The beginning of this chapter included a dream that Isona will have,the dream includes mentions of assault,nothing happens but feel free to skip if it's too triggering.

___

A younger Isona pants harshly as she runs. She could hear the sick laughter of the men that was chasing her. She rounds the corner into a damp ally. She turns to see how far the men are,then falls backwards as she slams into a body. She looks up to see one of the men. She scrambled up and pulls out her sword. The man just laughs as the rest catch up to them.

"You're a fast one,aren't ya?" The man in front of her laughs,she glares and stays silent. He reaches for her,she swipes her sword,cutting his arm. He hisses in pain.

"Grab her!" He barks. The men behind her grab her arms,she thrashes in an attempt to get them off. 

"Careful lads,she's a feisty one." The group laughs and tightens their grip on her arms. She kicks and punches,fighting to get free. Two men grab her legs and hold them still.

"Keep her still,it's time for some fun."

Isona shoots up,she pants as she looks around. She relaxes when she remembers that she's in her and Vax's shared room in the new keep. She lets out a heavy sigh,pulling the covers up to cover her chest,still bare from the couples previous activities. Vax shifts next to her.

"Darling? Every thing okay?" She turns to Vax,who was groggily looking at her.

"Yeah. Just...just a bad dream." Isona replies. She falls back onto her pillow. Vax pulls her in close,she shifts and cuddles into his chest.

"Want to talk about it?"

"It's no big deal. Just a bad memory." Vax hums,running his fingers up and down her back.

"The past sucks,doesn't it?" Isona lets out a quiet chuckle.

"That it does."

"Let's go back to sleep,yeah?" She nods. She relaxes into his chest and falls back into a dreamless sleep.

***

The next morning,Vox Machina have gathered in the dinning area,eating breakfast. Keyleth twirls into the room.

"Good morning,everybody." She says,too happily. The group grumbles at her,Scanlan asking why she's yelling. Vax with plate in hand and bread in mouth,moves to sit between Grog and Isona,only for Grog to punch him in his nethers. Isona watches him fall to the ground.

"Seven to two." Grog boasts.

"I never agreed to this stupid game." Vax strains. 

"Must you?" Percy sighs. Vax climbs into his chair,Isona pats his hand in sympathy.

"We can't all be aloof tight-asses,de Rolo." Scanlan says through a mouth full of food.

"I'm simply suggesting you could all benefit from some well practice restraint."

"Where's the fun in that?" Isona questions,taking a sip of her water.

"Emotions aren't meant to be bottled up. Maybe you should cut loose once in a while." Vex tells him while hugging Trinket. A knock at the door makes them turn.

"Hello? Vox Machina,are you here?" They hear Allura speak. Keyleth goes to open the door to the kitchen,but's stuck. Pike calls Grog to shove it,he kicks the door and it flies right past Allura.

"Lady Allura,welcome. Hope you didn't feel the need to bring a housewarming present." Vax says.

"I didn't."

"That's disappointing." Keyleth elbows Isona.

"I came here to remind you that Sovereign Uriel expects you at his dinner."

"Oh shit,that's tonight?" Vex says.

"Finally. A proper evening of protocol and civilized conversation." Percy says happily.

"It's more than a party. Dignitaries from across the realm are here to form a new security pact. We must put our best foot forward."

"Right,which foot is that?" Grog asks,tossing his plate over his shoulder.

"Lady Allura, we appreciate the gravity of the situation and will present ourselves with the utmost dignity." Isona says. Vax suddenly elbows Grog.

"Good one. Seven to five." Grog strains out.

"Five? He was just at two." Keyleth questioned.

"Oh yeah,that was a three pointer. You see the rules of ball-tag are as complex as they are beautiful." Scanlan explains. Percy reassures an unamused Allura that he will teach every one how to behave properly.  

***

Isona stands in front of her vanity. She put two braids in her hair,wrapping them around her head to meet at the back,she then secures them with her silver hair pin. She double checks her makeup and smooths her dress.

