Dark Stag Ch. 07

"Royalty? As in, he's a prince and he didn't tell us? Why? God, this is too much." I said, getting to me feet, clenching my head.

"We're the one's who sold his father the black antelope!" Gou laughed.

"Oh my.." Roi said. I was left speechless.

"So, like...you knew him knew him, not just knew him but like...you got to know him?" Gou asked.

"Yeah.. He was with us for four months."

"FOUR MONTHS???" Gou said out, shocked, "I mean I don't know him well at all. I just have heard of his heroism."

"Heroism?" Roi and I asked simultaneously.

"I don't know if it's true but he single handedly took down a slaver caravan in some ruins in Illisia....saved a whole bunch of lives." Gou said.

"You know, Kijus always said he had to do some pretty horrific things just to stay alive back in his homelands. I wouldn't put anything past him... I just hope and pray that somehow he won't have to reveal this side of him. I went this long without seeing it and I really don't want it unleashed." I said, full of worry.

"Should I tell his uncles? They can have an army here in the Caucuses within the matter of a week." Gou said.

"I...I..."

"Kijus said he could handle this on his own. I wouldn't put that past him either. He's done some pretty impressive stuff by himself as is such as train that black antelope, my and his raptor, countless other raptors and build a coursing pylon set with thousands of feet of retract." Roi added.

"I'm sorry but I wouldn't have this much faith in him...does he know how nasty Temptation City can be? I think we should call his uncles." Gou responded.
"That would be a war on the lands of my home... That would be a war on my hands, a war against my father...A war over two people... I might be a little stupid for having so much faith in Kijus but it definitely beats having a war..."

"I don't want to intrude on your conversation, because it seems quite serious," Brija said, coming over finally taking a seat next to us, "But whoever his uncle's are...they need to be the absolute last option available...not because of Kijus but because of our father. I don't know what the hell is wrong with that man, but my gut is telling me that he's going to be the bigger issue, all things considered and there won't be any stopping him. I'm scared to say it, but we might need to use Kijus for leverage on getting that army to aid in taking down pa."

Everyone looked on in shock. It actually was a very feasible idea.

"So your Pa is that out of control?" Gou asked us all.

"Yes, and I need to write Kijus to update him on the turn of events... He needs to know Pa is tracking him."

"They let him get mail in the brothel? And wouldn't it be days too late then?"

"We're sending it by Bazahra. She can get there in a handful of minutes. But we don't know if Kijus even can find access to Bazahra since he hasn't written back." I sighed.

"Well... it depends on the brothels. Most of the brothels are renovated warehouses with segregated chambers for the types of sex slaves. At the end of the day, they still have large metal rafters, crates and catwalks. If he can make it to the windows on the roof then maybe he can get access to the the letters." Gou explained.

"So it's that damn secure? You think I should buy him out before it's too late?" I asked, full of concern.

"I say give it until Sunday and if we don't hear from him then we got to get him out of there." Roi sighed.

"Then what? Where are we going to keep him? What about his sister? She isn't for sale which is why he's there to begin with... I mean... Kijus said he can handle himself...The best we can do is warn him." Brija said. It was strange hearing such speech come from this girl considering how superficial she often came across. The sad part about it was that we knew so little about her. We wouldn't interact with each other on any level before Kijus came.

"This is one of those things where you just have to hope and pray that luck is on our side." I said. It made Brija realize that there was very little solidity with what was going on. Everything was not concrete and would require swift thinking so things could succeed.

Gou handed me some paper and a pen as I began to write. Roi and Brija stood over me, wanting to be a part of this too.

'Kijus,

I've written you several times but haven't gotten a response. I'm just hoping that things are Ok. After putting thought into it, we made the realization that it could be hard for you to get access to Bazahra. If you do manage to get access, we just want to say this. This simply isn't about helping your sister anymore. This is about stopping a Tyrant who hurts many! My father has sent dogs to follow your trail and I don't know if he may find you. However, I knew he would eventually have found the two Black Stags so we relocated them to an outpost in the canyons. We couldn't let Mercury get into trouble like that since he is a very important part of the plan. However, we're pretty sure the dogs will lead to his home and since he's Illisian, it'll immediately draw suspicion. I'm terribly afraid for his safety because my father is really taking things very far. I really don't know why he's changed so much but I have a terrible feeling that worse things have yet to come. I hope and pray they don't but I can't shake the feeling that it's completely and utterly inevitable.

