“He’s late…” Sairek mumbled quietly as he, Nayleen and Cyial sat at the kitchen table. Varhi was so late that the plate Nayleen made for him for supper was still left unattended and had gone cold, while they had already finished their meals. An hour ago.
“I’m sure there’s a good reason. Varhi can take care of himself here better than any of us.” Nayleen tried to soothe him.
“I’m not convinced, Nayleen. It’s Varhi we’re talking about.” Sairek frowned.
“What do you suppose we do, then?”
Sairek pushed his form up from the table and began walking towards the bedroom. “I’m going to go find out where he is. I’ll visit there myself.”
“Now hold on a minute…” Nayleen tried. “Why not give him at least a little bit more time? Don’t forget he has his own business to do as well. There could be a bunch of rational reasons why he hasn't come back yet. He can probably take care of himself in the city better than I can, and you weren't worried about me, you know...”
"Oh come on, you know that's not what this is about." Sairek paused, he turned his head to look at a clock. It was currently six-thirty. The sun had begun to set. He looked at its position compared to the horizon and pointed. “If he’s not back by dark, I’m going to go look for him. You’re welcome to come with me or stay here if you want.”
“Come on, you know that isn’t a choice.” Nayleen sighed, rubbing the back of her head. “But fine. That probably gives him until seven-thirty or so. If he’s not back by then, then even I will be a bit worried.”
Cyial looked at Sairek for a moment, and sighed. “I’m going to have to put the collar back on, won’t I…?”
“Sorry Cyial. You can stay here instead if you want to."
“I… I’ll think about it…” Cyial sighed. “I wouldn’t feel right about letting you all go there alone, though… But Nayleen is right, Varhi did say he'd probably be back until after sunset, and well, it's not quite after sunset yet, Sairek. Please give him a little bit more time before you go... running off?” Cyial pleaded.
"...Fine..." Sairek sighed. "But I've still got a horrible feeling that something is very wrong..."
* * *
“Urrghh… unh... uaahhh!...” Varhi groaned in a gasp as he came to. He found his face pressing against a table. “Khh—!” He inhaled sharply through his teeth and tensed his expression into a grimace. His head still felt as if it was being split open. He forced himself to sit upright, struggling to blink and see. Two white rectangles were in front of him. It took a few more seconds for his blurry vision to refocus, at least briefly enough to recognize it was two pieces of paper in front of him.
“Are you finally awake?” Eseras’ voice echoed through his ear drums. Even with how unclear the voice was, her lack of concern pierced through his haze.
“Unnhh… urrghh…” Varhi gargled unintelligibly. He let out a wheezing gasp, nearly feeling himself slipping towards unconsciousness again, but this time he managed to grip onto his consciousness and endure through it. He felt incredibly dizzy. “I—… I’m… f-finnneee…” He managed to slur out of his mouth.
His vision was starting to sober up some, and he managed to lift his head, briefly, to see her smiling at him. A painted smile. Slowly, smoothly, she got up from her seat. She was tall, he realized. Easily over six feet; bordering on seven. Her strides were slow, but smooth with purpose as she made his way to her. The back of her bony hands touched his perspiring forehead and he recoiled at the touch, but didn’t have the strength to fully withdraw away from her. They felt cold.
“You are burning up.” She noted punctually.
“I-I’ll be fine… Pl-Please don’t trouble yours-self for me…” Varhi stammered out with a grunt, squeezing his eyes shut. This would not live down as his finest moment, that was for sure. How embarrassing, whiting out in front of the Prime Minister. Not the impression he wanted to make in Sairek's stead...
…No. Something was wrong. Well, actually two things were wrong. First was her, and second was himself. What was happening to him? He was still trying to keep up polite formalities despite the fact his face had been pressed into the table for who knows how long, but he didn’t know how much he could keep up the charade.
Something was so, so wrong…
“You know... it is believed that those with amnesia can experience tremendous stress when on the verge of remembering something.” She said dutifully, moving to the other side of him. He felt her hand touch his back; just behind the root of his neck. Even though the coif of chainmail his cape he had was there, he still felt an uncomfortable chill tingle down his spine at her touch.
“I-Is that so…” He huffed, looking down at the papers. “Are… Are these…?” He asked.
“Yes, those are the citizen records of your parents. There are no pictures, but there are worded descriptions about them.” Eseras answered.
…Wasn’t these papers supposed to take a while to arrive? Shit. How long had he been out for?
Not worrying about how many potential hours he’d been drooling over Eseras’ table at this current moment, he instead focused on the documents in front of him. He gingerly slid over his alleged mother’s documents.
Evelynn Vloyis. Blue eyes, 5’8”, brunette hair, high class economy, state of residence, Zephyr District, Age, 32 (Dec—
“...Deceased…” Varhi whispered the words softly to himself. His father, too. Slightly different description; blue eyes, slightly taller, auburn hair, high class economy, Zephyr District, Age 34… deceased.
Both died on the same day he apparently disappeared, nearly a year and a half ago.
Someone killed his parents, and… kidnapped him?
“Why… Why were they killed… and only I was missing, though…?” Varhi asked quietly, more to himself than Eseras.
“There could be a number of reasons. Perhaps they only wanted you, or perhaps they wanted the entire family, but…”
“Gh—AGH!?” Varhi let out a shallow, pained gasp. Eseras grabbed the front locks of his hair and yanked his head backwards forcefully. It was rough; though it still didn’t really hurt compared to how the rest of his head felt in comparison but that didn't offer any reprieve in this current predicament. What was this woman doing?!
She peered into his glazed and confused violet eyes with her pale blue ones. Uncomfortably close. Varhi clenched his teeth together from her roughness and the discomfort of her yanking his hair and the headache he was struggling with from within himself..
She leaned in very closely, her silky voice a mere whisper. “...but perhaps, there was an… accident… Hm?” She emphasized.
“Unf…” Varhi let out as she abruptly let go, swiveling his head to nearly slam right back into the table had he not caught himself with his hands forwards onto the table. He gripped his head where she had held him, frustration beginning to course through him despite his befuddled state. “Are you... mad...?! I don’t… remember…!” He tried to emphasize to her. “I’ve been—I’ve wanted to remember my past for the past year, even if it was horrible! But I just—haven’t been able to…!” He opened his mouth to speak again to protest how she just manhandled him, but she spoke before he could.
“You don’t remember yet… but you will.” Eseras murmured. Varhi didn’t like her tone. He was in danger here. He had to get out of here, but it’s not like he could just up and leave. Definitely not in the state he was in. “Whoever is making these people go missing, they now know you are here.” Eseras continued.
“...Wasn’t that your fault?” Varhi grunted.
Eseras smiled. A genuine smile. And yet, it was a cold one. “Yes, but you will be safe here.”
“...Safe here...?" Varhi repeated.
Oh, no no no no. That was not happening. Nu-uh.
"With all due respect— ma’am, I will decline that offer… The Prince of Ceareste expects me to return, after all...” He looked back up at her with a glare. “Tonight, before the sun sets.” He emphasized.
The genuine smile shifted to once more, a painted one. “Do not worry. I will make sure he knows of your whereabouts. You are, after all, a Kiorian citizen.”
“...Hah.” Varhi huffed out. “One for all and all for one…? Yeah, sure. Okay. However, that doesn’t just extend to Kior citizens… It extends to everybody… including the Cearestian Prince, who needs and expects me… And if I don’t return… Well, let’s just say that it would be in everyone’s best interest to not weaken the already fragile relationships between Kior and Ceareste, okay…? Not over a little missing lad like me, surely…”
“On the contrary, your involvement in this case makes you a very special 'lad'. Quite frankly I’m not sure how you slipped under the surveillance and left the country.” Eseras mused out loud.
