Thread: Brave New World (Razgriz x darkangel76)

Immediately, Helena's mind began to work quickly as she tried not to seethe at what she'd just heard. Charles Vincent had been the source of her hatred ever since the death of her father. The man, as far as she was concerned, deserved a slow and painful death, the worst kind of torture the mind could hope to conjure up. Mercy? Hah! She inwardly scoffed at the idea of it. The man deserved no such thing after what he'd put her through. The promises... all of them lies. She knew exactly where his loyalties lied and they certainly had not been with her. Nor with the king! The man was selfish beyond compare, only having eyes for his needless little rebellion. Her heart twisted roughly as memories flooded her. Ah yes, Charles' pitiful rebellion. Clearly she was the only one in the know of this little secret. So much talk of rising up against the king, of taking both him down along with his Enforcers. But for what purpose? Helena had never seen a reason to usurp the king. Not even during the worst of times. She never faulted the man for being born into power and he only did what he saw fit to keep his people happy. Though, her own circumstances had been far less fortunate until the fateful day their paths had crossed, that day when she'd made certain he'd notice her, that they'd talk, that they'd... Her mind drifted further. Helena had done what she'd needed to survive. It had always come to thatscavenging, selling wares on the secret black markets where the Enforcers couldn't trace your goods. People earned more that way. Much more. But of course, in doing such things, one ran the risk that wares got into the wrongs hands, that their name would be turned in, that they could lose everything. Helena's insides burned when she recalled how the Enforcers seized everything she had. They'd taken everything, even the last bit of medicine. And it was all thanks to Charles. The venom in her blood roiled inside, ebbing and flowing with each beat of her heart. Charles had helped Helena learn how to scavenge the bestwhat to look for and where to find it. Being smaller in frame and light on foot, she'd often go in to remote areas on the fringe of town where population was scarce and get what she could. She and Charles would split the earnings fifty-fifty until the day she found a weapon she couldn't identify. Who knew that such a device would matter more than she did. The whole thing repulsed her. Thankfully, she didn't have to worry about that any longer. The weather had just begun to turn colder and Helena's father had fallen ill again after a short recovery from a previous illness. She'd feared the worst and was unable to get more medicine, to replenish the dwindling supply. Money was short and supplies at an all time low. She was desperate to get him what he needed, knowing that before long they'd be out and without more, he'd be facing death. Weapons, so she knew, were always difficult to find on any scavenging expedition. So, to find one, especially one in good shape like the one she'd managed to score, was even more of an oddity. Charles immediately took interest and promised he could fix the thing up, make it worth twice what it was after one of his mechanic friends got a hold of it. Not giving it much thought, she allowed him to take it. Not once, did she think she'd never see the weapon again. Days passed and Charles ceased talk of the weapon, meanwhile Helena's father was getting worse. When she asked him about it, he brushed her off, telling her that it took time to handle such things. When days turned to over a week, her worries grew to anger. She needed the medicine. They worked as a team. Charles finally broke and told her about how the weapon was worth more than money, that it could help the rebellion he was planning. In her fury, she threatened to turn him in for plotting against the king, but Charles only smiled, reminding her that he could always turn her in for selling wares on the black market. After all, he wasn't the one who did the selling and risked his name. She was. Resigning herself to her situation, Helena gritted her teeth and accepted that she'd need to find another way to get her father the medicine he needed. She also told Charles she wished to never see him again. In his anger, he slapped her across the face and told her to leave, which she did gladly. Helena broke herself from her reverie of thought as she looked into the eyes of Anselm, her king. He truly was the picture of perfection. But he was blind to what was going on about him. Weak. He spoke about Charles as if the man were his brother, yet the vile snake was planning to take him down along with his trusted Enforcers. Oh, the very thought made her sick, made the bile rise in her throat. No. No, it wouldn't happen while she was by his side. She would see to that. She would make sure that he would remain the great king he was supposed to be. I understand that you must do as you need, my lord, Helena said, her voice soft. Her blue eyes looked straight into his. You are just and will do what is right. It is one of the reasons why I love you so deeply, she added. Tilting her head slightly, she frowned, tears welling in her eyes. I know justice will be served in the end. Those who've done wrong can't stay hidden forever. Helena's heart pumped fast and hard beneath her breast as she sat there looking at her husband. She could feel her breaths quicken as her thoughts raced and swirled. You might want your men to also seek out Garrett Watson. He was Charles' mechanic. He can be found in the northern sector of Capital City on the fringe. If you grant the man safety, he might be willing to speak. She swallowed hard as a tear ran down a pale cheek. Besides, he is quite skilled. It might be good to have him employed under your rule. Helena sniffled a little as she tried to blink back tears that had already fallen. Her angelic features still looked flawless despite the fact that her eyes were a watery mess. Though her face showed anxiety and fear, she was the picture of calm on the inside. And I'm sure both men can tell you that Charles is the one who turned me, who... Helena stammered. Who caused me to lose everything... even my father. At that, she broke into a tiny sob, her hands moving to cover her face as she let herself cry softly.