(gdhsjjs I know. My poor baby why do it do this???)
Nico didn't breathe. Not as he watched Bel move. Not as the prince got up from his seat, not as he grabbed the handkerchief, not as Bel kneeled before him and wiped his eyes. He held it until their skin touched. His lips were quivering, a sob threatening to come out. Why was he doing this? Nick didn't deserve such kindness, not from Bel. He had put him through hell. He deserved his wrath and fury and yet here he was, taking care of him anyways.
Nico had to hold onto the chair arms. He could hear the wood crack with his grip. But if he left go of it he was going to touch Bel. He was going to hold him and crush him towards his chest. Skemthung he wasn't sure Bel wanted. So holding the arms of the chair was his best option.
Outside, Ambrose was crying softly. While he may have been a trained soldier he was preferably not one. He was the right hand man. He dealt with all internal affairs, Manoj sure the food was stocked and peace was kept. He dealt with any issues and created solutions to them. Ambrose was not as hard as the others.
He had heard this story once and only once. And only pieces from both of the men. They had never truly explained it. Even now, Nico hadn't gone into full detail of the abuse he suffered. What he had gathered before he had pieced together from both of the men. But this was so much more. And it was to much. To know nico had gone through that? He couldn't stop crying. He should have gotten then out sooner, fought harder, looked harder. He should have been able to do something.
(you 🤝 me)
(torturing our characters)
Bel could see Nico's firm restraint. He appreciates it greatly, but he knows that's not what either of them need. With the hand not occupied by the handkerchief, Bel carefully grabs Nico's wrist and removes it from its straining grip on the chair arm. "It's okay," he whispers. "I'm here." He wasn't sure if he would stay previously. He was almost positive as soon as he heard of his sibling's arrival that he would be off and on his way–this dreadful affair all put behind him, but–Nico's a damaged man. Bel tries to be an understanding one.
"That shouldn't have happened." But it did. "It won't happen again.*
Miran listens quietly, his face a facade of stone. Val and Treya give each other uneasy side eyes. Treya's face is sour, Val's neutral. None of the siblings know the man, nor the damage and abuse he had gone through. "I should've killed Ronan sooner," Miran announces quietly. He grits his teeth, the sound almost audible with the grind. Soon. Soon Miran's father will be dead and he'll have the throne and he can initiate the first steps necessary to heal the corrupted kingdom.
He looks to his sisters–both of them raised to be prejudiced towards mages and magic. Treya had been the most manipulated, which then mirrored in her own manipulative nature. She interned and apprenticed under many alchemists and apothecaries. She was made to brew a mage-massacring potion–something Miran's worked in secret to stall. Val has been the more reserved of the four siblings. He knows she studies the hidden histories and forbidden topics, but her own mind is hard to move when decided. Perhaps this could be the step to finally get all four of the heirs on the same page. They're going to need to cooperate if they want any hope to save Araniel.
(Bahaha)
Nico let out a shuddering breath as Bel slowly grabbed his wrist and picked it up off the chair arm. He hesitated for a moment, scared Bel was just playing with him. But at his words, Nico circled his arms around Bel and crushed him to his chest.
He was no longer sitting in the chair, having slid off of it. He was kneeling on the floor, holding Bel as tightly as the prince would allow him. He tears stained his shirt, his hair as he cried into the prince. "I'm sorry," he said, "I'm so sorry. I didn't- I shouldn't have lied." He still didn't understand why Bel wasn't mad at him, he wasn't leaving. It was what he deserved, to be left.
Ambrose took a minute to compose himself, swallowing the vomit rising in his throat. He took a few deep breaths before looking at Miran. "We've been trying to kill him ever since we got Nico out. He's a hard man to find and even harder to kill. Don't blame yourself. No one could have prevented this." They couldn't go back in time to change anything. There was nothing that coukd be done, nothing that could have been done. "Let's give them some more privacy. Let me take you to the prince's private tents. We'll get you some food and refreshments and some fresh clothes."
