Quirin was furious and terrified, and just a little bit hopeful. He was so close to getting his son back, but they couldn't get sloppy. They needed to be careful and stick to the plan. Quirin was just glad that they had come up with a very rough plan before setting off with the Warden, because since setting off with her they hadn't been able to talk.
Quirin didn't know if she would recognize his voice, but he didn't want to take the chance. Besides, the Warden saw him and Lance as nameless, faceless guards right now, which meant that they needed to remain voiceless as well or else they'd attract suspicion and unwanted attention.
Quirin wanted to ease his nerves by double-checking that Lance knew what his part of the plan was, and that Eugene kept his nerves about him, but he couldn't say a word. He had to trust them.
As they came closer to their destination Quirin mentally went over their small plan. First, with Eugene's help, Quirin would get his son away from the others. Partially he just wanted to have the chance to hold his son in his arms. Beyond that, they wanted to get the boy to safety before the chaos really began.
While Quirin and Eugene were with Varian, Lance would return Hector's whistle to him. This was where the plan could go so wrong. It didn't exactly rely on chance, but there were elements of uncertainty there. They hadn't seen Hector's rhino since they had left Lady Arina's home. It had desperately wanted to follow them, but Quirin had told it and Hamuel to stay out of sight.
Quirin didn't understand how a massive rhino and the clumsiest bird in existence could be stealthy, but they managed it. Hector and Edmund, who were so much like their animals, had trained them well.
Quirin didn't know for sure if the animals were actually around and just staying out of sight like he'd asked, or if they had stayed behind completely, but he trusted that they were there somewhere, just like he trusted his brothers. Quirin truly believed that when Lance gave Hector the whistle, and his brother called out to his rhino, it would come.
A single rhino may not be able to tear this compound to the ground, but it certainly made it easier.
If this plan didn't work, they had a backup. One that was arguably more reliable, more destructively efficient, and certainly sent a much more clear message. However, the backup plan involved Eugene truly wielding the moonstone and all its power, and he wasn't quite ready for that yet. Eugene accepted the moon's comfort, but he was still getting used to it. He was still afraid of the moon.
And that was okay. They had time. The moon was patient. It knew how to work with imperfect souls and pull out their strengths that even they may not feel that they had. Quirin knew that the moon could work with somebody who was so afraid, but it was still better if its servants were willing and open.
They would have to use the moonstone if they fought against the kingdom of Corona, but to just get out of the compound they could afford for the opal to be a last resort.
They began to approach the compound around dawn. It was an odd feeling. Quirin felt like he was returning to both his prison and his home, because that was what this place truly was. Quirin had been through so much torture and pain here. He and his family had suffered so much, but they'd done so as a family.
His brothers. His sister. His son. They were his world., and he longed to be with them again. Did he wish it was under different circumstances, and that they never had to be here? Absolutely? But Quirin would rather suffer with his family in hell than be in heaven by himself.
Quirin took several deep breaths as they followed the Warden into the compound. There was already a crowd of slaves gathered, but not for breakfast. They were near the platform. A presentation Quirin just hoped that this gathering was so the Warden could talk and strike fear into the hearts of people.
She didn't often give presentations that didn't involve torture, but there were rare exceptions. Maybe the Warden would be so distracted with Eugene that she wouldn't pay any attention to the slaves themselves.
Quirin found himself appreciative of the mask that he was wearing. While Eugene had play a very specific role while the Warden was watching him, Quirin could fade into the back and look out over the crowd.
He immediately found his son, and it took everything he had to not run to pull him close and protect him. He had to wait for just a moment more. In the meantime, he just looked at his son and took in his appearance.
The boy looked uninjured, thank the moon for that. The boy looked tired and scared, and Quirin despised the resigned fear that definitely didn't belong in the boy's eyes. He was both taller and skinnier than he used to be, but it wasn't nearly as bad as Quirin had feared.
Right behind Varian stood Hector, with Adira and Edmund not far behind. While Varian had changed so much in the span of just a few months, his siblings all looked the same as they'd been twenty five years ago. Edmund still looked like he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, but there was hope in his eyes. Adira looked as proud and protective as ever. As for Hector, his posture indicated that he was hurt, but that was nothing new. It was clear that Hector was still unwilling to go down without a fight.
It was both a relief and a burden to know that his siblings were still the same people that they'd been after all these years.
Quirin didn't really pay attention to what the Warden was saying. He only focused again when he saw Eugene look back towards him, a stubborn fire in his eyes. It was time.
Eugene said that he intended to speak with Varian. The Warden didn't think twice about the request. Eugene wouldn't be the first noble visitor who apparently wanted the chance to punish somebody with his own hands.
Quirin walked off the platform and made his way towards his son. Because everybody saw his disguise and assumed that he was a guard, nobody tried to stop him. Unfortunately, his current outfit also meant that Varian didn't know who he was either. For the first time since his birth, Varian looked at him like he was a threat. It broke Quirin's heart.
The boy started panicking. Quirin couldn't help but falter slightly in his steps. Varian had been nervous and uncomfortable around him before, but he'd never truly been scared for his safety, and Quirin felt like he was a failure for making his son feel this way.
It was only the knowledge that if he hesitated then the Warden would take matters into her own hands that spurred Quirin on. He advanced to his son and gently grabbed his arm in a way that he knew would look much harsher than it truly was.
