Night was approaching. The sun was dipping beneath the horizon, splashing the sky with a beautiful blend of reds, oranges, and pinks. Tigris watched the sun set as her door creaked open.

"Where's Roche?" Aodh asked gruffly from the doorway.

Tigris didn't turn to face him, afraid he'd see the incriminating shame on her face. "I sacked her."

Aodh's silent surprise clouded the air. "What?"

"She was asking too many stupid questions, putting stupid ideas in my head." Tigris shook her head, clearing away the traitorous thoughts that remained, "My focus can't waver. Not tonight."

Aodh was silent for a moment. She expected him to cheer, but he remained surprisingly quiet. Tigris heard his footsteps clack against her floor as he approached.

"Let me help you with that." he murmured softly, pointing to the pieces of her armour strewn across her floor. Roche normally would help her put it on but Roche was gone now.

Tigris nodded, unable to get the words out around the tightness in her throat.

Aodh worked quickly and efficiently, threading the leather cords around her arm to fasten the pieces of armour in place. His large, calloused fingers brushed the nape of her neck as he fastened her chest plate.

"Are you really going out there?" he asked quietly, bending to pick up another piece. Tigris swallowed to keep her voice steady.

"I must. It is my duty."

Aodh spun her around by the shoulders. His eyes were more serious than she'd ever seen before. His lips flattened into a thin line. "If Finn is right-"

"He won't be."

"What if he is?" Aodh asked tensely. His ice blue eyes bored into her green ones. "If he's right, you're going to die."

Tigris looked away. "You know Finn, he can be dramatic sometimes."

"Don't lie to me, Tigris. You felt the truth in his words." Aodh growled, shaking her gently until he met her eyes again. The worry in his face stole her breath, but she couldn't take his concern. Not when she'd been battling her own fears for hours.

"I can't disobey Father," Tigris' voice cracked against her will, "You know it. I disgraced him in court today, I need to maintain my honour."

"At the cost of your life?" Aodh hissed furiously.

Tigris held his gaze, something settling in her chest. "Yes," she breathed the admission softly, "If that's what it takes."

Aodh searched her face for a moment. Then he sighed, stepping back. He hefted her sword.

"Then I'm coming with you." he murmured, flipping the hilt of the blade towards Tigris. She grasped it, shaking her head.

"If Finn's right, then Father is going to need a new heir after tonight." Tigris clasped her brother's shoulder, ensuring that the truth of her words seeped into her eyes. She offered him the largest smile she could offer. "I know you'll be the heir this kingdom deserves."

Aodh backpedaled immediately, shaking his head vigorously. "You can't expect me to let you ride out to your death alone."

"I won't be alone." Tigris insisted, flipping her sword in her hand. "I'll have the knights."

"No," Aodh insisted, his eyes wild. Tigris noted with a pang of her heart that he looked like Finn in that instant. "They aren't enough. I'll come with you."

"You won't." Tigris said softly, prowling forward. Aodh's eyes narrowed.

"What are you doing?" he managed to ask as Tigris lifted her sword and brought the hilt down onto her brother's head. Aodh's eyes rolled up, and Tigris barely managed to catch him. She eased his body to the floor before finding some clothes to bind him with. He'd wake up with a wicked headache in a few hours, but he'd be alive.

That's all that mattered.

Tigris tightened her grip on her sword, slipping out the doors of her chambers.

There was one last stop she had to make before she defeated this Atrex once and for all.

-------

The dungeons were awfully dark. The sound of shallow breaths rasped through the air, interrupted by the loud clang of an unlocked door. Tigris marched through, fastening her key to her hip. The damp scent of mildew, mold, and urine assaulted her nose.

"Would you like an escort, my lady?" the guard on duty asked. Tigris waved him off.

"I'll be fine, Sir Stefan. Go tell the next shift to get ready, you'll be coming with me for the battle tonight." Tigris ordered stiffly.

"Of course, my lady."

She waited for the steady beat of his footsteps to recede before she marched up to one of the cells. Ivie was on her feet instantly, her maid's clothes smeared and stained with grime. Her warm brown eyes, so much like Roche's, gleamed intently.

"My lady," Ivie gasped, lowering into a curtsy, "Are you alright?"

"As well as I can be." Tigris watched her for a moment. Ivie remained still and attentive. She was Roche's opposite in nearly every way, except for the same pensive silence they both seemed to possess.

"What brings you here, my lady?" Ivie asked kindly, clasping her calloused hands over her stomach. Her eyes shone with earnestness.

Tigris' throat tightened just a little bit. "My father plans to have you charged for the summoning of the Atrex, a creature of inkblood."

