Partners In Crime
Many see Isaac as, perhaps, the least useful of The Dolofonias. His magic is unstable, and his past does not offer any handy connections, and he did in fact end up on King Creon’s badside and he does have wanted posters slapped all across the kingdom. It is a bit of a blessing his own magic harms him to such an extent, rendering him nigh unrecognizable. Otherwise, he would not have quite as much freedom as he does presently.
However, being the hands of their little organization, he is far more crucial than some give him credit for. He is able to teleport into highly restricted and guarded areas with ease, for example. He also has a few reliable connections despite his mysterious past, one of the most important ones being his beloved drinking buddy, Kami, who currently runs the most influential and far reaching mercenary guild in all of Aimatiros. He had met Kami coincidentally one night, the two of them happened to be in the same tavern, sat next to each other at the bar. They had ordered the same drink, nearly in unison, and they simply clicked. It wasn’t until nearly a year later when Isaac discovered what he did for a living, and likewise for Kami. They had just shared a few drinks every now and again, venting about life in half told stories shrouded in secrets in an attempt to cover up the fact that they were both murderers as a day job.
It wasn’t until one night last spring, where they were doing as they usually do, walking home and arguing over who would escort who home, when Kami had been approached by one of the Zecca Brothers, both rather well known mercs, and one of which was in a strange relationship with Quella. Isaac had attempted to intervene, thinking he would protect his friend, but Maddox Zecca was unaware of the fact that Kami had been attempting to keep his profession a secret from his dear friend, and attempted to talk business with him right there in the middle of the street. Kami immediately lectured him, of course, and sent him off, telling him to come to his tavern tomorrow, that they could have this conversation then. Isaac was able to grasp what was going on, luckily, and the two of them ended up going to Kami’s residence to have a few more drinks and come clean to one another. They agreed to help one another whenever possible, allow their friendship to also become a partnership of sorts. It was the third time Isaac had allowed himself to trust an individual who was not a Dolofonia, the sixth time in his entire life he decided to let someone in. It felt nice, and he rode those pleasant emotions, allowed himself to truly open up to Kami, to tell him very briefly about his past. Kami was the only living person who knew of Isaac’s origins, where he got all his scars, aside from Isaac himself.
So, while Isaac could not be entirely reliable, he did have his moments. Just as when he came across Rowdy, and eventually enlisted his assistance, recruiting him as an informant. Their bond was much easier to forge, as two terribly lonely individuals, both seemingly ignored by the gods. When Rowdy wandered into Quella’s shop, out of pure curiosity, and stumbled upon the tall, messy, mangle redhead, he had immediately decided that he had to get to know him. He visited frequently, always with a different excuse, only to spend all his time in the shop following Isaac around. Some days he would talk endlessly, other days he seemed perfectly content to simply be there. He was strange and unusual, but not in a way Isaac found unpleasant. They got along well. Isaac would teach Rowdy about plants, and Rowdy would teach Isaac about art. If Rowdy arrived wounded, Isaac would heal him. It did not take long for Rowdy to confess that he was being abused by nobility, as a royal artist born of common blood, nothing but a mere human. It took even less time for him to begin spilling the castle secrets.
It was only a matter of time before he got fed up with his mistreatment, though. He inevitably snapped, killed a nobleman, and had no chance of surviving his trial. It didn’t matter what that man did to drive Rowdy to that point, all that mattered was that Rowdy had reached it. Isaac didn’t hear about the execution that was about to take place, he just so happened to be out and about that day. He just so happened to end up there, just in time to witness it.
His memory is fuzzy as for what happened after that. He remembers being in pain, and feeling how cold and stiff Rowdy was quickly becoming. The smell of his blood. An unwelcome gaze, one that should not have felt as familiar as it did. He remembers getting Rowdy’s body out of there, going to the first safe place he could think of. He had ended up in the village The Red King resides in, the one Mikah would often stay in. By the time he woke up, he was covered in bandages, and Rowdy was something else entirely. He looked like a ghost, or maybe one of the star catchers from old legends. He explained he had been chosen by the God of Death, turned into a Paidi. He had decided to help The Antarte, join their ranks, live out on the outskirts of the kingdom where nobility truly didn’t reside. Isaac had stayed there for a few days, getting his wits about him. Since no one there had witnessed what had happened, and he could not remember it well, it all felt like a bad dream. That is, until he returned home and saw all of those posters plastered everywhere. Even then, none of his colleagues were willing to tell him the details of what had transpired. It was another hollow space in Isaac’s memory.
