Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Title: Conviction
Chapter Two: Retrieval and Treason
Notes: Thank you for the review and follows! Happy Holidays!
Ian Harmon didn't doubt the mission to rescue Kay, she was strong, trusted and always good to have in a fight. She had saved his life more than once when he was new in the Läufer, and she was one of the few Ian could lean on when times got rough. The team had been able to enter the castle according to plan, they sneaked across a courtyard and killed the two guards posted at the side entrance. They hadn't even run into any patrols in the forests surrounding the property. Apparently the security had dropped to an even lower levels than estimated. While Ian appreciated that it made this portion of the mission simpler; he worried why Eric would have removed so many of his force at this time. Three more guards were dispatched quickly and they collected Kay into the fabric EVAC gurney sling. Kay's groans from being shifted around were muffled, hopefully a sign of her remaining strength and not fragility. Their only hiccup was running into a servant, lucky one sympathetic to their cause, she offered to led to group out. They avoided any further contact with guards inside of the castle. They got back the van and Mr. Calvert was waiting to patch up Kay, and they were off.
The van bumped along the road, the passengers not speaking as a pregnant silence enveloped them. The distance from the castle was metered out in small groans and the squeaks of the van springs. Everyone could smell blood, burnt flesh, antiseptic and herbs concentrated in the small space. In the light her wounds were visible and grotesque, Ian didn't know how she was still alive, much less how she could fight if needed. One eye was gone, with burnt flesh and blood where the eye once was. Bones at unnatural angles, flesh torn, teeth clenched together, her expression screaming agony; Ian could only hope that the woman he knew was still there. Layers of grime, blood caked dry and fresh spilt from reopened wounds covered her. Ian won't even know where to start. Calvert shoved a needle firmly in her arm and she passed out, quickly follow by hooking her up to a machine to monitor her breathing and heart rate. The beat seem to be quicker than it should be but Ian knew little about Gargoyle physiology. All told, he was just glad to hear that she was alive and to see her face looking less pain filled. Fighting for as long as they have, these individuals become family, more than just assets even if as a leader he had to treat them as such. Ian had sent her on the mission that resulted in her capture, his failure in identifying a low ranking mole had doomed her to this. The small victory of retrieving her felt gutted, and Ian knew the images in front of him would haunt his nights but could not look away.
Ian had called in his concerns about the lack of personnel in the French castle. Four days later there were still no signs as to where Eric and his people had gone; or what his plans entailed. Ian suspected that it was a grab for power either for a Key or an attempt on his father's life. Kay still wasn't awake, she had been kept unconscious, in a healing sleep. She had been cleaned up, wounds bandaged and bones set. The apothecary said that with enough time her eye would regrow- that would be the last physical wound to heal and could take months. Some of the smaller scrapes and cuts had already sealed and her skin had adopted all sorts of shades of blueish-black, red and a sickly fading yellow. Unspoken was the topic of mental wounds. Today they would wake her, and ask her if she could be counted on for the mission ahead.
Ian sat in the bedside chair and watched as the last of Kays bandages were removed and replaced. Calvert then took out a jar labeled Spirit of Hartshorn, a bottle of transparent yellow oil and mixed into a bowl of hot liquid. The smell of eucalyptus and ammonia rose in the steam, a funnel and hose was snapped to the top of the bowl to guide the steam towards Kay's face. After a few breathes, her nose wrinkled and head turned as she woke and the lids of her eyes drifted open. As the bowl was removed, Kay's eye scanned the room, taking in the surroundings. A glass of water was brought up to her lips, she didn't drink. She glared, then slowly took the glass into her own hand, weakly, before taking in a few mouthfuls. Mr. Calvert started talking telling Kay how long she was held in the dungeons and listing her injuries but Ian wasn't really listening. Instead he was watching Kay's body language.
An atypically graveled voice, Kay spoke up, "Thanks for patching me up Apples." Mr. Calvert smiled at the nickname, the first time Ian had seen the expression since loading Kay into the van. Kay then looked at Ian, "What's the next move? And hows the timeline?"
