Lament of Innocence

Selene
" I may be rotting in a cell, but if I'm here with him," I shoved a finger in Tarrions direction, "I'm happier then I ever have been." I brushed his hair out of his eyes and he smiled at me weakly. I picked up the dagger and realized it had an inscription on the handle. I read it and felt a cold rush as if ice water had been thrown on me. "What is it?" Taeryn asked. My voice trembled as I read aloud " To Talen the true queen. May your wrang *can't spell today.* last until the sky falls from the heavens." I looked at Taeryn and Tarrion and they had identical looks of shock and horror.

..post removed...

Selene
"Tar is this the first time you've had dreams like this?" I asked cautiously. He looked nervous for a moment. "Tell me Tar please?" I begged looking at him imploringly. "No." He said. "When else did you have a dream like that?" I asked cautiously. He sighed and seemed reluctant to answer. "Please Tar." I begged once more.

..post deleted...

Selene
"Wow." I said thats all I could manage. Ignore all posts before this one.

Whats up with the deletes, Ish?!

Aris

Taeryn had walked down to see us. "You're the servants who find it amusing to wisecrack at the guards, aren't you?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

Kale nodded, even though I wished he wouldn't. "Yeah, that's us," He said fiercely. "Why?"

"I've been meaning to speak with you," Taeryn said.

~Taeryn~

I stayed unnervingly silent for a moment. Obviously the two had connections to the prisoners, and if they weren't in such bad conditions both mentally and physically I would have dragged these two down to the cells to work out what the hell the link was.

But nevermind. "Come here." I ordered the girl, who flinched slightly as she stepped forward. I deliberately ignored the boy; his insolence could be punished later if the need arose. "Name?" I barked at the shivering girl.
"Ar- Arlene."
"Job?"
"I'm- I'm just a maid."

Hmm. Clearly she had guts, to have such a low rank yet taunt the guards so. At such a low position she should know that she was worthless enough to be killed for causing such a fuss. I glanced over her once more. "You're my new assistant." I announced after a moment, noting the instant expression of shock that appeared on her face.

Aris 'Arlene'

"You're my new assistant," Taeryn said.

I gaped at her, shocked. "What?!" I tried to say it as respectfully as I could.

"Did you not hear me?" she asked disdainfully.

"I did, but Ma'am, I'm... well, I don't think I have any proper... experience... to be your assistant."

Taeryn looked at me thoughtfully. I hoped she didn't think I was trying to get out of it. But this was a twist in our plans I had not anticipated.

~Taeryn~

I raised an eyebrow. "You showed bravery in taunting the guards. I've had enough of pathetic spineless assistants, so I think you'll do just fine."

Arlene nodded silently, mouth opening, no doubt to ask a question. I cut her off before she could begin. "I expect you to show a great deal more respect to me than you did to them. Shoul you do otherwise, or disobey me at any time, you will be executed immediately. Understand?"

Aris 'Arlene'

"Yes," I said, nodding.

"Good. Come along, then," Taeryn said. "There are things to be done, and I won't have you sitting around."

Selene
I opened my eyes and sighed in relief it was just a dream. I pulled my knees to my chest and put my chin on them. I closed my eyes pretending that Tar and I were birds and flying away from this place. I rested my head against the wall my eyes still closed and I started to hum a lullaby my mom had sung to me whenever I had a nightmare.

~Taeryn~

Arlene followed behind me silently as I made my way to the cells once more. Hopefully the boy had recovered from his hallucinatory moment by now; I'd see what the doctor had to say about things.

We arrived, and I watched as the medic examined Tarrion, occassionally scribbling something down on a notepad beside him. Finally, the doctor stood up. "He'll be fine, for now," he informed me wearily before glancing back at Tarrion's limp form. "But he needs treatment urgently. The wound is becoming infected, which led to the hallucinations."

Arlene gasped, seeing the poor state he was in. I nodded in understanding before motioning for the doctor to leave. He hesitated. "Don't you want me to-"
"No. Now leave."

I crouched down to see Selene better, looking over her once before speaking. "Tarrion's going to die if he doesn't get treatment," I said softly. "I'll allow him to be given painkillers, if you behave."

Selene looked up at me, her eyes full of fury. "If he needs treatment, then give it to him!" she shouted angrily.

I stared back for a moment. "You know what you need to do to get Tarrion the treatment he needs. Help me, and I'll help you."

"We don't need your help," Selene spat back. "When we escape, he'll get all the medicine he needs."

I watched her for a long time, considering this. Finally I spoke. "I forgot, you can't actually see him." I went into Tarrion's cell, easily picking him up, then placed him on the floor in the cell opposite Selene's. The wound looked bad; it wasn't healing well and was still bleeding slightly. "This palace has the best medical care in the country." I murmured quietly, so Selene could just hear. "It's his only chance of survival, you know that."

Selene
I hissed silently in anger and hatred my eyes filling with tears of anger and of horror. I closed my eyes and forced them back I dropped to my knees and bowed my head. "Alright just please help him." I said quietly. If she wanted help then I would give it to her. I looked at Aris and she looked at me with a look of anger and betrayal. Taeryn turned away from both of us for a minute and I winked at Aris and she smiled in relief.

[I just realised I don't actually know why they were imprisoned, so I'm making summat up. Tell me if it's stupid/goes against the plot and I'll change it.]


~Taeryn~

Wait, so she was accepting my deal? She was going to help?! I took a moment to calm myself and not immediately spurt out every question I needed to know; obviously this deal would take time.

"What were you planning when in the woods? How many were in your group?"

Selene *posted on Fey kidashka check it out please*
"I'm not going to tell you anything unless Tar gets help first." I said coldly crossing my arms my gaze never wavering. 'But..." She started but I interrupted her. "When he gets help I will answer all your questions." I said calmly.