KUR.
The castle dungeons, hidden underneath the earth, has two levels. The upper level is used for torture and execution and the lower level a prison for the most heinous of Cragg criminals. Those who enter the cells are almost never released — and those who do see light again are never quite the same from having stayed there. The dungeons aren’t visited by the day or night staff but rather manned by the security team. The dungeons are designed to hold more than just humans.
Ares, Kur and Marsden stand in the upper level. Ares is stripped down, hair dripping wet. Kur and Marsden stand dry, watching him closely.
KUR: You’ve become lazy. Complacent. When was the last time you trained?
ARES: Not since… I… I had to take a break…
KUR: Don’t give me excuses! Let’s try it again. Show me your power.
Ares shakes the water from his eyes and brings back the blue glow. When it forms it together, he shoots it to the side at the body of a decaying criminal, but none of his attacks are powerful to do any more than give the body a light nudge. Kur picks up one of many buckets of icy water and hurls it at Ares, stopping him in his tracks. The same carnival of thoughts comes circling around Ares’s mind. When he doesn’t respond to Kur calling him, Kur rolls his eyes and tosses a towel to Ares.
KUR: If you don’t practice magic every day, you’ll never learn to control it. What happened to our agreement?
ARES: It wasn’t safe for me to use it, so I stopped. Father —
KUR: Think carefully about what may happen to you if you lose control of yourself again. You’re already in ill-favour for marrying a Tijoran. There won’t be coming back from it this time.
ARES: I know, but—
KUR: So, stop letting yourself be distracted! Concentrate, Ares. Your magic is important. Monsters are everywhere right now—
ARES: I said, I know! Can you stop?!
A silence hangs after Ares’ outburst. Kur looks furious, but Marsden looks saddened.
ARES: Sorry. I’m sorry. I’m really tired. I only just got home.
KUR: Yes, much later than we expected. You barely even wrote.
ARES: We were busy, Dad. I’m sorry I didn’t write more.
KUR: …Don’t let her make you forget who you really are, or where your allegiances really lie.
ARES: I know, I won’t.
KUR: Good. Let’s try again.
Ares brings back the magic, pushes through the pain, and then begins to collapse on himself. With head pointed to the ceiling, he slowly sinks to his knees, and starts convulsing.
KUR: Ares! Come back!
Ares continues to tremble as blue lights float towards Kur, who slashes them away with his sword. Marsden coughs politely.
KUR: …Damnit. Call for Horus.
Marsden calls for Horus and Osprey on his watch. The watches are worn by each member of night staff and the Saber family, allowing them to call whoever they need with the press of a few buttons. Keeping a close eye on Ares and the floating lights, Kur and Marsden wait. Horus arrives to the dungeons first.
HORUS: What’re you— shit, Ares! Dad—
KUR: Shut-up, Horus. Just fix it.
Horus takes Kur’s sword from him and goes forward, using the sword to scare off any magic that creeps towards him. Once he’s close enough, Horus launches himself at Ares, wrapping him in an immobile hug and pressing his forehead firmly into Ares’s own. A soft, orange light begins to spread over Horus, beginning from the fingertips.
HORUS: Wake up, Ares. Come home. I’m here.
Ares lets out a guttural, otherworldly screech. The sound rattles Kur and Marsden, but Horus remains calm. The lights coming from Ares are clinging to Horus, slowly engulfing his orange glow. Horus squeezes him harder.
HORUS: Wake up, Ares. Come back to the human world. Wake up.
Ares stops screaming. A moment later, the glow around Horus begins to fade, and the lights coming from Ares dim slowly until they disappear. Ares slumps once all the magic from the room is gone, a faint blue glow all that’s left. Osprey arrives just in time to see the soul return to Ares’s body.
HORUS: Ares? Are you with us?
ARES: …Yes. I’m fine, don’t—
A violent shudder interrupts him as the light surges, then goes away again. Ares clutches at Horus.
ARES: I’m really cold.
