The Prince and the Crimelord

He really did hate the slums. The foul street urchins wandering the streets, clutching onto his clothing, begging for his money. Street brawls breaking out on every corner, creating pools of blood everywhere he stepped. Though most of all, Alexian hated the smell, the stench of dead things, and uncleansed bodies reeked around him.

Yet there he was, trekking through Osagia’s slums. The putrid smell infiltrating his nostrils, making him gag. He didn’t want to be there and there was really no good reason for him to be there other than the fact that his mother wanted to punish him. For what, he didn’t know. He had been forced to leave the comfort of the castle to go work with the royal guard and hunt the renowned killer, Halstyn Elemora. Though he doubted he would find her if even the best guards had been on her tail for the past six years and had turned up empty-handed.

Every fiber in his being ached to turn away from the decrepit street in front of him, but Alexian knew that wouldn’t go over well with his mother. Not when she had ordered that he would only return to the castle when he either took Halstyn into custody or got a signed letter from Casher Able, the captain of the guard’s second in command, saying he had become more disciplined. Whatever that was supposed to mean. While he figured neither of those things would happen anytime soon, Alexian found himself thinking that it would be easier to capture the crime lord than it would be to convince Casher to put in the good word he needed from him.

Alexian let out a guttural sigh as he wiped a bead of sweat off his brow.

“When is our expected arrival time?” Alexian asked, trying to act like it was a simple question and he wasn’t asking it because he was dying of heat exhaustion.

“We’ll get there when we get there,” Casher replied curtly.

Alexian rolled his eyes. Not only did he not know how much farther they had to go, but he also didn’t know where they were going. Surely some rendezvous point, he just didn’t know where.

An elderly woman reached out a clammy hand and latched onto Alexian’s arm. He shuddered and pried the woman’s hand off of him, a shiver going up through his spine. Even though no one could recognize him or the guards, thanks to the hooded cloaks they all wore, the woman was not the first to reach out to Alexian. Between the cloaks and their overall ragtag appearance, the small group fit in quite well.

Nearly four miles later they had ventured deep into the heart of the slums and Alexian embraced the air conditioning as their group entered the warehouse. Collapsing against a wall, the cool metal instantly relieving his boiling skin, Alexian slung his pack off and threw it down. His sandy hair had become matted with sweat and he knew he smelled rancid. Alexian poured water down his throat faster than he could swallow. When he finally felt sufficiently hydrated, still panting he examined the room they were in.

An elaborate light system flooded the room with fluorescent lighting. Hundreds of guards, some in city guard uniforms and some in royal guard frolicked around the building. A couple lounged back on rickety cots though the fact that they had been able to sleep despite the ruckus greatly surprised Alexian. The majority of the guards were laughing about, amber liquid in their grasps.

Alexian almost immediately regretted forcing the sheer amount of water he had drained down his throat and he had to resist the urge to expel his stomach contents. 

“You okay Prince?” A couple of guards snickered.

Alexian simply leaned back against the wall instead of responding.

“Well, now what?” Alexian asked.

Casher grinned. His smirk,  one that made Alexian quite concerned for his well-being.

“Now we get you ready to put on a show.”

Night had long since fallen by the time Alexian arrived at Norsworthy Tavern dressed in his finery, a dagger at his side, and a cloak drawn around him.

“We have scouts reporting that Elemora is still at the tavern, so your job is simple. You go in, you get her alone, and you give us the signal,” Casher informed.

“If you know where she is, why don’t you just go in yourselves? Just corner her or whatever?” Alexian asked.

“Because she’s too smart for that she would be out of there with a dozen guards killed before we could lay a finger on her. That’s why we need you to get her to guard down so she’s not ready when we go in to attack.”

“We have guards on every rooftop so someone can come to save you when you undoubtedly botch this. Just try not to get yourself killed because no matter how much the queen despises you right now she wouldn’t much like it if I got her only son killed,” Casher sighed, annoyed.

Before Alexian got a chance to protest he was inside the tavern doors. To Alexian, it didn’t look much like a tavern at all. Instead, there were simply numerous tables surrounding a large fighting arena. Alexian pulled his cloak tighter around his body in a fruitless attempt to ward off the bad feelings that the tavern gave him. He expected to have to wade through the countless bodies filling up the tavern to find his target but instead found her in the middle of the ring.

He almost didn’t recognize her, fighting under an alias and with messy paint haphazardly drawn on her face, hair bleached, and a heavy cloak not unlike his own wrapped tightly around her. The only thing that assured her identity to Alexian was the fluid Grace of which she quickly subdued the opponent in front of her. The crowd roared, some of them in anger as they didn’t place their bets on the female and others just cheering her on. Frankly, if Alexian didn’t know who she was he wouldn’t have placed his bets on her either.

