Chapter Text
"Uncle Cyrion won't like that you've been fighting," Shianni gingerly touched a darkening bruise on her cousin's cheek. "And your tunic's all covered in dirt." Blood too, but there was no need to mention that. Luckily none of it was theirs. She was incredibly lucky that Kallian had been so close when the gang of thugs attacked her.
"Drat the tunic," Kallian snapped. "Are you hurt?"
"No...I'm fine," Shianni shook her head. "They didn't do more than rough me up a bit before you showed up. No worse than what you or Soris have done to me, anyways."
"That's different. We're family, after all," Kallian flashed her a disarming smile. "Did they take anything? I heard Papa say you were on an errand to the Pearl."
"No," Shianni patted her pockets in her skirt and blouse, "I still have the coin they gave me."
"Good," Kallian grinned again. "Then we should head back. What were you doing in this part of town anyways? There's safer ways back from the Pearl."
"I thought I'd take a shortcut..."
"Through here? Maker's Breath, Shianni, you're old enough to know better!"
"And what were you doing here?"
"Tailing you, of course. Did you honestly think I'd let my favorite cousin go through the worst part of town by herself?"
"Kallian...you didn't need to do that..."
"The hell I didn't. You're family, Shianni, and I'll protect you. If you're ever in trouble, just call for me and I'll come," Kallian gripped her hand tight as they walked back to the Alienage. "No matter where you are, or what it is, I swear, I'll come help you."
"Promise?" she asked.
"Promise," Kallian answered, grey eyes solemn and steady.
Perhaps that was why, years later, when she and the other girls were trapped in Vaughn's rooms, she was the only who didn't panic. Even after they did those things to her. Even when logically, there was no way a half trained and out of practice girl from the Alienage could fight her way past so many guards. Because Kallian said she would come to help, no matter what.
And when the door opened at last, her cousin stood there with dagger in hand and covered in blood. Against all odds, Kallian had come to rescue her, just like she always promised.