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Chapter Text

Cassandra drags her little sister Rapunzel down the wooden stairs from their bedroom towards the living room.

“Noooooo!” her baby sister screamed and tried kicking and punching at the eight-year-old. “Nooooooo! Nooooooo! I don’t want to!”

“I don’t care!” Cassandra shouted back, tightening her grip. At the age of eight Cassandra was too young to be parenting, but she had no choice. With Gothel gone most of the time, often days at a time, she was Rapunzel’s sole caretaker. “Your hair needs brushing and washing and that’s final.”

“I hate it! I hate it! I want to cut it all off!”

“And I want a little sister who doesn’t fight me on everything!”

“I hate you!”

“I hate you more!”

The truth was, the girls loved each other very much. But being locked in a tower together all day, all night, day in and day out, had its disadvantages and one of them was that they certainly go on each other’s nerves.

Then there was the sound of clicking and wood moving. Cassandra gasped, letting go of Rapunzel and rushing down the stairs. “Mummy!” she shouted, excited for her mother’s return.

When the trap-door opened and revealed a large man wearing golden armour and holding a sword, Cassandra screamed.

Rapunzel did the same before running back towards the room. Cassandra tried to run, but the guard quickly grabbed her wrist. Cassandra screamed and thrashed, struggling as though her life depended on it, which in her mind, it did. Screaming at the top of her lungs until her throat burnt.

When she couldn’t scream anymore and she could barely breathe, she heard the soft words of the man. “Hey, it’s alright, it’s alright, you’re safe.” She looked up to see he’d removed his helmet while other guards were getting Rapunzel down from their room.

Cassandra must have screamed for too long because her head spun from lack of oxygen and soon the world went black.

Frederic rushed forward as the guards came down. “Is it..?” a part of him did not dare hope, but another part of him couldn’t help the warmness in his heart.

A guard smiled and nodded, moving his arms to reveal the four-year-old blonde he held in his arms.

Frederic felt tears fall down his face. “My baby, my Rapunzel,” he took the girl from the guard and stared with awe.

Rapunzel tried to make herself small, not sure who this man was or what he wanted with her. The way she hid made Frederic cry more, but there was plenty of time to explain. For now, he held her close to his chest.

“Thank you…” he wasn’t sure who he was thanking in that moment, the guards, the baby girl for being alive or the gods for hearing his prayers?

“Your Majesty,” the captain frowned. “She wasn’t alone.”

Frederic looked up, expecting them to have made another arrest, but instead he was holding a sleeping or unconscious child, with black colour hair and a pale complexion.

“She looks like the woman that was arrested…”

The captain nodded. “Probably her real daughter.”

Frederic nodded. “Well, it’s not her fault. She’ll go to Corona’s orphanage and I’m certain she will find a new family.” He looked up at the tower. “And a far more suitable home.”

The man nodded. “As you wish, Your Majesty.”

Cassandra woke up in a small room with no windows and a closed door. She was lying on a small mattress on the floor with nothing but a blanket lazily thrown over her.

“Mummy?” she called, but there was no response. “Rapunzel?” she tried again, taking deep, slow breaths. “Mummy?” Her breathing became faster. “Rapunzel?” she shouted as her breathing became ecstatic.

The door opened, but the figure that stood before her was unfamiliar. She screamed and backed away into the corner, hands tight around the blanket.

“Oh.” The woman who had come in knelt down to seem smaller. “I see you’re awake.”

“Go away!” Cassandra shouted.

“I see you’re also scared.”

“Where’s my mummy?!”

The woman frowned. “You don’t need to be scared of me. I’m here to take care of you.”

“No! Where’s my mummy?!”

The woman stepped forward and Cassandra tried to back further into the corner, crying as she hugged herself. “Don’t come near me! Go away! Go away!”

The woman just kept coming closer, hands reaching out to touch Cassandra. When her hand touched the bare skin of Cassandra’s arm, the girl bit down on the sensitive flesh in terror.

The woman screamed and backed away. “Okay! Okay!” She backed further away. “You need more time. That’s fine.” And she closed the door behind her as she left, locking it to ensure Cassandra couldn’t escape.

Cassandra fell to the floor, gasping for breath. She cried and held the blanket close. “Mummy!” she called, but nobody answered.

Cassandra was what the caretakers classified as a ‘difficult child’, it took them two days to get her to eat, four days to get her to stop hiding in the corner, an entire week to get her out of the little room and an entire two weeks to get her answering questions.

Up until that point, all they knew about her is she’d been raised in isolation and that her mother had been arrested.

“What’s your name?”

“Cassandra.”

“How old are you?”

“Eight.”

“Can you tell us a bit about yourself?”

“I want my mummy and my sister.”

“Your file doesn’t say anything about a sister.”

“I have a little sister, I do, and she needs me! I need to be with her!”

When they asked the guards about said little sister, they were told Cassandra was an only child, that the girl she called sister belonged to another family. They tried to convince Cassandra that she was an only child, but the eight-year-old was having none of it. “I want my sister,” she would cry and beg.

Cassandra had been in the orphanage for about a month when it was the Goodwill Festival, and all the orphans were taken to the courtyard to see the events. Cassandra was very timid, and the crowd frightened her. She clung onto her caretaker’s hand very tight and sucked her thumb.

She eyed every person in the crowd. Despite being told her mother was gone, she hoped maybe her mother would come find her. But so far, she’d had no such luck.

Then there was the sound of a man’s voice. “Citizens of Corona.”

The caretaker knelt down, “Guys, look, it’s the king,” she tried to get the orphans to pay attention and seem as polite and well-behaved as possible.

Cassandra looked up, but she didn’t find much interest in what the king was saying, but then she saw something that did interest her. Behind the king was a tall woman with brown hair and a beautiful purple dress. In her arms was a four-year-old girl with bright blonde hair who sucked her thumb just like Cassandra, head resting on the woman’s chest, probably scared by the loud crowd, just as Cassandra was.

“Rapunzel,” Cassandra whispered.

“Excuse me?” the caretaker whispered.

Cassandra let go of the caretaker’s hand and burst into a sprint. The caretaker was caught completely off guard. Cassandra had been stuck to her side just moments ago and now was halfway up the stairs. “Rapunzel!” she called.

Rapunzel turned her head, green eyes going wide, she gasped. Finally, her sister had found her. But then the guards snatched Cassandra up into the air. The girl screamed and struggled.

Frederic paused his speech.

“Oh my goodness,” the caretaker rushed over. “I’m so sorry! She means no harm. She’s confused.”

“Give me my sister back!” Cassandra screamed, trying her best to break free of the solid grasp of the guards. “Give her back! Thieves! Thieves!” she screamed at the king and queen.

Frederic recognised the girl from the tower, but Arianna just looked confused.

Rapunzel began to cry and Arianna held her closer, thinking the young princess was scared of the commotion and not scared because of the way her big sister screamed.

“You don’t have a sister,” the caretaker hissed, taking her from the guards. “I apologise profusely!” she told the king and queen, the guards and the crowd. “I’ll sort her out.” Her grip on Cassandra became so tight it hurt and only then did Cassandra quiet down, though she still cried and reached out her hands towards the blonde.

“Please,” she begged, but the caretaker dragged her away.

Rapunzel’s crying got louder.

“Oh, my poor sweetheart.” Arianna kissed the blonde baby. “I’m going to take her indoors for a nap,” Arianna said and left her husband to get the festivities started.

Had Rapunzel not been so scared and shy around the king and queen, maybe she’d have been able to tell Arianna the real reason she cried. Alas, it would still be a while until Rapunzel was brave enough to speak to the king and queen.

Chapter Text

Eugene and Lance were dragged roughly by the guard from the street into the orphanage.

“Let me go!” Eugene struggled while Lance just tried to keep up.

“Are these yours?” the guard asked the closest caretakers, gesturing to the boys.

The caretaker looked up and shook his head. “I don’t recognise them.”

“Well, they don’t have any parents!”

“I see…” The caretaker walked over, crossing his arms. “Names?”

“None of your business!” Eugene shouted.

Lance nodded.

The caretaker rolled his eyes. “Are you orphans?”

Eugene glared, but Lance nodded.

The caretaker sighed. “Leave ‘em. They may not be from around here, but it’s not like they’ll be missed.”

“They were caught stealing pastries. I suggest you keep a close eye on them.” The guard said as he finally let go of the boy’s arms.

The caretaker nodded. “Alright, follow me for the intake process.”

Lance and Eugene were familiar with this process. This wasn’t the first time they’d run away and ended up in yet another orphanage from yet another kingdom. They knew the questions, and they knew the most annoying answers to get the caretakers to hate them before even knowing their name.

But eventually they always got bored and ended up giving the caretakers their info so they could just go to bed.

In the morning, they’d figure out what they were working with, which caretakers were the nicest or most manipulable, which kids were more likely to help them in their mischief, what resources did this orphanage have…

And as always, Eugene took the time to read some of his favourite book to his fellow orphans, it served two-fold, Eugene could evaluate how much he liked each kid depending on whether they too enjoyed the tales of Flynnigan Rider, and it got them into the good books of most other orphans.

Lance stood next to Eugene, smiling and occasionally giving a voice to one of the characters in the book when he realised there was only one orphan who wasn’t listening to the story.

In the furthest corner of the room, there was a little girl curled up with a blanket wrapped tightly around herself. She was so still, Lance almost mistook her for a piece of furniture. He took a look at Eugene before slowly making his way across the room.

The girl curled in further on herself when she heard the footsteps.

Lance slowed down. “Hey.”

She didn’t respond.

“My name’s Lance, I’m new here.”

Nothing.

“Do you not like stories?”

She closed her eyes tight.

Lance looked back towards Eugene, who at this point had seen Lance and was reading faster, finishing the chapter. “Aren’t you lonely sitting here, separated from everybody else?”

Nothing.

Lance sat down next to her. He didn’t touch her or do anything until Eugene came over.

“Who’s this?”

“I don’t know,” Lance responded. “She isn’t talking.”

“That’s Cassandra,” one of the other orphans answered for them. “She doesn’t talk much,” they said. “She doesn’t do much of anything, in fact. She never plays with us.”

Lance and Eugene shared a concerned look.

“Well, that’s no fun,” Lance said, as Eugene sat down next to him, as the orphan ran back to the rest of the group to discuss the story Eugene had just shared.

“I’m Eu—Flynn, by the way, you might have heard of me,” Eugene grinned.

The girl opened her eyes ever so slightly to peer up at the boy, though she didn’t seem to believe him.

“We’re adventurers,” Lance explained. “We’re a top-notch team. We’ve been to many kingdoms exploring.”

Eugene nodded. “And, you’re just in luck because we’re looking for new members, right, Lance?”

Lance grinned, nodding. “Yeah, perhaps someone who’s a bit sneaky, who can hide and stay quiet?”

Cassandra shut her eyes again.

“Just like that!” Lance declared.

“So what you say, you joining our adventure team?”

No answer.

“How about this, if you want to join, all you gotta do is stay quiet for about five seconds?”

Cassandra looked up over her knees as Lance slowly counted.

“And five! Welcome aboard!”

Eugene and Lance grinned proudly while Cassandra closed her eyes once more, thinking the two boys would tire of her quick.

After that day, Cassandra was rarely alone. They’d sit with her in her corner, reading to her, telling her about their adventures and scheming their next crime, knowing Cassandra wouldn’t tell on them.

They’d sit on either side of her during meals and at first they tried to make her eat, but then one day Eugene got tired of trying and instead said: “Well if you don’t want it, it’s mine,” he was about to eat the potato when Cassandra snatched it from him and stuffed it in her mouth.

That’s how the boys learnt there was no better way to get the girl to eat than to put their thieving skills to the test, even if they did sometimes get in trouble with caretakers.

Every night, Lance would sneak into the girls’ room to tuck her in before bed. After four nights of doing this, he heard her voice for the first time. It was quiet and hesitant, but after Lance whispered, “Good night.”

She whispered, “Good night,” right back. And Lance knew this girl would stay a part of their little group for a long time.

Cassandra didn’t talk much, so Eugene became her voice.

One day they were handing out fluffy toys which had been donated to all the “well-behaved kids”, which Eugene and Lance knew meant none for them.

“Do any other well-behaved kids want a cuddly toy?” a caretaker asks.

“Cassandra does!” Eugene declared.

“Do you, Cassandra?”

The girl hid behind Eugene.

“If she doesn’t ask for one, then she doesn’t want one,” the caretaker argued.

“She doesn’t talk!” Eugene shouted, crossing his arms. “Or are we punishing silence now? Because if we are, then I’m going to start—”

“No, don’t,” the caretaker sighed, holding out a hand for Cassandra. “Would you like to pick one?”

Cassandra, for a moment, looked like she wouldn’t come out of hiding, but then she gave a small nod.

“Alright then, come choose one.”

Eugene had to walk over to the chest with her, holding her hand as she looked down at the few remaining plushes. They were small and not of very good quality, but hey, it was something.

“Which one do you want?”

Cassandra sucked her thumb and looked at Eugene, expecting him to pick for her.

Eugene pushed Cassandra closer to the chest. “Look, you can choose the cute little dog, the cute cat, the cute horse, don’t choose the owl, it’s got big creepy eyes.” He scrunched up his nose.

Cassandra immediately reached out for the Owl.

“Of course…” Eugene grumbled as the caretaker gave her the toy and she hugged it closer to her chest. Despite his words, he did smile at how content Cassandra was with her little owl.

Eventually, Cassandra had the confidence to walk around with Lance and Eugene. She was quiet. She held onto one of their sleeves and usually sucked her thumb, but she no longer curled up in the corner hidden under a blanket.

To Lance and Eugene, this meant one thing: it was time to initiate her training! She was part of the team, after all.

“You see that gentleman over there?” Eugene pointed at a man sitting on a bench. He was reading a newspaper and had left his bag open on the bench next to him, completely unattended.

They were at the park and the caretakers were supposed to be keeping an eye on all of them, but with just two caretakers and around thirty orphans, the reality was the kids had free rein.

Cassandra sucked her thumb and purposefully looked at the ground so that she couldn’t see the crime about to be committed.

“Don’t worry, he’s got more money than we’ll ever have,” Lance mumbled, scrunching up his nose at the man’s fancy clothing and expensive jewellery.

“Watch and learn, Cass,” Eugene began his slow sneak. He moved around the trees, then behind the bench, he slowly reached his hand into the open bag, snatched something and then sneaked off.

Lance watched nervously, ready to create a distraction if anything went wrong, but fortunately Eugene was getting much better.

“Did she watch?”

Cassandra shook her head adamantly.

“Well, the less you watch, the more we’re going to have to steal so you can learn,” Eugene pointed out.

“What ya get?” Lance asked.

“It’s… umm… I’m not sure.”

Cassandra finally looked up. Eugene was holding a seemingly useless piece of wood, probably the lid, to a rectangular box. Cassandra reached up for it, and Eugene let her have it.

“See? Stealing gets you things,” Eugene grinned.

Then Cassandra made a stabbing movement with the lid and hit him.

“Ouch! What was that for?” he shouted.

“Stealing,” she whispered with a giggle.

It was the first time either of the boys had heard her laugh.

“Is it too late to throw her off the team?” Eugene asked, but with the widest grin he’d had in a while, excited they were making progress with her.

“This way,” Cassandra pulled on Lance’s sleeve, and both Lance and Eugene followed her into the kitchen, where she pointed up at the cookie jar which had been left on the counter, pretty much within reach. Cassandra sucked on her thumb a little before mumbling over her thumb. “It’s not locked away.”

Lance smiled. “Well spot my little apprentice!”

Cassandra smiled as Eugene grabbed her hand and lead her over to the counter.

Lance, who was the tallest, got on his tippy-toes to try to reach it but was a tiny bit too small. All three of the children were pretty small for their age.

“We need to get a chair,” Eugene informed.

Cassandra rolled her head because she didn’t yet know how to roll her eyes. “Lift me,” she ordered.

Lance lifted Cassandra up and the girl grabbed the cookie jar. However, before they could dig into a scrumptious treat, the kitchen door opened.

“We forgot rule number seven,” Eugene whispered.

“Look-out,” Lance filled in for Cassandra.

“You!” the caretakers stomped in. “I can’t believe how naughty you boys are! And you dragged little Cassandra into this too?”

Eugene opened his mouth, then shook his head. “We didn’t drag her into it!” he defended. “It was her idea!”

The caretakers looked at Cassandra, who was once more sucking her thumb. Cassandra’s big grey eyes filled with tears and she dropped the jar. It shattered against the floor as she began to cry. “They said they’d pull my hair if I didn’t help them!”

The caretakers gasped, picking up the young girl. “You boys should be ashamed of yourselves!”

Eugene gasped. “Did she just…?”

“Frame us,” Lance nodded.

“My goodness,” Eugene smiled. “She’s learning!”

“I’m so proud,” Lance smiled as the caretaker took Cassandra away before coming back to punish the boys.

Chapter Text

As Cassandra began to talk again, Lance and Eugene slowly got snippets of what had led the girl to the orphanage and into the fearful state they found her in.

Eugene was brushing Cassandra’s hair one morning while she sucked on the wing of her owl plush. Lance and Eugene had been trying to get the girl to stop sucking her thumb after she’d made it bleed a few too many times. The nervous habits would have probably been easier to tackle before they formed, but the caretakers were few and habits as harmless as thumb-sucking were not high on their list of priorities.

Cassandra sniffled as the brush went through again. “Am I hurting you?” Eugene paused.

She shook her head, and Eugene kept going until she sniffled again.

“Are you sure?”

She nodded. The brush came back, and she sniffled once more.

“If I’m not hurting you, what is the matter?” he frowned.

She hesitated. “I never brushed her hair.”

Eugene tilted his head. “Who’s hair?”

Cassandra sniffled. “I was supposed to brush my sister’s hair.”

“You had a sister?”

She nodded.

Eugene wasn’t sure he wanted to ask what had happened. Knowing where Cassandra ended up, but he knew that if he and Lance could understand Cassandra’s past, they might be able to comfort her and assist her better. “What was her name?”

“Rapunzel.”

“Like the princess?”

There was silence as Eugene continued to brush her hair. When he met her tear-filled eyes, there was something about the look she gave.

“What?”

“She wasn’t always a princess.”

Eugene stopped brushing the hair. “Your sister is the princess?”

Cassandra wiped her eyes, hugging her owl closer. “Not when we were sisters. We lived in a tower. It was safe and I took care of her. I made sure she had food, and wrapped her in the blanket every night and brushed her hair. I loved her. She was my family. But then she went to be a princess and…”

Eugene wrapped his arms around Cassandra. “She left you here?”

Cassandra began to cry louder and Eugene closed his eyes, holding her.

“I was supposed to brush her hair, I didn’t do it, I didn’t have time and… Mummy would… Mummy would…” she was panicking and Eugene didn’t know what to do.

“That princess is very silly if she chose some stuffy king and queen over you.”

Cassandra got quieter.

Eugene pulled away to look at her and gently wipe tears from her eyes with his thumb. “You’re awesome.”

Cassandra smiled and nodded.

Another day Eugene and Lance were planning their next “heist” while Cassandra was trying her hand at art, she had some crayons and paper and she claimed the drawing was off an owl that she would hang above Eugene’s bed to creep him out at night.

Eugene claimed he’d done nothing to earn this blatant disregard for his well-being. However, he acted very purposefully over the top whenever expressing his fears, and this made Cassandra laugh. Just as they were finishing their projects, the front door opened.

A woman stepped in and one of the girls ran forward. “Mummy!”

A caretaker came over. It was rare parents were located, far rarer for them to actually want the kid back. These moments were rare, but they brought a, perhaps painful, hope to those remaining in the room as they left.

“I wonder what that’s like,” Lance whispered. “Having a mum to love you.”

Cassandra began to suck on her crayon until Eugene noticed and took it away. “No! We don’t eat crayons.” He looked around before finding the owl plush on the floor, which he allowed her to suck on.

“I had a mummy.”

“Was she nice?” Lance asked.

Cassandra hesitated. “Not like you.”

“Well, nobody can live up to our grandeur,” Eugene grinned, and for once Cassandra didn’t deny it.

“She was… Maybe like the caretakers… She was… She was there… She brought food and made sure we had the safe tower.” She hummed. “She… Sometimes she was not nice.”

“Did you love her?”

Cassandra sniffled. “I did. Very much.”

Lance wrapped his arms around Cassandra and Eugene, pulling them into a group hug as Cassandra began to cry.

“I’m sorry Cass,” he whispered. “It’s okay though, you have a new family now.”

“But I don’t know where mummy went and… And I miss her.”

Lance’s grip tightened.

“I don’t know where my parents are either,” Eugene whispered. “I think they’re off adventuring though, and one day they’re going to come back… Maybe your mum is with my parents.”

Cassandra looked into the amber eyes. “Really?”

Eugene nodded, and he started to tell a tale of the amazing adventures of Mama Fitzherbert, Papa Fitzherbert and Cass’ Mummy. Lance smiled and pulled Cassandra onto his lap to listen.

“Arnwaldo!”

Cassandra didn’t look up as the caretaker called out, she was sat on Lance’s lap with one of Eugene’s Flynnigan Rider books. Lance and Eugene were helping her with her reading. Gothel had never spent time teaching her and so now she needed extra support.

“What’s this word?” Cassandra asked Lance, who was looking up.

“Arnwaldo, come here.”

Lance scrunched up his nose.

“Is it a bad word?” Cassandra whispered, eyes widening, not understanding why Lance ignored her.

Lance blinked before smiling. “Very bad, Eugene will teach you,” he put her down before going over to the caretaker to Cassandra’s confusion.

“Who’s Arnwaldo?” Cassandra asked.

“It’s Lance’s birth name,” Eugene responded.

“Oh. Like your name is Eugene and not Flynn?”

Eugene shook his head. “My name is Flynn!”

Casandra had not once called him Flynn. She thought it was stupid, but she hadn’t realised Lance lied too. “Arnwaldo is a really weird name.”

Eugene nodded, patting the floor next to him so Cassandra would sit back down. “Don’t use it. It’s not like real name which is just a stupid name. It brings back bad memories for Lance.”

“Bad memories?”

Eugene hummed. “Lance didn’t… His mummy and daddy weren’t good. He was taken from his home so he could be safe here.”

“Oh.”

For a long time, Eugene and Lance suspected Cassandra was the same, so scared of everything, something had to have prompted that fear. Though Cassandra denied her mother had been anything but loving, Lance still didn’t trust Cassandra’s perception.