"Don't you look ravishing." Isona looks in the mirror to see Vax walking up behind her.

"Thank you,love. You look quite handsome yourself." She turns to face him,he puts his hands on her hips. "You should pull your hair back more often."

"You think so?" She nods. Pounding on their door makes them pause.

"You two better not be fucking in there,we're leaving." Vex's voice sounds from the other side.

"Ah,my dear sister. Always ruining our moment." Vax sighs. Isona just giggles and drags in out the room.

***

"Remember what we practiced. Be reserved,be charming. Protocol." Percy lectures. Vax and Grog curtsy at him. "Just follow my lead." They walk into the castle,a man stops them behind a desk.

"Sorry. If you brought weapons,they must be checked." The group grumbles and tosses their weapons on the desk. Isona holds Vax's bicep has they walk into the main hall.

"From Emon,Vox Machina?"The sergeant at arms announces in a confused voice. Scanlan frowns and steps forward. 

"Is that all you got? Allow me. Vox Machina,champions of justice,hunters of dragons,destroyers of chastity." People gasp.

"Right,follow my lead for formal greetings..." Percy trails off when everyone ignores him and walks off to do their own thing.

"I think this is going to be the fanciest place I'm ever going to be at." Isona says,she and Vax stop a little ways away from Percy.

"We had no reason to go to fancy places before this." Vax points out. They look around,watching the people talk and drink. She leans closer to Vax and whispers.

"How much gold do you think these people have?"

"A lot." Isona nods. A server walks by and Isona takes two glasses off the tray,she hands one to Vax. She takes a sip,then crinkles her nose. Vax laughs at her.

"Champagne not your thing,darling?"

"Apparently not. Do they not have ale here?" Isona asks as she puts her glass on the tray of another server.

"From Whitestone,Lord Sylas and Lady Delilah Briarwood." A couple walks into the room. Isona looks at them,they look normal,but something feels off about them.

"What's up with Percy?" Isona snaps out of her thoughts and looked over at him. His normally pale face seems impossibly paler,his eyes are fixed on the Briarwoods. The couple walks over with everyone else,Vex asks Percy what's wrong.

"Whitestone was my home. Until those fiends took everything from me." He answers,his gaze leaving the Brairwoods to the floor.

"What do you want us to do? Should we say something? To Uriel?" Vax questions.

"We can't." Percy says solemnly. Vex notices a servant carrying a trunk up the stairs.

"Looks like they're staying overnight."

"Why don't I make myself scarce and slip into their chambers? See if I can figure out what they're up to." Isona bites her lip. This is something Vax does all the time,but she has a strange gut feeling.

"Yeah,sounds like a plan. But in case of trouble,we should have a safe word. Grog suggestions?" Scanlan speaks up.

"Right. The safe word is chenga."

"Okay. My safe word's mommy." Vax begins to walk away,Isona grabs his wrist. He turns to her with a questioning look.

"Vax...I have a really bad feeling.Just...be careful. Okay?" Vax softly smiles at her.

"Of course,darling." Vax presses a kiss to her forehead and walks away. The group walks to the dining area,Lady's Kima and Allura stand in front of them.

"And somehow you guys look worse every time we see you. Where's Vax?" Kima questions them.

"Oh,uh,he has the squirts." Scanlan answers. Isona slaps her hand on her face.

"I see. Delightful." Allura says,not looking delighted what so ever. "Well,if you'll follow me,seats for the Sovereigns dragon slayers." Allura leads them to their seats,which just so happen to be in front of the Briarwoods. Isona sits between Keyleth and Scanlan. She notices Percy is blatantly glaring at the couple in front of them.

"Attention please be given to our Sovereign Uriel  Tal'Dorei III and Empress Salda Tal'Dorei." The sergeant at arms announces. People stand,except most of Vox Machina. Keyleth clears her throat at them,they quickly stand. They sit when the Sovereign and his wife sits.

