French Fantasy 1x1 Anna and Echo

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

"Alright, Lucien," he said, opening his eyes to look over at him. He watched him leave, wanting to go after him, but also wanting to rest. He let Delphine shower affection over him, lying down on the couch with his head in her lap. He didn't mind her so much, if only she kept things to a minimum. And as long as she didn't kiss him on the lips. He was saving his first kiss for someone else. Someone he liked.

[AnnaCat17]

-that night-

Delphine had fallen asleep on the couch with Callias, blissful as he held him against her but her grip on him had loosened in her sleep. Lucien had worked late into the night but once he was sure the prince and Delphine were ok he went up to his bed, leavign them alone for the night.

Fluer slept peacefully in the room her and Gale shared. He had been up half the night with worry but he wouldn't tell her what had happened to him. She assumed eventually she would find out, since she always did, so didnt feel the need to press him for information.

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Callias' arms were wrapped around Delphine, holding her close. But then he got up and left, stumbling around blindly. He wasn't used to this place. He always slept in his room in the palace. Which was why when he tried to open the door, it swung open. He hadn't thought about locking the door, like he did in his room. It kept him from sleepwalking outside. He stumbled to the servants' quarters, his expression blank. He got inside and ended up in Fluer's room. He was kneeling by her bed, his expression angry as he clasped his hands around her neck, pinning her down to the bed and cutting off her air.

[AnnaCat17]

Fluer woke with a start. SHe gasped in pain and immediately tried to fight back against the prince but he was too strong. She tried to pry his hands free and to push his face away but nothing worked. Just as she was about to black out a loud bang was heard as Gale slammed the metal candle holder into the back of Callias' head, knocking him out. Fluer shook in fear on the bed as she sucked in air, a bruise quickly taking over where her throat was bright red. Gale watched his sister worriedly for a moment before lookign down at where the prince was unconscious at his feet. "Today is just the best." He muttered before gettign to work to move the prince.

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Callias crumpled to the ground when he got hit. He twitched a bit before going still, unconscious. Later when he woke up, he flailed a bit, gasping. He blinked his eyes open, his vision blurry at first but then it sharpened and he looked around.

[AnnaCat17]

Callias found himself tied a tree in the middle of the woods. Gale and Fluer stood a few feet away, only just visible in the rising sunlight, as they argued quietly with one another. They both seemed panicked and even in that lighting Callias could see the large bruise on Fluer's neck. Gale kept fidgeting with the sword he has strapped to his waist, seeming uncomfortable at having it with him.

"You should have told me about this as soon as you found out! We could have left and been fine! Now look at us! We will be lucky to survive the day!" Fluer hissed at Gale who was raking his hands through his hair, seeming lost.

"I couldn't just sit there and watch him kill you! I don't care who he is! Maybe they were right and everyone would be safer if he was dead. The last thing we need is a blood thirsty tyrant getting off on killing young girls." He said, desperately trying to defend himself to her.

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Callias froze in fear, his heart panicking in his chest. He noticed the bruise on the lady's neck, and cold dread washed over him. He had done it again. He shook, pressing his back against the rough bark of the tree trunk. That was the groundskeeper. He remembered at least that. He was going to kill Callias right there. Panic rose in him, but he didn't know if screaming was a good idea. He didn't think anyone would hear him. Surely his guards or at least Lucien and Delphine would come looking for him? But how long would that take? He bowed his head, taking deep, shaky breaths. Had the groundskeeper been the one to try to assassinate him before? Or was this something completely unconnected to it? Maybe the first attempt to kill Callias was because of this, too. Someone who had been witnessed to Callias' violent sleepwalking.

[AnnaCat17]

Fluer huffed in agitation and took the sword from Gale. "Fine. Ill kill him myself. Im not just going to let this happen to someone else." She turned to go towards Callias but was stopped as Gale grabbed her arm and yanked her back to him.
"We are not killing the prince! I am not going to let you toss your life away with both hands. I will think of something just give me a minute" He snapped at her as he ripped the sword away from her, tossing it into the leaves scattered across the forest floor.
Fluer pulled her arm away from him as she glared up into his eyes. "We are already in trouble! If we let him live he will go back and tell them you attacked him and then you will be beheaded. i am not going to let you die!"

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Callias shuddered when Fluer turned to him with the sword, trying to get out of the restraints. She had a point. He knew that. He wouldn't let this go. He would tell his guards and they'd go after them. But he felt bad. This was his fault. They would be safe if he hadn't gone after her in his sleep. "I won't tell the guards, or anyone, about this," he promised them, his voice rough from fear. "I swear on my life. I won't speak a word about this. No one will know what happened."

[AnnaCat17]

Fluer and Gale both jumped in fright at the sudden sound of his voice, Gale reflexively moving protectively in front of his sister. Now that they knew he was awake, they both lost their nerve to kill him. They exchanged a look as the reality of the situation set in. No matter what the prince said, they knew they couldn't trust it. Gale turned to his sister and kissed her forehead. "Start running now. Ill find you. I promise." He said before pushing her away.
Fluer looked at Gale terrified, but here were no words. SHe turned and ran off to head back to the servants quarters, knowing they were going to need supplies to flee country. She felt bad for abandoning he girl in the ambassadors house but she didn't have a choice. She had to put her family and her life first.
Gale waited until Fluer was out of sight before pulling out a knife and walking over to the prince. He looked down at him for a moment before cutting him loose. "I never thought I would regret saving for your life." he muttered as he cut the rope. Once he was free Gale stepped back but kept ahold of the knife in case eh tried to attack him.