Sabin kicks the foot of the man, who's tied up with wire to a scorched tree. The little bastard. How dare he attack him; how dare he start a fire that ultimately burned down the home of his deceased master Duncan Harcourt. The home where he'd spent many days and nights laughing with the man, and his son Vargas. They'd train out in the vast, lush green fields that used to surround the area back then. So many good times. It was a miracle that the home survived all the blast caused by the Goddess statues back then, the trenches were dug deep; homes as well as lives were destroyed so quickly. The devistation, though it was nearly three years ago, will never be forgotten. Which is why Sabin has been thinking so heavily, over that time, about being the king of the northern hemisphere. To be Doma's ruler, to watch over the people and help the best he can, and releave his brother from having so much baggage. He owes Edgar. If he hadn't rigged that coin toss back then, he'd of never become the man he is today. Its been a little too long, though, but now he'll pay him back.
Sabin's startled when a gloved hand tugs his trousers down. "Wha- Shadow, what the hell are you doing?"
"You're bleeding." He says in an even tone; thumb touching the bleeding cut, he removes his hand from the band allowing them to snap back into place around Sabin's waist.
"That bastard kicked me in the crotch. The tip of the boot must have clipped me- considering its armored boots, the damage could have been much worse." Thoroughly pissed with the bastard now, Sabin leans over punching him in the face. "Wake up!" He barks at the man.
A groan escapes his mouth. His slumped form lulls to one side before he's able to straighten up a bit. Hazy vision spots two large blurs before his vision clears. The dark night is thinning into morning, he must have been unconscious for a while. "Whe-..." He grunts and struggles. "Untie me!"
"Not until you answer a few questions..."
"Tch. As if I'd answer to you." Snaps the male, again, struggling against his restraints.
"I wouldn't keep doing that if I were you." Warns Shadow with no real intention to protect the male.
It was too late though, the teen cried out in pain as the binding cut into his chest and arms. Its a very thin wire, encased with tiny thorns-like pricks sticking out of it. Shadow can hold onto the wire easily due to metal sheets beneath his gloves, but anyone else will be stung.
Resigned, though still wishing to put up a fight, the male grits his teeth. "I'll never tell you anything! So let me go!"
"Not until you tell me who sent you here!" Sabin shouts back.
"No!"
"Tell me, brat!"
Shadow knew that this could go on for a while, a hot-headed Sabin is a rare thing but possible; and as far as this bratty kid goes, he seems quite loyal to whomever sent him to attack the prince.
"You've got Figarian armor on, and the weapons you've been using have my families crest on it." He changes subjects, hoping to throw the male off he asks. "Are you the one who broke into the castle a while back?"
"I didn't break into any castle... This armor was given to me for protection from a big ox like you." Chided the bound male. Cocking his head to the side he grins impishly hoping that his words struck a nerve in the male, but Sabin didn't seem to pay it any mind.
"You said that your boss was right, how I knew nothing about family. What the hell was that comment about?"
"Like I said, you're ungrateful... stupid... you don't deserve the life you have, and we're here to take it away from you- all of you!" He blurted out.
"Hn. Listen at this guy." Shaking his head he moves a little closer to the male. "Let's go. My brother would love to meet you."
"Hn. The second you untie me... I'll kill you." Threatened the male.
The boom of laughter that escaped Sabin just then could have shattered an eardrum. Smashing his fist into the tree the male is confined to, just above his head; the wood shattered effortlessly beneath the assault. The remaining length of the tree leans away from them crashing to the crowd with a loud boom. Clumps of bark and splinter scatter about the air hitting the ground. Petrified, the male looks up at the martial artist as if the man would do the same to him if he opened his mouth again. Clammed up, he's lifted from the remains of the tree by his shirt and slung over the man's shoulder.
"Mind tightening the restraints, Shadow. I wouldn't wanna die on the trip to Figaro." He teased and mocked the male.
"Why you..." Growled the teen, receiving a slap in the mouth.
"Not a word out of you in the meantime."
