Freakshow stirred, metal cuffs biting into the skin on his wrists. With a jolt, Freakshow tried to sit up but was pulled back down by the rather short leash of the chains on his arms. His headband was still on, covering his third eye and a hard metal plate was on top of his forehead holding the headband down. With his head propped up slightly by some pillows, making it easy to glare down at the man sitting at the foot of the bed. The man with shoulder-length blonde hair and skin that was a little lighter than most Kreilans sat on a small stool, bent over a military ceremonial sword that he was polishing. He wore a white and blue military uniform, the jacket open, showing off his muscular chest with a huge scar that carved a path from his left shoulder to his right hip. His uniform color matching the Knight from earlier suggested he was most likely part of the same squad.

  “Hey!” Freakshow barked, when the man took too long to look up. The man glanced up to meet Freakshow’s glare and Freakshow’s eyes widened. Not only were the man’s eyes blue but he had the distinct pink markings around the eyes of a Cerun.

  With an expression of boredom, the man stood and set the polishing cloth down on the floor next to a small bottle of oil. He took a step closer and patted Freakshow’s leg with the flat of his blade, “You don’t seem very concerned about your situation?”

  Freakshow did the best shrug he could while laying down, “I’ve been kidnapped before. My kidnappers don’t tend to live long.”

  The man’s face split into a grin and he barked out a wild laugh. He sheathed his sword, “I like you. The name’s Io by the way.” Io wrapped a knuckle against the cuff around Freakshow’s wrists, “these chains are made with the same metal as Knights, nothing stronger in the world. So good luck with killing us.” Io took a step back and cracked his neck, “Besides Kathan already took you down once.” Io laced his fingers behind his head and turned his back on Freakshow, heading for the door.

  Freakshow lifted his head up slightly to call after him, “You can’t count on me underestimating him twice!”

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  Io flapped his hand dismissively without looking back, “Sure, sure.” Io stepped out of the room and the door slid shut behind him.

  Freakshow scowled at the door for a few seconds before letting his head flop back down on the pillow. He glared up at the ceiling, his anger boiling in the silence until it boiled over. He started thrashing, pulling against the chains until they cut into his skin. His throat vibrated with a frustrated scream that filtered out through his closed lips.

  *

  Walking into the common room, Io unclipped the belt that held his sword and hung it up on the wall with the others, “He’s awake. Threatened me but clearly the chains are enough to hold him so you should be safe, Princess.” Io jumped over the back of one of the couches, landing heavily.

  Across him was the only single chair, on which sat Princess Calmisa, her back straight, her legs crossed, and her eyes closed. Slowly, her green eyes opened and fixed on Io, “Why did you take your sword off? You’re going back in there with me.”

  “Whaaat? I’ve been watching him for hours. I deserve a break.”

  Calmisa stood, pulling her loose blonde curls into a thick ponytail, “You’re not a soldier, you’re a dog, you don’t get breaks.”

  Io dropped his cheek into his hand and grinned up at Calmisa, “Even a dog deserves a bone once in a while, don’t you agree, Princess?”

  Calmisa narrowed her eyes at Io, “I don’t like that lecherous look in your eyes dog.” As she spat the last word, Io tensed, his grin turning to a grimace as pain ripped through him.

  But then a yelp of pain came from the other room, breaking Calmisa’s punishing concentration. Something small streaked out of the bathroom, taking shelter under one of the couches. Seconds later, Faren stumbled out of the bathroom. His uniform jacket was tied around his waist and his undershirt was soaked. His uniform pants were cuffed, showing off a sliver of his metal prosthetic legs. A shallow cut on his cheek dripped blood. “The... the cat!” He gasped.

  Io pointed at the couch the thing had run under. Faren got down on his knees and reached around under the couch until he pulled out a sopping wet and yowling cat. He held it to his chest even as it hissed and shredded up his bare forearms, “I know, I know,” he cooed to the cat, scratching between its ears even as it struggled against him, “baths are unpleasant, I know, but you are just too stinky.” Faren whispered to the cat as he walked back to the bathroom.

  After the door shut behind him, Calmisa sighed, “Come on, Io.”

  With a groan, Io stood back up, “As you command, Princess.”