James had severely miscalculated how long it would take to reach the knights’ post.

ㅤHe’d tried stalling for time, hoping the knight would settle for the night but had suffered a lack of success.

ㅤ“I’m not him,” James had insisted earlier on their walk. “Jay has been killing for decades. I’m in my twenties!”

ㅤAlexander had given him a sideways glance, but had chosen not to argue otherwise.

ㅤHis panic continuously grew over their walk, realising that, with the pace they kept, they would be back in the town before night. Cutting it close, James’ worry manifested. It was dark by the time they’d returned and James got thrown into a cell after being stripped naked, his weapons and belongings taken from him.

ㅤShoved inside, James tripped to the floor with a skid. He turned to glare, but the man locking the door was different to the one who’d pushed him.

ㅤJames clenched his fists on the ground, gritting his teeth against the frustration.

ㅤCalm. He needed to be calm.

ㅤAfter taking a moment to gather his composure, he sat against the wall, bending his knees to his chest to keep his core temperature comfortable.

ㅤHe watched keenly, beyond the bars, as knights walked by with their torches—some alone, some laughing with others. He tried to memorise every face he saw and worked on calculating the hierarchy of command based on their behaviour. Perhaps it was because it was the night shift but the prison was not nearly as active as expected. Long drags of silence stilled the air where only a single guard watched him.

ㅤ“What are you looking for?” a female voice asked.

ㅤJames looked to his left, squinting to see a woman in the cell next to him.

ㅤSince there was only one hard wall, the other three sides of their cages were barred: two against the cells either side and one facing the corridor. It would’ve made it easy for criminals to talk to each other, as proven.

ㅤThe woman in the next cell along was gorgeous and was, unlike him, clothed. The long ribbons and light material did not cover much but was likely warmer than nothing.

ㅤ“A way out,” he replied, not bothering to lie.

ㅤShe hummed, humouring him, and shifted closer to the bars, her dainty hands wrapping around the dark, thick rusting rail.

ㅤ“What are you in for?”

ㅤJames kept his gaze respectful, focusing on her face. “Carving rude messages on the front door.”

ㅤShe laughed, not holding back her voice, and James flashed a glance towards the knights passing by.

ㅤ“Don’t worry,” she said. “I get special treatment here.”

ㅤ“A regular?”

ㅤShe grinned. “I’m on a first-name basis with most knights here.”

ㅤThat piqued his interest; such information would be valuable to James.

ㅤ“Someone high is a regular of mine,” she continued. “That's why I always get released no matter how many times I steal.” She then clarified: “I work in a brothel.”

ㅤJames wondered if her getting to keep her clothes on was a part of such special treatment.

ㅤ“Heard of a knight called Alexander?”

ㅤ“Oh, yes! The Ashadi! He’s handsome, isn’t he? Exotic.”

ㅤ“What’s his rank?” he asked, ignoring her physical assessment of him.

ㅤShe touched her lips in thought. “I’m not entirely sure but I believe he’s pretty high. Doesn’t have a partner and I don’t think he’s from this territory. It’s rare I ever see him. So, that’s all I know.”

ㅤJames smiled. “Thanks. It’ll come in handy for me.”

ㅤ“No problem! It’s better than me sitting here in silence every time. You’re friendlier than most.” She looked him up and down, unabashed. “Feel free to come visit my workplace. I’ll give you a discount.”

ㅤJames took the compliment. “I’m flattered.”

ㅤKeys jangled. A guard stood at the door of her cell, unlocking it.

ㅤ“Looks like my loyal customer wants me to pay to get out,” she said, standing up to stretch her arms above her head. “It was nice to meet ya!”

ㅤ“Likewise.”

ㅤShe was in a playful mood as she pranced away behind her escort. He was thankful of the information she’d volunteered him.

ㅤIt was certainly strange that Alexander worked on his own. At the time, James assumed Alexander became separated from his partner in the pursuit but apparently not. Knights always travelled in pairs and not as a matter of preference, it was policy.

ㅤBut to not have one…

ㅤEither Alex was from a very powerful noble family or his presence was unproductive for other knights. Both possibilities were equally plausible; the kingdom wasn’t a stranger to corruption or prejudice.

ㅤJames sighed deeply, letting his head hit the coarse wall behind him.

ㅤWhat a mess he’d got himself caught up in.

 

➵ ➵ ➵ ➵

 

“Those knight bastards are trouble,” his mentor had told him, mouth full.

ㅤAs a boy, James shifted in front of the fire, soaking in its warmth. He pulled Eris closer to it, too.

ㅤ“Why’s that?”

ㅤ“They think they’re moral champions,” his mentor ranted, waving his hands as if mentally batting them away. “They’ll lock commoners up for any slight fault they can find, but they’ll go raping, killing and pillaging behind your back. They’re rotten.”

ㅤJames pondered that for a moment, his tired eyes unfocused.

ㅤ“The nobles don’t stop them?”

ㅤHis mentor spluttered a ridiculous laugh, coughing on his food. “Are you joking? Those nobles don’t give a shit as long as they get some of the spoils! They don’t get their hands dirty, unlike the sadistic knights that enjoy it. And, trust me, a lot of them do.”

ㅤ“And how do you know all that?”

ㅤ“I was one.”

ㅤJames looked at the older man in shock, who suddenly wore a grim look. This was the first time Jay had ever revealed anything about himself and James stewed over the revelation for the rest of the night. Not another word was shared between the two of them.