Forces of Nature 10/20
Wo-oh we're halfway there! (Bon Jovi rocks my socks... ) Anywho... sorry about the delay... I feel terrible. It's really weird having people always wanting my free time... I dunno how I feel about it yet.
Chapter ten - New Sleeping Arrangements
William was beginning to go stir crazy. He’d lost track of time, but from the growth on his face it had been over a month. He had once tried to grow a beard because his mother didn’t like them. It had looked horrible on him, but he’d kept it for two weeks before he’d finally caved and shaved it off, mostly because he could not stand looking at himself in the mirror any longer.
It was at that point again, and frankly, he was glad not to have a mirror. The sight probably would have horrified him.
He grimaced and sat back down. His thoughts drifted towards his three friends that were Gods knew where. In fact he didn’t even know if they were still on the ship with him anymore. He’d lost so much track of time, and of himself.
Without thinking he brought his hand up to the collar at his neck. It zapped him, but it was weaker than it had been that first day. He was beginning to wonder if it was slowly draining away his powers, perhaps it was. Though it was doing nothing for his hair, it was still ocean blue. The curls were a tangled mess, but they held their color.
He sighed, wishing he had a window to look out of or someone to speak to. What he wouldn’t give to have a fight with Rai, or to have Luriel pestering him with questions, or even Paraklee’s quiet presence.
The lock slid on the door. The sound in the quiet room made him bolt upright and turn towards the door. Aedan walked in followed by two of his men. One of the men held a bundle, he suddenly felt very nervous.
“Tsk. No need to fret, we’re just going to clean you up. I have people waiting to meet you.”
William didn’t like the tone in his voice, in fact, it made him very nervous. He stepped as far away from Aedan as he could without making it look like he was running. He was nobility, for Siren’s sake, and he wasn’t going to cower.
“Tumas, grab him and place him in the chair.”
The bigger of the men stepped forward and grabbed William roughly by the arm and forced him down into the chair. Aedan tied him up with a thin rope. It seemed that this rope was made of something similar to the collar he wore around his neck because suddenly he couldn’t move.
His eye widened in panic, but he couldn’t move.
Aedan chuckled, “Calm yourself. We’re going to give you a shave, and fix you up all nice, can’t have to looking bad for the man paying for you, now can we?”
William’s eyes widened further. He didn’t have a clue who would pay to have him kidnapped. After all, he wasn’t even the crown price. Nor did he get out enough to create enemies, in fact he was hardly well known at all.
He almost started hyperventilating when Aedan held the razor blade to his throat and began shaving off the blue growth. When he finished Aedan was smirking, he nodded to someone behind William.
There was a sound of people shuffling and moving around before things fell quiet once more.
“We’re going to release you, you are going to bathe and then change into the clothes we’ve brought you. If you do not do so, we’ll be forced to bathe you ourselves.”
William did not like the look that the other man was giving him. The leer made his stomach flop and do interesting things, none of which were pleasant.
Aedan turned away and someone released him. He was shaking and barely heard the door close behind him. He stood slowly and rubbed his arms. He felt cold and very lonely.
Turning around he spotted a tub filled with water. It was steaming slightly and looked lovely. A chance to bathe properly. He wasn’t going to give that up even if the bloody pirates wanted him to do just that.
He stripped out of his clothing quickly, glad to be out of it. He was careful not to brush the band at his neck. He wondered briefly what would happen if he submerged it under water, but decided not to test that theory.
He slid into the warm water, feeling both peaceful and somehow very disappointed when the little blue scales he’d had since childhood did not show up. He frowned at the but began soaping himself up as best as he could.
The water did feel amazing, it was at the right temperature, not to hot and not to cold. But really, William couldn’t shake the feeling that he was missing something. Like a piece of him wasn’t touching the water anymore. He ignored that and rinsed off quickly. He had no idea when his captors would be back.
The clothes they had brought him were the type he normally preferred, dark breeches, loose white tunic, overcoat, and sturdy black boots. He wondered how much they knew about him, and decided it was a frightening thought.
The door creaked open when he was sitting down. He glared at Aedan.
“I see you chose to do it the easy way.” The grin that Aedan shot him was far from reassuring. “Good. Tumas, cuff him and bring him on deck.”
The burly man from before stepped forward and Aedan slipped out through the door. William stared at the man. “You do understand what you are doing, right?”
Tumas grunted, his brown eyes were dark. “I do, ain’t nothing for it though. Aedan pays me, gotta make a living some how.”
