Zakiriya Kotane's Story

A Few Weeks Later

It had been a handful of weeks after the incident in the port city. Zakiriya had been plagued by his familiar nightmares, but added to them now was the mage woman who kept calling him an Airelian. He didn't know what the words meant, or what kind of meaning he should have been taking from them. So... now he knew he wasn't a resident of Vallrien, but wasn't that obvious in the first place? His eye's, hair and even his skin tone were different from the people on this continent.

To add to it, though, the woman had continued and said a handful of things that made him wonder. His magic, for one, that he never knew he had possessed in the first place, was a mystery still. He couldn't figure out how to use it, much less control it and thus he did all the he could to not use it. Which he succeeded in very well. Zak's strange ability to heal rapidly was also something else she mentioned. Were all Airelian's like this? Healing rapidly despite the severity of the wounds? He supposed he would never really know, unless he met one.

Still, in light of all of his questions and wanting to learn more about what that woman had said, he hadn't the time to do so. Or rather, he didn't give himself the time. Perhaps Zakiriya was just afraid of what he would find, and afraid of what Bethany would do if she found out more about him too. He didn't know how relations were between the two races, but he knew one thing for certain. He would serve the Queen to his dying breath, if only it was so easy to prove that to her.

In the past few weeks, he'd been at her side constantly. He'd become her shadow and whispers around the palace had begun. Zakiriya found himself hearing 'nick names' being made for him. Some more... imaginative, than others. The young knight didn't care though. So long as Bethany would have him, he would serve her. She was the same as ever, her jokes usually falling short on him, but he was beginning to think that he was catching on. Maybe.

Zak had thwarted a handful of attempts on her life, none as challenging as the mage had been for him. He was quick to dispatch any who got near her with evil intentions. The knight was also learning that Bethany didn't like for him to just kill the offender automatically. In light of that, he was trying to adjust and just subdue the attackers without mortal wounds... though he still wounded them.

He was also confronted by the one knight that he'd hoped to keep away from during his time since being switched to Bethany's personal guard. Fyi had sought him out a few times, since word had finally reached the barracks of his transfer. The blonde haired foreigner was the same as always, trying to get a violent reaction from Zakiriya via his jests and prodding. The man found that insulting Zakiriya's ability to defend the Queen was one sure way to get under the young knights thick skin. Even so, Zak had yet to strike out at the man. He was sure Fyi was trying his damndest though.

Aside from Fyi and the handful of assailants that often attempted to get to Bethany, things seemed to be going very well. In all honesty, it made Zakiriya edgy. He wasn't sure what to think. Things seemed... too easy. Having killed the mage woman, nothing else had happened regarding anyone wielding magic, and those that attacked the Queen were certainly no assassin, or wielders of magic. The young knight was starting to feel as if he was seriously missing something.

As he was preparing to go meet his Queen before her day started, a knock echoed through his dim chambers. The sun hadn't risen yet and so he had a single candle lit to give some light upon the small room that served as his quarters. He turned to the door, staring at it for a moment, a slight frown on his lips. Finishing buckling the weapon to his side, he moved and opened it. Inwardly he groaned, but outwardly he only stared at the blonde haired knight that grinned at him from the hall.

"Up early, Kotane."

Zakiriya didn't say anything in response, only stood there. What did the blonde want this time? It was definitely rare for the man to come to the dark haired knight at such an ungodly hour. Fyi's smile flickered into a sneering frown when he didn't get a response. He quickly composed himself though and took a step forward. Zakiriya moved, not liking the close proximity of the other. Fyi glanced around the small room briefly.

"Well, you always were the quiet one, Zak. And so tidy too. The epitome of a perfect knight. You know, it really pisses me off. You have this... air, about you that says you're better than everyone else. Except the problem is, no one wants to take you down a few pegs. But I will," Fyi stated sharply.

Zakiriya lifted an eyebrow as he regarded the other knight. What the hell was he talking about?

