( No Title )
Chains of the Dragon (17944 words) by thesavagesabretooth
October 2, 2028– 7:05 am Khura’in time
Apollo didn’t bother Nahyuta in his office often. They were both busy. If anything, Nahyuta was busier than he was. But this… this seemed important. Besides, it was practically about the job, anyway.
Apollo stood awkwardly outside in the hall while the guard went and told Nahyuta that he had someone to see him.
A moment later the guard opened the palace door to gesture Apollo inside. It seemed, no matter how busy Nahyuta must have been, he’d told the guard to send him in immediately.
Despite the circumstances, Apollo felt a little flush of pleasure finding that Nahyuta would see him so quickly. He gave a little nod to the guard, and hurried into the office that he still wasn’t used to seeing.
The office was pleasant, though hardly overcrowded or highly decorated. Large windows lay open to allow the breeze in, as plants– rather similar to Rayfa’s– grew over the windowsill to attract the Khurainese butterflies to the sill while he worked.
A low table of carved wood and stone carried mounds of paperwork and a number of rubber stamps and pads, along with– he noticed what seemed to be a small stitched doll of Los Angeles’ local mascot. Likely bought the last time he’d visited with Ema.
A shrine sat behind Nahyuta, decorated with the statue of the Holy Mother and burning incense and a bundle of flowers, along with some comfortable cushions to sit on.
Currently, the prosecutor was half bent over the table with a note of subtle frustration as he stamped another case file’s surface and tossed it to the pile.
“Sorry to bother you when you’re busy, Nahyuta,” he said, rubbing his neck as he approached where he was sitting.
Nahyuta pushed the stack away before he sat up. The frustration smoothed away– and once more everything stilled into the placid lake that was Nahyuta’s serene smile.
He took a deep breath, and bowed his head. “It is never a bother when it’s you, Apollo. Please, have a seat. I have some tea left if you’d like.”
Apollo smiled awkwardly, and sat down carefully in front of him. “I wouldn’t say no, if it isn’t a bother.”
It’s always so nice to see him. I wish we could make more time for it, but it’s been so busy…
Nahyuta reached to his side, where a small heated stand sat to the left of the shrine, taking the pot off the top of it and brushing some papers aside to set out a pair of cups. He’d stopped wearing the glove. The defiant dragon tattoo was clearly visible every time he moved his hand now. After everything, at least he could be unashamed of his past.
“Never a bother.” he said again with a quiet chuckle. “It’s been a while since you’ve come to visit me in my office, however.”
“We’ve all been so busy,” he sighed. His gaze lingered on Nahyuta’s hands for a moment. “Actually, that’s kind of what I came to talk to you about.”
Nahyuta poured the tea, sparing a glance up at him with his beautiful, long lashed eyes. “As much as I wish I could say we can cut the caseload, it’s just not possible until the job’s done.”
“I know.” He rubbed his jaw. “It’s not that, specifically. I mean it ties in but– have you seen Rayfa lately?”
He saw the prosecutor’s shoulders sag just the slightest, as a touch of emotion broke through his usual mask. A furrow of his brow and a frown as he shook his head. “…not outside of her etiquette classes or when she’s holding court or performing the dance of devotion. No.”
“Thought so,” Apollo sighed. He leaned forward, resting his chest on the edge of the table. He grimaced as the scene he had walked in on crossed his mind again. “I needed to talk to her about a detail from court yesterday, and I happened to walk in on her and Amara…”
He trailed off, not sure what to say. After all….
“Her and mother?” Nahyuta put his hand to his chin as he pushed the cup Apollo’s way.
Apollo’s fingers brushed Nahyuta’s, and as he gratefully accepted the tea, and he nodded.
“Yeah. I’d say they were talking but, it wasn’t just that. She was kind of really laying into Rayfa. It was… hard to listen to.”
Nahyuta’s lips turned downwards and he picked up his own cup to let it warm his hands.
“Ah…I had thought that perhaps she would warm to Her Benevolence by now. Why was she chiding Rayfa, Apollo?”
