Two Weeks Ago

Kain could see the moment Mara understood his announcement.

Her expression froze.

Her pale face blanched further, fingers gripping her teacup in a stranglehold. Then, irritation spared in her hazel eyes. Anger. Disbelief. She opened her mouth, as if to argue, then faltered just as quickly.

Her gaze searched his.

"You can't know that."

The hope in her voice was painful. It scraped at Kain's chest, reminding him how hollow his words potentially were.

The truth was, Mara was right. He didn't know that. The last time he saw Iliana, she had been tossed across a mountain pass by the wyvern, before being swept into the arms of a giant stranger. She might have died in the mountains, or from complications thereafter.

"I do," he lied, then hesitated.

His instinct was to reassure her. To tell all about how Iliana had snuck aboard the Airlea three years ago and captured the hearts of the crew. How they'd grown close, and how she had found a family that understood her. About how despite the pain, and weight, of Mara's story, he found it hard to fully sympathize.

That Iliana had gone through more than Mara could ever know, than Kain knew. It would be so easy to leave out the reason they were traveling. Explaining everything would only make things worse.

But, was lying really the right answer?

She deserved the truth. And, Iliana deserved that her sister knew the truth. If she were sitting next to him, he couldn't imagine Iliana would offer anything but brutal honesty. She would lash out. Iliana didn't deal with emotion well, and in this situation, she would, unconsciously, try to make Mara feel some of her pain. To understand what her choices had forced Iliana to endure.

As her friend, what was the right answer?

"The reason we're traveling, the real reason," Kain began. "We're...chasing after her. The situation is complicated, but...from everything you've told me, as impossible as it is, the Iliana I know must be the one you lost."

She winced at his choice of words. Her fingers fell away from her cup, dropping into her lap. Mara's eyes settled there as well, indecipherable emotion flickering through them.

"I...need you to prove it," she said eventually. "I can't believe you, a stranger, that easily. No matter how much you've done for me."

His answer fell from his lips before Kain's thoughts fully formed.

"She's smart. Sarcastic. Jaded. Brutally honest to the point of social ineptitude. She carries herself as if she believes she can do anything, but in the down moments, it's obvious she doesn't. She has scars--a painful number of them. The worst are her hands. Old, harsh burns cover the backs, looking as if something hot was repeatedly poured over them past the point a witch can mend.

"She's...like a cat. Difficult to approach, lashes out when scared, but loyal, and caring to those she trusts. And..." Kain hesitated. It was rude. Mara didn't deserve it. "She doesn't speak of family. Or her past. But, you can tell it hurts. And that she dealt with more than she ever should have, without any help, or the comfort she deserved."

Mara looked like she might cry. She pressed her palms to her dry eyes. Guilt stung Kain as he noticed the way her hands trembled.

"That's--that--you," Mara stammered, breathless. "The person you...the Iliana, if she's...that sounds like her, but--do you love her?"

Surprise stole Kain's tongue. Mara stared at him, something impossible--hope, perhaps?--reflecting in her gaze.

Of anything she could have asked, he hadn't expected that. But, looking back at his words, he could see where the question sparked. And, she could see why she would want the answer he wouldn't give.

If his description of Iliana was an indicator of love, Mara could absolve herself of some of the guilt on her shoulders. It was selfish of her, but understandable. If Kain loved Iliana, if she loved him, maybe she was happy. Maybe Mara didn't need to hate herself for their past.

Once, Kain had thought that perhaps he might. Or, if he didn't, that he could grow to.

His eyes had followed Iliana, and the warmth that sparked in his chest when she was around had drawn the question to the forefront of his mind. It was why it had hurt so much when she questioned his proposal. The him of that moment hadn't known what romantic love was, but had been willing to learn, and discover if those feelings were the seeds of it.

But, looking back at it, Kain recognized it for what it was. Love, yes, but not the kind Mara was asking for. It was different than the...spark, the heat, he realized came with that affection.

"We're family."

It was at that moment that he knew Mara believed him.

He saw the collapse of her denial, and the pain that followed. The guilt, and the relief. Then, worry and fear.

"You said you're chasing her."

Kain hesitated. "It's...complicated."

"Uncomplicated it," she ordered, then paused. Her hands rose from her lap, templing over the table in a tense, trembling tent. "Please."

How much did he share? How much would Iliana want her to know?