"People call you the 'Queen's Hellhound', or 'Guard Dog'. Hell," Fyi gave a sharp laugh, "I've even heard you called 'Reaper'. You certainly made a name for yourself, Zak. A couple of names. But... I think it's time to change all of that, don't you?" Fyi's voice had dropped to a dangerous level which put Zak on guard.

His body tensed as the other Knight moved surprisingly fast. One hand grabbed Zak's wrist -his sword arm- and the other slammed something up against his face. Both men stumbled backwards, Fyi pushing Zakiriya up against the wall of his room, next to the small cot. Zak's free hand gripped Fyi's that was locked over his nose and mouth, a sickening smell filling his mouth as he tried to breath. He was losing his strength rapidly, a dull pounding starting at the back of his skull and slowly working it's way forward.

Zakiriya struggled to say upright, weakly pulling his other arm to try to free himself and grab his weapon. It only took a few minutes, and Zak was slowly slumping down the wall until he hit the floor, weak and half conscious. The cloth wasn't removed though as Fyi's voice filled the haze that was starting to bring Zakiriya into a void of darkness.

"I wonder how well you'll convince the Queen you're innocent when you can't even speak properly as it is. Of course, knowing you, you'll just allow it to happen, won't you? I know a couple of things about you, Zak. Many of those things are going to be your undoing," Fyi leaned forward, whispering into Zak's ear right before he faded out, "Once you're gone, the Queen will be very vulnerable again. Just exactly what we wanted. So sorry," Fyi laughed.

---

Zakiriya was slowly starting to regain consciousness. He groaned heavily and shifted. His body was upon hard, cold marble and as he opened his eyes just a bit, he noted that blurry figures that were around him. With the position of everyone and the way he was facing he soon figured he was in the throne room. Both hands were tied roughly before him as he lay there. His limbs felt like lead and his breathing was slow. He could hear a voice, Fyi's to be precise and he frowned, wincing as the next thing he felt was one hell of a headache.

"Forgive my intrusion, My Lady," Fyi was saying, "But I have awful news for you. During routine inspection of the barracks..." he paused, almost as if he didn't want to say anything more. His voice was well toned, his acting must have been perfected for this moment. Zakiriya tried to move, but failed to do much of anything. The blonde knight continued, "We... found several things within Knight Kotane's room. I'm regretfully informing you that he has been caught committing high treason. We have sufficient evidence and reason to believe that he has been planning for your death, My Lady."

We... who is we? Zak thought groggily. Then he heard someone shifting on his other side, where his back was turned and he couldn't see. However, the voice was recognizable enough.

"Please, forgive me, your Highness," the Captain's voice rang out, deep and expressing his true feelings of regret and remorse, "I... hadn't known. I am to blame for putting you in the hands of one who was so dangerous. If there is anything that I may do to regain your favor... I am... truly at a loss as to what has been found and brought to light."

"My Lady, if I may suggest, putting him in the dungeons for now while you decide his punishment? He is like this now only because I was forced to subdue him after he attacked me. He is dangerous, My Lady. I wouldn't want to put your life in further danger."

Zak felt a heavy weight seemingly crush his entire body. He couldn't move, he couldn't speak. How was he to see how lady Bethany was taking this all? What would she do anyway? The young knight was at a loss, and to have his Captain there as well, speaking in turn with Fyi... she was sure to be won over. He closed his eyes. If she was... then he would accept it. The only thing he could do for her was try to warn her about Fyi. If he even got the chance to.

---

---

Bethany’s heels clicked rapidly against the cold marble as she strode towards the throne room, like a bull drawn towards red. Pursuing her was a host of attendants, including Cassidy, all of whom seemed on the brink of exertion as they hurried to keep pace with her highness. She’d been summoned to the throne room this late morning on an emergency, interrupting the negotiations between her and Vallrien’s sister country, Gholcratz. Of course she’d declined at first, to leave then would have been highly discourteous to their guests, but the message came directly from her Captain of guards. All morning she’d requested to know the location of chevalier Kotane, perturbed by his absence, now it seemed he’d been arrested. The vital information absent from the dispatch was why?