He didn’t say much, not directly, but Apollo could hear the subtle rise of frustration and anger in his tone. Enough that it was clear…this wasn’t the first time Nahyuta had heard of something like this.
It sucked. It really sucked to know for sure that this was something that had been going on for a while, apparently. But at least Nahyuta knew about it. That made him feel a little better.
“She was— I guess she feels like Rayfa isn’t working hard enough,” Apollo said, biting his lip. “She said some things that seemed… really cruel to me, especially since it’s clear that Rayfa’s working just as hard as we are, and she’s only 14…”
Nahyuta brought his tea to his lips, before taking a long sip with a sigh.
“I’m sure she did…Mother, former Queen Amara, has her own views on what the future queen of Khura’in should be I’m certain. Rayfa has been working hard, as hard as you or I, but I fear the concept of ‘the sins of the father’ is more alive than I’d hoped even after Ga’ran was incarcerated.”
Apollo grimaced, feeling almost struck by the phrase and he sipped his tea. The sins of the father. It just didn’t sit right with him.
“I know that’s the belief around here but… it doesn’t sit right with me in this case. Rayfa shouldn’t suffer because…”
“Because she was raised by Inga?” Nahyuta finished as he lowered his cup. “I agree…but even as she doesn’t say it, it’s clear mother does not agree with you Apollo. I can imagine she used the word ‘spoiled’ in her chiding?”
“Repeatedly,” Apollo said, biting his lip. “And she said something about Rayfa being ‘raised to be a house cat’. I mean, that’s just uncalled for, right?”
Nahyuta’s fingers tightened around his glass, his lips going a little tight.
“A house cat, she said? I…cannot imagine Rayfa was very happy with that comment.”
“No, she was really upset,” he rubbed his jaw, remembering the look on her face. It reminded him of himself, when he was young, in the foster home. “Apparently it all started because Rayfa had asked for some time to take care of her garden.”
Nahyuta’s facade broke for a moment, his fingers gripping the prayer beads around his neck as he braced on the table with a sharp grimace.
“because she asked for time to care for her—” He hissed through his teeth. “Mother…what are you thinking.”
Apollo’s fingers tensed on his fingers, and he frowned, looking into his tea at his own reflection. “I made an excuse and got her out to the garden– her flowers were already mostly dead.”
“Of course…” Nahyuta released the prayer beads and pressed his hand to his face for a moment as he composed. “…and I haven’t had the chance myself to check on them with all the word we’ve been buried under. Rayfa must have been devastated.”
“I think we might have been able to save some of them,” Apollo murmured. “I insisted on us staying and taking care of them, even though Rayfa felt bad because of everything Amara said to her. I listened to it a little– Amara makes it sound– makes it sound like being a queen means Rayfa doesn’t get to be a person at all, let alone a kid.”
Nahyuta brushed his pale hair from his face and picked up his cup again. “Unfortunately she’s not incorrect. The weight of responsibility a queen carries is great…the hopes of the people rest upon your shoulders, after all. I’ve little doubt that mother believes exactly what you think she meant…and sadly, many others in the country do too.”
“If that’s what it takes to be a queen, is it even worth–”
Apollo stopped as the sound of a commotion in the hallway carried into the room.
“Stop! You can’t go in there!”
Nahyuta sat bolt upright to set his tea down with a subtle frown “prepare yourself, Apollo. I sense trouble of one sort or another.”
Apollo was already on his feet when he heard a familiar voice outside the door.
“Come on, man, he knows me! I’m practically his uncle. Let’s not make this get ugly!”
Apollo sputtered. “Oh no.”
Nahyuta pressed his hand to his face.
“….Datz Arebal…” he muttered with the sort of longsuffering exhaustion that came from knowing the man most of his life. “I fear he’s going to try fighting the guards if we don’t let him in.”
“You think??” Apollo snorted, knowing that was exactly what would happen. He scrambled over to the door as fast as his legs would carry him, practically tearing it open. “He’s expected!!’
The door opened on a scene with Datz– arms raised for hand to hand combat– while the palace guard pointed a gun at him.
“Datz.” Nahyuta called out to him with the barest sharpness to his tone. “…please enter before the guard turns you into an ex-rebel.”