"Nothing like a dragon attack to bring us all together,eh?" Uriel jokes,people softly laugh. "Thank you,everyone,for making the journey in. Please allow me to introduce our dining party." Uriel starts announcing people. Isona was looking at the fancy way her napkin was folded when Keyleth tried to get Percy's attention.

"He's just staring like a perv." Scanlan whispers to them.

"He said the Briarwoods took everything." Isona whispers back,drinking her wine to try and seem nonchalant.

"What does that mean?" Servers come around and serve everyone's food. Isona starts cutting into her meat as Pike throws her fork at Percy. He doesn't budge. Uriel glares at them,Keyleth tries to laugh it off.

"I'm fine." Percy finally speaks up.

"Oh,yeah,sure." Keyleth says sarcastically.

"Percy,I say you just walks over to the Brairwoods,say hello to break the ice,then punch them in the face. See what happens." 

"Grog,no." Pike scolds.

"Eh,I don't hate Grog's idea." Scanlan shrugs.

"We have to wait. Give Vax a chance to gather intel." Isona tells them. They eat in silence,until Uriel speaks up.

"I must confess, I was rather curious whether you would come. Our messenger did not return. In fact,I've heard dark rumors about Whitestone. They say no one travels in or out of your lands."

"Lies spread by drunks and knaves. If no one left Whitestone,would we be sitting before you,Sovereign?" Delilah says. 

"Perhaps. Or perhaps I might be forced to send a garrison of troops to check on your city." Uriel answers. Isona watches them with interest. Sylas puts his hand on Uriel's and looks him in the eye.

"You won't need to do that."

"You are right. There's no need."

"In fact,Whitestone needs to be protected."

"Yes. Whitestone's independence is not to be challenged." Uriel then turned back to his food,as if nothing happened. Isona and Keyleth exchange confused looks. Isona takes a bite of her food,so the Briarwoods don't notice. Delilah makes eye contact with Percy.

"Have we..met before?" She asks. Everyone looks at Percy. He hesitates,Vex leans forward.

"We haven't met. I'm Vex'ahlia. I'm so sorry,what was your name again?" 

"Delilah. What an absolute pleasure to meet the Protectors of the Realm. My husband,Sylas."

"Charmed." Percy griped his glass hard enough the shatter it.

"Uh,those are beautiful beads. I have a set just like it." Scanlan says.

"Beads? I've never seen you..."

"Think about it,Key." Isona tells her. Keyleth thinks for a moment,the makes a disgusted noise. Scanlan and Isona snicker. Soon dinner was finished and dessert was served. They listened to Sylas.

"Interestingly enough,we're not originally from Whitestone."

"Of course you're not." Percy mutters. Delilah seemed to have heard him,as she turns her attention to him.

"Tell me,have you heard how we became caretakers of Whitestone?" The group stares at her,she keeps her gaze on her wine glass. "The official story is that the city was administered by the de Rolo family until they succumbed to a rare disease. But I'm afraid the truth is,we concocted that tale to protect their legacy. The sad reality is that the de Rolos abdicated. They grew bored of ruling and after their children raided their treasury they abandoned their people to rot." 

"Liars!" Percy yelled out,shooting up. People gasp at stare at him. Uriel glares at him,the Briarwoods simply glance at him.

"Thank you,Sovereign Uriel,but I think we will retire for the night." Sylas said and him and Delilah leave. 

"Excuse us for a moment." Vex says. The group leaves. They stand outside the doors,Percy paces in front of them. Isona eyes the stairs,looking for Vax.

"Percival,darling,what did we say about emotions?" Vex says to him.

"You don't understand."

"Then help us understand."Pike tells him softly. Percy stares at her for a moment,then sighs.

"The Briarwoods,they murdered my entire family." They look at him with wide eyes.

"Percy,why didn't you tell us?" Keyleth asks him. Isona listens,but keeps her gaze on the stairs. The Briarwoods must have gotten to their room by now,but,where is Vax?

"I've tried to tell many over the years. No one's ever believed me."

"Vax is up there. What if he needs help?" Isona finally says.

"Plus,he's got the squirts!" They ignore Grog.