She was quite a bit smaller than he had expected, probably standing no more than 5’3”. To be honest she looked quite harmless at least until she flashed a dark blade that was more than likely dripping with poison and the crowd roared their approval. Alexian’s stomach turned over and he decided he didn’t need to see what happened next. Another chorus of yells reverberated around the room, some of which were very much so indignant yells, and Alexian turned back around in time to see Halstyn hop out of the ring and flaunt her way over to the bar.

Alexian’s heart was beating out of his chest as he realized that this might be his only chance. Cooly, Alexian swaggered up next to her. Drawing his cloak in tight he sat upon a somewhat sticky bar stool. The crime lord gave him a once over and Alexian assumed that she didn’t deem him a threat seeing as he was still breathing.

“Can I buy you a drink?” Alexian cringed at how weak his voice sounded.

Though The cloak obscured her face, Alexian could only imagine the smirk that had to be playing at Halstyn’s lips. He just had to hope beyond hopes that she didn’t recognize him or he would be as good as dead.

By way of answer, Halstyn leaned forward onto the bar and waved over the bartender.

“Three of somethin’ strong, on him,” she nodded to Alexian.

“Three?” Alexian asked quizzically, wondering who would be joining them. 

Again she didn’t answer, instead, she waited until the bartender had slid three shots across the table and downed two of them before handing Alexian his.

Though Halstyn had downed her shots with no issue, Alexian found himself resisting the urge to gag.

“Can I get you another one?” the bartender asked.

“Eh, maybe something not quite as strong,” Alexian muttered.

The bartender laughed and went to the back to get them their drinks.

“You’re new around here,” Halstyn observed. 

It wasn’t a  question, however, Alexian still found himself inclined to answer.

“Just passing through,” he shrugged as he thanked the bartender for their beers.

“Well that sure is a shame,” The crime lord said with a sigh.

Alexian noticed Halstyn staring quite intently at his forehead.

“Something on my face?” He chuckled.

Halstyn shook her head, “no, I thought I recognized you. You remind me of someone, an old friend.”

“Oh, who might that be,” he tried to play it off nonchalantly, but Alexian feared he had been caught.

“Samuale, Samuale Beckett,” she said  “Lived up north I doubt you’d know him”

Alexian nodded.

“So, what's your story? I don't think we've had proper introductions, ” Halstyn asked, acting somewhat disinterested as she took a sip of her drink.

“Lived up in Renfield most of my life. Workin’ the patrol trying to make the guard, ” Alexian cringed inwardly at his horrific grammar.

“What’re you doin’ here? This’s what? 2000 miles away from Renfield.”

Alexian hesitated, he knew the woman in front of him was trying to pick up on anything that might reveal his deception “I got an old friend, lives in Hexerland, he's real sick, thought I best say goodbye while can y’know.”

“Healers can't do nothing for ‘em?” Halstyn asked.

Alexian shook his head “what about you? You always live ‘round here? Usually, spend your nights fightin’?”

Again Alexian found himself frowning in distaste at the sheer, utter illiteracy he was displaying as he spoke. Not only was the drawl he'd taken on to take on the role of one of the common folk part of his ruse he knew it was part of the crime lord’s as well. He knew very well that her English was just as good as anyone’s in the palace. She had after all been in the same primary school classes with him.

Halstyn shrugged in response to his questions “I’m from a lot of places, born in Alyntia.”

Alexian made note of the fact that that was in fact true.

“My parents been gone since I was thirteen. Been traveling ever since, makin’ the best life for myself I possibly can. As for the fightin’, I only do that on my off days. For the most part, I help Jos here out behind the bar. Free drinks all day when I'm workin’ so it's worth it to me.”

That explained how that girl had taken down two shots and four beers and still seemed completely sober. She spent her days drinking.

“You said you travel, so how long you gonna be here? You stayin’ nearby?” Alexian questioned.

“What's with the twenty questions?”

Alexian stiffened, maybe he had been too interrogatory “I like to get to know the people I’m drinkin’ with. And with you being the beautiful lady you are I wanted to know if I was gonna get to see you again before I head out.”

Flattery usually worked for Alexian, that was generally the way he managed to worm his way out of situations at the castle. Tell someone exactly what they want to here and they might not report him for whatever he was doing that time.

“You  know-” Alexian trailed off “sorry, I must’ve forgotten your name.”

“I haven’t shared it yet, ” Halstyn paused before getting up from her barstool and turning walking around the counter “Selah Bascrof.”

Halstyn or Selah, according to her latent lie of an introduction extended her hand across the bar for Alexian to shake. 

He grasped her hand “Vaxten Justsn.”

Halstyn poured herself a couple more shots and him another one before hoisting herself up onto the bar.

“That’s not sanitary Bascrof, ” Jos muttered from the other end of the bar. 

“Nothing ‘bout this place is sanitary Jos, ” she shot Jos a look that screamed ‘do not test me’ causing him to shrink back. 