William sighed and held his hands out before him. Tumas shot him a startled look but cuffed him anyways. William felt cold, but it wasn’t from the cuffs.
“Come on.”
Tumas led him out of the little cabin. It had been so long since he’d been able to stretch, and to taste fresh air. He inhaled deeply and looked around. It seemed that they were only minutes to docking.
He watched the sailors move about and it brought his thoughts back to The Whisper and the time he had spent on the ship. It was still a painful ache. They had spent less than a week at that little island, only to end up like this. He scowled briefly.
“What about the three men that were with me?”
Tumas looked over at him, “What ya want to know?”
“Where are they?”
Tumas scratched his chin, thick fingers moving over stubble. “They’re in the brig.”
William nodded at that. Perhaps they were all right after all.
His eyes landed on the port, it was not one he recognized, which of course meant he could be anywhere but on Pinnacle. He sighed and watched the people move about, they were little specs in his vision.
“Like the view?”
Willaim resisted the urge to shudder. Aedan was filled with all sorts of creepy. “It’s pleasant,” he replied stiffly.
Aedan’s chuckle grated on him. “Only pleasant? Tut, maybe we should have taken longer on our voyage then.”
William ignored the bating, wishing that there was something that he could do the hurt the stupid pirate.
The ship came slowly to a stop, settling almost perfectly at the pier. William was disappointed. He had hoped for a spectacular crash, but they weren’t part of Siren’s Court for no reason. He scowled darkly at that, wishing that he didn’t have the blasted collar around his neck so he could teach Aedan what real power was.
He pushed those thoughts aside; however, they wouldn’t help him in the long run.
Tumas made a soft noise. William looked over at him with a frown.
“Time to go.”
Aedan grabbed one of his arms and led him across the deck of the ship. Tumas trailed behind them. William couldn’t help but think he looked like something of a really large puppy following after them. Unfortunately, he wasn’t.
“Who are you taking me to?” William asked as he was steered down the ramp. Aedan’s fingers on his arm were going to leave a bruise, and he wasn’t pleased about that.
Aedan shot him a look that was no less than predatory. “An old acquaintance of yours, I believe.”
William frowned at his vagueness and almost tripped over a loose cobblestone. Where in Siren’s Domain was he? “Where am I?”
“Tsk, can’t tell you that, little princeling.”
William scowled.
“Come along, don’t pout. You’ll find out in due time I’m sure.” Aedan paused in his steps, his fingers digging further into William’s arm. He smirked suddenly, “Ah, yes. Over there.” He drug William over to an inn. There was a carriage with a few men waiting around them. Their eyes widened as they saw Aedan, William, and Tumas approach.
“I believe you are the gentlemen that are going to be taking dear William to my buyer?”
They grunted and tossed him a pouch filled with what William assumed to be coins. William was roughly thrust forward after that.
“I think I will miss you, but maybe your little friends will be interesting. The redhead is certainly fiery.”
William barely restrained himself from launching himself at Aedan. He forced himself to grit his teeth instead. Nothing would be gained by trying to fight the greasy man with his hands bound and his powers staved off.
Aedan had a look on his face like he knew what William had been thinking. “Or perhaps the willowy white haired one, he looks soft, delicate almost.”
William narrowed his eyes, his teeth grinding.
“Oh, I’ve hit a soft spot. Toodles, I’ll see you around, I think. Come Tumas.”
Tumas sent him a regretful look before following his captain. William turned his eyes to his new captors with a scowl.
“Well come on, don’t wanna keep the boss waiting.”
William sighed and climbed into the carriage. These people couldn’t possibly be worse than the last ones, could they?
***
Rai groaned and stretched. The beast in him was quiet today, only a thoughtful stirring. Of course that was probably because of the fact that Paraklee had been nearly sleeping on him. He still had no idea why that man’s touch calmed his dragon, but he wasn’t going to complain.
Paraklee sat up and rubbed his face. It was amazing that it was only just barely covered in stubble. Rai had a full fledged beard and even the kid had more growth on his face, though not by much.
“Ship feels strange.”
Luriel groaned and a bright green eye opened. “What about the ship?”
Paraklee looked around, “It stopped moving.”
Rai grunted in agreement. “I think this is our chance.”
Paraklee shot him a dark look. “I hope you do not mean right now.”
Luriel nodded his head.
Rai growled at them both, mostly for show. His dragon was entirely to calm about the whole ordeal. “Course not, idiots. We wait until it’s dark.”
Paraklee looked over at Luriel, “Scholar, got a plan?”