I still want to know about your wellbeing. I know it's going to be tough, for you having to do such demeaning things in there but at this point you have a lot riding on you. I just want to know are they feeding you well, are you getting enough rest, do they have it sanitary... I just want to know if you're safe. We miss you terribly and hope that you can respond to us in time. By Sunday, if we get no response, we're buying you back because the risk is simply too great. We have several minds together now and we more than likely can formulate a plan effective enough to foil my father's efforts. One of those minds is a trader I'm not sure you know. His name is Gou and he said he met you years back when he used to live in Africa and know's your uncles. Why didn't you tell us that your were of royal blood? This could really benefit you in the long run, Kijus!

Anyways, as was stated, we're willing to go to extreme lengths to help! Since you didn't tell us about your uncles, we're not using them as an option...yet! If things turn dire, we'll definitely inform them but this requires your input, Kiju!. Just please write us back!

Yours truly,

Richard'

He folded the letter neatly, placing it into Bazhara's breast pouch along with additional pen and paper. They all led the bird down stairs, through the home, out of the tunnels and back to the desert. Within an instant, she was gone. So much was riding on this bird it made my stomach numb. I couldn't shake the feeling but I just knew this plan was busted.

All there was to do now was return home. We did so, discreetly entering through the low gate and taking the hour ride back to the upper ring. We all were in the aviary, having little words to exchange. Brija was first to get to training her kestrel. Roi and I watched as the little bird was making a hell of a lot of progress. The bird had now imprinted on her and with every passing moment, growing more and more fond over her.

She often had to revert back to the journal Kijus made for her, but...we all did. Training animals was no easy feat, at least not as easy as Kijus made it look. One thing I was grateful for was the handbook Gou gave me before we left, the handbook on training stags. It'd be the perfect favor for Mercury since he was having obvious scheduling troubles with the stag. I skimmed through it to see the process was far more intimate than training a horse. There was a complex language you had to learn as well as knowing body postures and the slightest of movements. I looked at Roi.

"Tomorrow we have our work cut out for us..." I said. He looked at me, unsure why I'd say that.

"Why?" He asked.

"Because we're going to train Bastion." I said. His stare eventually diminished into a ocular wonder.

"Ok." He responded, devoid of life. It was obvious that he was still aching over his break up. I placed my hand on his shoulder.

"Look brother..." I began, "You have the rest of your life to live. Don't be upset over that idiot..." He looked at me.

"I'm fine Ricky..." He said, obviously not fine, extending out his hand, "Let me see that handbook."

"Sure," I responded, reaching into my bag handing him the journal, "You seem mighty interested in those stags."

"I really want to try my hand at training them..." Roi said.

"Don't you think that's a big undertaking for you considering you still have to train Bastion?" I asked, unsure if Roi could do such a task.

"I just want something to do..." Roi sighed.

It bothered me a great deal to see my brother behaving so distantly. Unsure what could be done to aid the boy, we continued watching Brijia train her cute little kestrel. After a while, I got bored, heading to the long wing sector of the Aviary. Roi followed, truly just looking for something to free his mind. We entered, Rage's pin.

Rage, my red breasted falcon, had great temperament and was well trained. He has five and a half feet of wings, was just over twenty six inches in length and had a fiery red plumage. His flying weight was about two and a half pounds. It was a bit light considering he hadn't eaten in two days. Today was his feeding day but since it was the middle of the day, I wouldn't fly him. I'd have to wait until the air was cooler because heat exhaustion is a big killer for falcons.

All and all, I was very exhausted. I could surely use a nap but I was not going back into the palace, not with my father lurking around.

"You ok?" Roi asked.