"Okay,I'll distract,you go..quietly." Scanlan says. He then climbs on a table and starts singing,the group slip out of the room.

Chenga...

Isona looks around.

"Vax. We have to move." She tells them. Vex,who seems to also have noticed,nods. The group search their pockets for the ticket to get their weapons back.

"We lost the ticket? Screw it. Grog!"

"Come here,fuckstick!" Grog grabs the man behind the counter and tosses him. They climb over the counter and get their weapons. They run outside and see Sylas hold Vax by his neck in a large fountain. Keyleth changes to a hawk and flies over,Delilah swipes her away with strange magic. Sylas tosses Vax in the water,the amount of blood that pools around him makes Isona's stomach drop.

"Look at that,dear. It's the pup who survived,all grown up." Delilah taunts.

"Step off,bitch." Vex scowls,shooting arrows at them,Delilah blocks them with her magic.

"No one kills Vax but me!" Grog yells as he charges at them. Isona and Pike run to Vax. Isona cradles him.

"I've got you,darling." She shakily says. Pike's hands glow as she heals him. Vax opens his eyes.

"Thanks,Pickle. Had him right where I want him." Pike smiles at that. Isona turns and sees Grog fighting Sylas. Rage fills her.

"Watch him,Pike. I've got a bastard to kill." She says and runs over. Sylas swings his sword down on Grog,Isona jumps in front of him and blocks it,she twists his sword away.

"You hurt my boyfriend,I hurt you,bitch." Sylas just smirks at her.

"True love,how cute." He charges,she steps out of the way,but he's faster. He turns and cuts her arm. Grog comes up behind him and swings,but he blocks it. Sylas slashes at Grog,the blood on his sword seems to be absorbed and the sword grows in size. Isona runs at him,swinging,but Sylas dodges each one. He slices her stomach,which makes her double over. Sylas smacks her hard and sends her flying. She skids on the water,landing near Vax. She groans. Her dress is cut and soaked in blood and water,which makes her upset as this is the only dress she owns. Grog continues fighting Sylas,Pike enchanting his battle ax. Delilah notices and hits Pike with her magic,knocking her to the ground. Sylas deals with Grog and speeds over to Pike. Just as he was about to strike her,Keyleth raises large vines from the ground,separating them from the Brairwoods. Percy looks through the vines to see the Briarwoods escaping. He shoots at the vines. They go through an opening,Vax leaning against Isona.

"No! I had them! Had them! And you let them slip away." Percy snaps at them,mainly at Keyleth.

"I-I didn't.."

"Keyleth just saved our asses." Isona snaps back at him. The servant that the Briarwoods tossed off their carriage sits up with a groan. Percy whips his head at him.

"You." Percy stalks over to him,reloading his pepperbox. "Start talking. Why were the Briarwoods here? What were they after?"

"Uh,they were invited like you. By Sovereign Uriel." He trembles out.

"Sylas and Delilah have never left the confines of Whitestone before. Why here? Why now?" Percy yells out,pointing his gun at the poor man. They start to notice an eerie black mist emerge from Percy. He puts on a strange plague doctor mask. "Answer me. Now."  

"What the actual fuck?" Vax says.

"Holy shit,Percy. What are you doing?" Percy ignores Vex.

"Please,I'm only a servant. They-They don't tell me anything. Please don't hurt me! Please don't hurt me!" He begs. Percy shoots his hand,blowing off his fingers. He screams and tries to crawl away.

"Holy fuck!" Isona exclaims.

"Percy stop!" Vex calls,Percy keeps ignoring her. He stops the servants crawling.

"Fool. Now your soul is forfeit." The group watch anxiously,waiting Percy's next move.

"Halt right there!" They turn to the entrance to see Uriel. "What is the meaning of this? Guards,arrest Vox Machina." The guards force the group on their knees.

"They loved me in there.Oh I was on fire." Scanlan says happily,walking out from behind Uriel,covered in food. He stops when he sees the group.

"Fuck."