"Nahyuta, Apollo! My guys!” Datz grinned and oozed his way into the room. “Jokes on him, I’m already an ex-rebel, right? Nothing left to rebel against.”
Apollo flashed the guard an apologetic smile and shut the door.
“An ex-nuisance then.” Nahyuta drawled.
Apollo smothered a snorting laugh with his hand, but Datz just burst out laughing.
“Ex-nuisance, huh? Nah I’m sure I’d find a way to bug ya from the grave, ‘Yuta! Nice to see you. Thanks for the intercept with the guard there, he was getting a little fussy.”
Nahyuta leaned on his hand.
“Because usually you still have to make appointments to storm through the temple like a devil escaped from hell– next time please give me the heads up so mother’s twitchy guards don’t make a mistake.”
Datz rubbed the back of his neck and leaned against the wall. “Sorry about that. I didn’t exactly mean to make a fuss you know? I’m just not exactly used to bureaucracy.”
“It gets in the way of your free spirit and lack of self control.” Nahyuta nodded understandingly. “Unfortunately the guards have itchy trigger fingers.”
“I’ve kind of been meaning to ask if they really need those,” Apollo murmured. “I mean, police pistols are one thing, but automatic rifles….”
Nahyuta closed his eyes “While I agree with you, Apollo, reforming the guard and its armaments is a rather large undertaking. I’ll see what I can do, of course…but it’s been standard issue since before Ga’ran took power.”
He sighed. “Yeah, probably not exactly priority one right now.”
Even if the presence of all the guns set his teeth constantly on edge.
“Unfortunately. I know Rayfa detests them.” He leaned on his hand, looking at Datz. “So. Did you just come to say hello, or is there something pressing happening, Datz?”
“I mean, I think it’s pretty pressing,” Datz said, rubbing the back of his neck.
Nahyuta spread his hands “have a cup of tea and tell me all about it…” he placed his hand on his chin “…you didn’t make a new enemy, did you?”
“Uh, not exactly,” Datz murmured, moving in to sit by the table. Apollo didn’t like the way that sounded. “It’s Defiant Dragons business.”
“…Defiant Dragons business…?” Nahyuta poured him a cup of tea. “…I hope the Holy Mother is smiling on us and you’re here to say more defense attorneys have decided to return to work.”
Somehow, Apollo didn’’t think it would be that easy. He wasn’t surprised that Datz shook his head.
“Sorry, kiddo. No such luck. In fact– it’s pretty bad. I found out some of the former Dragons have been meeting up in secret.”
“Meeting in secret…?” Nahyuta’s lips turned downwards as he brushed his fingers over the beads around his neck. “why in the name of the Holy Mother would they feel the need to do that? I haven’t heard anything about this.”
“Me either,” Apollo shook his head.
I’m getting a bad feeling about this.
You think?“
"Yeah,” Datz said thickly, nodding. “It’s the first I’ve heard of it too. Which ain’t great. Apparently some of the former Dragons don’t think they’re done reforming the country.”
Nahyuta ran his hand through his hair with a low sigh. “While it’s true the country is hardly perfect…we’re making steps towards healing the wounds the previous regime left. They do know this takes time, yes?”
Datz hissed through his teeth. “Yeah, ‘yuta the timeline isn’t exactly what they’re upset about. One of my guys got beat to hell for objecting to what they were saying. Guess he got invited because they thought he’d be on their side.”
Apollo cocked his head, feeling his heart beat faster. “What were they saying, Datz?”
“They were saying the monarchy has to go.”
Nahyuta’s hands formed the gentle repose of prayer as he took a soft and steadying breath “…I’m sorry, they’ve said what?”
“What, really?” Apollo stared in disbelief. “I mean, you’d think they would have brought that up before. I thought they were all for the monarchy.”
Datz rubbed his neck uncomfortably. “Yeah, I thought so too. When Dhurke was alive, everybody rallied around him. And obviously he wasn’t going to bring down the royal family. But…”
“They waited until he was dead and we did …all that work…to raise this objection?” Nahyuta pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose. “this is bound to be rather troublesome.”
