We Save Eachother

Disclaimer: If you recognize it then I don't own it.

A/N: For Whumptober 2023 #6 "Do or die, you'll never make me; Because the world will never take my heart." Made to Watch

"Stop!" Isabeau shouted out her orders. "Stop hurting him already. Leave."

The drunken wildman had found them outside the safety of the walls, her husband had told the two to stay inside of them while he was away. They had only gone so far as to be in the woods near the Navarre Estate, where their little found family now lived together. Etienne's newly reinstated position as captain took him away from them at times. Isabeau and Philippe had been enjoying the spring air. The short-haired lady had outstretched her arms, racing her adopted little brother through the newly green meadow and budding trees back to their home, after a peaceful afternoon out in the sunshine. Even in the warm secure arms of the man she loved, the winter had been cold and long, making her feel like a caged bird. She had missed flying. Mouse's laughter chased behind her as they ran without a care in the world. She had won their impromptu race. When she reached the door she turned to gloat and found him missing. She called his name, but he didn't answer. She ran back down to the tree line in search of her friend.

She found him among the trees' shadows. He was no longer laughing. A man held him tight with a wicked-looking knife to his throat. The blade was held so tight against his skin he couldn't speak a word of his nervous babbling she could see swirling behind his large scared eyes. With Mouse in so bad a spot, she could do nothing but go along with the man's bidding when he demanded she take him to their riches.

Greedy eyes searched every inch of their home, tainting it with just his look. He ordered Philippe to tie her up, eyeing the lady of the house with the same look he did with the gold and jewels. Mouse hesitated not wanting to place her in a more vulnerable position. The man did not hesitate to increase his pressure until blood ran down his captive's neck. Yelping in pain, frightened dark eyes meet her own. She nodded stoicly giving him permission to tie her hands and feet. She had been through much in the last few years and she knew she could endure much more but she did not intend to see her dear friend be killed before her.

Once she was secured, Mouse's hands shook so greatly the first time the man hit him and made him redo the knots, the man viciously tied up Phillipe as well. When the boy's mouth inevitably started to run the man had taken great pleasure with his fists to shut him up before using a dirty cloth as a gag. Grubby hands ran over every perceived treasure as the man muttered to himself about his own genius at obtaining it so easily. Between each new shiny object thrown into a sack, he would stop and stare at Philippe like he recognized him somehow but couldn't quite place how.

Realization broke through the man's drunken stupor as he abandoned his bag on the ground with an enraged roar. Lifting the vulnerable boy up he threw him across the floor. She screamed in alarm and fear as the man proceeded to rain his fists down upon him. Isabeau felt the blood run down her wrist as she fought her bindings.

A manic gleam shone in the man's dark eyes. "Leave? Why would I leave? We're all having so much fun here."

"Why? You got what you wanted. Please just leave." She begged not liking the dazzed look in her friend's brown eyes. She didn't know why this thief was beating up her own beloved one. It felt personal but Mouse had shown no recollection of the man or more fear than one would feel at a violent armed stranger.

"I'll only get what I really want when he has felt my pain," The man's foot shot out in a brutal kick, "All of it."

Mouse had gone limp at this point. Muffled cries of pain no longer sounded from behind his gag. He looked dead already.

"You're going to kill him!"

"Good."

"What could he have done to you that could have been so bad?"

"He was born."

How she wished she had the talons and sharp beak of the hawk to free herself or better yet to pluck the monster's eyes out.

He pulled out his knife once more, looming menacingly over the still form. "I will kill him for what he is, a murderer."

The man was distracted by his revenge so soon to be fully realized. Isabeau pulled her hands out of the slippery rope and quickly yanked the others off her feet. With an enraged shriek, she threw herself at the armed man. Raking her nails across his face and neck, she felt his blood mix with her own upon her skin. She could do more in her human form than as a bird but she was still a woman against a man. His strength outdid her own and he was armed and she was not. He quickly threw her off, sending her across the floor like he had done to Philippe. Stalking over to her he yanked her up by her short locks of hair.

"He killed the woman I loved," He spat down at her, the lust back in his eyes. "I've drank heavily for years trying to forget her face, but I can never really forget. A woman is hard to forget." He ran his dirty fingers down her face.

"Etienne," The cry for her husband came unbidden to her lips.

"It's been so long since I've been with a woman," He reached out to her, his intent clear when a crossbow bolt to his back stopped him.

Behind them stood her rescuer. Bruised and bloody, Philippe silently stood swaying on his feet. Her husband's large crossbow now unloaded hung down in one hand and the other held up the man's bloody knife.

"You look just like her," The man staggered towards Philippe, collapsing in a pool of his own blood before reaching him, "You killed your own mother, and now your father too."