KGWrites

James

Palace Gardens, Falcon’s Nest Palace, Kingdom of Aldiron

Only a few hours had passed since the legions had returned, and yet for James, it had been so filled with activity that it felt as if days had passed.

Following the speech, word had spread fast through the city as people heard about the defeat at the Ramm and the death of the Grand Marshall. Already the city felt changed, like some security had left it. People hurried from place to place, not stopping to talk. Many hid their faces behind cowls and cloaks. It felt as if the whole city had become the Winter District.

To James though, that was more help than hindrance.

He moved through the shadows of the palace gardens, skirting along the base of the wall towards the outer gates that linked to the cliffside leading to the Spring District docks. A small pack was slung over his shoulder, mostly empty. He, like much of the rest of the city, was cowled. Though unlike the majority of Aldiron, who wore their cowls to hide their worry and grief, or to shelter from the unrelenting rainstorm, James hid his face specifically to avoid notice.

The plan was made, and everyone knew their part. But still, James found himself worried as he approached the meeting place they had set. It would be all too easy to make a mistake. The cliffs and sea below them were treacherous at the best of times, but climbing down them freehand with nothing but a rope in this weather was going to be possibly the most difficult climb both he and Alyx had faced before. Then there was holding onto the cliff while they cut through the iron barred window at the back of the treasury. After that, squeezing through the window quietly and getting into the vaults themselves.

Which was where the two would be flying blind. For all the information Alyx, Lillian and James himself had been able to piece together about the vaults, details like their layout, contents and any internal security had managed to evade them.

It wouldn’t be the first time that he and Alyx would be forced to improvise, but it was the time where they could truly afford absolutely no mistakes. The vaults were designed to keep people out, but if you got in trouble within them, they’d likely serve as some of the most secure prison cells in Aldiron.

And even if they managed to pull all of that off without trouble, and managed to fill their empty packs with treasures, then there was still the matter of getting back out through the window and remaking the climb. And the return would see them loaded with heavy packs too.

But if they could pull all of that off, then it was a simple run to their old home in the Kindling, where they’d retrieve the packs of equipment and supplies already stashed there. A dash to the gate, payment at the stables for fast horses, and they’d leave Aldiron behind them before night had even fallen.

It wasn’t just a tough heist. It was near impossible. But as far as James could see, they were out of time. Soon the city would become a siege, and any chance to flee would be smoke in the wind. No, it had to be now.

Alyx and Lillian were already waiting for him when he turned to the small corner of the walled west garden where their plan was to begin. Lillian wore a dark cloak but still James could see her black hair was already becoming wet through the hood with the rain, sticking to her face and forming dark cracks down her porcelain white skin. She was sat on a stump, her legs hugged to her chest, looking even smaller that she normally would. Alyx was stood nearby, her arms folded tight in front of her, glaring out at the world. James scowled slightly as he saw his sister still wore her suit of leather armour, a suit that bore symbols of the flying silvered raven of Aldiron on it. Her sword and throwing axes were wrapped in dirty leathers and laid on the stump next to Lillian.

James didn’t like that Alyx was still wearing her armour, nor that she had brought her weapons along instead of stowing them in the Kindling like he had. The armour was noticeable, well made and not hiding Alyx’s status as a royal guardswoman with all of the heraldry it bore. And the swords and axes were heavy, they’d be even more difficult to carry when combined with packs of treasure and the pack of her gear and supplies. What bothered him most though was that Alyx definitely already knew all of that. So why has she done it?

Coming to a stop next to Lillian, James unslung the empty pack from his shoulder.

“How does it look?” He asked, pointing towards a little grated culvert in the base of the wall where a stream from the gardens flowed out, towards the cliff edge.

“Lillian’s done good work, one good kick and the bars should snap right off.” Alyx replied, nodding to Lillian. Lillian smiled, proud and thankful for the recognition.

It had been hard worked for. Once the decision to climb down the cliffs had been agreed then James and Alyx had found this little space, a water outlet not much bigger than a man that flowed out over the cliff edge. Lillian had then spent a long time scouting the place out, checking to see if guard patrols passed nearby, which they didn’t, or where in the palace it could be seen from, which was only a single window in a corridor barely anyone travelled. It was the perfect secluded spot to work from.

