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Leo hugged Elliot back but glanced to the door when voices were heard, "the others are back. we should go see how they liked the market, don't you think?"

Lewis sighed, "actually we needed dear Leo to help Megan out, she gave an idiot a headbutt and did more damage to herself that he." he shook his head and stood, heading over to her with a glass of water. "here, my dear. drink up." he pulled out his handkerchief and wetted it before placing it on her forehead, "poor thing."

Tsume shook his head and knocked on Leo and Elliot's door, "we're back, though i bet you already knew that. Leo, think you could spare a bit of energy for Megan? she's hit her head."

Heather wasn't sure how to take the hug , so she was grateful. she glanced at Adi and saw with subtle body language how the trip had gone. it had been good and she felt relieved they had managed to have a good time. going outside was always dangerous.

Leo stood and gave Elliot a kiss, "I am fine, my love." he opened the door and smiled at Tsume who gave him a worried look, but stepped aside. He surveyed the room and found Lewis with a cloth to Megan's forehead. "i see i'm needed," he head to them and replaced Lewis' hand with his own, gently weaving a healing in through the water on the cloth. "you had fun it seems."

Lewis grinned, "i've grown, i'm bigger and stronger now." he kissed her cheek once Leo took his place, but glanced around for Al, wondering where the king had gone to.

"Oh, of course master!" Adi said, bowing, "forgive us for not showing you before. Hea-" but at the desperate glace shot to her, she changed her mind, "kate, dear? show the master the baths."

Kate bowed and stood, waiting for Kashi to stand before leading him out to the hall and down to where the bathing room was. she began to strip, planning on washing the master as she'd been taught. the supplies were gathered and she stepped into the room sized tub, ready and waiting. her body was covered in scars, some even looking like designed carved into her skin, but all hidden by their clothing.

Heather felt relieved to be out of the same room as the hare. he had too many questions and Heather had said far to much. she would be punished the moment master got his hands on her.

Leo smiled and pulled the cloth away, "you are very welcome." he knew he wasn't suppose to touch her skin so he was very careful to keep his hands on her clothing when he gave her a hug. "did you all have a good time?" he looked around the group and saw they didn't seem much worse for wear. that was good, at least they weren't attacked.

Tsume nodded, "i'll keep an eye on everyone, Henry. you have a good rest."

Kate looked at him curiously, her head cocking to the side. the master did not wish to be bathed? she dropped her eyes and bowed, placing the bathing supplies on the side before moving to the door and kneeling there, waiting to see if she would be needed.

Lewis accepted the glass and took a big drink of it, sighing in relief. "I'd forgotten just how hot it is here. thank you my king." he smiled and nodded to Leo, "it was-interesting. didn't see much. was too worried about you boys back here."

Adi bowed, "is there anything we can get for you masters?"

Adi bowed, "i shall fet it from the kitchens, master. please wait a moment." she stood and hurried out, having a feeling that if Heather went out they wouldn't see her again. ever.

Heather kept her eyes on the ground, having no idea what to do. she knew that Adi sensed something was wrong just as she knew that the moment she was out of these master's sight, she would be taken. would she end up like KAte? mindless, her eyes already dead? or would she just be killed? she prayed that death would be her fate, a much kinder one that any other that might be in store for her.

Kashi didn't need worry, Kate's listless eyes were fixed on the ground between her knees and didn't move from that spot. she was just waiting to be ordered to service the master however he wished.

Leoclapped his hands, "oh yes! Your majesty? might i beg a favor of you? you see, things are getting difficult for me, already i've been nearly to the point of collapse," he made it seem as if he were exaggerating, even though he wasn't. "Might i beg you make dear Heather my personal servant for our stay here? if i find she is helpful enough, i might even see that we can acquire her services permanently. is that alright with you?"

Lewis' eyes widened at the request, but it turned into a smile, his hand on al's elbow. "if it is an order from the king, one of equal standing, and to help the future heirs of our land, i doubt even Istavia would be able to protest."

Tsume was leaning against the wall, surveying them all, but LEo's request lifted an eyebrow. if he saved one, he'd want to save them all. however, at least he would be able to help one soul. it was better than none

"A~di," a singsong voice drifting to her from the shadows made the bentien freeze, her hands full with the bucket of ice she was bringing. Istavia slide out of the shadows and drapped across the slave's shoulders, his fingers grasping tightly dispite the languid way he hung off her. "dearest Adi i've an order for you." his mouth was against her ear as he spoke, making her shiver. "little heather has been a bad, bad girl. she needs to be punished." his lips trailed lower as he spoke, to the slave's neck., "her final punishment.," his lips grazed just over Adi's mark, making the little girl tremble in his arms. "you know what to do, don't you Adi?"

"Y-Yes," she finally managed to whisper, feeling sick as the king withdrew and left her. she closed her eyes for a second before hurrying back to the room, composing herself for what she had to do. in the end it would be a blessing. it would hurt, but it would be her last pain, her last suffering before she was given that sweet, sweet release of death. "Forgive the delay, master. here is your ice. shall i prepare a drink for you?" she asked as she walked into the room, bowing low.