"I need to know a few things first." Ian replied his tone soft and concern evident.
"They didn't get shit out of me. I manipulated Eric more than he did me. All he got off of me was a reflection of his own beliefs, he doesn't even know I'm resistance." Coughing, followed by some sips of water broke-off Kay's report momentarily. "I convinced him I was working for Sean, gathering information that could be used to raise his status among the families. Eric's power grab will be soon. Sounds like he won't go after his father until he's secured power; that he'll pass blame to him for anything that goes wrong in the first steps. He may have said that to throw me off, in case I was able to get word to his brother but I don't think so. I think Eric may be headed to Portland, I would really like to be there and return some of his hospitality."
"Four months is a long time. Why didn't he kill you?"
"He would say it was because I was a challenge, I never broke enough to lose his interest. But I think it because I was one of the few people to show him genuine kindness." Ian looked confused at this so Kay continued. "His mother was quite cold, and most others only calculating for position. When we were kids and I was working in the kitchens, I would be the one to nurse Eric through illness. Or, when his father was drunk I, or Sean, would run interference."
"You did all that for him and he still tortured you?"
"Well, he's always been a little self-important sadist. Being protected, well he resented it. That he would need help from someone below him was, intolerable. Whether a kitchen slave or bastard half-breed, half-royal, half-brother."
"That's a lot of halves."
"Yes. But Eric was always fond of pointing them out now and when he was younger."
"Why did you protect him then?"
"He was younger then me and Sean. We just tried to shield him from it, not that we always could."
"Bet you regret bothering now."
Kay inhaled slowly and closed her eyes. "No. He may have chosen cruelty. But I can live with the choices I have made."
Ian took strength from the conversation, although the voice responding was weather-worn and her form still battered, the rock he knew was still there. Kay was never one for vengeance, if the situation called for violence she would make the deaths quick. "The next move is to Portland, the time-line is down to days now. Eric and the Verrat have taken out more of our people, if we don't move soon it may be too late. Eric and a load of his people have disappeared. And while I would love to heard he and his people crashed their fancy jet into a volcano or something... I'm not betting on being that lucky. You have about a week to be ready, and I'm not even sure what we'll be facing. Will you be ready?"
She got to her feet, slowly, her expression stone. Really, there was no way to know. But that didn't matter, there was only one answer; "Yes."
Renard was watching, waiting his patience and control wear thin. He should be investigating rumors that his brother was coming to Portland to over see collecting The Key himself. He had checked flights and passport activity; but really these were things that a Royal could get around with minor inconvenience. Instead of doing the things he needed to insure his plan were a success, instead of insuring he survived the next months, he was stalking Juliette. The potion the apothecary gave him would only insure he could not consummate an affair with her, or worst lose total control and rape her. The compulsion was so strong now that it was only that latter concern that had him continuing to take the vile concoction. If that was the way Nick found out about him, it would be Renard's body being fished from the river next. He really should have killed Adalind after the whole incident with Hank. Now was possibly the worst time to be distracted by an unwanted compulsion, for the girlfriend of a Grimm and detective in his department only made it more complicated. This wasn't love, it was obsession. Love would make him want to see her, with happiness. The obsession was like a drug he wanted, it make him feel good; but it was hollow, wrong and he couldn't stop. But that was the reason he was watching Juliette's house, hiding across the street in the bushes with binoculars, like some common creep.
It was from that view point that Renard saw the moving truck's rear door opened suddenly and spilled out a contingent of fourteen fighters; Eric's men, Verrat and Reapers. A force this large, Eric was undoubtedly in Portland. A quick blow to the back of Nick's head meant to stun not kill; and Nick was tossed into the truck. Renard took the plate number out of habit; he knew who had Nick but still the information could be useful. He had some time Eric would not kill Nick quickly. It was difficult to leave Juliette knowing she could be targeted next. The compulsion would allow it as Eric was now a danger to her as well; eliminating him as a threat would keep her safe.
