Two Weeks Ago

Kain's first choice of company would have been Rhode--but that was a poor idea for obvious reasons. Which is how he ended up outside the suite that had been gifted to Isidor and Natia. Given their faux status as doctor and apprentice, their rooms mirrored Kain and Melitta's.

A polite knock was met with Isidor opening the door, then sighing. What was quickly becoming a familiar annoyance colored his expression. "I had hoped I'd be left out of the schemes."

"Sorry," Kain said.

"No you're not," Isidor retorted. "Come in."

He stepped to the side. Kain moved past him, eyes skimming the room. Curled up on a chair was a brown wolf. As he studied her, Natia's ears flicked back, tail curling around her feet. Had the idea of being alone made her nervous? Whatever the reason for her presence, it was encouraging to know Natia was comfortable with at least one of them.

Kain's attention returned to Isidor as the witch shut the door behind them.

"I wanted you to join me to look for..." Kain hesitated. Her name would mean nothing to Isidor, not really. But what else was he supposed to call her? His friend? "Someone I know. I thought a doctor would be a good idea."

Isidor frowned, then glanced over his shoulder at Natia. "You coming?"

The wolf's ears perked forward as she lifted her head. A full minute passed as she thought, before she leapt from the chair and padded over to the door.

"Guess that's a yes," Isidor surmised. "Let's go."

Having accomplished his goal much faster than he thought possible, Kain simply nodded and started back out into the hall. He paused outside the door, realizing that he had no true idea of where to start their search. Before he could form a plan, Natia's shoulder pressed against his leg, drawing Kain's attention. He shuddered, unable to stop the reflexive response to her unsettling violet eyes, but didn't pull away from the touch.

One of the wolf's ears had flopped over, while the other was still perked in attention. Her curious gaze formed the barest recesses of a plan in the back of his mind.

"Natia, do you remember that man that visited us in the dungeons?" he questioned.

She bared her teeth and growled. Kain laughed.

"Good. Do you think you would recognize his scent if we could find it?"

Her tail drew slow waves through the air as the wolf took another long minute to think. The seconds felt heavy, as if each moment she weighed invisible thoughts were important beyond their circumstances. Then, finally, she nodded and lowered her nose to the long, crimson rug that decorated the length of the hall.

"We can retrace my steps," he decided, glancing at Isidor to confirm the plan. "Presumably Kyril visited the king recently enough for her to scent. It seems the safest bet."

The witch shrugged, silently agreeing. So, Kain began walking. Natia lagged behind for a moment, investigating each door of the hall, before she sprinted ahead. Her nose switched between the air and the carpet, taking in every bit of information available. It drew a smile to Kain's lips. Either Natia had developed a sudden interest in the world around her, or she was determined to do an excellent job with his request. Either way, it was a pleasant development when it came to her shy demeanor.

As they explored, Kain struggled to find familiar aspects to the palace halls. His walk the previous day was overshadowed in his memories by the overwhelming mix of emotions that'd laced his entire body. He'd been far too bothered by the meeting with Alekos, and Kyril's obsession, to pay any attention to his surroundings.

Now, however, as he studied the decorations, Kain was beginning to notice a pattern.

He had, mistakenly, thought that the lavish decorations in their rooms were signs of the king's regard. That he had gifted them rooms that would be given to foreign nobility in an effort to show off, or reflect respect, and that was why they were so excessively rich.

But, the halls were impossibly expensive. Each tapestry, rug, or painting appeared to have been formed by a master of their art. Pure magic shon from each enchanted gem that served in place of torches. They were flawless, heightening the price of just one of them from questionably affordable to the value of the Airlea.

Questions swirled through his mind as they paused so Natia could investigate the base of a decorative pedestal.

It was entirely possible their surroundings were simply a result of how Eol's trade thrived due to their stance of neutrality. Rivers of money passed through the country given it was one of the only places many kingdoms found safe to do business. It was why Kyril's visit to discuss Aeolian affairs was so important. Eol's status as a middle ground was the only thing holding the continent together, and even that was delicately managed by an intricate weave of treaties and gold. But, Kain hesitated to accept it as the true reason.