Luriel shrugged and ran a hand through his gray streaked hair. He replied slowly, “I may, but we cannot do anything until later.”
Rai frowned at him. His beast shifted slightly with his mood, but nothing more than a slight slide of scales.
“I want a bath, and clean clothes.”
Rai looked at Paraklee and noted that his bright clothes weren’t bright any longer. In fact he was certain they all smelled foul. They were let out twice a day to use the bathroom, but it was dirty and wet and they were living in the filth. No matter how clean they tried to be.
“I think I would kill for a nice shower,” he replied looking at the dirt build up under his nails. It was utterly disgusting.
Luriel made a soft humming noise but his eyes were unfocussed. Rai figured that he was probably thinking about an escape plan. Good, the boy needed to use that mind of his for more than question asking. Luriel blinked suddenly and his shocking green eyes were fixed on Rai. “How hot of flame can you produce?”
Rai thought about it, he hadn’t bother to try in a long time. “Depends.”
Luriel nodded thoughtfully, “How much control do you have?”
Those eyes landed on the bars of their cell and he caught on. He eyed them thoughtfully and nodded, “I’ve got enough, I think.”
The scholar hummed and closed his eyes.
Paraklee shifed bringing Rai’s attention away from Luriel. He watched the nobleman move. Somehow he didn’t look too horrible covered in who knew how much grime. Granted his hair was oily, but out of the three of them he held it with a certain amount of grace.
Paraklee raised a silver eyebrow. “Are you alright?”
Rai shook his head to clear it. “I think so, but who knows anymore. I’ve been locked up so long I don’t remember up from down.”
Paraklee made a noise of agreement before shifting again.
“You know, your robes no longer hurt my eyes.”
Paraklee pouted slightly, “It’s because you can no longer tell what color they used to be.” He sighed and picked at the fabric. Rai hoped he was thinking about burning the robe, honestly Rai planned to do the same with his own clothing as soon as he got the chance.
***
The carriage hit a rock and William tumbled to the floor. He grit his teeth with a scowl. He was going to have a huge bruise on his hip later.
He stood up slowly and carefully sat back down. He took a moment to look around the interior of the carriage for the first time and noticed that the doors locked from the outside. He frowned at that, feeling even more helpless than he had before. He turned his eyes to the windows. They were too small for him to slip through even if he somehow managed to break them open.
His shoulders slumped and he let out a sigh. He was beginning to miss his powers. They had done nothing but hindered him his entire life, and at the moment when he needed them most they were completely useless to him.
He couldn’t even touch the stupid collar around his neck. Every time he tried he was shocked and the one time he had managed to push past the pain and actually touch the bloody thing he’d been knocked out. He wondered if it was even possible to take it off and if it only affected people like him. What if it had been placed around Rai’s neck? He doubted it would be able to hold back the redhead.
The carriage hit another bump and he looked out the window with a scowl. Where in Siren’s Domain were they going? What road had that many bumps?
He blinked. A dirt road. The only dirt roads he knew were out in the country on Pinnacle, and that was only in the very center of the island. That meant they definitely were not on Pinnacle, so where were they?
Another bump made him crash once more to the floor. His shoulder ached now. William decided with a weary sigh, that he was going to spend the rest of his little trip on the floor. It would offer less bruises, he suspected. He could see that it was still fairly early in the morning. Siren’s Domain, he hoped that this stupid trip would be over soon.
Another bump in the road and he grinned, glad that he was already on the floor, because that one would have hurt. As it was, he could hear swearing from the men driving the blasted coach. Good, the more trouble they had the better.
He put a great deal of the blame from his little trip on their shoulders. He knew it probably wasn’t fair. Chances were that they were just simple servants and had no choice. But at this point in time he really didn’t care about being fair, and really he felt that it was understandable.
The coach hit another dip in the road. He had a feeling that it was going to be a very long trip indeed.
***
Somehow he had managed to fall asleep, but the cessation of movement woke him up. William blinked tired blue eyes and frowned when the hansom door opened.
“Good evening, William.”
William froze at the sound of that voice. He hadn’t heard it in almost two years. It should have occurred to him that this man was behind the entire thing. It made sense now. He was the one man that had really known William. He’d been a mistake. William had realized that, but he hadn’t thought that it would come back to bite him quite so neatly on the ass.
It was entirely his fault the whole ordeal had taken place. And his friends were suffering for it, if they were still alive like Tumas had claimed. Gods, he hoped so. They didn’t need to die for such a stupid and selfish reason.