Quirin desperately wanted to embrace his son, but he had to hold back just for a few more minutes. He couldn't hold him yet, but he couldn't help but comfort his son.
"It's okay." Quirin whispered almost inaudibly into his son's ear. Varian froze. "I'd never hurt you, and nobody's going to hurt you again. Not if there's anything I can do about it."
Varian slowly turned and looked at him, staring at his face critically even though he couldn't really see him. Quirin hated to take advantage of his son's confusion, but they needed to move forward.
Quirin pulled Varian back towards Eugene. The boy didn't fight him. He was too busy staring at Quirin in disbelief. He'd probably recognized Quirin's voice, and was trying to come up with any other plausible explanation, because he didn't want to get his hopes up.
Varian was such a smart boy. He deserved the world, and Quirin swore that he was going to give it to him.
The Warden told them that they could go to the main building. Quirin hated being there, because this building only meant pain and suffering. No slave was brought here for anything good.
Eugene lingered behind for a minute to reach out to Andrew, just like they'd planned. Quirin and Varian continued to the main building. As soon as they were inside Quirin let go of Varian's arm, trusting that his son's self-preservation would be enough to keep him from running away.
Quirin quickly searched through the building, making sure that nobody else was there to listen in and interrupt their conversation. By the time Eugene had caught up with them Quirin was sure that they had privacy.
Varian had stayed where Quirin had left him. The only movement he'd made was to look towards the branding room and rub the back of his hand. Quirin felt a pang in his chest. He'd been so worried about his son, but he'd been trying to ignore the fact that his son was branded. He would be physically scarred for the rest of his life. The boy didn't deserve that.
Like Quirin, Eugene's gaze was on the back of Varian's hand. Eugene looked horrified to see that the boy was branded like that. Eugene took a deep breath and looked at Quirin. "Is it safe?"
"We're alone." Quirin said. Varian gasped and stared at Quirin in disbelief and very slight hope. Quirin didn't want to keep his son waiting.
Quirin took his mask off. He barely had time to drop it from his hands before he was catching his son, who had launched himself at him.
"I knew it!" Varian sobbed and clung to him tightly. Quirin pulled him close, swearing to never let him go again. "I-I heard your voice, and I knew it had to be you, but I couldn't…I couldn't believe it. What…how…?" Varian cut himself off with a whimper as he buried his face in Quirin's chest. "I'm sorry, Daddy, I'm so sorry."
Quirin hushed him and ran a hand through his boy's hair. "Don't apologize. Don't you dare. You have nothing to apologize for.
"You were just trying to protect me." Varian whimpered. "I didn't listen. I should have listened.
"It's okay." Quirin said. He'd never truly been mad at his son for looking for answers. That was who his son was. He couldn't be mad at him for it. "I never wanted this lift for you. I'm just glad you're okay."
They held onto each other for a long minute before Varian pulled away to look at him. "How did you get out?"
"You can thank Eugene for that." Quirin gave his prince an appreciative smile. The young man was just standing there, giving them space and letting them have a moment. When Quirin mentioned Eugene Varian jumped and drew closer to his dad. He seemed to have forgotten that Eugene was there at all.
"What are you doing here?" Varian asked. He sounded like he was trying to be stern and angry, but he sounded scared. Eugene looked a little pained that Varian could ever be afraid of him, but he wasn't mad.
"Hey, kid." Eugene knelt on the ground to bring himself closer to Varian's level. "I know you have no reason to trust me, but I'm here to help you. All of you."
"Why?" Varian asked suspiciously.
Eugene held up his ungloved hand, and Varian's eyes went to the brand. "Because I'm one of you. Your fate should be the same as mine."
Quirin gave Varian's shoulder a squeeze. "You've met my siblings. It's about time that you properly get to know your cousin."
Varian looked between Quirin and Eugene. "Not…that's not Horace, is it?"
"It is." Quirin said.
"Then…then why…?" Varian still looked hurt and just a little bit betrayed.
"I didn't know." Eugene said. "I couldn't remember any of this. I've been doing what I could from the moment I learned the truth." Quirin had seen that much for himself. As far as he was concerned, Eugene had more than proven his loyalty to their family and kingdom. Varian hadn't had the chance to see that side of Eugene.
Varian would see in time.. They all would, and then their family would be whole for the first time in far too long.
They heard a roar from outside. Quirin smiled. It was finally happening. They would be tearing down this compound, stopping the Warden, and finally fighting for the freedom that had been taken from them.
Eugene looked equal parts relieved and shocked. They hadn't seen any sign of Hector's rhino, and Eugene hadn't truly believed that it would hear the call. Their plan had worked. Now it was up to the slaves to fight for themselves.
Quirin wanted to be out there, reuniting with and fighting alongside his siblings. He couldn't bring himself to leave his son's side though. Varian was strong, yes, but he was still just a child, and Quirin couldn't in good conscience let his son anywhere near that chaos.
The time where it would be unavoidable for Varian to fight would come, but today just couldn't be that day.
Right now was the time for the Brotherhood and noble Saporians to reclaim their dignity and lives. Tomorrow they would move on to knock Corona down a few notches and begin to rebuild. That was when the fight truly began, and it couldn't happen a moment too soon.