On the ninth day, Ashelin no longer had a security detail. Her room was a lavish one with a balcony and en suite in ground jacuzzi, with multiple exits.

But she no longer thought of escape. And Pagan and Yuna obviously trusted that, considering she had no supervision anymore.

It wasn't logical to go against their plans; this was her best means to get to Vaas. When she'd spoken to Yuma about trying to recruit the Pirates, the pink haired woman had been skeptical. But Ashelin couldn't see any alternative. She needed backup. Yuma had said she'd talk to Pagan about 'putting some feelers out,' whatever that meant.

Ashelin felt that maybe she was growing on Yuma. And maybe Yuma was growing on her. She was getting stronger, but still hadn't bested her new mentor.

"I read some interesting information today," Pagan said over dinner. He'd invited her via Taesha, and it was the first time she'd seen him since that day in the courtyard.

"Oh?" Ashelin perked up, sucking back a spoonful of won ton soup. She'd been ravenous since she started pushing her body so much every day.

She hoped that maybe he'd been looking into Rook island. Maybe news of Vaas.

"I read about a horny Canadian girl that offered herself up to the pirate King." He raised an eyebrow.

"Sounds familiar," she replied dryly.

"I have a rather savvy tech department," Pagan continued. "Quite a show for your daddy. He's still giving them money."

"Whatever." She didn't meet his gaze. "My dad is a cunt."

"Tsk tsk, language, Miss Clarke," he teased. "Why so sour?"

"You could have asked me if you wanted to know how I got there." Ashelin finished her bowl of soup. "And I'm disappointed that you're telling me stuff I already know."

"You were hoping I had tactical intelligence for you regarding your crusade," Pagan said, and she wanted to smack the pretentious smirk from his perfect face. "I'm working on it. You could thank me, you know."

"Why? You kind of owe me, for buying me as a prisoner wife for your son," s he snapped.

His eyes flashed anger, and she didn't miss him absently stroke the steak knife next to his plate. She'd forgotten that she was dining with a lunatic.

She had filled her life with lunatics.

"So tell me," Pagan continued as if he hadn't been imagining her death a moment ago. "Why did you seek him out? Did you want to die spectacularly?"

Ashelin sighed. She knew better than to be anything but straight with him. "I craved the danger. I wanted an attractive, strong man to take me and use me. And I needed it to be real. No pretending, no safe words. The looming threat of death. My life was empty without this need fulfilled."

He cocked a perfectly sculpted brow. "You're speaking in past tense."

"Well, it's different now," she admitted. "I don't just crave the act anymore. It needs to be him. He's the master of my degradation."

"And if he's dead?"

"I... I don't know." Ashelin didn't want to think about it. "I'll cross that bridge when I come to it."

Fifteen days in, Yuma came to Ashelin with a proposition.

"What would you say to some field training?" She leaned against the doorframe, munching on an apple.

"What do you mean?"

"Utkarsh just fell to the prodigal son," Yuma explained dryly. "Word on the front lines is the rebels are going after my fortress next. I'd like to give them a warm welcome."

Ashelin barked a laugh. "You want me to come defend a fortress with you?"

"Oh, we're not going to defend it." She had a wicked glint in her eye. "We're going to blow it up."

Ashelin's heart pounded with exhilaration. The cool winds of northern Kyrat electrified her skin as she stood watch on the top of the fortress wall. She felt like a powerful tigress, crouched and ready to strike.

She had chosen a red tank and black pants with Royal army standard combat boots. Yuma had given her a crash course on the rifle slung over her shoulder, but she didn't think she'd need it. She was strictly lookout while the charges were set.

The key was to let the rebels think they were sneaking in undetected and slip out at the same time.

Then... fireworks.

Ashelin wondered if Ajay would be in the attacking party. Their intel said likely not, as he'd been reported heading north to the mines, but one never knew. She was curious to catch a glimpse of him.

She wondered what would happen if he died before getting to the palace. Would Pagan still take her to Rook Island? Would he continue to rule Kyrat? Or would he still leave?

She figured her best chance was if Ajay made it to the palace. And hopefully didn't kill Pagan before he could say his piece. She would do everything in her power to make sure that didn't happen.

She spotted a bit of movement in the distant trees, and ducked behind the stone pillar to her left. She pulled out the syringe Yuma had given her. She'd said it would heighten her senses, allow her to know where the enemy was, even through foliage.

Ashelin took a deep breath and plunged it into her neck, relishing in the warm burn that licked her skull. She turned to lean around the pillar but realized that she didn't have to. She knew at once that there were thirty three men, and their exact positions in the trees. She almost laughed out loud at the sensation. It was almost like she could see them.

She giddily touched her earpiece. "Thirty three approaching from the north woods," she said quietly.

"Good, almost done," Yuma replied. "Climb down at the south wall and meet me at the water."

Ashelin scurried across the wall, staying low. Everything was so vivid. She grinned as she slid down the grapple and hit the grass. She jogged down to the water and crouched in the bushes, turning north to watch the rebels approach.

By the time Yuma joined her, the effects were already starting to wear off.

"Where are the others?" Ashelin asked, rubbing her temple.

"Others?" The pink haired woman raised an eyebrow. "It would be pretty suspicious to leave an empty fortress. Come on."

She started to retreat into the trees and Ashelin gaped at her.

"You're blowing up your own men?" she asked.

"There are only five of them in there." Yuma rolled her eyes. "Do the math." She motioned for her student to follow her.

The redhead's mouth went dry. "But..."

"You suddenly get a conscience, Clarke?" Yuma sneered.

Ashelin flushed. She was right. This was a stupid time to suddenly start caring about war casualties. Especially after everything she'd done at Rook island.

"Here." Yuma stopped in a small clearing with a vertibird. She pulled her phone out and they watched the fortress. Gunshots rang out and men yelled. It didn't take long for the rebels to swarm the wall. Soon they had the front door open and blue trucks bustled up the road.

"Oh, this is even better." Yuma grinned wildly, and Ashelin's heart skipped a beat as cheers went up inside the fortress.