He straightened up as best as he could and looked the man in the eye. “Good evening, Nicolas.”
Chapter ten - New Sleeping Arrangements
William was beginning to go stir crazy. He’d lost track of time, but from the growth on his face it had been over a month. He had once tried to grow a beard because his mother didn’t like them. It had looked horrible on him, but he’d kept it for two weeks before he’d finally caved and shaved it off, mostly because he could not stand looking at himself in the mirror any longer.
It was at that point again, and frankly, he was glad not to have a mirror. The sight probably would have horrified him.
He grimaced and sat back down. His thoughts drifted towards his three friends that were Gods knew where. In fact he didn’t even know if they were still on the ship with him anymore. He’d lost so much track of time, and of himself.
Without thinking he brought his hand up to the collar at his neck. It zapped him, but it was weaker than it had been that first day. He was beginning to wonder if it was slowly draining away his powers, perhaps it was. Though it was doing nothing for his hair, it was still ocean blue. The curls were a tangled mess, but they held their color.
He sighed, wishing he had a window to look out of or someone to speak to. What he wouldn’t give to have a fight with Rai, or to have Luriel pestering him with questions, or even Paraklee’s quiet presence.
The lock slid on the door. The sound in the quiet room made him bolt upright and turn towards the door. Aedan walked in followed by two of his men. One of the men held a bundle, he suddenly felt very nervous.
“Tsk. No need to fret, we’re just going to clean you up. I have people waiting to meet you.”
William didn’t like the tone in his voice, in fact, it made him very nervous. He stepped as far away from Aedan as he could without making it look like he was running. He was nobility, for Siren’s sake, and he wasn’t going to cower.
“Tumas, grab him and place him in the chair.”
The bigger of the men stepped forward and grabbed William roughly by the arm and forced him down into the chair. Aedan tied him up with a thin rope. It seemed that this rope was made of something similar to the collar he wore around his neck because suddenly he couldn’t move.
His eye widened in panic, but he couldn’t move.
Aedan chuckled, “Calm yourself. We’re going to give you a shave, and fix you up all nice, can’t have to looking bad for the man paying for you, now can we?”
William’s eyes widened further. He didn’t have a clue who would pay to have him kidnapped. After all, he wasn’t even the crown price. Nor did he get out enough to create enemies, in fact he was hardly well known at all.
He almost started hyperventilating when Aedan held the razor blade to his throat and began shaving off the blue growth. When he finished Aedan was smirking, he nodded to someone behind William.
There was a sound of people shuffling and moving around before things fell quiet once more.
“We’re going to release you, you are going to bathe and then change into the clothes we’ve brought you. If you do not do so, we’ll be forced to bathe you ourselves.”
William did not like the look that the other man was giving him. The leer made his stomach flop and do interesting things, none of which were pleasant.
Aedan turned away and someone released him. He was shaking and barely heard the door close behind him. He stood slowly and rubbed his arms. He felt cold and very lonely.
Turning around he spotted a tub filled with water. It was steaming slightly and looked lovely. A chance to bathe properly. He wasn’t going to give that up even if the bloody pirates wanted him to do just that.
He stripped out of his clothing quickly, glad to be out of it. He was careful not to brush the band at his neck. He wondered briefly what would happen if he submerged it under water, but decided not to test that theory.
He slid into the warm water, feeling both peaceful and somehow very disappointed when the little blue scales he’d had since childhood did not show up. He frowned at the but began soaping himself up as best as he could.
The water did feel amazing, it was at the right temperature, not to hot and not to cold. But really, William couldn’t shake the feeling that he was missing something. Like a piece of him wasn’t touching the water anymore. He ignored that and rinsed off quickly. He had no idea when his captors would be back.
The clothes they had brought him were the type he normally preferred, dark breeches, loose white tunic, overcoat, and sturdy black boots. He wondered how much they knew about him, and decided it was a frightening thought.
The door creaked open when he was sitting down. He glared at Aedan.
“I see you chose to do it the easy way.” The grin that Aedan shot him was far from reassuring. “Good. Tumas, cuff him and bring him on deck.”
The burly man from before stepped forward and Aedan slipped out through the door. William stared at the man. “You do understand what you are doing, right?”
Tumas grunted, his brown eyes were dark. “I do, ain’t nothing for it though. Aedan pays me, gotta make a living some how.”
William sighed and held his hands out before him. Tumas shot him a startled look but cuffed him anyways. William felt cold, but it wasn’t from the cuffs.
