~4~Not a Kidnapping, but an Opportunity

Hey guys! Just wanted to let you know that I have an Instagram that I plan to post updates, prompts, all that stuff on. If you want to reach me faster or want to see a more in depth explanation for things, please go follow me on there. It is brand new, and the handle is in my bio!

Also, updates are going to be a bit irregular, I am doing a lot of things at once right now and updating has been a bit harder then normal.

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With that said, enjoy the chapter!

Ruy felt dirty. So, so, so dirty.

The cloak itself was fine, typical fabric with no smell, slightly scratchy, maybe. But the fact that the damn cloak was on him in the first place made him want to gag. He was conditioned before, Ruy thought of the Neverseen eye as just a stupid little logo, something to easily use to mark secret drop off spots or discern each other out in a crowd. He didn't care what it stood for, he just did the job he was told, and then took off the cloak at the end of the day.

But now it felt like it was seared to his body that the green Neverseen eye wasn't sewn into the fabric but rather his skin.

After taking it off for so long, it felt awful to wear again.

"Watch him." Trix snarled at some of the other recruits as they all pushed further into the Inalian forest.

They were here, in the city of art and culture, they were dirtying it with their presence, ruining his haven.

They were on the eastern border of Inalia, right on the outskirts of a Grecian village. They scouted out the area, looking for places that could give them an advantage in taking back the city. At least, that's what they told Ruy. Taking it back. Like it was ever theirs in the first place. Ruy knew this forest well, but he pretended to be just as blindsided as the rest of the party.

They say this is the forest where the Amazonian tribe first originated hundreds of years ago in Inalia. Where Queen Hera reigned over her tribes of warrior women.

The Amazons haven't been seen in thousands of years, but Sophie bore Hera's name as her middle name. Allesandro wanted the warrior queen Hera to be carried with his daughter, to have a part of her in her blood. Knowing the myths about this forest slightly calmed Ruy down, he was hoping that an Amazon warrior would cut them all down so they would never step foot in the sacred lands again.

Ruy's wings bristled slightly under the cloak, uncomfortably stuffed underneath it. His slightly pointed ears were also starting to itch because of the scratchy fabric.

He learned how to open his wings, and his dad gave his tips on how to close them. He hasn't been able to nail it just yet, but he has been trying.

His father... Sarai...

Were they all alright? Did they get out?

Were they gonna come help him? Was Dorian gonna leave him behind just like he did years ago?

"Ignis." One of the members called out, Hathem, Ruy believed.

"What?" He snapped back.

"Can you get us into the village?" He asked.

Ruy's breathing stumbled.

"No." He hissed. He wasn't going to risk the villager's lives; they could get wrapped up in things that they don't know anything about.

"Why do you want to go there, anyway?" Trix asked Hathem, trying to understand the botched map Ruy gave them to trip them up. Hathem shrugged, "Curious, I guess."

The other members muttered in agreement. They wanted to see what this whole Vatarian hype was all about. They all stared at Ruy, who felt like a deer in spotlights.

"No." he repeated.

"And why is that?" Trix asked, a slight lilt to his voice. Ruy focused on the crunching of leaves beneath his feet as he pushed past everyone.

"They all know the Neverseen symbol. They would probably beat us to death the minute we step into the village."

"They are villagers, what could they truly do?"

"They are men, women, and children who have all lost loved ones because of you. You shouldn't cross those who have little left to lose." Ruy hissed. He realized that as they all went silent... his voice had the slightest hint of an Inalian accent.

And he said you, not us.

Trix smiled from under his hood. "Vespera believes you are under Maha's control. She believes that her soldier can still be saved."

Trix smiled, and Ruy squared his shoulders. Trix saw right through him, Ruy wasn't hiding shit.

"You know what, you're right, Hathem. Let's go see this village. See what weaponry and such they have." Trix looked Ruy straight in the eyes as he said, "Maybe even take a stroll through their cemeteries."

Bastard, stupid prick- Ruy was counting down the days till he can kick his teeth in.

Against his internal panic, he followed as all of them ditched their Neverseen regalia and marched into the village liked they owned the damn place. But Trix took off his hood, and Ruy finally what the ass looked like. Trix's hair was a platinum blond with slight curls bouncing around his lightly tanned skin. His face was dotted with freckles, his eyes were a delicate shade of purplish-blue. He was just old enough to have slightly pointed ears, but he seemed younger by the piercings in his earlobes.