Shadow grabs the end of the wire pulling it tight around the captives body.
"It'll take two days to get there. Hope you're not the seasick type." He starts for the shore. Shadow not far behind him.
99999
"I can't believe that his majesty just took off again." Chancellor Arnold groans. "How can he continue to shirk on his duties like this. Does he expect me to pick up after him. He hasn't been this irresponsible since-... well, he's never been this irresponsible actually. Where can he be?" Walking into the king's office, he looks at the stack of papers lined up across the desk. With a hard gulp, he figures it would be alright to do some of them, he'll just have Edgar look over them when he gets back. "He will come back, he will come back..." He chants nervously. Lifting a sheet from the pile he lays it down on a cleared part of the desk. "Pen... now where is the pen and ink well?" He searches the organized mess of a desk for the items. Sliding open a drawer, he feels around inside locating an ink well, but no pen. Pulling open another drawer he is about to stick his hand in but withdrawls upon seeing a broken mirror. "This could be a serious cut waiting to happen." Carefully, he removes the broken glass and the frame from the drawer.
The frame can get a new glass put in, but the rest of it he tosses into the trash bin. Removing his handkerchief, he stands from the large chair moving over to a table that contains a pitcher of water and two glasses. Taking the pitcher over to the window he holds the handkerchief out the window then dumping water over it, gives it a squeeze to remove the most of it. Leaving the pitcher on the windowsill, he walks back to the desk taking a seat. Slowly, he wipes the drawer out; the water aiding in picking up the finer bits of glass.
"Parden me?" He straightens up. Looking around the room, he blinks in confusion. "I... must have been hearing things." Returning to what he'd been doing, the man sits up yet again. That time he'd definitely heard someone whisper something. It sounded like... like... what was it? Duck. "Did someone say duck? Please do speak more clea- ugh!"
His body jerks forward, and through his chest a thin piece of metal comes through. Chancellor Arnold sputters and coughs before slumping forward on the desk.
"What did you say?" Iron asks. "You speak clearly!" Plopping down on the desk, the man laughs merrily. Sobering, he cocks his head to look at his work. "Well, I told you to 'duck', did I not?" Flicking his finger on the tip of the blade; he smiles at the oozing red blood that seeps out. Gripping the blade he pushes it with just enough force so that he doesn't cut his palm open.
The sword slides back out of the man, dropping to the floor with a loud clatter when the weight of the handle pulls it down the rest of the way. Iron stands from the desk walking around the back of the chair. He's amazed that its this easy to slip around this castle unnoticed for days. The chancellor actually thought he'd gone away again. The joke was on him because he's been in the castle the entire time. Down in the dungeon doing a little remodeling to an old passage that that whining king had sealed up. So he can come and go as he pleases to South Figaro and so can his new comrads. He's already sent Darrien out to attack that lummox Sabin, he should be back any day now to report in how he's done. Honestly, Darrien was not sent because he could do a licks worth of damage to the prince, no. He was sent as a decoy. Sabin will swell his own head at how easily he was defeated making his guard down for the next attack which would be from the real competitor Sesto. Their build is the same, though Sesto may not be as good as Sabin the man certainly holds his own in battle. Deep in the caves, Iron has been training them to the best of his abilities as the days have gone by; with everyone thinking the king has gone for a trip, he's left alone for hours to do just that.
A groan brought Iron back to the situation. He looks around the chair at the man. 'Stronger than I thought he'd be. Hn. Looks like you don't give your right hand enough credit, Edgar.' He thinks with a smirk. 'Hmm... Is it wrong to kill you. After all, you're the one who doesn't lighten Edgar's load in the first place... you truly are responsible for leaving him here to rot away doing paper work.'
"Don't you dare use that as an excuse to being a murderor!" Edgar bellowed somewhere in Iron's mind.
"Well, look who's figured out how to speak. Can you roll over boy- you bug me." Replied the alter. "Why not take a break and let me have this. Like I said, I'm here for you. I'm going to take away your boredom, loneliness, and pain. Your man Arnold here for confining you within these walls since you became the king, your followers for throwing their pointless shit you're way-.."
