The Debt

Writers: Estelle, Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 22nd July 2020
Series: The Assassin's Story

Characters: Bryvin, Varlin, Lusilk
Description: Varlin remembers meeting Derilt's contact and receiving aid.
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 3, day 3 of Turn 10
Notes: Flashback to five turns ago and follows "What He Left Behind"

Bryvin

Lusilk

Varlin leaned against the wall of the small cothold where they'd been
hiding for the past few days, his dark garb melting into the evening
shadows. Although they were now far outside the territory of the Lord
Holder who hunted them, the holdless man was restless, unable to relax.
The minutes passed like hours. He didn't know who was sheltering them,
and he didn't believe for a moment that it was out of simple kindness.

But he didn't have much choice. Inside the cothold, Lusilk was resting,
her body barely starting to heal. She needed time - even if it hadn't
been for her pregnancy - and he wouldn't leave her. He just wished
whoever it was would tell him what they wanted, so he could repay the debt.

Lusilk lay on the bed in the small cothold, facing the wall. Her mind
wasn't on her present surroundings though, it was lost in memories
that she couldn't erase. The smells, the pain, the humiliation of it
all. She buried her face in the pillow, desperately trying to block
out the endless thoughts that plagued her. A quiet rustle outside,
however, drew her attention away and she went still, hand slipping
under the pillow to grip her dagger.

His avian call came twice from nearby before he stepped into view. The
tall dark haired man looked briefly into the window of the cot and saw
a woman laying inside then turned to look at the man by the wall.
"You requested assistance?'

Varlin straightened, eyeing the new arrival warily though he'd given the
expected signal. He moved to make sure he was between the man and the
door of the cot, where Lusilk was. "I might have done. Who are you?"

"Your contact," he said, not ready to give anything away. "Derilt and
I used to be... close. This place is fairly safe but if you need...
services, I might be able to arrange it."

She heard the voices. One familiar, one not. Lusilk's hand tightened
on her dagger as she slowly rolled over in the bed to watch the door.
Bringing the blanket up to her chest, her eyes locked on the door,
narrowed suspiciously. She wasn't ready to trust anyone, even the
familiar man outside. Not even him. Her body remained tense and she
ignored the nausea that began to churn in her belly.

The holdless man's tension eased a fraction when he heard Derilt's name.
He tilted his head towards the cot. "She needs a healer. One who knows
how to keep his mouth shut." He didn't move from his position in the
doorway, though. Derilt might trust this man, but he didn't know him.
"What's it going to cost me?"

"Naught but a favor to be named in the future." Bryvin half smiled. It
was fairly standard to trade favors even though his own clothing gave
him away as not in need of funds. "I know a healer who owes me a favor
and will keep his mouth shut."

Lusilk's eyes narrowed at the conversation and she slowly sat up.
Shakily, she rose, hand still gripping the dagger tightly to her. She
walked slowly, hanging on to the wall to help steady her and then
spoke up. "It's my debt." Her voice was soft, but steely."Not yours. I
owe you enough." The door to the cot opened slightly, revealing only
her thin face. She studied the intruder from around Varlin's shoulder.
"I'll pay it. "

Varlin glanced back at her, his face betraying a moment's concern. "You
should be in bed. You need rest. I'll handle this."

Bryvin's eyes narrowed at the woman's condition and anger flared
before he saw the man's reaction. "Did you do this," he asked Varlin.
At this tone a large black and tan canine appeared on the other side
of the group with a soft growl.

Lusilk's lips thinned. "I owe you enough. This is my debt. Not yours."
She repeated dully, holding on tightly to the door as her eyes flicked
over to Bryvin. She studied him for a long moment, taking in his
attire, the canine, and his expression. Her own expression was flat,
revealing nothing of her carefully banked fears or inner rage. "He
didn't. He took me from the ones who did. You'll have your favor, once
I'm well enough to repay you."

She turned to Varlin, feeling her legs begin to tremble once again.
She could discuss her own debt to him later, when she felt stronger.
She just looked at him, eyes lifeless before turning away and slowly
making her way back to the bed, not bothering to close the door. She
barely reached the bed before collapsing back onto it, curling up into
a protective ball.

Bryvin snapped his fingers and Captain trotted to his heel still
watching Varlin carefully. Bryvin then nodded. "You'll have your
healer before nightfall."

Varlin nodded, his eyes following the canine. Like any holdless man,
he'd learned to fear hunting canines worse than the guards, and it took
effort to stand his ground and keep his face impassive.

"I don't know what Derilt told you," he said, keeping his voice low.
"But no-one can know where we are, not until she's healed. If it's
favors you want, then I'm a man who can deal with a particular kind of
problem, quietly and efficiently. If you have any."

"Understood," Bryvin nodded. "He didn't tell me much at all, and there
is nothing I need to know. I'll bring a healer shortly... blindfolded.
Your secret is safe on Derilt's word."

"Right. Thanks," Varlin said, the word coming awkwardly. He'd never had
much need for gratitude, and it felt uncomfortable, but Lusilk's
injuries were more than he knew how to deal with. "And - maybe you could
bring some clothes for her. The dress she's got, it won't fit for long.
I'll pay." He closed his eyes in sudden pain, the old scar standing out,
harsh and pale against his drawn skin. **I should never have left her...**

"What class of clothing," he asked. "Drudge, homeless, lady?"

There was a soft snort from inside. "Not a lady." Lusilk shuddered and
rolled over to her side. She preferred men's clothing, but that was
unlikely to fit her now. Faranth, she wanted this over and done with.
She closed her eyes with a sigh, burying her head back into the thin
pillow. Secretly, she longed for comfort, but she didn't know how to
ask, and Varlin didn't know how to offer. She felt alone, despite her
company.

"Something a cotholder would wear," Varlin said. They'd had to take what
Derilt could get for them on the riverboat, a dress that was worn and
shabby, and he'd not wanted to risk going out to steal another, not yet.

Bryvin jerked a nod. Long dark hair covered his eyes for a moment
before he tossed it back with a half smile. "I'll be back soon."

Last updated on the October 13th 2020

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The Debt