One by one the needle pierced through Aria's skin as it threaded her wound together. The physician adjusted his glasses, looking at Zaydn with a glare out of the corner of his eye. Zaydn didn't pay attention to him though. His focus was searching for the paper on the many shelves before him. He would pull one out, slightly peek at it and immediately put it back.

In a corner, Wolfram sat on a cushioned chair next to the fireplace. His eyes were closed and his chest fell softly with his father's coat over him. The boy clearly had a long night. Next to his side, William stood over him, watching.

Aria's head remained in her hands, as she bent her body down in the chair for the physician to treat her wounds. Her palm had already been bandaged up, yet the pain still lingered. One arm clutched around her bare skin. Her cheeks flushed underneath the layer of dirt and she continued to press her arm over her bare ribs and stomach.

The sounds of tapping, rustling paper, and a crackling fire bounced on the walls. Occasionally the yawn of one of the two guards could be heard, while they stood at the entrance with dazed eyes and the bags that followed underneath them. Using their spears as support, they leaned on their side as their beds beckoned them from the long night.

William had walked over to Zaydn, whispering something in his ear. Aria slightly lifted her head and watched the two men from the corner of her eyes. Slowly, she began to scan the room. High ceilings, fur rugs, a large oak table with at least twenty chairs, piles of papers rolled up papers and books amongst shelves, and guards at the only entrance to the room. There weren't even windows, all that hung from the walls were trophies of wild animals to extravagant paintings.

The physician lightly patted Aria's back and handed her a large black shirt. Currently, she was in nothing but a few scraps of clothing and a layer of dirt to cover her skin. Aria took the blouse from him and pulled it over her head. The Physician collected his things and left the room without a goodbye. Rising from the chair, she finally pushed her hair away from her face and behind her slightly pointed ears.

William and Zaydn walked over to the table, each carrying three scrolls in their hands. They threw them on the large table. Both of them pulled out the chairs and sat in them, examining the scrolls they had just placed down. William eventually stopped and looked up towards Aria.

"Well halfling, are you ready to talk?" William asked. His voice was kind, yet a loud thud could be heard below. William's face morphed with pain, as he slowly turned his head to look at Zaydn, Who flashed him a twisted smile as he spread out one of the rolls of paper onto the table. It was in many unique shapes, with dots labeled with black ink. Some of which Aria knew well, such as the word written in bold ink at the top--Ralium.

"What he meant is, do you feel comfortable enough to talk, miss Aria?" Zaydn asked. He noticed that her eyes remained on the map, which he proceeded to reroll and place to his side. "Do not worry about that, I was simply getting things set up for tomorrow's council meeting. Let's focus on you, so about feeling comfortable enough to talk."

Both of them leaned over the table, one with a small grin and the other with rolling eyes. Aria walked slowly to the other end of the massive table. Her bare feet pressed into the cold marble floor while her arms remained crossed at her core. She never moved her attention from the two men. The smell of burnt ash filled her, scorching her lungs. She turned to the table. Her eyes narrowed as she made a complete stop.

"And if I say no," she said.

Zaydn's jaw dropped. William snickered, turning his head away from his brother's baffled expression. He took a moment to compose himself only to laugh again.

"You honestly didn't think it'd be that easy, did you?" William joshed. "Alright, go ahead and list your terms."

"My terms?" Aria said with the tilt of her head. Zaydn cleared his throat, catching Aria's attention.

"What is it that you want from us?" His hand moves from the table to the insides of his sleeves. Aria knew that was where he kept his dagger. William had pushed back his chair, putting his boots into the table. He leaned back in his chair and slouched as his knuckles pressed into his chin.

"You're the ones who threw me in a dungeon and now you're asking me what I want from you." Aria placed her knuckles into the redwood while her eyebrows arched as her voice raised. "Alright then, I can name a few things. I want Leo to come with me when we are released."

William and Zaydn exchanged a puzzled look. Zaydn crossed his arms, as he brought his interwoven fingers to his lips. While William simple rolled his eyes before raising himself up in the chair. He adjusted his body to be facing at a slant. His eyes pierced through Aria, and it seemed as if time passed slowly. Aria noticed the dark circles that were forming under his eyes along with the lifeless gaze he was giving her. Zaydn let out a yawn before continuing.

"If by Leo you mean the man who was with you then I don't see why we can't. It wouldn't make sense to leave him in the cells still." Aria tapped each of her nails along the table, waiting for him to finish before she continued. He rubbed his eyes before pulling his seat closer.

