These Little Wicked Things

“You have no power over me!” Conrad spat it out. It was taking everything in Jasira not to stab him with the arrows she had in the quiver slung across her back. Mizuki had no such qualms, her nails raking loudly across Conrad’s face.

“You sure about that?” Jasira said raising her eyebrows. Conrad glared hatefully at both women his eyes full of fury. Jasira sighed glancing over to Acrasia who shook her head in response to the question Jasira hadn’t asked. This wasn’t the first knight they’d captured but unlike the other knights, this one was closer to the royals.

With that in mind he was much more arrogant, and high-bred and less likely to want to join in battle against the royals. Which should’ve been obvious, but Jasira always had unfounded hope that she’d be able to get Conrad to see her way.

“Witch he’s all yours.” Jasira said backing away.

“Fun.” Mizuki murmured as she grabbed his shoulders pulling him straighter in his bonds.

Mor walked closer, Jasira watched quietly as Conrad, finally showed some fear for the group of women that had captured him. Mor glanced at Mizuki, once making her back away from Conrad. Conrad looked up at Mor from where she stood in front of him, her hands moved from her cloak the pale white skin marred with vines and flowers that seemed to live under her skin.

Conrad was braver than most, daring to look into her amber-colored eyes, her hands with the runed rings went on either side of his head. Mor lifted her face to the sky, Jasira watched from where she stood, as Mor’s amber eyes turned opaque as she searched Conrad’s mind. Jasira glanced at Acrasia uneasily. Seeing Mor’s more witch-like nature always unnerved them both. Mor let out a gasp, tears falling from her cheeks as she took a step back from Conrad.

“There is a way,” Mor said glancing at Jasira and then finally Mizuki. “We will need the blacksmith.” She said her voice rough with the magic she just used.

“Please tell me you don’t mean” Mizuki started furiously her words breaking up with her anger.

“I do mean him.” Mor said her face hardening as she looked at Mizuki. “We need your former stable boy’s help.”

“Anyone but him.” Mizuki cursed, she looked at Jasira. “Kyler is stubborn he won’t help.” She said. Mor put her hands back into the folds of her cloak her eyes calculating. “Is that what you believe or what you fear?”

…

Kyler, third born son to a whore, had never expected to rise up the ranks to squire, but with god as his witness, he was fast approaching knighthood. And yet, he had no qualms to give that opportunity up for the chance of questing with his former lady love. Mizuki of the White flower. Of course, he would be wise not to let the girl know that of course. “So what exactly are you planning to do?” Kyler asked, once more.

“The Lord Aramis has done a disservice to me and my people,” Jasira said. “I plan on answering that in kind.” She said her hand tightening on her bow. “And the fact that he’s protected by a seer is not a problem?” Kyler asked.

“There is a solution to every problem if you have the cause to look for it.” Mizuki said.

“The seer is a relation of mine,” Mor said. “I owe her this.” She said darkly.

“So to be clear, you are all courting death?” Kyler ruminated.

“No more than usual,” Jasira said. “Are you willing to go against your nobleman?” she asked.

Kyler smiled widely. “It would interest you no doubt to know that Sir Aldrich would love nothing more than for Lord Aramis to fall out of favor. We will both help you with your endeavor into the lair of the beast. Hopefully the Seer won’t see us coming.”

….