Because, if Eol were so prosperous, what need would there be for Nokos?

If the rich were this rich, why would the country's most infamous criminals with ties to every underground movement on the continent be living in a hovel? If Eol was a wonderful place to live, why would their citizens choose poverty over the nobility?

Artemios had once told him that if he ever needed to find the true face of a ruler, to look at the state of their most helpless.

Kain couldn't help but wonder if the beauty of the palace came about from the suppression of the poor.

Natia sneezed, then yelped, before taking off down the hall at a light trot. Kain dragged his thoughts to attention as he focused on following her.

It wasn't as if any of that had anything to do with Kain's current situation, beyond giving him a decent idea of what to expect from the nobility. Corruption was common among the peerage, so it changed little to know it was likely as rampant here as it was anywhere else in the world. As long as Kain's name could balance the gold and promises that Kyril offered, the state of the country would have little effect on their current goals.

And that's all that mattered. Truly.

Natia led them down a flight of stairs. She paused so Kain could open the doorway at the bottom, before darting into the revealed hallway. Kain started to follow her, but froze as his eyes landed on the hall's occupants.

Several dozen feet down the gilded rug stood a woman. She leaned against the wood paneling with one hand braced against the wall, the other tucked over the shoulder of the servant next to her. Fatigue gave her olive skin an unhealthy pallor, as did the way her dress hung on her body, as if it had been tailored for someone bigger than herself. The woman's warm, chestnut hair blocked view of her eyes. It hung in long, weighted curls to her mid-back.

The servant next to her was a dark brunette. Her hair had been pulled back in a loose, yet intricate looking braid. The simple style of her Eolian-style dress was what led Kain to believe her a servant, yet the way she was whispering quietly to her presumed mistress, expression concerned, yet stern, led Kain to doubt his guesses on their relationship.

Whatever the situation, the woman was the one who held the majority of his attention. Despite it being his intention, Kain hadn't expected finding her to be so easy.

"Mara."

She jolted away from the wall. As she spun, dropping her hand from the servant's shoulder, her body language switched from drained, to perfectly composed. It would have been impressive if the whole situation wasn't so concerning.

For a split second her expression read surprised, before flipping to a warm smile that sparked relief in Kain's chest. Whatever he had just witnessed, Mara was happy to see him. Perhaps that meant that the result of his confrontation with Kyril hadn't fallen back on her.

"Thank the gods," she said in way of greeting. "I heard about--I'm so sorry."

Natia curled around Kain's legs as he offered Mara an awkward smile, hand automatically going for his nonexistent cap. He settled for running it through his hair.

"Unless you're the one who told him to do all that, there's no reason for you to be the one apologizing, Mara," Kain replied, then paused, hesitating. "Er, Your Grace."

She laughed, and Kain couldn't help but notice the faint bitterness in her tone, despite the warm smile that still lit her face. "Mara is fine, please. I did not offer any titles when we met, and I think, given everything, there is no need for you to offer respect for my title."

"That's..."

"Besides," Mara added. She glanced at his companions, before refocusing on him with curiosity in her gaze. "As I understand it, your status is not quite what I believed it to be, even then."

Kain's face warmed. "Ah, sorry--"

"Milady," the servant murmured, touching Mara's shoulder.

Mara's attention flicked to the woman. Seeming to read something in her expression, she hesitated, glancing down the hall.

"Forgive me, Kain, I do not think it would be wise to be seen together. At least, not until the court's attention dies down somewhat."

"We could use my quarters?" Kain offered.

Isidor snorted. "Do you really think that if rumors are her concern, potentially being seen going in, or out of, your rooms would be a good idea?"

Kain grimaced. Isidor wasn't wrong--it'd been a stupid suggestion.

"If I may, Your Grace," the servant murmured. "The servants are saying that Lord Okeanos is allowed out, under his majesty's orders. The limitations being he can't leave Sol. We were already intending to visit..."

Mara's expression face lit up. Then, she hesitated. "But--"

"Our plans can wait, Milady."

Kain's confusion over their relationship only grew as Mara pursed her lips, but didn't argue. Instead, her attention flicked back to Kain, expression growing warm once again.

