Romulus just looked at her, before slowly standing. He towered over her, looking down at her with those piercing blue eyes, his face a completely neutral mask.
He finally turned and stepped back to his desk. "Lear."
The Lieutenant appeared at the door from nowhere, like smoke on the wind. "My Prince."
"Escort Elia to her tent. It's late."
Lear looked at her, before stepping to the side to hold the tent flap open. "This way, friend."
Elia watched as he stood, anxiety riding up in her but she forced her face to remain neutral. What would he do now? Would he kill her for this? She didn't believe she had asked anything absurd. He wanted her to walk straight into the lion's den. A title could only do her so much protection. And she didn't know him, she didn't trust his word she would be safe. She needed a guarantee. A blood oath would do that for her.
She turned her head as Lear entered the room. She gave one last look to the prince. "Sleep well, Highness."
She stepped out of the tent in front of Lear. "If I die, let it be known you inherit all of my books."
Lear frowned at her. "You're not going to die. You're going back to your tent, where you can sleep if you like. Or not. It's your call." They reached her tent, and he paused. "Can I offer you something? A word of advice, maybe?" His voice gentled. "Don't bite the hand that is attempting to feed you. You keep doing that and you'll starve eventually." It wasn't a threat, just an attempt to point out to her that she was only hurting herself with her constant resistance.
"Goodnight, Elia." He turned and walked back to his tent, leaving her in hers with her thoughts.
When he got back, Romulus was sitting at the desk, staring at his maps.
"Can I assume you made the offer, and she rejected it?"
Romulus nodded slowly. "She sincerely thinks she's so important I can't protect her." He looked up at Lear. "She will have it her way, and no other, and I have no use for a woman like that. I have no use for a friend like that."
Lear nodded. "There is an appalling level of spoiled to her character, but… don't give up yet, Romulus." He stepped over and put his hand on the Prince's shoulder. "She can do much good, if she will take up the tools to do so."
Romulus leaned his head on Lear's wrist. "…If you're sure, Lear. I'm beginning to lose hope already."
If she wouldn't trust him, there wasn't much he could do to help her, and a girl as beautiful and as damaged as that would end up in trouble without some help.
Romulus hoped to rescue her from that.
~~~~
Morning came much too quickly. The guards were up and hustling around as soon as the sun was up. The fruit was set out, and they ate quickly.
Romulus looked tired, but there was steel in his gaze this morning as he walked into the meeting tent. "Lear, I'll need you to stay here. Get the camp ready, I don't know if we'll have refugees or not." He snapped some orders to the other guards, before heading into his tent to get into his armor.
Lear was already planning, plotting out how the campsite would change with Alak and Carth. He nodded to Romulus and tossed him a snappy salute, a private joke of theirs.
Elia pursed her lips. "Try putting yourself in my position Lear. Maybe you'll see where I'm coming from."
She entered the tent and all but collapsed on the cot. She laid back with a groan. She trusted no one. She had no reason to trust anyone, especially not the son of a man that murdered her whole family. She wanted to ensure her safety, what was so wrong with that?
At least he didn't plan on murdering her for her suggestion of blood magic. At least not that she knew of. Blood magic was dangerous to deal with. The wrong incantation and the wrong intention could cause deadly consequences. She had never dealt with blood magic herself but she had met those who had. She had the incantation memorized. It had been drilled into her head. If he was worried about her attaching them together, she had no intention of that. She just wanted to be protected while in his services to the best of his ability. A blood oath would ensure that.
Elia kicked off her shoes and got under the covers, praying for sleep to find her. Her prays went unanswered. She debated seeking out a guard but decided against it. She didn't want to cause any more drama.
To occupy her time, she picked up one of her books she had started and opened it up. She flipped through the pages, reading on into the night.