Ruy kept his wings close, hid his eyes under his hair. He felt like a fool. And a traitor.

The village of Megara. It was a cute little place, amazing seafood, good if you wanted to get a nice feel of Inalia. They were pretty close to the coastline, so the shells and seafood was amazing.

"What on earth are they wearing?" One of the members, Dominque, asked.

"They have different styles of clothing than we do, a different culture," Ruy muttered. Megara was pretty far from Renisanca, the Assassins did little patrolling here. Maybe he could leave them behind a note or something? Tell them what has happened to him and what fate has befallen Egypitnat.

"Are they eating animals?" Hathem asked, gagging slightly.

"Not everyone has to conform to your style of life, you know." Ruy hissed. Trix rolled his eyes, "Split up. See what they think about their government, find weak spots, maybe some guards who might let some things slide." Trix sighed. Perfect. If Ruy could sneak away just long enough to get the attention of the guild-

"Not happening, Ignis." Trix snarled, pointing at him, "You're coming with me."

Well, there goes that plan.

They all split up, Ruy panicking as the Neverseen filth descended into the perfect little village. Megara was mostly built of timber, clay, and stripped birch wood, beautifully painted blue and red roofs, just like the other villages in Inalia. It was one of the bigger villages, and besides their seafood, they were known for their parties. The Inner Circle has visited the village for the seasonal festivals. They also visited here once or twice for the Solstice celebration. Ruy had the place pretty well memorized, but there was little he could do since he was so far away from the guildhall.

"What is this?" Trix asked, pointing to a trinket displayed in one of the marketplace's front window. The seller came to the window, blinking at Trix.

"You... have an elven accent." He asked in the enlightened language, his thick Inalian accent curling the words.

Trix nodded, "That I do, is that a problem?"

The marketkeep blinked, "No, we just don't get too many elves here. Inalia is... hard to come by."

It was absolutely a problem, Inalians were naturally suspicious of elves after the Fall of Inalia. But why was this marketkeep keeping a closer eye than normal?

"What is this?" Trix repeated, pointing to the charm again. The marketkeep wiped off his hands on his apron as he picked it up.

"It is a charm attributed to Palaemon, our ocean god." The man explained, still glaring at Trix. The Marketkeep finally looked at Ruy and paled.

He recognized him.

Ruy rushed forward and gazed through the charms the man was selling. Ruy didn't know how the Marketkeep recognized him, but he could figure out someway to get his situation across.

"What about this one?" Ruy asked, picking up the charm. Ruy knew what it was, but he allowed the marketkeep to explain.

"The charm attributed to the Prince of Arcadia, and made from wood from the island known to be the birthplace of the goddess of panic and..." The marketkeep's eyes flashed, "and hostages."

Ruy's eyes never broke eye contact from the marketkeep, "And what about this one?" Ruy asked, snatching another charm. Trix was still trying to digest the different charms and knickknacks, and luckily wasn't paying too much attention.

"That is a charm for the spirit Galatea, the white bone spirit. She is rumored to be stolen by the Prince of Anej and cried for help, but no one could hear her." The man explained, it all clicking in his head. Ruy nodded, putting the charms back as Trix sighed. Ruy glanced into his shop, his eyes snagging on the north wasll of his shop.

It was small, done with probably charcoal. An incomplete diamond, the top of it slightly distorted.Through the middle of the diamond was a a straight line cutting through it.

The shadow symbols of the Undergrounds. The man had a fence symbol in his shop.

Oh shit, he was a *fence for the Undergrounds. The Assassins did work with them sometimes, and Sophie used to brawl there when she was short on cash. That's how he recognized Ruy. And it seems he got Ruy's message as he explained, "Listen, boys, I'm just going to say it. Your kind isn't really welcome here. Us Inalians aren't too chummy with elves, "the man feigned a look of disgust, "Or half breeds." He said as he looked at Ruy.

Flat out lie. Some of the Inalians are like that, but very few.

"I recommend getting lost." He spat. Trix glared at him, scoffing and slamming the charm back onto the tabletop.