Lillian had then spent weeks coming down here, using rocks and pieces of cutlery stolen from the palace to file away the metal grate that covered the outlet enough so that, as Alyx said, it could be easily removed. She taken to the work with dedication and vigiliance, and clearly had done very well.

Yet James sensed a degree of hesitation from his sister.

“But?” He asked, inviting her to explain her attitude.

“The rain’s too heavy for this James. The stream’s flowing too fast. If we don’t get a good handhold on the other side before we hit the cliff then we’ll fall faster than Iona’s falcon.” Alyx said, gesturing to the stream flowing through the culvert. True enough it was moving fast, and James could see that it was a muddy brown colour rather than the usual clear water, it was flowing fast enough to dislodge plants and earth on its way through. Alyx was right, that much flow would add to the difficulties during the cliff climb.

But James’ mind was still set. Now or never.

“Then we’ll tie off our ropes to ourselves before we pass through, attach them to something this side.” He said matter-of-factly, he couldn’t afford them to argue right now. But both of them looked at him with uncertainty.   

“I don’t know James. Even if we get through, the rain and water falling on the cliff on the other side will make the climb so much more difficult. Maybe we should just wait this out a little longer.” Alyx warned him, worry clear in her tone. It was a real risk, James knew that, but still, between the armour and now trying to talk them out of it, he couldn’t help but wonder if Alyx wanted to stay put.

“We don’t have a choice! This city’s a pyre and Draconeus is coming with the flames to light it. I for one don’t want us to be here when it starts burning.” James snapped back at her, crossing the distance between them in a few quick strides. He reached down to Alyx’s pack, laid next to her feet and gripped the rope stowed on the side of it. Pulling it free he walked to the stump Lillian was sat on and began wrapping the rope around it, pulling it tight and tying it off.

“You said we don’t move until we’re ready. Plan this thing until the war distracts them and we feel ready.” Alyx replied not hiding the accusations of double standards she was pointing at James. “Do you feel fucking ready right now James?”

James stood to his full height, only a couple of inches taller than Alyx but still, that felt tall enough. He felt his lip curl as the anger that had been building began to bubble to the surface.

“No Alyxandra, I don’t feel ready. Not in the slightest. In fact, the best chance at pulling this off passed us by already. But you’d gotten yourself stabbed protecting that pampered little princess and while you recovered, that chance was missed!” He yelled at her, causing her to step back in surprise. When she remained silent for a while, James snorted out an annoyed breath and began tying off the other end of the rope to his waist.

“She’s my friend James, yours too.” Alyx said after a moment, her voice quiet. James scoffed.

“She’s the damned Princess of Aldiron Alyx. And us? We’re Winter District alley cats. Iona’s one in a million, and we’re the fucking million. We don’t matter to her, or to Meghan, or Marius or any of them! We’re replaceable, and they know it very fucking well. The only reason they even tolerate us is because we’re useful to them. We owe them nothing, and they’ll give us nothing. So, we fucking take, for the three of us. Let the city shatter, crumble into dust. Because nothing else matters but the three of us. Only us.” The anger burning in his chest keeping him warm amidst the soaking rain, he looked from Alyx to Lillian. Both of them looked shaken by his words, but they needed to be said. All three of them had been lost in the blissful dream of the palace life they had found, but James was awake now. And he needed to get them out of that dream, even if doing so hurt. And it definitely seemed like they’d hurt.

Lillian had hopped off the stump and had drawn away from James as he spoke, pulling back into the shadows at the foot of the wall. Alyx had stood completely still, staring at him with her mouth hanging open and her eyes wide.

Silence hung in the air for a while, no one speaking and the only sound around them the rain hammering the ground.

Shaking his head at their silence, James turned away from the two of them, looking towards the culvert and the rushing stream. If words won’t do it, actions will. He turned his head enough to look back over his shoulder at the two of them.

“Secure your rope, we need to get started.” He told Alyx and before she could respond, he stepped forwards into the water.

