Enslaved

Chapter 6: Reunited

Thane couldn’t believe his eyes. He must be dreaming. It’s the only explanation on why Nera would be standing in front of him right now. When he had left Evordon all those years ago he was sure they’d never cross paths again. She is after all a princess and he's just a lowly street rat.

He blinked several times, taking her in. No more is she the scared and angry little kitten from the cage they shared. She’s now breathtakingly beautiful. Painfully so with her long stunning red hair and glacier blue eyes which shined like a beacon to any who look. A thick cloak hid most of her figure but Thane could see tight leather garments underneath which hugged her body like a second skin. 

Nera’s full lips turned upwards in a bright smile. “I’ve missed you.” 

Much like how they did before, Nera threw herself at him with full force, embracing Thane tightly and for the first time in a long time, he felt comfort and peace. The kind of feeling which he hasn’t experienced in years of being alone. He melted in her arms, wrapping his own around her. She smelled of wild flowers and vanilla. Thane clung to Nera desperately as if afraid she was only a dream.

“Nera, is it really you?” Thane asked, sounding breathless. 

All too soon for his liking, she pulled away and gazed up at him adoringly. “It is. Many years have passed since we last saw each other.”

He nodded, still in disbelief. “Many, many years.”

Nera lifts her wrists up showing where she was painfully shackled. “Years we both wish we could forget.”

Unconsciously, Thane reached for the left side of his face where his scar never completely healed properly. “That isn’t likely.”

“I have thought of you often.” She admitted softly. “Have you thought of me at all?”

He wasn’t a particularly emotional man but with Nera so close, it unhinged him. “Every day.” 

And he did. In the moments where he let his thoughts drift it was usually of Nera. What they have been through at such a young age bonded them in a different way. When they parted, he always wondered how she was doing, if she’s safe, if she’s healthy and well. His mind almost always conjured her from the depths of his memory. Now, here she was but an inch away from him, smiling like she used to do. 

Thane’s penetrating gaze fell on Nera’s face. Brows furrowed, he realized from her troubled expression that she didn’t come here to be reunited with him. “What brought you all the way to this shifty part of the kingdom, milady?” 

Nera’s cheeks flushed at the name he called her. To her, she would always be just Nera for Thane. “I’m no lady.” 

“Ah, yes. My mistake you’re a princess.” He corrected with an easy grin. 

She smacked him lightly on the arm but didn’t comment any further. 

Thane inspected her closely. “What’s the matter? How can I be of help?” 

Nera bit her bottom lip. She’s rehearsed what she would say to him multiple times enough but seeing Thane after so long has muddled her thoughts. Especially since he’s changed. Thane is no longer the gangly boy who she traversed the woods for months with. 

No, far from that. 

Thane is now Erebus. The fearsome mercenary who’s a master swordsman. She has heard much about him from travelers and merchants that pass Evordon. They whisper about him as if he’s the greatest of them all. Erebus was said to shred any man into ribbons of flesh and blood within a minute or two. Back then, she didn’t think it was Thane until people described him and his scars… and his deep hatred for slavers. It was a gut feeling Nera followed which paid off handsomely.

She drank in the sight of him. Thick and strong with hard muscles, he stood at least six feet tall and was armed with a resting face which promised murder and unspeakable pain. Thane had a massive broadsword strapped to his back and is possibly equipped with more weapons underneath his cloak. Dressed from head to toe in dangerous black clothing, he is nothing like how she remembered him to be. Although he still has his floppy dirty blonde hair and piercing dark steel grey eyes. He fashioned a few days worth of stubble which suited him well. Admittedly, he is quite handsome. The diagonal scar on his face only added to his dangerous allure of a powerful seasoned warrior.

Nera looked over Thane’s shoulder to find Byorc watching their interaction closely. “It’s hard to explain.” 

“Then make me understand.” Thane shrugged. In spite of the volume of his voice not rising, the terse manner of which he spoke, coupled with darkened eyes, illuminated his worry. They’ve only spent a good few minutes together but it’s already as if they’ve never spent a day apart. Following his instincts, Thane’s palms delicately cupped her face. “Tell me how I can help you. We’re not children anymore. I can do more than give you a few pieces of rotten fruit.” 

The worry lines on her face lifted and she broke into one of her smiles. “I’ll never forget the boy who fed me until he got ill from the lack of food.” 

“You needed it more than I.” Thane said as if suffering from fever and lack of nutrients at the age of eleven was nothing but the usual. 

Nera grinned, shaking her head at him. Thane might have changed physically but he is still the same boy from long ago. “You always say that.”

He opened the door to his room, motioning for her to go in for privacy. Who knew what lowlife was listening in to his conversation. Traditions usually frown upon having a nobility like Nera alone in a room with a man but Nera wasn’t some lady of the night to dishonor. “Because it’s true. Now, what’s wrong?” 