"You watch your mouth!" Snaps the king.
"And of course, your worthless friends and lover for abandoning you to a life of nothing but duty and heartache. They're no better than the people who serve you." Iron lifts the sword into his hand. "Always wanting something, asking this of you, that of you... its always so fun stopping by to see what old Edgar is doing, but we'd never stay lest we'd end up as confined as he is. This castle has numorous wings and rooms, you mean to tell me someone can't stay over for a month or two. You're insane. They want freedom as much as you do, but until they're disposed of, you'll never see such a thing." Smirking at the fact that Edgar is silenced, he is about to say something else when the creaking door turned his words into a yelp. "Oh, I meant..." Turning around he sees a guard standing at the door. "Chancellor Arnold has been attacked!" Iron dramatizes but not too much or he'd give away the fact that he's actually laughing inside.
"But I just saw him come in here not long ago. He was alone." The guard explained as an apology. Entering the room, he grabs hold of the man by the arm placing it around his shoulders. "I'll see that he's taken to the medical wing."
"Yes, hurry! His life may be saved." The words 'for now' are thought directly after that statement. He can always pay a visit to the man when he's left alone by the doctor.
"It seems more and more break-ins are happening your majesty. Perhaps if we change locations we can prevent this for a while. See that the intruder is bored over the idea, while we recooperate in the western region by Kohlingen."
"No!" He hadn't meant to shout it, but it just sort of happened.
If the castle is moved it will hinder him greatly. The cave will no longer be attached, which means he can't get to his followers easily. He could hide them out in the castle, but as it is he has been doing a lot of damage to the royal court and the men sweep the castle every hour- tunnels included. He could never hide four people. He wouldn't be able to hide himself if he weren't sporting the blond whenever he's not down in the caves. Its honestly getting tiring playing pretend. He may have to give something up, and he personally isn't going anywhere.
"Sir?" Confused, the guard looks over his shoulder.
"I mean that we can't let this man run our lives. He will be brought down, I swear of it." Head held high, he goes to say. "Figaro runs from no man nor beast."
Smiling, the soldier nods.
Smiling as well, Iron could always count on Figarian pride to wish to never back down just as their king wishes. Boot licking fools. But then, its boot licking fools that are assisting him with his fun. He didn't ask the small group to look at him as a leader, or obey his orders to attack war heros for pitysake. No, that was their own doing, but he'll reap those rewards greatly in order to get a little action going in his life. In fact, his next target should already be in place.
66666
Locke and Setzer made their way through the busy port town of Nikeah. Its around 8 o'clock and they're decided to eat out, since this is the last stop on their trip before going to New Vector, where Locke will drop his rolls of individual maps at the printing company so they can be made into one giant map from which they will be distributed through out the lands. When merchants are able to get around again, things will pick up in small ways.
"Drink up, Locke. Its on me." Setzer sets down two mugs of beer.
"Thanks." He takes a big gulp. "Can't help but wonder about eating out when you've just robbed me of all my money."
"Think of it as returning your investment." Walking back to the bar, Setzer returns setting two bowls of stew down onto the table.
It felt like he's been with the gambler for ages rather than a month and a half. He's surprised they haven't started getting on one anothers nerves yet. The real reason for their eating out is that Setzer is at a groan over Locke's inability to do the dishes after meals. Locke just can't seem to make the transfer. Back when he'd first started living in the castle; a lost little boy with no home, and a dead family, he'd eaten his meals and tossed the plates away- like he would have had he been living on the streets. But after castle life, he's gotten comfortable with other people cleaning things up for him. If anyone is to have a finger pointed at them, though, its Edgar. He's the one who broke him from his habit.
'Wait... what?' He wondered about his thoughts a moment, shaking it off so he can enjoy his meal as well.
