Chapter 2: Chapter 2: A Barat Partner
Runa did her best to work out after the queen left. It wasn’t easy.
The easiest part of it was when she took a “walk” which usually just entailed her pacing her cell every day until she tired herself out enough to sleep. That was always the best part as it gave her time to think.
And she had a lot to think about. She would be released soon after half a year of captivity.
And she would be able to save Narran. Maybe he would even want to marry her afterwards. She flushed and banished those thoughts. She couldn’t let them cloud her thinking until after he was safe.
She continued pacing until a little rock skittered across the floor. Runa looked around, confused. Another followed, bouncing off the bars of her cell. She looked through the bars to find the blue woman at the bars of her own cell across from her.
The woman’s smile widened at the appearance of Runa, her tail swishing lazily behind her. “You have no idea how many pebbles I've thrown at your cell.”
Runa quirked an eyebrow. “What do you want?”
The woman shrugged. “I was hoping we could talk a bit.”
Runa sighed. She had been thinking about what to do with the woman. It would be different if she were a Yeniczar or really anyone of note, really anyone at all who would be useful in rescuing the prince, but the woman was a barat, the lowest class, less than a person. “Why did you say you would help?”
The woman gave Runa a fang filled grin. “I’m not intent on dying, sweetheart.” Her tail flicked. “And I was going to be bought anyway, whether that was for a pardon and my freedom or in the market next month to become a pit fighter or a concubine. And if I wasn’t bought, I’d hang. I took the best option.”
“Best option?” Runa scoffed. “So instead of being bought by some nobleman with ... ” She gestured toward the woman, “exotic taste, living a life of pampered luxury in his palace as his special prize and never wanting for anything, you decided to tag along on my journey to save my master?”
The woman’s teeth disappeared and she frowned at Runa, her tail flicked in what Runa assumed was irritation. “Or I would hang if no one wanted me. Instead of leaving my fate up to the highest bidder, I’ll save myself. If that means saving your precious master, then yes, I will “tag along” with you.”
Runa closed her eyes and leaned her head against the bars. She couldn’t undo what had been done. She would just have to work with this woman.
“Fine. But we need to set something straight.” She opened her eyes and tried to stand to her full height. “I will let you come, but if I detect any malicious intent or any intentions of spiriting away without seeing this journey through, I will end you. On the spot. You will help me save Prince Narran. Or you will die.”
The woman laughed and leaned forward, almost pressing her face between the bars. Runa saw her eyes clearly for the first time. Where most eyes were white, hers were black. They were slit instead of round and they were yellow as dune flowers. They reminded Runa of a snake’s eyes.
“You have a deal,” she almost purred. “But we’re working together, remember that. And I’m helping you, even when it seems like I’m not. On that, you have my word.”
Runa shook her head. “You’re a barat. Your word means nothing to me.”
The woman’s horns scraped against the wood of the bars. “And yet it will have to be enough, hmm?”
Runa grumbled. It would have to do. “Yes, it’ll have to be enough.”
The woman smiled. “Wonderful. Then we’re in accord. We’re a team until this is over.” She nodded. “I’m Antyza. I’d shake your hand but ... ” she gestured to the span of the hallway that separated them. “You get it.”
“Runa.” Runa said simply, “And we’re a team until I tire of you.” Runa slid down until she sat beside the bars.
“I don’t know about that, sweet Runa.” The woman’s voice was low and soft as she mimicked Runa, sitting near her own bars. “I can be ... very persuasive. No one has ever tired of me. Perhaps you’ll even end up liking me.” Her tail slid back and forth along the ground. “Perhaps your prince will end up liking me too.”
Runa glared at her. “You wouldn’t be his type.”
“Oh, is his type like you?” When Runa flushed and looked away the woman cackled. “You don’t have to worry, darling, you can still be his precious favorite.” She sighed. “I was never suited to wild passions of nobles. Too gushy, always wanting to give you the world and sweet poetry for a chance to be between your legs.” She laughed. “I’ve never given a woman anything so grand and they all beg me to love them.” She licked her lips emphatically.
Runa felt herself flush harder, to the uproarious laughter of the woman.
‘Narran wouldn’t like her at all,’ Runa thought, ‘would he?’
Antyza quieted somewhat once her laughter subsided. “I’m sorry,” she sighed. “I get ahead of myself and it’s not very sporting to tease easy prey like nobles.” She shifted so Runa, who was trying to hide her flush, could see her better. “You’re from the palace, yes?”
Runa found it hard to cease the flow of blood to her face. “Yes.” She nodded. “I was ... I am the Prince’s sworn protector.”
Antyza’s tail still dragged lazily along the ground. “And he ... what, ran off with some b*tch from the wrong part of the city?”
Runa shot her a glare and was satisfied when the woman held up her hands and slid away from her seat where Runa could see her. “We aren’t talking about this.”
Antyza seemed to have run out of things to say or perhaps had grown tired with prodding Runa as the blue woman and her did not speak for the remainder of the evening and night.
The following morning, just before dawn, Runa was given a crate with her things in it. Putting on the armor and carrying her green serpent steel sword made her feel less naked than she had felt in months.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone