Page 10 of Her Royal Blood

As soon as we’re given our housing number, work assignment, and a bundle of gray clothes made of rough hewn cloth, we made our way to our quarters.

Away from the rest, I asked Hawk questions. “Your eye,” I started. “We should have you seen by a medic.” I don’t feel guilty for giving him the injury, he would have done the same or worse to me, but I also don’t need to see him suffer with it.

“No need, it’ll heal enough on its own, I’ve had worse.” How? “The nurses love me here, I’ll be patched up in no time.”

“How? You just got here?” I asked as we continued to walk through the crowded and stinking street that led to the prisoner housing.

“I know most of everyone from Brahman’s Peak. Most of these prisoners have families that I helped, so to them I’m a hero. I finally got caught, but I’ve been a vigilante for most of my life. The nurses are men and women who volunteered to work on the Isle of Vitoria to be near their loved ones.” He stepped overa piece of muddy and moldering clothing left in the road soaking in the filth. It makes me wonder why the wearer was separated from it, but given the blood stains covering the garment, I can only assume he tore it off to tend his wounds and no one ever bothered to pick it up, that’s the level of desperation this place provided.

“Some of them are healers, with mage-like abilities,” Hawk said, also looking at the bloodied clothing.

“But I ruined your eye,” It was simply a matter of fact, I tried not to feel bad for it.

“They’ll fix it, trust me. I’ve ruined much worse over the years,” he laughed.

“So what brings you to this lovely spot?” I try to play, since there is nothing that would elicit laughter here other than taunting and mockery.

“Ever since I was a boy old enough to fight, my family and I helped people escape Brahman’s Peak. We brought them to the kingdoms of Angeline Falls, the Obsidian Valley and Navara City for a fee. I've met my fair share of bandits and hunters looking to score the bounty on the lost citizen’s head and have taken a knife or two to my gut.” He points out scars that crisscross over muscle. “This one nearly killed me.” His finger traces a line over a deep purple gash with skin barely stretched over a deep wound. “We heal better than most, that’s why my father set us to the task of liberating Polonius’ people. That and we hated Polonius and what he was doing to them…to us.”

“You wouldn’t have made a very good Crypt Claw soldier, I’m afraid.” I continued my lightheartedness.

This got me a hearty chuckle. “Didn’t really plan on sticking around to find out. But if you wager living as a fugitive over freedom, well fuck being a fugitive,” he laughed. “I’ve had enough of that. The Crypt Claw finally caught up with me and brought me here to this island paradise. They killed my parentsthough, I’m all that’s left of my family.” His tone dropped some of its toughness at the mention of his parents and it was obvious he was hiding the pain, which still seemed very raw.

“I’m sorry to hear that, when I return to my queen, she’ll bring Onyx Rah to its former glory. There is a light at the end of this.” I slapped Hawk’s back.

“You’re a delusional mother fucker, but I’ll take it, beats starin’ down at your dead ass and knowing I killed a fucking prince for no good reason.”

A man with a long mohawk and tattoos much like Hawks walked up to us with a gangly friend who was all limbs and a long face.

“The guards are looking for Solbrook prisoners,” the guy said to Hawk.

“Really?” He looked interested.

“They need to get to the dock, boat’s filling up.” The friend sounded enthused and yet there was a note of anxiety in his tone. “What do you think?”

“I think having a bunch of captured citizens from Solbrook in Polonius’ army, forced to follow his command, is not going to go over well with other nations in Voltaire. Polonius is cutting his losses.”

“You think we should get on the boat?” The friend looked hopeful and yet still cautious.

“And be drowned at sea? No. No one gets off this island. Polonius isn’t sending the people of Solbrook back, he’s putting them in a mass grave under the ocean. Stay as you are. We have other plans.” Hawk had an impressive command, despite his defeat and injury.

“And they are?” The friend was suddenly irritated.

“Stand with Prince Lex,” he nodded to me. “Fight Polonius, win our freedom.”

“Right, fight Polonius,” the man laughed. “I’m going to Solbrook.” He’s made his decision.

“Suit yourself.” Hawk nodded to the man without much emotion, he then looked to his lanky friend. “And you?” he asked.

“I’ll stay,” he said, likely unable to even survive the journey. “Better odds.”

“Fine,” Hawk added and turned back to his friend.

“If you go to Solbrook and actually make it there, I need you to get a message to the king. Tell him that King Helix and Navarrah City need his help and to send troops as we’re going to war. Explain that Polonius will come for Solbrook after he’s conquered Tobran.” I said to Hawk’s friend before he left for the boat to Solbrook.

“If I see the shores of my blessed homeland again, I will deliver your message, Your Highness, with honor.” He offered a slight bow.

“Safe travels, then,” I said as Hawk’s friend clapped his hand on Hawk’s shoulder and moved to pass us.

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