Heather didn't know what to say or do. how could she process this? these people, these kind, kind people were taking her for themselves? were protecting her? were taking her in? tears filled her eyes and she bowed low, "as you wish masters." Adi came in and Heather hurried to help, willing to do anything for them. so great was her joy, she didn't notice the tiny oddities in how Adi was acting, like she normally would.

Leo was glad that the king had agreed, "Thank you so much, Adi. you are such a hard worker." the boy dropped his eyes and mumbled something about it being his duty, but there was something off. Leo frowned a little and looked to Lewis, who had seen it as well.

"Adi, dear, let HEather take care of it. come and sit by us." he patted the chair, but after a slight hesitation, Adi sat at his feet, his eyes following Heather. "what is it, dear? can you tell me?"

Heather shook her head, her hands clenching in fists, "m-my master was waiting for me in the hall. i was frightened, that is all. please forgive me masters." it was true, just not the whole truth.

Tsume huffed, "Thought i smelled that grease bomb. want me to go kill him?"

Istavia laughed, "ah, good king Al! i was just on my way back. was making sure the bentiens were taking care of my precious guests." he lifted an eyebrow at the mention of the attack, "of course you saw that. wicked kingdom, the kasp. always giving and taking back. tisk, tisk." he shook his head and leaned against the wall, "Ah, you asked what was hit. just a city, no great loss. all people of worth had already been extracted, only the worthless were left. let them die, i say. no need for them." he laughed, "so their great weapon meant nothing. what a waste."

Kate stood and bowed before heading out, not bothering to dress. she hurried to Tsume and paused, "M-Master," she whispered, her voice hoarse as she bowed low. "master Kashi needs your aid as well as clothing in the bath." she glanced to Tsume and then back down, "he asked for you, master. forgive me."

Heather came and sat beside Adi, distracted by Kate as she looked up at the sound of the bentien's voice. Adi leaned forward and gave her a hug, smiling softly as she whispered, "i release you." her fingers pressed to Heather's mark and she held her as the poison slowly set in, not allowing her body to flail. Everyone was distracted by Kate, it was her best chance.

Leo frowned, his attention also having been drawn to Kate, but there was something off, something wrong. he glanced around and saw Adi holding Heather close, tears falling down his cheeks. "Elliot." he whispered, his eyes widening, "ELLIOT!" he ran across the room, pushing the sobbing Adi away as he took Heather into his arms. "Elliot! the mark!" he looked up in fear before closing his eyes and pressing his hand to his throat. "come on, come on, come on!" he was so far gone, the poison almost at it's last moments.

Heather touched his hand and smiled, unable to speak, peace in her eyes. her hand fell as her body grew limp, her eyes lifeless.

"I won't let you die!" his eyes turned white as his body began to glow, his powers taking over for the third time in his life. a snow began to fall over Heather, turning black when it touched the still form, taking the poison from his body.

"Oh, it's starting!" Istavia hurried to the door and flung it open, looking in on the scene with widened eyes. "beautiful! so much power. to deny even death itself, fantastic!" he laughed, the glow turning his face a sickly hue. he had been a fool before. he should have destroyed this boy, taken his mind and made him his own personal pet. it wasn't too late, it was never too late.

Istavia wasn't the only one standing in awe. Tsume stared at Leo, his eyes wide. such strength and power, it was amazing. "he truly shall be the savior of our world." he whispered, hope filling his heart

Slowly the light began to fade and Leo looked at the Retan king, his eyes cold as ice, "you shall not win this battle, oh false king." the light faded completely and leo passed out on top of Heather, his body limp.

Heather gasped, her eyes opening as she arched as best she could under Leo's weight. "W-What?" she looked around and saw the king, "M-master. please, i'm sorry. i'm sorry." she hadn't even died properly.

Istavia looked at the slave and smiled, "congratulations, pet. you've just earned the right to serve the little prince." he turned to leave, but paused, looking at Adi, "you, however have failed me, little one." his eyes narrow and Adi dropped her eyes, her arms wrapping around herself. she knew what was coming to her. he'd leave her to think of that for now. without another word, he left, humming happily.

Tsume ran to Leo, trying to catch him, but it was too late. he helped lift LEo off the bentien and lifted him, "we need to get him in water. Kate, where's the tub?"

Kate wasn't sure what was going on, but she did understand the order of the tub. she started leading the way, but a barked order to hurry had her running. she stopped inside of the room, the master running past her and jumping into the water with the other master still waiting.

Lewis was sitting wide eyed, unable to react. slowly his gaze turned to Al, "he glowed," he whispered softly, that sticking out the most in his mind

Tsume stroked Leo's hair and looked down at him, the other breathing deeply, causing him to sigh in relief. "thank the gods." he didn't take any damage from this healing. he would be fine, was just tired. "sorry, Kashi. good thing your bad is waterproof." he gave a tiny grin before looking at Elliot, "he'll be ok. just is tired, needs to sit in the water for a while to recover."

Lewis cocked hsi head to the side, "i was there?" he looked at Adi and saw he was about to go mad with what the king had said. "hey," he said softly, moving to the floor to wrap his arms around the boy. Adi flinched and tried to pull away, but Lewis wasn't allowing it. he held him close and just gently rocked him, stroking his hair to try and calm him the best he could.