The stew taste fantastic; you just can't get fish fresher than what Nikeah brings it in, that's for sure. Although, the volume level in the eatery could be done without. Setzer seemed to like it though, smile on his face as he watched the other patrons moving about, and the dancing girls on stage; their hips swiveling and swirling, chest rising and falling, going around and around in a dance that Locke has never in his life seen. After the afternoon he's had with the male, playing cards, Setzer's probably wondering which of these people are easy marks for a bet or which girl an easy target for bedding.
"Terra is so gonna leave you."
Turning his head, Setzer blinks in confusion. "Why do you say that?"
Nodding toward the stage, he smiles. "I know what you're thinking, its written all over your face."
"Not at all!" Defends the accused. "I merely appreciate beauty, there's nothing wrong with that."
"Uh-huh." He lifts his bowl to his mouth, drinking from it like it were a cup to insure he got every drop of broth from it.
"Its true! Look," He sticks out his hand. "I bought these the second I saw them shining from across the street. They're gorgeous, are they not?" He wriggles his ring covered fingers.
"I don't know anything about man jewerly." Teases the treasure hunter.
"And my clothes?"
With a shrug, Locke grabs his mug chugging a good drink before setting it down heavily. "I don't know much about clothes either."
Eyeing the male with intent, Setzer is about to tell him off but smiles instead. "Believe what you like then."
"Hmm? Okay..." With an impish grin on his face, Locke says softly. "With all the smoke and mirrors you lavish yourself with, I think you might have a guy friend on the side."
Eyes ablaze, Setzer stands from the table. "Start running."
Laughing, Locke hops up from the table darting for the door, Setzer chasing closely after him.
"I didn't know a pretty boy could run so fast!" He called over his shoulder.
"I'll string you up when I catch you, Cole!"
"Oooh, a bondage fetish too! You're an interesting man, Gabbiani! Whoa-...!" He slams into the ground having tripped over his own feet.
Setzer landed on top of him, pinning him by the hips. "I hope you like the taste of grass and dirt." He says while grabbing up handfulls to stuff in the treasure hunters mouth; laughing when Locke yelped as he fought him off.
A bird lands beside the two, chirping and cheeping to get some attention. Pausing what he's doing, Setzer releases the male to take a note from the birds satchel.
Recovering from his mock beating, Locke brushes dirt and grass from his mouth while scooting closer to the gambler for a look over his shoulder. "What's it say?"
"Sabin was attacked." He stands. "He's fine, but heading back to Figaro. Says to be alert, but the opponent is probably no big deal."
Standing he's reading the rest himself, he says outloud. "He may be the one whose been breaking into the castle. A tight lipped bastard; we're locking him up for questioning."
"Guess the field trips over." Folding up the note, he shoves it into his pocket. "Shall I take you back to the castle?" He's heading for the Black Jack II.
"Yeah. I should be there." Following after the man, he takes the lead with a faster run.
66666
Sonya Lanton had to give it to Iron Lord. He has guts to steal from Figaro castle, but he has his reasons, she supposed. It took some time sailing all the way out to this island, but running the land to New Mobliz was easy with the help of one of the royal chocobo; they're rumored to be the fastest birds around, and the rumors didn't lie. A five day trip became only two. And now she stands outside of the home of Terra Bradford. Iron told her that the Esper woman would be easy to take down, without her abilities and her strong will towards peace the young woman is not much harm to anyone or any thing. Sonya would feel guilty if not for all the things that Iron had told them all about these people. She'll actually enjoy seeing this woman fall. This woman is not doing a thing with her life, she's able to see anyone she choses, anytime she wants but she remains in this tiny village. This small home is like her shield from the world; she must be punished for her own ignorance.
Dressed all in black, she slips through the door; hiding in the shadows created by the moon's light, the woman makes her way toward the bedroom. This late in the night, the woman must be in bed by now. Unsheathing the borrowed dagger, she eases the bedroom door open. A lump can be seen in the center of the bed. A smile spreads across the intruders lips, widening to a grin with each step she gets closer to the bed. Raising the dagger over her head, she brings it swiftly down into the center of the lump; a battle cry escaping her as she slices into the sleeping figure. Slashes cut this way and that into her victim, the sheet and blanket getting torn in the process of her assalt. This Terra must be some heavy sleeper, as she's not making a peep through all of it.