"She was kidnapped by a group akin to slavers," Isidor interjected when Kain didn't reply. He shot a look at the witch, who shrugged unrepentantly. "At least, that's how I've come to understand the situation. They took her over the pass into Reotak, but it collapsed, so we're heading for the other to follow."

Mara stilled. "And then Kyril caused you to be contained in Sol."

There were no words to describe the emotion that settled on Mara's face in that moment. At least, none that Kain knew. It was cold, hostile. The face of someone who had reached their limit long ago, and had just been forced to take another step into the abyss that followed.

"Yes."

"Then, you cannot know what has come of her. If she is alive, or safe."

"No."

Silence coated the room following Kain's response. It only broke with the softest yip from Natia as she padded forward, her body rubbing against Mara's skirt. Mara's expression shattered, falling into a familiar smile, one that Kain hadn't realized was fake until that moment.

"Thank you for being honest," she murmured. Her hand dropped to Natia, stroking the wolf's fur as if it could ease the pain hidden behind her words. "This...is more than I had. More than I could hope for."

"Milady." Dalphie dropped a hand on her shoulder, before reaching past to collect Mara's empty cup. "They will need to be seen in the city."

Confusion, and a bit of irritation, flicked across Mara's face as she looked up at the servant. Kain couldn't blame her. Dalphie's interruption was inconsiderate at best. However, Mara must have read something Dalphie's expression that was invisible to Kain, because her shoulders fell, before she nodded a slow agreement.

"You're right. We...we have plenty of time to discuss this further, given how far away the trial lies."

Surprised over how suddenly Mara was dropping the topic, Kain could only nod his understanding. She stood following his agreement, her hand catching the table as if to steady herself. It reminded Kain of the other goal behind their meeting, and he looked to Isidor. Hesitation flicked through him as he debated how to word the offer.

"Before you leave...will you allow Isidor to check on you?" Kain asked. "He's a witch doctor, and a strong one at that. And...whatever state you're in, he'll be silent about it."

Meaning, there was none of the concern that came with a regular witch. Kyril wouldn't hear she visited one, and get angry at the prospect of whatever injuries she held being shared with the rest of the peerage for a price.

Mara paused, once again looking to Dalphie for an answer. The woman shook her head, and Mara seemed to steel herself in response. "No, I'm fine. The thought is appreciated, but I have no need for a healer at the moment."

She was lying. But, was it right to call her out?

Isidor scoffed, stealing Kain's need to decide. "That is a lie, Your Grace."

"If it is, then it is a lie I choose to give," Mara countered. "And the polite thing to do is ignore it."

What possible reason could she have to refuse treatment? Was it Kyril? Or, was it the servant? Kain looked at Dalphie, suspicion sparking in his chest. Their relationship had felt off since the first moment he had noticed her, and nothing about this interaction had eased that impression. In fact, it had only grown.

"That's stupid, but I won't argue," Isidor retorted. "How idiots decide to die is none of my concern."

Mara frowned, but simply looked to Kain instead of continuing the conversation. "It is best if your party leaves first. We need to clean up here, and I typically stay out longer than this. It will look odd if I return now."

It was obvious she was cutting the conversation off to avoid them pressing further. The method worked, however, as Kain had no real way to insist she let Isidor check her without being rude.

"Very well...if you need anything, Mara, at any time, find us. And, we'll help you."

Her smile became weary, but no less warm. "If it is something you can help with, I will. Thank you, Kain."

┈♔◦𓇣◦☽◦❤◦☾◦𓇣◦♔┈

Despite Kain's desire to return to the palace as soon as possible--as the moment his mind turned back to the king, he recalled Melitta's invitation from the queen mother--he knew that Dalphie's insistence that they need to be seen exploring Sol was right. Their group was memorable, so it would be odd if not a single guard had seen them exploring as Kain had said he would.

As such, they spent the next hour wandering Sol, taking in sights that Kain was in no proper mindset to enjoy. Natia, however, appeared fascinated. She went as far as to slip into an alley and shift back to her human form, enabling the young girl to draw closer to whatever she found interesting without provoking ire from shopkeepers.

Much to his surprise, and comfort, the change showed that Kain and Melitta hadn't been the only ones to enjoy the king's generosity. Natia's simple traveling outfit had been replaced with a deep violet dress. The layered skirt was lined with lace, although not as much as an adult dress of the same make may have held. It hung loose on her frame--no doubt made for a heavier child--but was of no less rich a taste than his own clothing.

