------------ Dangou ------------

Dangou stared at the muffin on the plate before him and wondered if tasting it would be worth the risk of getting poisoned.

“It’s quite rude to assume that I would result to such methods Mr. Sheen” Eadrid commented, noticing his hesitation, “I assure you that I do not serve freshly baked muffins to those I intend to kill.”

“After all, it would be a horrible waste of food.”

Dangou smiled weakly at his serpentine host, then bit down into the fluffy dough. It was the most amazing berry muffin of his life. The texture was light, but just damp enough to smother the tongue with its sweetness. The berries, no doubt freshly collected from the forests, exuded incredible volumes of juices, invigorating his taste buds with their slight acidity. Dangou nodded as he took another bite. This was definitely worth getting poisoned for.

“Is it to your liking?” Eadrid laughed shyly as Dangou ate ravenously, demolishing muffin after muffin.

Dangou paused, wiping his mouth with the provided napkin and nodded.

“It’s not the worst.” He lied flatly.

The Siren smiled, “Ahhh… I should’ve expected no less from a connoisseur such as Sir Dangou Sheen, but still, would you care for some more?”

Dangou shook his head, albeit hesitantly.

“No thank you,” He refused, “I believe we have more important matters to attend to.”

Eadrid nodded then proceeded to place the dirty plates in the sink. When the table had finally been cleared and the scent of muffins slowly drifted from the room, Eadrid sat down and looked Dangou in the eyes.

“So.” She began, “You said, you were looking for a certain Siren who lived near the Everglade springs and killed the inhabitants of Oakenbrew?”

“Yes, we are.” Dangou replied.

The siren nodded slowly, her expression vacant.

“Well, I certainly do know somebody who fits that bill.” She answered.

Dangou smiled calmly, placing one hand on Osiro’s hilt which had now transitioned to a murky grey.

“But I’m afraid you cannot see her at this moment.” Eadrid finished.

“What?” Dangou frowned, confused.

The small girl giggled as Dangou stood up in frustration.

“Let’s stop playing games Eadrid. Tell me the truth.” He said, placing one hand on the table.

“Was it you who brought about the end of Oakenbrew?”

Eadrid leered mischievously, “What if it was?” She taunted.

“All the same to me.” Dangou grinned back.

The once homely temperature of the room plummeted as the Siren stood up to face her guest. Her once attractive feminine features turned fierce as she let out a deep guttural growl.

“It’s been a pleasure acquainting, Sheen.” She said, eyes cold with bloodlust.

Dangou cracked a smile and shook his head as he drew Osiro.

“Trust me, the pleasure was all mine.”

------------ Queen Eliade ------------

Eliade sighed in relief. At least there remained a few who were loyal, she thought. After requesting that Count Sinclair rise from his knees, she continued to ask him more questions.

“So Count Sinclair,” She started, “Do we have a plan?”

Sinclair nodded, “As soon as Sir Sheen was banished from the empire, I sought it wise to send after him my honour knight.”

“Wait.” The queen knit her brows, “You don’t have an honour accompanying you at all times?”

“Well,” Sinclair replied, “Not to brag, but I’m quite capable of defending myself.”

“Oh.” Eliade blushed. That was a stupid question.

Clearing his throat gently, Sinclair then explained his course of actions.

“I expect that my knight will reach Sir Sheen sometime during this week.” He said, “You must remain calm, and rational. Do not attempt an escape like this again.”

Eliade nodded shyly.

“Obviously, my identity and intentions need to remain unknown.” Sinclair continued, “And when Dangou returns, we will figure out the rest.”

“Is that all?” Eliade frowned, unimpressed.

Sinclair frowned back, slightly hurt.

“Forgive me, but I thought my plan was rather well put together, your majesty.” He argued.

The queen thought for a while, contemplating what could go wrong with the simple plan Sinclair had put forward.

“Okay…” She said slowly, “What if Dangou is not convinced by your knight to return?”

Sinclair smiled, having thought ahead.

“Firstly, it is unlikely that he would pass up an opportunity to return to the empire.” He explained.

“Mhmm.” The queen agreed.

“And secondly, if it came to it, my knight has other methods to convince him.” He said, wearing a borderline - wicked smile.

Eliade paused.

“Your knight… if I remember correctly, is female?” She asked, raising an eyebrow.

Sinclair nodded.

The queen took a moment to think then blushed vigorously.

“I would rather your knight not use… such methods to convince Dangou…” she said, turning to hide her flushed cheeks.

Sinclair knit his brows in confusion, then broke into a chuckle as he realised what the queen was thinking.

“I understand completely, and I assure you, that my knight will not use such tactics.” He laughed, “She is… quite the moral figure to say the least.”

Eliade grinned, satisfied with his response, then invited Sinclair to stand up.

“Now,” She said, “If we’re done discussing, should I head back?”

Suddenly, a deep foreign voice boomed from beyond the foliage. “- That is what is best for the empire, milady.”

Eliade gulped as she stared, back to the wall, at the bushes parting. The voice revealed itself to be Duke Roderick Sven, one of the four established leaders of the council of Nobles. As the man approached, Sinclair stepped before him and bowed.

“Greetings Duke Sven.” He said, “I happened upon her majesty outside her room and was just about to report the matter.”

Roderick nodded.

“If you say so, Mr. Sinclair.” He replied, “But I heard, you were discussing some matters?”

Sinclair smiled calmly.

“Yes sir, I was attempting to convince her majesty to return to her quarters peacefully.”

Eliade frowned. Was this man truly on her side? Or had her trust been betrayed yet again by her subordinates?

Roderick nodded approvingly and pat Sinclair solidly on his back.

“Good effort Count.” He said, “Now let us return the queen to her place.”

Sinclair nodded and stepped behind the Duke as he went to the queen’s side, guiding her back, out from the bushes. As they walk back, Eliade resisted the urge to shout at Sinclair ‘What is the meaning of this?’ but instead kept silent, hoping against all odds that the man had been truthful in his loyalty. When finally the journey had finished and she stepped back into the room, she looked back at the man, spying for a hint of hope. But Sinclair stood still, face unflinching. She sighed and sat on the bed, continuing to stare at her one last hope as the doors closed slowly. Until at the very last moment, through only the final crack of the door, Sinclair winked.

Eliade smiled. Perhaps, there was still hope.

------------ The Siren’s Nest (3) / The Loyalist (2) End ------------