- Lycus -
After discovering where Callisto had been hidden, retrieving her had been easy. Almost too easy for Lycus's liking, and not just because he missed out on a good fight, but because something else felt off. When they'd untied a bloody and beaten Callisto from her bindings she had been crying and yelling. She told them they shouldn't have come. It was a trap.
There was no trap.
They met little resistance, and the few posted guards they did come across had been easy kills. Granted, by the time they were leaving town more of the Ardere had awoken and tried to prevent their departure. They had lost a few knights on the way out, but still, it was easy. Lycus had come away with barely a scratch.
Callisto had passed out shortly after the escape and was unable to tell them anymore of the trap she was sure they had walked into. Although they did not come across anything worthy of such fear, and everyone else believed Callisto had been mistaken, worry still hung like a rock in Lycus's stomach. There was something they still did not know; he was sure of it.
"The trial is soon, my prince, are you almost ready?" Ulric, asked, laying out the clothes he was to wear to the trial of the assassin who tried to kill the King. Silas had promised the man that they would vouch for his life if he handed over any information he had. The assassin had taken the deal and although Lycus knew Silas would hold up this promise, the others would not. Lycus certainly wouldn't. The man did not deserve to keep his life. "Sir?"
"I know Ulric," Lycus sighed, wishing he could do anything but put on the uncomfortable, formal clothes, "Thank you, please retrieve my crown, the iron circlet will do for today." Ulric nodded and hurried to fulfil the request.
Once Lycus was dressed in the dark clothes crested with silver and green, he set off to the throne room, Ulric walking softly at his heals. As he neared the throne room, Eira descended a set of spiral stares and fell into step beside him. She wore an exquisite silver dress, the top was crested with glittering jewels and twirled down into shocks of smoky grey. The folds fell around her heals in a delicate and elegant manner and yet, she still looked dangerous in it. Lycus marveled at how she so effortlessly appeared powerful, he always had to work to look that way.
"You've cleaned up well enough." Lycus chuckled, the last time he'd seen her was the night before, when her white hair was knotted, and her hands were drenched in the blood of her enemies.
"And I see you haven't." She retorted with a smirk, giving a pointed look at his clothes and crown, which were much simpler compared to hers. He didn't think this was an event that was worthy of his extravagant clothing. Not that Eira cared what event it was, if people were around, they would no doubt be looking at her.
"Do you think Silas will try to uphold his end of the deal?" Lycus asked as they entered the throne room, Theon sat on his throne with Conan standing to his left, trying to look important. His chest was puffed out and his fluffy blond hair stuck out from beneath the simple circlet he wore. To Theon's right stood Aideen and Aspen, their heads were bent together as they shared hushed words.
"If he ever shows." Eira scoffed as they took their places beside Aideen and Aspen. Although the assassin had not yet been brought in, guards lined the walls, more than usual.
"Did anyone wake Calum?" Aspen leaned forward, earing an eyeroll from Aideen.
"That boy needs to learn how to wake up on time." But as she spoke, Calum appeared in the doorway, Silas not too far behind. Lycus wasn't sure if Callisto would be joining them, but he assumed she would not. Not after what she'd been through. He planned to visit her after the trial, there were so many things he wanted to tell her, explain to her. He wanted to apologize for how long it took them to find her. He wanted her to know he'd used every ounce of strength he had to get her back. He didn't want her to assume the worst. That they hadn't bothered to search because with her gone, they had a better chance of becoming king or queen.
One would think there would be a constant sense of rivalry between The Seven. That they would tear each other down to reach the top. But it wasn't like that. Not for Lycus at least. Yes, he wanted to be king above anything else and still, he cared immensely for his siblings. They were all chosen by Theon, they were all in this together, and in the end, it would be up to Theon to choose who his successor was. All they could do was be the best person they could, and that did not include tearing each other down. Well... not unless they were told to. The Seven often spared with one another and Theon mentioned that there would be a tournament in honour of Callisto's return. One that Lycus was determined to win.