What did she mean by that...?
“...I, I think I know where to get answers for that if you are so curious, but I’ll need to get to the neutral council. Which is where the Prince is headed anyways.”
“Is that so? Does he have business with Yggdrasil?”
“Personal ones, sure, nothing government related, though. Government related business is with the neutral council itself, however…” Varhi admitted. He saw no reason to hide or lie about this information.
“I see. Either way, you have answers that I and the city have long been seeking. For this reason, I cannot allow you to leave, Varhi Vloyis. Do you not want to figure it out too? What happened to your parents? What happened to you? Who killed them, who kidnapped you? What happened with your past and who you are?”
Varhi clenched his teeth weakly. “Yes, I do seek those things… but I am capable of doing it by myself, my own way, on my own time, when I am off duty… I have a reputation to uphold, responsibilities to deliver upon, and a job to do. I can hold off on personal endeavors until I'm ready.”
“Even if that information could be used to aid so many people, put many families back together again? Including yours?”
“Including mine…?” Varhi repeated in confusion. “They’re deceased. The papers you put in front of me said so. Is that not true?”
“While I cannot remember every citizen in the city, it is probably true. But that is not what I mean. Certainly, you’d like to at least relocate their bodies so they may have proper rest?”
“What?”
“While they are deceased on the same day you went missing, the truth is that the time between your disappearance and their deaths is several hours apart. More so, they were murdered after they reported you missing, and then their bodies disappeared during the investigation.” Eseras said, smiling as she said it. “Apparently you were special enough to kill them for.”
“... … …”
“You must be curious, right? I am very curious too. That information, again, could break this case and reveal everything we desire to know.”
Varhi closed his eyes, still trying to settle his ailing head. The pain had suspended some, but at this point it was stagnant and not getting any better. It was making it hard to think clearly and rationalize; but he wasn’t so debilitated that he would ignore what his gut was telling him. He always went with his gut. There was just... something off with what she was saying, what she wanted from him... He couldn't discern it.
“...My answer is still no. When I figure things out on my own, then you may know as well if it would help you solve the case, but whether I am a civilian or not, I am under no obligation to assist you with an investigation against my own will. You can't conscript me into an investigation...” Varhi affixed and concentrated his violet eyes into her pale blue ones with as much focus as he could manage. “At worst, I am a victim, not some object of evidence to manhandle however you like. I thank you for showing me a couple of things about myself and my parents, but using the deaths of my parents as a means to bribe me into cooperating with you is where I draw a line and I see it as being incredibly disingenuous, Prime Minister...”
Eseras moved again, now beside him, and somewhat behind him. He adjusted the pupils of his eyes to see her in his peripheral vision as she shifted around to his other side, clucking her tongue for a few moments. “How unfortunate. I cannot make you reconsider in any way?”
Varhi thought for a moment. He didn’t want to do this, and he wanted to get out of here immediately. The longer he stayed here, the more at risk he was in, but if he shunned her too hard, he got the feeling she would just keep him here forcibly to get what she wanted without any consideration… As a result, if he was most likely going to be stuck here anyways, he may as well try to get something out of it.
However, he couldn’t be too greedy with it, but he had to make it somewhat beneficial for himself as well as her, but in a way to restrict her freedom somewhat while granting him his own as well.
After a couple moments of coming up with a plan through his hazy mind, he turned slightly to her to answer. “I will... consider it. Under four conditions.”
Eseras’ eyebrows rose up slightly. “Four?” She repeated, her tone was one of surprise. It was one of the most genuine responses she had given him so far. As well as her curiosity. “Oh, well let us hear of them first before I judge…”
Varhi held up his hand and extended a finger for each condition he marked off.
“The first condition: There is a monetary reward for providing information leading to a break in the case. I don’t particularly care for that and want something else instead: When we came in here, my ship was towed in from being severely damaged. I’d like to have it repaired for me and the storage fee waived. I would consider that as my monetary reward. If we could get that started immediately, that would be great. To that end, this is also beneficial to you, because Sairek Ceareste was originally planning to stay here for a week before moving. However, if the ship is being repaired, I guarantee you that he will wait until it’s done. It should take no longer than two weeks to repair, giving you more time with me. This would be a mutual benefit for all parties.”
Eseras didn’t say anything, though nodded her head as Varhi paused to gauge her response. She didn’t stop him, so he continued: “The second condition is that I am allowed to return back home every evening. I am not staying the entire two weeks at the palace. I am still honor-bound to Sairek Ceareste, after all. That means I still require time to perform his orders and errands as well and update him on the situation.”
“Very well. How does arriving at the palace by nine in the morning, and departing the palace by six in the evening sound to you? For the days allotted as weekends, you will not have to turn into the palace at all. I also still have a city to attend to...” Eseras offered. “We would begin questioning after tomorrow, as tomorrow would be the last day of the weekend.”
Varhi could detect the fake generosity in her bargaining, making it sound like a better deal than it really was, but it was relatively... fair enough, he supposed. “Alright, we’ll go with that for now,” he agreed. “Then... my third condition then is that this all must be signed into a written contract.”
“Of course.” Eseras smiled. “And your final condition?”
“That Prince Sairek Ceareste is a third party who must also agree to said contract. If he disagrees with it, then that is that, even if the two of us may agree to it mutually. To that end, it means he’s allowed to bargain with these conditions if he so chooses.”
“...Very well. These conditions do sound reasonable. I am impressed.” Eseras agreed. No bargaining at all actually surprised him. She was either confident, desperate, or actually had no problem with them. He had to admit, that the main purpose was to just let him leave the palace right now and differ to the others. After he left, Sairek could just disagree, at least buying them time to come up with a plan, but even if he disagreed, Eseras seemed to want something from Varhi, or them... He doubted she would just let them go so easily if they declined her.
“I will have the contract written immediately and give it to you before you leave for the Prince to look over. However, I have a “condition” of my own... well, it is less a condition, and more ‘law’ when it comes to Kior and written contracts. This is to make sure that all parties in such a contract follow the contract to the best of their abilities."
Varhi blinked. He didn’t remember any of this, but then again, Jimmy was the one who handled contracts, and he was still quite loopy until near the end of their stay in Kior. “What’s that?”
“After agreeing to the terms of a contract that is finalized by all parties, each person must put something of value at stake. This stake is decided by the other party. As I said, such stakes are to prevent breaking the terms of the contract. The stakes become legally binding, though these stakes cannot surpass a certain net worth. I only mention this, because the Prince may be unaware of this.”
“So if it were just ask, I could demand something from you if you were to break the contract, and then you could demand something from me if I broke the contract? ...Okay... What is this monetary limit, exactly?” Varhi pressed.
“The 'value' allowed is based on the class of the individual. Since this is between you and I, and your family was a first-class family, the maximum allowed value would be twenty-five thousand seru. The same for the Prince, as I am also from a first-class family. I should note that we only judge based on the physical value of things. Sentimental items may be negotiated between both parties if they wish and agree, but the law is only concerned about the monetary 'worth' of the property being on the stake. A piece of painting is not worth millions of seru, just because the artist absolutely adores a painting they made.”
Varhi felt his stomach drop a little. That left no wiggle room for them. They didn’t even have twenty-five-thousand in cash, so if this happened, they pretty much would have to see it through. “And we don’t tell each other until right after the contract has already been agreed to and signed?...” Varhi asked uneasily for clarification.