"I also want your promise that you won't hand us over to Venom. "

"We can't make that promise to you," Zaydn said. Aria jolted her head to him, as she raised out of the seat with her arms pressed against the polished wood.

"Why not? Fuck the treaty," William chimed in. "Who knows if the savage King is even still holding his end of the agreement. That treaty was made two generations ago."

"An agreement is an agreement," Zaydn said while he turned to William. "We still have to follow the laws."

"Excuse me," Aria spoke out, "I may know nothing about this so-called treaty, but I do know Aldrich."

Both of them turned towards Aria, with their eyes wide in shock. William placed his feet on the ground and scooted his chair forward. The scratching of the hardwood against the floor hurt Aria's ears. He eventually stopped the noisy furniture, and leaned closer to her.

"You were a slave," he said stiffly. As if the word was something taboo. "My brother mentioned the tattoos."

"You mean this," Aria said as she lifted her wrist to display the scar. "Yes, the small black 'V' Venom etches into their property. This mark means nothing to me, I stopped being a slave six years ago."

William and Zaydn exchanged a glance. Zaydn pulled his hair down, then retired it back into a ponytail. Rising from his chair, he circled around it and placed his arms on the back. Taking a deep breath, he proceeded to talk.

"What does this have to do with Aldrich? You claim you're not a slave but what I know from studying the stories is that Venom doesn't just let their slaves go. And even if this is true, how could you possibly know anything about him besides that he runs these savage bandits?"

"Because I was one of those savage bandits!" she spat. It took a moment for her to realize she was on the edge of her seat, and gripping at the arms of the chair. She took a moment to breathe before continuing. "I wasn't just any slave. I was the slave who wasn't allowed to be touched. I was his slave."

She raised her head, looking Zaydn directly in the eyes. She watched as his jaw tightened and his back straightened. He puffed up his chest. Standing tall, as if to present dominance in the conversation. The tapping of his fingers against the chair was a sign for her to continue.

"After time he allowed me to stop being a slave and made me one of his bandits. That's the story behind the tattoo on the back of my neck."

"Yes, the tattoos where how I knew you were connected to Venom," Zaydn said. He shifted his weight to his other leg and rubbed at his eyes as he yawned. "Though I was wondering why you had both the slave and bandit tattoos. Why did you burn them?"

"Is that really necessary to ask?" William said. "We just need to know certain things, if she doesn't feel comfortable--"

"No, it's fine," Aria interrupted. "The tattoos aren't just for show and label. They're blinded by magic and is connected to one of his men. They can track you down that way. I ran away, so I'm sure you can piece together the rest."

Zaydn nodded his head. Aria looked down, picking at her nails as she waited for his next words. He paced around, with his arms rested on his stomach. William rocked his foot back and forth, fiddling with his dagger.

"Explain this treaty to me," Aria said with her eyes trained on William.

He lifted his eyes, pulling his dagger away from his fingers. Spinning it around, he slid it within his boot. With his arms over his head, he leaned back.

"The treaty was made during the War of the Snake. It was made two generations ago, and to put it sweet and simple Venom was allowed to remain and keep their slaves and do what bandits do, within a certain land limit. Ralium was allowed to live without war and ship some supplies to them. Part of that agreement includes returning escaped slaves."

Aria's heart caved in. She fiddled with her shirt underneath the table. Occasionally her eyes would glance up at William, who ran his fingers through his thick black locks.

"I have information," Aria said, perking both William's and Zaydn's ears. "I won't give it to you unless you promise me you won't hand me over to Venom."

"This is ridiculous," Zaydn laughed. "Let's just end this and put her back in the cell. Tomorrow morning we can send her back to Venom."

"You're son, Wolfram," Aria burst, leaning towards William. By his sudden movement, she could tell she got his attention. "I don't want to see him in pain, but I can't go back. Please, if you don't agree, I'm afraid this kingdom will fall."

His eyes drifted toward his son. She then heard the sounds of the squeaking chair as he rose from his seat. With heavy steps, he stomped over to Aria's side of the table. With a jerk, he pulled out the chair next to her and took a seat. He leaned in, placing his elbows on his knees as he looked into her eyes.

"You have my word," he said. Zaydn's jaw dropped the moment he said it. "I swear to Imir I won't send you back. If I do, may I suffer a lifetime of deaths."

"Have you lost your mind?" Zaydn asked, but he stopped the moment William raised his hand.