Bel grunts softly at the sudden crush, the force squeezing all the air from his lungs. He carefully wraps his hands around Nico's back, careful to not hold him too tight. He isn't sure how Nico would feel about physical contact. He's seen the marks lacing his back. Bel wanted to know all of his stories, but not like this. Not shaking and holding back sobs in a tent that doesn't belong to either of them.
The tables have been turned. Just the week before it had been Bel clinging to Nico as he sobbed for taking a life. Now it's Nico trembling and reminiscing on all the lives he's lost. Bel knows that Nico shouldn't have lied–especially after Bel had called him honest and trusted him with his life. But Bel understands where Nico is coming from–well, Bel could never truly understand, but Bel can clearly see the reason behind it all. What they had of their relationship had been incredibly damaged, but it was nothing that couldn't be healed.
"I know," Bel says softly. He can't reassure Nico that's it's all okay, because it's not. Things aren't okay, but they will be. "I'm not leaving." Not yet.
Miran stares at the other man, tilting his chin slightly. He gestures for him to lead the way, Miran falling into step at his side and his sisters following, still conversing in their made-up language. Miran knows they aren't listening, a good distance away for Miran to talk without being heard. Once knowing that he's out of earshot from Nicandros and his brother, Miran speaks. "I never worked with Ronan. Despite what my father believes." Miran huffs. "I only heard rumors from the captain of our guard. Ceveniere is… a brutal woman, but she's never done anything close to what Ronan was described." He almost laughs, instead releases a scoff and shake of his head. "Contrary to what you said earlier, perhaps you should all be jumping for joy. Even I didn't know the type of favor I was doing you all." The cruel part of Miran wishes he made Ronan's death a little longer, a little more satisfying. "There was a mage living and growing beneath his nose for twenty-five years right below his nose. Ronan died discovering that."
Nico didn't know how long he stayed there, kneeling on the ground with Bel in his arms. Time was nothing to him. He stay locked in his arms until well after his tears had dried. He didn't move an inch, kneeling with his shoulders curled and body deflated. He was a shell ofnthe man he had once been.
"Thank you," he whispered finally. "I don't- I don't deserve it but thank you." He finally pulled away, just far enough to look at Bel's face. He wasn't ready to leave his embrace fully. He moved one hand to cup Bel's cheek and neck. His thumb brushed over the blood that had dried kn his neck. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you. I'm sorry I broke my promise." Because he had promised to protect him. He promised not to let anyone ever hurt Bel again. And someone had. Nico had broken his promise.
Ambrose led the sibling silently through the camp. It was quiet now. Everyone was in their tents, sheltering in place. It was the safest option for the people and the siblings. Nico's tent wasn't any bigger or nice than anyone's else's. It sat in the very center of the camp, the safest place for it to be.
Entering the ten, it had three rooms. A sitting room and two separate bedrooms. Sometimes his friends stayed with him, crashing in the extra bed and the couch and even in his bed. It homey but masculine. There were nick knacks placed where he had found them over the years. Maps were spread out over a small table in the corner.
"Please sit, get comfortable."
Bel carefully shifts, allowing Nico to move freely. When Bel had been expecting Nico to pull fully away, the other man stopped and tenderly held his face. He can feel Nico's fingers swiping over the dried blood across his neck. He prays he won't have to tell Nico that they were self-caused. "Everyone deserves a second chance," Bel says softly. Even if Nico brutally blew his first chance, Bel's willing to extend an olive branch.
"No more secrets?" He asks, though it's a demand masked in a delicate request. "Please, no more lies." No more hiding, no more silent nights, no more concerned but unanswered stares–no more. Open. Bel wants Nico to be nothing but open with him. He knows that it's going to be hard, especially regarding Nico's past, but goddamn it, Bel's at least going to try. Maybe he isn't so ready to give up on them yet.