Renard jogged off to his SUV, dialing in the station and assigning an officer to look for any information on the truck. Indicating that it was probably a rental, and to look for any other vehicles rented at the same time or my the same credit card. He was having GQR ships tracked; time to see how many ships were in Portland. Pulling out his tablet, there were two GQR ships at port, both docked within the last thirty-six hours. The second ship was newer and docked with the last twelve hours, it was also newer and thus more likely to be used by his brother. His phone rang, the van and two cars had been rented that morning under the same credit card. Eric was not used to hiding his activities that would cost him this time. He headed over to the port to check the vessels. Pulling dialing in a number into his phone as he drove off.
"C'est Moi, êtes-vous ici? (1)" After few moments of hearing the response, "Bon. Eric est ici aussi et il a l'Grimm éventuellement la Clé. Oui, Oui. Je le traque maintenant, il va falloir faire vite. Eric a apporté beaucoup d'hommes avec lui, je vais avoir besoin d'aide." Renard grimaces slightly at the response but then nods, "Ce serait préfet. Bonne chance." Renard then sent the vehicle information and plate numbers to his associates, outfitted with copies Portland Police squad cars and uniforms. To any officer in the area it would look like the cars were just outside of their precinct. Hopefully the cars and the occupants would be easy to pick off.
Renard parked a fair distance from the first ship he was going to investigate. His brother would assume Renard didn't know about his presence yet, best to keep it that way for as long as was prudent. He kept to the shadows and a with an unnatural silence advanced on the position. He was at the right ship, although he had suspected he had missed some resent development. The sight that greeted him was the sight of two of his brother's slightly slack-jawed sycophants apparently arguing with each other over which soccer team was better; rather then properly guarding the dock. There did not appear to be any security cameras in the area, at least Eric had taken that precaution. No one was watching from the deck and from the sporadic jeers that could faintly be heard Nick was most likely the focus of those on board. Hopefully he could hold out a little longer. Renard drew out two guns fitted with silencers in his leather gloved hands and waited for the start of the next jeer. The noise and the attention would insure he would be unobserved. At the precise moment Renard pounced with predatory brutality, firing into the skulls of two the oblivious henchmen. Deftly catching their collars, guns still in hand, and before their now hallow bodies could get halfway to the ground. He pulled, propelling the bodies back with him into the cover shadows.
As Renard deposited the bodies out of view, there was the sound of cautious footsteps approaching his position. He stood tall and seemed to sink into the shadow around him. Typically he was unnoticeable to humans or wessen that passed him within even a couple of feet. Instead about twenty yards away the figure stopped, looking directly at the area Renard stood in and produced a dark chuckle. This occurrence would have most men some level of panic. For Renard the reaction was hope, confirmed when the figure moved in close enough for Renard to recognize her. Renard retreated away from the ship and toward the figure.
"Hello, Sean" They met an deeply embraced. Then Sean pulled away and looked at Kay's mangled form before looking her in the eye.
"It's been too long, but there isn't time now. Nick's life and the Key are in jeopardy. I've taken out the only guards I could see down here. I'll board the ship unnoticed and gather some information. I might need you to get us out of there quickly. If I run my hand through my hair get us both out. If hold the back of my neck just get Nick out."
"I don't want to leave you on that boat."
"I'll only stay if completely necessary."
"Fine. Phillip is in a car on the other side of the river. I'll evacuate out across the water, it should slow or eliminate any chase. I'll get in the air, give be a least 5 minutes to get enough height before confronting him."
They split and quickly moved to make it to their positions. Renard boarded the ship directly behind Eric's ship; four minutes. From his view point he could make out some of the individuals on board, including Nick and his brother. Nick's wrists were bound behind him, and he was surrounded; three minutes left. He produced a quick report of the forces aboard, emailing it to Phillip. He would pass along the information; two minutes. He approached noticing a guard where the two boats were nearest, Renard waited for another jeer. Leaping an impressive distance and simultaneously shooting the guard in the back of the head; one minute. Renard landed soundlessly, and slowed the body as it fell to prevent any sound announcing his presence prematurely.