"Let's go." Trix hissed at Ruy. Ruy followed Trix back into the crowd, checking over his shoulder. The shopkeep watched Ruy go, packing up his shop a bit early. Probably to drop off his stolen goods and tell his boss his information.

Hopefully, they managed to get the message to the guild, one way or another.

Trix met back up with the other Neverseen members, who seemed just as confused and turned around as he was. Ruy felt comfortable, though, even when they all started to head back.

"They seem to be really loose in the forests, believe them to be sacred to the Amazons and remain fairly untouched. The mountains surrounding the valley are also pretty barren of people except for the various business operations that harvest wood, stone, that sort of thing." Hathem explained to Trix.

"They are pretty friendly, but they are naturally cautious of elves," Dominque explained.

"Good. Let's scout out the forests a bit more, see what we can use." Trix explained. Why do they need additional space? Why not just stay in the Castello?

Ruy watched Megara look smaller and smaller as they trekked back into the forests.

They started to set up camp, avoiding setting up a fire so as not to leak their position to any possible scouts. Trix sent away Ruy to get firewood anyway, probably to discuss plans with the other members. No one trusted him, as they should.

Dominque and Hathem were sent with him to collect firewood as well, but Ruy knew they were just supposed to keep an eye on him. They weren't allowing him a moment alone, not a chance.

"So, Ruy, what's with the wings?" Dominque asked.

"Don't talk to him, Dom," Hathem scolded her.

"Why? It's not like he can do anything to me." Dominque snapped back. Wrong. With the way she was leaning against the tree, Ruy could easily kick out her feet and break her knees before she could do anything. Roll out and get Hathem with a chokehold, slam him into one of the trees and make a break for it. But Trix and the rest of the camp was in view of the three of them, and Trix could probably get past any shield Ruy puts around himself with a pointed wind attack, only because Ruy would be running. Ruy can't fly yet, at least, not well enough to get away from them. Not to mention if he did try to run, his wings would slow him down too much.

"I'm half Dunmer, half Vatarian," Ruy answered blandly.

Dominque hummed in response, "And, you're some kind of prince?"

Ruy didn't look away from his wood collecting, "Yes."

"Yes, what?" Dom pushed.

"Yes." Ruy hissed. He wasn't giving any information, especially about his father.

"Vespera can't seriously think you-"

"Dominque. Wood." Hathem hissed, reminding her what they were doing. Dominque snorted but started to grab random sticks off the ground. Dominque started to mutter to Hathem.

"Maybe she wants him for the experiments." She whispered.

The Mirthless Infusion?

"They figured it out, they know how to do it now. They are moving onto phase two." Hathem whispered back. Ruy continued to pretend he was collecting sticks, pretending he was unaware.

"Isn't he getting in the way? What if he finds a way to tell the Assassins or Senate where we are? What we are planning?" He asked.

"Can't you see him? He's completely shut down, won't answer any questions. What could he possibly do?"

Ruy's vision turned red. Oh, those fuckers have no idea what he was capable of. They returned with their firewood, finishing setting up camp in silence.

Soon, night fell on Inalia. They were all gathered around the campfire, except Ruy, who was laying in his cot in the smaller tent. Chained to the tent poles that were hammered into the ground.

He could probably rip the poles out of the ground if he wanted too, but it would've been too loud.

"Trix, I'm telling you, that's not how you hold it." Dominque snapped at Trix. Ruy glanced over his shoulder, staring as Trix poorly held a throwing knife. It seemed to be standard Inalian issue, nothing too special about it. He must have swiped it when they went into the village.

"Shut up Dom, I know what I am doing-"

"You're doing it wrong," Ruy said, not looking at them from his cot. The silence that fell over the camp made Ruy's heart beat a bit faster. Ruy looked over his shoulder to see everyone staring at him not in anger, except for Trix, but rather in curiosity. Ruy rolled his eyes, flexing his wings out a bit.

"Your stance is sloppy, you're supposed to have your right foot in front of your left since you're right-handed. And the way you are holding the damn thing is a sure way to get it lodged in your foot." Ruy shuffled further into his cot, "Hold it like you would a hammer, then flick your wrist as you're about to loose it."

