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Ryan takes a deep breath, carefully adjusting his grip on the stone brick. He can see the people at the base of the castle, but not if they were soldiers still, or if the medics had taken over. Shadow had left, the army retreating, and only Shadow could order that. If Shadow had died, they would be here still, the newest part of Legundo’s army.
Below him, a soldier patrols the walkway, and he has to press his head against the chill of the wall he clung to, trying to ignore the ache in his hands and arms from clinging to the wall, the ache of losing Sean, not quite a friend, but close, a fellow conquered king, and the ache in his chest at being left behind. He knew it was for the best, that their people needed to be safe, instead of trying to take on an impossible target, but he just wanted to be with Shadow, leaning against him as they talked late into the night.
The soldier patrolled again, and he waited until they had passed, steps quieting, and tried climbing down, quietly, distantly grateful that he was in Shadow’s dark purple rather than his own vibrant red. He makes it most of the way down before someone spots him - a different soldier, made obvious by the food in their hands - and yells. He resists the urge to swear, instead speeding his climbing, bolting for the edge of the ramparts as soon as his feet touch down. He makes it halfway before he’s tackled, a knife to his throat and a knee on his spine.
He’s dragged up and through the hallways, tense and worried. He and Legundo used to be allies, but he had sworn himself to Shadow, and Shadow had earned that vow, earned his trust and loyalty, and he didn’t think Legundo would take him switching sides well. Especially not with how obviously he had helped in the attack, had fought and killed Legundo’s men, had found his way into Legundo’s castle and was trying to sneak out.
There had obviously been a messenger sent at some point, because when he was dragged into the throne room, Legundo was waiting, unsurprised to see Ryan. He nodded to the soldiers, dismissed them, leaving Ryan alone with Legundo.
He stands then, looks him over, focuses on Shadow’s sigil, on the soft, rich fabric around his neck, the careful quality of his armour, the little decorations Shadow had added. Ryan knew that Legundo would be able to read his armour so, so easily, but squared his shoulders anyway, his stance set, determined not to show his fear.
“Got into Shadow’s good graces, hm?” He states - not asks, states - as he steps down the steps towards Ryan.
Ryan just watched him, knew Legundo could probably read him easily, as easily as he read the armour, but he didn’t care, took pride in Shadow’s purple, in being one of Shadow’s people, and refused to let Legundo get such an easy rise from him.
He fought to stay still as Legundo kept approaching, resisting both the urge to back up, to bolt for the windows and climb like no other king could match, and the urge to pull his blade from his inventory, to fight with tooth and blade until he had claimed the throne for his king. He wouldn’t try and fail and embarrass Shadow like that, risk dying for nothing .
“Where is he now?” Legundo asks, looking down onto Ryan with a stern gaze.
Ryan barely keeps from flinching, “I don't know,” he answers honestly. “He retreated, didn’t he?”
"You didn't discuss regrouping points? Didn't set up safe spaces to go to?" Legundo's voice was dry, and Ryan couldn't tell if he was trying to get him to tell him about those points, or just disappointed that they hadn't.
Ryan swallows, knowing he can’t tell him anything didn’t stop the desire to, his old loyalty to the man struggling under his devotion to Shadow.
Legundo puts a hand on Ryan’s shoulder, not tight enough to hurt, but enough to feel through his armour. “Ryan, I need you to talk to me here. Did our alliance mean nothing to you?”
He sucked in a breath, hurt, knowing that Legundo knew how much that would hurt, and resisting the desire to retaliate by telling Legundo that it didn't, not anymore. It wasn’t quite true, though, and it'd be obvious if he tried to lie.
Legundo gently squeezes his shoulder and Ryan hates that it’s comforting. “Talk to me?” Legundo’s voice lowers, like he’s telling him a secret, but it’s a threat and they both know it when he says “I can't let Shadow’s soldiers live, and especially not his lover , I'm trying to help you out here.”
Ryan takes a deep breath, lets it out as a sigh, debating answers. "Shadow won, he conquered my kingdom as per the laws of this land, and then." He pauses unconsciously, trying to find the words, "And then he won my loyalty. I'm sure you remember how much that's worth." And he meant to hurt , to respond to the way Legundo was trying to get him to betray Shadow, to remind him that if they shared one thing, it was this . Was the fierce, soul-touched thing that was their personal loyalty.
And Ryan was- steadier, now that he's made his choice, that he's told Legundo that he won't, can't break his loyalty to Shadow. He knows he's no safer, but he's chosen his path, and he intends to see it through.
Legundo’s head tilts slightly, and he nods, going “Fine, have it your way,” as he draws his blade. And at that exact moment, Shadow bursts through the door.
“Don’t you dare touch him.”
Ryan's entire face brightens at just the sound of Shadow’s voice, fear dropping in favour of joy as he turns around, smile breaking through.
And then Legundo seizes the opportunity, pulls Ryan against his chest, sword on his throat.
Shadow stilled, watching them, face shifting between concern and fury.
“Hands off. I'm not here to fight.”
Legundo scoffs. “The throne is for either of us, the only way I can get it is by spilling your blood on this floor. I'm not letting it slip from my hands.“
Ryan is waiting, waiting for Legundo to be distracted enough, enough for him to knock his arm away. All he needs is for Shadow to talk a little more…
Shadow huffs, confesses “I don’t want the throne, I’m not here for that,” and Legundo’s grip slackens, letting Ryan grab the blade and move , spinning out into the center of the room, back to Shadow.
Legundo was very clearly reevaluating his estimate of Ryan’s skills, and Ryan took advantage of it, carefully stepping back until he was level with Shadow, reaching out to grab Shadow’s hand.
Legundo watched them pull each other close, an unreadable look in his eyes.
“Just let us go, we won’t be back,” Shadow says, so genuinely. Ryan nods, easily agreeing. He never wanted the Iron Throne, he just wanted his people safe and happy and prosperous.
Legundo forces the breath he’s holding out through his nose, then speaks, voice clearly controlled. “Leave. If either of you step foot anywhere near this castle ever again, I won't be as merciful.”
Ryan knows their relief is obvious, but doesn’t care, a grin on his face as he bows. And he bows properly , a subordinate king to one he held no allegiance to, and he sees Shadow nod to Legundo, civil but not friendly.
Legundo walks them to the doors, watches as they start to make their way back through the castle, waving off the curious looks the roaming knights send him.
Ryan starts side-eyeing Shadow halfway down the halls, hoping his king hadn’t actually come alone.
“Shadow. Shadow, did you really come alone to rescue me?” His voice was quiet, clearly fond, but also exasperated, because of course Shadow had, that was entirely too in-character for his king.
Shadow nodded, a sheepish kind of smile on his face.
Ryan just sighed. "Please tell me there's at least a medic hiding in the trees."
His king just pauses, tone midway between rueful and laughing, "... y'know that's a really good idea, actually-"
"SHADOW MECH- "
He laughs, and dodges Ryan's smack, and leads him to Nightmare. And he takes him back to the camp, to the tent that had slowly, somehow, become home .