“What does this word say?” Cassandra held up the book, pointing once more at the word she was confused by.

“Transcendent.”

“What’s that?”

“It’s what I am!” Eugene grinned. “Basically, better than the average human.”

“Better at what? Being stupid!” she laughed, and he took the book away from her.

“That’s it.”

Cassandra got up and ran.

“I’m faster!” Eugene chased her around the room until he eventually caught her, he dragged her onto the ground and tickled her until her squeals became loud enough they’d get in trouble with the caretaker, at that point he stopped and let her catch her breath. “May this be a lesson not to mess with the great Flynn Rider!”

“You’re neither great nor Flynn Rider!”

Eugene started tickling her again.

“Noooooo!”

Chapter Text

It was winter, and Cassandra was finally allowed outside unsupervised. And there was so much to explore!

“Look Lance! Look!” She pulled at Lance’s sleeve trying to get his attention. “Lance! Lance!”

“Just a moment Cass,” Lance frowned, trying to get some information of the other kids in regards to when the market was in town. Markets were easy targets, enormous crowds, wares on display…

“Lance! Stop it! Lance come look!”

Lance scowled before finally turning to pay attention to Cassandra, apparently getting the girl to open up to them had come with its own consequences. “What?”

Cassandra pointed up at a window where she’d tried to draw in the frost using her finger.

“It’s beautiful. Why was it urgent?”

“Because it disappears really fast! Why does it disappear, Lance?”

Lance frowned. He had no idea but, of course, as the oldest out of the three, he had to pretend he knew everything so they’d see him as the wise old man of the group. “The cold eats it.”

“Eats it?” Cassandra looked horrified.

“Yup. Which means every drawing you make you’re feeding the cold, so when it gets colder and colder it’ll be your fault!”

Cassandra gasped.

“Which means you should probably stop drawing and find something else to do, something that allows me to go talk with the other kids, alright?”

“Oh, okay.” She kicked the frozen ground as Lance left her alone to continue his mission.

Cassandra tried to drag Eugene out of his comfortable beanbag with a book to play outside, but Eugene said the cold was his sworn enemy and if she made him go out in it, she would become his enemy too.

“But Eugene, I need you to play with me.”

“Play on your own.”

“I need you to be big and strong and protect me,” she played to Eugene’s ego, but the boy just laughed.

“If you want, you can take a seat and I’ll read out loud, but that’s as much of a compromise as you’re getting.”

Cassandra huffed and went back outside. She sat on the ground and appreciated the dots of frozen ice that formed on the grass and the way if she held them between her fingers, they’d melt. They tasted weird, though.

After a few hours of exploring, she wondered back to where Lance was in the backyard. He had a small bag which he was emptying the content off into a hole he’d dug in the ground.

“Lance!”

Lane jumped up, trying to hide what he was doing before realising it was just Cassandra. “Oh. Cass. Don’t scare me like that. He caught her in a hug when she ran over.

“What’s that?”

“Um…” Lance hesitated. “Nothing.”

“Is it stolen?” she looked sad.

Lance sighed. “Cass. Don’t worry.”

“You stole it!”

“Shush,” Lance grabbed her wrist tightly, which hurt. “Cass, if I get found out, they might send me away. Is that what you want?” In reality, it would take a bit more than this for Lance to be sent away. He was only about twelve years old, not even a teenager, but whatever got Cassandra to quiet down.

“Stealing is wrong.”

“I thought they kept you alone in a tower. Who took their time to teach your morals?” he huffed, hugging her. “I know you don’t like it, Cass, but stealing is necessary.”

“How is it needed?”

“Otherwise we wouldn’t get to have nice things.”

“Like what?”

“Eugene’s books that he reads to you?”

“I prefer the stories you two make up.”

Lance smiled. “What about when we share stolen food with you?”

“It’s stolen?”

Lance frowned.

“I won’t eat it anymore,” she crossed her arms.

“Oh, come on, but they’re your favourites.”

Cassandra shook her head.

“Fine. Don’t. But you can’t stop me and Eugene from doing what’s right for us. Got that?”

Cassandra frowned. “But it’s bad!”

“You know what else is bad?”

“What?”

“Getting all up in other people’s business,” Lance said, releasing her from the hug. “I was told the lake was frozen over. Why don’t you go play down there with some of the other kids?”

“On my own?”

“I’ll be there as soon as I’m finished here.”

Cassandra looked at the hole and the things being buried inside. Some of them sparkled, but she didn’t know what they were. “You promise?”

Lance looked up and nodded. “Course.”

Cassandra smiled. “Alright…” She ran off before pausing at the end of the backyard. “Lance?”

“Yes, Cass?”

“Would you ever steal from me?”

Lance frowned. “Cass, you literally only own one thing and that’s a badly chewed on owl plush.”

Cassandra hugged herself. “What if somebody steals it?”

Lance rolled his eyes. “Then I’ll fight them. Now go play.”

Cassandra nodded and ran away. Lance shook his head. Cassandra was too innocent for the world she’d been thrust into. Lance and Eugene would do their best to protect her while they could, but sooner or later they were going to have to increase her lessons if she was to survive long term.

The lake was fully frozen over, just like Lance had said. Children were sliding around on it, shouting excitedly at each other as they reached speeds beyond their control.

Cassandra was a brave little girl, but she was far braver when Eugene and Lance were around, so she didn’t try to get onto the ice herself. She did, however, find a few stones to slide across it, awestruck by how they slid from one side of the lake to another. She sat there with her stone for an awfully long time, waiting patiently for Lance to come.

Then she saw something sitting in a tree.

She slowly walked over.

It hooted, and she gasped, stepping back and falling over onto her bum.

The bird tilted its head.

Cassandra looked like she was going to cry until said bird flew down, landing a few steps away. Then Cassandra’s eyes widened. “You’re an owl?”

The bird tilted its head. It was an owl, but pretty small and fluffy, it picked at its feather with its beak before stepping closer to Cassandra, clearly just as curious about the girl as Cassandra was about him.

Cassandra reached out, but when she did, the owl hopped back.

“Oh, I didn’t mean to scare you! I’m sorry.”

The owl hooted.

“My name’s Cassandra.”

Another hoot.

“My family calls me Cass, though.”

Another head tilt.

“I have an owl toy at home. It looks just like you!”

A hoot.

“A bit more chewed on.”

The owl’s eyes widened.

“Oh! Don’t worry! I wouldn’t chew on a real owl!”

The owl got closer.

“You must be really cold out here…”

A hoot.

“Would you like to come inside? I can introduce you to my big brothers?”

When the owl didn’t fly away, she carefully picked him up and tucked her beneath her cardigan. It wasn’t really warm enough for the weather, but it was better than nothing. At first the owl seemed unsure, then it decided it liked the warmth and cuddled up to Cassandra, who giggled. “What’s your name?”

No response.

“I’ll call you Owl. Is that okay?”

An affirmative hoot.

“Let’s go Owl.”

Lance was on his way down to the lake to pick Cassandra up, she’s been out in the cold for far too many hours today after all, then he saw her running back towards the orphanage.

“Cass?” he called. The girl turned and smiled.

“We’re going inside where it’s warm!”

“Oh, are we now?” Lance smiled as he followed her, not realising she had an owl pressed to her chest. “Had fun today?”

“The most!”

“That’s nice.” Lance smiled. He’d felt a tinge of guilt for ignoring her all day, but knowing she’d had fun regardless helped ease it.

“Faster Lance! It’s cold outside!”

Lance laughed, increasing his pace, he entered the orphanage at the same time as the eight-year-old and the owl.

The owl?

Lance spotted the bird in Cassandra’s clothes moments too late.

“What’s that?!” a caretaker screeched, making Cassandra hide behind Lance.

“An owl,” Cassandra answered fearfully.

“A toy owl!” Lance lied quickly. “Cassandra wouldn’t bring a live owl inside!” Lance laughed, glaring back at the little girl.

Eugene, who had been reading, rushed over, eyes wide, looking at Lance as though to say “how could you let her do this?!” but of course saying nothing as he tried to think how to help.

The owl hooted.

“Maybe toy isn’t the right word…” Lance grinned.

“It’s a puppet!” Eugene tried. “Cass has been helping me with my storytelling.” He moved to Cassandra’s side. “Right Cass?”

Cassandra frowned, but nodded.

“See?”

The caretaker shook her head. “Cassandra, take that animal outside right now!”

Cassandra shook her head. “He’s cold!”

“He’s an animal!”

“He’s Owl!”

“Cassandra, you go out there and put that animal back where you found it and I do not want you back in this orphanage until you have!”

Cassandra stood with tears in her eyes. She looked towards the door; she hugged the bird close. “Fine.”

Lance and Eugene looked at each other, surprised by the agreement.

Cassandra walked out of the door with the owl. Eugene sighed with relief. Though Cassandra probably wouldn’t be happy, he’d feared a punishment for the young girl. Thankfully, she was still young enough, her miss-behaviours were perceived as her being quirky rather than malicious.

Despite this, Eugene looked at Lance. “Should we check on her?”

Lance shook his head. “Let her say goodbye in peace.”

When ten minutes became half an hour became an entire hour and then two. Lance and Eugene realised they’d made a mistake.

“You cover for us,” Lance told Eugene.

“I’ll bring her back. Last thing that girl needs is for the caretakers to label her as a problem child and take away her free rein.”

Eugene nodded. “Hurry.”

Lance had to jump over the wall as the gate was locked, but that wasn’t any trouble for the boy. He’d done it far too many times before, although usually it was to go steal or commit some other form of mischief. Today it was for a more noble cause.

He walked past the frozen lake, relieved to see none of the ice was broken. The idea of the girl falling into a lake had crossed his mind, as had the idea of her encountering bad people, but who took the time to kidnap an orphan?

He entered the forest. It was dark. Animals scurried around.

“Cass?” he called out softly.

No response.

“Cass?” he called again as he heard the crunching of leaves beneath his feet. “It’s bedtime soon and you know how it is…”

There was a hooting sound which made Lance jump before recalling the reason Cassandra had left. He followed the sound to find Cassandra hidden inside a bush, holding the owl tightly.

“Shush, they’ll find us!” she whispered.

Lance grinned. “Who will find us?”

She jumped and released the owl, which finally flew up into a tree.

“Nooooo!”

Lance looked up at the owl, who ruffled his feathers and hooted once more. “Cass,” he picked her up before she could take chase for the animal. “Owls aren’t indoor pets.”

“But it’s cold!”

“I know Cass. That’s why they’ve got all those feathers. That poor bird needs to hunt if it’s going to survive and you’re scaring of all its prey.”

“I’ll share my food with it.”

“What food? You’re out here.”

“I’ll find food.”

“With what money? Don’t tell me you’ve finally accepted the way of the thief?”

Her nose scrunched up, and she shook her head.

“Then you’re going to have to come back to the orphanage with me if you want food.” He rested his head on top of hers in a gesture of affection. “Eugene misses you.”

Cassandra paused, then giggled. “Really?”

“Of course. He won’t admit it, though.”

She giggled again, then frowned. “But I can’t abandon my owl friend.”

“You’re not abandoning him, Cass. You can come visit him in the forest, you just can’t bring him inside.”

Cassandra looked upset. “But Lance… He’s lonely. He needs me.”

Lance looked at her carefully. “Is he lonely, Cass? Or are you?”

The question made her cry, and it brought tears to Lance’s eyes, too.

“I don’t understand,” she whispered.

“What don’t you understand?” Lance whispered as he began to walk back towards the orphanage with Cassandra in his arms.

“Rapunzel and me were never apart. We played together all day, every day.”

“I’m sorry, Cass,” Lance whispered, holding her close. “I wish I could give you your sister back, give you the attention you deserve but… Me and Eugene are older,” he looked at her, “We have responsibilities and we can’t be with you all day, every day.”

Cassandra nodded. “I know.”

“But Cass if… If you feel super lonely… You can tell us that.”

Cassandra began to suck her thumb and Lance was tempted to discourage it, but decided to let it be this time.

“If you let us know, we won’t always be able to drop everything immediately but… But hey, you could have stayed with me while I buried that hole and after I would have played with you or… Whatever you needed.”

Cassandra gripped Lance tighter. “Why?”

“What do you mean?”

“Playing with me won’t help you be better thieves. I’m not going to be like you. I’m never going to help you steal.”

Lance smiled. “Do you want to hear a secret, Cass?”

She nodded.

“Even if you do decide to be a woman of the law, something I think would be a huge mistake by the way, me and Eugene would still be there for you. Alright?”

Cassandra frowned. “But why?”

“Cause your family, Cass.”

“Why?”

“You really want to make me think?”

She nodded.

“I don’t know, Cass. I guess… When we don’t have families, we make our own. We didn’t take note of the pros and cons of each kid to choose which ones to recruit you just… You looked like you needed us. And now you’ve got us. Like it or not.”

Cassandra kissed Lance on the cheek and he smiled.

“My explanation good enough?”

She nodded.

“Good, now shut up cause I’ve got to sneak you in through the window without being seen unless you want to get in trouble for skipping curfew.”

“But that’s naughty.”

Lance frowned. “You brought a wild animal inside today, then ran off and didn’t come home. Why do you always draw the line at the worst point possible?” he grinned.

“Oh. I guess being naughty one more time is okay… but never again.”

Lance laughed. “We’ll see about that.”

Chapter Text

Lance had taken the day of his busy job as a local thief to care for Cassandra.

One of the caretakers told Cassandra that with how behind she was in reading and maths, combined with her small size the only future that awaited her was one of hunger. That of course made Cassandra feel like a waste of space and time. The boys had spent the last few days spoiling her as much as they could to make up for the harsh words.

Eugene had read all her favourite stories, Lance had played dress up with her, Eugene let her play with his knife despite how irresponsible that was, and right now, Lance and her were in the forest giving Owl some seeds Eugene had stolen from the market but Cassandra believed he ‘found on the ground’.

Cassandra laughed when Owl nuzzled her.

“See, you’re not useless, Cass,” Lance reminded.

For the first time since the caretaker’s comments, she nodded in agreement with Lance. “I’m a good bird friend.”

Owl hooted.

Lance smiled. “And you’re a great little sister.”

This made Cassandra jump and down, scaring Owl off. “Really?”

Lance tossed her into the air, making her squeal. “Of course.”

Cassandra hugged him.

“Now come on. Eugene was supposed to be here by now…”

“Did he get in trouble?”

“It’s Eugene.”

“So… Yes.”

Lance smiled as he lifted Cassandra up onto his shoulders and began to make his way towards town.

As soon as they got into town, Lance put Cassandra down and grabbed her hand. He wasn’t scared of losing her. Cassandra knew her way around town better than anybody else, but it was his way of telling anybody looking for trouble that the girl was with him.

Corona was pretty safe. But Lance knew that every city had its bad apples, and it was important to let people know if they messed with her they weren’t just messing with an eight-year-old but also with a ten-year-old and a twelve-year-old… Now that Lance thought about it, maybe he wasn’t the best protection for the girl.

He glanced down at her as she glanced around. “No sign of him… Maybe he went home?”

“What, spend more time in that horrible place?” Lance scrunched up his nose. “Unless they locked him in that closet of a room again, I doubt it.”

Cassandra’s grip on Lance tightened at the mention of the intake room. “Stupid Eugene…” she mumbled, then quieter. “Making me worry about him.”

Lance smiled, though he soon dropped the smile when he spotted a familiar form curled up in an alley.

Cassandra followed Lance’s glance before gasping, running away from him and into the alley. “Eugene!” she got on her knees in front of him. Eugene looked up to reveal bad bruising on his cheeks and a black eye.

“Who’d you rob?” Lance asked, trying to keep his tone light despite the obvious concern on his face.

Eugene lowered his head. “Nobody.”

“Who did this to you?” Cassandra demanded.

Eugene frowned at the younger girl. He moved his legs so he could pull her onto his lap and hold her close. “Nobody.”

“You didn’t do it to yourself,” Lance argued.

“I’d rather not talk about it.”

“Eugene! We’re your family. Family means you tell us everything or we beat you up too!”

Eugene ruffled her hair.

“I’m making serious threats here!”

“Sure you are.”

“Eugene…” Lance sounded seriously concerned.

Eugene finally sighed. “It was the Stabbingtons.”

“Those two brutes with the dad in prison?” Lance asked.

Cassandra frowned. “Who?”

“Nobody you need to concern your annoying little self with,” Eugene said, grip on her tightening.

“I’m not little. I’m two years younger than you. That’s nothing!”

“I’m practically a teenager and you’re still a child.”

“You could be fifty and you’d still have the brain of a toddler!”

“See, this is why when I get hurt, I hide from you. You’re not helpful.”

Cassandra became quiet.

Eugene hesitated. “Sorry. You’re helpful sometimes.”

“Who are those people?”

“They’re just bullies.”

“Nobody gets to bully my family.”

Eugene shook his head. “There’s two of them and one of you, their probably three times your size, Cass. Stay out of it.”

Lance knelt down to look at Eugene’s injuries. “Did you do anything to them or just your mere existence piss them off?”

“The latter.”

“Should we tell a caretaker?”

“I’m not looking to get thrown into the lake for snitching.”

Lance nodded. “We should head home and get you cleaned up.”

Back in the orphanage, Eugene sat on his bed while Lance cleaned up any blood.

Cassandra tried to help, but really, she just rubbed a damp cloth against a bruised area that had no blood. Cassandra looked at the cloth with a frown, pushing harder. Eugene flinched but didn’t correct the behaviour.

“What do they look like?” Cassandra asked.

“What do bruises look like?” Eugene frowned in confusion.

“What do the people I’m going to beat up look like?”

Eugene sighed. “Cass, once again, you’re a literal baby who I cannot allow to go fight teenagers because they will murder you.”

“Not if I murder them first!”

“I’m kinda enjoying the fact we can’t get her to steal a pastry, but murder is okay in her book.”

“The pastry didn’t hurt my family.”

“Great, those ruffians. They don’t exist, Cass, you got that?”

Cassandra shook her head.

“I fell and hurt myself. You want to go fight the floor? Be my guest!”

“Don’t encourage her or we’ll walk out on her punching the ground later,” Lance joked, moving Cassandra to the side.

“I need revenge.”

“You need to go get me a glass of milk and a book.”

The task was what finally got Cassandra to stop her search for vengeance, as she wanted to be useful.

“Although I agree, we aren’t letting Cass go fight these jerks. Do you want me to try and talk to them?”

Eugene shook his head. “They’re huge and they’re tough. I wandered into the wrong part of town. It was my fault.”

Lance nodded, cleaning up the last of Eugene’s wounds. “Well, next time, instead of curling up in an alley, do me a favour and come find me.”

“Sorry Lance.”

“You complain a lot about Cass climbing on counters rather than asking for help, but you’re just as bad, if not worse. You know that, right?”

“Are you any better, Lance?”

A pause. A shrug.

“It’s an orphan thing.”

“I don’t think it is Eugene. Cass was forced to grow up fast even before losing her home. You’re just an idiot and I, I actually am capable of handling myself unlike the two of your who clearly need me.”

Eugene laughed. “I do not.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah!”

“Well—” Lance was interrupted by the door opening and Cassandra coming in with a glass of milk and a book.

Eugene laughed when instead of an adventure novel like Eugene would enjoy, she of course brought him a book about Corona history she’d been asking him to read her for a few days now. Cassandra opened the book up on the first page before climbing up onto the bed next to Eugene, looking expectant.

“Oh, I love your confidence,” Eugene said, moving his finger to the first word and beginning to read.

Lance left the two alone, knowing they’d be out of trouble for the rest of the day.

At some point, Eugene began to yawn, partly because he was properly tired and partly because the book Cassandra had given him was so boring. After seeing this, Cassandra began to tuck Eugene in just like Lance did with her each night.

Eugene smiled. “You go be with Lance, alright?”

Cassandra nodded. “Eugene…”

“Yeah?”

“What were the boys called? The scary ones I can’t go near?”

Eugene yawned. “Stabbingtons.”

Cassandra nodded, giving Eugene a kiss on the cheek before tucking him in. “I love you. Have a nice nap.”

Eugene smiled. “Love you too, Cass, don’t get into trouble without me…”

Cassandra closed the door behind her before taking in the room before her. Lance was in a corner with a book but hadn’t seen her exit the bedroom. Carefully, she moved through the room and out of the door. Fists clenched, now to locate those Stabbingtons.

It didn’t take the girl very long. She only had to ask about four people before getting directions. The part of town where the two large brothers tended to be was dirty and dangerous and no place for an eight-year-old girl, but there was Cassandra with her determined expression and clenched fists.

She walked up to a man, a full grown man with a beard and a bat in his hand.

“Where’s the Stabbington?” she asked, crossing her arms impatiently when the man looked confused.

“You lost kiddo?”

“I asked you a question!”

The man blinked, then it occurred to him maybe the girl was their younger sister or something. No child was this brave. He pointed. “They just headed down to the lake.”

“Than you,” Cassandra responded before hurrying on her way.

She saw two men standing by the lake. When she moved closer, she realised they weren’t men, but kids. They were huge, though! It didn’t matter. Cassandra wasn’t scared of anybody!

“You!” she shouted.

The boys turned.

“Are you the Stabbington Brothers?”

They shared looks. “Yeah,” one responded, the other silent.

“Good. Then we’re going to have a problem.”

“Really?”

“WE ARE ENEMIES.”

The brother laughed. “Is that so?”

Cassandra nodded. “You hurt my family, my brother. Nobody hurts my family!”

“Who’s your family, little girl?”

“Eugene.”

“Eugene?” he grinned. “We haven’t touched a Eugene—”

“Flynn Rider.”

“Oh, Rider? Why didn’t you say! I didn’t know Rider had a bodyguard. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. He clearly needs the extra protection.”

Cassandra was fuming. “One more word about my brother and I’ll beat you up!”

More laughter. “Alright little one, how about you cool down, you go tell your brother to fuck off, and you stay out of our way before we show you what happens when you wander into the wrong part of town?”

“How about you apologise to my brother or face my wrath?”

“Not happening.”

Cassandra ran at the boys, she raised her fists and, with all her strength she crashed into the brothers. They didn’t budge. She looked confused. They laughed before lifting her. She immediately started struggling.

“Let go!” she shouted.

The only person to pay any attention, though, was a nearby owl who fluttered by.

