"No!" Livinia cried as Kalendras was led from the dungeon. "You can't arrest him! He has diplomatic immunity! You can't!" She launched herself forward and crashed into a wall of bodies who all stood their ground, refusing to let her pass. Though they remained between her and Kalendras she could see pity and sympathy in the eyes of the Guardians.
"He forfeited diplomatic immunity when he came back to the city to rescue you," Belcarm's voice came from close behind her, soft and patient. Livinia flinched when his hand rested on her shoulder and she turned quickly, some part of her still unable to believe that it really was him despite the fact that he had more than proven it.
"No! Please! Don't arrest him!" Livinia looked at Aegon over Belcarm's shoulder, her eyes pleading. The Master of Sword frowned deeply, his face full of regret.
"I'm sorry Liv, we had no other choice," he said grimly.
Livinia felt like a caged animal being prepared for the kill. Her heart was racing and her eyes were wild, looking around for an escape, a way to get to Kalendras. She knew he was in trouble and she had to help him. She had to protect him from the bastards in Silvermoon.
"KALENDRAS!" She cried, voice reverberating off the walls as she put all of her energy into throwing herself once more at the wall of flesh and armor. The soldier closest to her grasped her around her upper arms and held her back as gently as she could, but Livinia struggled to free herself from her grip. When Belcarm took her out of the soldier's grasp she fell into his embrace and buried her head into his borrowed armor, sobs wracking her body as reality crashed down around her.
"We'll figure it out," He whispered into her ear reassuringly. "I promise that we'll figure it out."
~*~
When Belcarm had last seen her only hours earlier she had been covered in bloodied welts and bruises and looked as though she had been tortured. It appeared that Rioden had healed her since he last saw her. She walked normally and the robes she was wearing covered the injuries he had seen when her earlier outfit was shredded. He had asked if she needed healing, but she refused and she seemed well enough that he didn't bother arguing. Livinia had been imprisoned in the Warlock's Guild. There was a secret door hidden behind a bookcase in Mitrae Swiftspell's office, behind it was a steep spiraling staircase that descended deep into the bowels of the city. As soon as he had seen the stone descent he knew they were at the right place. That part of his blindfolded journey had been terrifyingly dizzying.
This time, as he ascended the staircase, it was with a subdued sense of triumph. Livinia was pressed against him, tucked safely under his arm, as they made the climb. He could still feel her body convulse every now and again with a suppressed sob and guilt flooded him. He shouldn't have let Kalendras take the blame. He had been the one who had struck the killing blow, by rights he should have been hauled straight back to prison. Though, with Livinia pressed against him so warmly, he couldn't help but feel grateful that the Tauren took his place.
The most uncomfortable part of the climb was trying to negotiate the stairs with the distraction of Livinia in his arms and the horrid erection that was an after effect of his encounter with the Succubus. He had been fine until the moment she fell against him, then he had caught the undertone of her scent and his body had reacted painfully. He felt betrayed by his own body, and the response that was so inappropriate for the situation. It felt nothing short of disrespectful, the guilt making him think once more that he had failed Livinia.
When they finally stepped into the startling dawn light Livinia brought an arm up to cover her eyes and he pulled her into a tight embrace, protecting her from the brightness of the sun-streaked streets.
"It's so damn bright!" She hissed under her breath and he hummed in acknowledgement. She had been locked up for three days with no natural light around her. He could only imagine how sensitive her eyes must be.
Outside of the prestigious Warlock Guild Hall, the members of Liv and Belcarm's guild arrived in a steady stream as they were freed from their defensive posts within the building. Each and every one greeted Livinia with excitement and a sense of achievement, and she responded with clipped words and body language that was screaming to be left alone. Despite their guild mates' enthusiasm the entire rescue felt far too bittersweet to Belcarm. They had rescued Livinia, but they had not saved her from anything. He couldn't even imagine the torture that she had endured while she was held captive. Then there was the fact that Kalendras, who had orchestrated the entire mission, was not there with them. As much as Belcarm had wanted Livinia for himself, he could see how the turn of events pained her. He also had to admit, grudgingly, that he had come to appreciate the massive Druid.
"Sorry for interrupting..." His father's voice cut through the chatter and commanded the attention of everyone gathered around them. "I just wanted to let you know that Kalendras has been taken to the Silvermoon City Jail while awaiting communication from Thunder Bluff. We have done everything we can to ensure that the process is quick and that he will be taken to the Tauren capital as soon as possible. Until then, he has been placed in maximum security and is allowed no unauthorized visitors..." He trailed off when Livinia raised her head to listen.
"Who authorizes these visitors, then?" Livinia asked bitterly, his father winced at her acidic tone.