Everyone was quiet, Ruy could feel the small scouting party stare into his back. But then there was the sound of a throwing knife hitting its target, the knot in a birch tree. The group whispered and giggled slightly as Trix scowled, and Ruy finally realized something. Most of the Neverseen members are new. They were curious about who he was and what the legend about Vespera's son was truly about. They wanted to see what he was about. There were looking up to him because they weren't there when Ruy betrayed the Neverseen and ran off.

Maybe, just maybe, he could use that to his advantage.

Maybe he can turn this not into a kidnapping, but rather an opportunity. For both him and Keefe.

And for the first time since he was dragged back into the wretched organization, Ruy smiled.

If only Sophie could still teleport, it would make her job so much easier. She still had no answers, and she needed to return to the guild. What happened to Egypitnat? Is Arsinoe dead? What about her Inner Circle, her brother?

The Ancient Vatarians were giving her space, and Sophie thanked them for that, but she started to actively avoid them. Maha never pushed either, helped Sophie redress her wounds, helped her get used to the soreness, and aching, from the hypothermia leaving her body. Sophie did hear her talking to her Endre, however, about finding other ways to contact Byzanthar.

Sophie felt guilty, she knew that there was something at the peak waiting for her, for both her and Maha. Questions with answers, the key to unlocking her powers again, what the gods were trying to prepare for. The real purpose for Sophie and Maha's existence, why they were returned from the cold claws of death.

So why was she so hesitant?

Was she scared? Sophie always had fear, part of her job, but she was never too scared to finish a job. Maybe she was just selfish, but she felt a horrible gut feeling in her stomach.

But the way they talked to her, that she needed to do this, needed to do that.

Who do they think they are?

Sophie hated being controlled, hated being used like a puppet. Maybe that was why she didn't want to go, she didn't want to give Kynareth any more control over her, and didn't want the Elders to start to sway her decisions.

Sophie's clenched her fists, storming to the foyer of the temple. She knew the Elders were there, handling some of the day to day decisions about their small colony of Vatarians. Sophie barged through the doors, the priestesses and priests jumping at the sight of her.

"I'll do it." She spits. Endre smiled, but Sophie held up her hand, "Under conditions."

Endre's eyes darkened but he nodded for her to continue.

"Maha and I know the new Vatarian world better then any of you do, when we say something won't work, it won't work. Maha is an amazing spy and a close friend, and I am getting this guardian for her and her alone. We are to be consulted on any moves you make about reopening the Vatarian cities and reinstituting the Old Republic. My Inner Circle is to be there when we select a new King or Queen for Inalia if the Old Republic does rise to power again. We are also the ones who are going to hold onto the artifacts until we decide what they are and what to do with them."

Sophie crossed her arms, "These are my terms. If you agree, I will begin further up the mountain." She finished.

The Elders all stared at her in a bit of shock. A few seemed less than thrilled at her terms, but she stood her ground.

"And I get to bring my dragon up the mountain," Sophie added quickly.

Endre and the other Elders glanced at each other, speaking to each other with their eyes.

"Fine." Endre sighed.

Behind them, Sanaa nodded at Sophie, just slightly.

"We will have appropriate clothes and supplies ready for you in your room. Make sure to leave for the peak before the sun sets."

Sophie widened her eyes, reminding him of something else, "And your dragon will be ready to depart whenever you are." Endre added.

Sophie didn't show her satisfaction, "Good," She curtly finished, turning on her heel and striding out of the foyer.

Maybe they would know Sophie and Maha's positions on this now.

Fitz and Biana breezed through the foyer of their house to the kitchen, noting that all the Councilors were there. Granted, they didn't get the best look, as they were trying to get by as fast and quietly as possible. Sofia and Della Vacker were in the kitchen with each other. Della was bouncing Sofia in her arms, trying to distract them both. When Della spotted her children, she loosed a shaky breath.

"Where have you two been? The Council asked to hold an emissary meeting, and I volunteered Everglen to hopefully overhear something, but then they started to describe the attack, and I wanted to ask about Sophie-"

"We need to get into dad's office," Biana whispered.

Della blinked, "W-what?"

"The Inner Circle, Dunmer Royal family, and a few of the Vatarian leaders are stranded in Egypitnat. Dad has Allesandro's journal, which might have plans and names to help us get them out."