“Did you know…” Isaac began, taking his place in the booth Kami had chosen, in the far back corner of the tavern. “I was once painted by a man who used to be a royal artist?”
“Hm.” Kami hummed, sliding into his seat across from Isaac, tucking his wings in neatly behind him. He twirled a lock of silver hair around a finger, quirking a brow at Isaac. “You truly would not make a bad prince. Your likeness to the previous Creadoran King is rather uncanny.”
“I’m not sure if I should take that as a complement, or an insult.” Isaac chuckled, folding his hands atop the table. “Legend said he was the descendant of dragons, yes?”
“You say that as if I would’ve been able to meet the man. You seem to forget, I’m likely as young as you are.” Kami snorted. “Well, did you know I used to play with nobility as a child? Perhaps we could both make for lovely princes.”
“Gods above, the kingdom would be reduced to cinder and ash in mere moments if either of us were simply in near proximity to a throne.” Isaac laughed, running a hand down his face. The two paused briefly to order their first round of drinks, before continuing their conversation. “On that note, I do have something I’d like to ask you. It’s regarding Prince Ezil. I happened to meet him briefly recently, and I was wondering if you had any… Information, on the man?”
“Ah.” Kami pursed his lips, readjusting himself in his seat. He seemed to think about it, for a moment, before letting out a sharp sigh. “I would warn you on the dangers of prying into information regarding a prince, but I’m sure you’re already well aware. So, I will say, my intel on him is rather limited.” He pauses, leaning closer. He takes a moment to brush some of Isaac’s hair out of his face, allows his hand to linger briefly. “What most know, is that he was first in line to inherit the throne. One of his mothers happened to be Queen Kitha, who met a mysterious and untimely demise when he was no older than five years old. His uncle, the now King Creon, then took the throne, and thus his son became the next heir. Prince Ezil got very involved with military and combat related affairs at a young age, as is custom with his other mother, Sedisbus Parrish’s, family. His reputation began to decline when he was in his late teen years, due to rumors of promiscuity. No evidence has ever been found that he has a tendency to share the bed with multiple men, as rumors state, though. He has a close bond with Sir Chase, of the Zachary house. He has no known godly affiliation. He is most proficient with a bow.” Kami huffs another sigh, lowering his gaze. “Despite the fact that I’ve heard no truly valid reason for anyone to want Prince Ezil dead, my guild has received multiple requests regarding his demise, all from different individuals. I’m not sure if it is solely due to the fact that he’s a prince, or if he has some sort of deeply hidden sinister secret, though. Oh, and I’ve obviously rejected each request. The last thing my people need is royal blood on their hands.” They both go quiet as a barmaid comes by with their drinks before briskly walking away. “I apologize I could not tell you more. It seems no one has any truly valuable information on him.”
“No need to apologize, Kami, you’ve told me plenty. I simply found it strange his bedroom was so barren and lifeless, is all.” Isaac sighs, taking a slow sip of his drink. Meanwhile, Kami chokes on his.
“His bedroom?? What in holy hell were you doing in a prince’s bedroom??” He hisses, as quiet as he can manage between coughs. Isaac feels his face redden, realizing the implications of his words.
“Well.” Isaac croaks, taking another sip, avoiding eye contact. “It’s a long story I can not divulge at this moment, I’m afraid. Entirely classified.”
“No, no, no, no. Isaac. Did you sleep with a prince. I must know. You cannot keep that from me.” Kami rasped, pounding his fist against his chest in an attempt to soothe his burning lungs.
“No! Gods, no! I simply… Crossed paths with him there, that’s all.”
“You do realize it still sounds as if you fucked him, right?”