A figure slipped through the shadows, heading towards the woods. Said figure looked back only once, seeming to hesitate. Soon enough, though, he slipped into the woods. Needless to say, the identity of said figure should be fairly obvious. At least to people on the outside looking in. Agravaine drew a hood over his head and slipped silently through the woods. Peerless in matters of stealth and spying, he'd been a busy bee all a bustle over this Caradoc and Turquine thing. He knew things that probably should have been shared with the teachers long ago… Like the fact the giant was following them, and this time there was someone else with him…

Agravaine moved quietly and climbed up a tree. He looked around and saw the glow of a fire. He began moving through the forest canopy towards said glow. He stopped in a branch and looked down. There he saw the giant camping with another. They were murmuring something. Agravaine listened with baited breath. The words 'sneak attack' and 'massacre' were the only ones he needed to hear to get the gist of what they were saying to each other. He scowled deeply. Not on his watch. He supposed he could sneak up and stab them in the back, but he'd seen how little damage Daniel's sword had dealt the giant. Of course, Daniel's blade hadn't been sharpened recently—the guy kept losing himself in a daydream or started philosophical thinking and then forgot half the time—but still. No, Agravaine had to tackle this in a more… treacherous sort of way… Yes, he was a ratfink and he wouldn't hesitate to admit it.

He climbed down out of the tree and approached the two quietly. "Well met, campers!" he called out. They shot up, drawing their weapons and swinging. He nimbly leapt back. "Easy!" he exclaimed. "I'm not here to make trouble!"

"Little worm, we have no use for you," the giant, Caradoc, said.

"Calm yourself, brother. This one sounds slippery," the other said, placing a hand on his sibling's shoulder.

"What could he possibly offer that would be worth our time? If he is a betrayer, he is just as likely to betray us," Caradoc answered.

"Perhaps, but still. What do you want, boy?" the other asked.

"I want you and your brother to leave us alone," Agravaine replied.

The two men darkly began the chuckle. "Why should we do so?" the other questioned.

"Because I can hand you Stephen on a silver platter," Agravaine answered with a devilish grin.

The two brothers perked up immediately at this and exchanged glances before turning back to him. "Do tell," the other said.

KAK

Agravaine returned to camp smirking to himself. He lay back down in his spot and closed his eyes. Soon it would be time to wake up. There was no point in trying to sleep at this hour. Sure enough… "Rise and shine, boys!" Bors the Elder loudly said. They all groaned in protest but nonetheless obeyed. Not like they had much choice. Agravaine went right back to blending in with the others.

"I trust you all rested well," Bagdemagus said to the students.

"Yes sir," they replied.

"Then let's get on our way quickly. Before Caradoc and Turquine have a chance to catch up," Caradoc said, looking back at the other teachers who all looked grave. The group gathered up all their things and began heading towards the coast once more.

Servause lingered near the back of the group with Brandelis, Balin, Balan, Agravaine, Geraint, Ermind, King Galehaut, and Dywel, who was playing with Geraint's hair while Geraint was giving him a piggy back ride. Given Dywel was his brother, Geraint didn't really care that his sibling was playing with his hair. "Me next, Geraint!" Ermind insisted.

"Go away," Dywel shot at Ermind. Ermind stuck out his tongue.

"You're taking turns. Deal with it Dywel," Geraint said.

Stephen looked a bit incredulous. "Hey, sometimes we're better, sometimes we're worse. Depends on the day and the moods," Balin explained, nudging him playfully with a smile. Servause smiled back. "We're still figuring out the moods today, but hey, plenty of time. Morning's only just begun."

"Ugh, you optimistic little…" Agravaine began.

"Agravaine," Galehaut warned.

"Agravaine's a sleaze," Dywel absently said, still playing with Geraint's hair.

"Easy. No need t' be lashin' out at Agravaine. Y' know better than I what he's like, after all. Y' should know how t' deal with it by now," Servause said. Agravaine raised an eyebrow at Stephen before frowning and huffing. He caught the other's arm, pulling him back and letting the others walk onward. Stephen looked uncertainly at him.

"What are you doing?" Agravaine demanded.