HORUS: …Osprey? Take Ares to the library and keep him close to the fire. Stay with him until I arrive.
Osprey hurries forward and hoists Ares up without too much difficulty. They stagger out, leaving Horus, Marsden, and Kur behind.
HORUS: One day. That’s how long it took you to break him.
KUR: You’re adopting Set’s flair for the dramatic. He’s not broken…
HORUS: What would’ve happened if I wasn’t here?
KUR: …Everything is fine, Horus. Stop worrying so much. Ares is a soldier. He needs to learn to be pushed. He hasn’t seen the same wars as you.
HORUS: Let’s hope he never does. Why doesn’t it frighten you to see him like that? Can’t you see what I see? The danger he’s in?
KUR: Don’t be so theatrical. It doesn’t suit you. Make sure his wife doesn’t see him like that.
Kur exits. Horus eyes Marsden mopping up the water.
HORUS: How long were they practicing down here?
MARSDEN: I can’t say for sure, my lord. Less than an hour.
HORUS: …what did he do to him?
MARSDEN: It isn’t my place to say, my lord.
HORUS: You’re not supposed to be down here. Get upstairs. Someone from security will clean up.
MARSDEN: Certainly. I’m sorry for the intrusion.
Marsden leaves, and Horus collapses suddenly. Head pounding, heart racing, he stays kneeling for a long time, his face twisted in pain.
*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧
Osprey lays Ares down carefully in front of the fire, calling for Python once he’s down. He then takes some blankets from the cupboard and rushes to pack them around Ares. The fire seems to restore some of his energy.
ARES: Osprey?
OSPREY: Shh, rest, Ares.
ARES: No, listen. We can’t make a big deal out of this to Primrose. She’s already freaked out about the whole magic thing.
OSPREY: With good reason. Wait here while I go get some tea.
Osprey rushes from the room before Ares can protest. While he waits for tea to boil, Python passes him.
PYTHON: What’s—
OSPREY: Ares. By the fire. Go quick.
Python breaks into a run. Osprey leans against the small table while he waits and closes his eyes. He takes a few deep breaths before he slaps himself back to attention. He quickly makes tea and heads back to the library, where Python is taking temperature and checking blood pressure. Osprey hands Ares the tea and sits down beside him.
ARES: I already feel a lot better. I was just so cold…
PYTHON: He doesn’t seem to have any problems. A warm bath and he’ll be right as rain. Osprey, why don’t you go run one for him?
ARES: No, Primrose’s asleep in our room. Goat-riding completely exhausted her. I’ll do it. Just let me rest here for a while, okay?
OSPREY: Certainly. Let me get you some pillows.
PYTHON: Ares, can I ask you to tell me what day it is?
ARES: It’s Friday. Honestly, I’m fine.
PYTHON: Can you please follow the light with your eyes?
Osprey waits beside them with pillows and watches while Python shines a torch for Ares. He can follow the light, but he’s extremely irritated. He seems relieved when she puts it away.
PYTHON: Full name?
ARES: Ares Saber. No, Ares Costa.
PYTHON: Who is our current Monarch?
ARES: The Stone Queen –- Queen Jade Sama.
PYTHON: Which war did you fight most recently?
ARES: Python, this is…
PYTHON: Please, Ares. You seem to have hit your head. Most recent battle?
ARES: Uh… a year ago. With the three towns across the border. I led soldiers across the bridge, the enemy rode sea serpents that attacked us as we went.
PYTHON: Can you tell me the name of anyone who was there with you?
ARES: Lumos. He was always there, somehow, he always survived.
Is it kind of loud in here?
Python and Osprey look at each other, feeling the silence hanging around them. Python places a gentle hand on Ares’s forehead as though feeling his temperature.
PYTHON: Lumos? I don’t remember him ever mentioning a Lumos before.
OSPREY: I’ve never heard of a Lumos before.
Is he…?
PYTHON: Physically he’s fine, just needs some rest.
OSPREY: Mentally?
ARES: You guys know I can hear you, right?