Calming her rage, she looks down at the rumpled and torn bed. Its empty. The person she had been attacking was not actually a person, but a couple of pillows.
'Where the hell is she?' Sonya wonders.
66666
'They'll move them around like chess pieces on a board. Once gathered together, I'll take the finishing blows.' Iron thinks appeased.
He's in the royal chambers, laying in bed. A glass of wine in one hand, a book in the other. He can see why Kefka Palazzo spent so much time in the castle when he has his own place, its a gorgeous life really... having servants bring you anything you like no matter what time of the day it is. All of them kissing your rear end like it were lucky or made of solid gold.
'If the world feared the king, perhaps they wouldn't keep him locked away to be their little monkey. Sign this your majesty, sign that... give us permission to scratch our asses.' He takes a sip of wine. 'Its such a bother. I read some of those papers before Chancellor Arnold walked in... a neighbors blasted tree branch is stretching into their property- its airspace! Get a hobby other than being an upstart. Why not just cut the damned branch down and roll in your own uproar. Who'd care but you and your neighbor?' A thin smile crosses his lips. 'If they're stupid enough to kill each other over it, than so be it. This world will remain dead if people don't learn to get a back bone.'
"They're not cowards, Iron."
"Hn. You again... I thought I'd silenced you." He speaks softly, quietly out loud.
"You... You had but... listening to you just now," He's quiet a moment, then speaks again. "I've gotten hundreds of papers with death tolls written upon them, not a one was easy to read. All of them stating that this man was missing and that child is gone. ...My people look to me for comfort, they know to fear the worst and so I send a bit of relief to look for them. But... a lot of papers state that a family member has taken their own life. They cannot handle the stress of this worlds future."
Keeping his voice low and even, Iron replies. "It is a means to show you that you've failed to gain their assurance. ...They don't believe that this world will ever get better. Regardless the reconstruction of the damages done to the towns, regardless the new rise in life over the past two years... They still feel the sting of that day. Famine... physical and emotional scars... poverty. This world will end whether I kill them all one by one or they all make a pact of suicide."
"I don't believe that." Though his voice is very sad, he goes on. "To have people like those quarreling men only proves that the world is ready to become what it once was. There will be much loss and great sadness but... I believe that."
"You're no different than the people who keep you locked up here, you know?" He leans over, setting the glass down on the side table. "You make many excuses for them... for yourself. I'm here because of this, or because of that... Does the recovering world need things like this petty quarrel keeping you in your seat? I think not. Edgar, you've brought me on yourself."
When Iron got no response, he smiled to himself. "Besides, the game has already been set into motion and will not be off schedule. I'm already getting the invitations prepared. We're going to have a reunion, and my won't it be fun."
...
Sabin lays the guilty man over the chocobo's saddle.
He and Shadow and their captive, arrived in the South Figaro port two days later. The prince thought about staying overnight in the town but there was no garuantee that their little attacker would stay put, so they rented two birds and are now on their ways to the castle. The night wind is calm, easing his worries about a sand storm hindering their trip. The sun had just set when they reached the border to the desert. Shadow is holding the lantern, since Sabin is keeping an arm on the prisoner.
"We should leave him tied to a cactus; let the sun rot him away." Shadow suggests.
Snickering, Sabin shakes his head. "It'd be cruel to the cactus." Kicking the birds underbelly with his heels it takes off at a run from its trot.