“And to answer your previous question, ” hopped back off the grimy bar top, “I think I'll be in town for a while.”

Halstyn peered over at the fighting pit and Alexian followed her gaze as a chorus of cheers surged around the two. Alexian could tell Halstyn was itching to jump back in.

“Wait for me, ” Halstyn murmured, her breath warm on Alexian’s neck.

Alexian watched as she sauntered off to the pit. 

“Who’s next?” the announcer invited.

Halstyn swung herself over the railing on the edge of the pit and then hopped over the ledge to the ground 8 feet below her.

Alexian scoffed, she could have just used the ladder.

The crowd thundered with approval. Those who had seen her previous fights were prompt to place their bets on Halstyn. As opposed to the 6’1” man that clamored down the ladder after her.

“Agree to your terms, ” the announcer instructed. 

Alexian took notice of the fact that the announcer seemed to have a much more refined form of speech than the other tavern dwellers indicating that he couldn't be from the slums initially.

Halstyn and the man walked towards each other and talked in hushed tones before shaking hands in agreement and making their way to opposing sides of the pit. While Alexian had no clue what terms they were agreeing to he was pretty sure he would find out eventually. 

“Remember the only rules are no wielding and do not go outside of the agreed-upon conditions, now you may begin.”

Halstyn allowed the man to attack first, and when he did she was ready. Evading hit after hit, every attempt the man-made to get her on the ground was quickly foiled. Alexian watched in awe as the two rumbled back in forth. Soon enough Halstyn judo flipped the man and he landed on the ground with a crack. It appeared Halstyn would come out completely unscathed. This time when Halstyn unholstered her blade from her thigh sheath it was completely clean of the black substance. She held it at the man's throat, but to Alexian’s surprise, she did not slash it. Instead, the two exchanged words before standing up, and the announcer declared Halstyn the winner. Another chorus came from the crowd and Halstyn made her way back to Alexian. 

“How’d I do?” She asked.

“You didn't kill ‘em this time.”

“You sound disappointed. Anyway, they woulda kicked me out if I had.”

“But the other guy-” Alexian was interrupted.

“Different terms, ” Halstyn shrugged, “most people ain't brave enough to fight to the death.”

“You want one?” She gestured a bottle towards Alexian.

“I think I’m done for the night.”

“What a disappointment.”

“Well, maybe just one more.”

Alexian figured that if he kept drinking so would she. All the better for him if Halstyn’s inhibitions were lowered. As long as hers were before his own.

The one drink had quickly morphed into multiple, and Alexian couldn't help but notice Halstyn’s bar stool gradually moving closer to his own. Around 3 am the tavern began to empty as last call came and went. Alexian’s head was more than slightly cloudy and he couldn't help but be a little amused at the way Halstyn was slurring her words. He wondered how she could be so careless yet she still hadn't been caught. Alexian shivered slightly as Halstyn stretched her hand out and placed it on his thigh. 

“I think it’s time we get outta here,” Halstyn slurred as she stood up.

“You’re drunk,” Alexian stated in response.

“That I am.”

Though he was hesitant Alexian found himself following the crimelord out of the tavern into the neighboring alleyway. He knew that his guards were surely trailing him from the rooftops. All he had to do was say the code word and they would be on top of him, but he didn’t. Instead, he decided to play along with Halstyn for a few more minutes. He figured it couldn’t do any harm. As their lips crashed together he carefully pulled the dagger from her thigh sheath. 

No more than two seconds later he had the blade poised at her heart. Halstyn simply laughed.

“Well played prince,” she said dropping the drawl and suddenly acting stone-cold sober.

She knew, and she probably had the whole time. She had been toying with him. Letting Alexian think that he was doing well. And that enraged him. He pushed her back until she was against the wall. He reached up with one hand, keeping the other one firmly wrapped around the blade, and pushed down the hood of her cloak. Though her face had only been partially obscured by it she looked different with it down. Older.

Perhaps it was her eyes that told a story of hardship but were so full of rage.  Or it could have been the fact that Alexian hadn't seen Halstyn anywhere other than news reports since they were kids. 

Twirling around, Halstyn pushed the blade to his throat just hard enough that a couple of beads of blood bubbled up. Halstyn smirked. Where were his guards?

“You almost had me fooled. You know that?” 

“Did I?” Alexian steadied his breathing, “What tipped you off?”

He was trying his best to remain nonchalant about the situation, but he swallowed hard causing more blood to drip down his neck. 

She shrugged “you still have the scar above your left eyebrow.”

That's what she had been looking at earlier. 

It was true, he did. An oversight on his part. The two had been inseparable when they were young. Alexian should have figured she would remember the details.

“Why don't you just slit my throat?” Alexian implored “We  both know you could do it and escape before my guards get here.”

She laughed “First of all, that would be too easy. Second, you don't have to worry about your guards. They've been taken care of already. Plus you're more useful to me alive than dead.”