She got maybe an hour of sleep, having found herself waking up to the sun beginning to poke in. It was nothing new to her to get so little sleep but that didn't mean it didn't have its toll on her. She placed her book aside, inserting the bookmark back in. She rolled out bed and pulled out some clothes for the day. She dressed in her only pair of trousers and blouse she owned. The trousers were tight fitting to show off her curves and the shirt was billowy and open. The strings in the front were done up enough just to keep her covered but showed off her cleavage. There was actually a funny story behind the outfit and it made her smile as she though about it.
She pulled on her shoes and let down her before walking out of the tent. She grabbed a small plate from the tent and sat outside by where the fire had been roaring the night before. It was just smoking embers now, but it still gave off a comfortable heat. She sat alone. She honestly preferred it that way. It was welcoming to get peace and quiet.
There were dark circles under her eyes, proving just how little sleep she got. She wouldn't try to deny it either. Perhaps she would take a nap later but she didn't see that happening with the anticipation of the later events.
She eyed the prince's tent, knowing he was in there. She wondered if he wanted to see her or if he couldn't even stand looking at her. She had made a bold move last night. There was no guessing how he would react. Perhaps she should try to smooth things over before he changed his mind and did kill her. She would have to make sure her timing was perfect to catch him.
Elia pursed her lips. "Try putting yourself in my position Lear. Maybe you'll see where I'm coming from."
(prophetic. no spoilers though)
(lol)
Romulus stepped out of the tent 5 minutes later in his full armor, his helmet under his arm. He walked back to the meeting tent, already calling orders.
He didn't notice Elia immediately, but once he'd gotten the acknowledgment from his men, he turned to go, and saw her.
He paused, standing there looking at her, before smiling gently.
Up close, in his shirt and pants, he was a lot.
In the armor, even smiling, he was mildly terrifying.
The extra height from his armored boots put him at nearly 7 feet tall, and the ground shook just a little with his steps. He was carrying a whole other person in just the armor weight, and still managed to move like a dancer rather than a lumbering bear. The jet black metal gleamed in the sunlight, sending rays of reflected light dancing everywhere.
"I would say I hope you slept well, Elia, but you look tired, so I can safely assume you didn't." He adjusted a gauntlet. "In light of that, I'll not ask you to help today. Rest. Read if you'd like."
He glanced at the men, obviously waiting on something.
Gods he was built like a mountain.
Elia had to remind herself to school her features. She would not be scared. She would not cower. She would stand her ground against him. She had long since finished her food and had been relaxing by the dying fire. She had had her fill and was ready for the day.
She stood up as he approached her, having to tilt her head back to look at him. Her hair brushed her low back. It was only an inch or two from reaching the curve of her bottom. She was in need of a serious haircut but didn't trust herself to do it. Her warm, brown eyes looked into his, holding his eye contact.
"I said I'm coming with you and I am. Don't try to sideline me. And don't think we're finished with our conversation from last night either." She gave him a pointed look, making sure he wasn't trying to avoid anything. "There are children down that need a caring face and a loving hand. None of your men can offer that. Good luck trying to round them up without me."
Romulus was not in the mood to banter this morning. "You'll stay out of my way is what you'll do. Don't push your luck."
What he'd been waiting on came bounding up just then, in the form of Ruir. The huge Wulf dwarfed them both, all red-furred muscle and razor sharp claws. He growled at Romulus, his fangs bared.
Romulus patted his muzzle roughly. "Good morning, big fella." He grabbed the bridle straps and leaped into the saddle. There was the sound of muffled thunder as a group of soldiers rolled up on horses and Wulves outside the camp.
"Ah, right on time." The Prince turned and made eye contact with Lear once more, before slapping the lead line. "Let's move!"
They were gone through the trees in seconds, headed towards Calegon.
Lear walked over to Elia. "Plans for your morning?"
"You're such a dick!" Elia called after him. She was upset about being sidelined. He would need her. He knew it. She knew it. He was just being stubborn because of last night.
She ran a hand through her hair and turned to Lear. She offered no smile for her friend but her expression softened in his presence. "My plans have since been ruined by a stubborn man who doesn't like to listen." She scowled, turning in the direction the prince had disappeared.