PYTHON: He seems okay, mostly. Disoriented. A sleep would do him good.
ARES: I told you, I’m fine.
PYTHON: Can you tell us anything more about Lumos? What’d he look like?
ARES: You know Lumos. Osprey met him. White hair, lots of tattoos.
Look, I’m not doing this. I’m going upstairs to bathe and sleep. See you later.
PYTHON: If you insist, my lord. But if you feel dizzy or confused, please, call.
Ares leaves. Python and Osprey remain motionless until he’s out of earshot.
PYTHON: Are you okay?
OSPREY: Yeah… he’s been back for what, ten seconds, and this is how we find him?
PYTHON: What happened?
OSPREY: …you know what happened.
PYTHON: Hmm. We can talk later. Ah, Lord Horus.
Horus enters, face twisted into a frown.
HORUS: Where is he? I told you to wait with him.
OSPREY: He went upstairs for a bath. He seemed alright, my lord, although he mentioned someone named Lumos. I wondered if you knew the name.
HORUS: Lumos? No. I don’t think so. When did he leave?
OSPREY: Just a minute ago.
Horus rushes out to catch him. Osprey and Python tidy up while an indistinguishable argument happens in the next room. Osprey wipes away some tears.
OSPREY: Let’s get out of here. Spoken to Minerva yet?
PYTHON: No. I still don’t know how to approach it.
A loud yell from Horus is followed by silence. Osprey and Python stare towards the door.
OSPREY: He’s turning into his father. If we don’t act soon, we’ll be too late.
PYTHON: Don’t make assumptions because he’s upset. We don’t know the full story.
Osprey nods, and they disappear into the Servants’ Corridors.
*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧
The Servants’ Corridors are a series of hidden networks all over the castle. The dark passageways have low ceilings and narrow walls, originally designed so servants could move about without disturbing the nobles. Frequently, they are also used by eavesdropping night staff.
The corridors open out into a couple of main spaces, including the entryway, the library, kitchens, ballroom, Kur’s study, the east and west wings, (close to Ares and Horus’s rooms) and in Kur, Minerva, and Set’s walk-in-robes. The other entry/exits are mostly unused. These passageways can only be accessed by a key possessed by the night staff. No noble or even member of security have access to the corridors.
*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧
Tiger slumps in one of the chairs in the kitchen, exhausted. Collapsed around are the some of the night staff — Python looks to be falling asleep in her chair, and Osprey and Augustus play cards silently. Tiger sighs dramatically.
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TIGER: They always do this. Months of peace, silence, and empty bedrooms, followed by an onslaught of evenings that seemingly go for hours. Why did I have to serve dinner so late, again?
OSPREY: Lord Ares. He wasn’t well.
AUGUSTUS: And the Set didn’t finish its homework, so he was late coming in, too.
OSPREY: Did you call him ‘the’ Set?
PYTHON: Don’t, Augustus.
OSPREY: Why ‘the’?
AUGUSTUS: A ‘set’ was an animal from ancient times. It was a demonic dog or something.
TIGER: Very fitting.
AUGUSTUS: I thought so.
OSPREY: As fitting as it may be, it’s not safe to say out loud. Watch yourself, Augustus.
Marsden enters, and Osprey points to him as if proving a point. Osprey rises to offer help, but Marsden waves him back down.
OSPREY: Hey, boss. How’re you?
MARSDEN: Fine, thank you. I was expecting you all to be asleep already. Burning the candle at both ends?
OSPREY: Just unwinding before bed. I wanted to ask you about Danielle, seeing as you’re here.
MARSDEN: Yes, I’m wondering about her, too. I haven’t had an opportunity to speak to Lady Primrose, and Lord Ares was adamant we do not delegate work until we do. Has anyone spoken to Danielle? I do hope she isn’t too bored.
AUGUSTUS: She slept most of the day, Elizabeth checked on her twice.
OSPREY: I wonder what that feels like.
PYTHON: Like you want to be awake all night. That’s true for Lady Minerva, at least.