The wide, gilded doors to the throne room flung open with the force of a battering ram as Bethany entered; so fast that even the guards posted outside failed to respond in time, just barely snapping to attention as she passed. Awaiting her inside were five men and all eyes were drawn to her presence, her command, as she stepped through the doors wrought with angels and lions. She gazed at the spectacle before her, a shadow passing over her face as she recognized each individual, chief among them being Zakiriya. The disheveled guardsman was restrained on the floor, his limbs bound by ropes behind his back.

“Explain to me why chevalier Kotane is constrained Captain,” she asked, suppressing her foul mood for the time.

One man eventually found the courage to address her, Fyi. If she recalled correctly, the knight had been a part of Zakiriya’s previous assignment, a colleague, although the two had never acted as anything but adversaries.

"Forgive my intrusion, My Lady, but I have awful news for you. During routine inspection of the barracks..." he began, his voice level and authorative, “We... found several things within Knight Kotane's room. I'm regretfully informing you that he has been caught committing high treason. We have sufficient evidence and reason to believe that he has been planning for your death, My Lady.”

“I believe I addressed the Captain,” she snapped, silencing the soldier. Cassidy winced involuntarily. Most of the ceremonial cabinet hovered outside the hall, deciding that would have been better than entering the actual chamber.

"Please, forgive me, your Highness. I... hadn't known. I am to blame for putting you in the hands of one who was so dangerous. If there is anything that I may do to regain your favor... I am... truly at a loss as to what has been found and brought to light," said the wizened commander, shaking his head ashamedly.

"My Lady, if I may suggest, putting him in the dungeons for now while you decide his punishment? He is like this now only because I was forced to subdue him after he attacked me. He is dangerous, My Lady. I wouldn't want to put your life in further danger," Fyi ventured, chancing her wrath a second time. The young knight didn’t seem particularly upset at the prospect of betrayal, even from amongst their own ranks. Bethany knew men like Fyi, a certain breed of self-centered that thrived within Vallrien’s society, and when meshed with his tone, it left her with the vague impression that this farce may not be entirely professional.

After listening to them Bethany studied Zakiriya, perhaps hoping for a sign of protest, but the man’s eyes closed then. In the past month or so he’d never given a reason to suspect him, even with an abundance of opportunities at his fingertips. Was he so meticulous that he’d planned around her? Was she meant to take his silence as an admission of guilt? “Show me the evidence,” she stated, swallowing her suspicions, “Sergeant Major Cassidy?”

“Your highness?” responded the man, adjusting his spectacles habitually.

“You’re going to take chevalier Kotane to the holding cells,” she ordered, giving the scholar a long, hard stare, “And if the evidence warrants, we’ll hold a trial.”

Also... the Captain doesn't have a name XD Sorry sorry >.>

Zakiriya's heart sunk heavily. Though that shouldn't have been a big surprise. He hadn't been able to find his voice, or words to say that he was innocent. Far too groggy, too heavy with whatever drug had been administered, he was lucky to have started gaining consciousness again.

Hands gripped his arms, pulling him up and his body was righted, making him groan slightly, wincing from the sudden pounding in his head. He was turned, and with one eye slightly cracked open, he gazed at Bethany. Allowing the person to move him, he leaned over to Bethany, his voice cracked as he tried to get words out to her in barely a whisper.

"Fyi... be careful," he managed before wincing again and stumbling as he was led from the throne room.

Fyi crossed his arms, an eyebrow lifting briefly as he watched Zak lean over to Bethany. Whatever was said was lost on him. Clearing his face he looked back to Bethany, "My Lady, I will gather that evidence for you, but it will take a bit of time. For now, perhaps I will leave our dear Captain in charge of you?"

---

“I’ll see it now,” she breathed, her voice metered even as she considered Zakiriya’s parting words. A warning? Or a desperate appeal? Uncharacteristic as the later was, Bethany acknowledged the frequent necessity of revising her opinions of others.

The more she thought about the situation, the more it appeared liked a petty squabble between rivaling chevaliers. It wasn’t uncommon. Differing personalities tended to clash, just like the representatives of her own council. Despite that knowledge, and her calm outward appearance, a portion of her resented the fact. Here she was attempting to secure their country’s future by establishing trade routes and her own knights couldn’t even keep from each other’s throats. What would she look like if she couldn’t resolve simple internal affairs?

