Chapter 5 is finally here! It's a little later than I had anticipated. Sorry for the wait. I meant to update sooner, but my Thanksgiving visit with the relatives lasted a bit longer than expected. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it even though this chapter didn't quite turn out as good as I had envisioned. I'm still thinking ahead to future chapters. _ I'd also like to give SO MUCH LOVE to those of you who took the time to review as well as all the alerts and favorites. I really appreciate it and it's as effective as cracking a whip to motivate me to get chapters out faster. hehe
The Mercenary Camp was dark and chilly and the evening was surprisingly quiet, giving a wayward princess nothing to do but think about that momentous day in Bowerstone Castle. Even now, months later, as she embraced her new role as a Hero, her thoughts would often drift back to the people she had condemned to death. Logan gave her a choice that day; punish Elliot, or punish the traitors. Her answer had been silence, something her brother had mistaken for weakness. He could not have been further from the truth. By the time the king began his countdown, Lyra was no longer struggling to decide who she would save, but who she would kill. Elliot's noble request to be put to death in place of the rebels had disgusted her. She could not fathom throwing her life away for strangers, nor spending her life with someone who would. And those ignorant rebels, they had caused the whole mess with their petty complaints. In her opinion, both sides had already chosen death with their actions and so she ruthlessly killed two birds with one stone by keeping her lips sealed.
A cold smile cut across the princess' face as she stared out over the camp. She'd played the part of tormented sister perfectly when Logan had her fiancé and the trio of traitors taken away for execution. Even Walter had been convinced of her sincerity when she said she would never forgive her brother. In reality, it was one of the only times she had actually felt like thanking him. The king was the only one with the power to break the royal decree set forth by the previous ruler, their mother, and so he had. By night's end, Lyra was not only free of that dreadful engagement, but Logan's apparent descent into complete tyranny had prompted Walter to spirit her away from the castle; something he'd secretly been planning to do for years, oddly enough. It was then that he introduced her to her destiny. To be her mother's daughter, a Hero, and take her rightful place as Queen of Albion. She hadn't needed much convincing. It was an exciting prospect for a bored princess.
Ever since then, she'd continued to evolve as she struggled to make allies and gain support. Actually, to say she was struggling was putting it lightly. Lyra not only had her relationship to Logan working against her, but also her own less than savory antics. Allowing Elliot and the rebels to be executed was the first time she had consciously been responsible for another's death and though she had not pulled the trigger of the executioner's rifle, the princess had felt invigorated by the deaths she had caused. Needless to say, Lyra had no qualms about killing after that and so long as Walter was not in the vicinity, she killed indiscriminately. So while news of her good deeds traveled fast, rumors of her sadistic nature tended to travel even faster. And when she came seeking an alliance, everyone wanted proof, proof that she was not like her brother. Unfortunately, it often did more harm than good to threaten them the way she used to do with Elliot. That was how she discovered how quickly empty promises seemed to open doors.
Still, people remained wary of Lyra even with those signed treaties and agreements, so she decided to be a bit more discreet in her evil doings. It was for that reason that she came to reside in the Mercenary Camp during down times. Though she'd managed to win over the Dwellers, Brightwall, and the soldiers at Mourningwood Fort, she found that she fit in much better with the heartless, nearly barbaric mercenaries of Mistpeak. There was a steady stream of alcohol, drugs, whores, and people no one would miss to keep her occupied and it made her occasional breaks from adventuring far more enjoyable. At least in the camp, she could be herself whereas in the public eye, she had to be on her best behavior.
But Lyra's scruples were not the only things that changed. Her appearance had undergone somewhat of a transformation as well. She no longer kept her brunette locks pulled neatly into a tight braid and instead let them hang freely in loose waves that fell just below her shoulder blades. It was a style Logan had not approved of for a noble, nor did Jasper for that matter, but with newfound freedom came newfound expressions of that freedom. Once flawless ivory skin was now tinted lightly by the sun and often bore cuts and bruises from the princess' new free roaming lifestyle. Even though only a few months had passed since she left the castle, all traces of her former seat in the lavish lap of luxury had apparently faded. Lyra had adapted perfectly to the life of an adventuring Hero. And while she still needed to keep a low profile and behave whenever possible, the princess could not be more pleased with the path laid out before her. It brought a smile to her face each time she pictured herself knocking Logan from his high horse and taking his place in the saddle.
"If you keep staring and grinning like that you're going to make my men nervous. They already think you're some kind of demon," Saker said, coming up the ramp to join her on the top tier of the guard tower. Boy growled at the newcomer, the hairs along his neck bristling as Lyra turned to face the man. She didn't appreciate her train of thought being interrupted, but she supposed the company might be welcomed. It was only recently that she discovered just how much she despised being alone. He smirked at her as he exhaled a long drag from his cigar and flicked ashes towards the canine. Patting her thigh, the princess eased her furry friend's temper and sent him back into a less aggressive stance seated at her feet. She then turned her attention back to Saker with a smirk of her own. "I thought one of the glorious tasks of being a guard was staring." The man chuckled, stepping past her to look out at the quiet camp. "Yeah, well as boring as you may find it, Princess, you got off easy considering the things I could have had you do to earn your keep around here."