OSPREY: You work all day for the castle and then all night for Minerva. Honestly, when do you rest?
PYTHON: Only when there are no aligning stars.
MARSDEN: If you’re being pushed too hard, Python, tell me, and I can make adjustments.
PYTHON: I know. I’m fine. Thank you, Marsden.
MARSDEN: Hm. Well, don’t stay up late, any of you. I expect we’ll be very busy for the next few weeks. Something in the air feels different.
OSPREY: Everyone is home for a change. You know how mischievous they can be when they have each other.
TIGER: Sure do, and it always makes them hungry. I’m going to need to ask for an increase in allowance.
MARSDEN: Show me your receipts, Tiger, and we can talk about your allowance. Goodnight, everyone. Don’t forget the lights.
OSPREY: Gods, Marsden, I forgot them once! Stop reminding me.
MARSDEN: Goodnight. And Python? I meant what I said. I don’t want you to get sick again. Go to sleep soon.
PYTHON: I promise. Goodnight.
Marsden leaves. The boys give each other cheeky grins.
AUGUSTUS: “Don’t get sick, Python, it’s almost past your bedtime.”
Seriously, Marsden is such a dad when you’re around. When did you even get sick? I’ve worked here since I was twelve, I don’t remember you ever even taking a day off.
PYTHON: Last time I got sick was before you worked here. We were all sick, Osprey too. Set was so little, I thought he was going to die. I remember lying with him on his bed while we both struggled to breathe, trying to read him to sleep. He’s always loved his books.
AUGUSTUS: Fucking hell, here she goes again. “You should be nicer to Master Set.” The man strikes me, Python. How can you keep defending him?
PYTHON: You didn’t know him then. Before you met him, he was kind and sensitive. Now…
OSPREY: Now he’s been corrupted by Kur.
A silence creeps into the room. Tiger smiles and pulls out his pipe.
TIGER: I see you’ve all been talking about what I said.
PYTHON: To some extent. The things you were saying about murder were insanity.
OSPREY: Yes, they were. But everything else you were saying…
TIGER: I understand you’ve lived with it. Grown up with it. But please, understand, the way Lord Kur treats people isn’t normal. Corporal punishment is legal, but his treatment of you is completely insane. The fact you’re always bleeding is unacceptable. The way he treats his children, the heirs to Cragg… I don’t want this man ruling the mountains.
OSPREY: Okay, you don’t need to sell us again. It’s just not clear where we should go from here.
AUGUSTUS: Lord Kur is a monster. He needs to be punished.
OSPREY: It isn’t about punishment.
PYTHON: Please, keep your tempers down. I’m not doing anything to hurt Lord Kur.
AUGUSTUS: You don’t have to, but Kur needs to be punished, or kicked out, or something, or nothing will change. He’s a complete monster, and he doesn’t deserve your gratitude.
OSPREY: We are grateful. That’s part of the problem. You don’t have to like it, but Lord Kur was a great man. Is a great man. Just… not to us.
PYTHON: …or his children.
AUGUSTUS: I don’t care about the precious heirs. I care about us. I care about Marsden and Fairfax and Elizabeth, all of whom are subject to that… insane person. Honestly? For me it isn’t about how he treats us. I just can’t keep waiting around to see which one of us will die first.
OSPREY: Augustus—
AUGUSTUS: When he goes off, all of us are in danger. You know that.
OSPREY: I’m with you. I am. I just don’t know what to do about it. We’re powerless against a Saber.
TIGER: Anyone with a brain is far from powerless. Magic users are proof enough of that. We just need to think of something.
OSPREY: Well… Python and I might have an idea. But it’s high risk. I don’t know if it’s worth it.
AUGUSTUS: You’re not thinking of talking to Lord Ares, are you? Because if you really think he’ll listen to you on this…
OSPREY: No, I’m not talking to Ares. He loves his father to a fault. No, we were thinking… that Python would talk to Minerva.