“That is correct. It is written as an adenium after the signing. Let the Prince know of this. Of course, things like the royal jewel are too unique and their value is too much to even consider putting at stake. It's also governmental property, rather than personal, so he need not worry about something like that if he distrusts me." She pointed out with another smile that made Varhi feel very uncomfortable. "We will decide what each other wants when all three of us have agreed to the contract. Ideally, both items will be similar of in value. I will do my best to match whatever stake he may claim from me, but it needs to be worth something. I will not agree to any old rubbish.”
“...I see then.” Varhi sighed and closed his eyes. “Then if you accept the conditions, I will agree as well and we can have it written for Sairek Ceareste to look over.”
“I will have the terms written so you can hand it to the Prince before you leave. Thank you for your cooperation and consideration… Varhi Vloyis.”
Varhi resisted growling within his throat as he looked down at the two pieces of paper that described his now-deceased parents. He tried to find motivation in that; but he just couldn’t.
He may have found out his identity was in that most clinical sense of the definition; but he was still fragmented, not knowing who he truly was. And it would seem he would have to somehow go through arguably, the most powerful figure in all of Kior if he wanted to get some answers.
* * *
“...You guys can leave me be by now, you know. I will be fine.” Varhi grumbled, as a dozen undercover soldiers continued to follow him.
“By the Prime Minister’s orders, we will escort you until you arrive home safely.” One of the men told him.
“That’s what I mean. I am here. You can go.” Varhi urged. “Seriously, you’re all making me uncomfortable with this kind of coddling. The apartment we rented is just right here," he pressed, pointing to an apartment building. "You're seriously not going to follow me right up to our apartments, are you? I don't think the elevator can even fit everyone, let alone handle the weight. And this already looks suspicious enough as it is."
“...Very well then. Prime Minister Eseras wishes you and the Prince a pleasant night.” The man said. The group of men began to turn around to leave him.
“...Yeah, sure. Good night as well.” Varhi replied, forcing his tone to remain cordial.
Varhi kept walking. Stepping inside the building he had pointed out to and closed the door behind him. It was not in fact the apartment complex he and the group were renting from...
His heart was beating in his chest. He found himself holding his breath as he kept walking until he reached the elevator, and pressed a random floor number. He waited until he reached that floor, and was left staring into some random person’s hallway towards the direction of their accommodation, locked behind a door. He waited a minute. Then another, then a third, breathing slowly as droplets of anxious sweat had started to bead down his temples in apprehensive anticipation. Once he felt he had waited long enough, he pushed to go back down to the first floor again. He pushed the doors back open out into the street and peeked his head out of the building, looking left, right, trying to see if the coast was clear.
It was.
Varhi sprinted from the door and ran across the street, ducking down into an alleyway, and weaving through another as he made his way back to the actual apartments he and the other three were actually residing in, taking as many twists and turns as he could. He expended the ethereal gathered within his silver greaves to cause his speed to be as extreme as he could physically manage; his heavy footfalls slamming on concrete pathways and gaudy-looking roads as he sprinted forwards. A few people had to duck and weave out of the way from him as he sprinted a good forty kilometers an hour on his legs.
His breaths panted hard as his legs and feet strained from moving this fast, at least until the ethereal in his boots ran out. His speed slowed down to only about twenty-five kilometers an hour; though that was still pretty fast for a boy his age dressed in leather and varying amounts of chain and platemail armor; thus was Varhi’s determination to get back and avoid being followed by anybody to the apartment he and the others were at and to get himself off of the streets as soon as possible.
When he made it to the street and to the correct building, he practically flung himself through the lobby doors, running on carpet in the empty lobby towards an elevator which was thankfully already opened to accept anyone from this floor and he repeatedly jabbed the outside of his left fist against the 'RF' button until the doors closed automatically. Once the elevator began moving, Varhi braced his right hand against the wall of the elevator and slumped against it whilst facing the door forward. He allowed himself to breathe out in huffs and puffs of exertion, then swallowed dryly as he attempted to catch his breath.
"Damn... Well, I sure opened the can of worms for us on this one..." He cursed and tsked to himself in annoyance.
A couple of minutes later, the elevator reached its destination and the door opened. Varhi stumbled his way to the entrance door, swiping the keycard into the slot for the door before shoving it open and slamming it shut behind him loudly. The other three looked up from the dining table. First they were elated to greet him and rose from their seats, except for Sairek who was already standing and looking like he had been impatiently pacing around, but each of them halted as they saw Varhi's demeanor, current state and him panting from how winded he was.
“Varhi? What happened–!?” Sairek urgently demanded. He power walked over to him. “We were just about to go looking for you!”
Varhi took desperate gulps of air as he stumbled his way through the entrance and leaned back against a wall. The three of them moved to approach him, but Sairek moved to grab him and guide him gently to a sofa nearby to sit down on so he could rest more easily. The Prince sat beside him in support.
“I... I got what I wanted, but... she… she wouldn’t let me leave…” Varhi finally spoke through sharp inhaling breaths.
“What—?” Sairek demanded, scorn and concern in his voice.
Varhi shifted his position so he could reach into his satchel and pulled out three pieces of paper and handed them onto Sairek’s lap as he leaned away from the Prince to lean back against the armrest of the sofa with his head and closed his eyes.
Sairek sifted through the papers, quickly reading each one, and his heart quickly began to sink. His breath caught in his throat as he looked at both of the missing person’s reports. “Oh... Varhi—…” He whispered, unsure of what to even say.
“I don’t feel anything, if that’s what you’re worried about…” Varhi mumbled. “Eseras demanded I help her figure out what happened though… Apparently I am the only missing person who has reappeared… She was going to detain and keep me there if I didn’t cooperate in the investigation with her. I obviously didn't want that, so to leave I… I had to bargain instead…”
"Bargain—? You're not making sense..."
Varhi, without opening his eyes, reached into his satchel and produced a fourth piece of paper to hand to Sairek. He dropped his arm back down onto his rising and falling stomach as the Prince plucked it out of his fingers and turned it over to begin to read it. Meanwhile, Sairek handed the other three papers to Cyial so he and Nayleen could see them.
I, Eseras, hereby announce Varhi Vloyis as an essential part of an on-going investigation and decree that as a Kiorian citizen, will do his due diligence in aiding the investigation. He will be compensated for his time, so long as the contract is not broken.
Conditions of the contract are as follows:
1): For compensation of his time and assistance, the ship he owns called “Horizon” will be repaired and stored. The time for repairs is estimated to be approximately ten business days. Therefore, this contract cannot be in effect for longer than three weeks other than to conclude the repairs on the ship if complications with repairs take longer than expected. Varhi Vloyis will work with the investigation for these ten expected days. Repairs on "Horizon" will begin if and once this contract has been agreed upon by all parties.
2): On each business day, Varhi Vloyis will be obligated to report to the Royal Palace by 9:00 in the morning and will depart by 6:00 in the evening or otherwise a total of 9 hours ten business days. Failure to fulfill this requirement unless otherwise stated may be seen as a breach of this contract.
3): His benefactor, Prince Sairek Ceareste of the Ceareste Kingdom, must co-sign this contract to become valid and, upon signing the agreement, will become bound to this contract’s terms as well.
4): If all parties agree to the contract, all parties must choose a claim that the opposite parties will put at stake for the claim, to ensure the contract is upheld and not broken. In the case of this contract, such stakes cannot exceed 25,000 seru for each individual. Either seru, property or one item not exceeding this value is allowed. Unique to the attending parties of this contract, items belonging personally to Royal Families or other governmental property are not permitted.