It wasn't until Natia lingered outside a toy shop, eyes wide, that Kain realized he had no idea how young she truly was. Guilt settled into his thoughts as he remembered the fight in the tavern, and how Natia had taken down a man on her own. While there wasn't any other, responsible choice, it still felt wrong to have a child as young as her accompanying them on the trip, nightmare or not.

"Natia?" he called.

She glanced over her shoulder, question obvious in her gaze. Her hands fell from the shop window, a sudden nervousness tensing her frame as she seemed to realize how obvious her excitement had been.

"No, you're fine," he reassured her when she took a step back. It didn't seem to lessen her sudden apprehension, but he doubted anything he could do really would. "I was just wondering...how old are you? Do you know?"

She tilted her head, much like the wolf he knew her to be. Then shrugged. "Seven summer."

"From what I saw when healing her, between eight and ten seems about right," Isidor commented. "She's likely just telling you what she remembers."

Natia nodded her agreement with his words, and Kain held back a curse. Gods. He had thought she was at least ten. His only reassurance came with her race. Perhaps nightmare children were more used to violence--she had been the one to lunge forward and bury her fangs in the man's throat. No one had forced her to, Kain had even told her to remain hidden.

Still. His eyes flicked to the shop, practicality warring with guilt. They didn't have money for it, but...

"Let's go in."

Isidor snorted, but didn't argue as Kain urged Natia into the toy shop. She clasped her hands behind her back, cautious eyes focused more on Kain than the toys. Apparently his attention had created the opposite effect of what he'd desired.

"You were looking at something, weren't you?" he questioned. "Could you show me?"

Natia watched him for a minute, to the point he wasn't certain she would respond, before slowly looking away. She approached a table he realized must have been visible from the window, before picking up a wooden spyglass and offering it to him. Kain accepted the toy, turning it over in his hands as he tried to figure out what about it had caught her attention.

It was a simple thing, obviously meant more for entertaining children than practical use. Intricate lace designs had been etched into the white wood, before getting stained black. Each part of the spyglass could be turned and collapsed, until the object itself ended up no more than a few inches in length.

"Are you sure you don't want something..." Kain glanced around, his attention settling on where small plushies and dolls had been laid out next to wooden block toys. "Like those?"

Her eyes widened as she seemed to understand the meaning behind his question. She quickly shook her head, taking a step back and once again clasping her hands behind her back. "No. Fine. Just look."

Her protest voiced, Natia darted back to the door, lingering just inside the frame with an expression that clearly said she was ready to go. Discomfort gripped Kain's chest as he realized her curious expression had faded into wariness. It would seem she didn't trust them yet. Which, he supposed he couldn't blame her for.

So, instead of attempting to convince her that she didn't need to be afraid, Kain turned his attention to the shop keep. After a quick inquiry over the prices, Kain ended up collecting a bag. Inside lay a simple plush wolf--a simple thing made of fabric stuffed with wool--a wooden block toy, and the spyglass she'd had her eye on. As he approached Natia to offer it to her, however, the wolf stepped away, her back pressing to the door. Kain hesitated, uncertain how to proceed.

"Just leave it with me," Isidor suggested when Natia made no sign of moving. "If I leave it in the room, she'll probably accept it eventually."

Faintly surprised at the reasonable suggestion, Kain nodded and handed over the bag. Following that, they continued to explore the shops, but didn't end up stopping again as Natia's excitement seemed to have disappeared with the purchase of the toys.

The barest hints of night stretched across the city as they stepped back into the palace walls. Isidor bid him farewell, and with Natia trailing him, her eyes focused on the ground, they disappeared once again into the rooms they shared. Kain hesitated outside his own, tempted to visit Melitta instead of retiring.

The matter was stolen from his hands, however, as his door swung open. The second Lyre's eyes landed on Kain, relief flooded the servant's face.

"Milord! Thank the gods. I was worried you had forgotten."

Confused, Kain stepped past Lyre, who shut the door behind him. "Forgot?"

"Your dinner with His Majesty!" 

A/N: Somehow, I finished on time! Yay me. 
Anyways, some cute scenes, some heavy scenes, hope you enjoyed, and see you again next week!