"No, Alvar and Mansi-"Della whimpered. Biana and Fitz nodded. Sofia was nuzzled into her mother's neck, dozing off, and luckily not hearing what they were saying. She was a child, after all, she had been through enough. Della pursed her lips, glancing out into the foyer, where the Council was quietly talking with their gathered emissaries, the highest-ranking ones including their father.

"Quick, don't let the Council see you. If they see you with it, they might confiscate it." Della whispered. Della kept an eye out from down the hall if any Councilors came their way. Biana and Fitz rushed in, quickly closing the door behind them.

To find Oralie sniffling, lightly leaning against Alden's desk.

Oralie froze as she saw them barge in, clearly confused. Her tight blond curls were wrapped in a knot at the crown of her head, her circlet gleaming in the office's gentle light. She wore a pinky plum dress that flowed around her every move,  asweetheart neckline lined with opals and poofy sleeves.

"Councilor Oralie! What a pleasure, can we help you with something?" Biana asked, immediately straightening and trying to calm down her beating heart.

Oralie hugged herself, "I'm sorry, I'm a bit distraught. It was an intense... event. I just needed to get away from everything."

Fitz and Biana glanced at each other, their eyes flashing with displeasure. They needed to get her out so they could find where Alden hid the journal.

"Maybe the parlor would work better? It is farther away, so you can't hear them talking as much, and I can brew some tea?" Fitz proposed.

Oralie shook her head, "No thank you. I just need a few moments to catch my breath."

Crap, crap, crap... every moment they waste trying to get rid of Oralie was time they could be spending trying to evacuate Egypitnat.

"I am just here to get a book for school, actually!" Biana nervously squeaked out, trying to look casual as she browsed the shelves. Fitz followed suit, coughing that he was just here to help her. They scoured through the books on the bookshelf, repeating the description over and over again in their heads.

"What does it look like? May I help?" Oralie asked, straightening out her gown.

"No thank you, Councilor," Fitz cursed under his breath as he pulled out another useless book, "It's far too trivial for you to waste your time on."

Oralie muttered an okay, scanning her eyes over the room in an attempt to distract herself.

"It is gorgeous in here, the whole estate is amazing. I've always wanted a big house and to start a family." She said quietly. Biana and Fitz slowed their searching just a bit, hearing the sadness in her voice. She regretted being a councilor, they all knew it.

"It's not too late. Maybe one day?" Biana said encouragingly, looking over her shoulder to smile at the Councilor.

Biana paled and kicked her brother in his shins.

Fitz held back his yelp, glaring at his sister, but he followed her desperate looks towards Oralie. In Oralie's hands, was Allesandro's journal.

"I didn't know your father journaled. Or is it Ms. Della?" Oralie asked, smiling as she looked over the journal. Damn it, their father was trying to read it, he was trying to remember more memories. It was on his desk! He wasn't expecting guests and didn't have time to hide it.

No noise came from either sibling, their hearts beating so fast they could hear it in their ears.

"I've always wanted to try journaling-"Oralie stopped as she glanced at the back of the book, at Allesandro's initials pressed in the back. She turned to the journal's spine, her eyes widening at the empty arrow sigil stamped in the light leather, dusted with gold leaf.

Fitz rushed forward, trying to snatch it out of her hands. Oralie scrambled back, the journal clamped in her hands. Biana grabbed her brother as Oralie's eyes darkened at both of them.

"You are with them, you- you're traitors. Traitors of the Council." She hissed, her hands wrapping the journal close to her chest.

"Oralie, please, there are lives at risk!" Fitz quietly insisted

"Yet you are spies against us, against your own people! What about their lives?!" Oralie snapped. She eyed the door and started towards it. Biana ran in front of it, throwing herself in Oralie's way.

"And what about Keefe?!" Biana tumbled out.

Oralie froze. Her golden curls trembled as her lip quivered slightly.

"What will the Council do to get him back? He was your assistant, you're the one that brought him into that situation, and you are just leaving him?!" Biana continued.

"The Council-"

"What will they do? Mourn for two days and then pretend he never existed?" Fitz snapped, his anger starting to get the best of him.

"He is my best friend, damn it! We both know you took him as an assistant because you felt guilty! WE are the ones being affected by all of this. We refuse to sit silent, we won't conform to the Council's horrible 'solutions' to problems. They are causing mayhem, are you really going to be another one of them?" Fitz insisted, taking small steps towards Oralie. She stepped closer to the door Biana was covering, holding Allesandro's journal closer.