"Dalphie's suggestion is that we meet back up in the city. That is, if you're wanting to have a full discussion. I understand if you're not interested."

Dalphie?

Kain studied the servant, confused. Her vivid, green eyes were the only similarity the woman held to the Dalphie he knew. The siren was a tawny skinned woman with tightly curled, black hair. The servant's dark brunette locks were frizzy, but straight, and her skin a light tan. Then there was how her demeanor was much more subdued, professional even. It must be a common name, he concluded. Dalphie was originally from Eol, anyway.

"I am," he confirmed. He glanced at Isidor, who shrugged. Natia hadn't removed herself from his legs, so he presumed that was agreement on her part as well. "I feel we have a lot to discuss, Mara."

Her expression dimmed slightly, but the smile stayed in place. "Yes, I'm afraid we do. I'll send Dalphie to you later with directions to the house."

"Until we meet again, then," Kain replied.

They lingered for an awkward moment, before Mara offered the shallowest, polite curtsy, then turned away. "Until then."

Kain studied her as she strode a half-dozen feet down the hall, before disappearing behind another door. Her gait was smooth, graceful even. The motion seemed effortless. What was the scene they had come upon, then? Was the poise an act, or had she merely been resting, unlike his initial concerns?

"I see why you asked me to come."

Isidor's voice startled Kain to attention. The witch was studying the door Mara had disappeared behind, a frown on his lips.

"She's hurt?" Kain questioned. Was that the reason behind it?

Isidor shrugged. "Maybe. I can't quite tell."

Kain waited for Isidor to continue, but he didn't.

"Why?"

"Well, I couldn't exactly examine her here in the hallway, now could I?" Isidor demanded.

Once again feeling quite stupid, Kain didn't reply. Instead, hesitantly patted Natia's head. The wolf pulled away from his legs, and he started walking back towards their quarters.

It was useless to wonder about it all. Mara said she would send Dalphie with directions--all he had to do was wait, and they would get their answers.

When Kain returned to his quarters, Lyre was waiting with a cordwainer to measure Kain for new shoes. After the others left, Kain sait and waited as the grumbly man complained about the make of Kain's boots and forced him to move his feet this way and that until he was satisfied.

"The Lady was invited to a tea party with the queen mother," Lyre said as soon as the man had departed. "Lord Callias accompanied her."

Kain nearly laughed, imagining Callias' expression upon hearing himself called 'Lord Callias.' His amusement tempered as the information sunk in. The queen mother? Kain hadn't even realized Alekos' mother was still alive, let alone hosting social events. Belatedly, he realized he might not have even had to seek out Mara himself. If the queen mother was hosting, likely Mara was on her way to the event when they had interrupted her.

"Is it usual for her to invite strangers?" Kain asked.

Lyre's expression was impossible to read. "It is not unusual."

Gods, he wished he was more practiced with the subtle talk of the upper class.

Instinct told him that there was more to the situation than the surface appearance, but inexperience made him hesitate on how to dig without drawing attention. After all, shouldn't he be flattered that the queen mother invited his "partner," to an event? Being worried would be suspicious.

Deciding to move on from the topic, Kain turned his thoughts to what Dalphie had said.

"Lyre."

"Milord?"

"Before all this happened, we didn't get much of a chance to see the city. Is it possible for me to explore? Or would that go beyond his Majesty's permission?"

Lyre shook his head. "The guards have instructions to detain you within the city, but otherwise you're allowed freedom. I believe they're only to bother you if you...get involved in another incident."

Kain snorted. He had the distinct impression Lyre had wanted to say, "cause another incident."

"Then there's nothing keeping me in the palace?" Kain confirmed.

"His Majesty has requested you share dinner with him, but that is it," Lyre said. "He instructed that your schedule for your first day here remain light, out of respect for travel fatigue."

How oddly thoughtful.

"Then I'll be going out. Will you inform Melitta when she returns."

Lyre nodded, and upon confirmation that there was nothing else that Kain needed, the manservant departed.