“Let go! Let go!” the brothers laughed before tossing the girl into the lake.

Cassandra had never been in water she couldn’t stand up in. She immediately started thrashing and calling for help while the Stabbington brothers walked off, laughing.

Eugene and Lance were meanwhile out on the street searching for their missing team member.

“I told her, go to Lance.”

“You know she doesn’t follow instructions.”

“I’m tired, my body aches, I just want to sleep but nooooo, we had to recruit a child with the sense of survival of a fish trying out get out of water!”

“She’s probably fine. Even if she finds those brutes, what can she do? She’ll give them a stern talking to, they’ll laugh in her face and she’ll come back to us a bit upset, but unharmed.”

“I dunno, Lance, they were really mean, worse than any of the bullies we’ve faced before.”

Lance was about to say something else when a bird flew down, hooting wildly.

“Hey!” Eugene swung his arms around. “We don’t have anything for you silly crow to steal!”

“That’s far from a crow Eugene,” Lance held out an arm and the bird landed on it, raising its wings in a sign of urgency. “This is the owl Cassandra calls a friend. What’s up, little guy?”

He began to fly, and the boys gave each other a glance before following it, having to run to keep up.

“If this stupid bird leads us to a dead mouse or something, I swear to—”

They heard the splashing of water before they saw the lake. They came out just in time to see the ripples calm. Eugene sprinted down, not thinking of how cold the water would be this time of year. He dived in head first, eyes open wide. It was painful, but he saw the blurry form of Cassandra sinking into the depths of the water.

No time to waste. He swam with all his strength, wrapping an arm around her before swimming up. He took a deep breath, but to his panic, she didn’t follow suit.

Lance, who had arrived at the border, held out a hand and Eugene swam over, watching as he pulled Cassandra out first. He watched as Lance held her up and hit her back hard. He watched Cassandra begin to cough suddenly. Water fell from her mouth and she finally gasped for air.

Eugene watched as the girl coughed, threw up, kept coughing, gasped for breath, and finally began to cry.

“Cass,” Lance wrapped his arms around her. “Cass, we’re here, it’s okay.”

Eugene crawled over. “Fuck, Cass… You can’t fight people twice your size…”

She didn’t respond as she kept crying. Lance held her close and soon Eugene wrapped his arms around her too.

It took a while for her crying to ease enough she could talk. “They threw me, I flew, but I couldn’t swim.”

Eugene nodded. “You need to stay away from those types of people, Cass.”

“They hurt you.”

“Yeah, now they’ve hurt you, too. Shall we send Lance over to get his ass beat to complete the set?”

Cassandra shook her head as Eugene stood up on shaky legs. Looking down at the wet and shaking girl, she coughed. “Are you okay?”

She shook her head.

“We better get her back,” Lance picked her up. Eugene took off his vest as though to wrap her in it, but realised it was too wet to offer any warmth.

Cassandra rested her head against Lance’s shoulder as she started to cry again. Clearly terrified. As the boys walked back towards the orphanage, Cassandra fell asleep in Lance’s arms.

Eugene moved closer. “Is she okay?”

Lance frowned. “I’m not sure.”

“We’re going to have to tell a caretaker, aren’t we?”

Lance nodded.

Chapter Text

Cassandra was sitting on the floor of her room while Eugene found some pyjamas for her in the closet and Lance fetched a caretaker.

Eugene himself was still soaked and he could feel the coldness of the water eating at his skin and if he didn’t know better, he’d think he felt his bones colden, but Cassandra had been in there longer, which meant she must be feeling worse.

He shivered and realised Cassandra wasn’t shivering.

“Cass,” she looked up. “These pyjamas good?”

She nodded. “I want my owl plush.”

Eugene nodded. “We’ll get you dry first. Otherwise, you’ll get the plush wet and cold.”

She whimpered, but nodded as Eugene grabbed a small towel and began padding her down.

Lance came in with one of the caretakers, who didn’t look happy. “What did you do?” they asked, grabbing the towel off Eugene, who backed away.

“Nothing.”

“What did they do to you?” the caretaker asked Cassandra.

“Um… They threw me in the lake.”

“You did what?!” The caretaker looked at Eugene.

“Not me!” he shouted.

“Not Eugene.”

The caretaker looked back to Cassandra. “Who darling?”

“The Stabb… Stab…”

“Stabbingtons,” Lance filled in for her.

The caretakers paused. “Oh.”

“They threw Cassandra into the lake and left her to drown!” Eugene shouted. “I had to dive in to save her. They would have killed her had we not got there when we did!”

The caretaker nodded. “Well then, I guess we live and learn, and sometimes, the lesson is to stay away from people.”

“What?” Eugene looked at Lance. “They threw a baby in a lake!”

“I’m not a baby.”

“She would have died had I not dived in! Look, usually I’m all for not telling adults about these things,” Eugene paused when the caretaker glared at him, only to keep going after thinking his words through. “But this is a matter of safety!”

The caretaker shook their head. “You’re right Eugene, but we can’t punish children that aren’t ours and the Stabbington’s parent aren’t… Telling them won’t do anything. It’d be best if you three just stay out of trouble like I’ve told you to a million times before.”

Eugene looked shocked.

“Now Cassandra’s the one paying for your mistakes. I hope you learnt a lesson at least.”

Eugene was about to start screaming at the caretaker for their lack of action, but Lance talked first. “Can we help?”

The caretaker nodded. “Lance, tell another adult to send for a doctor just in case, Eugene, go get changed and then heat up some milk. As for you Cassandra, I’m going to help you into some nice warm pyjamas. Sound good?”

Cassandra nodded as the caretaker patted her hair with the towel.

The boys left, clearly not happy, but they left.

The caretaker got Cassandra into the new pyjamas, wrapped her up in a blanket and tucked her into the bed, placing their hand on her forehead, disappointed by how cold Cassandra’s skin was.

“How we feeling, sweetheart?”

Cassandra looked up. “The water’s scary.”

“Maybe you can get the boys to teach you how to swim in spring, then it’ll be less scary.”

Cassandra shook her head. “No water, not anymore.”

The caretaker smiled softly. “Well, if you stay away from lakes and rivers, that’s probably safer, anyway.”

Cassandra nodded, then she reached out towards the door at the sound of movement and Lance walked in. He moved to Cassandra’s side, looking nervously at the girl’s pale skin.

Eugene didn’t take much longer, looking cosy, with a blanket wrapped around him and a large mug with steam coming out of it in his hands.

The caretaker thanked Eugene and brought the milk to Cassandra’s lips in the hope drinking it would help warm her from the inside out.

Cassandra did as she was told and slowly sipped the milk, she scrunched her nose ever so sightly, the creamy smell somewhat bothersome to her, but she drank it all before resting her head on the pillow, watching the caretaker press the back of their palm to her forehead once more.

“I’ll be right back…” The caretaker left the room.

The boys took this as their sign to climb into bed with Cassandra, on either side, cuddling her close.

“You’re cold,” Lance informed.

“And not your usual brand of cold, like actual cold,” Eugene added.

Cassandra reached her hand up to Eugene’s forehead. “You’re burning up.”

Eugene frowned. “Nah, you’re cold. Try Lance.”

She moved her hand up to Lance’s forehead before gasping. “You’re a demon!”

Lance laughed. “Don’t you know it.” Though he too had a concerned look to him.

The doctor finally arrived. He smiled at the children and sat on the end of the bed, eyes on Cassandra.

“So this is little Cassandra?” he asked the caretaker, who nodded. “We went swimming, did we?”

Cassandra shook her head. “I don’t know how to swim, Eugene went swimming. I was just drowning.”

“Well, she’s honest about what happened. Alright, I’m going to check your temperature, is that alright?”

Cassandra looked up at Lance. “I think so.”

“Yeah, it is,” Lance responded.

Cassandra nodded. “It’s alright if Lance says it is.”

“Are you her family?” the doctor asked with a smile as he searched for a thermometer in his bag.

“They’re all orphans, not related,” the caretaker answered.

“We are family,” Lance responded, holding Cassandra close.

“I think it’s nice you form such close bonds,” the doctor said. “Say aaah,” he told Cassandra, and she did, allowing him to put the thermometer in her mouth. “Hold that under your tongue for a little.”

After noting Cassandra’s temperature, asking her a few questions, checking her pulse, and offering her a lollipop as a reward, the doctor and the caretaker left the room to talk.

“You or me?” Eugene asked Lance.

Cassandra looked confused Lance got up.

“On it.” Cassandra watched Lance sneak across the room, very quietly open the door, peek out before sneaking out.

“We’ll tell you what the doctor has to say. No worries, Cass.”

Cassandra sucked on her lollipop. “I wasn’t worried.”

Lance hid beneath a chair as he listened carefully to the doctor.

“She’s cold, not a good sign, given her age and size. I’d recommend a medicine.” There was the sound of paper being exchanged.

“I see… Any cheaper alternatives?”

“I mean, you can keep her in bed and hope for the best, but it could go either way and if she gets worse, then she’ll need more medicine, which will be more expensive.”

“We can’t afford this much. Is there any other medicine, a cheaper medicine?” The caretaker put the paper down on the table.

“That medicine is all we have. Look, I feel for those kids, I really do, if I could afford to lower the price I would, but we’re in cold season and a lot of people are buying that medicine to treat colds. I can’t afford to sell something in high-demand for cheaper. You understand?”

“I understand… But we can’t afford it.”

“Then keep her wrapped up in blankets, keep her warm and hope. Can’t do any harm, right?”

Lance felt angry, but he made no noise as the caretaker left. When he slipped out, he grabbed the paper with the name of the medicine on it and the price. It was a lot of money, more than the value of Lance’s stash of stolen goods buried in the garden.

He grabbed a blanket from his and Eugene’s room on the way back so his absence wouldn’t draw suspicion.

In the room, he wrapped Cassandra in yet another blanket, curling up next to her. After the caretaker left, having instructed them to rest, he told Cassandra she’d be fine. Only telling Eugene what the doctor had actually said after the girl fell asleep.

Eugene frowned, concerned, he brushed his hand through Cassandra’s hair. “Typical. Rich families get all the stuff while we have to fight to survive.”

Lance nodded, feeling Cassandra’s skin once more. “She’s cold.”

“We were lucky the water wasn’t frozen when they threw her in there.”

Lance hummed. “Eugene… She’s going to need that medicine.”

“You don’t know that.”

Lance looked at Cassandra’s pale features, the raising and falling off her chest, her tiny fingers around her precious owl toy. “I do. With our luck there’s no way she’ll just pull through, even if there is, I’m not willing to risk it.”

Eugene frowned before nodding.

“You hold her and protect her from the cold until I get back.”

“What if you get caught, Lance? It won’t just be stealing, it’ll be breaking an entering.”

“We had to up our game at some point, and if ever there was a motivation to do so,” Lance smiled at little Cassandra. “Besides, I’m too good at what I do to get caught.”

Eugene smiled and nodded. “Good luck Lance.”

“Don’t leave her side.”

Chapter Text

Lance sneaked out through a window, climbed the wall as usual. He’d memorised the name of the medicine but kept the paper in his pocket just in case. He was wearing a mask to cover his face, made from a black scarf.

He knew where the doctor’s office was. He’d walked past it many times. The truth was, he and Eugene were a bit scared of it. There were rumours about how if you go in, you’d catch the sickness of the patients. Childhood paranoia. He’d risk it for Cassandra, though.

There were guards on the street, not as many as before the missing princess was found, not that Lance had been here to see that, Caine, another thief from across town had told him about that, though he wasn’t sure if she was exaggerating or not. Corona was already pretty overrun with the damn guards.

Lance thought that if not for Cassandra, he and Eugene would have run off to the next town ages ago.

Of course, Casandra was such a goody-two-shoes and hopeful too, still hoping her mother would show up at the orphanage any day to pick her up… Lance and Eugene would just have to overcome the excessive amount of guards to become the best thieves ever.

When the coast was clear, Lance crossed the street and tested the window, considering himself lucky when it actually was open.

“Eugene,” Cassandra whispered, giving the boy a little shake.

Eugene blinked awake. “Cass?”

“Eugene, my arms hurt and I’m really tired.”

Eugene hummed. He put his hand on her forehead, confirming she was still cold. “Sleep if you’re tired. I won’t leave your side.”

“It’s not that type of tired, Eugene.”

Eugene hugged her close. “I see.”

“Make it better.”

Eugene closed his eyes. “I want to Cass.”

“Please?”

“If I could, I would. Cass, you’re sick, you need to rest.” He held her close, rubbed comforting circled along her back. “Do you want a story?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, anything specific?”

“I want a story about my mummy.”

“Okay, umm… I guess your mummy is travelling through a mountain right now in search of… A magical lantern, one that will warm you to the core,” Cassandra smiled as Eugene began to tell his story.

Lance landed in the reception area. It was empty. There was some light slipping in through the crack of a closed door. That was decidedly not the direction Lance was taking. Instead, he moved over to a closed door. He opened and peeked inside, seeing beds, some empty, some not, but the people in them were sleeping or at least unmoving.

Lance closed the door before sneaking over to another. He opened it to find the washroom.

He then moved to another, this one lead into what looked like a library, but there were more than mere books on the shelves. He stepped in, glancing at the not-books. He paused at a human skull, kept for educational purposes. “Knew we did well to avoid this place,” he mumbled to himself as he reached the end of the hallway. There, he found a few jars with pills, labelled nicely. It took him a while to spot the one he was looking for, but he found it. The issue was it was on a shelf too high for Lance to reach.

There weren’t any chairs, so Lance used the only solid thing he had access to and began making a pile of books on which to stand.

It wasn’t the most stable of structures, but Lance managed to grab the jar. Holding it close to his chest, he tried to climb down slowly, but ultimately the book tower fell. Thankfully, the jar remained intact.

“Who goes there?!”

Lance looked back. The hall was a dead end. There was nowhere to hide as the door opened and the doctor from earlier stood there, looking down at the masked robber. Lance needed to get out of here.

Cassandra was chewing on her owl plush, her hand touched Eugene’s face, his face was warm and he scrunched up his nose at the coldness of her hands, but instead of complain he took them inside of his and rubbed them until they weren’t so cold, all the while telling the tale of the magic lantern.

“What happens if mummy doesn’t come back with the lantern?” Cassandra whispered. “Will I get colder and colder until I’m as cold as the river itself?”

“No, Cass, me and Lance will cuddle you and keep you warm. Don’t worry.”

“Eugene?”

“Yes, Cass?”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For coming to rescue me even after I did what you told me not to do… For being here and cuddling me and telling me stories… For everything.”

Eugene hummed and held her close. “That’s what us older kids gotta do. Lance did the same for me when I was little.”

Cassandra nodded. “I used to take care of my own little sister.”

Eugene nodded.

Cassandra grabbed on tighter to Eugene. “But I’d never leave you.”

“Don’t say that.”

“Why not?”

“Cause, Cass, what if a family wants to adopt you?”

“Then they can get all three of us or I’m not going.”

Eugene smiled and kissed her on the forehead. “No, Cass, me and Lance wouldn’t want that for you. You’re still little, there’s still hope a family will want you and if they do, you’re going to have a much better life.”

“How can it be better if you two aren’t in it?”

“You’ll have parents who can afford things like medicine and treats.”

“I’d rather stories.”

“Stories too, they’ll buy you books and read to you… Cass, we’re happy to be your family, but only as long as we’re the best you can get, cause you deserve the best, alright?”

Cassandra frowned. “But you are the very best.”

Eugene smiled. “I mean… You’re right, but,” he laughed, “you know what I mean.”

She hugged him and nodded. She was still so cold while pressed up against him. Her body temperature was not recovering, and Eugene hoped Lance would hurry.

“Hey! That’s not yours!”

Lance’s grip around the bottle tightened. He threw one of the books with all his strength; the man shielded his head with his arms, offering Lance enough of an opening to sprint and run beneath his arms, aiming for the open window he’d come in through.

“Guards! I’m being robbed!”

Lance exited through the window but unfortunately not into an empty street. He held the pill bottle close as guards moved in.

He had to get this back to the orphanage. His family was counting on him.

He looked around. His best option was the alleys, so that’s where he ran. He soon realised he had no chance of outrunning them, though. He saw a tiny window on the ground, probably leading into a basement; it was too small for the guards to fit through; he slid across the floor and slid in, crashing into a pile of crates which fell to the floor.

Fortunately, he heard the guards continue running, not realising Lance had escaped, but when he looked back up at the window, it was too high to get back up into.

He held the jar close. At least he had the medicine, that’s what was most important.

Then there were footsteps coming towards him. Of course, he’d made too much noise. He looked around for a place to hide.

“What have we here?”

The light of the lantern made him flinch.

Lance felt tears running down his cheek.

“Oh my,” the man knelt down. “Did you fall or…?” he looked at the jar held tightly in Lance’s hand, at the mask. “Did you steal that from somewhere…”

“I need it,” Lance defended, because it was true. “My sister’s sick.”

Lance couldn’t make out the features of the man with the light of the lantern blocking his view. “I see.”

“Please, please don’t tell the guards! I need this.”

“Hey, hey, it’s alright. I won’t tell the guards on you,” he whispered.

Lance relaxed. “Really?”

“Really,” the man nodded. “You must really love your sister if you’re willing to get into that much trouble for her?”

Lance nodded. “She’s my family.”

“I see. Well, to steal from the doctor’s office is quite a feat. I’m impressed.”

Lance swallowed. “Thankyou?”

“How old are you and your sister?”

“Um… She’s only eight, I’m twelve. It’s my responsibility as the oldest to protect her, plus my best friend, too. He’s only ten, so I have to be his big brother.”

“That’s a lot of responsibility for such young children.”

Lance nodded, eyes on the ground. Because it was true.

“Well, rest assured. I won’t tell on you. Consider it a favour that I’m sure you will one day be able to return.”

Lance nodded. “Thankyou Mister… ummm?”

“You may call me the Baron. It’s what everyone I work with calls me.”

Eugene was so tired, all he wanted to do was sleep, but Cassandra wanted another story and Eugene refused to be the type of person who left her all alone in a time of need. So he forced himself to stay awake and make up yet another story.

The quietest of squeaking noises got both of them to look up. It was the door opening. Eugene smiled, relieved when Lance came in.

“Did you get it?”

“Get what?” Cassandra looked confused.

Lance nodded, moving over to the bed and pulling a pill out of his pocket. “Cass, consider this your birthday gift. Tomorrow at breakfast I’m giving you your Christmas gift and um… then there’s a third dose, which will be your Easter gift.”

Cassandra blinked as Lance gave her the tiny white pill. “What is it?”

“Oh, yeah, we never told you,” Lance laughed. “It’s medicine Cass, it’ll help you to feel better faster.”

“And why did you go get it in the middle of the night?” Cassandra’s features scrunched up before realisation hit. “You stole it.”

Lance frowned. “Cass, it was… It was too expensive for the caretakers to buy but, you need it.”

“I need something that’s stolen? Or are you just saying that to try to make me be a part of your lifestyle?” Cassandra threw the pill at Lance, who caught it quickly. “I’m not like you.”

“Cass…”

Cassandra pushed Eugene, trying to get him out of her bed, but she was still weak, too weak to fight the boys.

“Cassandra,” Eugene grabbed her hands. They were once again cold within his. “You’re sick. That medicine will make you better.”

“I don’t need stolen medicine.”

“But you do, Cass, you need medicine. How we got it is irrelevant.”

“I don’t need it.”

“Cass, do you really feel well enough to be denying treatment?”

“I do.”

“You’re wrong Cass…”

“Stealing is bad.”

“I know,” Lance acknowledged, making Eugene raise a brow. “I wish we didn’t need to do it, Cass,” he pulled the girl onto his lap, kissing the top of her head. “I wish we all had loving families who could buy us medicine and food, and ensure we had a future without needing to resort to crime. I really do.”

Cassandra stilled. “But we don’t have parents, we don’t have those privileges, we’re alone, and we have to do what we can to survive.”

“But I do have a parent. I have a mummy. She’s out at the volcano trying to find magic to make me feel better.”

Lance looked confused but Eugene spoke up, “That was a story Cass, I made it up.”

“No…”

“Cass… The truth is, we’re alone, well… You’ll never be alone, because you have us but… Me and Lance are working with what we got here and what we got is nimble fingers and a willingness to not only do what’s right, but what’s wrong sometimes too.”

Cassandra wiped her eyes off tears. “I don’t want to do bad things.”

“You don’t have to do bad things, Cass, but you do need to take this medicine.” Lance tried to give her the pill again, and this time, she looked at it. “I bet if the princess got sick, the king and queen would buy her these pills instantly. Are you less deserving than the princess for any reason? Did you work less than her?”

“No! I cleaned and cooked and did everything.”

“Then why does she get medicine while you have to suffer?”

Cassandra looked at the pill. Finally, she swallowed it. Tears ran down her face. “I’m bad.”

“No, you’re not,” Lance hugged her. “You’re trying to be good. That’s more than most.”

Cassandra cried for a little while, nested between her brothers. Eugene fell asleep, too exhausted to stay up much longer, but Lance, who was still getting over the adrenaline rush, remained awake, rubbing circles on Cassandra’s back as the girl sniffled and fought with the guilt she was feeling.

After a while, her crying stopped, and a little while later, she looked up at Lance. “What will happen if you or Eugene get sick?”

Lance swallowed. “Don’t worry about that.”

Cassandra looked down at the floor, then she looked back up at Lance, her lips parted and she hesitated before whispering: “Will you teach me to steal Lance?”

Lance hesitated before smiling, nodding, and hugging her. “That’s why we’re here. To take care of you and prepare you for the world.”

Chapter Text

Cassandra made a full recovery with help from the medicine, a lot of snuggles from her family, plenty of hot drinks and a lot of sleep.

In fact, the medicine worked so well Cassandra was better before Eugene was.

Eugene still had a sore nose and slightly aching muscles. He hated the cold, if it were up to him he’d stay indoors until winter was over.

Unfortunately, Cassandra had turned a new leaf, the leaf of crime!

“I’m going to ruin your life, Eugene.”

“More than you already do with your mean comments and threats?”

She nodded. “I’m going to steal everything, so there’s nothing left for you to steal.”

“And once you’ve stolen everything, what do you plan to do with all of that stuff?”

“Oh… I hadn’t thought that far ahead.”

Lance laughed. “She’s a natural mischief maker, thinking of the crime before the time.”

Cassandra frowned.