AUGUSTUS: Are you out of your mind?
TIGER: You cannot be serious. Daddy’s girl?
AUGUSTUS: She’s terrifying, Python. She’s literally insane.
PYTHON: She is terrifying. I feel proud of how terrifying she is. But trust me, she isn’t ‘daddy’s girl’. She’s been disenchanted with her father for a long time.
AUGUSTUS: She’s going to poison you.
OSPREY: What’s the next best idea? If Minerva gets on our side, she can take action on our behalf. She can talk to Horus about it.
Listen, we can’t do this just us servants. We need a noble to be on our side. Minerva’s never struck any of us, she never goes into a rage or a meltdown… she’s objectively the best choice we have.
TIGER: …we don’t need Minerva. Just access to her poison. Bring it to me, I can make a meal for Lord Kur that—
PYTHON: No, Tiger. Don’t even joke. We’re not killing Lord Kur.
AUGUSTUS: I agree it’s extreme, but you know, people have been put to death for less than this. Lord Kur has put people to death for less than this.
OSPREY: We’re not killing Lord Kur. Because despite his terror, he’s also given us both a home for most of our lives. I’ve been here for nineteen years. And Python, how long now?
PYTHON: Thirty-three.
OSPREY: Lord Kur pays us incredibly well. Every single one of our siblings has their private schooling paid for because of him. He’s an incredible war strategist and talented knight who makes us all better at fighting and protecting our country. We’re never hungry, and we don’t go cold, and he has kept us all safe through many wars.
AUGUSTUS: Not letting your employees go hungry or cold is literally the bare minimum standards. That should go without saying. Not to mention, doesn’t let you go cold? Is your memory broken? You’re bonding with your captors. You think they care about you, Osprey. You’re ignoring literal scars. Do we need to look again?
PYTHON: Don’t, Augustus—
Augustus pulls up his sleeve to show scars from a whip. Most are light or have faded but are distinctive. He then shows his stomach, where a couple more marks are.
AUGUSTUS: Look at this. Look at your own arms! I hate to think what my back looks like by now. I refuse to sympathise with that monster. And make no mistake, his children aren’t innocent in all this, either. They’ve seen the way he treats us. They watch him whip us. They’re just as guilty as he is.
The room goes quiet for a moment, and Python puts her head down on the table with a long sigh. Osprey turns his arm to look at his own scars before shaking down his sleeve.
OSPREY: It isn’t that simple. It’s ingrained from generations of this kind of behaviour. They’re pressured into behaving like that, even when they know it’s wrong.
AUGUSTUS: That’s not an excuse. We deserve better.
TIGER: Gentlemen. This is out of hand. We’re all on the same side, aren’t we?
OSPREY: Yes. We do deserve better. But let’s not rush into doing anything. Marsden was right when he said we’re going to be busy. We’ll talk once everything has calmed down.
AUGUSTUS: Yeah, whatever. Goodnight, enjoy your morning with a Master who’s kind to you.
TIGER: Sheesh. Never worked somewhere where talking about killing the boss was controversial.
OSPREY: Will you stop with that? We’re not murderers.
TIGER: Not with that attitude. Goodnight.
Python sighs again once Augustus and Tiger are gone. Osprey smiles and nudges her up.
OSPREY: C’mon, don’t be a hero. Marsden was right, you need sleep.
PYTHON: I need to get my head straight. I can’t believe we’re even talking about…
OSPREY: We’re just talking. There’s nothing wrong with us voicing what we’ve all been thinking about, is there? Besides, our promise to serve and protect won’t change, no matter how riled up Augustus gets.
PYTHON: And, what if Minerva does something terrible to Kur? What then? Will you tell Ares you were involved?
OSPREY: I… uh…
PYTHON: You should talk to him. Horus will listen to Ares.
OSPREY: I know. You’re right. I’ll… I’ll try. When the time is right.
PYTHON: I’ve been saying that all week. Trust me, it’s not ‘when’ the time is right, it’s ‘if’.