“Come on.”
Tumas led him out of the little cabin. It had been so long since he’d been able to stretch, and to taste fresh air. He inhaled deeply and looked around. It seemed that they were only minutes to docking.
He watched the sailors move about and it brought his thoughts back to The Whisper and the time he had spent on the ship. It was still a painful ache. They had spent less than a week at that little island, only to end up like this. He scowled briefly.
“What about the three men that were with me?”
Tumas looked over at him, “What ya want to know?”
“Where are they?”
Tumas scratched his chin, thick fingers moving over stubble. “They’re in the brig.”
William nodded at that. Perhaps they were all right after all.
His eyes landed on the port, it was not one he recognized, which of course meant he could be anywhere but on Pinnacle. He sighed and watched the people move about, they were little specs in his vision.
“Like the view?”
Willaim resisted the urge to shudder. Aedan was filled with all sorts of creepy. “It’s pleasant,” he replied stiffly.
Aedan’s chuckle grated on him. “Only pleasant? Tut, maybe we should have taken longer on our voyage then.”
William ignored the bating, wishing that there was something that he could do the hurt the stupid pirate.
The ship came slowly to a stop, settling almost perfectly at the pier. William was disappointed. He had hoped for a spectacular crash, but they weren’t part of Siren’s Court for no reason. He scowled darkly at that, wishing that he didn’t have the blasted collar around his neck so he could teach Aedan what real power was.
He pushed those thoughts aside; however, they wouldn’t help him in the long run.
Tumas made a soft noise. William looked over at him with a frown.
“Time to go.”
Aedan grabbed one of his arms and led him across the deck of the ship. Tumas trailed behind them. William couldn’t help but think he looked like something of a really large puppy following after them. Unfortunately, he wasn’t.
“Who are you taking me to?” William asked as he was steered down the ramp. Aedan’s fingers on his arm were going to leave a bruise, and he wasn’t pleased about that.
Aedan shot him a look that was no less than predatory. “An old acquaintance of yours, I believe.”
William frowned at his vagueness and almost tripped over a loose cobblestone. Where in Siren’s Domain was he? “Where am I?”
“Tsk, can’t tell you that, little princeling.”
William scowled.
“Come along, don’t pout. You’ll find out in due time I’m sure.” Aedan paused in his steps, his fingers digging further into William’s arm. He smirked suddenly, “Ah, yes. Over there.” He drug William over to an inn. There was a carriage with a few men waiting around them. Their eyes widened as they saw Aedan, William, and Tumas approach.
“I believe you are the gentlemen that are going to be taking dear William to my buyer?”
They grunted and tossed him a pouch filled with what William assumed to be coins. William was roughly thrust forward after that.
“I think I will miss you, but maybe your little friends will be interesting. The redhead is certainly fiery.”
William barely restrained himself from launching himself at Aedan. He forced himself to grit his teeth instead. Nothing would be gained by trying to fight the greasy man with his hands bound and his powers staved off.
Aedan had a look on his face like he knew what William had been thinking. “Or perhaps the willowy white haired one, he looks soft, delicate almost.”
William narrowed his eyes, his teeth grinding.
“Oh, I’ve hit a soft spot. Toodles, I’ll see you around, I think. Come Tumas.”
Tumas sent him a regretful look before following his captain. William turned his eyes to his new captors with a scowl.
“Well come on, don’t wanna keep the boss waiting.”
William sighed and climbed into the carriage. These people couldn’t possibly be worse than the last ones, could they?
***
Rai groaned and stretched. The beast in him was quiet today, only a thoughtful stirring. Of course that was probably because of the fact that Paraklee had been nearly sleeping on him. He still had no idea why that man’s touch calmed his dragon, but he wasn’t going to complain.
Paraklee sat up and rubbed his face. It was amazing that it was only just barely covered in stubble. Rai had a full fledged beard and even the kid had more growth on his face, though not by much.
“Ship feels strange.”
Luriel groaned and a bright green eye opened. “What about the ship?”
Paraklee looked around, “It stopped moving.”
Rai grunted in agreement. “I think this is our chance.”
Paraklee shot him a dark look. “I hope you do not mean right now.”
Luriel nodded his head.
Rai growled at them both, mostly for show. His dragon was entirely to calm about the whole ordeal. “Course not, idiots. We wait until it’s dark.”
Paraklee looked over at Luriel, “Scholar, got a plan?”
Luriel shrugged and ran a hand through his gray streaked hair. He replied slowly, “I may, but we cannot do anything until later.”