The movement of the stream wasn’t enough to unbalance James but it was still fast, pushing against the back of his shins as he followed it to the culvert. It was freezing cold but James ignored it. Quickly he reached the metal grate and sized it up. Just above the water line he could make out the filed down bars that Lillian had weakened. Alyx was right, a good solid kick would knock them free perfectly and then James could squeeze through the gap left behind.

So that’s what he did.

Gripping the bricks of the wall at either side of the drain, James pushed himself back and then swung forwards, both feet slamming into the grate as hard as he could manage. He felt the metal shudder, then buckle, then snap and the bars immediately washed away loose beneath his feet.

Not waiting a single second afterwards, worried that the sound of shearing metal might still have been heard, despite their isolated location, James released his grip on the wall and let the current of the water carry him through the now opened drain.

All at once the world around James became nothing but blackness and the echoes of the water as he passed beneath the palace wall. For a second, the horrible worry that a second grate might be at the other end passed through James’ mind. He didn’t think he’d be able to break it, and with nothing to grip onto within the tunnel, he’d be forced against it, blocking the tunnel until it filled and drowned him.

As soon as that dread had finished turning his bones to ice however, James broke from the tunnel into the dull grey daylight.

And the weightlessness of falling.

The stream ended abruptly on the other end of the tunnel, falling over the cliffside into the ocean far below. And it had carried James with it.

Turning quickly in the air, James felt his weight and the rope carry him back towards the rough rock face of the cliff. Fast.

Acting purely on instinct he lifted his hands to shield his face as he splashed back through the waterfall and slammed hard into the cliffside. The impact shuddered up his body, rattling his teeth in his skull. But James recovered fast, gripping tightly onto the slick stones and holding himself back from bouncing away from the rocks. To bounce loose and hit the cliff again risked injuring himself more than the few bruises that he’d already picked up. Come in at the wrong angle on one of those bounces and he might knock himself out.

Coming to a bone rattling halt James held fast to the cliff, breathing hard. Which was made all the more difficult by the rushing waterfall pouring over his head. The sound was deafening. Trying to see with the water splashing into his face was near impossible, causing James to need to blink rapidly, squinting his eyes to look for his next destination.

He could see it, a small rock face sticking out from the cliffside a little ways to the right, barely the length of his hand, but enough of a handhold to work with. It would be a stretch though.

Gritting his teeth and ignoring the fact that the rushing cold wind and water were already turning his fingers numb, James reached out towards the outcropping. Frustratingly though, it remained stubbornly just out of reach of his fingers.

Groaning, James returned his grip to the cliff, looking up towards the grate he’d come through. He shivered against the freezing water and a voice crept into the back of his mind.

What if Alyx is right? This seems impossible, especially against the rain and water.

But the image of Alyx, laid in her bed covered in blood with a dagger in her chest, flashed through his mind and his resolve hardened into steel once more.

One last effort, then all the pain is over. For all of us.

He looked back at the outcropping and growled in annoyance. If he couldn’t reach it while safely holding onto the rock, then he’d just need to jump for it.

Carefully lifting himself as high as he could on his current handhold, James braced his feet against the rock face and took a long deep breath. Around him, the world faded to muted shapes and colours as he focussed on the little rock.

One deep breath.

Two.

And then James pushed off with his feet, throwing his arm forwards towards the handhold.

But the waterlogged cliff betrayed him once more.

His boots slid from their solid grounding against the cliff and he began dropping, fast.

With one last desperate grasp he reached out with his right arm, ready to grab something, anything.

His fingers found purchase on the rock, gripping it tight as his whole body twisted in the air, pulled back into the cliff.

But James could already feel the cold causing his crippled, three fingered hand to shake and stiffen up. He could feel the slick, wet rock face slide away beneath his fingers. And a horrifying certainty came over him in that second.

He’d caught the rock, but he was still going to fall.

Panicked, James tried desperately to swing his other hand up, to find a grip with both hands and hold on for dear life, but the motion only made him slide further.

A second that felt like eternity passed. James could feel every tiny groove in the rock slipping beneath his grip.

And then it was gone. And James was dropping.