She plopped back down on the seat she had recently been occupying, elbows on her knees and chin on her hands. She had assumed getting out of the brothel perhaps things would light up for her just a bit. If anything, she had traded one moody master for another. At least this one didn't take it out on her, though perhaps she would prefer that.
"We both know I would be of better use there. I have more experience with this kind of thing. I can calm the kids down and round them up. He'll likely only terrorize them further."
Lear was quiet for a moment, before he responded quietly. "Your plans have been ruined by a stubborn girl who doesn't know a good thing when it looks her in the face." He turned from her, irritated at her sheer intransigence.
Her last comment stopped him in his tracks. He spun and walked back to her, plunking down a log near her and sitting on it.
"I'm ready to listen." He paused as if waiting, before going on. "You know, to all of your experience pulling children out of traumatic situations." He kept his face neutral, trying not to let her see how her insults and jibes bothered him. "Because I'm sure your home in the brothel was such a haven for those in need. Madame Rosette definitely seemed like the type to let you rescue all kinds of people." He looked in the direction Romulus had ridden off. "Of course, I agree with you. The Prince has not experience rescuing people. None at all, despite doing this for ten years. He doesn't know how to help trauma sufferers, or how to deal with PTSD, or how to parent, no, he's certainly never had to do that." He stood, his frustration showing. "And you, with your frosty attitude and your nose in the air, are certainly better equipped to comfort children than the man about to pull them from the jaws of hell itself."
Lear was not a man given to anger, but her claim that she would be of better use than Romulus was So absurd, it had touched a nerve. He turned to go, giving her one more long look.
"How any one person could be as intentionally dense as you as beyond me."
Elia refused to look at him. She wanted to cry and scream and punch someone. She wanted to let out the twelve years of suffering she has had to endure. She wanted to scream for her family that had been unjustly murdered in their sleep. She should have died alongside them. She was supposed to have died. She was living on borrowed time.
"And have you not thought about what I have endured? I've been in a brothel since I was nine. I was groomed and tortured and raped. I learned to live with the hand that was dealt to me. I never wished for anyone to join my fate but this is a cruel life. I have seen mothers sell their daughters to Madame Rosette to afford the drug your prince is riding into. I have raised most of those children and I have done my best to give them a childhood. There was nothing that I could have done to get them out. Madame Rosette has goons in her employment. Her henchmen. They have tracked down every girl or boy that has tried to escape. I don't even want to discuss what was done to them." She clenched her hands and closed her eyes briefly. She took several deep breaths to try to calm herself. "Your prince and his blasted father is the reason I ended up in that brothel. My entire family is dead because of your king's orders. So don't sit here and tell me what a terrible person I am when you have no idea what I have been through."
She returned his heated gaze. She was not going to be accused of being selfish when she had been nothing but selfless. She did not go through everything just to be treated like this.
Lear just watched her, before speaking so quietly, he could have been whispering.
"And where do you think the Prince found me, Elia?"
(Sorry for the short response, but I do love me a reveal XD )
(Damn, this got dark)
Elia sucked in a breath, looking up at him. Her eyes skirted around them, to the crowd they seemed to have drawn, though, at her attention, they all conveniently found themselves busy with something. Her eyes shifted back to Lear.
"You would follow a prince who's family is responsible for the death of your own?" She asked quietly. There were somethings that didn't need to be advertised to the whole camp.
Lear shook his head. "No, I wouldn't. Which is why I am more sure of Romulus than of the previous king, like you asked yesterday."
He sat back down with a sigh, and rubbed his face.
