Trouble comes in Pairs
Chapter 5 - Trust and Secrets
(POV Rue)
I scratched an itch, and looked at Zura. She was very confused, so I suggested. "Look why don't we talk somewhere else?"
She nodded and I threw my boots on, picked up and took my meds, and followed her down to a secluded sitting area.
The rich bitch spoke up. "I have several questions. What was the significance of closing the curtains, what is that stuff you both took, and what happened to the wall of the inn?" I opened my mouth and showed her the shit under my tongue in a 'I can't fucking talk right now' sort of way. "You need a moment?" She asked like it wasn't fucking obvious.
I waited the usual length of time. "Alright, it's been long enough. What were you wantin to know?" I asked her kinda peeved about being woken up so… late I guess. Feels early.
She reiterated her questions. After a deep breath I started running through the answers. "Winter burns super easily in the sun, and no she's not a fucking vampire. It's like a curse or something, she got it from mom. I didn't. Second bit, we take it cause we're girls, and we need to get a fuck bunch more so we don't run out on your little dungeon crawl. You're paying for that too. Last bit, it was an accident. We literally chatted about it fucking yesterday are you fucking stupid?" I may have been a bit grumpy, but god that last one was such a fucking stupid question.
"You said she has accidents and the room could be damaged. You explained nothing about how or why objects, people, structures, and even an entire town happen to disappear around her." She had a cold look.
"Wow your sperm donor didn't tell you anything." That got her attention. "Her magic acts up, and it’s the kind that makes things unexist sometimes. I'm not saying more than that. If Winter wants to trust you that's on her."
"Noted." She was thoughtful before continuing. "Being a young woman myself, I've never heard of girls taking a dried vine before." She wanted to fucking pry into that mess. "If you want me to buy you both more I need to know what it is and why you even need it." Ugh she was making things so fucking difficult.
"It's called lunarvine, and I know you can't have missed we're a bit different from normal girls."
"You’re a lunatic and she looks somewhat masculine. I'm not sure how either relates to this." Wait did she not know? I mean most people don't realize I'm like sis anymore but they usually clocked her.
"Look if you fucking give either of us shit about what I'm about to tell you. We won't just be done here, I'll rip your gods damn throat out. You understand me rich girl?" She matched my gaze. I could see she was a bit angered, a bit looking like she was saying 'try it bitch', mostly just curious.
She sat back in a very, 'by all means go on' sort of way. "I understand you."
"People thought we were boys cause that's what our bodies looked like. Turns out people were fucking wrong and looking like one was hell, so we found a way to fix that. The lunarvine's the fix, and we gotta take it twice a day for the rest of our fucking lives." I carefully watched her. She didn't give an inch beyond a slight heartbeat increase at the start of my explanation.
She carefully considered her next words as I flexed my claws. "I can look into getting you both more. I'm also moving you to an inn I can afford for you to break as I think obtaining some of your herb and wrapping up the rest of my academy work will take another day or two."
"Sure, I'll let sis know." I got up without another word. I needed food and I was in a pretty nice inn for at least until sis wakes up. Time to eat everything they've got.
(POV Azura)
I watched the savage stride away. Father would more than disapprove of what I'm doing which was why I was increasingly worried about how much trouble they both seemed to cause.
Speaking of father, he seems to have left out notable details when complaining about them in front of me. He insisted they had something of his and even sent his right hand knight and a cohort to retrieve it. Next I hear the small settlement of Whitehallow is gone along with everyone he sent. He posted a bounty on their lives and I heard no further since starting the year at the royal academy.
I was going to have to find a way to convince the smaller of the sisters to explain their side of things. I would also need to direct a letter to father for more details without arousing his suspicion.
This was all quickly becoming a distraction from my true goal. I had been pressuring the dean for months for the backing to send a group to the ruins beneath the cobalt peaks. No one else seemed to understand my desire. I once financed an adventuring group to go in my stead but they were never heard from again. Father refused to let me throw more coin at my 'flight of fancy'.
Until I take father's head he has control of much of my wealth. I have my own private investments but I'm going to have to use them to cover for the sister's destructive inclinations, lest father know I touched his coffers.
No one knew what ancient power rested in the ruins beneath the cobalt peaks except for me. Once I have it I'll finally be able to realize my ambitions for this kingdom. No one, not my father, not the king, not the church, and not even some troublesome sisters will be able to stop me. Not that I think the older sibling would even care.
Winter on the other hand was an unknown, for now. The cute younger sister was clearly the stronger of the two and would be the only actual threat of the pair. Once I wield the Maul of Akilon it won't matter. None will be able to challenge me, not in the kingdom of Verdona at the very least.
Queen Azura had a certain ring to it. Time to make it a reality.