"Unfortunately it is the Warden that does... and he's already annoyed at us enough for the earlier break out, I wouldn't ask him for favors any time soon." Aegon's voice was soft but it did not to much to soften the blow: , Livinia's tense shoulders fell and she made to turn back to Belcarm, but Aegon cleared his throat. "I'm sorry Livinia, I truly am... But I must say that I'm glad to see you alive and well. Even if Kalendras's trial is beyond our control, between Belcarm and I, we will do everything within our power to keep you safe."
Livinia didn't manage anything other than a curt nod at his comment, but Belcarm could see the fresh tears welling in her eyes at the sentiment.
"Son, I have to go back to the barracks and sort the rest of this mess out. Where are you headed?" Aegon asked, looking at his son. Belcarm looked down at Livinia and shrugged.
"It depends..." Belcarm said slowly, "Liv, do you want to go back to your parent's estate?" Livinia's face turned pale and her nostrils flared angrily. "Perhaps we'll head to Dalaran then," Belcarm ammended quickly before he incurred her wrath.
"Very well. Stay safe. If it is acceptable with Caristra I will come and visit you as soon as I get everything fixed up here."
Belcarm's expression hardened at his father's comment, the paternal nature of it making him feel as though he was a small child again. He quickly brushed aside his annoyance, knowing that his father was within his rights to be concerned about his welfare after such a tumultuous week.
"I will." He replied solemnly before excusing Livinia and himself from the crowd and whisking her towards the portals and away from the city that had burned her.
~*~
It turned out that Caristra hadn't been exaggerating. The first guard that Belcarm had asked gave him the directions to her home with no hesitation. Belcarm expressed his wonder out loud, and was delighted when Livinia snorted with laughter. As soon as he looked down at her, though, her face had returned to its previous hardness and the moment had passed.
The door was answered by a polite and venerable looking Blood Elf wearing the typical housekeeper's garb.
"Miss Sunspeaker? Mr Sharpsword?" The woman asked politely, Belcarm nodded in reply "I am Katrine. My Mistress has told me to expect you... Please, follow me through to your rooms where you can rest for an hour or so before dinner."
Belcarm couldn't help but marvel at the classical opulence of Caristra's Dalaran apartment. Living space in this city was at a premium, and by the time they reached the top floor, Belcarm realised that Caristra owned the entire three story apartment, with roof garden to top it off. The rooms were grand and the corridors sprawling. Every room was decorated with a perfect balance of art and architectural features and it all oozed class. He didn't even want to imagine how much this residence was worth, but he had no doubt that it was more than his father's entire family had made in several generations.
"Mr Sharpsword, your suite is here." Katrine said, pushing the double doors open to reveal a generous living area. "The bedroom is behind that door, and the bathing room is behind that one. If you need anything just pull on that red rope and someone will be up right away."
Belcarm stepped into the room and had to concentrate to stop his jaw from hitting the ground.
"Thankyou." Was all he managed to stutter. His suite alone was larger than his father's entire cabin.
"You are welcome. Miss Sunspeaker, follow me and I'll take you to your room." The statement made Belcarm stop suddenly and turn to the two women.
"She has a separate room?" Belcarm asked, trying to keep the annoyance from his voice.
"The Mistress asked us to prepare this entire floor, all three suites, for you two and Mr. Totemrunner... She'll be home for dinner though, so if there are any problems you are welcome to take them up with her."
"Liv-"
"I'll be fine Belcarm," Livinia said in a tone that was far more confident than she looked.
"Are you sure?" He wasn't convinced.
"I need a chance to clean up... and I need some time to think." She looked as though she was about to say more, but instead she turned and continued down the corridor without waiting for Katrine. Belcarm sighed and then walked over to the room that he had been told was the bathing room. He pushed open the doors and sure enough, the giant tub had been filled to the brim with steaming hot, lavender scented water. He shrugged his shoulders, pretending that the separation didn't bother him as much as it did. He could surely do with a good bath.
~*~
When Livinia finally got out of the bath she had to admit that the soothing warmth of the water did a lot to improve her mood. She didn't even want to think about how bad she had smelled beforehand. It seemed strange to her, but after so long being alone in that dark cell, she found that she needed more time alone to maintain her tenuous grasp on reality.
When Belcarm and Kalendras had burst through that door she hadn't known what to think. She had been totally and completely convinced that Rioden was telling the truth. The pain and passage of time that she had felt due to the potion still lingered with her strongly, and she couldn't ignore that tiny part of her that was morning Rioden's loss. The idea made her feel sick, but the potion was strong and she just could not shake the authenticity of the emotions it inspired in her.