If you agree to the terms of the contract, write your signature in one of the dotted lines below. If the contract is not agreed upon by all parties by the 21st, then the contract will be considered null and void. Heed, however,
that if this contract becomes null, that I, Eseras, will pursue my own
methods to ensure that Varhi Vloyis commits to his responsibility as a
Kiorian citizen through my own methods as I deem fit.
Sairek saw Eseras' signature and Varhi’s signature was already on the contract. It was only his signature that Eseras was waiting for.
Regardless of that though, Sairek glared icy daggers at the paper in his hands, which was currently crumpling slightly within his shaky grip. “The… The audacity! What is this…!? It’s half contract, half threat!” He seethed.
Cyial gestured to take a look, and Sairek resisted shoving the damn paper at him. The demon looked over the contract with Nayleen as well. Cyial’s eyebrows furrowed as he read and soon his teeth clenched, gripping the paper tightly just like Sairek had a moment ago. “What a… bitch!” He cursed, his voice growling. Varhi snorted in amusement. Cyial using such language was rare and unusual. “Why did you sign this—?” The demon demanded him.
Varhi opened his eyes and looked at him. “Because like I said, it was either we got something out of this, or we didn’t and she took me anyway and I wouldn't even be here right now. There are, apparently, a couple of things I, and only I can offer her: Not to resist her and provide her my cooperation, along with a bribe to stay within the city longer if she gives me what I want...
"Besides, even staying here with the ship, we would be able to make it to Yggdrasil much faster, safer and more comfortably than if we were to go on foot, and we can use the ship afterwards as well if needed of course. Though, out of all of that, the main reason I signed it was just so she would be willing to let me go back here for now.”
“But—”
“Or, I could resist Cyial, and she holds me in a detention center, which she apparently can do, which is news to me, though I don’t think she can do it legally; but how would I, no, how would we stop her, Cyial?" Varhi reminded him. "And then she could perform the equivalent of torturing me for information behind closed doors, if she wanted. Which one would you choose, huh? At least this keeps her at arm’s length and restricts her and we may get something out of it and it worked well enough that I could be back here right now to even discuss this. Trust me Cyial, I did not want to sign this thing.”
Cyial didn’t continue, defeated. He sighed and handed the paper back to Sairek.
“It’s... fine. I want to figure out what happened. I just don’t want to help her.” Varhi clarified. “There is something off about her, she gives me the fucking heebie-jeebies, but it is what it is. With the contract, I should be safe enough. More safe than what she tried to do with me tonight, anyway... It gives me at least some kind of protection.”
“...What do you mean? What did she do to you?” Nayleen asked, her tone icy.
Varhi explained everything that had transpired; him feeling the intense pain in his head, which still, even now, ebbed dully. He explained how he had been knocked out on the table for what was apparently hours and she didn’t even do anything to help him and then finally, how she physically mishandled him. His allies were all visibly upset and angry.
“I… I can’t sign this then, Varhi.” Sairek said dryly. “No chance if she’s going to treat you like that...!”
“Sairek, it is your choice, but I don’t know if it’s the smart choice even if it's the most obvious one...” Varhi warned. “She had her little pawns ‘escorting’ me the way here. No doubt to try and ascertain where exactly we are staying. I tricked them, I think, by pretending a random apartment some few blocks away was the one we were staying at, and then once I was sure the coast was clear, hightailed it right back here with the most obtuse pathing I could manage. That’s why when I came in here, I was out of breath, but the problem is that she has scrying lenses everywhere, and she’s only putting more of them in for the “investigation”. I probably got spotted by a few of them, it would not be difficult for her to figure out where we are, if they haven't figured it out already, either from my running here trying to hide, or from her just watching our movements from the previous day. She noticed our arrival within a day. It wouldn’t be hard for her to figure out where we’re staying. Trying to move to a different location is pointless, and even with how much seru you have on hand, you don’t have the funds to manage that. It would also mean she’d just hold the ship hostage, and I can’t afford that either. I’d have no hope of getting Jimmy back one day without it.”
“Um... How do you plan to get Jimmy back…?” Cyial asked carefully.
“...Err... I'm still working on that plan. Either way, I’m going to need the boat to get to the continent. I don’t think Avotash will like me just coming in through normal channels for rather obvious reasons."
"...You really don't hold much faith in the neutral council, do you?" Sairek asked with a frown, though, he didn't blame Varhi for that.
"No, I don't. Anyway, now is not the time to discuss that.” Varhi said, looking back to Sairek. “You don’t have to sign it immediately. You have until tomorrow evening. She said she will come then to see the conclusion of the contract; which that statement alone says she knows, or will know shortly that we are right here, and she can find out easily.”
“She is coming here even after you tried to fake where we are after all?” Sairek asked.
“Look, I’m trying to give us at least a little bit of space for as many options as possible but that doesn’t mean they’re good ones.” Varhi rationalized. “If you think we can leave the city right now, I will follow you, but it will be extremely miserable out there, especially because we’re still not rested and we’re not fully supplied up. Shops will be closing by around now. I don’t think it’s a smart move. Besides that, a train ride from here to the exit of the city by foot, on the east side, will take us another eight hour ride, and even then, it’s still another couple of hours to exit on foot. That’s plenty of time for Eseras to see where we’re going and try to stop us if she is truly desperate enough and from the way she acted tonight, she really wants me for some reason. I apparently have her eye, and she’s watching, Sairek.”
“Damn… How is she able to track us so easily though?” Sairek pressed. “I understand the whole scrying lens thing, sure, but the city is huge. Sure she may have narrowed down the search but this district is bigger than even normal cities anywhere else, let alone all of the ones we could have went to, so…”
“If you want my opinion? It’s probably because of those things there.” Varhi said, pointing past his shoulder, into the kitchen at the counter, where the bracer and collar had been left since Sairek and Cyial discarded them.
Sairek’s eyes widened. “They can track civilians using those!?”
Varhi shrugged. “Probably. To even work, it sends a signal. Remember those broadcast antennas I mentioned for the box? It’s the same thing, more or less.”
“But isn’t it turned off?” Nayleen asked.
“It’s more like its personal operations are… suspended.” Varhi clarified. “The functions that us ‘regular’ folk use? Sure, those don't work while it’s 'off,' but the signals the government uses? They still work. It has to in order to turn back on.”
"Even still, there's still tens of thousands of demons living in the city. How would they pick up which one is us? I even saw more than a number of demons in my walk around the district earlier today."
Varhi nodded. "You're right. There's tens of thousands of demons. Banished ones. How many are Overworld Demons like Cyial wearing specific collars like that? Remember there's different collars for Overworld Demons like Cyial." Varhi reminded her.
"Shit..." Nayleen swore as she realized what he was getting at.
“...So we have two choices and neither are good… It’s like picking which poison to drink.” Sairek croaked in exasperation. He leaned his head back against the sofa, closing his eyes in thought.
“I can handle it, Sairek. Stay an extra week, rest up, etcetera.” Varhi said, glancing at Nayleen. “You’ll be having to do all of the shopping though. I’ll give you the map so you don’t get lost. I trust you can handle yourself.”
“Aye,” Nayleen acknowledged.
“Anyway, think about it. I can handle it, I'll at least get two things of value out of it, but do what you believe is best for the group and not just for me. I may be the main thing she wants but I'm not going to pretend she won't try to weasel more out of you, as well. She's crafty and dangerous like that. She intimidates me Sairek. Think real carefully about it."
"Aye..."
"...For now though, I’m going to go to bed. I’m… quite tired.” Varhi sighed, moving to sit up and slowly walking past the kitchen. Along the way, he noticed the plate of food that had been left for him, and he took it, warming it back up first. The other three sat in silence, only exchanging concerned glances until Varhi had returned to his room with his food.