Weightlessness took over. James felt his stomach flip in his chest as the cliff face fell away next to him, disappearing past him in a blur.

Yet he didn’t panic. Instead, he braced himself, gripping onto the rope tied around his waist.

And suddenly, the fall stopped with a painful, jarring, jolt as the rope snapped tight. James was swung in to bounce against the rough rocks again and all he could do was raise his hands to protect his head from slamming off them as he bounced off, coming to a stop in the air next to the cliff.

He hung there, sucking in breaths and trying to keep the panic from bubbling over, gently twisting at the end of the rope. He’d have bruises from that drop, he was sure, but it was one hell of a lot better than splattering like a dropped egg across the jagged rocks at the cliff’s base.

James was about to swing himself forwards, to find new hand and footholds against the cliff and begin climbing again when the rope jumped against him suddenly. It was just a gentle movement, but it instantly set an icy dread in James’ chest. He knew with a cold, horrified certainty, what that feeling had meant.

Up there, at the top of the cliff, high above him, his rope was snapping.

He needed to get back onto the cliff wall, now!

Shifting his whole body within the rope like a child on a swing, James threw himself back and forth, working up momentum to swing back to the rocks.

Back. Forward.

Back. Forward.

Back.

Now!

Right as James began to swing forwards however, the rope jolted again, and this time it did not remain taught. Far above him, the rope fully snapped and James dropped like a stone.

Unlike his last fall, this time James did panic, crying out a scream as he fell down towards the crashing white surf and jagged black rocks.

Terror gripped his mind, paralysing him to only watch as death rushed towards him.

And then he jolted to a stop again, swinging in hard against a jagged part of the cliff face that tore at his clothes and left ragged gashes in his shoulder, causing him to cry out in pain.

Acting purely on instinct, James gripped the rocks with both hands, not caring as they dug into his fingertips. Then he held there, sucking in breaths as he held on with a grip like iron.

It was only after what felt like a minute or so, but could really have just been a few seconds, that James realised that the rope around his waist was tugging urgently upwards, someone was pulling on it, trying to haul him back up the cliff.

Not wanting to risk climbing down any further without the rope, James gritted his teeth in frustration, and began to follow it.

It was a long and exhausting climb back up. But aided by the rope pulling him, James could at least make it quick. It was only a couple of minutes later that he hauled himself back through the little culvert and felt arms grab his shoulders, lifting him out of the stream and depositing him on the bank.

He didn’t feel like he could move, his aching muscles felt like heavy iron and the many bruises from hitting the cliff and the rope catching him were already beginning to send waves of dull pain across his body.

A dull pain quickly replaced by a sharp stinging one as Alyx slapped him hard across the face.

“You fucking idiot!” She screamed at him. “You absolute godsdammed arsehole!”

On the ground, James couldn’t help but agree with her. Nearly dying seemed to have a way of making you reevaluate your own actions.

Groaning with effort, James propped himself up on his elbows to look around. Alyx was sat next to him, breathing heavily and her face twisted in rage. Tears streaked down her cheeks, blending with the rain. Wrapped like a tight vice around her wrist and hand was the end of James rope, which was then looped through what remained of the metal grate still attached to the wall. It had a frayed end from where it had snapped and James could make out the red raw rope burns on Alyx’s hand from where she had clearly caught and held it as she had pulled him back up.

Lillian was stood to one side, her eyes wide with terror and worry. She didn’t dare approach the two, but James could see the desire from her to run to them and hold them tight.

“Yeah. Idiot’s about the shape of it.” He groaned, rubbing his cheek. Alyx had one hell of a slap on her when she wanted to.

“Don’t you ever do that to me again James!” Alyx snapped at him, letting her voice slip into an impression of his own words. “It’s just the three of us that matter? And that fucking involves throwing yourself off the damn Falcon’s Nest does it? The three of us are all that matter so you’re just going to fucking leave me and Lillian to handle the rest ourselves?”

“I’m sorry Alyx.” James said after a while, flinching away from his sister’s anger.

“What the fuck was that? Never rush into something if it’s not right. Remember?” Alyx demanded, before pointing to herself and Lillian. “That’s what you taught us. One of the first damned rules we ever learned. So why the hell are you so eager to throw yourself down the cliff?”