The doors flew open again and in filed the rest of the court. Nobles and lords took their places at the sides of the room. Lycus scanned the crowd for the only two of Theon's five siblings that still lived in the castle, Roman and Theia. He caught Theia's eye first and she gave him a small smile. Although she was not chosen as queen, she was exceptionally brilliant and skilled. Lycus sometimes wondered if she should've been chosen over Theon, but he would never voice that opinion out loud. Theia had been the one to train The Seven – as being King meant Theon didn't often have the time to properly teach seven orphans all the skills needed to rule.
Lycus spotted Roman eventually, at the very back of the crowd. He walked with five other guards who dragged in a very exhausted looking man. He looked like anything but an assassin, and Lycus wondering if they'd be doing him a favour if they just killed him.
A hush fell over the room as Roman dragged the man, Blade, forward and forced him to his knees at Theon's feet. Blade let out a weak noise that sounded somewhat like please and Lycus held back a smirk at the disgust that crawled across Eira's features. Roman cut open the back of Blade's shirt, revealing the flame tattoo's that crawled up his back and murmurs erupted from the crowd.
"You understand that you have committed treason, both by bearing that mark and by your failed act to kill the King?" Eira said, stepping forward. She often took the lead in trials such as this and no one complained. Her thirst for justice was strong and it would be a mistake to step in her path, as her anger, too, was strong.
"I- I-" His eyes flickered to Silas's and the look on his face was almost painful to watch, as Silas was not looking at him, but studying his nails instead.
"You understand that the punishment for treason is death?"
"I-"
"If I may?" Silas too stepped forward, looking at Theon who smiled and gave a slight nod. Eira's glared at Silas but stepped back. "This man, although he made some mistakes, grave as they were, attempted to make up for those mistakes. The information he provided us with was essential in our mission to bring Callisto home. I think we can come to another conclusion that does not end in more death."
Although Theon gave a thoughtful nod, again he did not speak. Now that The Seven were all old enough to make educated decisions, Theon wanted to see the types of decisions they would make if they were to rule. So that he in turn, would be able to choose who was best to succeed him.
"I agree with Silas." Aspen stated before anyone else had the chance to point out that this man, in fact, was an assassin and allied with their greatest enemies. Lycus knew Theon craved the peace that covered the land for many years, but he worried that Theon wouldn't do what needed to be done to have peace again. "I have faith that this man sees his mistakes and while should not go unpunished, there isn't a need for him to die."
Lycus did not agree with Aspen and Silas, yet he would not voice that opinion. It would make him look ruthless. It would not align with Theon's ideals of peace. His eyes slid over to where the King sat, and then a little further. Conan looked like he wanted to say something. The boy always looked like he wanted to say something – he never got the opportunity to. Lycus didn't often care to know what Conan thought on topics he should not be concerning himself with, but today he did. He was curious of the words that were trapped behind those tightly pursed lips.
Aideen stepped forward, preparing herself to speak when the large oak doors burst open again, startling everyone in the room. Standing in the doorway was a scrawny boy flanked by two guards. His face was splattered with dirt, and he clutched a leather satchel in his trembling hands. He looked tired and on the verge of collapsing. This boy was a messenger. Lycus knew this because of the forest green shirt he wore. He had come from the Orran mountains, where a large portion of Perdita's army was protecting their borders from the first war in decades. Though, Theon would never admit they were on the verge of war. Lycus almost worried for the messenger, battle was a touchy topic in this throne room.
"What is the meaning of this interruption?" Theon bellowed, his voice uncharacteristically angry.
"I have a message for Your Highness." If it was possible, the boys face paled even more as he walked down the parted path of people and took a wide birth around the kneeling assassin. "A message from the front lines."
"Couldn't it have waited? We're busy, if you haven't noticed."
"No, your highness," The boy bowed, his knees shaking as he did so, "This message is urgent, your men are dying. Backup is needed immediately at the gates of Orran. We are losing the passage through the mountains and Kozia is closing in and-"
"Stop." Theon's face was turning red, and he moved his hand in a dismissal wave, "You will wait outside, I will hear your message privately when this trial is finished."
"But-"
"Out. Now."
"Of course, Your Highness." They boy bowed again and hurried from the throne room. Many uneasy glances were passed and Lycus himself caught Eira's eye. The two of them spoke often of this brewing war behind closed doors. Lycus did not have the same personal difficulties invested in this dreaded battle. If he were king, he would not hesitate to take back the Orran mountains and the land beyond it. He would take it all.