Rai frowned at him. His beast shifted slightly with his mood, but nothing more than a slight slide of scales.
“I want a bath, and clean clothes.”
Rai looked at Paraklee and noted that his bright clothes weren’t bright any longer. In fact he was certain they all smelled foul. They were let out twice a day to use the bathroom, but it was dirty and wet and they were living in the filth. No matter how clean they tried to be.
“I think I would kill for a nice shower,” he replied looking at the dirt build up under his nails. It was utterly disgusting.
Luriel made a soft humming noise but his eyes were unfocussed. Rai figured that he was probably thinking about an escape plan. Good, the boy needed to use that mind of his for more than question asking. Luriel blinked suddenly and his shocking green eyes were fixed on Rai. “How hot of flame can you produce?”
Rai thought about it, he hadn’t bother to try in a long time. “Depends.”
Luriel nodded thoughtfully, “How much control do you have?”
Those eyes landed on the bars of their cell and he caught on. He eyed them thoughtfully and nodded, “I’ve got enough, I think.”
The scholar hummed and closed his eyes.
Paraklee shifed bringing Rai’s attention away from Luriel. He watched the nobleman move. Somehow he didn’t look too horrible covered in who knew how much grime. Granted his hair was oily, but out of the three of them he held it with a certain amount of grace.
Paraklee raised a silver eyebrow. “Are you alright?”
Rai shook his head to clear it. “I think so, but who knows anymore. I’ve been locked up so long I don’t remember up from down.”
Paraklee made a noise of agreement before shifting again.
“You know, your robes no longer hurt my eyes.”
Paraklee pouted slightly, “It’s because you can no longer tell what color they used to be.” He sighed and picked at the fabric. Rai hoped he was thinking about burning the robe, honestly Rai planned to do the same with his own clothing as soon as he got the chance.
***
The carriage hit a rock and William tumbled to the floor. He grit his teeth with a scowl. He was going to have a huge bruise on his hip later.
He stood up slowly and carefully sat back down. He took a moment to look around the interior of the carriage for the first time and noticed that the doors locked from the outside. He frowned at that, feeling even more helpless than he had before. He turned his eyes to the windows. They were too small for him to slip through even if he somehow managed to break them open.
His shoulders slumped and he let out a sigh. He was beginning to miss his powers. They had done nothing but hindered him his entire life, and at the moment when he needed them most they were completely useless to him.
He couldn’t even touch the stupid collar around his neck. Every time he tried he was shocked and the one time he had managed to push past the pain and actually touch the bloody thing he’d been knocked out. He wondered if it was even possible to take it off and if it only affected people like him. What if it had been placed around Rai’s neck? He doubted it would be able to hold back the redhead.
The carriage hit another bump and he looked out the window with a scowl. Where in Siren’s Domain were they going? What road had that many bumps?
He blinked. A dirt road. The only dirt roads he knew were out in the country on Pinnacle, and that was only in the very center of the island. That meant they definitely were not on Pinnacle, so where were they?
Another bump made him crash once more to the floor. His shoulder ached now. William decided with a weary sigh, that he was going to spend the rest of his little trip on the floor. It would offer less bruises, he suspected. He could see that it was still fairly early in the morning. Siren’s Domain, he hoped that this stupid trip would be over soon.
Another bump in the road and he grinned, glad that he was already on the floor, because that one would have hurt. As it was, he could hear swearing from the men driving the blasted coach. Good, the more trouble they had the better.
He put a great deal of the blame from his little trip on their shoulders. He knew it probably wasn’t fair. Chances were that they were just simple servants and had no choice. But at this point in time he really didn’t care about being fair, and really he felt that it was understandable.
The coach hit another dip in the road. He had a feeling that it was going to be a very long trip indeed.
***
Somehow he had managed to fall asleep, but the cessation of movement woke him up. William blinked tired blue eyes and frowned when the hansom door opened.
“Good evening, William.”
William froze at the sound of that voice. He hadn’t heard it in almost two years. It should have occurred to him that this man was behind the entire thing. It made sense now. He was the one man that had really known William. He’d been a mistake. William had realized that, but he hadn’t thought that it would come back to bite him quite so neatly on the ass.
It was entirely his fault the whole ordeal had taken place. And his friends were suffering for it, if they were still alive like Tumas had claimed. Gods, he hoped so. They didn’t need to die for such a stupid and selfish reason.
He straightened up as best as he could and looked the man in the eye. “Good evening, Nicolas.”