James hesitated, looking more at Lillian than Alyx. He didn’t want to admit the reason he’d rushed into it, not in front of her. But he had no choice now, his own stupidity had seen to that.

“I’m… I’m scared Alyx.” He admitted, not looking at either of them. “I’m scared and I just want to get away from here, away from the danger and the uncertainty.”

Alyx sighed and took a deep breath, shaking off her rage. Then she reached out to wrap her arms around James’ shoulders, holding him in a tight hug. As he moved to hug her back, James heard the sound of soft running feet and felt a smaller set of arms join the hug from behind him as Lillian joined them. He could feel her shaking, though whether from cold or adrenaline, he couldn’t tell.

“So am I James. So are both of us.” Alyx replied, her voice softer now, calmer. “But this, rushing away without taking time to do it right? This will just make it worse. We need to think, take stock and work out what we want to do. And we have the time for that. Draconeus isn’t knocking on the gates yet.”

James sighed, leaning into his sister. It was rare that she was the voice of reason and not him, but it happened now and again.

“You’re right Al. I’m sorry it took that for me to see it. But you’re right.” Slowly, grunting with the effort, he untangled himself from the hug and stood. Moving stiffly, he walked to the stump he’d tied the rope to, seeing the jagged piece of bark that must have sawed through the rope and caused the snap. He lifted what remained of the rope, tucking it away in the pack on his back. The grate missing from the culvert he couldn’t hide, but he still didn’t want to leave any extra evidence that they’d been there.

“Thank you for catching me.” He said to her, reaching out to help her to her feet again.

Slowly, Alyx stood, holding her hand in James’ for a long while, giving it their three-squeeze signal. Then she punched him lightly in the shoulder.

“Anytime. You know that. Though next time try and lose some weight before you make me haul you up a cliff.”

James Cobalt’s Apartment, Falcon’s Nest Palace, Kingdom of Aldiron – Two Hours Later

By the time the Cobalts had returned their equipment to its various stash locations and made their way back to the palace, night had fallen. The storm showed no signs of letting up, the drumming of the rain on the tiled roofs of the palace marching James to his apartment through the halls.

After a quiet goodnight and one last angry jest from Alyx the three had parted ways, with her and Lillian heading into their shared apartment and leaving James in very little doubt that he wouldn’t be hearing the end of his stupid actions for a long time to come.

Exhausted and aching, James opened the door to his own apartment and slipped into the darkened chamber, pulling his soaked cloak off his shoulders and dumping it down on the floor.

Then he made his way over to the fireplace, relieved to see there were still a few red embers in the ashes, which he quickly built up around and used to relight the fire, casting warmth and light across the room.

And revealing the form of King Samuel Ravellan sat at the desk, watching him with an amused half smile.

“I honestly thought you three might have been halfway to Blueholdt by now.” Samuel said as James recovered from the shock at his sudden intrusion. James scoffed.

“The weather’s not the greatest for sudden excursions.” He replied, pushing down the surprise. He made no effort to lie to the king, the man was clearly smart enough to know what James had been up to. The only comfort was he hadn’t called the guards immediately.

“I can see that.” Samuel said, gesturing towards the mess of scratches, bruises and tiny cuts on James’ shoulder, visible through the tears in his tunic from slamming into the cliff. “Do you want me to call a priest of The Physician?”

James shook his head, instead crossing to a cabinet against the wall and lifting out a decanter of deep orange spirit. He didn’t know what it was, only that it was strong and warm, and on a day like today had been, that’s all he needed to know. He took two glasses down and poured one before looking questioningly at Samuel. The king nodded and James poured him a glass too, walking over to hand him it before settling down on the padded settee in front of the fire. He took a long swig of the spirit, savouring the warmth as it dulled the aches and pains of his body.

After a moment, he heard Samuel stand and walk over to the armchair next to him, settling into the cushioned green chair and raising his glass towards James.

“Tell me, why are you so desperate to run?” He asked and James turned his head to look at him. Finding no accusation in the king’s eyes though James shrugged.