┈♔◦𓇣◦☽◦❤◦☾◦𓇣◦♔┈

As promised, Dalphie returned an hour later with instructions for how to reach her house in the city. She stayed only long enough to confirm the meeting time--another hour from then--before leaving. Knowing that navigating a foreign capital might prove difficult, especially when they would likely have to shake off spies, Kain fetched the others and set off to find the meeting spot.

A handful of wrong turns, and promised glamour spells from Isidor later, they reached the location, presumably without being followed.

The house laid in the middle district. It was unremarkable in how easily it blended in among the buildings. The pain was old, but not chipped. The shutters were closed, and the door lacked a knocker. It wasn't the sort of building one would approach in the dark, but felt harmlessly plain in the light of day.

When Kain knocked, there was a moment of silence, before a small viewing hatch on the door was peeked up from the other side, then dropped with a clank. The door opened to reveal an older woman, her gray hers tucked into a frizzy bun.

"Come in, come in, don't stand there and stare, you might be seen," she grumbled.

Feeling a bit out of his depth, Kain entered. The inside of the house reflected the outside in its simplicity. There was a simple wooden table for dining, with a wood stove and icebox against the back wall next to a door. To the left laid a fireplace and couch, and that was it.

The woman bustled over to the stove, snatching a boiling pot from the flames. Seeming unaffected by the strange atmosphere, Isidor walked over to the couch and sat, before patting the seat next to him. Natia hopped up and laid her chin on his knee. Unable to relax quite so easily, Kain lingered by the door as the woman bustled about the tiny kitchen. She pulled out a few teacups, clipped two different sets of leaves into multiple metal balls, then dropped them in each of the cups. Next came an hourglass that was flipped over next to the cups. Lastly, boiling water was poured into each cup, before she finally glanced their way again.

"What, what are you just staring for?" she demanded. "Sit."

Just as Kain approached the table, another knock sounded at the door. The woman grumbled, but once again approached it and lifted the hatch. Seemingly satisfied with what she saw, she pulled the door open to let Mara and Dalphie inside.

"Three minutes left on the tea, dearies. One on the left is for the lady," the old woman informed them, before immediately departing.

Finally, they were alone.

"Sorry for the secrecy," Mara said in lue of greeting as she sat opposite of him at the table. Dalphie started for the tea cups, seeming to take over where the old woman had left off. "I, and Dalphie, thought it best Kyril not think we were scheming against him. And, he would, were we seen together. As it was, I've been coming here frequently, so he won't find me going to town suspicious."

For a moment, Kain was stumped. He could only stare at her dry smile, wondering what sort of situation he'd stumbled into when he'd saved her in that alley. For a simple meeting between acquaintances, everything felt so...shady.

"Why would he suspect you're plotting against him?" Kain asked finally. "You're his wife." As if the one question had released a floodbank, more fell from Kain's lips without bidding. "Fates, why would he even think I was scheming against him? We met once, Mara. I may have intervened, but that was what anyone would do. There's no reason for him to be like...this. He hired the Votanna for gods' sake!"

The smile faded from Mara's lips, as she drew in a slow, deep breath. "I... I'm sorry."

Kain opened his mouth, but she put her hand up.

"Just--let me finish. I put a lot of thought into what I would say before coming here. And, I think if you interrupt, I might not be able to say it all.

"I decided the best answer to this situation, one that would satisfy you and repay you for putting you into this difficult spot, is to explain what I can of my story. I'm not sure it will help, but it's all I can offer. I've no power over Kyril, as is normal in Aeolis. And...I think--I think you have learned what my attempting to intervene would accomplish."

The memory of that night in the inn, of the sounds that echoed through the thin walls, came to Kain's mind. He knew what she meant, and it only strengthened his growing hatred for the man. It was a new sensation, hating someone, but he was quickly becoming accustomed to it.

"I think the best place to start is in the beginning. I first met Kyril when I was thirteen." 

A/N: I updated on time! 

Hope you enjoyed! A lot of important things happened this chapter. I'm so excited. 

As an aside, I do think the emotional connection to Kain is a bit lacking this chapter, but I eventually reminded myself that this is a first draft, and the most important thing was to finish it. Yay for making progress! 

Next chapter will probably be Iliana. Because, who would I be if I didn't leave you in a tense situation and switch? ;)