Miran ducks into the king's tent, disappointed to see that it's just like the last one he was in. Not even a little silver? A few gems? Call Miran full of himself, but even he couldn't live in such dreary conditions. He supposes the knick knacks are at least nice. He picks one up, studying the small figurine before returning it to the table, slightly off of where it belongs. Flicking his eyes to Ambrose, and then to the table, Miran takes a slow circle around it, noting where the maps depict and why they'll need them. Val and Treya take careful seats on the edge of the provided couch, their postures almost identical.
Nico placed the cloth to the side, his fingers gently brushing the scratches he saw on his neck. He remembered where the knife had been held to Bels neck and it hadn't been there. That's where he had placed his love marks. This was because of him, because of Nico. The realization almost had him whimpering. He never wanted Bek to think he had to get ride of them.
"No more secretes," he nodded in agreement. "Never again." There were still somethings he would omit if Bel didn't want to here it, like the severity of his torture. Even Nico didn't want to get into each detail of it. He had relived that horror too many times. He never wanted to go through it again. "Ask me anything you want to and I'll answer it. I promise."
Ambrose paused his lips as he saw Miran touch Nico's things but he didn't say anything. He didn't like it. He didn't want some stranger touching his king's things. "Nico prefers to live like the rest of us. We tried offering him a big tent, lots of furs and luxurious items to fill it with, he refused it all. He distributed it to those who needed it more than he did. Families and poorer people and such. We do our best to share our wealth around here. We have a good system here, it works well. We know it won't work for the entire of the kingdom once we get there, but we can cross that line when we get there."
Nico's touch has him shivering. He's gentle and careful. Bel knows that he know the reason for his scratches. Bel doesn't meet Nico's eyes. "I–" Bel had thousands of questions at some point. He had them all in a mental list, ready to spew off one by one by one. He wanted to get his answers, all of them. But he can't get his answers now–all of his questions have burned up in his mind. "I don't–"
There's one. There's one question that comes to mind and he knows the answer and he knows he'll sound terrible for asking but… "Was it all real?" The feelings, the kisses, the nights, the dinners, the love–
"How righteous," Miran drawls; Treya muffles a snort behind her hand. Of course Nicandros is the man to gift all his objects to the less fortunate. Miran's always been more of a gold giver himself. They can get what they need with gold. It's less easy to track than furs or jewelry. Miran finds a map that particularly catches his eye and lifts it. It's the village right outside Araniel's palace walls. Some of the alleyways are inaccurate, and the Dancing Dragon Tavern changed their name to the Violet Songbird Inn months ago. Moving past the small inaccuracies, everything behind the tall palace walls is blank. They've never been inside. There's never been an intruder that could break past Ceveneire's guard.
"Despite what you might think," Miran drops the map back to the table and faces the man. "Araniel's economy is doing very well by itself. The class issue is something I have to fix when I get into power, but trade underneath my father's rule has never been better." He pauses to make a face. "Gods, don't ever quote me on complimenting my father. Ever."
Nico was staring at the scratches, touching them gently. They were his fault after all. They both knew that. None of this would have happened if Nico had just been honest from the start. There had just been too much of it holding him. Too much trauma, too much fear. He should have never started this relationship. He knew better than that. The plan had been just to make friends and make Bel comfortable so he would give up the information they needed. This was never supposed to go this far. But you couldn't help who you loved and Nico had certainly fallen for Bel.
"All of it," Nico said, breathing heavily. "It was all real. I love you, Prince Belicoril, Bel. I love you." He only hoped Bel wouldn't break his heart. But even if he did, it would have all been worth it.
Ambrose just shrugged his shoulders. "He denied the things we gifted to him. He takes care of us. Anytime we try to repay him he denies it or gives it to someone else." The man never knew how to take a thank you. He thought he was a burden and that he had to do this, had to take care of all them or hell would break loose. He didn't need to. If one day he pulled the plug and said he was done, they would understand. But they all knew he never would, which made them love him even more.
He huffed a laugh. "What compliment? I heard nothing other than that the country is doing well financially. For the most part, at least." There were always citizens or towns that slipped through the cracks, it was inevitable. You couldn't help everyone.