“I hate it. I hate making these kinds of decisions — decisions that I will make that will affect other people’s lives…” Sairek growled, looking down at the contract Varhi had left him and the other documents, then he glanced up at the other two. “Help me you two, please… I can’t… I can't decide this on my own.”
“Um... Well, if you want my opinion, I don’t think we should decide right now. It’s going to be haunting us for the rest of the night, but I think we should follow Varhi's example and deliberate on this in the morning instead.” Cyial suggested. “We’re upset right now, and our heated emotions at this news will only get in the way of rational thinking. Let’s do this when we’ve calmed down and cleared our heads from everything for a bit.”
“Yeah, Cyial’s right and makes a really good point.” Nayleen agreed with a nod. “We have to do this carefully. Let’s all sleep on it and come back tomorrow morning with a fresh perspective.”
“Yeah, okay. That’s a good idea.” Sairek concurred, but he still sifted through the papers anyway briefly. “We have a lot of thinking to do tonight…”
“Being a Prince is never easy, it seems. Even when you’re trying to ‘take a break’, huh?” Nayleen asked.
“Tell me about it.” Sairek grumbled with a shake of his head. “Can you watch over Varhi tonight? It’s probably okay but I want to evaluate whether everything is actually okay or not with him, just to be sure. This whole thing is probably a huge windfall on his mind.”
“Can do.” Nayleen replied, then shrugged. “Was gonna do it anyway.”
Sairek smiled at her. “Thanks. Still, it may be better to just let him rest first. The way he described how his head was hurting until he went unconscious worries me.”
“About that… Do you think she actually did do something to him?” Cyial pondered.
“What do you mean?”
“Perhaps tried to get into his mind, you know, like how we can do it, just… forcefully, and without him knowing?”
Sairek frowned. “Do you think…?”
Nayleen frowned now as well. “If that’s true, and Varhi finds out about it, he’s going to get very pissed.”
Sairek's frown deepened further. "That's a big if... I don't recall Eseras even knowing any magic before, but then again, I don't know much about her except what I had mentioned earlier today, and now... this."
“We should have a look at Fuyiki’s book and see, Sairek. I think there was something in the contents about mind attack and defense somewhere.” Cyial suggested. "It probably won't answer everything but it would be a start to see if its founded in possibility or not."
“We will.” Sairek agreed. “Unfortunately, we can’t test it out ourselves here. I already tried earlier. I can’t sense anything; not even you. For now though, let’s head to bed. We have an early busy morning ahead of us tomorrow…” He murmured as he looked back at Nayleen. “Don’t mention that to him. Cyial and I will look up stuff for that tonight. I want Varhi to rest as easily as he can tonight, and if we’re wrong, there’s no need to pointlessly stress him out even more.”
Nayleen nodded. “Okay, boss.”
* * *
While Sairek flipped through Fuyiki’s book, Cyial was flipping through his usual tome the abbot gave to him, but they both were wearing frowns on their faces as the sounds of pages being flicked over and over again resounded in the room.
Sairek’s turning of his book finally stopped as he got to the mind-related stuff he was looking for, reading in silence for a moment. The room stilled as Cyial stopped flipping through pages as well. After a few minutes, Sairek glanced towards Cyial, who soon looked back to him in return.
“Nothing really here for me. What about you?” Cyial asked.
“Well according to Fuyiki, the symptoms Varhi experienced can be similar, but what doesn’t make sense is the fact that the sensation is lingering afterwards. Plus according to him, he was knocked out for quite a while and awoke up still with his head hurting” Sairek answered, turning his gaze back to Fuyiki’s book. “It doesn’t explicitly say in Fuyiki’s writing, but it seems like that should stop once the invasion itself stops. I doubt he’s being targeted even right now. Not from this distance from the palace. I’m not going to rule it out, but it’s likely the sensations are merely similar and it's just a coincidence.”
“If it’s not a mind attack, maybe it’s himself.” Cyial murmured.
“Himself? Like, his apparent amnesia?”
“Maybe. It’s rare but not impossible. Sometimes victims can experience severe head pain, especially if the experience is traumatizing for them; like the brain locks it off, and then someone tries to rip that closed door inside of their memories, which means… Perhaps whatever Eseras wants may be an extremely painful or traumatizing memory he is subconsciously locking away without even realizing it.” Cyial theorized, but his frown deepened. "Or it could just be something more complicated deeper down. Perhaps even on a more spiritual level."
“Ugh… Yeah, this complicates things… Why can’t shit just be simple for once?” Sairek complained, placing the book down on the bed as he rubbed his temples. “No doubt he’s been trying to remember, but I think he wanted to do that on his own terms. Now it’s up to me to ultimately decide that for him?... I can't...”
“...Sairek, he’s asking you because he trusts you to make the right decision. He doesn’t want to be biased, that’s all.” Cyial tried to reason. “Considering Varhi, I think that’s quite a compliment. He wants you to do what you think is best for the group as a whole, rather than just what’s best for him, considering he can’t feel emotions as he says, what he is doing is actually quite considerate. It's proof that he trusts us — trusts you, and the reason he trusts you is because he can see your empathy for us, and him.”
“Well it certainly doesn’t feel that way,” Sairek grumbled, “but fine, I can see your logic behind him thinking like that… Unfortunately either way, we’re not any closer to an answer. It’s still a big gamble.” Sairek mused in frustration. At least for a moment. Then his eyes lit up. “...Wait.”
“Hm?”
“He's right. We should do what’s best for the group, like you just said.”
“Yes?”
“So, we should work together as a group…” Sairek repeated, peering towards Cyial with a glint in his emerald eyes.
* * *
“You’re not going to agree to the contract?” Varhi questioned, a hint of curiosity on his face.
“No, not as it is. I want to negotiate the terms.” Sairek said, holding the paper in his hand. “You and Eseras got to negotiate terms, but I was not allowed to. According to Eseras, I would personally have to lay a stake in the contract if I were to sign it as your benefactor, that isn’t very fair to me. If the contract is to go three ways, then it should be negotiated three ways as well. So I want the contract to represent us all as a group, where we get to negotiate the terms ourselves as the entire second party. I will not allow Eseras to double dip you and I like that.”
Varhi began to chuckle. “Damn, I feel so stupid now.” He snickered, rubbing the top of his head. “My head was hurting so much, I just thought of nothing more than getting out of there. I wasn’t up much for negotiating at that point and didn't even notice she was trying to have her cake and eat it too with the contract.”
Sairek shook his head. "Relax, you did what you needed to do, especially considering the circumstances. I don't think I could have played it any better, Varhi."
Cyial glanced over at him. “Speaking of which Varhi, are you feeling better now?” He asked.
“I’m fine now, but I’m still confused as to why that happened, though. I've woken up with a similar sensation a few times, but I've never had it while I've been awake, let alone knock me out like that.” Varhi frowned. “Also, while I was there, my gut was telling me I was in big trouble staying there.”
“In trouble?” Sairek asked.
Varhi glanced towards Nayleen. “...How did you explain it to me again? After I gave you the imagery or whatever, like you asked me to do last night?”
“You explained it to me like someone putting a hot firestoker into your brain.” Nayleen reminded him. “Which… I thought it was because of your amnesia.”
Sairek and Cyial glanced at each other. “Looks like it was that, then.” Cyial said.
“Yeah. His amnesia, not a mental attack.” Sairek agreed.
Varhi’s faltered slightly. “...Mental attack? What are you on about?” He questioned.
“We thinking that it may have been possible that Eseras may have been attacking your mind because of your head pain, but the symptoms didn’t quite line up.” Sairek explained. “So at least Eseras probably isn’t doing something nefarious to you. At least not yet.”
