Chapter Text
Bryce….. really didn’t know what they were doing there. Jester had spoken to them, asking for help. And how could they refuse? Jester hadn’t been specific though in their initial message, which is why they had been so surprised when a representative had come to them in the night and they had teleported back to Xhorhas.
Bryce never thought they would see Xhorhas. Never mind be in the company of the Bright Queen who seemed to be the ruler or Empress of the Kryn Dynasty.
Apparently, the Mighty Nein had needed them as an unofficial representative. So here they were, standing with the Mighty Nein in front of what seemed to be the Kryn’s form of government.
“Thank you for the audience ma’am.” Fjord was the one talking, slow drawl familiar but unfortunately not as relaxing as it usually would be. Bryce knows that they’re sweating, but hopefully not showing their anxiety. At least they had their breathing under control.
“It is an honour to present Bryce Feelid. Watchmaster of Alfield. Protector of their people.” Fjord was laying it on a little thick. But Jester had explained in a rush as they waited for their audience with the Bright Queen that they had wanted somebody from the empire to appeal and show that the problem was within their government, not the people. And who better to do that than Bryce, somebody who served the empire but was doing it for the people, not the people any higher. So laying it on a little thick was probably for the best.
Especially with how the Bright Queen herself was frowning down at them.
They bow. “It is indeed an honour your highness.” When they straighten, they catch the eye of the handsome drow who stands beside her. He smirks when they lock eyes, and Bryce can feel their face flush so they quickly diverts his attention back to the Bright Queen. “I am here on behalf of the people. I do serve under the empire. But I do not like them or fight for them. They routinely leave the people to their own devices and defence. Many have died under their neglect, and I will do anything to put things right.”
“So you admit to working with the empire?” Standing up straighter, Bryce tries not to wither under her gaze.
“Not with ma’am. Under. If I was working with them I would have reported your heroes long ago. No. I work for the people. It seemed a better option than vigilante justice at the time. As this way I can help as many people as I can without worrying about getting stoped by them. If a better option were to present itself though then I would take it.”
There was a high chance they would die today, but they could try. “I can appeal under a truth spell, if that would ease your mind any further.”
Unable to stop themselves, their eyes dart to the handsome drow again. And they find him still smirking, eyes seemingly alight with what can only be described as curiosity.
“If I asked you to turn on the empire right here and now, would you?”
“Would it enable me to help more people? My people. Would it stop them dying?”
They watch her now. And they’re glad they have their voice. If they were to die, it would hopefully not be in vain. If they could prove that the people needing saving.
“Possibly.”
“I would only do it if it were a certainty.” Tilting their chin, they don’t think about how the Mighty Nein were for once, silent. You could cut the tension with a dagger if you so wished.
There's a minute of silence then, as the Bright Queen seems to be considering. Then abruptly she stands, turning to the man beside her. Bryce can’t make out what she’s saying, but the man nods and smiles a little before gliding down towards the group. He’s even more handsome up close and Bryce feels their breath hitch a little, although that's probably down to the unknown of the next actions.
“You have convinced me, for now. Shadowhand will escort you to your room for for now you will stay here where we can keep an eye on you. You do not hold my favour yet. You are here as a courtesy. We will speak more tomorrow. Dismissed.”
Shadowhand turns, leading them all back from where they came as the Mighty Nein clamour their thanks that Bryce echoes, bowing once again before they go back to the entrance room they were previously in. Once the doors are shut behind them all, Jester throws herself at them, hugging them tightly.
“That was so scary! But you did such a good job! You're in her good books I can tell! And you get to stay here too lucky! It’s so pretty here!”
Bryce chuckles, voice shaking as they breathe out a sigh of relief. “Next time, you all need to give me some more warning.” They look around the group who atleast seem to look a little sheepish.
“Yeah, we’re sorry about that. But that went well.” Fjord claps them on the shoulder before Shadowhand intervenes.
“You did well. I think this will be a step forward. But for now, I will show you to your room. “
“Oh we can help you move in!” Jester jumps and claps her hands, and Bryce smiles for the first time since getting there but it at drops when Shadowhand shakes his head.
“Sadly we cannot grant you any more access to the Bright Queens palace. However if you wish to communicate or see the Watchmaster I can bring them to you.”
"Oh, are you going to be okay Bryce? We can appeal if you don't want to be left alone." Jester motions in a way that suggests she may have a breakout plan so they shake their head.
"I'll be fine, but thank you."
"You sure?" Caduceus leans forward as Beau widens her head behind his back, both seemingly having the same idea as Jester if their crazy eyes were anything to go by.
"Positive. Now go, I'm sure you have shenanigans to get up to."
"Message us if you need us." Fjord claps a parting hand on their shoulder.
“Yes, okay. I’ll see you all then in a few hours.” They watch as the group trail out, leaving them alone. Well. With Shadowhand.
Theres an awkward beat between the pair of them where they just stare awkwardly at one another. Shadowhand really was stunning, with high cheekbones and sparkling eyes.
Out of the silence born from the awkwardness, Shadowhand speaks. “You may call me Essik. I feel that somebody that brave deserves the right to.”
“Brave?”
“Hmm. Somebody who can readily admit to working for the enemy will always be brave. Stupid, but brave.”
“Mainly brave, I feel.” This gets Essik to smile, head tilting a little. Bryce tries to return it, which get Essik to smile even wider.
“I guess so. Now. Come.” Bryce dies a hundred times over internally when Essik grabs their hand. “I will lead you to your room. Time manipulation shall get us there faster.”
That must be what the hand holding was for, not that Bryce could really think about that as their heart was beating so fast they could feel it in their throat.
“Focus on me.” With a start, Essik starts to walk and the halls blur. “If you focus on me, the motion sickness will not be so bad.” He was leading, so Bryce focuses on his shoulder, deep purple robes barely moving as they hurried along. Essik’s hand was warm, his grip strong and reassuring. Bryce was certain they were flushed to their toes at this point.
They’re disappointed when Essik stops and drops their hand. As infront of them is a door. “This will be locked. But it is not a prison. You will have meals delivered to you, and if you need anything, there is a bell within your room that will summon somebody.”
“I can pick locks, although i’m sure that that’s frowned upon.” Bryce tries it, joke a little stuck to their tongue, but it gets Essik to laugh, deep and surprised.
“Definitely frowned upon. Now.” He opens the door to the room and Bryce follows him inside.
It’s spacious, with a bed, desk and a door off to the side. “Your toilet and washing facilities are through that door. Do you require anything else?” Essik turns, smile still in place.
“No thank you. Although I may require company in an hour? Or books? I may go stir crazy.”
“I can personally provide company. And I shall send books along. Do you have a preference?” The lilt in his voice at ‘personal company’ gets Bryce’s heart racing again and they can’t deny that it at least sounds somewhat flirty.
“History. If that’s okay?” They chokes on his question which only gets Essik to smirk even deeper. They can’t find they mind though.
“I shall be back in an hour hour then, brave but stupid Watchmaster.” Essik dips his head a little, the smirk still in place and Bryce returns it.
“I look forward to it Shadowhand Essik.”
Once the door is firmly shut and locked behind Essik, Bryce lets themselves collapse onto the surprisingly comfy bed, pulling one of the pillows over their face to scream into.
Maybe Jester had done them a favour instead of it being the other way around.