“Way I see it, your war just got lost before it really began. But it is your war. Not mine.” He said, taking another sip of his drink.

“We’ve fought Draconeus before. We’ve beaten him before. We will again.” Samuel replied evenly, with a certainty that even gave James’ scepticism pause. “Still, I understand that you didn’t ask to be part of this fight. So, I see why you’d want to get away from it. Can’t blame you for that.”

James narrowed his eyes in surprise, and good deal of suspicion.

“Still, trying to steal from me on the way out? That’s a little hurtful. Do I not pay you enough?” Samuel continued, pointing a finger out towards James as he took a drink from the glass James had given him. James didn’t ask how he knew. The fact that he did was all that really mattered anyway. He didn’t seem angry at least. In fact, James was surprised to find that King Samuel was actually smiling, as if amused. Strangely at ease, James chuckled.

“To leave? You definitely pay enough for that. Alyx, Lillian and I could probably go anywhere in the kingdom, or maybe beyond on what you’ve given us.” James replied, he saw no reason to lie. As best he could tell, he was actually perfectly safe saying almost anything in this conversation. Samuel seemed more invested in talking than accusing or arresting.

“But to disappear, start anew? That’s a whole other question.” James concluded.

“I’ve got a war to manage, you’d hardly be my priority, theft or not. I’d be more temped to let you go rather than waste resources hunting you.” Samuel told him earnestly. But despite the reveal of relative safety being available, James shook his head.

“Not just you we have to hide from.” He said simply. Samuel tilted his head, inviting James to continue.

“I’m sorry to say there’s a particularly vile thorn in your city’s side your majesty. One that presents himself as a trader named Aaron Trident.” James explained, resisting the urge to spit after saying Trident’s name only by washing it down with a drink.

“Trident? I’ve met him once or twice I think, reclusive man. Lets his business do most of the talking at court.” Samuel replied, clearly trying to remember his last encounters with him.

“His business in court, his murderers in the Winter District.” James stated bitterly.

“Sounds like there’s some history there.” Samuel observed and James nodded.

“You could call it history. I call it he and his men have been hunting Alyx and I since we were children. I call it he cut two fingers from my right hand. I call it he murdered our mother and father and left us orphans fending for ourselves.” He said and Samuel sat back, eyes widening in shock as James spoke. He didn’t ask for James to go on and explain further, James just found himself wanting to. He hadn’t told this story to anyone besides Lillian in years, and he’d spared her most details.

“It was thirteen years ago, not long after you’d taken the throne. You were busy with some border thing out to the north, your eyes weren’t on the city that much. My father, Lucian, said that left some good opportunities for a skilled merchant. And he was a very skilled merchant. He started making plenty of trades, I don’t know exactly what with, I was thirteen, more interested in girls and adventure stories than the ins and outs of trade deals.” James began with Samuel setting his glass aside to listen intently.

“Either way, my father was making plenty of trades, and my mother, Rose, was a legionnaire, serving in the second legion, under Lord Hills. The second legion was based in the city back then, so she could stay home.” He continued, making Samuel nod as he remembered the legion James was referring to.

“For me, life was good. I didn’t know how good of course, but I knew it was good. Mother was home all the time, my little sister was growing up strong and smart and my father was successful. Too successful it turned out.” James explained, his face first light and smiling as he remembered his family, before turning angry and distant as the memories of what came next wormed their way through the happy image.

“Father got himself a trade agreement with the Captains’ Conclave of Blueholdt, an exclusive right to warehouse space on the docks and to caravan routes across the kingdom. It was one of the most sought after deals in the kingdom, and one young trader named Aaron Trident had clearly wanted it.”

“He met my father, tried to negotiate deals where my father would cut him in. But even back then, father could see him for what he was. He turned him down.” James trailed off for a moment, taking a drink of spirit and pouring himself a fresh glass as he thought to what could have been. He always wished his father had just taken Trident’s deal.