“She left me passed out face down on her table for a few hours. That’s not normal.” Varhi grunted, crossing his arms.
Sairek agreed with a nod. “Either way, this time we will all be going to the palace today. And please, let me do the talking, Varhi. I have a suspicion that she isn’t in this for the investigation alone. She has some ulterior motive and is trying to strong-arm you to get your cooperation.”
“Well I knew that. It’s why I wanted to get out of there. I already got screwed by one contract from a ruler; I don’t need it to happen twice in two months.” Varhi grumbled. “Amazing how learning from your mistakes works, eh? It’s why I demanded that you needed to sign the contract as well. …Speaking of which, are you going to tell us what you are planning yet? You’re leaving us in the dark.”
“It's nothing complicated. If all goes to plan, then I will condition the contract so that we get the boat repaired and we leave out of here in a week. However, that is assuming you’re still okay with the original terms of the contract as before, Varhi — Going to the palace and cooperating.” Sairek answered. “You can just say no, and I will abolish the contract and we can just be done with it. We'll pack up, get what we need and leave as soon as we can.”
Varhi was quiet as he thought about it for a moment. “It’s fine. I can handle it. Who knows when another opportunity to learn about my past may show up again? It could be years. I think there is some ulterior motive too, but nonetheless, people have gone missing, so if rediscovering my past can hint at a clue to help solve the case, then whatever, I guess.”
“Then we will proceed with amending the contract. No objections, right?” Sairek asked, giving a final warning.
“Go for it.” Varhi said.
“Okay then. Let’s debate on what we want as we eat breakfast and then prepare to head out, then.” Sairek nodded.
* * *
Sairek peered out the window as the Zeppelin landed in front of the palace. He and Cyial sat beside each other, holding hands until they were given the signal to sit up and disembark from the vehicle. Cyial stood up, relinquishing his hold on Sairek, and moved to adjust the collar around his neck, a frown on his face.
“I'm sorry.” Sairek apologized to the demon for what must have been the fourth or fifth time already.
“Stop.” Cyial grumbled. “The more you apologize, the more self-conscious about it I am.”
“I’m sorr…” Sairek began and trailed off with a wince. Cyial gave him a bemused look.
“Come on.” Cyial urged, taking Sairek by the hand again and guiding him towards the exit where Nayleen and Varhi were watching them, waiting.
Sairek sighed, following Cyial’s lead until they reached the others, where Cyial released him and he stepped forward and off the small set of metallic stairs that expanded when the hatch door opened. “Remember, let me do the talking, don’t say anything unless I give you a signal, or unless directly spoken to by me.” Sairek reminded them. The others nodded.
To Varhi, the scene was the same as the day previous, as multiple soldiers stepped forward to greet them.
“Sir Sairek Ceareste, Miss Eseras would like to extend her pleasure to have you and company visit,” one of them said to him.
Sairek nodded in acknowledgement. “The pleasure is mutual,” he fibbed, keeping his expression neutral, but somewhat stern as if he was here strictly for business with little time to waste on pleasantries.
“Please, come this way.” The soldier offered.
Sairek followed with confidence from getting the response he wanted. It was good to know that as much as he hated his position of royalty, he hadn't lost his touch at pretending when it counted and to get what he wanted when it was needed.
They had been warned by Varhi at how ridiculously long the walk was. However, after only a couple of minutes of walking up to, and then entering the palace, Sairek glanced back at Varhi to see confusion on his face as they walked through hallways and he visibly turned his head to look down another hallway path, then back at Sairek, a frown on his features.
They went straight ahead, not turning at any point, just up stairs, and through long, lavish hallways, until going up to a very huge door, which was opened to them. They stepped into a room where the floor was in a checkerboard pattern of dark and white, translucent, exposing water underneath which rippled and moved gently below their feet, though the long carpet on the floor wasn’t translucent as they stepped forward into the throne room of the palace, or perhaps maybe just one of them. Sitting in the seat was Eseras herself, one elbow propped on an armrest as she sat lopsided, almost as if she was bored.
“So, you decided to accept my invitation in full after all.” She said, her voice wasn’t unpleasant, but it wasn’t full of mock pleasantries that Sairek was used to. Actually, it was a nice welcome change, he had to admit. That said, the language she used was clearly a different matter.
“...Is that how you want to frame what that paper was?” Sairek replied. "I'm afraid I'm not here to parley, Prime Minister."
Eseras wore a painted smile, but it disappeared quickly as she looked at the group’s escorts. She gave a wave of dismissal with her hand, ushering them back from the group without a word to give them space. The door to the throne room closed with a loud thunk as their escorts closed it, before approaching back, keeping some distance. “Alright then, we can skip the foreplay of fake pleasantries if that is okay with you, Prince of Ceareste, and get straight to business.”
“...Alright.” Sairek agreed.
“So, what is your decision with the contract?” She asked, indeed getting straight to business.
“I decline it as it is written. So given the terms of the contract, it will not come into effect without my signature.” Sairek stated plainly. He reached his gloved left hand towards Varhi, who reached into his satchel to pull out the piece of paper and handed it to him, which he then took and then presented towards Eseras, though given the distance between them, she could not reach, and she made no effort to get up from the throne.
“Is that so? That is a shame.” Eseras frowned, though she clearly wasn’t surprised. “What are your reasons?”
“The contract is asking me to sign it, but I have had no say whatsoever on the conditions and terms of the contract myself, yet I am being asked to be bound and lay stake to it. If I am to be a part of the contract, then I should have equal opportunity to haggle the terms of the contract as well. The responsibility should not fall solely on Varhi on all of our behalfs.” Sairek explained. “Since Varhi is currently my responsibility, having us both sign and to bind us both with two stakes having to be put on our end is disingenuous and double-dipping on your part as well.”
“I see.” Eseras replied, tapping fingers against her cheek as she listened to Sairek speak. “I must admit, Prince of Ceareste, I thought someone your age would be less diplomatic and easier to manipulate. Is there anything else?”
Sairek wasn’t sure to be complimented by her or insulted that she assumed he was just an ignorant idiot. He decided to ignore it. “Yes. We’re on a strict time schedule, so a maximum of three weeks is also not possible.” Sairek replied. “I do not appreciated being goaded into business like this, I'll have you know, but since there is a possibility for mutual benefit between both parties, I am willing to negotiate, but I can't neglect my other business. The repairing of the ship must be as soon as possible for us. Given that the time is much shorter for you, keeping the same conditions of the contract wouldn’t be fair, either, of course.”
Eseras waved her hand dismissively, cutting Sairek off. “Less than two weeks starting even today wouldn’t be nearly enough time to attempt to extract any useful information from the boy. By the time we might be able to crack through his memory loss, he would already be gone.” Eseras rejected his proposal. “Besides, if the ship was reconstructed, it would ultimately be faster for your group to get to the neutral council than on foot anyway, let alone easier and much more safe, would it not?”
Sairek frowned. “If we could leave today, we would, but crossing the desert requires us to be rested and properly prepared.” He argued. “Of course, if we could use the ship instead, that would be splendid, but ship or not, we are leaving as soon as we are rested and ready.” He paused, then eyed Eseras directly. “And that's with Varhi included.” He finished.
“Oh? And why do you need to leave in such a hurry?” Eseras inquired, a faint amused smirk on her features.
“For now, that is only the neutral council’s business. It is why we’re going through Kior. Unfortunately, we were forced to enter through the ‘back way’, rather than directly from Ceareste’s borders itself.”
“...Perhaps you are not as diplomatic as I thought. I do not think you fully comprehend the situation you are in right now.” Eseras noted, leaning forward in the throne chair.