“Yeah I’ll say,” Datz grumbled. “They’re getting all fired up about it. Like I said, they beat my buddy up pretty bad.”
“Great,” Apollo rubbed his neck. “So they’re violent? That was never the Dragon way.”
“Never while Dhurke was around,” Datz murmured.
Nahyuta shook his head.
“it wasn’t the Defiant Dragons way…we could drive the crowds into protest at the steps of the temple but we weren’t…instigating a mob to beat those who disagreed.” He looked up at Datz. “…is your friend alright?”
“No broken bones, thankfully,” Datz said. “well, that’s not strictly true, they broke his nose. But that’ll be pretty handsome when it heals, right?”
Apollo grimaced. “This is serious…”
Nahyuta pressed his hand to his face.
“It is serious. There’s a serious risk of escalation if they continue down this track. My father would not have approved…” He looked up at Datz. “Do you know any of the instigators? Are they friends from back in the day?”
“I mean, all of them, you know? The Defiant Dragons were a brotherhood,” Datz shook his head. “I don’t know. I want to try to talk some sense into them.”
“For the love of the Holy Mother don’t try and do it alone.” Nahyuta held his hand up , the symbol of the dragon clear. “…if they’ve turned to violence, I don’t want to risk you getting yourself hurt.”
“I mean, you know me, I can handle whatever they throw at me,” Datz said, tossing his head. “I love the vote of support, but uh, they probably won’t want to hear it from you, ‘Yuta.”
Apollo felt it like an icy stab. He was sure Nahyuta felt it the same way. Nahyuta was a dragon. It was in his blood. But…
Apollo stepped forward. “I’ll go with you.”
Nahyuta’s fingers curled over the dragon on his palm. His expression remained neutral as he lowered his hand with a shake of his head.
“But of course…and Apollo. If you do, I want you to come back in one piece.”
Apollo put his hand on Nahyuta’s back, leaning closer to him. “Of course, Nahyuta. I promise.”
October 1, 2028– 3:15 pm
Trucy spent the day bustling around and getting ready for the big trip. It was completely by accident that she collided with Justine Courtney at the door of the Wright Anything Agency, and nearly dropped her suitcase on her feet.
The judge startled a little as she took a few steps back, though even so her subtle and composed smile never left her face.
“Ah, if it isn’t young Miss Wright. Good afternoon.” She’d dressed down today, for a given value…in a long white cardigan hanging over a black and gold sundress…but she still looked like some sort of saintly judge even in civilian clothes.
Trucy squeaked, her hat falling halfway off into her face, unable to grab it without dropping her luggage.
“Madam Courtney! oops! ‘scuse me!!”
Judge Courtney leaned forward and pushed her hat back into place atop her head with a quiet chuckle.
“my…you’re in a hurry. Are the Wright’s taking a trip I didn’t know about?”
“Just me actually, so if you came to see daddy, you’re in luck.” Trucy chuckled. Honestly, she was still pleased that she’d managed to get him to agree to let her go. “I’m going to Khura’in!”
Justine placed her hand to her mouth in surprise “…The Kingdom of Khura’in? All by yourself?”
“Not by myself exactly. With Klavier and Ema, and the De Fammes.” She stepped out of the way of the doorway and let Justine in, giving her a little bow as she entered.
Justine eased into the room with a grateful bow of her head.
“Quite the entourage…I’ve heard quite a bit about Khura’in lately…it recently went through a rather large scale revolution.”
“Yeah we were kind of there for the tail end of that,” Trucy acknowledged thinking back on it. It was weird to think that it was an actual revolution. “It was really just some scary court cases like usual. Can I get you some tea?”
“Tea would be absolutely lovely, Trucy.” Justine smiled warmly at her as she paced quietly through the hall. “Scary court cases that change the trajectory of a country’s ruling and legal system…just like usual.” she chuckled “indeed.”
“I mean come on tell me that’s NOT the usual, huh, ma’am?” Trucy laughed, heading over to the electric kettle and turning it on as she got some tea bags out of the box where she and Athena kept them.
