The Princess and the Blade

[Emora Deen]

She clearly needed a bath. It was almost impossible to determine the difference between smudged grit or bruising, and the bottoms of her feet were as black as the smoke billowing out of the volcano.

But Lee bit her lip and didn’t answer him. Her mind churned behind her one eye, processing the question, trying to determine what the right answer would be, weighing her options if she chose wrong. Then, time passed, and it seemed she decided the best answer was no answer at all—for Havitharon to reveal his cards first.

Lee had come to learn that there was an agenda behind every question, a lie behind every statement, and punishment behind every poor choice.

[Soran Nightblade]

Havi frowned at the child's reaction. Something about her response reminded him of Tenara's when she had come to him in the middle of the night on his world, desperate to be clean and afraid to face what had happened to her. What if....

Ice crept into his gaze. "Did that male attack you?" he asked.

[Emora Deen]

Lee shook her head. Of course, she didn’t understand, not really. She served. She obeyed. If she was bad, if she didn’t do what was asked of her, then she would get the whip. But she hadn’t gotten the whip in a very long time because she had done exactly as she was told. She didn’t cry. She didn’t speak. She was good. She would have to be good now too.

Lee hesitated before she slipped off the sofa. She admired Havitharon a moment longer before she risked turning her back on him and going calmly through the adjoined bedroom to the bathroom beyond. A second later, the sound of running water came rolling into the room.

[Soran Nightblade]

Havi crossed his arms, not quite sure what she was thinking. If she said she hadn't been attacked, then he should believe her. He listened to the water running, deep in thought. Laurius had said to draw her a bath, but she seemed fine by herself. Or was he supposed to help, and she was just too afraid of him to ask?

He walked next to the door frame without looking inside. "Do you have all that you need?" he asked.

[Emora Deen]

Lee peeked over the edge of the tub. “Yes,” she said, soft and short, like the squeak of a mouse. She was not used to talking so much. Oberin didn’t ask her questions, and if he did, she was not meant to answer them. He liked the sound of his own voice.

After a bit, the sound of running water silenced. There was no splashing. No giggling. No babbling or make believe. None of the sounds one might expect from a child in a tub of water.

A few minutes later, Laurius burst back into the room carrying a black bag and a leather sheath for Havitharon’s sword. He was sweating and looked as if he had run through the market and back.

He sank onto the couch and covered his face with his arm. “Gods be damned, I hate this place….” He murmured before sighing and calling out, “I trust we’re getting along?”