"What d' y' mean?" Servause asked, frowning curiously.

"Why are you standing up for me? If you think for a second it's going to change my opinion…" Agravaine began.

"Hey, that's just the sort o' guy I am, okay? I help people, I stand up for the underdogs. Sue me!" Servause shot. "I'm sorry y' feel like y' don't need anyone but yourself! It's not stoppin' me, whether y' like it or not."

"Look you bas… moron. You have no loyalty to me, I have no loyalty to you. Deal with it," Agravaine sneered.

"Whatever Agravaine," Stephen replied, trying to pull away.

"Hey, don't walk away from me!" Agravaine shot, pulling him back.

"Let go!" Stephen shot, jerking away and looking ready to fight should Agravaine decide to try and get into it.

"You know, all of this could have been avoided if you'd stayed in your place, slave!" Agravaine shot.

"D' y' know what it's like bein' a slave?! I was born inta it. Me mother was a prisoner o' war and by extension so was I! Prisoners o' War get even less freedom than slaves that are bought or gifted. No right t' speak, no right t' own land, no right t' do anythin'! Yer property. Y' do what your master says when he says it. Y' aren't a person, yer an object. Slaves are beaten and whipped, slaves are used for sex, slaves are expendable, slaves are nothing. Sacrificed, sold and bought naked like merchandise, humiliated, and worse. T' sharpen blades I would watch masters plunge red hot swords inta a slave's body in the belief that blood would help in the sharpening process. And yeah, I could have dealt with all that crap, all the humiliation and pointlessness, the having no voice in anything. I really could have because it was me whole life, and on top o' that Morholt wasn't a bad slave master! But then came Turquine… You don't even know how degrading it was t' have t' obey him. Tasks as menial as wiping his backside? And he… He had other plans for me… I am not goin' back t' that life, Agravaine! Not for you, not for them, not for anyone!" Servause shot.

"So they are just being used by you," Agravaine sneered.

"I didn't say that!" Servause shot.

"You…" Agravaine began. Just then, though, something snatched him from behind! He cried out, or tried, but his mouth was quickly covered…

KAK

Servause gasped, paling. "Turquine!" he exclaimed in horror. "Let 'im go!" He drew a bow and arrow and attempted to shoot it. Before he could, though, someone caught it, pulling it away from him. He leapt to the side to observe his offender. His lips parted in horror. "Caradoc," he numbly said.

"Take the boy," Caradoc said, gesturing to Agravaine. Agravaine squirmed in Turquine's grasp.

"Leave 'im alone!" Servause exclaimed.

"Take this message back to your master. Until you are handed over to us, until he gives us full control over you and vows not to come after you, his students disappear one by one," Turquine stated.

Stephen was pale. Turquine began to drag Agravaine away. "Wait!" he exclaimed. They paused, turning. "I…" he began. He trailed off and swallowed, bowing his head and drawing a hand through his hair. "Let Agravaine go back t' them… He can tell them I took off on me own because, I don't know. He'll figure somethin' out. Just… Just let 'im go… I'll come with y'…"

Agravaine was, admittedly, a little surprised. This… was supposed to be more complicated than this. Servause wasn't supposed to just go. That was… too selfless… Especially after what the guy had said about never going back no matter what… Agravaine felt himself being thrown down. He looked sharply up and rose, blinking blankly. He was still trying to puzzle this out. He was silent. Caradoc approached and seized Servause painfully. Stephen yelped as his arms were wrenched harshly behind his back. He bit his tongue, willing the pain to stop. Agravaine just stared.

Swiftly Stephen was bound tight. He grimaced. "Agravaine, get out o' here before they change their minds!" he exclaimed. "Run!"

"Agravaine has nothing to fear. He never did. After all, this was his plan from the start," Caradoc said. Stephen started, eyes widening. No… How could he have walked right into that?!

"Well, part of his plan. He expected it to be a little more complicated. Apparently, he misjudged you," Turquine said.

Stephen looked sharply at Agravaine, a brief flash of pain and hurt in his eyes. Could he honestly say he was surprised, though? Servause bowed his head low, cursing his carelessness… But the others would be safe now, if nothing else… He hoped… "Well played, Agravaine," he remarked. "They were right… Yer good…" Agravaine shifted uncomfortably.