“Well, if you wanna steal everything in the world and put me out of the job, be my guest, but first,” Eugene grinned. “You’ve got a lot to learn.”

Cassandra nodded. “I’m ready.”

They decided to start her off easy, as no more than a distraction for Eugene and Lance. That way, she could see them stealing up close.

Cassandra was chewing on her owl plush. She could see Eugene and Lance hidden in a bush nearby, keeping an eye on her. Their target was a wealthy-looking woman who held her head high and carried an expensive bag, but more interesting to the guys, she carried a small box with baked goods in it.

Cassandra felt bad about stealing, but she’d admit her mouth watered at the sight of food. They didn’t get enough at the orphanage. She chewed on the plush for a moment longer when Eugene gave the signal.

Cassandra finally began to cry loudly.

The woman paused. “What’s the matter, darling?”

Cassandra sniffled a bit before talking. “I’m lost. My brother was with me and now he's not!”

“Oh,” the woman put the box down as she knelt on the ground, holding Cassandra’s hand. “It’s alright darling, I’ll help you find your brother. Can you describe him to me?”

“He’s funny.”

“Oh, that’s not—”

“And brave, but stupid too.”

“No, I mean—”

“And he doesn’t like owls enough,” she showed the woman her owl plush.

“Oooh, I see.”

Eugene, meanwhile, was sneaking off with the box, sticking his tongue out at Cassandra.

“Could you tell me what he looks like, though?”

“Not like an owl.”

“Cassandra!” Once Eugene had made his way into the bushes, Lance came running. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

“Lance!”

“Oh, thank goodness,” the woman stood up. “You must be her brother?”

Lance nodded. “I’m sorry, she was chasing a bird,” he picked Cassandra up, hugging her close. “She didn’t cause you any trouble, did she?”

“Not at all. She was just a bit scared.”

Lance nodded, kissing Cassandra on the forehead. “I’ve got you.”

Cassandra rested her head on his shoulder, still hugging her owl plush.

That was when the woman realised she was missing something. “Oh, you wouldn’t have seen a box from the bakery, would you?”

Lance frowned, furrowing his brows and shaking his head. “No mam, sorry.”

“Oh… It’s not your fault,” she looked around. “I must have forgotten it at the café,” she whispered as she began to walk back the way she came.

“Was I good?” Cassandra whispered once the woman was out of sight.

“Very good. You’ll be an excellent addition to the team.”

Cassandra smiled as Lance lead her behind the bushes and towards a tree with large roots. They crawled underneath to an effective little hide out where Eugene had already opened the box. “Jackpot! Cupcakes!”

Lance laughed. “Alright Cass, cause it was your first successful mission. You get first pick.”

“As long as it’s not that one,” Eugene pointed at the chocolate one that was his favourite.

“You’re really asking for her to pick that one at this point,” Lance shook his head.

Despite that, Cassandra behaved for once, only because chocolate was her least favourite, and picked out a lighter coloured one which smelt of cinnamon.

Lance picked out one with strawberries and they all dug in.

It was later that evening that the lessons were to re-establish. Lance looked around the park they were in. Their goal was for Cassandra to steal something with her own two hands before they left. “I guess first you’ve got to decide what your first stolen item will be. It’s an important decision after all.”

“What? Why?”

“As a reminder!” Eugene pulled out his comb from his bag. “This was my first.” He ran it through his hair. “It was technically an accident. I saw it, wanted it, took it. I didn’t know what money was. I was younger even than you. But Lance said it counts, so I count it.”

Cassandra laughed. “Silly Eugene.”

“Hey, rule number three of thievery, while on the job no real names. I’m Flynn Rider, amazing adventurer. Lance is Lance Strongbow, the second strongest man to walk the earth.”

Lance laughed and rolled his eyes.

“And you’re… Who are you?”

“Cassandra!”

Eugene laughed. “No, you need a different name so that if someone overhears as while running away, they don’t have our names.”

“Oh.”

“We could just call ya Cass, but we could also cool you something really cool sounding like… Moonlight!”

Cassandra scrunched up her nose.

“Oh, come on, that’s cool, sneaky, mysterious—”

“The Owl Enchantress!”

“Too long,” Eugene laughed. “We’ll call you Owlet.”

Cassandra frowned before nodding, accepting the compromise.

“Flynn, Lance and Owlet. Together we form the… the…”

“Three thieves,” Cassandra offered.

“I’m sure we can think of a better team name than that,” Eugene smiled, but patted Cassandra’s head as thanks for her contribution. “We’ll worry about that later. Where were we… Oh yeah, first thing for you to steal, what do you want it to be?”

“I want food.”

“You can’t keep that forever, though,” Lance pointed out.

“In my heart and memory, I can.”

“Look, if you want food we’ll make it food, but if I were you I’d go for something a little more exciting like…” he looked around before spotting a coin purse. “That, something you can use to store your future stolen goods.”

“Wow… You really aren’t taking my threats of being a better thief than you seriously, if you think that will fit it all.”

“Store until you get home. For goodness’ sake, why must you question everything I say?”

“Cause you say silly things.”

“Do you think you’re up to the task, Cass?” Lane asked.

She frowned. “I don’t know how.”

“Well, you’re small, have tiny fingers, he has it kinda peeking out of his pocket, so it’s a pretty easy steal. But, because we love you and want to start you off easy, we’ll create a distraction, so he stops moving. You sneak up behind, take the purse and hide. Alright?”

“Okay.”

Cassandra moved into the bushes behind the man. Close enough, it wouldn’t be far she had to move.

Lance and Eugene grinned at each other before they ran forward, stopping almost in front of the man.

“STOP IT!” Eugene screamed. “STOP FOLLOWING ME!”

Lance laughed. “No.”

The man paused.

“I HATE YOU! Why do you have to do this to me?” he started to cry. “You’re horrible!”

“Oh, is the crybaby going to go tell his parents? No, because he’s an orphan!”

“Hey, hey!” the man walked over. “What in the world is going on here?”

The two boys looked at the man before looking back at each other.

“None of your business,” Lance said, crossing his arms.

“He won’t leave me alone! He’s been following me and insulting me all day.”

“You call those insults? I’ve been stating facts you don’t like to hear is all.”

“Hey, hey, that’s still not very nice. Are you two… Friends?”

Lance rolled his eyes. “Obviously not. We just live together. Flynn here is the newest orphan who seems to think he’s actually worth something for some reason.”

“I am.”

“And I’m teaching him the ropes rather than letting him find it out himself the hard way. It’s called tough love.”

“Now I don’t think that’s very nice,” the man knelt down to look the boys in the eyes. “Are you perhaps reflecting a bit?”

Lance raised his brows, keeping his eyes on the man and not Cassandra, who was very slowly taking the purse. “No.”

“Seems like you two could easily be friends if you actually tried.”

“Friends with him?” Eugene asked.

The man nodded. “If you’re both orphans, seems like you have bigger problems.”

“Hey! Being an orphan doesn’t make us a problem!”

“That’s not—”

“This man thinks we’re problems just cause we’re orphans!”

“I never said that… I, hey, calm down, be quiet. How about I give you both some coins to get ice cream together?” he reached for his purse, finding it missing. He almost accused the two boys but then realised it would not help his case. Besides, he had barely a few coins in it. “Look, I… You kids will figure it out.”

“I guess we are both orphans…” Eugene said.

“Yeah, guess we should try to work together,” Lance added as the man walked away.

They both grinned, holding back laughter as they walked over to the bushes where Cassandra was already looking at the contents of the purse.

“Ice cream money,” she said with a smile.

“Maybe in summer, right now I want nothing cold in my life other than maybe a cold-hearted little thief,” he grinned at Cassandra, who grinned back, proud of the crimes committed today.

Chapter Text

Lance had gone to the park to pick pockets. The kids were saving up money so that if any of them needed something like medicine again, they wouldn’t have to take unnecessary risks. All the money was being stored inside a porcelain Owl Eugene had got Cassandra for her recent ninth birthday.

The owl had a small opening to stick coins and money in, but none to get it out, meaning if they ever wanted the money, they’d need to break it. It was a great saving technique as Cassandra loved her porcelain owl and breaking it would definitely make her cry, kept all of them in check when it came to the money.

While Lance was working, Eugene was taking Cassandra on a walk into town. They were trying to find new busy spots to steal.

“Look at that!” Cassandra pointed at a man who was painting on a wall in the square.

Eugene smiled, and they walked closer. “Wow, very pretty.” The mural in progress had bright and dark colours, it was huge and he supposed it would eventually tell a story, though right now Eugene was mostly interested in when it would be complete, surely that would make for a good crowd, one with maybe some easy to take money.

“Raps used to paint on the walls of the tower…” Cassandra whispered, looking at the pretty painting with a mixture of joy and sadness. Nostalgia for something now lost.

Eugene held her hand. “Cass…”

Then Cassandra saw something about the mural and dragged Eugene along with her.

“Spooky,” Eugene said at the painting of an old woman dressed in a black cloak.

“It looks like…” she shook her head, then hesitated.

“Looks spooky,” Eugene grinned. “Come on, Cass, let’s go.”

“No.” Cassandra stood firm.

Eugene crossed his arms. “Cassandra, we have stuff to do.”

Cassandra moved around the wall until she found another painting in progress of the woman, this time without the cloak and younger.

“What is your obsession with this mural? It’s just some paint on stone.”

Cassandra pointed at the woman. “I found my mummy.”

Eugene blinked, looking up at the painting. “That’s… That’s what your mother looked like?”

Cassandra nodded.

Eugene frowned. “Well… I’m going to ask the artist when it’ll be complete. We’ll come back.”

“Really?”

Eugene nodded, ruffled her hair, receiving a glare in return. “Course. Just don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.”

Cassandra nodded. Eugene didn’t take long and wasn’t surprised to find her still staring intensely at the painting of the woman.

“It’ll look better once it’s complete,” Eugene told her.

Cassandra nodded, finally letting Eugene grab her hand and tug her away. “You promise we’ll come back?”

“I promise.”

Cassandra nodded, finally moving her eyes from it and smiling. “Eugene, I found my mummy!” she smiled brightly, tears in her eyes as she bounced excitedly.

Lance was counting out the coins stolen and putting most of them into the porcelain owl, saving a few for lesser emergencies and keeping a few to spend on sweets. Meanwhile, Eugene told him the new spots he thought could work.

Cassandra was watching the two while cuddling her owl. She bounced slightly, clearly impatient for her turn to talk.

Eventually Eugene gestured for her to talk and she immediately told Lance about her mummy on the mural with the most excited tone Lance had ever heard from the girl, more excited than when Eugene had sewed up her owl plush previously assumed dead, more excited than the discovery of liquorice, more excited even than her birthday.

Lance did not share her excitement, though. He offered an awkward laugh, told her that was great and asked her to go fetch a book for the three to read together that afternoon. Once she was gone, he turned to Eugene.

“Her mother?”

Eugene shrugged. “Doubt it.”

“What did you see?”

“It was just an unfinished painting of a woman with black hair. My best guess is she shared some resemblance with Cassandra’s mother, but I couldn’t break her heart.”

“Eugene, what if we get to the opening day of the mural and her heart breaks then?” Lance raised his brows.

“It won’t. They only make murals for heroes. Cassandra will hear some heroic tale about a woman she thinks is her mother. It will give her closure, real or not.”

“Eugene…” Lance frowned. “I don’t know.”

“Lance, trust me, who’s the expert storyteller?”

“May I remind you who taught you?”

Eugene smiled. “It’ll be fine.”

The day of the mural’s completion rolled around. As promised, Eugene and Lance went with Cassandra. The crowd was large and perfect for pick-pocketing. When they arrived, the mural was hidden by a curtain, which gave them a bit of time until the grand-reveal to get their hands in some pockets.

But as the time came near, the kids came back together. Lance raised Cassandra onto his shoulders so she could get a better view. She was growing. He wouldn’t be able to do this much longer. She hugged him from up there, arms wrapped around him. He smiled. He’d do this as long as he could if only so Cassandra could feel loved and cared for as she deserved.

It was the king, King Frederic of Corona, who had come to do a speech today, no sign of the queen or princess, which was probably for the best.

“Citizens of Corona, it’s now been almost a year since our precious princess was found and returned to her rightful place. This mural was made, so we never forget the cautionary tale of magic and witchcraft.”

“Sounds like a cool story,” Eugene whispered to an excited Cassandra and still hesitant Lance.

The king nodded to the artist who pulled the rope, revealing the mural. Lance felt his heart sink.

The mural showed a beautiful flower and baby with golden hair, it showed an old cloaked woman taking the baby; it showed a tower clearly painted to be dark and heinous, then it showed the guards carrying the baby out; and the dark-haired woman behind bars, several images showing how she aged and turned to dust.

“We used magic to save the queen and our precious princess’ life. That act brought with it risks. Though they paid off, saving both the queen and the princess’ life, they did draw unwanted attention leading to the princess’ kidnapping. Thankfully, Corona’s guards were able to find and rescue the princess from that tower, the woman behind it died a death behind bars, aging out of life in but a few weeks. Clearly, the use of magic is to be done only under dire circumstances and knowing it carries risks, otherwise, we may end up like her.”

Lanced lowered Cassandra, holding her to his chest.

“I thought when you said tower you were being dramatic…” Eugene whispered, his hand finding Cassandra’s back.

Lance wasn’t sure how the girl was going to react, so he quickly picked her up and began to make his way out of the crowd, towards home.

“Cass?” Eugene tried to get her attention.

Cassandra pressed her face against Lance and said nothing.

“We’ll get her back home.”

In the orphanage, Lance placed Cassandra on the ground, carefully taking her hands in his, looking at her face, expecting distress, tears, anger. But her expression was blank.

“Cass?”

Cassandra looked up but didn’t respond.

“Are you okay?”

Nothing.

“Cass?” Eugene tried.

When Lance let go of her hands, she walked away towards her room. The boys followed. They watched her grab her blanket and her owl plush, curling up on her bed.

The sight of her curled up, hidden and silent, brought unpleasant memories to both boys. They didn’t say anything, though. They climbed up onto the bed with her, wrapping their arms around her.

“If you want to be alone, just say the word,” Lance whispered.

Cassandra didn’t say anything as she closed her eyes and hugged her owl.

Chapter Text

Eugene got back from a morning’s work with around five coins and a single earring. He headed into Cassandra’s room where he knew both her and Lance would be.

“No changes?” he asked, seeing Cassandra still curled up on the bed.

Lance frowned and shook his head, handing the book about knights over to Eugene. It’s the last book she’d asked them to read her before entering this silent state. She’d already read it all, but she wanted to hear Eugene and Lance give the character’s voices.

It was those types of requests that showed her age.

Now, she made no requests. She didn’t speak. She barely left the room and getting her to eat was getting more and more challenging.

“Cass…” Eugene touched her back over the blanket. “We love you. You’re scaring us.”

Nothing.

“What if I go buy you some liquorice?”

Nothing.

“I don’t know how to help,” Eugene admitted.

Lance smiled. “I can’t imagine how it must feel to find out your family’s dead through a painted mural depicting her as a bad guy.”

Eugene nodded. “Cass… At least you have a new family, right? Us…?”

“I don’t think that helps Eugene,” Lance whispered. “I think we need to give her more time.”

“It’s already been a week, though!” Eugene felt frustrated. Waiting wasn’t his strong suit. “Cass,” he whined, “this isn’t fair.”

Lance stood up. “I’m gonna go get some liquorice, maybe that she’ll eat. Read to her. She doesn’t say anything, but I think she likes it, anyway.”

Eugene nodded, grabbing the book and beginning to read.

A week later, Cassandra still wasn’t well, and by now the caretakers were taking notice. Of course, if she wasn’t talking to Eugene and Lance, they stood no chance of her answering their gentle questioning.

Lance and Eugene explained the mural and Cassandra’s mother, but the caretakers told them that was ridiculous. Although the timeline added up and Cassandra did share some resemblance… That couldn’t be possible. Not only was there no mention of the princess having a roommate in her tower, but what sense did it make for Cassandra to end up in an orphanage with an empty file? Surely that type of thing would be worthy of note.

So the ideas were dismissed and Cassandra was told she needed to start getting better or they’d be forced to send her away from the orphanage to a convent or somewhere that could offer better care to ‘special’ children.

Lance and Eugene now had an emergency on their hands.

“Alright, plan-make-Cassandra-happy-again,” Eugene had a notebook on the ground with pretty bad crayons drawings illustrating his plan. “I have a list of all the things that make Cassandra happy: One, us, of course. Two, Owl, both in plush and feathery scary animal form. Three, liquorice. Four, stories. Five, making me suffer.”

Lance rolled his eyes at the last one.

“Step one, Lance, you need to acquire a ton of liquorice.”

Lance nodded. “I’ll acquire a story that has everything Cassandra loves, knights… um… owls! A story with knights and owls…”

“Make one up.”

“Good idea! With these two things we will go to the forest, there, Owl will meet us for a picnic. Cassandra can’t not be happy with that silly bird around.”

Lance nodded.

“If she still isn’t happy, that’s fine. I’m going to go up ahead to create a mud puddle near the picnic zone. That way I can slip and fall into it. It’ll ruin my clothes and my hair, until I wash them, but there is no way Cassandra won’t laugh at that! Unless she’s dying…”

“She’s not dying.”

“Then the plan is foolproof!”

Lance nodded.

A pause. “What if it doesn’t work?”

Lance hesitated. “We won’t let them take her.”

“Can we stop them?”

“Yeah. We can.”

“How?”

“By doing what we’ve always done.”

Eugene swallowed.

“We run.” Lance stood up. “We’ll carry her out of the kingdom if need be, but they aren’t taking her away from us. Not now, not ever.”

Eugene nodded. “But the plan is foolproof so, let’s not think about that.”

Lance nodded. “True.”

Lance wrapped Cassandra in a blanket before carrying her out of the orphanage with Eugene carrying the picnic basket. She didn’t put up a fight. She sucked her owl plush when Lance put her down on the forest floor. She barely looked up as the boys prepared the picnic set-up. It wasn’t great, mostly stolen.

“We got all your favourites,” Lance said, picking out some liquorice. “And you can have dessert first!”

Cassandra looked back at the ground.

Lance put the liquorice in her lap and after a while she did start chewing on it, but she didn’t seem to get any joy from it. Eugene told her is amazingly creative story about a knight with a pet owl who fought dragons, but Cassandra didn’t even look up.

Owl showed up just as expected, watching the trio from the tree.

“Hey, look who it is, Cass!” Lance told her.

She looked up, then back down again.

“He looks hungry. Here,” Lance handed her some seeds. “You should give him some.”

She looked at the seeds, then let them fall to the forest floor with no enthusiasm, turning her back to them.

Owl flew down. He didn’t pay any notice to the seeds, though, looking up at the little girl with a gentle hoot.

Cassandra turned away, but Owl followed.

When she tried to move away, he grabbed her owl plush with his beak, hooting in annoyance.

“I think his jealous,” Eugene said.

Cassandra let go of the plush and Owl stood confused, holding the owl plush.

Cassandra lay down, curling in on herself and pulling the blanket over her head.

Lance looked up at Eugene, who stood up. “Well Cass, if you’re not going to be any fun, guess I’m gonna have to go and find my own fun!” he spoke in a forced tone, trying to act natural while grimacing at what he was about to do. He walked over to the puddle of mud he’d created this morning with a bucket and river water. It was dryer than before, but not dry enough to save Eugene from the embarrassment.

“Oh, no! Aaaaagh!” he exaggerated his shout as he pretended to slip and fall. He looked up, hope fluttered in his heart when he met the greenish grey eyes, but they shone only with a concern that faded as fast as it had appeared. Her eyes returning to the forest ground.

“Eugene, are you alright?” Lance asked.

“Nooo! I’m all muddy, my beautiful complexion is ruined, how will I ever live this down?” he stared at Cassandra hopefully.

Nothing.

His shoulders sagged, and Lance carefully lifted her from the floor to his lap. Owl tried to nuzzle her again, but… Nothing.

“Cass… Please?” Lance frowned. “We’re really worried about you.”

Eugene nodded.

Cassandra reached out for her owl plush and once it was returned to her, she sucked on the wing, closing her eyes.

Nothing worked.

Lance and Eugene felt hopeless.

Every night, Lance was sure to listen in on the caretakers’ conversations, dreading the night they gave up on her.

Eugene read to Cassandra every single day, unsure if she even heard him.

It had been three weeks since the mural when Lance heard the caretakers say there was someone on the way to pick Cassandra up.

While Eugene packed Lance and his essentials, Lance was in the girl’s room packing her essentials. “We’re leaving Cass. All three of us.”

Cassandra chewed on her owl plush, not even looking up when Lance came over to her.

“Cass, they’re coming to take you away to someplace, but we aren’t allowing that to happen.”

Cassandra looked up.

“You’re our family, which means we aren’t letting them take you. So we’re going to run away, all three of us. Understood?”

She looked back down.

Lance frowned. “I don’t know what it’s like inside your head right now,” he pulled her close and hugged her. “But I won’t let you face it alone.”

Eugene got back. “Packed.”

“Let’s go.”

Chapter Text

Lance picked Cassandra up with no hesitation. The boys were blindly willing to turn their entire world around to make sure they stuck together. And a small part of Cassandra was aware of this, however, if she were to listen to that part, if she were to allow herself to see past the numbness she’d covered herself in like a protective blanket, she’d feel that love but also all the pain she was hiding from.

So she rested her head against Lance’s shoulder and closed her eyes.

Eugene leaped up onto the wall first, throwing their belongings over before holding out his arms for Cassandra. Lance passed her up and Eugene groaned as he pulled her onto the wall. “You’re getting big,” he said in a teasing tone.

Lance climbed up, picking her up with a lot more ease before jumping down.

They sneaked through alleyways towards the bridge. There was the sound of guards marching around, doing their nightly patrols.

Lance tried to keep the three in the shadows. Though they hadn’t stolen anything tonight, running away wasn’t usually well seen either.

“Lance,” Eugene whispered.

“Yes Flynn?”

“What kingdom we going to?”

Lance frowned. “Save the questions for once we get outta here,” he gestured with his hand as they rushed from the alleys to the bridge. It was the longest stretch, with no cover. Lance and Eugene ran as fast yet quietly as they could manage, unfortunately it wasn’t enough as a young white horse leaped from the forest.

He raised his two front legs and neighed.

“Agh!” Eugene jumped back, raising his hand as if expecting an attack.