"That journal? It belonged to Sophie's father," Biana breathed. Oralie gasped slightly, staring at the journal clamped in her hands.

"We want to use it to help those trapped in Egypitnat. You all may have been lucky enough to get out, but there are still many people stuck there, the Neverseen are going to find them soon. That includes our brother and his fiancé,"

"Alvar left the Lost cities, he made his choice. But your family directly violated Council orders-"

"She's pregnant." Fitz spat. Okay, Fitz didn't know if Mansi was pregnant, it was a flat out lie. But the way Oralie straightened, her eyes widening, Fitz knew he hooked her.

Biana's eyes were as wide as saucers, clearly catching on but not happy about the lie, "Yes. Mansi is pregnant, and she is stranded with our brother as well. All of our friends are there, and we know where Keefe is."

Oralie stared at the journal, her hand's shaking slightly as she wiped at her wet cheeks. Fitz inched forward, "Please, Oralie, that journal is going to save lives. Imagine what the Council will do if they get their hands on it. Do you think they would even try to save Keefe? The people you all left behind?" He begged. Oralie looked torn, so torn. She stared at Allesandro's initials, then to the door Biana was blocking.

This was taking too long, everyone could be dead already.

A little whisper echoed at the back of his head, "Just a peek."

No, no, no, that would be breaking the law.

"Just learn a little something to get that journal out of her hands." It whispered again.

He shouldn't.

"The ends justify the means..." His conscious murmured.

Fitz took a deep breath, pushing past his disgust as he entered Oralie's mind.

He shifted through her memories like wind shifting through wheat in a field, blazing through them so fast it was like he wasn't there.

"I tried to convince them otherwise, I tried-"

A deep voice cut through the memory, "If you tried a bit harder, I might have not endured years of agony at the hands of my mother."

A scene flickered through Fitz's head. Oralie was in a ballroom, but it was foreign. Golden polished sandstone that was painted with the rays of the setting sun. Large tapestries hanging from the towering walls and lush greenery scattered throughout the courtyard. But Oralie's focus was pointed on a man.

Oralie tried to say something to him, but words couldn't come out. Fitz felt... guilt. Oralie felt so guilty and upset by seeing this man, the emotions were so strong Fitz could feel them through her memories.

The man sighed.

"Thank you for being the only one who stood up for me, though," He muttered. The vision flickered a bit, but Fitz focused, and everything clicked into place.

He was at least 6 foot, maybe taller. A defined sharp jaw and face with calm, analytical azure eyes. His hair was messily slicked back, complimenting the silver crown resting around his brow. He carried himself well. By the looks everyone was giving him, they all knew how handsome he was as well, specifically the women gossiping about him. His dark suit was clean and professional, though it was a bit looser around his neck, where you could see the outline of swirling tattoos underneath his tight white shirt.

His massive bat-like wings made Fitz jump a bit, but focused on Oralie's perception of him.

"She knows him..." Fitz breathed.

Fitz stared at his eyes through Oralie, and it clicked. The familiar azure blue of his mother.

Ruy Ignis. Sophie's right hand.

The minute the name clicked into place for Fitz, he was dragged out of that memory into another.

It was a Council hearing. In front of them was a young boy, maybe 7 years old. Not just any young boy, Ruy Ignis. His long hair was matted, he stared at the ground as the Councilors peered down at him. His fingers were fiddling with the hem of his beaten jacket, wiping at the grime on his face. He didn't have any sign of pointed ears, wings, or tattoos insight.

"We can't possibly let him in." A Councilor hissed. Oralie turned to him, clicking her tongue in disapproval at Emery.

"You are atrocious. He is a child." Oralie snapped.

"He is the son of Vespera! A hellspawn!" Derek responded.

"He is not responsible for his mother's actions!" Oralie insisted.

"He isn't even defending himself! Not saying a word." Clarette countered.

"He is scared! Get him a representative, get him some rest! You may have already come to a verdict with Vespera, but her child is innocent!" Oralie insisted.