*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧
The servants’ quarters, where the night staff sleep, is small but cosy. Following a corridor of bedrooms, the floor opens up into a small living area with enough lounges to comfortably sit the whole team. As Python comes out of the women’s bathroom, she sees the light still on under Augustus’s door. She goes over and knocks quietly before going in. A desk and chair, single bed, single wardrobe, small window. Augustus is lying on his bed, book in hand. There is little in the way of personal effects.
AUGUSTUS: Hey. Sorry I snapped before.
PYTHON: No, you were right. You’re right to be angry. Except…
AUGUSTUS: I don’t know if I want to hear it after the day I’ve had being grouped in with the dogs.
PYTHON: Then… just come with me a moment, will you?
Augustus sighs but rolls off his bed and follows her all the same. She leads him to her room, which is almost identical to his. Python hands him a small photo album of the Saber siblings from when they were little. Augustus points to a picture of Python getting kissed on the cheek by a small child, his eyes widening.
AUGUSTUS: Is that…?
PYTHON: Yes. Lord Horus when he was three. Because I was so good with him, they let me study nursing, and then later let me join the academy so I could practice healing magic. Here, look at this photo.
AUGUSTUS: Fat baby. I’m guessing this is Set.
PYTHON: That’s right. Look how obsessed he was with Osprey. When they were still little, Lord Kur and Lady Eleanor didn’t give them much attention, so it was our job to raise them. They showed us such kindness and warmth, and even today… they’re not bad people, Augustus.
AUGUSTUS: These photos are kind of like contraband in a weird way. It’s nice to know the rich aren’t born evil, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t that way now. This baby? Huge dickhead now. This baby here? Psycho witch lady. I wish you’d be more careful around Lady Minerva, Python. And don’t you dare speak to her about Lord Kur.
Python smiles and takes the photo pile and shuffles through. The next photo is of the servant staff years ago when Augustus first started at twelve years old. She smiles and points at him.
AUGUSTUS: You have a problem.
PYTHON: Set’s still just a kid. He needs some guidance. And, you know, you never gave him much of a chance.
AUGUSTUS: Probably never will. Goodnight, Python.
PYTHON: Goodnight. And be patient, okay? Change is coming.
AUGUSTUS: It better.
*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧
Ares and Primrose are asleep in bed. Ares starts tossing and turning and wakes in a cold sweat as whispers around his mind grow louder and louder. They dissipate as he comes to his senses and he snuggles into Primrose for warmth, rousing her in the process.
PRIMROSE: You having nightmares? I didn’t know you got those.
ARES: Only sometimes. Go back to sleep.
PRIMROSE: Honestly, I’ve been a bit cold. Are there any blankets anywhere?
ARES: Sure, I’ll call for…
PRIMROSE: Surely, you can get the blankets on your own. Don’t disturb the poor servants. Do you know where the blankets are kept?
ARES: Well… I guess I know where they are, and they’re not far. Alright, for you, my love, I’ll venture into the cold.
Ares rolls out of bed and hurries out into the hall to look for the blankets. The light under Minerva’s door is still on, but Ares ignores it and heads down the long hall towards the linen closet. He sees a small glow coming from under the door. The linen closet doesn’t normally glow.
Ares opens the door slowly. Inside, a human body is crammed horrifically inside one of the shelves. The body fits Ares’ earlier description of Lumos. Ares begins to glow again.
LUMOS: You didn’t come. You didn’t save me.
Ares jumps backwards in fear, his aura getting stronger.
LUMOS: I’m going to make you pay for what you did to us.
Ares stumbles backwards in alarm and knocks over something porcelain, which falls and smashes to the ground. The sound disturbs Minerva, who calls the night staff to investigate. Meanwhile, Ares continues to sway as he watches Lumos, processing the body horror of how he must have been squished inside, and closes his eyes.
ARES: You’re not real. You can’t be real.