"You betrayed a friend, boy. You think you can go back to them?" Caradoc asked Agravaine.

"He wasn't my friend," Agravaine answered, shrugging. "Have fun with him." With tha the turned his back on Caradoc and Turquine and started to walk away. Servause cried out as Turquine struck him in the stomach, doubling over with a cough. Agravaine paused, looking back. He sighed deeply, looking a bit upset, then continued on without turning back.

KAK

"Agravaine?!" Gaheris called out, worriedly searching for his brother. They'd noticed Agravaine and Stephen's absence not long ago and had stopped. He, Dornar, Balin, Constantine, and Galeschin were out searching now.

"Stephen?!" Galeschin called worriedly.

"Agravaine!" Constantine concernedly shouted.

"Servause!" Balin called. "Where are you, dude?! Come on, you can't just disappear!" Oh man, if something had happened to the guy they'd never forgive themselves. They'd promised to protect him! He shouldn't have to suffer anymore…

"Little bro, where are you?!" Gaheris called out to Agravaine.

"I'm here, Gaheris," Agravaine said just then, alternately climbing and leaping down some rocks and ending up next to them.

"Oh thank god," Gaheris said, hugging him tightly.

"Where's Servause?" Dornar asked.

Agravaine was quiet. "I don't know," he finally replied. The others were quiet, exchanging worried looks.

Soon enough they were searching for Stephen. Agravaine, though, was distracted. Dornar noticed and raised an eyebrow. Agravaine shrugged and smiled in an attempt to reassure the other. Dornar wasn't fooled, but he let it go. Gaheris, on the other hand, looked ready to intervene, so it was probably best if he beat his brother to the punch. Agravaine reached out, catching Gaheris's arm. "Gaheris, can we… can we talk…?" he asked.

"Uh, sure," Gaheris replied, raising an eyebrow. It was rare Agravaine wanted to talk with anyone let alone his siblings.

Agravaine nodded and stopped, letting the others go ahead. Gaheris waited too. When they were out of sight, he turned to his brother. "What's wrong?" he concernedly questioned.

"I… Something bad… Look, this… I-I've done something wicked…" Agravaine began.

Gaheris was quiet. Oh no… "Servause," he realized, tense. His suspicions had been on point, then… He sometimes hated that he knew his brother so well. "Oh god, Agravaine... What did you do…?"

Agravaine was quiet. "Nothing. It'll be fine. You'll, I mean we'll, find him. It was just… It'll all be okay. We're safe now, all of us. He will be too," Agravaine replied.

Gaheris put a firm hand on Agravaine's shoulder. "Little brother, I don't know what you're thinking, I don't know what you did, but don't do anything rash. Please. What are you planning? I'm begging you. Tell me. We can work this out," he said.

"I'll… get Stephen back," Agravaine said.

"You did something… Oh god, you made a deal with them, with Turquine and Caradoc. You turned him into them," Gaheris whispered, pale. Agravaine was silent. "Dammit… Okay, don't go back to them. We can work this out. We can save Stephen. This is way too dangerous, Agravaine. You're not doing it alone."

Agravaine nodded. "I'm sorry," he said.

"Don't-don't worry about it," Gaheris said. "We'll work this out somehow."

"Yeah, we will," Agravaine replied. "Catch up to Dornar, Constantine, Galeschin, and Balin. I'll head back to the others."

"Right. Remember, nothing rash," Gaheris said.

"Yeah… Goodbye bro… I love you. All of you. Mordred, Gareth, Soredamer, Gawain, Loholt… Just… Bye…" Agravaine said.

"When all else fails you, your siblings will always be here," Gaheris said, lost in thought as he tried to strategize. Had he focused a little more on his brother's words and the implications, he wouldn't have gone at all. Currently he was trying to problem solve, and so he didn't think to reason on his brother's motives, or on why Agravaine was being so accommodating and sentimental. In retrospect he probably should have… Gaheris went after the others. Agravaine began walking back to camp, or so it appeared. But as he went, he looked back, then suddenly veered off in another direction altogether…