Grumbling in anger and humiliation, the teen stills his wriggling when the birds' speed picks up; Sabin's hand is clamped hard on his butt, making his initial embarrassment that much worse. Why did whomever this guy in black is, have to show up? He would have had the prince for sure if not for this man. It was all perfect. Now he'll have to report back to Iron in shame of defeat. It was strange that Iron had sent him, really. He doesn't have much martial arts skill- not like Sesto. He's more of a weilder of swords, and even that he's a little bad at. But with the set traps to slow the prince down, he thought his minor skill wouldn't need to be tested so hard. Next opponent will suffer at his hand, though. He could only hope to get the cell that leads to the secret caves that Iron had pointed out to them. Living in darkness was weird at first, but in time they got used to it, and it wasn't all the time. Its just when they need to plan things, or he has stolen weapons or armor to give them.
Trampling sounds reach their ears, but it lay dead in the air; with nothing around but dunes, echoes don't bounce around as they would on grasslands or by mountains. The two men are quiet, and little sound comes from their prisoner during the long ride. They could probably make it there by tomorrow night, if they don't stop. Stars begin to show themselves, as the lateness of the night progresses. The air is dry but cool, so thirst isn't becoming a serious issue as it will in the morning. The tenth month can be forgiving or cruel, in the desert.
It proved cruel as they had to stop, on their second day, to take a break and give water to themselves and the birds. The sun was brutal, high enough to brighten the sky without a focal point, yet low enough for you to fully feel its effects. When the air got cooler that afternoon, they started off again. The three men reached the castle by sunset the afternoon of the next day.
"Your excellency!" Greet the soldiers at the door with a saluting.
Sabin waves it off.
When the soldiers see the tied up man, they instantly grab him from the prince.
"Who is this man, sir?" One of the soldiers asks.
"He attacked me with weapons that came from the armory. We think he may be the one whose been breaking into the castle."
They head through the large doors. Walking down the hall, they turn to the right, dragging the man down the stairs to the dungeon.
"His majesty is working still. Should I retreive him?" Asks the other soldier.
"Yeah, Edgar will wanna know about this."
With a nod the man dashes off.
The prisoner is thrown into the cell, the door slammed and locked after he hit the floor. "You said, he may have been the one breaking into the castle, sir?"
Sabin nods.
"That would make two accomplices then."
"Two?" He and Shadow say.
The guard nods. "Chancellor Arnold was injured not long ago. It seems like whomever is doing this is intending to take down the whole court, if even a man such as the chancellor is targeted."
"True. But then, he is Edgar's vassel, he could be seen as someone who knows something." Gesturing for the guard to come closer, he leans forward. "Torture him, any way you can... he knows who's responsible for this, and he's working for him in order to take me and the others out."
"He should be executed immidiately, for attacking your excellency!"
Sabin didn't disagree. "Right now, we need him alive for questioning."
"Brother," Edgar's voice cut through their conversation. "Thomas tells me you've found one of the castles intruders."
"Yeah, he's in here." He points.
Shadow eyes Edgar as he walks by. Something feels off about the king. Could be fatigue from work but...
Iron's eyes register Darrien instantly, but he hides the look just as quickly as it came across him.
"Does he look familiar? You're the only one who's seen anything." Sabin watches his brother.
Darrien's eyes bugged out of his head. He's never seen the king this close up before; his face looks exactly like Iron Lord's. But how can that be? Their leader did say that he comes from a noble family, and he does know the war hero's that he so dearly hates. Is it possible the Figaro twins are actually triplets? Anything is possible; and Iron did say that he is a cast away as he and the others are.
'Hn. The black sheep, I know that story all too well.' He thinks.
Edgar stares at the man for a long time. His blue eyes taking note of every swell, every hardened blister that has been placed upon the male. Sabin must have gone easy on him, because he thought that the damage would be far greater than a swollen eye, split lip, and a couple purple stains here and there. The teens armor had been removed and daggers and other weapons taken back from him.
"Young man..." Edgar crouches to meet the teens eyes. "Are you the one who's been breaking into Figaro castle?"
"He won't answer easily, he's loyal to some guy. There could be others coming after us because of this man." Sabin informs.
"So, its torture you want in order to speak, hm?"
The teen blinks. The thought of being tortured didn't sound very appealing, but he won't say anything. No matter what.
"I'm afraid you'll have to give up your loyalties. It won't be easy for you here, if you refuse to talk."