“Maximus! For the last time you need to go back to the palace stable before—” the man’s voice cut short at the sight of three children.

Lance looked around. There were three options. Run forward and try to dodge the coronan guard and white horse, run back towards Corona or jump over the edge.

Cassandra’s grip on Lance tightened.

They were too high to jump.

Lance stepped back. The man was large, the horse not so much but it looked determined.

“Run!” Lance shouted at Eugene as they began to run back towards Corona.

Another neigh and Maximus took chase, he leaped and landed in front of the trio, neighing; the guard came up behind; they were surrounded.

“What in the world are you three children doing out alone at this hour?” The man frowned, he saw the bags, the clothes. “Are you runaways?”

Lance swallowed. “We’re going home! We just… We just… We just had a late sleepover!”

The man shook his head, coming closer.

Cassandra hid her face against Lance’s shoulder, shaking slightly.

“How old is she?” the man asked. Shaking his head. “You three aren’t old enough to run off on your own. You realise in doing so you put her in danger too?”

He reached to take Cassandra from Lance.

Lance stepped back, but what made the man stop was when Cassandra screamed. Her scream was so loud and caught everybody off guard. Lance’s grip on her tightened. Eugene was looking around, expecting an attacker of some sort. Maximus whimpered and lowered his ears and, most importantly, the guard backed away until she stopped.

She was struggling to breathe, and for the first time in weeks, her voice came. The words were a gentle plea: “Don’t let him touch me.”

Lance's grip on her tightened, looking up at the guard. “I won’t. I won’t. But why?”

Cassandra shook a little. The man looked confused, which was a relief. If he looked guilty, Lance wasn’t sure what he’d do. “The guards,” she whispered. “They took me and killed my mum. If they take me again, they’ll kill you, too.”

Lance looked down at her tear-filled eyes, the grip on his shirt so tight her hands were white. “Oh, Cass…” he held her.

The guard knelt down. “I remember you,” he whispered, a clear guilt and regret coming over him. “You were scared back then too, in the tower.”

Eugene stood between the man and Lance, who held Cassandra tight.

The man looked to the ground before back up at Cassandra and the boys. “You must all three be orphans, then. This makes more sense now but… There isn’t a better life for your beyond these walls. The orphanage isn’t perfect, but you three have beds and food. Running away isn’t a good idea.”

Eugene swallowed. “If we run away, we get to stay together.”

The man looked confused. “You’re all too young to be ageing out of the system. Why wouldn’t you be together?”

For a moment, they were quiet before Lance chose to answer. “Cassandra’s been sad. The caretakers say they can’t help her, so they called on people to take her away, to care for her properly, but they’re wrong! Cassandra is safest and happiest with us. She’s just struggling a bit right now.” Lance kissed Cassandra on the top of her head, hands rubbing her back. “She just found out the fate that became of her mum through a painting! She’s sad, but she’s not broken! And even if she was… We’d still love her more than anybody else would.”

The man nodded. “I see.”

“Please don’t make us go back there.”

The man shook his head. “I can’t let you three run away.”

Eugene’s hands formed into fists.

“But I can talk to some people and make sure you three don’t get split up.”

A pause. “Really?” Eugene asked between clenched teeth, eyes narrowed, clearly untrusting.

The guard nodded, kneeling down so he could better see the terrified young girl cuddled up to her oldest brother. “I’m the Captain of Corona’s Royal Guard, it’ll be easy for me to pull a couple of strings and looking at you three… I do believe you belong together.”

Lance nodded. “Thank you.”

“Now come on, let’s get you three back to the orphanage before the caretakers panic.”

“You promise on all you hold dear they won’t separate us?” Eugene demanded.

Captain frowned. There truly wasn’t much he could swear upon. “I swear on my honour that I will talk to the caretakers and do all that is within my power to ensure you three get to remain together.”

Eugene frowned before nodding. “Alright.”

Back at the orphanage, the caretaker looked furious. The boys cuddled together, holding Cassandra safely between them. But Captains raised his hands. “They were scared, they’re children. Could we perhaps speak in private while they rest?”

The caretakers gave the boys a look promising consequences later before sending them to their room.

Lance and Eugene brought Cassandra to their room with them. Lance lay her down on the bed, unsurprised to find she’d fallen asleep at some point along the way. He tucked her in like he had every single night since arriving at the orphanage.

“Do you think he’ll keep his promise?” Eugene asked.

“I think he’ll buy us some time,” Lance whispered. “But we keep the bags packed and ready.”

Eugene nodded, brushing his fingers through Cassandra’s hair. If it were up to the girl, it would be a tangled mess by now, but Eugene had kept it brushed and clean. “I hope we can stay.”

“Do you like it here?” Lance raised his brows, surprised.

Eugene frowned, hesitated, then shook his head. “Not exactly. I just… I think the guard was right, Cassandra needs stability, going to the park each day to steal, walking around town, that nice Uncle Monty who gives her liquorice for free, those are the little things she’d lose if we jumped kingdom. I know there would be new things, but… She’s not like us, Lance, she’s not an adventurer. Not yet, at least.”

“Who says?” Cassandra’s offended whisper surprised both boys. She was barely awake and still she glared up at Eugene.

“Cass,” Eugene grinned.

“I’m as much of an adventurer as you are.”

Eugene laughed and hugged her. Of course she’d snap out of her silence just to jump right into tormenting him. “Only if we count lame adventures,” he whispered.

“You’re lame,” she whispered back. “And you can’t let the guard take me away. They’ll kill you.”

“They won’t,” Lance promised. “And we won’t let him take you away. Alright?”

The next day, all three were brought into one of the caretaker’s office. Lance held Cassandra’s hand, but she was walking by his side for once. She wasn’t well. After going to sleep, the girl had several nightmares and hadn’t spoken yet this morning. But she was more worried about losing more of her family than she was about being sad over her original.

“Cassandra didn’t cooperate,” Eugene said before the caretakers said anything. “She didn’t fight us,” he added. “But she didn’t help or plan. We just carried her like another bag.”

Cassandra looked up at the caretaker.

“Cassandra’s not in trouble.” The caretaker leaned on the desk, over some paper. “The Captain informed us you three were right about…” They shook their head. “Listen, Cassandra’s grief is understandable, very understandable. We want to help her—”

“Sending her away won’t help her!” Lance argued.

The caretaker nodded. “We don’t want to send anybody away. If she starts eating normally, she can stay.”

“How long do we have?”

“I don’t have an exact time period, but I’ll keep you updated.”

Lance nodded.

“For now, Cassandra is lucky. There’s been some generous donations with the explicit use of having Cassandra see a medical professional twice a week for the next month, who, with some luck, will help her talk through these issues.”

Eugene frowned. “She isn’t insane.”

“No, Eugene, she’s not. But she’s gone through a very scary experience and needs a bit of help to come to terms with that.”

Eugene frowned, but nodded.

“As for you two boys.”

Both boys’s eyes widened. They’d nearly forgotten they were the ones who’d misbehaved.

“I’m aware you love Cassandra very much, but what you did was reckless. Eugene, you’re going to be cleaning the dishes every night for the next month.”

Eugene nodded, rubbing his arm.

“And Lance, you’re in charge of the garden’s upkeep for the next month.”

Lance nodded. “That’s fair.”

“I should hope so. And Cassandra,” the caretaker watched as the girl hid behind her big brothers. “You can keep them company, but you aren’t allowed to help. It’s their punishment, understood?”

She nodded. “I’m not like them. I don’t get punished because I’m a good child.”

Eugene narrowed his eyes at the girl, who somehow still hadn’t been caught committing a crime. Managing to stay in the caretakers’ good books despite stealing just as much as him and Lance.

“I don’t understand why Cassandra chose to bond with two who seem unwilling to behave, but… I guess whatever keeps her out of her shell.”

Lance was in the garden covered in mud and pulling weeds when Cassandra came back from her first doctor’s appointment, her eyes were red and puffy as she slowly walked towards the orphanage, when she saw Lance though she sprinted, she wrapped her arms around the boy.

“Oh, hey there.” He wrapped his arms around her. “Are you okay? What happened?”

“Just talking,” she mumbled.

“And crying?”

She smiled and nodded. She sat crossed legged on the ground and Lance knelt down next to her, pulling out weeds as she began to explain. “We talked about my mother, and how maybe… Maybe she wasn’t as perfect as I remember.”

Lance nodded.

“That was a lot, so then I talked about you and Eugene.”

Lance smiled.

“The doctor says I need to hold on to you two.”

“Oh, smart doctor!”

Cassandra smiled and nodded.

“Well, don’t worry, cause we ain’t letting you go anytime soon.” Lance ruffled her hair. “You’re too valuable an asset for our team.”

She giggled. “And I’m family, right?”

“Forever. Forever and ever.”

“The doctor says that… That I’m scared of being alone and need to trust you more.”

“I could have told you that! How much is that man being paid? I’ll take the money.”

Cassandra giggled more.

“Does it help?”

“I don’t know. Maybe.”

He nodded. “Well then, guess that donor did you a favour then.”

“Lance?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m sorry I scared and hurt you.”

Lance looked up at Cassandra. “You were scared and hurt, too.”

“Yes, but… You’re enough. I don’t need a mummy.”

“You don’t need to feel bad, Cassandra. One day I’m going to be sad, or Eugene, and that day, you’ll help us get better, and you’ll be hurt because you love us and you get sad seeing as sad. But that isn’t a reason to feel guilty. That’s just what families are for. We share everything, our sad moments, our happy moments and,” he looked around before whispering, “when you one day steal everything in the world, we share that too.”

Cassandra burst out laughing before hugging Lance. “Yeah.”

Chapter Text

Cassandra’s therapy sessions ended far sooner than the girl would have hoped. They helped more than she wanted to admit. But once they stopped, they left her feeling somewhat empty. Sure, she was doing better than before, but she still felt like there was something missing.

She’d mostly talked about her mother, coming to terms with some of the abuse she suffered and the fact her mother was now gone. Things that hadn’t come up though were, for example, her separation from her sister, the royal family’s involvement with her current state, the orphanage’s lack of funds and how that made Cassandra feel the need to steal to get by. All things that certainly could have used some extra time.

Cassandra lay on the ground in the backyard of the orphanage, staring up at the sky as clouds passed by.

“What ya doing?” Lance asked, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. He was very sneaky for a boy his size.

“I’m thinking, something you two could do more of, if you ask me!”

Lance laughed, sitting next to the girl. “What ya thinking about?”

“Um… Clouds.”

“Ah, I see,” he lay down next to her. “Not sure thinking about clouds is that productive.”

“It’s not meant to be productive, it’s meant to be calming, grounding, in the moment, I dunno, my therapist… The therapist,” no longer hers, “They said to do it. So I do it.”

“Seems boring.”

“It’s not… Not for a while, wouldn’t sit here all day. Did you come get me for a reason?”

“Yes, me and Eugene are heading over to the town-square to, ya know, do some crime,” she blinked as though he’d used a keyword despite saying it upfront.

Cassandra laughed. “Maybe I’ll meet you two later. I think I need a little more cloud time.”

“Whatever keeps you from going quiet on us again.”

Cassandra smiled and nodded.

Ever since the runaway attempt, Eugene and Lance were very mindful of Cassandra’s mental well-being. They’d even read a book about it. Though they hadn’t understood most of it. Lots of long words and terms they did not know, but they did understand some parts.

For example, when Cassandra was stressed they no longer hugged her straight away, they would touch her hand and if she didn’t pull away, they’d slowly hug her. Making sure she didn’t get overstimulated.

They also made sure if she was asking for their company, one of them was with her, and when she wanted to be alone, they respected that too.

They’d had a few late-night conversations about family and Gothel. They weren’t entirely surprised to hear some of the horrible things Cassandra’s mother said and did to the girl. They’d had their theories, but were still horrified to hear it.

Seeing their reactions, how upset they were, helped Cassandra realise how wrong some of the things had been.

She also talked to them about Rapunzel and how ‘difficult’ she’d been. Not cooperating with Cassandra for things like getting clean, brushing hair or even going to bed, despite the fact Cassandra was doing her very best!

Lance and Eugene sided with Cassandra, obviously, telling her how horrible that princess was! It was no wonder Cassandra’s hatred for the princess only grew as time went by.

Lance was stealing a coin purse when someone grabbed his hand. He turned to see a man who was somewhat familiar, but Lance couldn’t place his finger on it.

“Oh, um, hi, Sir, could you let go of me so I can give this coin purse to that man over there who just dropped it?”

The man snatched the purse from Lance’s hand and, without letting go of his wrist, walked over to give the purse back. He did, however, say it had been dropped instead of saying Lance had been caught stealing it.

Lance frowned when the man dragged him from the square to an alley to talk privately.

“If you’re kidnapping me, you aren’t going to get anything. It’s not that my parents don’t have much, it’s that I don’t have much of parents.”

“I saw you steal that purse, boy.”

Hearing the man’s stern voice got Lance’s memory rolling. He hadn’t recognised the Captain dressed in red with no golden armour on. “No, it fell!”

“I saw you.”

Lance frowned. He glanced back at the square where Eugene was watching the interaction, no longer stealing. The captain had lied to the civilian, so Lance wasn’t entirely sure he was in trouble. “I had to.”

“You had to?”

Lance tried to think of a good excuse. “We don’t get any money at the orphanage, not pocket money, nothing, they won’t let me get a job until I’m thirteen in a few weeks and last time Cassandra got sick because the orphanage didn’t have money we had to just hope she’d get better! As a big brother, I promised I wouldn’t let that happen again. I can’t! She’s my little sister, I need to protect her and sometimes that means stealing a bit of money so I can start saving just in case…” he hoped the sob story would earn him some empathy points from the captain.

Whether it was working or not, the Captain remained glaring down at the young boy.

“I’m sorry.”

The gentle whisper finally got the Captain to soften slightly. “A few weeks, huh?”

Lance nodded.

The captain sighed. “Consider yourself warned this time! If I catch you again, it’ll be the start of your criminal record. Do you understand what that means?”

Lance shook his head.

“It means you can look forward to a lot more difficulties in life than the average person.”

“So… Like being an orphan?”

“Don’t be a smart-ass with me.”

Lance had to hold back a smile.

“However, this warning doesn’t come free.”

Lance frowned further.

“In a few weeks, I’ll have a job waiting for you. A first job for a thirteen-year-old won’t pay much, but seeing as you need the money, it’ll allow you to start saving.”

Lance looked shocked. “What, really?”

Captain nodded, crossing his arms. “People need to earn an honest living and I suppose kids, too.”

Lance nodded. “I won’t disappoint Sir!” and he saluted as he’d seen guards do before.

The Captain nodded and left. Once out of sight, Eugene made his way over. “What happened?”

“I got a job!” Lance sounded excited.

Eugene raised his brows. “Oh.”

Chapter Text

The day after Lance turned thirteen, the captain came to pick Lance up to take him to his new job. When he came in, as well as Lance, Cassandra was waiting with her arms crossed.

“She came to wish me luck,” Lance informed.

“No.” Cassandra pushed Lance, not that he budged. “I came to tell you,” she pointed at the Captain, “This job better be safe because I need him alive and well!”

The captain smiled and knelt down. “You’re doing a lot better than when I last saw you.”

“Are you listening to me?”

“I promise it’s a perfectly safe job, perhaps not the most fun, but that’s just what work is like.”

Cassandra nodded. “Okay, good. And Lance.”

“Yeah?”

She gave him a quick hug. “Good luck.”

He smiled, barely having time to return it before she was leaving, probably to bother Eugene.

“I see why you protect her so.”

Lance nodded. “That’s what older kids are supposed to do, protect the younger ones, especially those who need it the most.”

The Captain walked Lance over the bridge and to some farmland. “This is Old Corona, where most of the food comes from.”

Lance nodded.

“They can always use with some extra hands here. I’ve talked to Quirin, head of the village, and he says you can help to sow potatoes. Ever worked on a farm before?”

Lance shook his head. “No, Sir.”

“Well, like I said, it’s hard work, but it’s honest work.”

Lance nodded. “I’ll do my best.”

“That’s the spirit.”

Quirin was fairly friendly. He was patient when explaining stuff to Lance. He asked about Lance’s home-life and Lance told him about how awesome Eugene and Cassandra were. Quirin then told Lance about his own very young son. It was nice.

At the end of the day, Quirin gave him some coins. The Captain was right about it not being much, but he was also given some apples from the garden to share with the other kids.

Despite how tired, dirty, and how little he brought back, Lance did feel somewhat accomplished when he came home.

He located Eugene and Cassandra in the boy’s room. Cassandra had her owl plush, as well as some wooden figurines of Eugene’s, and was playing in the corner. It was cute until the giant owl beast started devouring the wooden villagers.

“How’d your first day go?” Eugene asked. “Cassandra insisted I only steal a little today to not tarnish your honest living.” He laughed, holding up a single purse.

“It was… It was nice,” Lance said, pulling out the few coins. “Not as efficient as thieving but, I guess it’s nice to know I can’t be arrested for it.”

Eugene frowned at the insignificant amount of coins. “You were working all day for that? You wouldn’t be able to buy a day’s food with that…”

Lance nodded. “I know, but… Thirteen-year-old’s first jobs don’t pay great.” He repeated the captain’s words with a shrug.

“Alright but… If you’re going to be trying out this honest work thing, me and Cass are going to have to up our game.”

Cassandra finally abandoned her reign of terror to come see how much Lance had made. “Oh.”

Lance sighed, putting the coins into the little porcelain owl. “It’ll be fine. I just need to keep at it.”

“Oh, alright. That’s the spirit!” Cassandra smiled.

Despite Cassandra and Eugene’s initial hesitation, Lance did keep at his job. He worked hard, brought back enough coins to keep saving, brought back food that he got to share not only with Eugene and Cassandra but with other kids, too.

His turnaround shocked the caretakers, but they were also proud. They used Lance as a shining example of good behaviour and though Eugene was still a bit uncertain, Cassandra was very proud of him, cheering whenever the caretakers praised the boy.

Eugene and Cassandra didn’t stop their stealing. They may be young, but food still cost money and there was never certainty you’d be getting enough at the orphanage. But Cassandra was excited about the day she was thirteen and could start an honest life.

Quirin had told Lance if he stuck to this farming job, he’d be welcome in Old Corona once he came of age, that Quirin would make sure the boy had a place to sleep and a job that payed enough to survive. That was perfect because that way Lance wouldn’t be far from his family.

Lance kept this hope for about six months, up until a large man arrived at the farm.

“Beautiful field you have here.”

“Oh, it’s not mine, I just work it and…” Lance’s voice faded when he looked up and recognised the large man who’d let him hide in his basement when stealing Cassandra’s cold medicine.

“I see. Seems like a very underwhelming career. I’m sure you could aspire for more.”

Lance frowned. “I’m happy, actually.”

“That’s a shame.”

Lance swallowed. “Um… Are you looking for Quirin? I can go get him for you, Sir.”

“No, I’m looking for you. You Remember who I am, right?”

“Baron…” Lance’s hands clenched tighter around the tool in his hand. “I don’t… Why?”

“I did you a favour. Now, I need you to return that favour to me.”

“Return it?” Lance didn’t understand.

“There’s something I want and I need a talented thief to get it.”

“I’m no thief, not anymore.”

“Is that so?”

“I have a job. I’m a farmer.”

“But you did steal, and you didn’t get punished for that.”

Lance took a few deep breaths. He shook his head. “My little sister was sick. I didn’t want to steal.”

“But you did. Listen kid, you owe me. You can either repay your debt to me, or you can explain to the guards how you stole expensive medicine from a local business.”

Lance looked to the ground, then up at the man.

“Not to mention that little sister of yours who consumed the medicine will be at fault, too.”

“No, but she’s… She’s…”

“Did she know ti was stolen?”

Lance swallowed. “Please don’t.”

“Then I can count in for this job, right?”

Lance looked towards Quirin’s cottage, to the ground, to his hands, which were covered in dirt, up at this man who called himself the Baron. “Please don’t make me do this.”

“I’m not making you do anything kids, you get two choices. Choose correctly. Be at my home tonight by ten. I believe you’ve already been there once before.”

Lance watched the large man leave as tears filled his eyes.

For a moment, he thought of telling Quirin or the captain, but would they be able to forgive his prior life of crime? No… Lance needed to do this job, not get caught, and then he would be free to live an honest life.

That night, he tucked Cassandra into bed like every single night. “Remember, if you don’t sleep, the bed-bugs are going to come and eat you. If you sleep, you’re invisible.”

“Okay, Lance,” Cassandra yawned and smiled, cuddling her owl plush. “Can you tell me a story before I sleep?”

Lance frowned. “Not today. I’m really tired from work. I could use the sleep. Alright?”

Cassandra whimpered, but nodded. “Okay, will I get a story tomorrow?”

“Of course,” he kissed her forehead, making sure the blanket was tight around her. “Sleep tight.”

“Good night Lance.”

Eugene was already in bed and halfway to sleep. That was good. Lance wanted both of them asleep before sneaking out so that they didn’t have the title of accomplices. Lance was quiet as he sat on his bed, watching Eugene fall asleep.

Lance quietly got changed as he sneaked into the night like so many times before.

Chapter Text

Lance reached the thick wooden door. His hood was covering his features as he hesitated before knocking. The door opened. The man who stood there was skinny and tall, nose scrunched up as he looked down at Lance.

“There’s another one,” he moved out of the way, gesturing for Lance to come in.

Another?

Lance found himself in a small living room with several other kids of similar ages to himself. He knew Caine. She had red hair that reached down her back and partially covered her face. She was slightly younger than Lance but older than Cassandra.

There was also another red-head who looked far more comfortable. Her hair was curly, and she looked Lance up and down before rolling her eyes as though disappointed.

There was also the Stabbingtons who Lance still wanted to punch for what they’d done to Cassandra, but this didn’t seem to be the right moment.

He walked over slowly, deciding to stick close to Caine.

The girl looked up at him. “What did you do to get yourself into this mess?” she whispered.

Lance crossed his arms. “Get caught doing something I shouldn’t. You?”

“Same.”

Lance nodded. “Any idea what they want from us?”

Caine shook her head.

After around twenty minutes and a few more kids wandering in, all around Lance’s age and nobody else he knew, the man who Lance knew as The Baron came into the room.

The curly haired red-head stood up with a grin, the only one of them that was happy to see him.

“Stalyan,” the man addressed her. “How is this little team?”

She looked at them. “I’ll make it work.”

