A BLOOD Oath

The Fallout

There was a brief moment where nobody moved.

It did not feel real. It appeared that the entire square had lost track of what was happening.

Despite the pain in her palm and her breath being uneven, Arielle was still on her knees. There was no place where their blood had been.’ The pain that had just occurred was not the only thing that mattered. It seemed like an unseen entity had settled in there and wouldn't depart. She glanced at her hand.' Their blood had crossed each other's. Her skin was already drying and darkening.... A blood oath.

What is the reason behind that, given all the things he could have done?

All at once, the sounds from the lower square returned.' "What have you done?" was shouted by someone from above.

“Seize them!” another voice followed.

The guards hesitated. Arielle noticed that none of them had immediately come forward. They ranked Kael before the court and not after him.

"Why him? Why?. 'He possessed such strength.'". Kael didn't raise his voice. It seemed as though he was not in a state of tension or fear. “I have made her feel safe here,” he declared. His words weren't loud. Even though there were no shouts to be heard, it still carried the message. Uncertainty was evident among the guards, who were moving. One of them stepped forward, then backed away. “Commander…” he started, unsure. Kael tilts his head slightly, just to have the chance to look at him. That was the only reason the guard retreated right away. Arielle took a deep, slow breath. An inner tranquility that she had not anticipated. This was wrong.

Everything about this was wrong. “Did this alter anything?” a high-ranking member hollered, and she was still disloyal. ‘She’s still even an orphan and a traitor'. Arielle's jaw tightened. At last, Kael looked up at them.. He stated that she was now tied to him. “What does that mean?”. Her comprehension was heightened by the fact that no one spoke directly at once. Not only was the oath disallowed, but it also caused fear among some. They should be afraid. Yet, it was not the reason for his actions.

Arielle slowly rose up, her legs numb after kneeling. She evaded death this time. She turned to him. She asked, "What are you doing?" with a low voice and sounding sharp. She didn't receive a reply from him. Naturally, he did not reply. He remained silent as he never needs to be asked for anything. He leaned into the rope around her wrists and cleanly cut it.' The pressure disappeared instantly. It had been days since she had felt both hands free. The pain and sting were too much for her to handle, so she contorted her fingers. Then she stepped back. Away from him.

"Don't touch me again," she whispered. The crowd's noise level was not high, but he could hear it. Unreadable, he turned to look at her.' “Stand,” he said.

Standing up,' she replied.

Something passed between them . Something brief, quiet, but tense. He was not used to being talked to that way.... Despite her fears, she now had the courage to stand up to him.

The nobleman, who was furious, ordered the escorting of both of them from above. Now!. Arielle almost laughed. Four guards moved forward towards them. More cautious behavior this time around.'... They refrained from grabbing her in a similar manner as they did previously. They didn't need to. She wasn't going anywhere, definitely not.

Kael made a sudden turn and started walking down the stairs, with Arielle staying put for two minutes. "Slow down," one of the guards said. She followed. Her actions were not motivated by any directive. Even so, she had to gain insight. Her return to the cells was not certain.

It was then, she realised. Instead, they steered her through the inner courtyard, past the training grounds, and onto the main keep. The crowd was lesser here. There were fewer eyes and whispers.

What happened? But the tension hadn't gone. It followed them. As they passed, people ceased to move on. Kael's presence stopped both soldiers and those who worked. Their eyes lingered on Arielle. Some seemed confused. Others were wary. While most were already judging. She ignored them all. Her focus stayed ahead. On him. The man who took everything away from her. He hadn't looked back once. Even to determine if she was walking behind. Ignoring any communication from her or anyone else. Refraining from acknowledging her. Even now as their lives were tied together. As if she meant nothing. Her hand tightened slightly. Her palm cut throbbed once more with a sharper pain, and she took ill briefly. She then breathed.

Following that, Kael's shoulders moved slightly. Barely noticeable. But she saw it. He felt her gaze too. The realization hit her quietly. The oath. It wasn't just words. It was already working. She didn't like that. Not one bit. She frowned. Without pause, they entered the keep. Both sides were covered in stone walls, creating a cool and peaceful atmosphere that differed from the square outside. Footsteps rolled down a long corridor.

Finally, Kael stopped. The street had a door on the far side. It was a simple object constructed from thick wood. “Inside,” he said. Arielle didn't move. Guards looked between them and didn't know what to do. She asked if he expected her to come in. “Yes.” he said. “And then what? I ask that you remain silent while deciding on my next step. His expression didn't change. “That would be wise.”. She sighed in frustration. "In my opinion, we're no longer just individuals." A guard's posture changed slightly.

What happened? “Lady—” he started. “Don't,” she cut in. Kael was left with only her gaze fixed on him. "You have no right to do that," she muttered. “I am bound to you, but you were there for me without any indication.” Still nothing from him. No anger. No reaction. That somehow made it worse. “Say something,” she pressed. He paused and declared, "It was essential.". Arielle blinked. “Essential?” she repeated. “Yes.”. She raised her voice slightly. "What do you mean?" she said. For the first time, he fully met her gaze. She could only be met with a calm and controlled tone from him. It wasn't enough. Not even close. She needed clarification, or at the very least an explanation. As she pressed on, her chest tightened in anger. "Is this causing any changes?" she quipped. "Confinement without warning makes us what?, Allies?”. “No.”. He gave a direct response.' It was flat and honest. That caught her off guard. “Then what?” she demanded. He took another breath and this time, he was more extended. "I ultimately saved your life," he said. But the weight of what he said was greater than her expectations.'... Alive.

That was it?. Not trust. Not forgiveness. Just survival. Holding her breath, Arielle tried to keep herself steady. “You could have done it without that,” she said, slowly lifting her hand to show him the cut. “No,” he said. Her brows pulled together. “Why not?”. He didn't answer. Of course. Her patience was thin at the moment.'.... She firmly stated that he could not keep anything from her. Regardless of your actions, we are both in it.

A flicker crossed his face. Small. But real. “You're right,” he said. She blinked again, not anticipating it. “But not here,” he added. When we're alone, I'll clarify things for you.. Arielle frowned. “What does that mean?”. She had to look up at him as he said, "You will go inside and you'll stay there and wait," but not in a threat-like way. She then moved closer. “And if I don't?”. They were awkwardly silent when confronted by the guards. “You will.” he said. The way he said that made her stomach twitch. It was something else. Something she didn't understand yet. For a prolonged period, she maintained his gaze. Then turned. And pushed the door open. She would prefer to enter the locked room alone if she was going to be imprisoned again. The room inside was simple. A bed. A table. A solitary window providing limited visibility. It wasn't a cell. Nevertheless, it was not freedom.... Arielle stepped in. The guards stayed outside. Kael didn't follow immediately. “What happens now?” she asked. He met her eyes. He stated that he was only present to ensure your survival, and then closed the door behind him. The sound echoed softly. But Arielle stopped for a moment.

Subsequently, she glanced at her hand. Seeing the cut, dried blood and a bond that was not requested.’ Then slowly her chest began to rise and fall. She wasn't dead. She should feel relieved. She didn't. Because something told her, This was only the beginning. And whatever came next…. Would be worse.