Bethany greeted Fyi’s attention with a measured gaze. No matter what she thought of this farce, she’d observe the appropriate protocols. To do anything less would demean her and Zakiriya. “I’ll let the evidence speak for itself. As you can imagine chevalier Regale, this is a serious accusation,” Bethany said, advancing on Fyi and the Captain with a stoic expression, “Since the nature of this case is no longer private, I intend to uncover the truth of this swiftly.”

“I am the queen of Vallrien, my eyes and ears are everywhere,” she stated, allowing her tone to synchronize with the tension of the room, “As such, I’m certain you’re also aware of the penalty for regicide. It is not a simple death.”

---

"So..." Cassidy started slowly, gaining Zakiriya's attention just barely as he helped the slightly stumbling knight down the hall.

Whatever had been in that drug was affecting his system on a higher level. He could hardly talk, hardly move and hardly think. Normally, it would have only taken him a few hours to recover from something like a sleeping drought, but this was... very different. The usually graceful and silent footed knight, was stumbling and his footsteps loud across the floor.

"You have nothing to say towards this... accusation? You know, that's going to have Lady Bethany thinking it's true," Cassidy stated as he pulled at Zakiriya's arms to keep him upright, "Good God, can't you walk?"

The room was spinning for him and he finally just gave up and fell sideways, hitting the wall where he braced himself and tried to breathe properly. He looked over to Cassidy who hovered over him with worry and suspicion. Zak shook his head as he took deep, quick breathes of air. After a while, he managed to say a few things to Cassidy and hoped the man would believe him... or trust him enough to do as he was about to ask.

"Untie me... Fyi is..." he ground his teeth, "Don't leave her... Take me back..." one thing was for certain in Zakiriya's eyes. He was going to kill Fyi next chance he got. He could only hope that he could fight well enough to do so.

________________________________________


Fyi's eyebrow lifted, "You want to see it now? Alright, well, if you insist, I can't say no. I'll take you there. And if I may," his gaze shot to the people lingering outside, "I don't wish to further tarnish your knights reputation. Perhaps... just the three of us?" he suggested as he gestured to Bethany, the Captain, and himself.

Once that was settled, he brushed past her and the Captain and started down the hall outside the throne room, leading the way to the barracks.

---

Cassidy studied the man's desperate expression, his own a mask of incredulous disbelief. "You're asking me to defy Queen Lyon's orders? Based on what?" he asked, realizing belatedly that Zakiriya was hardly in a fit enough state to reply. Part of him suspected now that the knight's clumsiness was not entirely of his own choosing.

Shaking his head, the Sergeant Major stepped aside, distancing himself from the restrained chevalier. He had to resist the urge to glance around the empty hallway, feeling as though the act alone would have incriminated him. The holding cells were located in a separate building outside of the castle and there was still plenty of journey between them.

"I can't free you Kotane. Even if I did and I assume this isn't some plot to escape, you hardly seem like you'd be able to help her anyway," he frowned, adjusting his glasses. Abruptly, the scholar lowered his voice. "Of course, it can't really be helped if you had somehow managed to overpower me, and then in that moment somehow managed to free yourself."

________________________________________


"Certainly," Bethany nodded and then proceeded to dismiss the inquisitive assembly with a wave. There was some confusion as the gathering dispersed, unguided and suddenly without purpose. Some were doubtlessly jubilant to be free of the tedium, even if only briefly. Others would spend the rest of the day guessing as to what happened here.

She then gestured kindly towards the Captain, "After you, Captain."

---

Zakiriya eyed Cassidy for a while. He was still slouched against the wall, his breathing still erratic. Then the man's voice lowered as he adjusted his glasses. For a moment it didn't register to Zak what the other man was implying. However, once it did, Zak seemed to straighten against the wall. He gave a nod to the man as his gaze flicked from one side to the other in the empty hall.

The young knight pushed himself up to his feet, resting against the wall for a moment before he took a deep breath to try to calm his unsteady body, "Forgive me... I will take responsibility," he said softly.