The Baron smiled. “Kids, future criminals of Corona. This is my daughter, Stalyan.”

Stalyan grinned, and nobody responded.

“As you all know, I am The Baron. As you may not know, I run most of Corona’s criminal activity. If you plan to have a future in thieving or anything else that goes against the law, you will work alongside me, like it or not.”

This did urge some whispering between some of the kids.

“Stalyan here will undoubtedly take over my business someday, and because of that, it’s important you all learn to respect her early.”

“What if we do not intend to grow to be criminals?” Lance asked, rather bravely.

“I’m sorry to tell you, kid, once you’ve started down this path, it’s very hard to turn back.” The Baron looked at Stalyan. “Tonight’s job is simple. You’re going to follow my daughter’s instructions and steal a vase from Corona’s palace.”

Lance frowned. “Why?”

“It’s an expensive vase, but more importantly, it’ll show me which of you is worth training for the future and which of you are a waste of space on the streets.”

Lance glared.

“Go on darling,” The Baron encouraged Stalyan, who stepped forward with a confident grin.

“Alright. Everybody follow me. I’ll supply you with masks to hide your face and then we’re heading out!”

Lance remained close to Caine, she was the only one of the group he even mildly trusted not to stab him in the back, plus, being a girl, younger than him, forced into criminal activity by unfortunate life events in part brought forth by the king, meant she reminded him of Cassandra and he had a soft spot for her.

They moved silently through dark alleys, dodging guards who patrolled. Lance hated this. He wanted to be in bed. He wanted to be in bed resting so tomorrow he could get up and work at the farm as usual. He didn’t want to steal, not anymore. He wanted to build a future for himself and his makeshift family of three.

Yet, the castle loomed overhead and the red-head named Stalyan gave clear instructions dividing the group up into small teams and directing them on what tunnels to use, what windows to break and which of the many invaluable vases to grab. She, of course, was to remain outside where it was safe.

Lance realised that thought she may be in the crime world. He and her were not alike. He chose crime out of a need for survival. She took thrill in it.

Lance was with Caine and one of the Stabbington brothers. They didn’t talk as they made their way through the tunnels. Lance took a deep breath as they reached the exit.

“Who’s going up?” Lance asked.

“Send the girl. She’s the smallest and least likely to be spot.”

Caine curled in on herself ever so slightly and Lance placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’ll go. The vase might be too big for her to carry on her own. Just wait at the exit so I can pass it down, alright?”

Nods as he climbed out into the empty palace halls. He saw the other Stabbington brother standing by a nearby window. He was there to break the window once Lance was gone, redirecting the guard’s attention when they investigated.

Lance thought that was stupid, but he wasn’t a criminal mastermind, so he didn’t question the plan. He moved silently through the hall, spotting the vase he was supposed to take. He held his breath as he listened carefully, he sneaked up, grabbing it, it wasn’t too heavy as he sneaked back towards the tunnel.

Caine smiled at him and gesture to the Stabbington brother to help. He came over and took the vase before Caine helped Lance back into the tunnels and they began to make their way back.

“That was… Easy,” Caine whispered.

Lance nodded. “Don’t jinx it and just be grateful.”

She nodded.

Back at The Baron’s house, the man congratulated them all, handing them a few silver coins as a reward and sending them on their way.

Lance sneaked back into the orphanage. He checked in on Cassandra, confirming she was still sleeping peacefully with her owl plush. He then went to his own room. Eugene was fast asleep.

Lance climbed into his bed, took a deep breath and decided that from here on out he was an honest man and tonight had just been a bad dream he could soon forget.

Chapter Text

The next morning, Lance got up, his muscles still aching from yesterday's exertion. But he was home. The deed was done, all was good. When Eugene asked why Lance was dragging his legs a bit more than usual, he claimed to have had a few bad dreams. Because that all last night was, a bad dream.

When Cassandra showed him her latest owl drawing, he smiled and told her it was amazing before lifting her into the air to make her fly like an owl. She laughed and flailed her arms before they all three went for breakfast.

Soon after, Lance went to work as usual.

He worked the land, enjoyed getting his hands dirty. Quirin gave him some potatoes for the orphanage that wouldn’t last long but were good at the moment, and a few coins.

Lance walked back to Corona with a smile on his face. He knew Cassandra expected a story today, and he’d actually been able to make one up while working. He knew she’d love it. It had a wise owl, some talking clouds and a tree-house.

When he reached the orphanage and opened the door, however, he was greeted by a room full of adults, both caretakers and uniformed guards.

Cassandra waved to Lance from the corner where she was sitting with Eugene. Guards walked around asking questions. The Captain spotted the kid.

“Ah, there you are. Good day of work?”

“Um… Yes. What’s going on?”

The captain smiled as he led Lance into the corner with his makeshift family. “Nothing you need to worry about, kid. We’re just taking fingerprints from everybody due to a tip we received about a robbery that took place last night. One of the guards will take your fingerprints in just a minute.”

Lance didn’t answer. He felt his heart miss a beat, but nobody else seemed concerned.

“Why would they think orphans stole from the castle?” Eugene seemed annoyed by the interruption of his day.

“Cause us orphans are inherently evil,” Cassandra joked, laughing at her own dark-humour.

When a guard took Lance’s fingerprints, the boy let him. Refusing would be far more suspicious. But that did lead to the question: What now?

Lance hadn’t worn gloves. He was going to be caught. Did he flee the kingdom? Flee the orphanage? Did he tell Eugene and Cassandra? Or did he leave them behind?

He felt sick to his stomach as the captain thanked the caretakers and left with the rest of the guards.

Eugene scrunched up his nose. “Waste of time,” he mumbled.

Cassandra noticed Lance’s pale features as she grabbed his hand, bright grey eyes looking up at him. “Lance?”

He took a second to realise she was worried, realise he was wearing his heart on his sleeve rather than tucked away where it belonged. He corrected this by lifting her into the air just like this morning, causing her to squeal in surprise.

“What?” he asked as he put her down.

She laughed. “Nothing.”

“Nothing? I thought you’d ask me for that story I promised last night…”

“Yes, yes! I want a story!”

Lance smiled. “After supper before bed. I have a good one!”

Cassandra hugged him. “Does it have swords?”

“No, but it has an owl!”

She gasped and smiled. “Yes, I can’t wait. Eugene, I get a story about owls. Do you know what you get?”

“Nothing?”

“Nothing! Hah!” Cassandra was very proud of her youngest-privilege.

Eugene just smiled because Cassandra had been so much happier these past few months, ever since Lance had restored her faith in an honest future.

That night, Lance told Cassandra her story, tucked her in, teased her about her owl plush. Cassandra just smiled up at him, holding the plush close.

“Will you tell me another story tomorrow, Lance?”

“Aren’t you getting a bit old for bedtimes stories?” he whispered. “You’ll be ten soon!”

She looked sad. “Exactly why I want more stories.”

Lance smiled. “I promise the next time I tuck you in, I’ll tell you another story.”

“You tuck me in every night, so that means I’m getting another story tomorrow!” she exclaimed excitedly, cuddling her plush. “Thank you, Lance.”

“Thank you. It’s not everybody who’s got the taste to appreciate my amazing stories.” He kissed her on the cheek before leaving the room.

Eugene was sitting on the bed in their room, looking very much awake. “You’re acting weird,” he said.

Lance frowned. “No, I’m not.”

“Lance… Is there something you haven’t told me?”

“Don’t worry Eugene.”

“I’m your best friend. It’s against the thief's rules not to tell me.”

“No, it’s not. Besides, I’m not a thief anymore, remember?”

Eugene frowned as he watched Lance climb into bed. “Do you really intent to never steal again?”

Lance didn’t respond.

“Cause… I think what you get paid is nothing, but, if you and Cass both want to be law-abiding citizens, I guess I’ll get a job in a few years too and… We’ll do that.”

“You’d be willing to give up your dreams of becoming rich and famous through thieving to remain with us?”

“Course. We’re family. And family stays together and doesn’t keep secrets from each other.”

Lance smiled. “I’ll tell you in a few days, depending on how things develop. There’s nothing you can do either way.”

Eugene hesitated before nodding. “Alright. Good night Lance.”

“Good night Eugene.”

The next day, Lance went to work as usual. He considered fleeing the kingdom but… He had a family. He couldn’t leave them behind. So instead, he went to the field and worked as usual.

At one point, Quirin came out to bring him a sandwich for lunch, chatting to him about pests and rodents.

Lance listened and nibbled at his sandwich until there was the sound of a horse. They both looked up, Lance’s heart sunk at the familiar sight of the captain. He got down from his horse, careful not to trample the crops.

“Quirin,” he nodded in greeting before his eyes moved to Lance.

Lance stuffed the rest of his sandwich into his mouth, unsure what fate awaited him and when he’d next get a meal. “Captain,” Quirin smiled. “What brings you around these parts? Come to check up on this kid? He’s been an amazing worker! Has a bright future, if he’s willing.”

“If he’s willing,” Captain nodded. “Which unfortunately I do not believe he is.”

Quirin looked confused, glancing down at Lance.

Lance looked to the ground, his hands in front of him.

“Yesterday a vase was stolen from the palace, a loyal citizen who saw some kids hide it returned the vase today. Fingerprint prove he was involved.”

Lance didn’t deny the accusation.

Quirin frowned. “Are you sure? Lance here has been working really hard every day. Why would he steal?”

The Captain just shook his head. “You’re coming with me, kid.”

Lance nodded, wiping his eyes of tears as he let the Captain take him away from the field he’d come to enjoy.

He hoped Cassandra and Eugene wouldn’t be too upset if he didn’t come home tonight.

Chapter Text

Eugene was reading a book while he waited for Lance to come back from work. Cassandra was sitting by his side reading her own book, one about weapons and fighting styles. Eugene found it to be the most boring book ever, talking about balance and timing and none of the cool things Eugene thought about when he thought of fighting.

But Cassandra was happy, and that was all that mattered.

The clock ticked, and Lance didn’t come back.

“He’s late,” Cassandra commented.

Eugene nodded.

They both frowned as they pretended to keep reading, suppressing their stress with each passing minute Lance was later. It wasn’t like him.

Lance sat in a cell in the palace dungeon. He’d admitted to his crimes without any issue, but hadn’t snitched on any of his co-workers. He’d considered snitching on the Stabbingtons as revenge for nearly drowning Cassandra, but ultimately decided against it.

It did little good either way.

It wasn’t long until he saw young Caine brought into a cell.

The Stabbingtons.

Everybody who’d taken part in the robbery except for The Baron’s daughter.

He let out a deep sigh and dropped his head into his hands.

The guards were whispering between them, confused by the sudden influx of children in the dungeon. The captain hadn’t yet figured out what they were going to do with them. Technically, most of them were old enough to be charged. Though the captain didn’t necessarily believe that thirteen was a fair age to start sending children to prison.

Not to mention, it was so odd that all these children would get together to steal a vase of all things! It felt like there had to be a reason, but none of the kids would say what.

Lance thought about Cassandra and Eugene. He wished he’d take the time to tell them more stories, give them more hugs. He figured this was it. He’d stolen from a king. He’d be locked away forever and ever! Or executed! Or at the very least, exiled from the kingdom, never to see his family again.

Although expected to be brave, his fear overwhelmed him and he found himself holding his knees tightly, tears streaming down his cheeks. This action obviously started a chain reaction because soon he could hear sniffling coming from many of the other cells containing kids.

Cassandra, being the youngest, went up to the caretaker. Holding her owl plush, she tugged at one of the caretaker’s clothes. “Mam?”

“Yes Cassandra?”

“Where’s Lance?”

The caretaker frowned. “He’s accounted for.”

“What does that mean?”

“He’s fine. We know where he is.”

“I don’t know where he is.”

“Cassandra,” the caretaker sighed, kneeling down. “Lance is fine. He’ll be back… Eventually.”

“But he has to tell me a story at night or I can’t sleep,” she lied, hugging her plush close. “I need that story.”

“Lance can’t come tonight.”

“Does he not love me anymore?”

“No, Cassandra…” The caretaker sighed, seeming annoyed. Not long ago, they would have hugged Cassandra and rushed their word to comfort her. Cassandra knew her acting cute to get things and information wouldn’t last much longer, but she hoped it would serve her today as she began to cry. “Cassandra… Lance did a bad thing. He’s with the guards.”

“A bad thing? Like steal?”

“Exactly. Lance stole. Now he’s in trouble. He’ll probably be back soon if he cooperates with the guards, but tonight, he’ll be in the dungeon. Where naughty children go if they don’t behave, tell Eugene and maybe he’ll be able to behave and dodge that same fate.”

The caretaker walked away, and Eugene came up to Cassandra.

“Your tears are on-point,” he commented.

She sniffled. “Lance was arrested.”

Eugene took a moment to process that and a moment longer to realise Cassandra’s tears were genuine. He couldn’t pick Cassandra up like Lance did. He wasn’t that big or strong, but he wrapped his arms around Cassandra and hugged her.

Lance was led out of his cell alongside all the other children, moved from the palace dungeon into a prison carriage. Lance was the last in line. He watched Caine as she struggled to climb in and the guard had to help her.

The guards did not look happy about the day’s events.

Lance looked up, realising it was the Captain who had his hand on his shoulder.

“Captain…?” his voice came out quiet and fearful but the look the captain gave him was gentle.

“Yes?”

“What’s happening to us?”

“We’re going to take you down to the prison beyond the island and you’ll be roomed together,” he whispered. “What you kids did was unacceptable and you will be going on trial come Friday for this theft. But the king will take into account the fact you are all children…” He almost told Lance that they probably wouldn’t get more than community service given their young age, but he decided against it for now. “If you explain where you kids got this idea from, it’ll be easier for everyone involved.”

Lance looked to the ground as the Captain helped him up into the carriage. Upon realising he wasn’t getting an answer, he sighed and locked the door.

Eugene tucked Cassandra in and read her a story. Cassandra didn’t stop sniffling, cuddling up close to Eugene while he tried to act strong, but wanted to cry as well.

Neither knew how long Lance would be gone or if he was okay. They didn’t even know what he’d done! Just that they missed him.

Eventually, Cassandra cried herself to sleep, still pressed up to Eugene.

He decided not to try to get up and fell asleep next to her, nervously waiting for the next day.

Chapter Text

The prison cell that the children were kept in was large. It had a bed for every kid. Some were permanent, but others had been dragged in by the guards. There was food, water, blankets. Still the guards whispered, uncertain what fate awaited these kids who’d bitten off more than they could chew trying to steal an invaluable vase from the palace itself.

How they’d pulled off such feet also remained a mystery.

All that was known was that the kids were scared.

Lance sat on one of the beds. He looked down at his hands; he thought about what had led to him to this point and realised that the worst part was he didn’t regret it, because this hadn’t begun with his usual stealing, this came from him stealing medicine for Cassandra. And nothing in the world could make him regret having taken action to keep her safe. He took a deep breath and prepared himself mentally for the upcoming days.

The week went by very slowly, but it was soon the morning of the trial. All the children were either pacing, crying, or completely still and emotionless. Nobody in the cell looked comfortable, their faces drawn and eyes haunted.

Lance didn’t feel like going back into the prison carriage. He didn’t want to be taken before rich bureaucrats who would decide his fate. He just wanted to go home and cuddled with his family. He doubted that would be the outcome, though.

Captain, on the other hand, was hoping for just that, some community service and for the children to go back to their families. The prison was never a pleasant place, but when the halls were filled with the sound of sniffling children, it was far worse.

But it wasn’t long before their departure time when there was a slight change of plans.

Captain came to open the cell. "Well, it looks like you're in the clear for this one...but you'll have it on your permanent record and I'm sure your parents won't be so forgiving," he said, giving them all a stern look.

“Why?” Lance was the only one of the kids to ask.

“Apparently a baron whose daughter you were all friends with decided to pay for all the damage you kids caused and give in good word. Said that he’d talked about the vase in front of his daughter and she’d put the idea in your heads, that it was just a game and a misunderstanding... I doubt that seeing as none of you were willing to explain yourselves, but…” He sighed and shook his head. “This time you were lucky and I should hope you learnt your lesson. Next time will not be such a pleasant experience.”

Lance hugged himself. The Baron had paid to get them out. That meant his debt was not yet repaid. He closed his eyes, understanding the fate that had befallen him.

“Go on, I bet your family is missing you.”

That got Lance to move along quickly. He owed Cassandra a story… Or many.

Eugene saw Lance walking up the street while he was taking the rubbish out. He did not take a moment to toss the bag into the can and sprint towards Lance.

Lance smiled and only just managed to brace himself, catching Eugene rather than being thrown to the ground. “Hey.”

“You stole something?! Without me?! And got caught?! And arrested?! Without me?!” Eugene sounded torn between very much offended and relieved to just have Lance back. “Unbelievable.”

Lance smiled. “I’ll tell you tonight if I’m not locked in the intake room,” he promised. “It’s… Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.”

Eugene looked concerned, but didn’t push.

“How’s Cassandra?”

“I’ve had to step up my big brother game with you gone, but… She’s fine. You know, upset, missing you. Knowing her, she’ll act like she’s not angry, just disappointed,” he smiled.

“Manipulative little Owlet.” He smiled and shook his head. “I guess I need to face the wrath of the caretakers.”

Eugene frowned. “Do you want me to get Cassandra so you can hug her first? In case they lock you up?”

Lance shook his head. “No, I really want to get this over with.”

Eugene nodded, taking his best friend’s hand in his as they walked inside.

Cassandra saw Lance but didn’t get to him before the caretakers. She watched in horror as they started to scold him while all she wanted was a hug. Eugene left Lance’s side to lead Cassandra into the room to read a book until Lance was free to come to them.

It took what felt like forever to them, but Lance was shocked by the mere half an hour. He’d expected it to go on late into the night, but apparently his time in the dungeon and prison was considered punishment enough.

Lance walked into the room, and Cassandra jumped from the bed. He caught her and lifted her into the air, holding her close. “I missed you too.”

Cassandra started to cry. “Never do that to me again!”

Lance nodded. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

“You should be. How dare you?”

He smiled as he sat down on the bed. “I guess I owe you both an explanation.”

They nodded.

Lance sighed, but he sat back and explained from the beginning.

Cassandra hugged him tightly by the end. “I didn’t mean to cause this much trouble.”

“You were worth it,” Lance whispered. “It isn’t your fault. It’s this system that failed to protect you, forcing me to do it instead.”

Cassandra nodded, wiping her eyes.

Eugene frowned. “So… We’re thieves? We don’t get an honest living?”

“I don’t,” Lance whispered.

“We don’t,” Cassandra whispered, looking up at Lance. “We’re in this together. Understood?”

Lance frowned.

“Yeah, whatever debt you’ve got to pay off, we’ll help you,” Eugene smiled as he crossed his arms. “How hard can it be between all three of us, right?”

Lance smiled and nodded. “Right.”

Chapter Text

Lance looked out of his bedroom window, grounded, not even allowed into the garden. He wasn’t too upset about it. The world beyond his room wasn’t as vibrant as it had been in the past months. He knew his future; he knew he’d be fighting every step of the way. The only light was he wouldn’t be doing it alone.

Beyond the glass, he could see Cassandra and Eugene fight using wooden swords and fists. He saw how Cassandra kicked and Eugene caught her foot before pulling her to the ground. The need to be stronger was more obvious by the day. If someone wished to hurt them, be that the Baron, the Stabbingtons or any other number of individuals, they needed to be prepared.

Lance flinched as Eugene threw Cassandra to the ground, but she seemed unfazed as she continued to fight. As soon as Lance was allowed out, he promised himself he’d learn to fight better too. Because although he wouldn’t and couldn’t stop Eugene and Cassandra from learning, he hoped they never had to use these abilities.

Cassandra finally stopped struggling, giving Eugene the victory once more.

“Hey, don’t look so upset.” He gestured to her sunken expression and fallen shoulders. “You did alright for a pipsqueak with half a brain.”

“Eugene, how many times must I tell you, I have half a brain more than you. I know it’s a lot for you to remember. It’s okay.”

Eugene ruffled her hair, sitting down on the grass in front of her, making sure he didn’t look towards the window where he knew Lance watched them. “It’s been three fights. I’ve won every one. What’s the lesson?”

“That I’m not ready to fight the criminal underworld of Corona in search of vengeance for Lance…” she mumbled the exact sentence Eugene had forced her to learn.

“Good.” Eugene smiled. “And what constitutes vengeance?”

“Literally allowing my existence to be known by said criminals…”

Eugene nodded approvingly. “You’ll learn some survival skills yet.”

Cassandra laid back on the grass, feeling the cool blades tickling her skin as she reached her arms out and stared up at the sky. “Eugene?”

“Yes?”

“Why does the world hate us?”

Eugene frowned.

“I tried really hard to be a good daughter, a good sister, I tried to not get into the world of thievery… I tried. I really did.”

“I know Cass.”

“But every step I take, it seems there’s someone there to throw me back…”

Eugene nodded. “I don’t know, Cass… Why the world is the way it is… I guess… I guess, there wouldn’t be heroes without villains, so, if there aren’t villains, the heroes have to make them.”

Cassandra looked up at Eugene.

“Everybody wants to be the hero in a story, ya know?”

Cassandra nodded.

“So they take away our food, take away any chance at happiness we have, then they attack us when we lash out and pretend we were bad from the beginning.”

“What if we don’t lash out?”

“Then they pull and they push until we do.”

“And how do they choose which of us gets to be heroes and villains? Because… I grew up in a tower but Princess Rapunzel… She’s a hero. She’s a princess. She’s looked up to by the people because she’s cute and kind. While I’m just some orphan scum… I’m only an orphan because they killed my mother.”

“I don’t know, Cass… Do they pick? Or do we just fall into place?”

Cassandra looked at the ground before crawling over and wrapping her arms around Eugene. “I think… I think if the world wants us to be the villains, that’s okay.”

“Little miss goody-two-shoes is okay being the villain?”

Cassandra nodded. “Yeah. Because the world isn’t like in the stories.”

Eugene frowned.

“And in the real world, the villains can win.”

Eugene took a moment to smile as he wrapped his arms around Cassandra.

“My big brother is going to be rich and famous, because I’m going to steal everything.”

Eugene laughed. “Alright, but first,” he pushed her, causing her to step back and almost lose her balance. “You’ve got a lot of training to do.”

She grinned and nodded.

When a week later, a letter arrived addressed to Lance, Eugene was the one who saw it first. He, of course, hid it.