Lyra leaned back against the railing beside him, propped up by her elbows as she eyed the exceptionally tall mercenary. "Oh, you're still under the impression that you're in charge? That changed the day I showed up, now didn't it? Besides, I only agreed to keep watch tonight because I'm expecting someone," she said. Saker scowled and turned to face her. "You know better than to bring anyone here," he snapped, pointing a finger at her, "I may have pledged my men to your cause, but that doesn't make you the boss. Don't overstep your bounds, Princess." Before the man could utter a single syllable more, Lyra unsheathed her blade and severed the finger cleanly from his hand. The motion had been so swift and fluid that it took Saker a full three seconds to realize where all the blood was coming from.
As he gaped at his trembling, four-digit hand, the princess returned her blade to its confines on her back. "Let that be a reminder to you, Saker, my friend. I have no bounds," Lyra explained, kicking his dismembered finger towards Boy, who promptly devoured it, "This makes twice that I've spared your life. Let's not make a habit of it, hmm? I'd like for you to be around to keep the camp in order while I'm away." Though the mercenary was in excruciating pain, he lowered his hand and simply nodded, proudly keeping his emotions in check. "Perhaps I was… a bit out of line. I did swear loyalty to you and I'll honor that. But who's this you've got coming here?" Lyra sighed and leaned against the rail again, this time facing away from Saker and the steadily growing puddle of sanguine fluid near his feet. "No one you need to worry your pretty head about. With my face plastered on every wall right alongside you other wanted bastards you ought to know I wouldn't bring anyone here that could cause you any problems."
Saker nodded again and held his hand up, eyeing the wound with a frown. Well, at least the bleeding was slowing. "I'd be happy to cauterize that for you," Lyra smirked, a dim, red glow surrounding her right hand as the gauntlet responded to her Will, "Or maybe… you'd prefer I kiss it and make it better?" The man looked up to find her standing directly in front of him, eyes narrowed slyly. He was at first unsure of what she was suggesting, but as it slowly dawned on him a grin crept onto his lips and he dropped his hand to his side, forgetting the pain as his blood suddenly rushed somewhere else. "You know, I heard you liked tall blokes," he said as he moved towards her, "I think I'm just your type." The princess giggled, her fingers crawling up Saker's chest as he wrapped his still intact hand around her waist.
Lyra's fingers had barely laced on the back of the mercenary's neck when a shot was fired from very close by. The pair jumped back from one another, each assuming the other was responsible until the real culprit spoke up. "She doesn't have a type. People with the fate of the country in their hands don't have the time to waste on romantic escapades," Walter said in a sour tone, earning himself a scowl from the princess, "We're heading to Industrial." Lowering the pistol he had aimed at Saker's head, the old knight turned and went back down the ramp. Lyra huffed and pushed past the speechless mercenary with Boy prancing along after her. "Keep recruiting while I'm gone. I'll be back soon," she called up as she followed her mentor down the guard tower. "Yeah," Saker frowned.
Walter's pace was surprisingly quick for a man his age and Lyra found that she had to jog to keep up as they left the camp. Clearly, he was upset by what he had seen, but she wasn't quite sure why. It wasn't as though he hadn't caught her in a similar situation countless times before. And each time, he'd played the part of overprotective father and either chased her companions away with threat, blade, or bullet, but then they would end up laughing about it. This time was different. Saker was well out of sight now, but Walter wasn't laughing. "So is that what was so important you had return to the Mercenary Camp before we could go to Industrial as planned? Don't you understand how important this revolution is? I wish you'd take it more seriously. You're not a child anymore," he said after what seemed an eternity of silent traveling.
The princess shrugged as she trekked along behind the old knight. "That camp is part of the revolution too. Saker may not be what you picture when you think of an ally, but he's on our side and I need to make sure it stays that way," she explained. Walter snorted at the idea. "There are other ways to ensure your friends stay loyal, Lyra. You can't reduce everything to… well, that." She stifled a laugh and caught up to the man when he finally slowed down. "Obviously, Walter! But I cut off the poor sod's finger just for pointing it at me. I figured I owed him something and I was getting bored up there waiting on you. Besides, you saw how tall he was, I bet he was- -" "Don't say another bloody word, blast you," the knight growled, clapping his hands over his ears. Snickering, his young protégé patted his shoulder and then took the lead. "Well, Industrial awaits. As much fun as it is to torture you with my sordid affairs, I suppose you're right. It's time to take things seriously."
Okay, so I hope I made it clear enough throughout the chapter, but just in case I didn't I'll explain when this particular chapter takes place during the main story. Lyra has so far gained the support of the Dwellers, Brightwall, the Mercenary Camp, and Major Swift. She spared Saker, obviously. Even though she's evil and sparing him was a good choice, I always felt an evil character would be more likely to actually get along with him during their alliance. Well, if you call throwing your weight around and cutting off his finger only to try and seduce him moments later as 'getting along'. Anyway, so yeah. This took place after getting Major Swift and Ben's support at Mourningwood Fort. Lyra went back to the camp for a little R&R and instead of hanging around at the sewer entrance, Walter was out looking for leads and whatnot before meeting up with her there. Okay, my need to explain everything thoroughly has been satisfied. Chapter 6 will be coming soon and we'll finally have another glimpse of our favorite little S.O.B. ;D