Not caring for traditions as well, Nera went right in and settled herself on his bed. She decided there wasn’t any easy way to say what was on her mind. “I’ve left Evordon to hunt for slavers.” 

Upon hearing those words, Thane’s expression tightened considerably. “Nera...”

The low almost chiding call of her name didn’t stop her. “I fear that the past has come back to haunt us.” 

Thane clicks his tongue, the subject hitting him deep within his very nightmares and own traumas. “There hasn’t been slavers in years. The King himself has ordered for them to be-“ 

Nera cuts him off, not allowing him to continue on what she already knew about. “I understand you were hired by the King’s knights to kill the slavers a few years ago but did you ever get Brutus?”

Surprised by her knowledge of his quests to end the slavers, he drew back a little. Often hiring mercenaries are kept quiet by the royal family and knights. “How did you know that?”

Acting as though it was the easiest thing in the world to know about sensitive matters, Nera casually removed her cloak revealing a silk like tunic of the color of wine and tight leather pants that clung to her body leaving little to the imagination. “I keep an ear out for news about slavers.” 

Thane frowned, forcing his attention back to the matter at hand. “Brutus is on the run. Escaped to the western plains and hasn’t resurfaced.”

“He’s still out there.” She pushed determinedly. 

He sighed dispassionately. Why of all the times has she come with this now? “I understand vengeance more than anyone, Nera. But this hunt is not worth it. He’s already a dead man walking. The bounty on his head is higher than anything else.” 

“Obviously not higher than the bribes and corruption he gives.” Nera argues heatedly. Now more than ever, she looked exactly how he remembers her. Tough, stubborn and kitten like with anger. “Do you know how much slavers cost? How we almost sold for?”

“Where is this coming from?” He questioned, not believing in Nera to be involved in such dangerous topics. 

Nera paused, eyes searching his. “What if I told you he’s starting again.” 

Thane balled his hands in fists. “Impossible. I’ve kept close track.” 

“Father and I journeyed to see the old King recently. I...” She pursed her lips, shamefaced. “I listened into their conversations. They spoke about Brutus. He was spotted raiding outlying villages and taking slaves.” 

He reeled back as if slapped, his mind absorbing the new information. “And taking them where? To Slaugh? The King’s knights are stationed there.”

Nera’s insides twisted at the mention of Slaugh. It was a place where nightmares awaited you. “He’s taking them somewhere.” 

“Maybe you heard wrong.” It was wishful thinking even for him. 

The muscles on her jaw clenched. “I didn’t. You know I didn’t. Brutus is out there and-“

“You want to stop him.” He finished for her, arms crossed on his chest. 

Nera stood from the bed and stalked up to Thane. The height difference was laughable. “I don’t want anyone else to experience what we’ve been through. Every time I close my eyes, I relive it over and over again. We were fortunate enough to escape but others aren’t.” 

“And what has your father said about this? Of you going on this revenge plot of yours?” Thane remembered her father, the Chieftain, to be a strict and unbending man who wouldn’t let anything happen to his daughter. 

She held her breath before answering. “He’s all right with it. I’m of age. I can decide on my own.” 

Thane scoffed. “Do you expect me to believe that? You’re a princess. The only princess of Evordon.” 

“He understands my sufferings. I hoped you would as well.” Nera had jabbed a low blow to have mentioned that.

He didn’t take the bait as easily as she thought he would. “Oh I understand it. Understanding isn’t the issue here.” 

“Then what is?” She asked, losing patience. 

“It’s dangerous, Nera. You of all people know this. For months we were hunted like animals. They pursued us relentlessly until the very end.” Flashbacks of long repressed memories resurface making him flinch back. “If anyone is going I am. You’re untrained, inexperienced-“

“I know how to fight. I was trained well.” She interjects looking affronted. “I’m not the cowardly girl you shared a cage with anymore. Ask Byorc.” 

Thane narrowed his eyes, looking towards the man in question. “Who is Byorc?” 

“I’m the princess’...” Byorc stopped glancing at Nera.

“A general in father’s army. I sent him to look for you.” She continued for him. 

Thane’s eyebrows knitted together. The man although tall and broad did not look like a warrior. Most certainly not a warrior from Evordon. Nera’s people are descendants of strong warlords and skilled fighters. Thane had seen and brawled with enough of them in his years to know. Before he could protest, Nera takes his hand in hers. 

She pulls him closer to her. “Thane, I can’t let what happened to us happen to someone else. I just can’t. I will not rest until Brutus is dead. I’ll go with or without you.” 

The desperation and pleading in Nera’s eyes broke whatever defenses he had up to resist her. 

The battle was truly lost. 

Thane was undone. 

He would do it for her as he has always done. 

“When do we leave?”