The Council murmured amongst themselves, all glaring down on the poor boy. He was malnourished, and those bruises... those didn't come from natural causes. Oralie had to save him, she couldn't... couldn't let him leave, couldn't let him go. Oralie's thoughts were coming in like breaths of air, filling her head like steady drumming and were easily read by Fitz.

Help him.

I can't leave him alone.

He can't be as bad as his mother, right?

They are all being cruel.

Oralie turned to her right, to where Kenric was sitting on his crystal throne. His red hair glowed like burning embers in the light, and his powder blue eyes met Oralie's. He swallowed at the sight of desperation in Oralie's eyes.

A flutter of emotions flowed through Oralie. Longing, hope, kindness... she missed him. Because she loved him.

Kenric was quiet throughout the entire hearing, which was rare for him. Ruy didn't even know Kenric was there, all he heard was Oralie's voice fighting for him.

Kenric opened his mouth, then closed it. He gave Oralie the smallest shake of his head.

This was one battle they weren't going to win.

"I call for a vote." Councilor Nolan called out. Everyone muttered in agreement, but Oralie clenched the arms of her chair. Ruy shaking, but still didn't meet any of their eyes. The drops of the few tears Ruy shed plunked against the ornate floor before he wiped them away.

"All those for exiling Ruy Ignis," Emery called out, his authoritative voice echoing through the chamber.

Every single Councilor raised their hand, except Oralie and Kenric.

Emery sighed, "Seeing as there is a clear majority, no need to count the other votes."

Emery called over elven guards, who gently put their hands on Ruy's back.

"P-please don't m-make me-me go back." Ruy's meek voice stuttered out. Those were the only words they heard from him the entire time. Oralie's eyes were hot, her chest moving in and out unevenly as she struggled to keep herself together.

"Ruy Ignis is hereby exiled from the Lost Cities in accompaniment with his mother, Vespera."

Ruy finally looked up, his eyes glassy. But he didn't put up a fight as the guards gently escorted him out, the only sound was the sounds of their soft footsteps against the glossy floor. Just as he passed through the doorway threshold, Oralie stood up, her voice cracking as she called out, "I'm sorry!"

Ruy didn't even look her way as the door closed behind him.

Fitz blinked, regaining his balance.

Oralie was holding Allesandro's journal tight to her chest, her eyes glassy. She and Biana were staring each other down, Biana clenched the door handles shut. Not a moment had passed.

Even after all this time, she blamed herself for Ruy's unfair exile.

"As one of your Councilors, I demand you move." Oralie spit.

"Oralie, I can't do that." Biana begged, her voice breaking a bit.

"What about Ruy?!" said Fitz.

Oralie's head whipped to him, her hands loosening.

"He was a kid, Oralie. And you let him walk away, you couldn't help him, no matter how hard you tried. And the Council were the ones who sent that starving boy away, yet here you stand, protecting them." Fitz hissed.

"How d-did you know..." Oralie murmured.

Oralie stumbled back a few paces, Allesandro's journal in her loosening in her arms. She put her hand over her mouth, holding back her tears.

Oralie blamed herself for all of the Council's mistakes, even though she didn't cause them. She is trying to do what she believed is right. But she didn't know what was right anymore.

"First the orphans and innocent people of Inalia, including Sophie and her own father. Next, it was Ruy, a starving boy who needed help yet was still denied. Then it was Kenric, the man you loved, the man you trusted, who was murdered. And he still hasn't had justice." Fitz's voice was almost unrecognizable when he begged, "Don't let Keefe be next. Think of Sophie, the scared yet kind girl you absolutely adored, think of Ruy, the lost prince who came to you as an abused little boy. You can make it all right."

Oralie sobbed into her hand, tears finally falling past her eyelashes. She stumbled back into a chair, her quiet sobbing and hiccuping tearing through the room. Biana met Fitz's eyes, the pity apparent in both of their teal eyes.

"Oralie-" Oralie peeled the journal away from her body, holding it out for them.

"Just take it." She hiccuped, her voice quiet. Biana gently took it from Oralie's shaking hands, who then just put her head in her hands, the curls falling through her fingers.

"Get out," Oralie whispered through her cracky hiccups.

Oralie didn't watch them go. Her gentle sobbing still rang through Fitz's ears even as they teleported back to Ravagog.

Oof.

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_Sibylline_