"Yeah, just didn't realize how exhausted I am until I came in here..." I said.

"You wanna call it a day or?" Roi asked, unsure what I wanted to do.

"No, I just need a bit of a nap." I said, "I honestly don't know how Brija is continuing on right now..."

"You know that girl has the energy of a vitriol canister." Roi teased, "And just so you know...you're not the only one who's tired. Riding on the back of those horses for that many hours, stealing them, making sure we were not followed or caught... Not only was it physically draining but it was both mentally and emotionally draining. I think we both need to recharge."

"Eh, it's just one day. We can push through it... We got a few hours to waste... Let's lure course Silver for a good bit. We can use a horse to turn the wrench." I suggested.

"Yeah, let me just run and get some lambsquarters. You get the horse." Roi responded.

"Good, because I do not want to go back in the palace..." I said. Roi chuckled, heading out of the pin. As he did, he was frozen in his tracks. Roi stood eye to eye with Robin, accompanied by Jon.

"...Well, these odds...." Robin smiled malevolently. Roi rolled his eyes, walking towards the exit.

"Enjoy each other." He said.

"What? I'm only helping Jon get on on some long wing action... He says he got tired of the short wings, says it does nothing for him..." Robin teased.

"Wow..." Jon chuckled, hating how Robin spinned the words.

"Shouldn't you be like in the lower rings, trying to find Kijus and shit?" I asked.

"Oh that's gonna get resolved. The little archers you hired to shoot our dogs won't stop us..." Robin smiled.

"What?" I asked.

"Yeah, I know... You're working some angles aren't you?" Robin prodded.

"Not that angle..." I said back.

"Why all of this for some little Cush boy..." Robin asked, genuinely confused.

"You know what," I said, my patience for him waning, "I really am having a bad day, and I'll be more than glad to ruins yous." I stepped towards him, both my fists clenched.

"Man...fighting over some little Cush boy... You can't be serious, Ricky..." Robin asked.

"Call him that again, and you'll see how serious I am..." I smiled, edging forward towards him.

"This is why no one likes you, Richard...," Jon chimmed in, "You treat everyone as though you're better than them, always have! Leaving your friends for Kijus when Kijus left you as is...? I just think you need to be honest with yourself..."

I was reduced to staring at them both. This attack seemed so odd, as though it was planned... I'm pretty sure it was, an effort to provoke me into an altercation to induce results.

"RICKY!!!!" I heard someone shout from the exit.

Coming from down the corridor was Brija, shaking her head. It was then I knew she was aware of what was going on. As she came closer, it was clear this girl was enraged.

"You two pieces of shit, if you don't get from near my brother so help me I'll," She said, reaching into her bag pulling out a flask, "I'll burn you both! I'm not above it and I sure as hell had a day that makes me want to sink my claws into something..."

"Easy," Robin said, throwing up both hands in surrender.

"And if you ever approach my brother again, I'll ruin you...LEAVE!!!" She hissed, threateningly.

"You, lot are crazy..." Jon said, shaking his head. He followed Robin out of the Aviary.

Brija turned to me, concern written all over her face.

"This is gonna get bad..." She said. I snatched the flask from her.

"Where the hell did you get this!" I snarled.

"It's not acid, it's mango juice. I had to think of something. I overheard father talking to a few of his noblemen and they want us down on lock!" She responded, her voice diminishing to a whisper, "They'll be watching us..."

"I just don't get it... Why all of this over one boy? He just wants to go home!" I said, growing beyond frustrated.

"I don't know... I just want it all to be over..." Brija sighed.

"But seriously though," I began, looking at the flask, "Where the hell did you get this?"

"I found it a few weeks ago in the lounge. I thought one of the clients left it or something...I kept it."

"OK," I began, "Acid flasks are super rare. They cost a fortune. Your pour the acid on lithium citrate crystals to make Lithium opioids rock. Now Lithium Citrate is used to calm you down. Lithium opioid on the other hand...Man, it'll change who you are."

"You don't think?" Brija asked.

"Yeah, pa might be on it... He's the only one here who can afford it..." I sighed.