Ivie went completely still. "My lady," she said quietly, "I did not summon that beast. I only wished to help fight it. I only wish to serve you and this kingdom."

I know. Tigris wanted to say. Instead, she leaned forward, unlocking the cell door. She stepped inside, her shoes squelching against a patch of filth. Ivie's eyes widened, but she didn't move, didn't even try to press away. She didn't even try to slip out of the open cell door.

"My lady?" Ivie asked, confused. Tigris pulled out the sword she'd nabbed from Sir Stefan, throwing it at the prisoner's feet.

"Pick it up."

Ivie's lips thinned, and she obliged. Without warning, Tigris lunged forward, thrusting her own blade. Ivie instantly parried the blow, her eyes wide. Her chest heaved, her usual steadiness disappearing.

"My lady," Ivie panted, affronted, easily twisting away, "Have I done something to upset you?"

Tigris didn't reply. Instead, she spun around, slamming the cell door shut. She had minutes to finish this.

"No, Ivie. I'm doing something I should have done much earlier," she twirled her sword, trying to slice at the girl's side. Ivie ducked beneath it easily, dancing back to avoid another thrust. Tigris pressed close, and Ivie immediately had her blade up, pressing it away from her jugular, redirecting the blow to the side.

"What have I done, my lady?" Ivie gritted out, sweat pouring down her rich skin.

Tigris swiped for her legs. Ivie cried out in alarm, vaulting forward, pressing Tigris back instinctively. There was only so much room in the tiny cell. Tigris shoved her away, hard enough that the maid crashed against the opposite wall. Her grip on her sword loosened, and Tigris easily smacked it away.

The sword skittered across the cell. Ivie lunged for it, but Tigris immediately had her sword up, the point pressed against the delicate hollow of the girl's neck.

Ivie went still again, hands splayed defenselessly by her sides.

They stood like that for a heartbeat. Tigris' blood roared in her ears.

"My lady?" Ivie's voice was low and curious, but unafraid.

Tigris couldn't stop the frown that flashed across her face. She spun the sword in her hand, and Ivie flinched like she expected the blade to pierce her tender flesh.

But Tigris held out the hilt of her sword to the girl.

"You've shown more promise than many knights I know." Tigris explained, waiting for Ivie to meet her eyes, "You lasted longer than any new recruit I've ever had. Roche was right, you'd make a damn good knight."

Ivie still didn't take the sword. Tigris leaned back, pressing her sweating back against the cool bars of the cell. It swung open easily, and Tigris stepped out. She gestured to the open door.

"Go. Leave the kingdom immediately."

"What?" Ivie gasped. Tigris nodded gravely.

"My father won't rest until someone is blamed for the Atrex's summoning. I won't have someone as loyal and truthful as you be burned for it." Tigris murmured, holding the door open wider.

Ivie looked like she was going to fall over. "What are you going to do? I've heard whispers from the guards that there will be a battle tonight."

"There will be," Tigris agreed, "I will go face it."

Ivie immediately dropped to one knee. "Let me come with you, my lady. I've faced the Atrex before, I can help!"

Tigris' heart twisted. She turned away, sheathing her sword. "I know that, Ivie." Tigris admitted, her voice echoing in the suddenly quiet cell, "I know. You're one of the most promising recruits I've met, more promising than the knights I'll be fighting with tonight. But you aren't a knight. I can't let you fight at my side. My father will have you burned if I do."

Ivie was quiet.

Tigris heaved a steadying breath, trying to shove away the feeling that she was making a terrible mistake.

"You must go. Leave the city, find somewhere safe."

"My lady-" Ivie tried again, Tigris interrupted her with a shout.

"Go! That's an order," she nearly swallowed the words reflexively, for they felt false on her lips, "From your princess."

Ivie stared at her, stunned. She curtsied deeply.

"I won't forget this kindness, my lady." Ivie promised, as quiet and steady as always, before fleeing the cell.

Tigris sighed in relief as she heard the girl's footsteps fade. She stepped out of the cells, pocketing the keys. She moved to a cell in the far corner, filthy and holding a small, trembling boy.

"Finn?" Tigris called quietly. The unmoving lump of torn fabric and snow white skin didn't acknowledge her. Tigris cleared her throat. "I'm going to fight the Atrex. I'll be back afterwards."

Finn squeezed his eyes shut. His spectacles were strewn on the ground in front of him.

"I'm dreaming. You're probably already dead." he whispered hoarsely. Goosebumps rose on Tigris' arm, a sudden chill wracking her.

"I'll be fine, Finn. I'll see you soon." she promised, backing away.

Finn's reply chased her.

"No you won't."

A/N: Poor Finn :( He's going through it rn.