It was time. As one of the thugs raised his hand to land another blow to the battered Grimm, Renard's voice rang out cold, commanding and emotionless.
"STOP."
The thug lowered his hand out of surprise and training to follow the word of Royals as law. Eric looked up at the interloper, his nose broken and clothes splattered in blood. It was satisfying to know Nick had at least gotten in one good shot; but in this situation it would be unwise to point it out.
Eric's smiling was ugly and cruel, "Tisk-tisk. Didn't anyone teach you to wait until you're invited to the party, before making an appearance? Not that you're typically invited to any worth going to." The crowd tittered at this comment.
Nick through his blurred vision and the fog of his concussion was finally focusing on the new figure, recognizing Renard. He didn't hear any back-up. Nick fully believing that his Captain had no way to know what he was up against yelled out, "Captain, run!" To which Eric and crowd erupted into laughter.
"Oh, this is just too good." Eric taunted, switching his voice to a mocking imitation, "Captain! Captain! Run! Save yourself!" Again the laughter was repeated. Renard didn't interrupt or react, he exemplified stillness. He would even let Eric have the victory of revealing their relationship. While the information Eric was likely to reveal was problematic, at this point it was unavoidable. If Eric was gloating Renard could probably get the information he was looking for out of him.
Eric then faced Nick, "What are you worried about? That your dear Captain has stumbled across a situation that he can't possibly understand." The crowd silenced baited for the reveal.
"Poor boy, he knows more than you think." Eric said focusing in on Nick's face waiting for the reaction. "It's that right my brother? Well half-brother, half-breed, half-royal. He's a full bastard, though." Nick's disbelief was palpable.
Nick looked to his Captain, expecting, hoping to see confusion at Eric's statements. Renard's expression retained its cold mask as he calmly approaching his brother and Nick.
Renard decided to give Eric the rest of this small victory, and confirm Eric's implication.
"Eric, if you continue to beat the Grimm senseless he'll hardly be able to tell you where the Key is." Menacing laughter broke out again. Eric planned to cherish the expression this statement brought to Nick. Shock, betrayal, and seething rage. It was one thing to have anonymous Wessen attacking and plotting against you. To have a man he knows and trusts, correct that, trusted and apparently never knew; this betrayal shook Nick to his core. Nick renewed his struggles against his bonds.
"Don't worry brother, I've already taken the Key from him."
"Sure you have." Renard tittered. "It's well hidden, if it's even in Portland, there's no shame in not having it yet, little brother."
"Watch your tongue!" Eric raged. "I out rank you Bastard, your mother was no better than a whore!"
In his anger and gloating Eric never even considered that Renard could be searching for the location of the Key himself. Instead he decided to prove his victory. Prove his brother was inept, he was able to accomplish in one day what Sean couldn't in nearly two years. Prove that the families would follow him and that if Sean didn't fall in line he would be eliminated. Sean would bend his knee and bow, or he would be forced to.
"The Key is right here!" Eric declared, reaching into his pocket and finding nothing. He looked down in panic. Checking his other pockets and then the floor.
"Misplace something important?"
"You...You did this!"
Renard raised his eyebrow, "I have no idea what you are talking about." It was the truth, but in Eric's state he would interpret it as a taunt.
"That spayed hexenbiest is in league with you!" So Adalind was in town and apparently had the Key. Renard expected she was too angry for her plan to be to turn the key over him but Eric didn't need to know that. It was tempting to rub this in Eric face but with his victory taken and his pride hurt, he would be dangerous.
"She's hard to predict but I should be able to track her down." Renard placated. It didn't work, Eric turned at him.
"You will, and you will return the Key to me, do this and you will be given the opportunity to prove your usefulness. But not before a token show of loyalty." Eric demanded and Renard's eyes narrowed, nothing good would come from this.
Eric sauntered over to one of the Reapers and took his scythe. Eric deployed the blade and Renard remained still. "The Grimm you've been protecting him, against orders! You will cut off his head or you will not make it off this ship alive!"