"Listen, little boy I will put it in a way that even you can understand. You trespassed into Masirean territory, you did something there and then came out being chased by the Masirean military with a ship that’s so damaged that it is barely capable of floating. I also hear that the mercenary’s captain got captured and arrested as well… You expect me to believe you’re not up to something suspicious?”
“I refute the accusation that I am ‘up to something.’ First, I did not trespass. Masirean requested Ceareste’s military to investigate something, and what 'something' is, is confidential. Regardless, curious about the situation, I decided to go myself.” Sairek countered. “Besides, if I was trying to do anything nefarious, why would I want to go to the neutral council while being chased by Masirean military, who is supposed to be Ceareste’s ally?” Sairek pressed.
“It’s on the way home. What’s to prevent your men from just allowing the Prince of Ceareste back over the border? You know Kior and Ceareste are not on very good speaking terms.” Eseras argued. “You definitely cannot say that this isn’t at least suspicious of you.”
“Unfortunately, I haven’t had any say about the relationships between our two countries. When the relationships between Kior and Ceareste became tense, I wasn’t even born yet, ma’am.” Sairek replied firmly in answer. "I think it is very unfair to make presumptions about me because of a negative social environment that had become stale even before my birth, let alone have not any say in myself afterwards."
“Indeed. …Perhaps I am being too harsh. After all, it’s thanks to you that I rose to power.” Eseras said, giving another painted smile. "For this, I truly grant you my utmost gratitude."
Sairek heard Nayleen inhale sharply in shock and fury through her teeth and Cyial quietly growled behind him. They both were holding their tongues but he could feel them holding back just like he currently was. He himself had to forcefully shove and bottle up the ire that rose within his chest, but he couldn’t stop his icy glare as much as he tried, nor the iron-grip he had on his right hand with his staff.
This bitch. Because his mother got sick — because his mother suffered and died from his birth, which caused his father to become enraged and soil the relationship with Kior even more... This hag apparently rose to power, and it was all because of his birth, was what she was implying.
He saw Cyial and Nayleen shoot him a concerned look in his peripheral vision as he marched a step forward. Sairek tightened his grip on his staff even more until his hand became sore. He stood taller, prouder, looking directly at Eseras with cold, glaring eyes that threatened to tear up. He swallowed, forcing his voice which wanted to quiver to come out strong and firmly. Her words stung him, hard. He however, refused to show any weakness to her.
“...Those are incredibly tall words for a woman sitting on a throne that is not hers.”
Despite the insult, she expressed no emotion. “It isn’t mine, but should the King expire, I’ve been elected to be the new Queen of Kior, and I act as such in his absence. Therefore, until further notice, whetrher he is in a condition to lead the country or is no longer capable permanently, it is my throne.” Eseras clarified to him, her painted smile grew intense. “And thus, during the King's absence, thanks to me, Kior has prospered and grown stronger. I only wish the best for the people who live here, which is why I humbly request you give me this opportunity for Varhi's cooperation in this investigation. I will give you more, if that is what you seek. I merely ask that you rent me the boy, and give me ample time to acquire information that he may have. It is not an outrageous request, little Prince.”
“No, that’s not how it’s going to work.” Sairek shook his head. “It’s either all of us, or nothing.”
Eseras blinked at him, confusion on her expression. “Pardon me?”
Sairek raised and looked at the paper in his left hand as he spoke. “A fair contract should be equal parts give and take, do you not agree? Therefore, we each should have to put in an equal amount of effort into a contract or be compensated a fair amount for either the effort or stake we put in. It’s not fair if only you gain, and it’s not fair if the only thing I put at risk and put to work is Varhi himself.” Sairek looked back towards Eseras as he continued.
“Given the circumstances, he will need to be doing a fair amount of work, and go through what I will assume to be a large amount of mental and emotional trauma. He’s been inflicted with pain already, given the unique state of his amnesia, which you showed with your ‘hospitality’ yesterday by kindly leaving him passed out at the table and doing nothing to help him, despite how intense said pain was.” Sairek growled, staring daggers at her briefly.
“So given that, we…” Sairek continued, pointing at himself, Cyial and Nayleen with the hand that still held the contract, “...we will oversee him to make sure he is properly cared for and not abused as you use him for your investigation. In other words, we will be a part of the investigation as well, but primarily as support for Varhi.”
“Why would you want to bother yourself with the investigation? I’m not elated that the Prince of a rival nation wants to mess with our affairs.” Eseras stated.
Sairek angled his eyebrows, getting annoyed. “Just what does that mean? Is your pride more valuable than the people who are missing despite that selfish boast your just made not even a minute ago, Prime Minister? I do not mean to lecture, but a good leader would put aside their differences if it would help the common people, do you not think?
“Unlike you, I didn’t get to choose to come into power. I was born into the role. Regardless of what I may think of it, I am in a unique position of power to control the lives of many people. That is a responsibility I need to be extremely careful about. It’s obvious you don’t like me, and to be frank, I don’t like you either, but I am willing to put aside our differences, make sacrifices, and work with you on an even level if it means helping the people in your country and if it means Varhi can at least get some answers about his past. On a personal level, I gain absolutely nothing from this, so I think it’s disingenuous to accuse me that I am ‘gaining’ something from this other than a more convenient method of transportation out of here. Given your ostentatious attitude so far Prime Minister, I would think the truly rational thing for me to do would be to just take my charges and walk out of here on foot. That's the situation you are in, not me. So, how about you? Do you want to resolve this situation or not? Because my patience with you has already worn thin."
“Of course. I wouldn’t have agreed to write a contract otherwise. He is a Kiorian citizen after all. I could have just detained him until he spoke if I so wished.” Eseras answered, then brooded for a brief moment. “Very well, humor me with your other conditions you require. You want to support the investigation, and you still want the boat repaired. Are there any others?”
Sairek paused, thinking briefly. “Other than the stake we put in to ensure each other won’t break the contract, I don’t believe so. The only contention is how long and that we all are in the investigation together as a group.” Sairek said, pausing again. “If we are indeed going to aid in the investigation, it will take us longer to prepare. You said a week isn't acceptable, so how is ten days flat?” Sairek questioned.
Eseras smiled. “Ten business days was what I was planning before, with the exception of allowing weekends of rest for the boy... but if you want to not do that in favor of speeding up the process, I suppose I can indeed agree to that.”
“Is that agreeable, Varhi?” Sairek asked, looking over to the mercenary. “You can say no if you want to.” He reminded him.
Varhi shrugged palms up. “It works for me if it works for you.”
"Cyial, Nayleen?" Sairek asked, looking towards them expectantly for an answer. "Again, it is okay if either of you object to this."
"It's fine." Nayleen answered, eyes glued onto Eseras.
"Cyial?"
"...Only if she watches her tongue from now on." Cyial snarled under his breath.
Sairek gave Cyial a pleading look. He appreciated it, but this was the worst time for him to start getting quippy. “...Then it’s agreed between us.” Sairek said, looking back towards Eseras.
“I will write it down then. After the signing of the contract, we will have each put in a stake.” Eseras began. “Paper, pen.” She ordered.
One of the soldiers walked up to her, handing her the items. Sairek stepped back as the damn floor opened up in trapdoor fashion in front of the throne, and slowly coming from the floor was a small table, to which she began to write the contract for them.
"Geez, that is totally unnecessary... A trapdoor and elevator for a freakin' table to write on." Sairek barely heard Varhi mutter just under his breath.
After a few minutes, Eseras pivoted the paper around and presented it to Sairek, gesturing him forward.