He didn’t open it to check what it was, just went straight to hiding it underneath his bed.

Neither Lance nor Cassandra knew about the letter. But the messenger who saw Eugene running inside did. And she was… Interested.

Chapter Text

Eugene was walking through town, having not yet stolen anything.

His goal was enough money to buy some fresh bread and some apples. Cassandra denied she was hungry, but her stomach made little noises and she whimpered when she thought nobody heard.

Eugene knew the likes of hunger pain, knew the pain of being in the midst of a growing sprout without enough food. He knew Lance did, too. Lance worked hard to ensure Eugene suffered less than him, and Eugene was determined to make sure Cassandra suffered even less.

But he was also more on edge than usual because of Lance’s recent experience.

Then he saw a girl with a dark-coloured cloak, holding a basket which was open, held practically behind her back with a coin purse tucking out. An easy, easy steal.

He snuck up. She didn’t move, showed no sign of awareness.

He got closer, closer; he grabbed the coin purse.

“THIEF!”

He jumped back. “No! You dropped this! I was trying to give it back!”

The crowd parted, and a guard appeared.

“He’s stealing from me!” the girl shouted, pulling down the hood of her cloak to reveal curly red hair.

“I wasn’t! I wasn’t! It fell from her basket. The basket was open. I picked it up to return it!” he argued, but the guards grabbed him and he knew the word of an orphan held no weight.

The Captain looked disappointed at Eugene as he sat at the desk in front of the boy.

“You didn’t learn from your brother.”

Eugene didn’t bother to answer.

“Well, the girl wishes to push charges so there’s nothing I can do at this point. You’re under the age of thirteen and the item had been returned, so this is going on your record and your caretakers will be informed. Do you understand?”

Eugene nodded.

The captain explained anyway. “You’re probably more concerned with the caretakers, but the truth is, your record is what should concern you. This is permanent, future employed will be able to see this, you’re less likely to get hired in the future, if you do get hired it’ll likely be for less pay. Do you realise how much you fucked up your life today?” Captain surprised himself by swearing at a child, but he was hurt. He’d had hope for these three kids and now two of them had criminal records, which would more than likely lead them into a criminal future.

And the youngest, little Cassandra, would likely follow in their steps. Eugene remained silent.

“If you don’t care about your future, that’s fine. But try to keep your sister out of this. She could have a bright future ahead of her if you two don’t mess it up for her.” He stood up, opening the door, instructing one of the guards to take Eugene back to the orphanage.

When Eugene stepped inside, he could see the anger on the caretakers’ faces just from seeing him with a guard, but more importantly, he could see Cassandra’s nervous expression and he couldn’t stop himself thinking about how he’d failed to bring her back bread.

With Lance still grounded, that meant Cassandra either had to steal herself, which she would not be doing so soon after Lance’s ordeal, or she’d be going hungry with just a piece of toast as her supper.

Cassandra wasn’t thinking about food though as she ran towards the boys’ room, most likely to tell Lance that Eugene had done something stupid and gotten into trouble, not that there was anything Lance could do about it now.

Eugene sat in the intake room with his legs to his chest. The quiet, dark, cold room was a punishment. A cruel one. Kept in isolation to teach him a lesson. It made sense the caretakers had to resort to such odd punishments. There wasn’t really much more they could take away from kids who had nothing.

Eugene hummed to himself and made up stories in his head, trying not to think about his future, Lance’s and most concerning to him, Cassandra’s.

After a few days, he was allowed out again. By now, Lance was no longer grounded, but Lance had promised to take Cassandra down to the lake for swimming lessons. Eugene doubted Cassandra would learn. The girl was terrified of the water. She often forgot about the fear, claiming she was ready. Every time she broke down in tears, clinging onto Lance or Eugene as though the shallow waters would eat her alive.

Eugene decided he didn’t want to go this time. He didn’t blame Cassandra for wanting to overcome her fear, but seeing how upset she got made him upset. Besides, it wasn’t warm enough for swimming yet, in his opinion. He’d much rather walk around town and not steal anything.

He’d promised Cassandra no stealing for about three days.

After that, they’d see, but he already knew he was stealing at least a few apples for her after that.

Eugene was walking down the street, kicking a pebble along the cobblestone path, when a girl laughed from behind him. He turned around, glaring until he recognised her. “You.”

The red-head grinned.

“You called the guards on me!”

“You tried to take my favourite coin purse,” she argued.

He snarled. “I was returning it.”

“We both know that’s not true.”

He turned away. “Fuck off.”

“No.” And she followed him. “You’re Flynn Rider?”

Eugene frowned, unsure where she’d heard his thief name.

“Name’s Stalyan.”

Eugene stopped in his tracks.

“I’m sure Strongbow has already told you about me.”

“What do you want?”

“Well, first of all, I want to know my letters will be arriving at their destination.”

Eugene clenched his fists.

“Seeing as you already hid my first letter, though, you can be my new messenger.”

“Leave Lance alone.”

“No.” She said simply. “Tell him that in two days, he’s expected to meet up beneath the bridge at midnight.”

“Why should he?”

“Why not test it and find out?”

“You’re monsters.”

“We’re criminals. Similar, but not the same. You’re welcome to come.” Her tone was upbeat as she smiled. “I think I could find a place for a thief such as yourself.”

“You hurt my brother and you hurt me.”

“And if you don’t do exactly as I wish, who will I hurt next?”

Eugene’s anger faded into fear. “Don’t you dare.”

“Test me and find out, or just do as I say.”

Eugene watched the girl walk away. She blew him a kiss right before turning the corner. Eugene quickly wiped his face as though that were how it worked. He clenched his fists before taking a deep, resigned breath. He knew he didn’t have an option. Testing was not an option.

Chapter Text

Eugene got home to find Lance and Cassandra back early.

Lance was soaking wet, water dripping down his hair to his toes, while Cassandra was only a tiny bit wet. Despite this, she had the big towel wrapped around her and was the one trembling.

“I take it went as well as in the past,” Eugene wanted to joke, though his tone was a bit more venomous than usual. That venom wasn’t supposed to be directed at Cassandra, but she was the one who sniffled.

“I tried!”

“She did,” Lance assured with a sigh. “We’ll try again another time. Go get changed,” he instructed her, and she wandered off to her own room. “Hope you had a better day,” he joked.

Eugene’s frown was all he needed to see. “We need to talk, alone.”

Lance nodded.

Lance was not surprised by the news. He was disappointed, upset, but not surprised.

“I don’t want you there.”

“But I want to be there,” Eugene argued. “Besides, I already have a criminal record. This is my future. I should be learning now while I’m still young enough to not land in prison. You’re the one on shaky grounds.”

Lance glared at Eugene despite the good points he made. “This is so messed up…”

Eugene nodded.

“There has to be a way out of this mess. There has to be.”

“I doubt it,” Eugene shook his head. “We got into this mess via our own crimes, Lance. I don’t think we can undig our own grave.”

“Cassandra needs to stop stealing.”

“She won’t. You know she won’t.”

“She still has a chance.”

“She won’t want a chance if it means living a life separate from us.”

Lance hated that. “Have we ruined her?”

Eugene frowned before shaking his head. “She wasn’t well when we arrived here Lance, she’d have ended up in that convent, probably way worse off.”

That brought at least a bit of peace to Lance. “Prepare our bags for tonight.”

“On it!”

“Laaaaance,” Cassandra looked up at the boy as he tucked her in.

“Yes, you annoying little gremlin?”

She giggled. “I need you to do something for me.”

“More? Don’t I already do enough, first thing I do in the morning is show you love, then I make sure you eat breakfast, take you for a swim, make sure you eat lunch, play with you, make sure you eat supper, tuck you in, tell you a story, tuck you in again because you get too emotional during the story. What more could you possibly want from me?” He said all this with a smile on his face, holding the blanket ready to tuck her in for a third time tonight.

“I need you to be careful tonight.”

Lance’s smile was gone.

“I heard you and Eugene talking. I learnt the hard way I can’t trust you boys to tell me things.”

“Cass…”

“I’m not angry,” she said. “I know you think it’s safer for me this way. I just need to know you’re going to be safe because… I need you two.”

Lance nodded. “We’re going to be super careful for you.”

Cassandra smiled and nodded, cuddling her owl plush close. It was beginning to look small next to her. For some reason Lance always thought it had shrunk, but he knew the truth was it was her who had grown. “Good night Lance… I love you.”

“I love you too,” he kissed her on the forehead before making sure she was tucked in and leaving.

Eugene was ready and frowning.

“Were you listening in?” Lance asked.

Eugene nodded with a sad smile.

“Guess it’s a thief thing…” He grabbed his bag and gestured for Eugene to follow. “She’ll be okay. We’ll be careful.”

“I wasn’t convinced you’d show up,” Stalyan teased as the two guys reached the meeting point. There wasn’t a huge team for today and none of the other members, Eugene or Lance knew. Though over time they would end up knowing everybody, like it or not.

“Trust me, it wasn’t for you,” Eugene glared.

“Oh, I’m quite aware. But don’t worry, you’ll be profiting from this too.”

Lance and Eugene shared glances as Stalyan pulled out a map. “I’ve already explained to the rest. You know what this is?”

Eugene shook his head. “A square on a piece of paper.”

Lance grinned.

“It’s the museum. We’re breaking in.”

“The museum?” Eugene frowned. “What could you possibly want from the museum? It’s just a bunch of boring old stuff!”

“No, there are also paintings.”

“Oh, wow, how my interest had piqued.” Eugene rolled his eyes.

“Paintings worth more than an orphan like you.”

“Harsh.”

“Today we’re interested in a piece titled The Panoramic Plate. It’s a painting of a table full of food. It’s invaluable.”

“Cool, cool, and will it pay off our debt?” Lance asked.

Stalyan nodded. “If you’re willing to miss out on the entirety of your share, yes.”

Lance raised a brow before nodding. “Good, then what do you need from us?”

“You two are going to be the distraction.”

“We already have a criminal record, thanks to you. We can’t afford to get caught.”

“You won’t be caught doing anything illegal. Most of Corona’s guards are useless, only the Captain is a real threat, but he seems to have a soft spot for you. You don’t need to be anywhere near the museum, you just need to ask for his help.”

“Help in what?”

“The Stabbingtons picked up your sister at the orphanage just after you left. She’s tied up in the forest—”

“What?!” Eugene was shocked.

“Relax, she’s fine. Just chilling in the forest.”

“How dare you get her involved?”

“All you two need to do is run to the captain, beg him to help, say that you were playing in the forest and some bullies took Cassandra away, pretend you’re scared of how the caretakers will react.”

Eugene frowned.

“I know you can do it.”

“You shouldn’t have brought Cassandra into this.”

“It’ll be worth it by the end.”

Chapter Text

Cassandra’s eyes filled with tears and a soft whimper escaped her lips, muffled by the thick rag stuffed in her mouth, preventing any cries for help.

She squirmed and struggled against the rope restraining her to a tree.

No idea why this was happening to her. No idea what she’d done to the Stabbingtons this time! Had Eugene or Lance messed with them? How long until they realised she was missing and came looking for her? What if they didn’t find her? What if she died here?

Her crying and struggling was becoming panicked until something soft, warm, and gentle touched her cheek. She turned her head to see Owl; he hooted before he started to try to peck at the rope.

Cassandra tried to calm down, feeling a little safer with Owl here.

Eugene clenched his fists as they neared the guard station where Stalyan had directed them.

“Do we trust this girl?”

“Not one bit.”

“How did we get into this mess?”

“We took pity on a little orphan girl, that’s how. Created a weakness for ourselves, we should have known better.” Despite the harsh words, Lance would do it all over again.

They spot the Captain. Lance frowned, shared one last glance with Eugene before nodding and running. “Captain! Captain!”

The Captain turned, his brows raised. Because what were these kids doing out so late? Probably no good, given their record.

“Captain, we need help,” Lance said.

“Please, it’s about our sister!” Eugene added.

Captain’s suspicions died down as he became concerned. “What happened?”

Cassandra heard hurried footsteps and her name being called. At first she felt fear at the deep male voice, but then she heard Lance and Eugene and she began to struggle and try to make noise. Owl stared at her, confused, before figuring it out and hooting to attract the group’s attention.

“Cassandra!” Eugene was the first to reach her. He swore beneath his breath, seeing the tear stains and the cloth stuffed in her mouth. He pulled the cloth out first before tackling the rope, though his knot untying skills were not as on-point as needed.

When the Captain arrived, he cut the rope, allowing Cassandra to throw her arms around Eugene. Lance then wrapped his arms around them both.

“Eugene, Lance, they took me!”

“I know, I know,” Eugene whispered, hugging her. “I’m so sorry.”

“Why did they do that?”

“Who did this to you?” the Captain asked.

Eugene and Lance were silent. “If we say we’ll be in trouble for snitching…”

Cassandra looked up at the Captain though. It took her a moment, but she frowned. “It was the Stabbingtons. They also threw me in a lake when I was smaller and Eugene had to dive in or I’d of drowned!”

Eugene and Lance flinched, not knowing how Stalyan would react to getting other members of her party in trouble even if it had technically been Cassandra and not them.

“I see,” the captain knelt down, looking carefully over Cassandra. “Is there any reason they’re after you three?”

“I told them they were bullies once,” Cassandra admitted. “I told them not to mess with my family!”

Captain nodded. “I see. Well, listen, for once, you did the right thing.”

“I did?” Cassandra gasped.

“No… I mean… I wasn’t talking to you, but you didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Aw…” Cassandra looked sad as Eugene and Lance patted her head.

“You boys, you came to me. That’s what I want you to do whenever there is trouble, alright?”

Eugene and Lance nodded.

“I promise I’m going to protect you three from bullies like those, alright?”

“Thank you Sir,” Lance said.

Walking back towards Corona, they were mostly silent. Cassandra held both Eugene and Lance’s hand, nestled safely between them. Captain assured he’d talk to the caretakers and they wouldn’t get in trouble for being out late.

Eugene doubted the words of the captain would sway the caretakers, but any punishment they gave was insignificant compared to prison where Lance had been not long ago, so they weren’t worried.

Especially not Cassandra, who just wanted her owl plush.

As they were nearing the orphanage, some guards rushed over. “Captain! Captain!”

“What is it?”

“A painting was stolen from the museum.”

Eugene and Lance’s grip on Cassandra’s hand tightened. They managed to show no other sign of suspicion, but it was enough for Cassandra to look up at them.

“Alright, kids, I trust you to go to bed,” he pushed them through the orphanage gate. “I have a lot of work, I’m afraid. I promise I’ll check on you tomorrow, okay?”

“Thank you, Sir!” Cassandra said.

Both boys nodded. “Thank you!”

And they watched the Captain run off.

They slowly walked down the path, not towards the door but a window to sneak back in undetected. Before Lance could help Cassandra up, she crossed her arms. “What did you do?”

“We’ll tell you inside. Think of it as your second bedtime story.” Lance lifted her up to the window.

The next morning, the three were in the park. Cassandra had her owl plush and some seeds she was feeding to the real owl.

Eugene and Lance sat on a bench, watching over her.

It wasn’t long before a familiar red-head walked up.

Lance stood up, standing between her and his two siblings. “We did what you asked. Now leave us alone.”

She smiled. “Calm down, I’m just here to congratulate you on a job well done.”

Cassandra walked up behind Lance, hand on his back as she half hid behind him.

“I see your sister is fine, just like I promised.”

“You scared her.”

“What’s a little fear for a job well done?”

Lance growled, but then Stalyan pulled out a purse full of coins. “So, payment?”

Eugene walked over now. The purse full was not an insignificant amount of wealth.

“We agreed. We just want to be free,” Lance whispered.

“Oh, I understood, but I don’t think you’re understanding me.” She pulled out two more purses. “You can be free… Or, you get one of these each and a bright future working for me and my dad.”

A pause.

“Give us a second.” The three backed away from Stalyan.

Cassandra raised her brows.

“That’s a lot of money,” Eugene pointed out.

“I’m aware.”

“With that we could have bought enough medicine for like… five sick Cassandras!”

Lance nodded. “We’d be able to afford more than enough food, we’d not go hungry again.”

Eugene nodded, then he looked at Cassandra. “Owlet?”

The girl hugged her plush. “That’s more money than Lance made in a month at the farm… In one night.”

“You were terrified, though?”

“I was, but… Do we have an honest future with both of your records? Maybe we shouldn’t mess up a chance at a successful future.”

“Listen to your sister! She’s smart!”

The group flinched, realising they hadn’t distanced themselves enough.

“It’s up to you,” Lance told Cassandra. “You’re the one with a clean record. You have the most to lose.”

Cassandra looked thoughtful. She stepped forward, her plush falling to her side as she looked at the red-head. “We’re a powerful trio, between my brains, Lance’s muscles and Eugene’s… We work well.” Eugene’s glare lasted only a second. “But we work together, and we never let one another get hurt. Is that clear?”

“I like how you work. It’s why I want you on board.”

Cassandra nodded. “If you hurt any of us, you’ll have three new enemies.” She held out a hand.

Stalyan grinned and shook it. “You know, I kinda like you. I think we’re going to work well together.”

“As long as you respect our rules and pay us well, I think so too,” she then held her hand out and Stalyan handed her the three purses of coins.

“I’ll be in contact.”

“We’ll be waiting.”

Chapter Text

Captain had his arms crossed and was trying to seem harsh to the girl who sat in the chair in front of him.

Cassandra had tears in her eyes and was cuddling her owl plush close, curled up, trying to see smaller than she was.

“This needs to end.”

She shook her head.

“This is the seventh time you’ve gotten into trouble in the past three months!”

“It’s not my fault!”

“How can one little girl get into this much trouble?” he sat down, head in his hands. “I can’t keep wasting time on you.”

Cassandra sniffled. “That’s okay… You can leave me next time.”

“No… I can’t… I can’t just ignore you! You’re a kid…”

Cassandra sniffled. “I just want to play outside.”

“The forest is dangerous and clearly some people have noticed you going to the forest to play and find it entertaining to harm you, right now it may just be silly pranks like tying you to a tree or dropping you in a hole, but how long until they start actually harming you?” Captain sounded scared.

Cassandra felt a pang of guilt. “I don’t know…”

“You need to stay away from the forest.”

“But my friend lives in the forest.”

“What friend?”

Cassandra held up her owl plush. “An owl, not this one, but similar, more real.”

Captain sighed. “Cassandra, you need to stay in the city where it’s safe. I’m sorry that people like that exist. You should be able to play freely wherever, but unfortunately you can’t. Last night while I was getting you out of that ditch several crimes were committed in the village that I couldn’t attend to them because of you. Do you understand?”

Cassandra shook her head, and the Captain sighed. The truth was, Cassandra understood better than even the Captain did. She knew what had been stolen, by whom and most importantly the value of the goods. Meaning she knew what her cut had to be.

Captain stood up and held out a hand, which Cassandra grabbed with a smile. “Let’s get you home.”

“I’m hungry.”

“I’ll buy you something from the bakery on the way.”

“Thank you.”

Cassandra arrived home with a croissant and ran to Lance, who picked her up with a smile. Today it was Eugene’s turn to awkwardly wonder up to Captain and thank him for rescuing their sister.

The Captain just shook them off, wondering in to talk to the caretakers.

“Cassandra…” Lance frowned once the Captain was gone, putting her down. “Food? Really?”

Cassandra bit into it. “I was actually hungry.”

“Cassandra, we’re trying to make sure he finds us endearing for as long as possible so we can keep getting away with this, manipulating adults into buying you stuff doesn’t help.”

“I disagree.”

“How can you disagree with that? What is there to disagree with?”

Cassandra rolled her eyes, taking another bite. “The food is very cheap, as long as I act over the top grateful, I invoke pity as a poor starving orphan but also make the adult feel seen and appreciated, like the hero we want him to be.” She broke off some of the croissant, holding it out for Eugene, who took it, then another bit for Lance.

“You’re evil. I think you were born evil.”

She shrugged. “Do I get results?”

Lance grinned, holding up a coin purse he’d collected early that morning. “You do.”

Cassandra laughed. “Good. I’m meeting up with Stalyan and Caine this evening to discuss future jobs.”

“So soon?”

Cassandra nodded. “I’m hoping for a big job. One we could use to pay off that pesky debt of yours while still making a profit.”

Lance frowned. “Cassandra… Remember—”

“Safety first, my safety first specifically.”

Lance smiled and nodded. “We love you too much, alright?”

“I know! I know! But I’m not a little kid anymore!”

Lance and Eugene shared glances, and Eugene even gestured at Cassandra’s owl plush.

“Adults can have things that make them happy!”

“You’re not an adult,” Lance said. “Cause if you’re an adult, you stop getting tucked in at nights.”

“I don’t need tucking in anymore.”

That there hit Lance very hard, so hard he actually stepped back, making Cassandra regret it.

Eugene smiled, though. “Okay little-miss-adult, you’d best go inside and face the wrath of the caretakers alone . You know, like an adult .”

Cassandra’s eyes widened, and she grabbed Eugene’s hand, shaking her head. “No…”

“No?”

“I’m not an adult. I need my big brother with me.”

“That’s what I thought!” Eugene laughed, hugging Cassandra. Although she was technically nearly as tall as him now, she still needed him, an immense relief. Especially given how much more of Stalyan’s favour the girl had compared to the boys.

The caretakers shouted at Cassandra, who held Eugene’s hand tightly, waiting for the verbal abuse to end. She was called so many words, some of which the girl didn’t even know. Eugene glared. The fact the caretakers had no clue the girl was doing it on purpose made their words so much worse.

Eugene knew why the caretakers did this. They were overworked and underpaid; the staff was constantly changing. Any chance to let out some of that emotion, they took it. But the children weren’t treated any better, and adding to that abuse was a cruel thing to do.

Eugene hated the caretakers, he hated most adults in fact. He and Lance were able to take on the responsibility of making a younger child’s life easier. How could full-grown adults with actual resources not do the same? It didn’t make sense to Eugene, the way they didn’t care.

He hugged Cassandra when she flinched at the fast movements of the caretakers. They’d never hit them, but Cassandra’s fear had travelled with her from the tower.

Eventually, they got bored, and the kids were dismissed. Eugene held Cassandra’s hand as they went back to her room so she could get some much needed rest after the night out in the forest.

“Wake me up… If I’m late, Stalyan may throw me in a ditch for real.”