"I'm not from Harad. I'm from Ithilien, in the north. My family was killed in a raid, a pillaging, raping, destructive raid, by Venian soldiers, when I was 6." He swallowed hard, and looked at his hands. "The king himself ordered the raid, and he was the one whose hand dropped the ax on my mother when she refused his advances." He rolled up his sleeves, to reveal deep scars on his arms, in circles around his wrists and elbows. "I was stolen from my home and trafficked by the crown, in what you described as peaceful, prosperous Venia, for the next 11 years. I was kept chained most of the time, and as much as I try, I can't get the shackle marks to go away." He put his hands down and looked at her. "The Prince was 17 when he found me. I was sold to him, much the same way you were. I spent a night with him, terrified, much the same way you were. And I was rescued, exactly as you have been." He stood, holding has hands out to his sides. "Prince Romulus promised me all the things he's offered you, and I did the smart thing and said yes. And look at me now. I'm an educated man, with success and a home and a purpose and some pride in my life."
He put his hands down, his voice staying even. "So don't talk to me about what you've been through, as if I have no idea. Don't talk about Romulus as if you're special, like he's never met anyone like you. He's been pulling us from hell for a decade. At fifteen, he was seeking to help and rebuild and rescue." His eyes narrowed just slightly. "That prince you hate so much has done more to make this kingdom a place of peace and prosperity than the crown your family served ever did, and he will make twice the king."
Elia grabbed his arms, running her hands over the scars, Her touch was gentle but firm. She couldn't meet his eyes for a long time. There was no way his words were true. Her father was a good king. He ruled with grace and morality. He never wished for the harm of others. She could remember dancing around the ballroom, standing on his feet. She could hear his laugh as he twirled her.
No, they could not be talking about the same man.
It wasn't possible. But there was nothing she could say without revealing herself so she said nothing about her father.
"I told him I would join him on the condition of a blood oath." She had dropped his arms, retreating back to the comfort of her seat. She spoke quietly, barely above a whisper. She had no wish for anyone to overhear and decide to burn her. "I don't trust easily as you can imagine. If he swears me a blood oath that I will be protected to the best of his abilities while in his employment, I will join him. That is my request."
Her eyes were pleading with him to understand, to see her position. From her point of view, her father was being maliciously slandered by the same people that caused her family's death.
Lear let her touch his scars, the ridged discolored skin looking very out of place on his well-groomed figure.
"Elia… he owes you and I nothing. You are a Venian noble of some sort, ousted and sent into servitude. I am less than that, a worthless kidnapped man from a far country. He didn't have to save us. He didn't have to pay for us, or fight for us, or leave the safety and comfort of the palace with the express purpose of rescuing people like you and me." He spoke gently, softly, wanting her to see the point he was making. "He has invested so much already… do you honestly think he would just let something happen to you afterwards?" Lear shook his head. "He has saved my life multiple times in the 8 years since. Because he cares about his people."
He paused, knowing he was likely not making a difference. "He doesn't owe you an oath when he has already shown himself willing to invest." His face went stony for a moment. "And besides, even if he is the savage you feel he is, who do you think would challenge him? There's not a group, and army, or a man in all of Venia who could challenge Prince Romulus and come out on top. If he's offered you protection, you don't need an oath to trust that offer." He turned to go finish prepping the camp. "You'll get no oath from him, but you will get everything he has offered you. The Prince has held out an open hand to you, Elia. I'm begging you not to slap it away for the sake of your pride."
He walked away, barking orders, as he prepped for yet another group of Romulus's rescues.
Elia watched him go, his work mulling over in her head. She looked at the dying embers before glancing around, making sure no one was watching her. This was dangerous to do in the open but it had been years since she had touched her magic. She reached a hand out, sending a small spark just to keep the embers burning a little longer. She enjoyed the heat of it. It wasn't too hot or too cool.
She spotted Lilly and Calvin across the fire walking through the tents. She managed to catch their attention and wave them over to her. She wrapped her arm around Lily instantly, hugging the girl tight. She placed her hand on Calvin's shoulder and gave it a squeeze.
"Alright, how much of that did everyone hear?"
Lily hugged her back. Calvin looked worried. "Not much, Lear keeps his voice down usually, but enough to know he's upset about something."
