Nawat had taken up more of his previous duties, but he still shied away from any mention of Aly in a negative light. He would not defend her as he did in the beginning. It was too painful. Everyone seemed to bring up the point that they had received no communications from her and that if she was indeed alive, that the best spy of the isles would be able to get a message out one way or another.

Ysul had adjusted to the speed at which information by mage was coming in, and thus had more time to realize that it really hurt him: the loss of Aly. He tried not to show it, but everyone could see it written plainly on his facial features. He spoke to people less and less, though he could still not be classified as standoffish.

Chenaol, Taybur, Fesgao, and Aly's pack had not stopped looking for news of Aly's whereabouts, but they had shifted their focus from where she was, to whether she was alive. The cooking maids had not even felt the subtle shift in interest, but Taybur, Fesgao, and Aly's pack had noticed the subtle shift. All were not entirely happy about it. They were happy that the search horizons had broadened, but not for the reasons behind it.

Advisors had stopped coming to Dove, stopped trying to tell her what to do. They had noticed that they were having no sway in the opinion of the monarch whatsoever. Only the really stubborn ones continue to bring up the subject in public at all. Though in private they all pressed their queen to search for another spymaster. She soundly told them all off whenever the discussion took that turn.

And still, King Jonathan, Queen Thayet, Alanna the Lioness, Thom, Daine the Wildmage, Numair Salmalin, Baron George Cooper, and assorted others still lived unaware of the predicament going on in the Copper Isles. They only wondered when Aly was going to contact them for the month.

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One month.

That was the time Aly has spent in the Hellhole with Trick. Though things were progressing slightly on Aly's side. Realizing that Trick had stayed with her rather than running away like she had originally thought had opened a whole world of possibilities. The only thing that kept her from starting her mischief in her third week was that she didn't think that she had been pushed far enough for her imminent "breakdown" to be believable. And it had to be believable.

Trick had been keeping Aly very up to date. She planned to spill beans as soon as Bastard started having his fun. Which, according to Aly's internal clock, was very soon. Aly had told Trick to go to wherever he was hiding and to stay there. To not interfere when Aly put her plan into action.

Sweat trickled down Aly's brow. If this didn't work, she would die. Or be raped. She didn't like either prospect.

The telltale confident footfalls sounded down the hallway. Aly took a deep breath. This was it. She kept her head down, as the gate door squeaked open.

"Little bird, will you tell me what you know yet? You are beginning to bore me, and I have so long yet to wait. You better reward my patience." his voice was sharp. He really wasn't happy with the arrangement that he had been forced into by his superior.

Aly started to shake. Let him think it's fear, she thought. She kept her face to the ground. A gentle callused hand picked her head up.

"Are you scared?" he asked. His thumb traced her lips, and she shivered again.

"Will you tell me what I want to know?" Bastard asked. Aly nodded. She watched through fear widened eyes as Bastard smiled.

"Is there an attack marching this way?" Bastard asked sweetly, painfully aware that his victim was in a fragile state.

Aly nodded again.

"Who is leading it?"

"I don't know," whispered Aly.

Bastard nodded, and asked softly, "Do you know when it's coming?"

Aly nodded.

Bastard smiled slightly, "When is it coming, little bird?"

Aly closed her eyes and pretended to think. "Two days from now," she answered.

"Which direction are they coming from?"

North, she thought. "South," she answered.

Bastard nodded gravely. "Do you know how many warriors are coming, little bird?"

Not warriors, dumbass, my pack. "No," Aly whispered.

"I am going to report this. We might come back for more information. You have escaped your beating today, little bird. Let's hope you don't remain this wise." Bastard said, voice at its normal tone.

He leaned forward and licked up Aly's neck and the shell of her ear, breathing heavily. He panted into her ear, "Mmmm, you taste good, little bird."

Aly gave a genuine shiver of disgust. Bastard either didn't notice or pretended not to. He licked across her cheekbone as he released her face. He stared into her eyes, and Aly saw how deeply her denying him and him being denied her turned him on.

She shivered again. The movement seemed to have broken his trance, and Bastard got up and walked away. The confident footfalls getting softer and softer until Aly could no longer hear them. The guards in the hall stayed abnormally quiet.