"Tch."
Sighing, Edgar stands. "...If I may, I'd like to be left alone with him."
"Sir." The guards reply, before heading up the stairs.
Watching them go, he turns to his brother and Shadow. "I meant the two of you as well."
"But Ed-.."
"I'll be fine. He's behind bars after all, and Sabin... I may be walled up in this castle, but I'm not rusty."
"I didn't say that you were I just think that-..."
Again, he cuts him off. "Go on. Get something to eat, drink... you're in need of a good rest. Thank you for bringing him here. I'll take over the rest."
Finding that odd, Sabin doesn't question his brother and heads upstairs. Shadow gave the king a lingering glance but followed after the prince. When the door closed the king turned his attention back to the prisoner. A smile spread across his face before he broke into a fit of chuckles.
"Darrien... come on, don't you recognize me?" He asks.
"Yes. You're King Edgar. Everyone knows you- so what?"
"Really? Can you be that cruel?" Kneeling down, he looks into the male's dark blue eyes.
Blinking, the male leaned forward. "I-... Iron? What are... you're actually the king!" He's horrified at the thought.
"No, you idiot." He rolls his eyes. "King Edgar has already been dispatched and hidden away in the castle, where no one will find him. I've assumed his identity- ha, I'm the spitting image, right? Not even his own brother recognized that I'm not him." He cocks his head from side to side thoughtfully. "Don't you believe me? You look puzzled."
That explains how he's able to move around freely in the castle, while the others hide away in the dank caves. "No. I believe you. If its you, anything is possible. But..." He trails off.
"But?"
"Why go through all this? Won't we be taken out in the end?"
"No. I intend to overthrow this place on grounds of their own blind stupidty, proof of that is death of their beloved king. And when the end comes, and all the hero's of the war fall... I'll execute the king before all his people."
Darrien smiles. "And then, you'll be the king."
"Correct. You and the others will never know hunger, you'll never know lack of a roof over your heads, or shadow again."
Darrien grins to himself.
"These people treat us like the scum of the earth; looking down on us as if we're the plague keeping the world in the shape that it is. We'll show their arrogance to otherwise."
"What about this mess? Will you bust me out of here? So that I can help them?"
"Not right now. For now you must stay put... I'll find some people to put in the other cells and see that you're moved over to the one with the entrance to the caves, then you can flee."
"Excellent. I'll wait patiently, but wait!" He jolts up. "What if they torture me?"
"Lie to them if you must," He shrugs. "or keep your lips sealed and endure the pain." He starts away. "Your choice. But... I'll see that your escape happens before the thirty first."
"What happens then?"
"You'll see... but I can tell you this, the other players will join the game then."
Nodding, Darrien takes a seat back on the cold hard cement floor. He can cool his heels in the slammer for a while- wouldn't be the first time. With Iron posing as the king, he doesn't doubt that he won't soon be freed. He had to wonder how the others were doing.
Its later that night. Meals of soup, salad, bread, meat and potatoes, pastries, and drinks had been had and conversation made until the three depart to their rooms. Iron was actually quite comfortable with the situation, if he hadn't planned to kill them all he'd really consider taking Edgar's life from him.
Sabin groaned into Shadow's neck; his hands gripped the male's shoulders when the assassins hips pushed back against his thighs, just when he shoved forward. A couple more thrust and he'd be done for; it didn't help when Shadow's inner walls are clamping around him over and over. He hears the male hum into the pillow over the pleasure of the pressure being applied to his member that dangles just above the mattress, brushing it when the princes's weight pushes him closer to it.
Iron moves away from the door heading to his own bedroom. It sure sounded like the two of them were having a good time. Figures. Pushing open the door, he walks through the sitting room and into the bedroom. Removing the cape pinned to his shoulders, he drops it to the floor; no sooner as he looks up is he jumped by something with a very soft pair of lips and a firm hug.
When the kissing bandit moved back, Iron was able to see whom it had been.
"Locke?"