Thorns and starlight

Nyra could feel her head throbbing as she suddenly regained her sight. What sort of vision was that? She couldn't help but ask herself.

She shook her head raising her eyes up only to see Aeris staring at her somewhat confused but he didn't say anything. He quietly closed the door behind him, leaving Nyra alone to her thoughts.

So far, she couldn't think of another plan to try and escape this palace. Everyone she had imagined in her head always ended up with Aeris getting her in the act, once more. She groaned as she threw her head back, her legs were aching from the way she was positioned but what could she do?

Time went by quickly, Nyra spent her time trying to get out of these cuffs without triggering anything or at least finding an escape route, but everything just ended up making her angry.

Soon the door opened again and a maid walked in. She had dark brown hair and deep yellow eyes that made her look almost familiar to Rachel but Nyra didn't know if it was her or not. The maid's hair was covering half of her face, so Nyra wasn't too sure.

The maid dropped the tray of food on the floor, moving to unlock the chains binding Nyra so she could eat. Taking few steps closer to Nyra, the maid used the key giving to her by the guards to unlock Nyra, she turned around heading out of the room when Nyra called out to her.

"Who are you?" That was the only question Nyra had in her head, this so called maid looked awfully familiar but Nyra couldn't just place if it was her best friend or not.

"Oh shut up" Rachel finally spoke, brushing her hair out of the way as her eyes went back to it's usual color. Nyra giggled softly, she was happy and scared at the same time as she pulled Rachel into her arms.

"I knew it was you the moment you stepped into the room, I just couldn't place whether it was a look alike or something. I'm glad you're here" Nyra said as she broke the hug. Rachel snorted as she looked around shaking her head.

"I told you, you can't do this alone. I've been here since the third day and I found out you got caught. I didn't inform your mother though but we need to get that veilshard and get out of here" Rachel said as she looked outside the dungeon, thankfully no one was here.

"I don't know, if we don't plan it well. We'd get caught again, and also have you gathered any information since you've been here?" Nyra was aching for some progress, seeing Rachel here, she knew that they could finally progress with their plans.

"Did you know that the palace is built right in the heart of this damned city. I used this map to try and find the heart of the city which you marked, I ended up here" Rachel said as she brought out the old map she had found in Nyra's bag.

Nyra was about talking when they heard footsteps. Rachel winked at her, closing her eyes as she used her her to cover her face before walking out of the dungeon.

As the same time, Aeris was walking into the dungeon, Rachel curtsied before running off. Nyra sat on the floor as she slowly started eating the food that was given to her.

Aeris was a tad bit suspicious of that maid, she looked all relaxed and open around Nyra.

That was weird!

"Do you by any chance know that maid?" Aeris asked as he grabbed a wooden chair from the corner taking a seat on it.

"Why would I know a maid? And don't you think that chair is a bit too weak for your weight?" Nyra asked as she watched the chair shaking. With look of things, it would give out on him soon and she couldn't wait to burst out laughing.

"That is none of your business. You need to tell me what exactly you want, Nyra? You could help your people and yourself you know?" Aeris said with a shrug but Nyra just smirked. She would never take help from an elf, it made her look weak and useless.

"Did I ask for your help? No I didn't. So please leave me alone, I should at least enjoy my time here as a prisoner" Nyra said with an eye roll. Aeris on the other hand was fuming, he just couldn't handle her carefree and nonchalant attitude.

Other people by now would be begging but she was so relaxed.

"Stand up!" Aeris yelled, his voice having that echo that made Nyra flinch but she just raised her eyes to meet him, a dissatisfied smirk on her lips.

"And what if I don't? You think you're all powerful and mighty? Let's make a deal, let's battle. Two weapons, one on one. If you win, I'd ask for you help but if I win I get to stay here but not in a dungeon" Nyra said, a hint of mischief in her tone as shd spoke. This was the only way she could use and since she had found her bag. That powder her mother had gifted her would work perfectly.

"Okay, deal" Aeris said, putting out his hand for a handshake. Nyra groaned as she stood up walking to where he was seated as the exchanged handshakes. Her eyes went to the chair then back at Aeris who was staring at her.

"Sorry" she muttered as she kicked one of the legs of the chair. Aeris felt the chair shift under him and just like that, it broke.

He landed on the floor with a loud thud. He didn't have a smile on his face, just a look of anger.

He immediately grabbed Nyra's ankle, tugging at it with all his might making her fall backwards as she slammed her head on the cold floor.

"H-holy shit!"