"And... come quickly, when you can," he said as an afterthought because if anything Cassidy was right about his current state. He could damn well try, but succeeding was going to be an entirely different matter when it came to protecting the Queen. With that said, he rushed Cassidy to slam him into the wall of the hallway.

Once that was done, Zak looked around and when he was satisfied, broke a vase against the table. He paused for a moment, dizzy yet again and concentrated on breathing. His fingers touched the sharpened edges of the vase and he eventually managed to cut himself free from the ropes, but with cuts of his own across his hands and wrists.

Those he ignored and quickly set off down the hall.

---

Fyi took Bethany down the hall to the barracks, the Captain right behind him and following him was Bethany. The trio came to a slow halt outside the door of Zakiriya's room. Fyi motioned for the Queen to step forward to it as he opened the door, "Excuse the mess it was thoroughly searched," he said as the door was opened for them to see the state of the room. The once tidy room that never had a speck of dust or had anything out of place was a disaster. The bed was over turned, drawers strewn across the room with their contents upended upon the floor.

Fyi allowed the Queen to moved first as he fell behind her. His voice was soft as he spoke to her, "He's so tidy that he keeps everything hidden away fairly well, my Lady. It took quite the search to find what we wanted." Fyi moved rather quickly then. One arm wrapped around her, under one arm and up over to her shoulder. He held her tightly against him as he put cold steel up against her throat.

"I have to admit it was rather easy to get him out of the way. A necessity though seeing as he trails your every step. It took quite a long time to get the timing just right, to catch him without you by his side. He's so damned alert it's such a pain in the ass," he growled and then leaned into her ear, "But that's done now. It's been a... pleasure my Lady," he said in a growl and pressed the knife harder against her throat in preparation to cut.

Fyi let out a howl of pain and rage and stumbled away from her briefly, the knife falling from his fingers. Recovering rather quickly, he hauled her back into his grip and whirled around to see who had thrown that knife that now stuck out of his forearm. He growled, "Damn you... how is it you're still standing," Fyi cursed.

Standing -just barely- at the end of the hall of the barracks, Zakiriya swayed slightly. Fyi glowered at him, "And why are you still armed?" his voice was just above a whisper of anger as he asked this. The dark haired knight ignored him, instead his cold icy blue eyes settled on Bethany, giving her a quick glance over to make sure she was alright aside from being held hostage in Fyi's grip.

He was fairly sure that wouldn't last long though, if he knew his Queen well enough. What was odd, though, was that the Captain did nothing. Fyi's voice snapped through his thoughts, "Kill him,"

Zakiriya's heart seemed to clench tightly in his chest as the large burly Captain turned to him. Zak moved slightly, stumbling again and braced himself against the wall. For a moment his thoughts were simple... this was going to hurt later. Taking a deep breath, he reached into his clothes and withdrew another set of knives. Pushing off the wall he whirled into action, the small projectiles flying through the air with a distinct ringing sound as they went.

The taller Captain drew his sword and moved out of the way of two of the knives, the third deflected by his sword. Zak grit his teeth and took a quick look towards his room. His sword should still be in there. If he could just get inside the room... With that decided he rushed the larger man. Dropping down under the slash, he drew another small knife and slashed out at the Captain's leg. The blade only did a small cut that was sure to just annoy the man. Rising up, his knife caught against the sword and the two struggled for a moment. Zakiriya couldn't hold against the overpowering strength of the Captain.

Throwing his weight, he disengaged from the sword and threw a kick into the man's side, just barely getting him to move to the side. Twisting again, he lashed out, his boot hitting the flat of the blade and sending the weapon into an odd angle. One final twist with the added momentum he'd built up, he slammed the heel of his boot into the man's hand, forcing him to drop the sword now. The large man retaliated with a punch towards Zak's jaw. Moving just barely out of the way, he used his arm to direct the oncoming attack away from him further. Coming in close again, he landed his own punch to the Captain's stomach. A soft grunt came from the larger knight.