“That didn’t sit well with Trident. A few nights later, he gathered some men and snuck into our home as mother was putting Alyx and me to bed. They took us all hostage, dragged us into the wine cellar where no-one could hear the sounds. He beat my father, threatened us and hurt us until he gave up the details of his deals and contracts and then he forced him to sign it all over to him and his business. Once my father had done all Trident had asked him to do, Trident cut his throat and made us all watch him drown in his own blood.” James shuddered as the memory came flooding back, clear as the day it had happened.

“Afterwards, he turned to us. To do the same. That’s when mother fought back. She had moved over next to me and we’d worked on undoing each other’s bonds. I got her free and she grabbed a fire poker, used it like a sword. She took down one of Trident’s men before they grabbed her and forced her down. Then Trident grabbed me. Said that ‘clever little fingers like mine need to be punished’.” James flexed his right hand, the phantom feelings of his missing fingers coming back as he relived the story.

“He held down my right hand and took a carving knife to my fingers. Cut them off slowly. One knuckle at a time. First the little, then the third finger. It was as he was moving onto my middle finger that my mother got free again, tackled Trident into a rack of wine. He didn’t take her down this time though.” James closed his eyes against the memory, feeling tears run down his cheeks silently.

“He put that carving knife through my mother’s eye. Quick as lightning, one minute she was there, the next… Alyx and I were alone. I moved next, managed to grab the lantern they were using for light, burned my hand but probably helped the cut off fingers by burning the wounds. Then I threw it at Trident. He must have been covered in some of the wine from his fight with my mother because he lit up like a pyre. So did the house. I grabbed Alyx and ran, didn’t look back until we were well clear. And then… we were on our own.” James finished the story, finally looking back to King Samuel who was watching him with rapt horror.

“I’m sure there’s very little I can say that will make any difference. But for what it’s worth, I’m sorry.” Samuel said quietly after a moment. James took a long breath. Truth be told he hadn’t been expecting it to make any difference at all, but hearing Samuel say it… something comforted him about it.

“Maybe I should have gone to the guards.” James admitted, more to himself than to Samuel. “But I was terrified, injured and I had no idea why any of that had just happened. The only people I could count on were Alyx and myself, and Alyx was a scared nine-year-old girl.”    

“And you survived, despite that.” Samuel said, his tone reassuring, impressed even. James nodded.

“We survived. Got taught how to steal and survive the Winter District by a man named Sigmund. He took us in, we were to him what Lillian is to us now. We’d started to move on, to find a better life. Until a man with burn scars on his left side came to the Oasis, looking to make a trade deal. I’d heard the name Aaron Trident before then, spoken in whispers like people speak of demons, but I hadn’t realised they were the same man. Alyx and I hid from him, and afterwards, we left Sigmund and struck out on our own. We kept our heads down and away from his business. Until Alyx attacked his chief lieutenant. The rest you know.”

“And now you think if he gets his hands on you, he’ll take revenge?” Samuel asked and James nodded.

“We know that. His men have already said so. Which is why Alyx and I need to disappear.” He said resolutely. King Samuel nodded solemnly, looking into the fire. After a moment he drained the last of his drink and stood.

“I can’t take back the past James. And Trident’s been careful to cover his tracks from me and my people. But I do promise you that you don’t need to run away anymore. That you and Alyx and Lillian are finally somewhere that you don’t need to look over your shoulder all the time. I can’t promise it’ll always be safe, but you’ll always find justice in my court.”

He turned to walk out of the door but paused just before leaving.

“If you still want to run from here, to disappear, I can understand that. But I believe the Village led you to the Falcon’s Nest for a reason. I believe you’re destined for far greater things than running from a murderer. I believe this war will not be the end of us, and that you and your sister can help us make the world better. I know you think the fight is already lost, but I imagine it felt that way when your mother fought for you before and look where she got you by fighting the impossible. I just ask that you trust someone beyond Alyx and yourself for once. It might surprise you.” And before James could respond, King Samuel strode from the room.

James settled down on the sofa, staring into the fire. Despite his exhaustion, he couldn’t find rest, instead he sat for a long while, pondering the king’s words.

Perhaps his mother had thought the fight impossible, but she’d still fought like hell. And that had saved his life. It had saved Alyx’s life. Maybe they could fight now like she did then. Maybe they could save their own lives again.

Maybe running wasn’t the only option.