Bel had been terrified for the answer. They promised no more lies. No more secrets–but then Nico speaks and Bel can't stop the laugh that escapes him. It's a joyful, giggling sort of thing that causes him to close his eyes and lean into Nico's touch. No more lies. Before he can stop himself, he's leaning forward, still in a loose embrace, Bel kisses Nico. It's a delicate, soft thing.
When he pulls away, he rests his forehead on Nico's, their noses nocked together. He smiles, the largest one he's had in days. "I love you too, Nico."
"The alliances we have with other kingdoms seem to be working at least," Miran notes, finding an open tent lap to look through. Call him nosy, but he at least likes to know what the tent he's being held in looks like. Helps pass the time. He looks to his sisters: Treya's busy tinkering with some assorted pieces f metal she keeps on her at all times. Val is reading some chart hung up on the wall. Miran wishes they would speak more. He wishes that they weren't forced to be so shut off at so young. "The means in which we obtained said alliances are less than admirable, but at least we have them. Blakkast is known for its mining. Their ores are much appreciated." Araniel is mostly valleys and fields, their main exports being crops and grains. The bakeries are fantastic–a sure spot for Miran to hit whenever he manages to get away from the palace and into the people.
Nico couldn't help but return the smile. Bel's laugh was contagious. Nico couldn't help but catch it. And then the prince was kissing him and he had never been more happy in his life. It was soft and gentle and Nico didn't push it any further. He was letting Bel take the lead here. He was taking a step back until further notice. He had to be careful how much he pushed. Too far and he would push Bel away again.
The kiss was over far to soon in Nico's opinion but what happened next made him forget that. Bel loved him. Bel loved him. He was laughing and smiling and he connected their lips one more time. He was shifting his body so he was sitting instead on kneeling. He cupped the side of Bel's neck gently. "I love you." He murmured against his lips. "So damn much."
Ambrose nodded at him. He had found a comfortable chair to sit down in as the siblings fiddled about in the tent. "All that matters is that you have them. This is war, even if it's a silent one. We do what we must to survive."
He gestured to the seat across from him. "Are you willing to negotiate now? I'm sure we can find away to appease both of us. And I promise I'm a lot easier to talk to than Nico can be." Ambrose had a feeling the two of then were going ti be occupied for a whole. Ambrose moght as well do what he can to help.
Feeling Nico smile against the kiss has Bel's stomach fluttering. He has to pull away again, just because of his increasing smile. "Gods," Bel whispers, pressing his lips to Nico's once, twice, and a third time. "Gods, I'm so glad." He moves his hands from Nico's back to his sides, holding his ribs and pulling him in closer.
The future that Bel swore was shattered is slowly piecing itself back together. It's nothing like he had expected. Instead of a small house and a garden there's a palace and a throne. There's magic now, which would've had Bel from a week ago scared beyond belief. Nico's a mage of sorts, and he's one that hasn't harmed Bel–at least not with any magic. Nico broke his promises, but the ones they've made won't be crossed. This is their second chance and Bel's determined to make it last.
"They've proven very valuable to the cause," Miran answers. Stopping his wandering to stare at the other man. "Excuse me, but I don't think I caught your name, sir? And I doubt we've been properly introduced." He takes a step forward, almost standing right over the other man. "Crown Prince Miranos Ristokirin." He extends a hand, consciously chilling it to an unnatural temperature. Perhaps if the fire mage knows that he's also one bearing magic, their negotiations might be simpler.
Now that Miran knows that Bel is safe and ready to go home with them, his temper should be cool. Without Bel's life on the line, he might be able to find a solution, but there's no guarantee that his stubbornness with yield.
Nico was slowly moving, slowly laying back on the ground and pulling Bel on top of him. He couldn't sit up. He had lost the energy to stay sitting. All he wanted was to lay with Bel in his arms. It's all he's wanted since he woke up. Well, there were other things Nico wanted as well. Nico vauled actions over words. Nico wanted to show how sorry he was. He wanted to show much he loved Bel. There was one way he knew how to truly do that in this moment. Not that he wasn't going to spend the rest of his life proving to Bel that he loved him. He would. Until he took his very last breath. But Bel was in charge of this not Nico. And that's why he pulled Bel on top, to dictate how far this went.