Sairek stepped closer cautiously, folding the old contract back into his shirt. He slid the new paper towards him with his left hand, reading it, then turned to Varhi and gestured to him to take a look as well. Varhi wordlessly stepped up to look at it as well. It was about all the terms they discussed. Sairek saw no tricky wording that would put them at a disadvantage.
“It’s acceptable to me.” Varhi announced.
For the sake of fairness, he presented it to Nayleen, who nodded with a shrug, and then Cyial, who took the longest. He gave a long look into Sairek’s eyes. He let out a breath, then nodded solemnly.
Sairek looked at the paper, reading it a second time. A third time, making sure. With a resigned sigh, he reached for the pen and carefully wrote his signature on it. When the deed was done, he stepped forward to hand the paper back towards Eseras.
“Excellent. Now, what would you like my stake to be? Given that we are both royalty, there really is no value limit, though the royal family item rule still applies. You could own a piece of property in the city even if you desire, assuming I cut ties with the contract.” Eseras stated.
“I’m not interested in anything material of that kind of nature.” Sairek declared with disinterest.
“Then?”
“...If you break the contract... then I want ownership of Varhi’s citizenship.” Sairek stated matter-of-factly as he met Eseras gaze.
“Wait, what—?” Varhi exclaimed in surprise, taking a step from Sairek in surprise. “Sairek—” He hissed more quietly.
Sairek flashed him a look before he continued and turned back to Eseras. “...You weaseling out of the contract would prove to me that you have some ulterior motive and have no interest about Varhi’s well-being. So if that happens, I want his citizenship to be converted to Ceareste's instead so that I can ensure he is taken care of as he deserves to be.”
“Oh, my... How… interesting children truly are in the way they think differently...” Eseras mused with genuine interest and amusement. “You have no objection to this?” She asked, eyeing Varhi.
“I… have a lot of questions, but no, I suppose I have no objection.” Varhi answered dryly. “I mean, it’s not like I couldn’t transfer my citizenship back of my own free will if I really didn’t like it or anything unless you didn't want me here... right?” He reasoned.
“Of course. Hmm... Well, in that case then, I think I will level with you, Prince of Ceareste, with demanding a stake of similar value for the sake of fairness of my own.” Eseras said.
“...What do you mean?” Sairek questioned.
Eseras smiled genuinely, which immediately put the Cearestian Prince at unease. She pointed a finger. Sairek followed her finger and his stomach dropped as his puzzled gaze morphed into horrific realization when the direction of his gaze fell onto Cyial himself. The small incubus’ garnet eyes widened a little and he took a step back.
Sairek taking a moment to process the revelation, snapped his gaze back with anger flashing over his features, immediately he began to protest. “Cyial isn’t property—”
“One citizenship for another.” Eseras practically sung with a smirk that bordered to that of a sneer. "That demon child, should you fail to uphold the contract, will have his citizenship transferred from Ceareste to Kior."
“I, I object to that…” Cyial tried meekly, taking another step back.
Sairek gulped, glancing back at the demon, then towards her. “Y-Yeah… Varhi didn’t object which is why I did it, but Cyial—!”
“That’s so very kind and selfless of you to ask mister Vloyis. Really, I applaud your empathy.
"Now, Prince, I do consider myself a fair leader, however, I think you will find I am not so… generous or caring as you seem to be. Being a fair leader does not make me a benevolent one. After all, you did say you will be signing the contract as a group, so I’m not just picking a random ‘citizen’ of yours.” Eseras said, wearing a wicked smile on her face. “The contract has already been signed, so refusal to cooperate with the terms now would mean abolishing the contract, and thus, I would take my reward of your stake.” Eseras cautioned as the table began to descend back into the floor, as well as the contract. “Really, I am being generous to you. A demon child slave at most only sells for five thousand seru. I consider that much less profitable in commercial value than that of a hard-working human such as a young mercenary who, from his record, makes sure he always gets the job done, importance to the investigation aside...”
Sairek clenched his teeth, gripping his staff extremely tight. His form shook, glaring at Kior’s Prime Minister with newfound ire.
“Oh, please. If you are true to your word and the words you boast are not empty ones, then there’s nothing to fear, no? It’s not so much that this child demon you apparently treasure that I am after. It is your word that I wish to ensure first and foremost. So I believe with this stake of yours I have demanded, that you will stay true to your word and follow the contract to the letter.” Eseras said with an amused smirk.
Sairek was afraid to ask, but he needed to know. “Assuming I did break my word… Then would Cyial be able to renounce his citizenship, like how Varhi would be able to do to become a Kior citizen again if he wished to in the condition you broke the contract?”
“I’m afraid it wouldn’t be so easy for a demon here. It would be much more difficult. After all, demons are more or less property in Kior, though there are rare cases to which they are deemed a citizen and acquire their own independence, but really, can you say it would not be the same in your own country? It’s not like they are treated fairly wherever they go.” Eseras let out in an mirthful and low laugh. “I think… I would like to employ that one there as my own personal demon. A demon as loyal to a human as that one apparently is, is quite the rare commodity. Though not as valuable as the boy, I can have some personal benefit, I must say...”
Cyial ground his teeth, fangs bared. “I am not loyal to ‘humans’, I am loyal to Sairek.” He spat. “You are just another prime example of exactly why—”
“Cyial, enough.” Sairek pleaded, looking at him. “It’s… done. There’s nothing left to be said. Let’s go.” Sairek began, turning around to walk back towards them.
“Oh? And where exactly do you think you’re going?” Eseras demanded, causing Sairek to pause. “The ten days begin now, Prince of Ceareste. You said you want to be a part of this investigation by overseeing the mercenary boy, so we will begin immediately as per your own request.”
Sairek turned his head back around, glaring at Eseras. “Fine then… Then what do you want us to—”
“Varhi Vloyis, come here.” Eseras ordered, cutting Sairek off.
Varhi glanced back at Sairek, who merely stared ahead. Turning back around, Varhi sighed, and slowly walked forward in front of Eseras, arms submissively staying at his side. Eseras moved to cup Varhi’s chin with her fingers, and he recoiled slightly at the touch, as she forced him to look at her, examining his face thoroughly.
“...You have purple eyes.” She stated in a murmur.
Varhi blinked slowly at her as her face pulled away from examining. “...Umm… Yes?” He answered dryly as she just made one of the most obvious observations about him.
“I was curious, so I asked the security team to dig up more information about the missing child’s report that was filed. In that file, it was stated that you have blue eyes. You do at least remember reading it last evening, correct?”
“...Yeah, so? Maybe incorrect information was passed down, or someone flubbed the report? Bad witness accounts? Blue isn’t that different from purple. Maybe the person who wrote the report was colorblind or something.” Varhi rationalized. “Or… Maybe you just have the wrong Varhi, after all.”
“Varhi is an extremely unique name. And besides that, no other Varhis exist that match you as closely. I also have faith in the security system. We do spend a lot of resources to make it happen, after all. It is more or less our second military.” Eseras claimed. “You are a bit more mature now, but every other detail about you otherwise matches the missing report perfectly. How about we return you back home and see for ourselves what you remember?”
“Back to my… home?” Varhi murmured. The statement felt foreign to him.
“Yes, let us see if going back to when it all happened jogs that memory of yours.” Eseras suggested with a wry smile. "I am positive the results will be quite... productive."
Sairek couldn’t discern why, but he had a foreboding feeling within his gut. He hoped that he hadn’t just made a terrifying mistake, but with how the past five minutes had just gone, he was already regretting everything. In particular, he cursed himself for getting played the way he did... Cyial's future now was on the line, and he only had himself to blame.