The deck drew a surprise out of the those on deck, its not every day that a Prince is given such an ultimatum. From Nick the surprise was that the Captain was apparently in trouble for protecting him. Renard was not surprised, but he was grateful for Eric's mention of protection that could help in the coming days. Eric tossed the scythe toward Renard before instructing the guards to shoot him if he did anything stupid. Renard caught it in one hand, bringing the weapon to his side. Renard looked down at the vile thing, and ran a hand through his hair. Eric took this in with glee, seeing it as trepidation, uncertainty or fear; not as the signal for evacuation.
Renard waited for the sound off wings cutting through air as he approached Nick. Nick expression was the most uncomfortable Renard had ever held eye contact with; it bubbled defiance, rage, disappointment and betrayal. Renard much preferred the combination on his brother than Nick. Kay was within feet now, Renard dropped the scythe and lunged toward Nick. For a brief moment confusion swept the deck as it looked like Renard was hugging the Grimm. This was quickly followed with rage and gunfire as Kay swooped in grabbing the duo, chair included, off of the deck and out across the river. She kept it low and fast, the gun fire would not penetrate her wings or body; her passengers were safe. In moments they were across the river and out of sight.
The landing on the other side of the river was possibly the most ungraceful since she was first learning to fly. The load was too awkward and Kay was still to weak to heave the load upward and land on her feet carrying them. Kay attempted it without success. Nick was on the bottom of the pile with chair leg sticking out, those caught dirt first. Everyone tumbled and rolled to a stop. Nick noticed a black SUV pull up. Renard was the first to his feet, quickly followed by the wessen Nick was seeing for the first time. As far a wessen went her face was practically human. She was female but muscular and large perhaps as tall as Renard, with large wings, now tucked back, and tail. She was horribly scarred, with some of the injuries looking to be not fully healed, most noticeably she had missing eye. Renard said something in French to the driver of the SUV, the driver then seemed to relay this information to someone on his cellphone. Renard jogged toward Nick, pulling a pocket knife out. Nick glared at him and struggled.
"I'm just going cut off the ropes." Renard stated. Nick didn't trust him but he wanted the ropes off. He doubted Renard would stab him with the pocket knife, if he was planning to kill him the scythe would have been more effective.
The wessen, now transferred back to human form, righted Nick and the chair, to give them access to the bonds on his wrists. First Renard cut the binds on the legs, careful to stay out of prime striking distance before cutting the ropes holding Nick's hands back. Nick stood quickly, fists clenched but unsteady. Kay took the chair and tossed it an impressive distance back into the river.
"We need to get you to a hospital Nick." Renard said gesturing toward the passenger door. Nick responded by taking a swing at Renard, which he was able deflect with some effort.
"Nick I know I not your favorite person but Eric's men are coming this way right now. I would prefer they know as little as possible about where we are." Nick couldn't argue with that. Whatever Renard's manipulations he apparently wanted Nick alive, an improvement over Eric's plans. Besides that Nick doubted he had the strength left to stop himself from being forced into the car.
So when the wessen began to lightly guide Nick into the back seat he cooperated, just asking her, "What are you?"
The woman answered as she secured Nick's seat-belt, "A gargoyle."
Nick was in shock, he just sat there attempting to understand the events of the night. He was in no shape to pursue the Key. Before he knew it they were close to the hospital. The gargoyle helped Nick out of the SUV before it drove off and told him he would have to walk the rest of the way in; even gave a suggestion as to what to tell the nurses and police. She would watch to make sure he got in okay but would be out of sight. Nick couldn't even look at the Captain, he just limped off toward the hospital.
(1) "It's me are you here?" After few moments of hearing the response,"Good. Eric is here also and he has the Grimm possibly The Key. Yes, yes. I'm tracking him down now, we will have to move fast. Eric has brought alot of men with him, I'll need some help." Renard grimaces slightly at the response but then nods, "That would be prefect. Good luck."