"I love you." He repeated. "I love you. I love you." He said the words after every kiss. He lips left Bel's only to kiss his cheek. To kiss the scratches on his neck, trying to soothe the hurt he had caused. "I swear to you, I will never lie to you again. I will tell you anything you want to know. No more secrets. I promise. I promise."
Ambrose looked at the hand that was extended in front of him. Looked at the hand then back up at the man it belonged to. He stood, because it was the polite thing to do, and shook his hand. "Ambrose Delaskis. It's good to properly meet you." Their first impressions of each other hadn't been the best. Ambrose hoped to rectify this.
"I did mean it when I said things were complicated. What will you do now? I'm not so sure Bel wants to leave." Amrbose lowered back down on the chair, again gesturing for the other man to sit with him.
While Nico is getting his fix in with his quantity of kisses, Bel leans to capture his lips in one long, slow, quality kiss that deepens as Bel sinks into it. "I love you," Bel says as he finally pulls away. "And I do; I love you so much, but we can't keep the others waiting." The time begins to press upon his shoulders. "Nico–Love, we have my family here who want me back in Araniel." Come back with me.
Miran sighs, rubbing his temples as he takes the offered seat. His sisters sit adjacent to him on the separate couch. He doesn't like talking about people that aren't in the room. It makes him feel gross, like nothing more than a cheap gossip. "Stop making decisions for my brother. He's not even here and he's perfectly capable of making his own decisions." Another pointed huff. He knows Bel wouldn't choose a man he just met over his family. Over his kingdom. If this had been four years prior, there would be no question in who Bel would go with. The four of them had been inseparable–and then Valera was sold. Two years later, Treya was forced out as well. Miran had a hand in their departure, but only one that would ensure their best treatment. The situation would be far worse if he didn't interfere.
Nico grinned as he felt Bel sink into the kiss. A long, compassionate kiss. He poured all of his love, all of his apologies into it. His hands traveled from his face down to his hips, grabbing onto the skin. He was very happy until Bel pulled away. He thunked his head dramatically against the ground at Bel's words. He knew he was right but he didn't have to like it. "Are you sure we can't keep them waiting? Ambrose can entertain them for a little while." Nico's annoyed expression turned tight. Leave. Go to Araniel with Bel. He sat back up, holding the prince in his lap still.
He had to be honest. He had promised he would be. "We're not ready to stage an attack on the palace, not without gaining the information we need." Information that Bel and his siblings possessed. Something Nico needed desperately and something he wouldn't ask for. "And I won't go there unless it's to kill the king. He's the reason my mother is dead, my family is dead. I can't-" He cut himself off for a moment. "Besides, you're brother and I don't see eye to eye. We both want the throne. We were both promised a crown. I'm not sure how well this is going to go."
Ambrose raised his hands up in defense. "Alright, fine. Let's talk about you then. Let's talk about your decisions. What are you going to do now?" Bel was in love with Nico. Nico was in love with Bel. Neither of them would want to leave the other. What was this prince going to do when Bel didn't leave Nico behind? When the prince insisted staying with the man or taking Nico with them? He supposed they were going to find out soon enough. A couple of women walked into the tent carrying trays of food. They were set down on the small table as Ambrose gestured for them to, then the left the tent. "Eat, please. I would be a bad host if I didn't offer you food."
Bel smiles a little bit at Nico's theatrics, but despite their mutual resentment for the upcoming conversation, Bel knows that it's unavoidable. They have to do it eventually. "I'd love to stay here with you for hours, but I'm afraid we have to." He leans back, his arms still hooked around Nico's back as he sits up. "No, love, we don't have to storm the palace with an army. You have me and you have my family."
"I know my way around the palace and my relations there are tight. Miran knows the army–he's been in it since he was twelve. Val and Treya know our foreign relations–I'm sure that their secondary kingdoms will favor them over my father." Bel's eyes gleam with the ideas. "We don't have to go back to Araniel yet. We're much closer to Blakkast–I'm sure my cousin will happily help us on our endeavor. I could tell she's always had a hatred for my father." Perhaps even Tacia in Irgeven will be able to help–they're well known for their inventions and telescopes. Bel doesn't know how the quarrel over the crown will go, but hopefully with time, Nico and Miran will be able to reach an agreement.
"We're heading for Blakkast next. Our uncle just recently passed and our cousin ascended the throne. She's much more… liberal than her father, more likely to listen to our cause. She terminated the alliance between Blakkast and our father, but that doesn't mean she's cut ties with us." Miran folds his arms and sits up, his legs naturally spread to take up as much room on the chair as possible.
He slightly jolts when the women with food appear. "I'm not too hungry," he says as calmly as he can. He nods for his sisters to take what they need. They choose a bare minimum of offered snacks, quickly consuming them and returning to their rigid postures as they watch the exchange.
Nico rests his forehead against Bel's, sighing softly as he closed his eyes. He just wanted to stay right there. He wanted to be alone with Bel for eternity if he could have it. But alas, they couldn't. Back on the road, how wonderful. Though perhaps their means of traveling wasn't the same as he means. Nico's was taking back roads and cutting through forests. His was sleeping under the stars and on the hard ground. Something Bel hadn't been used to until Nico had taken him.
He finally opened his eyes and pulled back just enough to look at his face. he placed a soft hand on Bel's cheek, the rough calluses on his hand a sharp contrast to the smooth skin of the prince's cheek. There was a sort of sadness that seeped into Nico as he came to a realization. Bel was all for helping Nico kill his father. A part of Bel wanted his father dead. His father, the king. The man that had raised Bel. It saddened him that this was what it had come to. He wanted Bel to love his father. That was his father after all. But in the end, Nico was going to kill the man either way. "Alright," he finally gave in. "Let's go talk to your siblings. Let's make a plan. But let me tell you this, you're spending tonight with me. We're never spending another night apart, do you understand me? Even when we're mad."
Ambrose nodded his head. He looked at a map on the table. The prince was right, he had known that before he even looked at the map. It just gave him a few extra seconds to think. "And we would like to join you. Nico will want to come, of course. I doubt he's going to let Bel out of his sight. And the two of you have some more talking to do, I think." About the crown. "But first thing first is getting rid of your father. So far, we have been silent. We've been quietly interrupting your father's troops and supply chains. We haven't done anything too big. I think it's time to change that. it's time to go to war."
The weight of what he's gotten himself into begins to physically make Bel sag. His father. He's helping kill his father– Even thought the king had never been forwardly cruel to Bel, he certainly made up for it with the genocide of mages amf rapid propaganda seeping throughout the kingdom. Ronan is only an example of who his father could be employing. With a swallow, any remnants of Bels smile falls. Will he actually be able to do this?
At least he won't be alone. He's sure Nico will sew their skins together if it means staying with Bel longer. A small smile manages to return as he presses another brief kiss to Nico's lips. "I look forward to tonight, then." Carefully, Bel stands and offers Nico a hand. Frankly, they both look like shit, but that's hopefully nothing a good nights rest won't be able to solve. "Let's go speak with my siblings."
"I'm happy as long as the four of us are together," Miran says firmly. "And trust me. I've noticed your pestering attacks. They don't do much damage other than a headache for me and the generals involved. If you want a surefire way to kill my father, you'll need someone to let you in. There's no getting past Ceveneire's guards. Your incomplete maps only prove that."
Treya's eyebrows furrow over her panicked expression. "I didn't agree to patricide, Miran. I agreed to rescuing Bel–"
"It's better this way, Treya," Miran firmly interrupts, sending the youngest of the family a we'll talk later look.
