V. Do You Trust Me?

29th Hunger Games, Day 8

"Do you trust me?" asked Kingsley.

About as much as I trust any Aurum, Regal thought. But I'll entertain your questioning, you just might have an interesting proposition.

"Why'd to ask?" Regal asked in return.

Kingsley smiled. "I just want to know where we stand, with each other," he replied.

"People asking me whether or not I trust normally detracts from what trust I did have in them, if any, and considering you an Aurum…"

"I know our families haven't always… gotten along… but that doesn't mean we cannot. Perhaps we could learn a thing from Two about District loyalty." Kingsley said, cutting Regal off.

"What are you suggesting?" Regal asked.

"The breaking is bound to happen soon, all of us left but two outliers remaining. Remarkable that it hasn't happened already."

If Kinglesy was right about anything (and he was not right about many things) he was right about that, it was remarkable that they hadn't yet turned on each other. It was probably down to the ever-strict and rigid Augusta of District Two insisting that they stick together until no outlier remained, of course, it helped that she was backed by her district partner and the Fours and that it was the plan of almost every pack. That did not stop such plans from falling through most of the time. Regal couldn't deny she had gotten to make work, their current state the very proof, but part of that could chalked up to the ineffectiveness of her opponents.

"Well, Augusta did insist," Regal noted.

"Many like Augusta had insisted before and not been as successful."

"She's kept us in line enough." Regal grumble. Prevented me from removing you. No way Aurum is winning - She whispered to herself.

"Indeed. Sometimes frustratingly. Not enough time for moments like this. A private conversation between district partners"

"I'm thankful for that in some ways."

Kingsley smiled. "The feeling is mutual. But sometimes we must put away our disagreements and work together."

"To remove others," Regal said.

"And now you beginning to understand me," Kingsley replied. "So, we start bumping off our allies, well former allies."

Regal could not be certain that Kingsley did not count herself among those he considered former, but still, no clandestine plot comes with a degree of risk. Yet, there was also a risk that was worth it and risk that was not. Which one was this?

"I have an even better, idea. We get them to do it for us. Turn the Twos and Fours against each other. Then we don't come out looking like traitors." Well I certainly won't

Kingsley laughed lightly. "No wonder you De Lougherys have been a thorn in our sides so long, your minds are sharp."

"Was that compliment?" Regal teased "And a sincere one at that."

"I can appreciate skill where I see it, even from one such as you," Kingsley replied. "But back to scheming, what did you have in mind?"

"Make Twos think betrayal is coming from the Fours, Make Fours think betrayal is coming from the Twos," Regal explained.

"And they accuse each other, and fight."

"And we slip away. And they none the wiser."

"And they dead."

"Leaving us to settle our scores, honourably''"

"We have a deal," Regal said, offering her hand.

"A deal," Kingsley said taking it. "I gather this does mean you trust me."

"Likewise."

Day 9

"Augusta, a word," Regal whispered. "In private."

"If you have something to say, you can say here. In the open." Augusta said without any care or discretion.

"Quiet, quiet, quiet." Regal urged. "It concerns the alliance."

"How so?" Augusta questioned.

"I have reason to believe that someone is planning on betraying us."

"How did you come by this information?" Augusta questioned further. "Why now?"

"We cannot have this discussion further whilst treacherous ears may be listening," Regal said gesturing over to Kingsley and Freyja.

"One of them? Are you sure?"

Regal nodded. "Do you trust me?"