He takes a few deep breaths, reaches forwards, and slams the door. He pauses a moment, then opens it again. Lumos is gone and is replaced with blankets. Ares reaches for one hesitantly, then takes it slowly. Nothing changes. He closes the door quietly and stares at it. Seemingly no light comes from underneath.
After another deep breath, he turns to leave, when the whispers come back in a rush. He moves forward carefully, one step at a time. The whispers get louder.
LUMOS: Why didn’t you come back for us? You can’t imagine the pain we suffered because you didn’t uphold your promise.
Ares turns the corner to find Lumos again, this time standing in the hallway with blood spilling from his eyes and spluttering from his mouth. Ares freezes and ducks to the floor, covering his ears.
ARES: This can’t be real. I know it isn’t real.
Meanwhile, the servants are looking for the source of the sound. Osprey and Python eventually come across Ares, leaning with his head as far out the window as he can reach. They rush to pull him back in.
PYTHON: Lord Ares, you’ll freeze if you do that!
ARES: I needed the air. I needed to breathe. Please, take me outside… I feel…
OSPREY: Just lie down a minute, sir. Python, go get help. Ares, what’s wrong?
ARES: My friend Lumos. My dear, dear friend Lumos. Everything went wrong because of me.
OSPREY: That’s nothing from this life, sir.
ARES: But… he meant so much. How did I forget? What will happen if I forget him completely? Will I forget all he’s taught me?
OSPREY: Sir… I, I’m afraid you’re not making sense. Please, you’re cold all over. Let me get you into bed…
ARES: No. Primrose can’t find out. You promised.
OSPREY: I… Yes, my lord.
Minerva and Python come in. Minerva has a vial in her hand.
OSPREY: What’s that?
MINERVA: Something to calm him down. If we can…
ARES: I don’t want that shit. It stunts my magic. I need my magic. There’s an evil spirit not far from here.
MINERVA: There’s… what did you say?
ARES: I feel it. I can feel it. Lumos told me about it. It’s getting stronger. Because of me.
MINERVA: Who the hell is Lumos? Ares, you’re glowing. I don’t want you to explode again, so drink the potion.
ARES: I don’t need that. Osprey, pull me into your chest and squeeze me so I can feel your heartbeat. Quick…
Osprey hugs Ares, and as promised, the glow starts to fade. Ares is focusing on controlling his breathing when Kur and Marsden come in.
KUR: What is this?
OSPREY: Wait, Lord Kur…
Kur whips him. Osprey rolls out of the way and cowers to the side, where Kur whips him twice more. Python jumps in alarm and looks between Minerva and Ares. Neither flinch.
ARES: Father… my mind, it’s playing tricks…
KUR: That’s no excuse to let a peasant touch you. Stand up.
Ares doesn’t. He starts to spin out of control instead and turns a much darker blue than before. Osprey opens his mouth to protest but shuts it quickly when Kur looks his way. Kur snarls and looks to Minerva.
KUR: Give him the nullifier.
Minerva moves forward and helps/forces Ares to drink the potion. It takes a while, with Ares initially getting worse before he starts to calm as promised, and the glow fades again. He hangs his head in exhaustion.
KUR: Good. Now everyone, go back to bed immediately. (Kur exits)
ARES: I… need a blanket for Primrose.
OSPREY: It’s here, my lord.
MINERVA: Well, I’m heading back to my room. Are you okay with him?
PYTHON: Certainly. I’ll be in later.
MINERVA: If you have time. Goodnight.
Python and Osprey help Ares to his feet and back towards his room, completely unaware Marsden has been watching them. As Ares is returned and puts the blanket on the bed, Primrose makes a happy sound.
PRIMROSE: Finally, what took you so long? And what was all the noise?
ARES: I… got lost. C’mere, you’re so warm.
PRIMROSE: Ahh! Don’t put your feet on me.
ARES: I’m going to put my feet on you. Stop squirming! Wow, you make me so happy. I’ll always be okay so long as I know you’re out there somewhere, waiting for me. Don’t forget that.