"I had access to Aldrich's tent many times," Aria started. "He showed me things that he sometimes wouldn't show his own men. He has a war table, and a plan to make this country his before you could even acknowledge it. I know your mark the one with the silver fox and white roses. I've seen it a few times. Once on a tower we raided and another in a village."

Zaydn strolled over to William, leaning down next to his ear. Aria allowed for them to whisper amongst each other before continuing. She was already used to stuff like that. Zaydn rolled his eyes as he pushed away from William. Looking at Aria, he motioned his hand for her to continue.

"I then saw it again, this time farther away but I knew its colors so well. It was on the outer walls of a town surrounded by a moat. Near a forest," Aria continued. "We were instructed to set up camps around it, to observe it and learn it. Not long after that, I noticed that same symbol resting on Aldrich's war table, with a dagger through it."

"As much as I would like to believe you, there are parts of your story that doesn't add up." Zaydn's words cut them both off. He turned to Aria with a sincere smile, but harsh eyes. "There have been no reports of any attacks on our villages or guard towers. The birds and shipments have been normal and frequent."

"Aldrich isn't stupid," Aria said with a weak smile yet a bold voice, "he knows how to create a lie. You're receiving those pigeons because his men are positioned there to make it seem like it's the same. He knows how to weaken you before you can even spot that he's manipulating the world around you. That man hides his crooked smile."

No one spoke. Zaydn tapped the bottom of his chin while Aria and William looked towards him for his next words. Aria raised from her chair, balling her hands into fists she winced at the pain.

"I can prove it to you." Zaydn snickered at her words. She heard William click his tongue. "Take me outside, and I'll guide you to one of the camps. If I do that will you believe me?"

"Yes," William said before Zaydn had a chance. He raised himself from the chair, stretching out his arms as he yawned. "It's been a long night. I would like to end this now brother we can continue at first light."

"Willy," Zaydn said. Aria noticed the purse of William's lips the moment Zaydn spoke. "You can't just expect me to allow this."

"Listen, it's really late Zaydn," William said. "I'll use my men. Just think of this as a favor, besides, I already swore under Imir. Please just let me have this."

He began to walk away, picking up a sleeping Wolfram into his arms. Aria and Zaydn followed close behind while he mumbled something under his breath. The sounds of their boots echoed through the torch-lit halls. Zaydn was arguing amongst William, although they talked in whispers. It wasn't loud enough for her to hear, but she believed that the reason they whispered this time wasn't that of her but instead for the child cradled in William's arms.

She noticed how dark and lifeless the halls were. She would only see a guard or two every now and then. Sometimes they were positioned outside of doors, other's they simply walked free. Such as the large oak doors that she was coming upon, two guards remained positioned at its sides. Once they spotted them, the guards opened the doors and Aria was brushed with a strike from the cold wind. She looked out at the night sky, with multiple buildings illuminated by candlelight in the distance.

Without thought, Aria dashed out through the doors. Her attention caught by the town before her, as she stood above it. The cold nipped at her skin, causing her to shiver occasionally. She skipped steps as she ran down the stairs, turning to gaze upon the massive structure that climbed into the clouds. Her eyes gleamed from the twinkles in the sky. With her mouth a gap, she leaned her head back farther and farther to view the towers of the castle. Their waving banners reflected in her eyes, whipping through the pushing wind. Along with the many carved statues that were embedded in the walls, almost telling her a story.

A chuckle filled her ears. William walked passed her, with Zaydn not far behind him. Aria watched them pass, yet attempting to remain her focus on the castle. Zaydn lightly grabbed her shoulder, guiding her to follow them. Step by step, she slowly turned her body to follow them, frequently turning to look at the castle.

"Can we please give her a bath before tomorrow? I can smell her from here," William noted as he led them down the bricked path. He looked over his shoulder to her with a cocky smile plastered to his lips. Aria rolled her eyes but then proceeded to sniff her arm once he had turned away.

"I could use a bath," she thought to herself. "Tomorrow will be a long day. I'm sorry Leo, but I must deal with this first."

Hello guys! I'm back with another update. I hope you guys enjoyed this update, although I think there are some errors that I missed. If you spotted any feel free to point them out to me so that I can fix them. I know this chapter was kind of dialogue-heavy, but I feel as if it helped you guys get a sense of these characters. Anyway, enough of me rambling on. What was your favorite part of this chapter? Any ideas on how the next chapter will go? Who's your favorite so far? These are all the questions I can think of right now haha! Thank you for reading and have an amazing say!