[M] Until Silence Is Broken

"Until you find this so called friend of yours, if you even ever find him," he started watching her. He was letting her think about the deal and what he was saying. "You'll be allowed to work in my fortress as a safe guard and able to use the resources that are there to help you in the search for your friend while attending to the duties I assign you as payment. You'll have a room and be allowed to eat for free."

He was curious if she'd take the offer. He just wanted to see where this would play out. He wanted to know.

Lia blinked at him. She had no idea what to say or even what to think. It was a great offer indeed, but could she really take it? Dia was so fickle that maybe just searching him out wasn't a bad plan... Even if it was just to make sure he was still alive. Then there left a question of what he would want her to do as payment?

Her eyes narrowed a little out of habit, but she tried to soften her face. "What kind of work do you expect... as payment..." She wasn't going back to that life. Even for her ruler.

"Just you to tell me about this guy and explain the relationship and keep me updated on how the progress goes," he told her. He thought it was fair trade. All he wanted was knowledge and she would be allowed to use his resources whether she needed it or not, they'd be at her disposal for her use. He smiled thinking of her option. In reality she'd be a fool not to take it. It wasn't often he'd make this deal, but she seemed harmless enough and he just had to know.

"So is it a deal?"

She didn't know if this was real. What he offered was beyond had she could have ever imagined but it seemed too one-sided a deal. She had made that mistake too many times. While he didn't seem to pose any harm, she couldn't pretend it was perfectly fine. Everyone had a hidden agenda. She learned that one a long time ago.

"Deal... If you answer a question...Why are you so interested in my relationship with him?" It was an honest question considering he was offering his home and food for information about her and her friend.

"Just curious how far it goes," he said. "As you know I don't tend to keep relationships so I'm curious as to why you are so desperate to save someone you have one with. I just want to know what makes that feeling you have for him so special that it drives you to risk your life."

His smile grew. She seemed interested at least. That was a win for him. He might lear more about this then he wanted after all. He wanted to know more.. his curious was high.

She nodded in response. It was odd to know that now she would be sharing more intimate details about herself with a stranger, but this seemed harmless. It was just to get to know what a friendship was like. She could do that. She smiled back at him. For once she had some hope about her friend. While they did see each other on occasion, he never really said where he would go or what he would do. Maybe know she could even learn more about him.

"If you say so. I'm not sure what makes it so special that you'd make such a generous offer, but I won't complain. Thank you." She smiled again at him. He wasn't as mean as some had said. He could be nice.. When he wanted to be at least.

"I'll give you time to get your things," he said looking her over. "I'm sure what you have is not all you'll need. Go get prepared for your movement. Meet me at the fortress in three days time." He turned the another glass upside down that was offered to him. He smiled and nodded to her before walking away back to his men. She was dismissed to go get her affairs in order. She had a lot to do and little time to do it, or so he figured. No one was without baggage and he figured she had a lot since she was so determined to save one person.

He laughed as one of his men told a joke and nodded his head slightly, his hair falling slightly to the side.

Lia nodded at him but... She didn't have much to prepare. She normally travelled around and didn't carry more than she could handle so a move to the fortress would have been fine for her today. However, she did owe that woman she met earlier some explanation as to why she ran off and there was still the travel time. Three days she could do. For know, she'd relax and pick up some spare change before heading out. Maybe she'd pick up a job nearby the fortress so she could work.

~

Three days later the girl showed up with what little things she had at the fortress. Three days had gone by effortlessly and she was happy to have been able to secure some stability for the time being. Now the only question was how would her stay here end up being? Would it be painful or would it actually be nice? Razor was in a good mood earlier but now... who knew. She sighed as she gave herself a moment before moving forward to meet him like he said.

The dragon skull was monstrous and glistened softly in the moonlight. The sea could be heard cashing belong the cliff onto the soft sand and a wind was stirring outside. A lantern was on the ground outside of the the fortress waiting for her. The color was a soft orange and beside it stood a servant who bowed at the waist greeting the girl as he saw her approach.

"You must be our guest... The master of the house sent me to greet you," he said reaching down for the lantern that was a lit with the will-o-wisp. He turned and walked inside the maw of the dragon, the sounds of the sea becoming more faint the more they descended into the depths of the earth as it enclosed around them.

The girl glanced at the skull and the person who awaited her. She knew he had better things to do than to escort her personally, but still she was skittish when it came to new people. The large dragon skull too... It certainly made a statement. It wasn't something you could miss. The girl followed him quietly as she clung to the cloak that draped her body. She agreed to stay here why.. She pushed off the thought as they went deeper into the earth and the once loud sea muffled into oblivion.