Nico took the hand that was extended to him even if he didn't actually use Bel to stand up. The hand was just to be nice. If he had used his full weight to pull himself up, they would have ended right back up with Bel lying on top of him. He was likely too heavy for Bel to fully support. Once he was standing, he pressed a small kiss to his forehead. "It's going to be okay, Bel. We're going to get through this together." He would make sure of it. He wasn't letting anything ruin their happiness now that they had found it.
Keep his arm around Bel, he guided him out the tent and on the way back to his own. It was still quiet outside, everyone still in their tents. It would remain that way until Nico said otherwise. Hopefully it wouldn't take too long, dinner would be in a couple of hours. He would hear from it from several people if they didn't get it just about on time.
Ambros watched the siblings quietly, taking in their exchange. He picked at the food that had been placed down so the others would feel more comfortable to eat. "Please, eat. There's no need for formalities here. No one is watching you or judging you. Eat as much s you would like."
He was about to say more when Nico walked into the tent with Bel.
The two of them enter the tent to find Bel's siblings and Ambrose sitting around a table. There's food set out, but Bel knows that none of his siblings have taken from it, at least no more than the bare minimum. "Afternoon," Bel greets quietly, moving from his place at Nico's side to get towards the couch. His sisters instinctively scoot in opposite directions, leaving an open spot for Bel in the middle. He shoots Nico an apologetic glance and a shrug.
"Bel," Miran's deep voice addresses his brother. "We're leaving for Blakkast soon. Ambrose has told me that he and Nicandros would like to follow. Sella should offer plenty of resources for us to use."
Bel lights up in his seat. "I was thinking of that–" It's amazing how Bel and his siblings operate on the same wavelength. To Bel's left, Treya suddenly stands, pinching her nose, and Miran materializes a handkerchief. She takes it quickly and presses it to her face. Her nose is bleeding.
"Im sorry," she says without genuinity. "I'm sensitive to changes in the climate." Those changes being magic levels. Too much causes her to grow nauseated and her nose to bleed. Bel watches her with rapt concern, but she waves him off, disappearing into the background with a handkerchief held to her bloody nose.
Nico squeezed his shoulder before Bel parted from his side. He gave him a look that said don't worry about it. As much as Nico wanted to hog his attention, he knew Bel needed to spend some time with his family. When they finished speaking, he planned to leave the tent to allow the siblings time to catch up in private. Nico had things to do anyway. He needed to soothe his people and let them know he was alright. He needed to update them on what was going on. He didn't keep many things from them.
Nico's face drew in concern as one of the sister's noses started to bleed. He gave Miran a questioning look, something he would ask about later with less company. He could tell it was likely a sensitive topic. He kept one eye on the sister. Despite their loyalty to Bel, he wasn't completely assured none of them would try to kill Nico just yet. It was still entirely a possibility.
He crossed the tent and took a seat in a chair. It was simple but the cushions gave a nice comfort as he settled in. "We will travel with you if you'll have us. But I'm nervous about leaving my people here. I've already been gone for so long, leaving on such short notice will leave them on edge. And things are getting more dangerous. Hell, you found us. They don't like that. No one has found us before. They're scared."
Val slowly lays her head on Bel's shoulder, her hand quietly finding Bel's to squeeze. She has been silent for the entire stay here in the camp, New surroundings and unfamiliar people often causing her to bite her tongue. She's no idiot, she can taste the magic swarming the air. Luckily, she doesn't have the same reaction as Treya to the change, but she's not blind to it. There's at least two mages in the room–Ambrose the fire and Nicandros the air. She can only confirm what she has seen.
Her pride swells slightly at the idea of being the first to discover the fortified settlement. Her tracking skills have only grown stronger over the years. She had Bel's bracelet and a general direction. While Miran dealt with some bleeding soldier, putting him out of his misery, Val had been studying the map. This was the best bet, and Val's bets always win.
"This belongs to you," she says very quietly, handing Bel his sapphire bracelet. "It's how we found you." Bel's eyes go wide as he accepts the bracelet. He smiles and Val wishes she could spend more time with her brother. He's always been less of a headache than the others.
