Crossing the Board

by Maelie Arsenault

She takes Rose from Nel, the reborn’s body weighing blessedly less than she thought it might. Heaving her onto her shoulder she heads down a different alley than her wife and her companions. She worried about how used to this she was getting. She took only a moment to pull her mask on and make a few other adjustments to her clothing to fit perfectly into the guise of the South Ward’s Blade.

"I will very literally slit your throat clean through if you don't stop moving," she says softly but evenly. "And I still might so stop giving me excuses.”

Cardinal’s even and coldblooded threat had surprised and not surprised Maelie all at the same time. Surprised because she’d so rarely seen this cold anger. Not surprised because, for all the hell Sareena Loralen had been through, Mae constantly wondered why she didn’t see this anger more. Almost wondered if it was there at all if not for the painful sounds of her piano and violin when she thought nobody was near the music room.

But now Fox was hauling one of the women who had abused and tortured her wife for over twenty years. Hauling her to the docks, a task she’d often thought of doing herself. Thought of how much freer Sareena might live if the Red Lion were burnt down and all those who haunted her nightmares were sent to the bottom of the Arden River.

She paid the small skiff to take her out into the bay, unceremoniously dropping Rose into the bottom of the boat. Seeing Sareena tonight, she realizes that if she’d even attempted to deal with Vagabond not only would she likely have wound up in over her head, but her wife would never have found this chance to face it all.

"I don't need to be ready. I'm not alone anymore. But it doesn't really matter either way. None of them are ready for me either. I hope you enjoy the summer lands."

‘None of them are ready for me either.’ She turns the words over in her head, trying to decide whether she always knew the bard had this in her or if this was something entirely different. The thoughts mostly distracted her from her seasickness as the boat makes its way far out into the river.

Mae decides it didn’t matter. Sareena always had her music, and her music was life and breath. The spark inside her, the spark she’d fallen in love with, it burns hot and bright now and there was a comfort to see her steadily clearing space for herself in the world.

Rose stirred, slowly coming to. She struggled against her bonds, glancing about her new surroundings, and realizing she is not bound for the Summerlands.

“You’re all idiots!” She rasps out, her wounds all but untouched since the fight. “Why would anyone spare a single thought for that ruined little whore!?”

"She ain't the one I want dead."

Fox was quite sure the same couldn’t be said for herself. She stands and walks over, momentarily reminded why she hates boats, until she gets close enough to reach Rose, grabbing her by her dress’ neckline, and hauling her to her feet.

“She is beautiful, and fierce, and kind, and funny, and brave… she is all of those things and more. And you people saw that and were so affronted that she might someday realize she is all those wonderful things that you decided to try and trample her. All of you treat her like she’s a pawn, a disposable piece, a forgettable existence, but forgetting her… forgetting that she is so much more than you ever let her be. Biggest mistake you keep making.”

“Windermere is a Baron, he has more power and connections than you know. Let… let me…”

Mae pulls her pistol and jams the barrel against Rose’s chin to shut her up. “You’re probably a Rook. A Knight at best. Windermere and Vagabond? A King and his Bishop. But what’s the most powerful piece on the board?” She shakes her head. “You let the pawn cross the board and now she’s a Queen and she is going to destroy you all.”

They were far out in the bay when the gunshot sounded. A couple silver bought the boatman a new anchor when he got back to shore as Mae tied it tightly around Rose’s ankles and let her sink to the bottom of the river.

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November 27th, 1882, - Novandria

The Den

Am I losing?

A Close Call

Plans

New Toys

Mistakes were made

Too close to home

Not like you.

This City is Mine.
February 6th, 1883

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The Game Begins
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Too much like You
March 13, 1883

Safer in Shadows
April 3, 1883

New Beginnings
April 7th, 1883

Ready to Run
April 17th, 1883

Home
April 25, 1883

Can you steal a heart?
May 8th, 1883

Trouble
11th of May, 1883

Heartbreak
14th of May, 1883

Hunter or Prey?
16th of May, 1883

Guilt
19th of May, 1883

Untrustworthy
21st of May, 1883

Why am I like this?
25th of May, 1883

Worthy
8th of June, 1883

The One She Left Behind
13th June, 1883

Annnd it's back...
July 1st, 1883

Learning to Fly
July 4th, 1883

Thrill of the Hunt
July 29th, 1883

From the Embers
21st of August, 1883 // 1867

Mother Knows Best
16th of September, 1883

A Snake, a Star, and a Fox
25th of September, 1883, Novandria

It wasn't him.
28th of September, 1883, Novandria

The New Blade
13th of September, 1883

Something Good
October 31, 1883 - Novandria

The wound that won't close
18th of December, 1883 - Novandria

Promise
25th of December, 1883 - Novandria

Fallen through the cracks
6th of January, 1884 - Novandria

Day to Night
7th of January, 1884

What's Left to the Shadows
22nd of January, 1884, Novandria

The World without Colour
18th of February, 1884, Bellancourt, Montaigne,

Seventeen Roofs
26th of February, Novandria, Eisen

Crossing the Board
4th of March, 1884, Novandria, Eisen

New Freedom
May 4th, 1884

Saved
5th of May, 1884/16th of July, 1858

Crossing the Board

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