Accountability

" The dresses were for Iris," Corvin muttered under his breath, fully aware that one more mistake on his part wasn't acceptable. His grip on the blade loosened, just a tad.

" I figured as much. The sizing gave it away. Not quite a fitting suitable for a man such as yourself and the shades that you asked for don't really go with your complexion," Dakran quipped, smirking, leaning back in his chair. Enjoying taunting him, knowing what irked him to his core.

" It was simple Corvin...All you had to do was come down, apologise and return home. Not a difficult task to achieve," Dakran hummed, in slightly better spirits. He wasn't letting go of the fact that he'd blatantly disregarded his numerous requests to return home. It was an insult to him, to Whitsun. And the fact that he'd have to travel all the way to the south and fetch him added to the already prevalent insult.

" I did...I tried," Corvin cleared his throat, and glanced over his shoulder to Iris," She challenged me to a duel of the sort when I knelt and apologised," Corvin fidgeted in his chair, uneasy. There was more to it than he was letting on. His fleeting gaze, tapping his foot as if he was about to bolt out of the room. His grip on the blade tightened. No, he wouldn't get off that easy. He had to make an example out of him but now wasn't the right moment. He needed time to find a fitting punishment for his crimes.

" And," Dakran pressed on with a clipped tone and stepped on his jittery foot. There was no way out of it. Dakran wanted the truth, and the truth was, to say the least, uncomfortable.

" She lost and I-I-...," Corvin stammered, and looked at the open door as the sound of footsteps trickled through, along with whispers, and shushing.

Caell was the first to barrel through the door, holding a cup in his hand and ointment in the other while, Eisza and Evin followed in the same manner holding gauze, clean water, cloths and clean clothes.

" Is it done?" Dakran asked, as he pushed himself off the chair and walked to the bed, eyeing the trio who seemed a little unsure of what to answer.

" It is," Caell answered, gripping tightly on the cup, " I have never made the potion. It was a bit of guesswork, but ...," Caell drawled, and looked at Iris, " One slight mistake and she could be gone for good, " He wavered for a moment, before lifting Iris's head off the pillow.

" As opposed to not giving her the potion..." There was a hint of sarcasm in Dakran's tone as he gestured towards Iris with his hand, urging Caell to give her the potion.

Nodding, Caell poured the liquid into Iris's mouth, while he massaged her throat, "Calabar is equally dangerous," Eisza chimed in, and it was met with a deep frown from Dakran. Already aware of the dangers of consuming the bean.

" It is when is consumed unprepared. You should know this. Lesson over. Dress the wound, and we will see how things progress," Dakran added as he turned around, returning to the table while Eisza stood with the clothes in her hand, as her gaze flitted around the room waiting for them to leave so she could disrobe Iris.

None moved for a good while.

" Get out," Eisza barked and Evin was the first out of the door, Caell followed, while he waited for Corvin to rise from his seat but the tit didn't budge.

" Move your sad sack ass, Corvin, " Dakran snapped, as he made his way towards the door. With a hefty sigh, Corvin finally dragged his feet to the door, giving Iris a long look over his shoulder.

" We can now continue our conversation. Just so you know we will be leaving at dawn. All of us, " Dakran firmly added and he didn't have the strength to argue with him, not after the whole ordeal. He wanted to return home, anyway.

" I've sent four missives asking you to return home, Corvin. You've ignored my requests. That is blatant disrespect, and personally I'm not pleased with your behaviour. You're people, you have a duty towards them, or have you forgotten, " Dakran halted his steps as they reached the stairs leading to the citadel grounds, and clasped his hands behind his back.

" I know. I was going to, after Oros, " Dakran scoffed, and nodded, disappointed.

" What were you thinking? Going to Oros...Just the two of you. You have read their history, countless times. Have not learnt anything? At least you could have told me. Imagine my surprise, when I got here and I had to hear it from the herdboy that you left with Iris for Oros. I thought he was lying, but no," Dakran mockingly chuckled," You are lucky that you have managed to get out alive, and Iris, remains to be seen, and I'll decide your punishment whether she lives or dies once we are home. What part did you not understand? I owe this woman a life debt. Due to her actions, Edýia is alive and well. And soon, she will be bringing new life into this cursed world. I can't even remember when a child was born within the walls of Ironstone, " Dakran began descending and he followed. It was only the beginning after a long session of berating and admonishing for his actions.

" I have said my peace. Feel free to continue where you left off," Dakran added as they strolled through the citadel, observing the layout.

" She lost the duel, " Corvin muttered under his breath, and shoved his hands in his bloodied pockets, pensive.

" Why didn't you let her win? Get it done and over with," Dakran piped in, curious.

" She would have killed me. She had every intention to, anyway. You'll have to forgive me but I wasn't ready to die. When she lost, she asked me to end her life. She had made the same request when we journeyed from Dreissen after she stumbled into the camp," Corvin took a deep breath when Dakran halted his steps, keenly observing him for any signs of untruthfulness.

Nodding, Dakran gestured with his hand for him to continue.

" And from there, things took an interesting turn, " Corvin paused for a beat and looked over his shoulder, " I took matters into my own hand and told her that she was my slave," At his admission, Dakran scuffed him in the very next instant.

" You are stupider than I thought you were. Are you certain that you and Haren are not related?" Dakran mockingly said as he rubbed the back of his head, regaining his composure. He didn't think too much in that moment. He'd made a plan on the fly, and sort of made more along the way. He played it by ear. Clearly, he was going deaf, considering how things turned out.