*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧
It’s getting close to dawn. Minerva is still awake, cauldron beside her, vials covering a bookshelf. She’s constantly stirring and pouring more liquid into vials, and once she’s done, she turns to the cauldron. She peers around her room a moment before chanting nonsense quietly into the cauldron, adding precious gemstones to the broth. The steam from the cauldron starts glowing, small sparks jumping from the top of the cloud. She takes a long swig of wine before lighting a match and dropping it into the cauldron. She waits till the following smoke cloud dies down before putting a lid on the pot and going to the window for air. Behind her, she hears a knock.
MINERVA: Come in, Python!
Python enters from the walk-in.
PYTHON: My lady, you’re — oh, my, what happened in here?
MINERVA: Only what was supposed to happen. Just should’ve been outdoors for it, is all. I’ll know for next time. What are you doing here?
PYTHON: Oh, well… I wanted to make sure you were okay.
MINERVA: What, because of Ares? He does shit like that all the time. Damn fool has no self-control.
PYTHON: Well… it’s a little frightening seeing him turn that dark blue, is all.
MINERVA: Yes, it is. You can almost feel how powerful he is, can’t you? Anyway, any moron could see it was Father’s fault. That was an hour ago. What have you been doing since then?
~
Marsden has just confronted Python. Hands on her shoulders, he looks intimidating, like he’s warning her. In turn, Python appears to have been crying.
~
PYTHON: I… was having a conversation about your father.
Minerva stops what she’s doing.
MINERVA: Oh? With whom?
PYTHON: Minerva… do you ever think that maybe your father…
…goes a little too far sometimes?
MINERVA: Is this your first time visiting? He’s been mental for years. Why say something now?
Did Osprey put you up to this?
PYTHON: No. I put myself up to it after many years. I’m sorry for speaking out of turn. I’ll leave…
MINERVA: Python, I thought we’d got past all that formal shit years ago. Sit down. You want to talk about corporal punishment, right? That’s a pretty ancient tradition, it won’t be easy to change his ways.
PYTHON: …I can handle the punishments, my lady. It’s more… I worry about you and your brothers. You don’t deserve the treatment you receive.
MINERVA: …wow. Interesting. So, what are you suggesting?
PYTHON: That’s just the thing, Minerva. I don’t know what to do. I feel hopeless.
MINERVA: You are. There’s nothing anyone can do to stop my father.
PYTHON: I’m so sorry. I hope you forgive my insolence.
MINERVA: You’re not insolent. Look, it’s past bedtime. Let’s sleep and talk more tomorrow, okay?
PYTHON: Thank you, Minerva. I’d like that.
MINERVA: My father… what are some of the ways he punishes you?
PYTHON: Burns, or threats of burns. He crushes bones in our hands and feet or beats us or takes us in the night…
MINERVA: Wait, hold on. What does ‘takes us in the night’ mean?
PYTHON: It… nothing. I’m sorry, you don’t want to hear this.
MINERVA: …You said he burns you? I haven’t seen him cast fire since the incident. Why didn’t you ever say anything before?
PYTHON: It’s not easy to bring up.
MINERVA: What a psychopath…
PYTHON: I’m sorry I said anything. I was just upset about what happened to Osprey, and I was talking to Marsden about it. That’s all.
MINERVA: What happened to Osprey?
PYTHON: …he was whipped for hugging your brother, my lady.
MINERVA: Oh yeah. Then Ares went crazy because of it. Right. Tomorrow. Let’s talk tomorrow.
Minerva and Python both settle down to sleep, but Minerva can’t stop staring at the ceiling. She sits back up.
MINERVA: If we were to stop my father, we couldn’t do it alone. We’d need a lot of help.
PYTHON: I’m not sure speaking of this to someone is a good idea for either of us.
Please, Minerva. Don’t get into trouble. Forget I mentioned it.
MINERVA: You’re not powerless when you have friends in high places, Python. I don’t know how we’re going to do it yet, but… it’s time.
It’s time to make him pay for what he did to Freyja.