Zakiriya was suddenly struggling to breath as a knee crashed into his chest, hands on his back pushing him further down into the attack. The young knight coughed and crumpled to the floor. For the single moment that he lay there, he felt his fatigue catching up rather quickly and wondered if he was even going to make it for very much longer to save Bethany. Hands gripped the back of his shirt and pants and he was suddenly lifted upwards into the air. A sharp breath was the only sign of his shock at the sudden display of power and strength.

The Captain quite literally dragged the smaller knight up and over his head. With a slight running step he turned sideways just enough and threw Zakiriya through the door into his room. Zak shouted in shock and then hit the wall with a sharper cry before crumpling into the ruined bed and rolling to the floor off the mattress. Dizzy and tasting blood in his mouth, Zak started to push himself up. Catching a foot to his chest, he was knocked backwards onto his back. Rolling slightly he got to his hands and knees.

Standing up, he faced the Captain who struck him across his jaw, knocking him back a step. Following that a heavy kick to his chest again and he slammed into the wall where he dropped to his knees, coughing up blood now. His vision swam in and out but as he stared at the floor for a moment, he realized he was staring at the belt that held his sword. Zakiriya coughed again, tasting the coppery warmth of blood still and snatched up the belt in his hands.

The side of the Captains boot connected to his shoulder and he hit the floor, sliding a bit from the force of it. Hearing the heavy blade in his hands scrap across the ground his fingers found the hilt and in one motion withdrew it from the sheath. Zakiriya got to his knees and as the Captain came again for another hit, he lashed out with his sword. The larger man shouted and backed away. Zak got to his feet, the hand holding his sword crackling with white light.

Without a glance to Bethany or any hesitation in the least, Zakiriya lunged forward. His speed was shocking in light of his condition. The weapon lashed out very quickly. Two deep gashes across the man's large chest and then one final thrust straight through his chest. Zakiriya only came to a halt once his blade was deep in the Captain's chest cavity and through his heart. Wrenching the weapon free he watched the man slowly stumble back and hit the wall where he slid down to the floor.

He left the room and located Bethany. Putting himself in front of her, he looked to where Fyi was standing and next to the blonde knight was a woman he had never seen before. She grinned at him as she wrapped a hand around Fyi who seemed to be injured further, "Seems the knight still lives. What a pity," the woman voiced softly.

"It won't matter soon though. You can't stop us all, little Airelian. That woman will die, and you'll join her too," the hall seemed to shimmer as her magic wrapped around herself and Fyi. In the next instant, they were both gone. Zak's breath had been taken by the sheer amount of power that woman had. He trembled slightly and then reached out to steady himself as he was losing his balance again. His hand missed the wall and he instead hit the wall rather hard and dropped to the floor. Shifting around, he moved so that he could face Bethany.

"Forgive me..." he said to her softly as he watched Bethany from his place on the floor.

---

---

Zakiriya was laid up on something. It was warm, and the feel of it was different. It was probably what woke him. Since when did he fall asleep though? He couldn't really remember. The last thing he remembered, just barely, was killing the Captain and then Fyi after that being swept away by some woman. Finally, asking for forgivness from Bethany. He didn't remember if she'd answered him or not. It was nothing but darkness from that moment.

The young knight turned his head to try to see where he was, half expecting to be laid up in a cell. However, when he didn't see any bars around him, he was slightly surprised... or maybe he was relieved. The room was large, with other beds strewn out across it. Zakiriya recognized it as the healers room, a large ward located near the center of the palace, not far from the Queen's room actually.

Settled with where he was, his next task was to locate Bethany. Unsure of how long he'd been unconscious, or if she was truly alright, his first priority was her. Moving, he pushed himself up feeling a groggy sort of headache attack him, almost as if he'd slept for too long. Tossing the blankets aside, he pulled his body off the bed. He could feel bandages lacing his frame. For a moment he wondered why and tried to remember when he'd gotten injured. Zak ignored it though as things were still a bit hazy.

Sword... he thought groggily and searched for his weapon, which he could not find. A frown pulled his lips and he turned to head for the door.

"And where would you be going?" challenged a voice.

