The Ward's Guard

"Ms Wendy, may I speak with you in private?"

"That business is private to the Guard and Wendy. If you want to know so badly, then I could brief you in a cell where you would be forced to stay until the situation is resolved."

"I'm not at liberty to discuss that, but I can say that she's not in trouble." Fischer told the waitress just as he clasped his hands behind his back, holding his head up high despite his short stature.

"Praetorium Guard, ma'am." Fischer straightened his back, adopting the most professional stance he could. "I'm here to speak with a Ms Wendy."

Even after years of soldiering, finding his way around the palace was still easy enough, even if he had to ask directions once or twice. Fischer knocked on Wendy's door, then waited for a response. @Channelknight Fadran

Fischer stood frozen from where Nico had left him, disbelieving of what he had seen. The immediate instinct that was the sharp blade of his anger seemed dulled as the man he had fought countless battles for simply walked away. All he could do was force himself to take a seat while waiting on the Ravenness. It was impossible to link his image of Nicolae, the poor, innocent boy who needed rescuing from the evil Allivia with the man who had just shouted at him for trying to help. He found himself clenching his fists as he gripped his pants simply thinking of how that idiot had blown up over Fischer asking a few simple questions. He supposed that Nico might be able to take care of himself, but it couldn't hurt to be too careful, that blazing idiot. Having not seen Riva return yet, he stood up. He had to talk with Nico's "girlfriend," he had to be sure to straighten out what her relationship was with Nico. He refused to let another Allivia take his friend. With his mind made up, he left for the servant's quarters to find this "Wendy."

Fischer winced, the shouting catching him off guard. "I just want to be sure all tha' doesn't happen to ya again." He tried desperately to keep his voice even, and avoid shouting at Nico.

"If you are anything remotely like her, you'll be dead." Fischer folded his arms. "But just because you're not like one devil doesn't mean you aren't one yourself." He turned towards Nico. "She been good to you?"

"I won't have Nico being pushed around by a common whore after what he's been through." Fischer promptly cracked the joints in his knuckles. "So now that that's clear, are you a whore?"

Fischer turned to face Wendy, ignoring Nico for a moment. "Are you a whore?"

"Yeah, well something changed, and now they're madly in love with each other." He turned to face Nico, and got his first good look at Wendy. "'ello, miss."

"Yeah, she . . ." Fischer shook his head as Riva left his direct line of sight, hardly noticing Wendy. "She's married to the general."

"Pleasure." Fischer said as his eyes still followed the Raveness, a sinking feeling growing in his stomach with every step away he took. If he recalled, things had not gone well for Riva the last time she was here, and that worried him.

Fischer furrowed his brow, his distaste for leaving Lady Praetorium evident as he slowly stepped away towards Nico and Wendy.

Fischer looked over the King with a suspicious eye. "Would that be an order, ma'am?"

Fischer glanced towards Riva. "With all due respect, your highness. My orders are to never let the Lady Praetorium out of my sight."

Fischer nodded, his training not offering him the chance to speak, especially in the presence of the King.

"Uh, perhaps not, madam?" Fischer glanced at the guards flanking the door. "I'm sure we can find a suitable waiting room."

"How inconvenient," Fischer whispered to himself.

"The kingdom's torturess." Fischer added on, trying to be helpful.

Fischer opened his mouth to protest, but decided against it as he followed Riva.

Fischer nodded. "Then where's the King?"

Riva. Riva Praetorium. She was getting used to not being Riva Thadel anymore. Odd, how fast things like that could happen... She sighed, looking out the carriage window as the landscape passed her by. It was a beautiful day, and the sunshine danced among fields of flowers wonderfully. Fischer sat by her side, doing… something or other. Just like her new name, she’d gotten used to his company. He was quiet most of the time, but took to conversation quite well. She smiled up at him. “I’ve heard many things about your Kimby, but learning of his relationship with you was probably the most telling. Care to dissuade me of the rumors surrounding him before I meet the man in person?” Fischer jumped in his seat at Riva's speaking before catching himself. He cleared his throat as he couldn't bring himself to meet her eyes. "What uh, have you heard about him?" "Well, I've heard he's a womanizer, though considering everything I've learned about Alliva, that's clearly not true. I've heard he's really the king's son, but I highly doubt that. I've heard he's almost seven feet tall, I've heard he's a bit of a klutz, but never that he was in love with a soldier." "That's an interesting bit." The young man cleared his throat again. "All that womanizing thing was because of 'llivia, as you said. She uh, took him when he was young, probably ten or so, then forced him to bed." Fischer stopped speaking as he shuddered involuntarily, wrapping his arms around himself. "He never told me what she did to him in bed, but that alone . . . I've heard some of the palace guards talk about her 'borrowing' some of your supplies the nights she took him to bed herself . . ." Riva flinched. "Many souls have passed through my dungeons. Usually it's not personal, but... I was abused as a child. My mother was the king's torturess at the time and she practiced on me. As such, I hold hope there's a special place in Mal for child abusers." He nodded in silent agreement. "If that were the end of it, then it would have still been horrible. Although when I got back to the castle, Allivia would 'give' Nico out to some of the servin' girls on the staff for a night." Fischer's hands had clenched into fists at the thought of every woman taking their turn with his friend. "All the while Nico couldn't bring himself to deny them, since that's all he knew for a life . . ." Fischer growled suddenly. "Those bastards," he spat as if it were bile. "I think I see now why you can't stand the idea of someone tarnishing his name." "He's the best bleeding soul on this planet, and all they could do was drag him through the mud that was their sheets." "Well he's- You see . . ." Fischer grumbled at the lack of words to explain his feelings. "You'll find out when ya meet him, I guess." Riva found herself grinning. "You really love him, don't you?" "I used to. I used to love him more than life itself." “What happened?” Fischer's demeanor soured as he looked down towards his boots. "Well, he- He had the more level head of us two, I think." "How so?" "I wanted to stay with him forever, even if I was killed for it. He decided it would be better if I didn't die, though . . ." "That's a good friend. A keeper, ironically enough. Although I suppose I'm biased, since if you hadn't been around, I would be dead and those fools who tried to kill me would be sorely disappointed." "Yeah well, it's hard to keep a keeper when he sends ya off to the military at age 14." "Oh dear." Riva chuckled. "That's one way to do it." "Apparently he went straight to the king about it." Fischer told Riva with no small amount of bitterness oozing from his tone of voice. "Sent me off and away from him either until I could clear my head, or forever. Whichever one happened first." "But you love working for Caden, don't you?" "That came later, far later. After a lot of sweat, blood, and death." "Well, I'm sorry." She considered. "It seems like a grim solution. Albeit for a grim problem. You have talked to him since, yes? I apologize if I'm opening an old wound, that wasn't my intent." "We've sorted it out, and we've both moved on." He scoffed. "Although I doubt we were as level headed 'bout it as we should've been." "That's unfortunate. Tell me he at least showed remorse for hurting your sweet heart?" The carriage rolled to the stop Fischer stood up to get the door. "There were a lot of tears on both sides, so I believe so." "That's good." Riva stood as well, back bent under the short ceiling. "He sounds like a good man." "I'll allow you to decide for yourself, Riva." Fischer stepped out, and offered his hand to help the torturess out of the carriage. After thanking him for opening the door, Riva allowed Fischer to lead her through the castle. "Now, where would we find this friend of yours?" "I'm not sure. We have come unexpected, so perhaps it would be best if I ask the serving staff." "Right then."

He nodded slowly, speaking solemnly. "Thank you."

"It doesn't- You won't report me?"