Miran gruffs, steepling his fingers beneath his nose. "I don't know how much longer you'd like to stay here, but we best be on our way to Blakkast as soon as possible. Sella is the new queen, her advisors would want her to make her first decree very soon." Vals been the only one in the family to even bother keeping in touch with Sella. Her father was much like Vals, except the Blakkast King at least died. Miran continues. "We can lay low there, figure out a plan instead of charging with an entire army on Araniel."
Nico smiled softly as he watched the siblings. He was happy Bel had been reunited even if it wasn't under the best circumstances. It could have certainly be a lot worse circumstances however. And with Miran hating his father, well it would be easier to come to an agreement with him rather than try to convince him of his father's treachery. Except now he had to deal with Miran's own desire for the throne. That was an entirely new issue he hadn't thought about. But he had no means to kill him. He was already going to kill their father. He wanted no more of their blood on his hands.
Nico nodded. "Of course, I'm not saying let's charge the castle right away. We need allies, we need a plan. And a backup plan if anything goes wrong. But how long until your father realizes what you've done? What you've all done? What then?" It was an important question to ask. He needed to know how to king would react to all of his children turning against him. That would give him a bit of a better timeliness of when they needed to be war ready.
He had already decided that, with permission of the queen of course, he was going ti move his camp into Blakkast. He would sent out a message to his other Lisais people to pull back, those that aren't under cover at least. He would combine their camps into one larger one out of Araniel territory. It would be easier to strategize when he had all of his soldiers and generals in one place. It would be easier to send out soldiers without having to rely on a messenger raven to get there in time.
"My father believes I'm still in Cobrass," Val speaks up quietly. Bel squeezes her hand. She's never been the best at speaking up in a room of strangers. After a pause, she continues. "I'm supposed to be there until the solstice, and then he expects me and Treya to be home for the annual celebration." Miran had written to her personally and sent the fastest messenger hawk to her location. Val bid goodbye to her lavender husband and disappeared on her horse in the dead of night–meeting Miran in secret in the stables of the palace. She had agreed to save Bel, but now Valera's gotten herself neck-deep in a muddy coup.
"And it's not unusual for me to be gone for months at a time," Miran adds. "We have until the solstice until he realizes that we're conspiring. It'll be wise to send a letter to Tacia in Irgeven to reassure her that Bel will be fine. We don't need her alerting our father of Bel's absence from his secondary kingdom." Bel wasn't expected to be home for the solstice in three months, the amount of travelling tedious and tiring. "It'll take only a week to travel to Blakkast. If you have a messenger hawk, I'll alert her of our presence ahead of time." He pauses to bite along the inside of his lip. "And the only time our father will learn of our conspiracy is when he's on his dying bed. Thirteen years ago, I began plotting my ascension to the throne. My father's too engrossed with his own reflection to pay much attention to the warning signs."
Nico turned to look at Amrbrose, almost as if they were communicating silently. They weren't of course, but they knew each other very well and knew how to talk through their expressions to one another. Do you think we can be ready in three months? Even with allies, it took time to plan wars. Ncio wanted to make this fast and quick. He didn't want to drag this out. The people had suffered more than enough. He didn't want to through them into a war where they only lost more loved ones.
Three months isn't a lot of time. But we've been ready for a long time. We can do it. Ambrose reassured Nico. The latter nodded his head. They would need to start now. As soon as he left this tent he would start preparing.
Send out the messenger hawks. Pull everyone back. He would have time to get the permission he needed to cart his people across the border. He didn't have time to wait for permission before pulling everyone back. It would take an extra couple of weeks for some of his people to make it to the border. He wasn't risking anyone's lives until it was time to move.
"I'll bring you to our messenger hawks whenever you're ready," Ambrose spoke, standing. Time was of the essence. He needed to get those messages out now. Nico looked up Miran. "We'll leave in three days. It'll give my people time to pack their tents and get ready to move. I would like to ask your cousin's permission to bring my people with us. All of them. We'll need every hand we can get." Those undercover would stay in their positions. But those that weren't, it was time to pull then out.