Sitting in the corner of the room, the queen's dark eyes scrutinized him from behind her book's covers. Bethany was resting comfortably in her arm chair, legs crossed, and despite his concerns; was more or less unscathed. "Don't worry, no one's going to attack you here," she stated very matter-of-factly.

Placing the book in her lap, she pursed her lips at the sight of his bandages. Evidently, not much time had elapsed since the incidence in his room for she still wore the same attire she wore then, down to the scattered specks of brown from Fyi's wound. "Rest, or do I have to give you an order everytime you get injured to look after yourself?"

Zakiriya whirled around at the sound of the Queen's voice. His first thought was to kneel, but as she continued he felt as he were being berated... which he probably was. Glancing around the room, he finally settled with a slight inward sigh, reserving himself to just stand there until she finished. Bowing his head to her, he wasn't entirely sure what to say in response. Or if he should say anything at all and just go back to the bed. The knight was still worried though, and with something like that happening so easily, he was even more driven to be at her side.

"My Lady, are you alright?" he asked, turning the conversation and hoping that she didn't avoid it as well and 'order' him. He on the other hand, was quite alright, aside from the headache.

In response to his question, Bethany's expression darkened for the briefest of moments. She always knew people close to her would conspire against her, reminding herself that she shouldn't have been surprised or shocked at the Captain or Fyi's betrayal. Sometimes detaching her emotions was all she could manage to keep reality in check. She willed herself to stay away from that place in her heart, an ebon well of hate and remorse. Willed and failed.

"As you can see, I'm doing quite alright," she smiled, "At the very least, better than you are. You'll be glad to know that your name has been cleared, for the time being."

Time being.... which means I'm still suspected, he looked down to the floor, silence filling the space as he contemplated that. Zakiriya supposed it was only natural. Yet again, he was feeling that same hit to his pride. There was really only one way to fix that though. He would have to be more careful in the furture and show her that he was nothing but loyal to her. Saying it, though, felt as if he were trying to polish something that shouldn't be. Words... just didn't do the trick. He gave her a nod in response.

Zakiriya pulled one hand up and gave her a bow, an elegant one, "My Lady, my life is yours."

She caught herself smirking, his declaration oddly reassuring amidst the turbulence of her own thoughts. "And I'll keep telling you I don't want it. Live for yourself. No one owns the right to any life other than their own," she chuckled, apparently amused by his act of loyalty, "Remember Chevalier Kotane, you're no use to me dead."

Zakiriya straightened, watching her without hesitation, "I live to serve, my Lady, and I will not die so easily," it was a rather presumptious thing to say he was sure, but... after all of the things that had happened so far. It was definitely the truth. His unwavering gaze held hers as he spoke.

"Good," she replied smoothly, matching his gaze. "Life is a precious, frivilous thing."

Satisfied he was alright for the moment; Bethany made to stand, effectively concluding their conversation. There was still much work to be done, and now with the matter of Fyi's treachery revealed, she had a veritable back log of issues to resolve. Claiming her novel, the title flashed quickly before him, reading 'The Known World: Airelia'. "Here, you might find this educational," she said before tossing him the text. "Tell me what you think when you're done."

Zakiriya caught the book deftly, turning it over he eyed the title, an eyebrow lifting slightly. His hands held it as he opened it somewhat gingerly. He wasn't sure he wanted to know. Fear of the contents kept him from turning the pages even more, but he was so curious at the same time. His hesitation was clear as he stood there, eyeing it. Finally he looked up at her, hands closing it, but tucking it under his arm, "Thank you. I will prepare to accompany you," he said softly. He would read the book later, probably that night when he was not busy with her daily duties of running around the palace. Or perhaps in this case, trying to figure out what she was going to do about Fyi and the Captain. He was sure there was going to be a lot of backlash about that.

"Didn't I just tell you to rest?" she mused. The queen sighed eventually, depressing her small shoulders. "Nevermind, if you have enough energy waste you might as well help me out a little. Come, I'll assign you some appropriate tasks. Chevalier Dufrain will take over your duties for the remainder of the day until the situation has calmed."