It was Lily who pieced it together. "…Are you going to refuse the Prince's help?" She sounded incredulous. For this sweet girl, what he was giving her was the kindest thing she'd ever experienced, and despite being Venian-born and raised… there were few girls more loyal to House Vespasian right now.
Calvin managed to contain a gasp at the mere suggestion. He did look around, as if checking to make sure nobody had heard Lily's absurd question.
The camp was bustling much more by this point, and Lear had his hands full. He didn't realize how much time had passed until a messenger thundered through the trees. The soldier reigned in his horse, and got Lear's attention.
"Lieutenant! The Prince wanted me to remind you to prep bandages, and perhaps a medical tent. We will need it." With that ominous reminder, the armored fighter took off back to town.
Lear rubbed his face again. Talking about his past had dredged up a lot of things, and he was off his game.
Not now. He had things to do.
"I don't know yet. His family is the reason for my downfall. It's a lot to process." Elia stroked her hair back. "Besides, at the end of the day, it's all just words with no action to back it up. He could very well be leading us to our doom. I need something stronger than just his word and he doesn't seem inclined to give it to me."
If anyone discovered her identity, people would die, not just her. Madame Rosette for harboring her, the girls and boy for being associated with her. Perhaps even some of the guards or Lear for befriending her. It was a lot to take in and a lot to decide.
She began to open her mouth to speak again but was cut off as she saw a rider. She listened to his words and stiffened. She knew how to care for the injured, unfortunately, because of her position. "Go get the others," she said to Lily and Calvin. "They're going to need every helping hand they can get."
She took a deep breath, mentally putting herself into a caregiving role. She doubted what she was going to see would be pretty. She didn't want to subject the others to such gore but unfortunately, they had seen and felt plenty.
"Give me a medical tent and I'll get it prepped for you. Go take care of what you need to," Elia approached Lear. Any evidence of their previous conversation was wiped from her stance. She needed to be at the top of her game.
Calvin frowned and looked around. "No action? No Action?! We're not still in that hell-hole, what do you mean no action?? Is this not enough action for you??"
Lily pulled away from her hug, the girl's eyes wide. "You really hate him, don't you…"
The rider interrupted them all, and the two nodded at her, before heading off to gather the other teens.
Lear was mid-conversation with Carth when she walked up. He didn't even turn to look at her. "No. We've got this handled."
Elia scoffed at him. "Give me a goddamn medical tent, Lear, I'm not playing around or dealing with you being petty right now. You need all hands on deck. We know how to take care of medical emergencies. It'll be one less thing you need to worry about. And if you won't do it, I will find someone else who will."
And she would, likely Alak. She could be stubborn as well. There was no use for this when people's lives could be on the line. She was a good medic. She could stitch and bandage and handle infections. She would have to improvise on bigger wounds but she was sure she could figure it out. "Let me help, Lear."
Lear shook his head, still not looking at her. "I'm not sure where you got the idea that you have the right to give anybody orders here, or make demands." He finally glanced up. "You've refused help, which makes you a liability. Carth."
Carth was tall and broad shouldered. Not as stocky as Alak, but clearly strong enough.
He indicated her tent to her. "This way."
Lily and Calvin came around the corner with the other teens in time to see it happen. Calvin shot Elia a reproachful look, before guiding Lily over to Lear.
They were talking animatedly as Carth guided Elia away.
Elia scoffed. "I'm not going with you." She dodged Carth. She would do this one way or another. She didn't care how it had to happen.
"I swear to the gods if you try locking me away you will be no better than anyone else that has ever tried to control me." She was not a woman to triffle with and she was furious. "You can't expect to me to consider joining you when you won't even accept my help. Lear, I swear to you I will be of more use to use as a medic than I would wasting away in a tent."
There was a plea in her eyes. She couldn't sit around and let children die because of their egos. She wouldn't let his guards die just because he was too mad at her to let her help. Men following orders were still just men.
She wouldn't beg with all of the eyes on her. Lear didn't deserve that from her and she wouldn't let herself be humiliated in such a way. Why wouldn't anyone just listen to her?