“Oh, I’ve seen a fair few cases in my time. But the ones you and your friends wind up part and parcel to always do seem to be– exceptionally life changing.” She leaned on her hand. “So I’m afraid I must agree…absolutely the usual. Though it’s amazing to see it happen so far away. One has to wonder how their legal system’s been adapting.”
“I mean, Apollo’s there, so I assume it’s going great,” Trucy said, as she poured hot water into two cups. Though now that Courtney had raised the question she felt a gnawing uncertainty about it.
“Young Mr. Justice certainly is capable and impressive,” Justine smiled. “Though last I’ve heard there wasn’t a single defense attorney still active and practicing in the whole country on account of that heinous law. It’s a topic that got brought up at a few judicial conferences I’d been to the last few years.”
Trucy grimaced as she dropped the teabags into the water. "Yeah… as far as I’ve heard that hasn’t exactly changed except for Polly….”
Justine’s eyes went wide, and her composure broke enough for her to sputter.
“W-w…wait…Hold the ph…” She looked at Trucy like she’d grown another head “He’s the only practicing lawyer in an entire damned country???”
Trucy brushed her hair out of her face and adjusted her hat. “Yeah. I mean, that’s what he said in his letters. Who knows if it’s true or not. Not like I’ve seen him.”
She didn’t like to think about it either. Polly might put on a brave face, but…there was no way even he could be holding up alright under pressure like that.
Even the Chords of Steel would crack if it kept up like that. What was he even thinking, running off to take on a responsibility like that anyway??
“That’s– ” Justine put her hand to her head “that’s utter and complete madness! Even in a country as small as Khura’in– especially since it’s had a damned political upheaval! There’s retrials and human rights violations to address.”
“Yeah.” Trucy scuffed her foot on the floor. “I think that’s what he was trying to do. Well, the retrials anyway. I don’t know about the other stuff.”
Human rights violations… what did she mean by that? Was that something she should already know about?
“He’s doing Justitia’s work then…but to think he’s doing it alone..” she sighed gently. “I shudder to think…the poor man must be working to death.”
Trucy bit her lip, and took the tea bags out of the water, handing a cup to Justine. “You think? I mean, that’s a good reason to go bring him back, right?”
The idea of Apollo trapped in the middle of endless retrials and dealing with human rights violations, APPARENTLY– it set her on edge. If she hadn’t already resolved to drag him back for personal reasons, she’d be booking the next plane already just at the thought of it.
“I’d say very likely.” Justine took the cup with a thankful smile. “My hope is the situation isn’t nearly as dire as we fear. Perhaps it’s already a bustling legal revolution by the time you arrive, hm? And they’ll have cleared up that…prison issue.”
Prison issue?
Trucy stared into her reflection in her up for a moment and then looked up at Justine.
“Um…..?”
Justine glanced off to the side with a quiet hum.
“I don’t know if I should say— you’re still young, Trucy. Though Justitia wouldn’t want us to turn a blind eye.” She sipped her tea.“There was some discussion in legal circles about whether or not the Defense Culpability Act could be considered a serious violation of human rights. Especially with the reported prison conditions under the Ga’ran Regime.”
“Oh.” Trucy let that settle on her for a moment. She thought back to Khura’in, and the contrast to how beautiful it seemed, with the horrifying memory of her daddy having six machine guns pointed in his face in court. “Um. Yeah. Well. I’m bringing him back. So. Not going to be his problem any more.”
Justine raised her mug.
“Just be careful young lady. Try not to be drawn into it yourself.” She sighed quietly. “I wish I could help, but with things the way they are…my…”
Trucy cocked her head as Justine trailed off. She watched her closely. “Hmm?”
Justine Courtney brushed her hair from her face, before she took another long sip of her tea. “It’s a complex situation. Rife for an international incident, should things go awry. That’s all.”
For the first time Trucy really wondered what she was getting into– aside from a mission to save her brother.
“Well– do you have any advice?”
Justine tapped her chin. “…convince Apollo to come home rather quickly and hop on the plane back home and let Interpol and the royals work it out.”
“Yeah.” Trucy’s jaw set, and she felt more determined than ever. And also more nervous than ever. “Good thing my flight’s tonight!”
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