Chapter Text
The sun was just beginning to set over the bustling town square, and the people were packing the streets. The markets were busy, people on their home from work, buying dinner, merchants packing up their wares. A dark figure in a hooded cloak slipped easily between the many people, making his way through the crowd, wandering the streets. He had no distinct goal in mind, just blending in and following groups of people for periods of time. But as the sun got lower and lower, the streets started to empty out. Stores were closing, people were going home to their families, everywhere there were bright lights behind closed door but one by one the lights in the streets went out. As he got further from the castle at the center of the town, the streets got smaller, darker, dingier.
By the time the sun was gone, the mysterious man found himself ensconced in a little tiny tavern far away from the castle. The place was full of loud, rough, drunk men and skimpily dressed ladies, but it was warm and bright and the ale wasn't too bad. He sat at a table in the corner, staying back in the shadows, watching everyone around him. Suddenly, he heard a commotion from the middle of the room.
"Alright, you drunken good-for-nothings! It's finally the time you've all been waiting for." A massive cheer went up from around the room. "All the way from the Symithian Isles, we've brought this wonderful little dancer to entertain us all. An exotic boy, the likes of which are never seen in this fair kingdom."
"Jus' bring 'im out already!"
"Ah, shut up. Well I won't keep ya any longer, just remember, no permanent damage to my property!" The bar owner wandered from the cleared space in the middle of the room as a little band in one side started up a tune. A lithe figure, with gorgeous dark blonde hair, swept gracefully into the cleared space. He wore nearly sheer white pants, tight at the waist and ankles, with slits that billowed to the sides when he spun, and nothing else. His skin glittered in the firelight, obviously dusted with some kind of powder, and he had jewelry made of coins that made pretty noises.
But despite all of this, he was obviously unhappy. He danced and twirled around the room, but everywhere he went there were hands that reached out to grab him, touching and fondling, and with every passing minute, the men were getting more brazen, calling out lewd statements of what they'd like to do to the boy after his performance. The crowd pressed closer and closer, and it wasn't long before he spun the wrong way, thrown off balance by a hand that tried to slip into his clothes, and he fell to the floor. The bar owner was back on the floor in a moment, hauling the boy up by his arm and slapping him soundly.
"Stupid boy, no stopping, get back to your dancing." He threw the boy to the floor again, and was about to kick him, when the mysterious figure suddenly stepped in front of him. Everyone went still at the gleam of cold steel in his hand, dagger pressed against the bar owner's throat. He said nothing, simply stared with hard grey eyes at the big burly man who was all bluster now.
"Now now, little man, let's not get hasty. How's about you put that dagger away, and I'll get ya another ale, on the house." Suddenly the cloaked figure spun, bringing his dagger up to block a strike from an armed man who had been trying to sneak up on him. Just then, there was a loud commotion from outside and a group of armored guards burst into the tavern, yelling at anyone who tried to put up a fight. It was over in a few moments, every tavern-goer kneeling on the floor, stripped of weapons.
"Prince Geoff, we know you're in here." The cloaked figure sighed, throwing off his hood as he stood, revealing messy dark hair and tired grey eyes above a sly grin.
"Well, it was fun while it lasted." He muttered under his breath before turning to the doorway. "What, you couldn't even let me rough them up a little, Michael?" A curly haired boy stood there, arms crossed, shaking his head at the Prince. His red-brown hair and hazel brown eyes made him seem younger and softer than he was, but Geoff knew better than to underestimate the man. Next to him was a much taller man, around Geoff's own age, with bright red hair and beard and dark blue eyes. "Jack! You came along as well!"
"Well of course I did, Geoff. Didn't want to give your dear squire all the fun of dragging your sorry ass back to the castle. What kind of steward would I be if I did that?" Geoff threw back his head and laughed.
"We both know you're much more than a steward, Jack."
"Indeed. However, I think it is time to be getting back before the King finds out that you are gone. We can only do so much to hide the lack of our illustrious presence." Geoff waved a hand dismissively.
"Of course, of course. But first, I have something to do. Michael, my dear squire, come here." The younger boy stepped forward, Geoff pulling him close enough to whisper something in his ear. Michael's eyes narrowed before he stepped back next to Jack, turning to whisper to the older man before quickly leaving the room. Geoff turned back to the people still gathered on their knees.
"Alright now, before I go, there's someone here I want to talk to. Where is the little dancer?" Out of the corner of his eye, Geoff saw a small figure rise hesitantly from his kneeling position. "There you are, come over here for a moment." Geoff's eyes softened when he saw the slow steps, the boy was obviously afraid of him. "It's alright, I'm not going to hurt you, don't be scared. What is your name?"
"My name... is Gavin, sire." Geoff resisted the urge to reach out and pull the young boy into a hug. Something about him just made the prince want to wrap him up and protect him, keep him safe forever.
"Gavin... well then, Gavin, care to tell me what you're doing here?"
"I'm... I'm a dancer, sire."
"Well, I could see that. But what are you doing so far from home?" Gavin looked back at the bar owner for a moment.
"Nothing, just... trying to get work." Geoff narrowed his eyes at the boy.
"Really, now? I heard all those things that those men yelled at you, watched what they did to you, what he did to you. I can't imagine you wanting to work here." Gavin started to tear up a little.
"Please, sir, I never did anything wrong, please, I'm just trying to stay alive here, I take whatever I can get." Michael came back in then, carrying a thick, warm cloak. Geoff took the cloak and flung it over Gavin, using the motion to grab the boy's chin and make their eyes meet.
"Gavin, tell me the truth. Do you want to be here?" Gavin tried to turn and look at the bar owner again, but Geoff held him tight. "Gavin. Answer the question." He shook his head a little and whispered.
"No..."
"Then that's all that matters, wrap that cloak tighter around you, it's cold outside and it's a bit far to the castle." Geoff beckoned Michael forward, the squire taking control of the little dancer and pulling him back towards the knights. Gavin simply followed, pulling the cloak tightly around him, but keeping his eyes back on Geoff.
"Sire..." Geoff smiled gently, softening for just a moment to reassure the obviously scared boy.
"Don't worry, Gavin, we'll be leaving in just a moment." He turned back, and quickly singled out the owner of the establishment. "You. Come here." The man stumbled up.
"I swear, my prince, I didn't mean no harm."
"You didn't mean any harm? You've kept this boy here against his will, you've beat him, let people do anything they want to him, and judging by the way he looks, you never feed him. So how can you say that you didn't mean any harm?"
"He's just a slave, sir, a nobody." Geoff grabbed the man by the collar.
"He's just a nobody? He's a person, just like me. And he is a far better person than you are." Geoff threw him away, disgusted. "We're leaving now. I hope you're aware that slavery is illegal in this country. Guards, take him away." The prince stalked back over to Michael and Jack while the guards moved forward. Gavin was still there, now huddled into Michael's side. Geoff was glad to see that Gavin felt safe with the young squire. "Let's go. Gavin, you'll ride with me. I'm sure you thought to bring my regular horse, Michael?"
"Of course, sire. He's all saddled up and waiting outside. I rode him here myself while searching for you. I also sent a page ahead to the castle to organize your commands."
"Very good, I assume you'll be riding back with Jack then?" Both the men nodded. "Then let's go, I don't want to keep Gavin here any longer than I need to." With that, Geoff and Jack all climbed up onto the horses. The little dancer stood there, looking very unsure of himself. Michael came up next to him and whispered something in his ear, to which Gavin nodded. The squire then led the dancer up to the horses, and helped him climb up in front of Geoff. The prince wrapped an arm tightly around the younger boy's waist and held him close, keeping him in place as they rode off towards the castle in the distance.