“I’d get you out,” Eugene reassured, as he lowered the blinds to make the room dark.

“I know.” She whispered as she fell asleep.

Chapter Text

Stalyan’s meetings were always… an experience.

The girl had a habit of showing off her wealth, something that both Caine and Cassandra found repulsive, but knew better than to address.

They sat at a table filled with expensive pastries and sweets that only Stalyan ate. They each had a mug from which steam poured out.

Stalyan’s was tea, a drink that, according to her, was a sign of her elevated standards.

Caine had heated milk with honey and Cassandra had hot cocoa.

Though Stalyan was, by all accounts, a horrible person, she was a decent host, knowing the preferences of those she worked with, or at least those who she considered important enough.

Cassandra, alongside Eugene and Lance, were the best distractions The Baron had ever encountered, so much so, Stalyan was actually beginning to outperform her father.

Caine had such a big hunger for vengeance against the royal family, something Cassandra fully respected, that she too was a force to be reckoned with, willing to take risks few others would.

“So, girls, tell me, are you content with current arrangements?”

Cassandra raised a brow at Caine, who rolled her eyes.

“We’d both be far more content if we could pay off our debt and continue to work with you,” Caine answered for the two of them. “Of course, you don’t trust us enough for that and do not wish to give us any more negotiation powers.”

“You’re so smart, Caine,” Stalyan laughed.

“Cut to the chase Stalyan, what’s coming?”

“A big job.”

“They’re all big. Details.”

“There’s a carriage leaving the palace in three days’ time. It’s transporting a gift for Koto, a chest full of jewels. Very high value.”

“Well, anything that includes messing with royals has caught my attention,” Caine nodded.

Cassandra frowned. “Surely it’ll have guards accompanying the carriage. You don’t want us distracting the Captain?”

Caine shook her head. “Not this time, little Owl.”

“Owlet,” Cassandra corrected.

“You pick such stupid names, Flynn, Owlet, Lance.”

“I’m sorry, Stalyan .”

Cassandra was very lucky Stalyan just laughed, finding Cassandra’s sass endearing, most who spoke this way to her would be seen as the enemy and punished accordingly, but Cassandra was the youngest member of Stalyan’s party, and got away with a lot more because of this. “This time I require you . You’re the smallest member of my team and the only one who will fit through the carriage’s window. There isn’t time to pick the lock on the door. We’ll intercept, get you in, you grab the jewels and help you out.”

“If I get caught, I’ll have a criminal record, which you know I don’t want.”

“I’m aware.”

“Then what makes you think for any amount of money in the world I’d accept this job?”

“You always say that,” Stalyan laughed before standing up and walking away.

Cassandra frowned and looked at Caine, who shrugged and sipped her milk.

Stalyan came back with a chest that she placed on the table before opening. It was full of gold, but that wasn’t what Cassandra’s eyes were drawn to.

“That’s mine!” she tried to grab at a spinning top but Stalyan quickly took the box away. “Hey!”

“It’s not yours, Owlet. My dad purchased it at an auction!”

Cassandra’s fists clenched.

“They auctioned of everything from the tower that the princess didn’t want.”

Cassandra’s eyes filled with tears and Caine stood up, fists clenched.

“That wasn’t hers to sell!”

“Well, she did. Now it’s mine. But… If you get me that—”

“Deal.”

“Owlet,” Caine frowned.

“I said deal .” Cassandra sat back down before grabbing her cocoa. “Tell me a time and a place.”

Caine shook her head disapprovingly. Lance had asked Caine to keep an eye on Cassandra during these meetings, but the girl was impossible to reason with at times. Stalyan, of course, knew this. She knew all Cassandra’s weaknesses. Stalyan had taken the time to get information about all her thieves.

Chapter Text

“You agreed to what?!”

Lance and Eugene were anything but interested in putting Cassandra at risk.

Every job they’d taken part in up until now was supposed to be safe for the youngest member of their trio, and even if they were caught, they could claim Cassandra had no clue and that they’d been using her.

But this one placed her in the centre of danger. She would be the last one out, the last to safety.

“How could you, Cassandra?”

“She has my spinning top.”

Eugene threw his head into his arms. “A spinning top.”

“You aren’t understanding! It’s my spinning top, mine .”

Lance was pacing. “Cassandra, we need to go talk to Stalyan and tell her you’re out.”

“I’m in charge of what I do.”

“No, you’re not!” Eugene tried to argue. “You’re a kid!”

“So are you!”

Eugene nodded. “Exactly! We’re kids.” Tears filled his eyes.

“I’m doing it. I’m doing it.”

Lance and Eugene looked at each other. Their options were limited. They could lock Cassandra in a room, but she was a pretty good escape artist due to their own teachings. They could inform a caretaker but that would mean throwing themselves under the carriage…

“Cass, if you get caught, you could end up in prison if the goods are as valuable as Stalyan says.”

“If I go to prison, you need to get my spinning top back.”

“It’s a spinning top!”

“And money… Lots of money.”

“No amount of money is worth the risk.”

“It is, trust me,” Cassandra tried to convince them. “It’s enough we could… We could leave! We could leave Corona once Lance is sixteen and go someplace new, where we don’t have to be criminals!”

That was a dream only Cassandra held onto, a future not in crime. Even she only held onto it during desperate times. Most days, she was just as accepting of their fate as the guys.

“Cassandra, please, I’m begging you,” Lance knelt down. “As your big brother, don’t do this.”

Cassandra looked at Lance, her eyes teared up, and so did his. She hugged him and shook her head. “I have to.”

Lance hugged her tight. “Alright… But understand that if something happens to you, me and Eugene are gonna fight for you, so you might think you’re only putting yourself at risk, but the truth is, you’re putting all of us at risk. Is it still worth it?”

With that, the tears began to stream down Cassandra’s face. She looked at Eugene, who crossed his arms. She took a few deep breaths, reflecting, but finally her fists clenched and she nodded. “It is.”

Eugene’s hands fell to his side and Lance stood up. “Alright then. Guess we’ll start with preparations.”

Lance got Cassandra’s ‘thief clothes’, some dark-coloured leggings and top. Eugene checked it over once she had it on, making sure it wouldn’t get in the way and there were no loose scraps of fabric to get caught on anything.

“I’m going to do great,” Cassandra informed as Eugene secured her mask.

“I know you will…” Eugene said, but he also wanted so badly to wrap his arms around her and not let her go. She smiled at him, so confident and determined. He hoped the confidence wasn’t misplaced. “Be careful.”

“Extra careful!” Cassandra promised.

Eugene and Lance nodded. Lance grabbed Cassandra’s hands. “We’re going to walk you to the meeting point, alright?”

“I’m not a child.”

“I know. But we’re going to be nearby at all times. Keeping an eye on you. Cause, it’s your first big crime and… We need to have your back. Understood?”

Cassandra nodded.

“If you scream, we’re going to come running.”

“I’m going to be fine.”

“Alright but… Know we’ll be nearby for you. You aren’t doing this alone, not fully.”

Cassandra wrapped her arms around Lance, and Eugene quickly joined in the embrace.

“You two are such worrisome sacks!”

Lance smiled. “We are.”

Getting out of the orphanage in the dead of night was a talent the kids had not struggled with in many years. Despite this, Lance helped Cassandra down from the wall. She could do it alone, yet his help was never met with complaints.

Cassandra lead the way as she sneaked through alleys, avoiding guards and crossing over the bridge in a quick sprint. She leaped into bushes, her brothers doing the same.

In the past, crossing the bridge had been a daunting task, but now the three moved over it with grace and silence.

“I really don’t need you two hiding in the bushes watching me,” Cassandra repeated for the final time.

“We know,” they repeated as well.

She smiled and gestured for them to stay. “You shouldn’t come closer if you wish not to become a part of this operation.”

Lance nodded. “Scream if you need us.”

“And no unnecessary risks.” Eugene frowned.

“I’ll be fine.”

And she left her brothers in the bushes as she began to make her way down to the meeting point. Lance and Eugene hid themselves.

“What if she isn’t fine?”

Lance frowned. “She’s eleven. Even if she gets caught by the guard, she’ll probably be given a warning. It’s those other criminals I don’t trust…”

Eugene nodded.

“That’s why we’re here. Anybody who dares lay a finger on her can say hello to my fist.”

Eugene was still quite small, but Lance had gone through a grow-spurt recently and the extra muscle did well for their little group, if only in confidence and the reassurance they couldn’t so easily be pinned down by any adult.

Chapter Text

Caine was waiting in the bushes. So were the Stabbington brothers and a few adults.

Cassandra didn’t miss how their eyes moved to her. She was the centrepiece of this plan. Both she and they were aware of that.

Caine held out a hand, which Cassandra accepted.

“Are you sure about this?” Caine asked, as though turning back was an option at this point.

Cassandra nodded.

Caine squeezed her hand comfortingly and Cassandra smiled up at her.

They were both kids, they weren’t little kids, but neither of them were even teenagers yet. They should be at home, in bed. They should be worrying about what games to play the next day or their schoolwork, not how their latest crimes went and if they’d have money for food. Caine was very much aware of this.

Cassandra was somewhat aware. Having grown up in isolation, followed by an orphanage surrounded by other struggling kids, her perception of the world was a bit messy.

Caine had talked to her about the palace with royal banquets, rooms full of the most expensive toys, blankets so soft and warm the princess never had to worry about a storm, and Cassandra had felt an intense jealousy.

She wanted to have blankets and toys and food. She wanted to not worry about basic stuff like the cold or hunger. She wanted that for herself, for her brothers, for every child. Why did only the rich get to live in peace?

Why did Rapunzel get peace and Cassandra sent away?

When Caine ha found out Cassandra’s story, she’d pointed at the princess as the culprit. Claiming that even if she hadn’t had power as a small child, she was old enough now to try to help Cassandra! Caine made very valid points in Cassandra’s eyes.

Caine had a lot of negative emotions pent up.

Cassandra thought the girl could use a therapist, but therapists were expensive.

So instead, Cassandra just squeezed Caine’s hand back and redirected her attention to the oncoming carriage, lowering her head so she was hidden, knowing that the adults would take care of actually stopping it.

Caine’s grip on Cassandra tightened as the sound of a scuffle filled the air, and the tension didn’t ease until all was silent.

“Now,” one of the adults grabbed Cassandra by the hair, pulling her from the bushes. It took her quickly snapping her mouth shut to not scream out in pain from the action. She was pushed over to the Stabbington’s who quickly lifted her up to the back window of the carriage. She could barely make out the carriage in the dark and when she landed on the wooden floor, she could see nothing, complete darkness.

She felt around, though. She could feel sacks of flour and hay, crates of apples and… Oh, a small box with something cold inside. These must be the jewels. Small, yet priceless.

Cassandra was about to close the box to bring out with her when she came to a dangerous realisation.

When she finally held a hand up so the Stabbington’s could reach down and help her out, she was shaking. Thankfully, most of the people paid that no notice. Cassandra was, after all, tiny, in comparison to most of the team, a child. Children shook, children were scared during these types of stuff.

Caine was the only one who narrowed her eyes and notice a small piece of chain sticking out of Cassandra’s sleeve. Her eyes darted up to meet her eyes and Cassandra quickly hid the chain and made a lightning fast gesture, which Caine knew to be a promise to give Caine a cut later.

But money was not the first thing on Caine’s mind.

Stealing even a single gem right now was stealing directly from Stalyan! By extension from the Baron!

Caine thought Cassandra was a fool, too brave for her own good. But it wasn’t like Caine could do anything about that now.

The box was taken away from Cassandra, and the party fled into the forest away from the carriage. It split up after not long and everybody was expected to head home.

Cassandra and Caine didn’t mutter a word to each other.

Cassandra trusted Caine.

They worked together, shared a common enemy and a common goal.

As long as nobody else had seen what Cassandra did, it was fine. And hopefully this jewel was valuable enough they could finally have a bit of peace.

Chapter Text

Cassandra smiled proudly, holding up the diamond necklace to show the boys, who just stared blankly at her for about five seconds before the realisation hit.

"Cassandra, what did you do?"

Cassandra huffed. She had anticipated they would be filled with pride, not shocked disbelief. "It's worth a lot,” she explained.

“Exactly.” Lance and Eugene knew if Cassandra got caught, this would end badly. "You need to hide this," Eugene placed both hands on Cassandra's shoulders. "Properly hide it, somewhere nobody else will ever find it. Do you understand?"

Cassandra nodded. "Of course. I'm not an idiot, Eugene."

And she had what she thought was the perfect hiding place already prepared.

The day went on as normal. Eugene and Lance were nervous wrecks while Cassandra was sitting out in the garden reading a book about ancient weapons.

“If they find out, what will they do to her?” Eugene whispered as he watched the overly calm Cassandra smile and bounce her head left and right to the beat of an unhearable tune. As her eyes skimmed the page, her mind sang a quiet melody.

Goodness, Cassandra was so tiny and fragile, her innocence was unmistakable. Eugene felt a lump in his throat as he imagined the possible danger she could be in.

“They won’t find out,” Lance said simply. “How could they? It’s fine.”

Eugene didn’t much believe Lance. “What if—”

“It’s fine,” Lance repeated sternly, because worry would do nothing to improve their predicament.

Soon supper would be served, and Eugene was finally beginning to calm down. Nobody had come all day. Cassandra was excitedly showing her big brothers a drawing she’d made of one of the weapons in her book.

All was good.

Then they heard the sound of splintering wood from the front door as it shook from the banging.

Eugene immediately stood in front of Cassandra while the caretakers moved to see who it was.

Standing on the path were guards, the Captain leading the way.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but we got a lead and need to search the premises.”

Lance picked Cassandra up, holding her close.

“Of course. Can the kids go into the dining room and eat meanwhile?”

The captain nodded, and the caretakers began to herd the curious and frightened children into the dining room.

“You hid it well?”

“They won’t find it,” Cassandra reassured confidently.

The boys shared concerned looks, but they couldn’t exactly go check now.

Lance made sure Cassandra ate, not wanting to seem suspicious.

Cassandra was calm. Her hiding spot was perfect! It wasn’t like the guards would be pulling up floorboards in their search.

“Who’s in room four?”

Cassandra froze.

Eugene grabbed her hand, gripping it tightly, and Lance looked up.

“Cassandra, come here,” a caretaker said, gesturing towards the young girl.

Cassandra looked up. Already she could see the disappointment in the captain’s eyes. She shouldn’t have frozen, shouldn’t look at him with terror in her eyes, she should act normal, casually pretend she’d never seen the necklace he was holding.

Yet she wasn’t doing that.

She was panicking.

The caretaker marched over, his hand firmly gripping Cassandra as he dragged her away from the table and her brothers.

Eugene and Lance followed in a hurry, not letting Cassandra out of their sight.

"Did you steal this?" Captain asked Cassandra, holding the necklace up close to her face, leaving the little girl no personal space.

She stepped away, eyes wide, expression fearful.

The caretakers watched and their expression slowly filled with horror as they understood what had happened, but nowhere near the horror Eugene and Lance felt.

Cassandra shook her head. “No.”

But the Captain didn’t believe her, not for one second. “You stole this.” He didn’t ask, he stated. Cassandra fell to her knees, her body trembling as she began to cry. “I see.”

“No,” she shook her head, her voice broken and full of fear.

"Clearly I've allowed these kids to get away with far too much." The captain crossed his arms. His tone was stern, while his eyes were full of disappointment. "Your future as a thief consist of you hanging from the gallows. Is that what you want?”

Cassandra shook her head.

After a thoughtful moment, the Captain turned to look at his guards. “Continue searching for the rest of the stolen goods. I’m going to take her in for interrogation and if she doesn’t talk, she’ll spent a week or so behind bars. That will knock some sense into her."

"What?" Lance stepped forward. "She's eleven!"

But nobody paid Lance any noticed as a tight hand grabbed Cassandra's wrist. Cassandra didn't know what prison was like. The closest she had for reference was the intake room where she'd been locked a few times and had cried and screamed until her lungs and her throat ached.

She'd been told prison was worse.

A week or two without Eugene or Lance horrified her.

Her mother had died in prison.

Was this how she died?

She looked back at Lance and Eugene. She reached out, but the guards grabbed her other hand. Being restrained by the guards was a familiar feeling, and the flashbacks to the tower made something in Cassandra break.

Just like the first time, she began to struggle, to scream, to beg and forget to breathe.

The caretakers looked away while the guards just held her, unwavering in their treatment of her.

Eugene couldn't take it though. He rushed forward. "I did it!" he shouted. "I hid it in Cassandra's room! She didn't do anything! She isn't a thief! Let her go!"

Lance felt a heaviness in his heart, realising he should have done that. He was the oldest. He should be protecting both of them.

Cassandra felt the guards’ grip on her loosen and she pulled away, landing on the ground with a thud, her body shuddering.

Eugene wanted to reach out for her, to help her up, to rub her back and tell her it was okay, but the guards were moving towards him.

He didn't struggle as they pulled him away from his family, or as they put his hands in manacles behind his back. Manacles that were barely small enough for his wrists.

Lance quickly moved to pick Cassandra up, holding her face to his shoulder so anything she tried to say was muffled.

Eugene felt at least some level of relief knowing Cassandra would be in good hands.

The Captain looked at Eugene, then to Lance, to Cassandra. He shook his head. He knew they worked together; he knew this wasn’t their first crime. And he understood that all those late nights getting Cassandra out of trouble had not been unfortunate coincidences, with no evidence he couldn’t do anything. And honestly he wasn’t sure he wanted to. But he knew he could no longer trust these children, and no longer help them. “I don’t think you three understand how much you’ve messed up this time.”

The guards pulled Eugene out the door; he felt a sudden terror. He closed his eyes and told himself this was fair.

After all, it was he and Lance who taught Cassandra to steal. It was only fair they be punished rather than her.

How bad could a week or so in prison be?

Chapter Text

Lance rushed into Cassandra’s bedroom with her pressed to his chest before the caretakers could scold them for what had just taken place. Cassandra was crying, her body shaking as she tried but failed to form words. Lance knew what the words would be though, they’d be desperate pleas for mercy for herself and her family. Perhaps some apologies. Perhaps screams about Eugene being innocent.

None of it mattered in the room though, cause it was just him and her.

“Cassandra, breathe,” he ordered, pulling the blanket from the bed and wrapping her in it as best he could, holding her close. “Breathe.”

She shook her head and tried to speak. She struggled to make any sound, and the noises she did manage were wet and disjointed, likely painful.

“Breathe,” Lance repeated for a third time.

Cassandra finally listened. Her first five breaths were fast and unfocused, but soon they slowed down. She felt her chest stop hurting and her hands stopped shaking as she gripped Lance’s clothes tighter, begging him wordlessly not to leave.

Lance wouldn’t leave.

Lance would hold her and hug her and love her until everything was better.

Which at this rate would be forever, because nothing ever got better for the three.

“Breathe,” he said, this time to himself.

She opened up her eyes. “Eugene…”

“He knew what he was doing,” Lance whispered, kissing Cassandra on the top of her head. “He knew what he was doing.”

Cassandra shook her head. “This is my fault…”

“It’s okay,” he whispered. “It’s okay.” It wasn’t okay. Nothing about this was okay. But Cassandra was eleven. Cassandra was eleven and she couldn’t deal with the weight of what had just happened. Cassandra needed her big brother to hold her and tell her it was okay. True or not.

“I messed up.”

“We all do at some point,” Lance whispered and shushed her, holding her to his chest. “It’s okay. I’m going to protect you.”

“What about Eugene?”

“He knew what he was doing. He’s safe. I’ve been to prison, remember? It’s not fun, but he’ll be okay. I promise.”

Cassandra was still struggling to breathe. She cried and cuddled up to her big brother and after a long time and many hushed promises; she fell asleep in his arms, wrapped up in a blanket.

“It’s okay,” Lance whispered even after she could no longer hear. “It’s okay.”

But it wasn’t okay.

Eugene was brought into an interrogation room, he was made to sit with his hands still manacled behind his back and a lantern on the table too bright for him to see past it. He sniffled as he prepared himself mentally. He couldn’t tell them anything, couldn’t risk getting the rest of his family in danger.

He thought of Cassandra, concentrated really hard on the image of her holding her plush and smiling, he promised himself he’d not talk, he had to so he could keep that image of her and not have it replaced with the quiet, broken version he’d faced once before.

“Where are the other jewels?”

“I don’t know.”

“How did you know the carriage held valuables?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Where did you get the necklace?”

“I found it.”

“That’s not true. Where did you get the necklace?”

“I found it.”

“That’s not true. Where did you get the necklace?”

Eugene narrowed his eyes. “I found it.”

“That’s not true.” Captain spoke slower. “Where did you get the necklace?”

Eugene spoke slower. “I found it.”

“I can do this all night.”

“The answer won’t change unless you want me to make something up. Usually I reserve stories for Cassandra, though.”

“Where did you get the necklace?”

“I found it.”

It was going to be a long night, possibly a long week.

Cassandra was fast asleep, tucked into her bed with Lance by her side.

A caretaker had at one point dragged Lance out of the room to ask him questions. Lance admitted to knowing Eugene had done it, knowing he probably wouldn’t be punished too severely for that and figuring it would leave Cassandra free of blame.

The caretakers told him off but didn’t punish him further, seeming exhausted and figuring that Lance could care for Cassandra if they didn’t lock him in his room.

And the caretakers were not up to the task of caring for Cassandra.

So that was that.

Except when Lance went back into the room, it wasn’t just him and Cassandra.

Looking over Cassandra’s peaceful form was the familiar red-head who’d brought so much sorrow to the trio’s lives.

Lance closed the door. “Don’t touch her,” he whispered, not wishing to wake Cassandra.

Stalyan rolled her eyes. “So protective.”

“I am.”

“I heard about the guards finding that stolen necklace.”

Lance swallowed. “Did you hear about it before or after the guards took away Eugene?”

Stalyan smiled, understanding the accusation perfectly. “She double crossed me. I think sending the guards to deal with her rather than doing so personally was generous.”

“Fuck off.”

“No. Because she didn’t take her punishment so now…” She grabbed Cassandra’s hair pulling her from the bed, making Cassandra wake up with a yelp and Lance’s breath caught in his throat. “She’s going to come face punishment with me.”

“I’m going to scream and the caretakers will come running,” Lance threatened.

“No, you won’t.” Stalyan grinned. “Because if you do, I’ll tell them everything you three have done.”

“I don’t care. I’d rather face my chances in prison than let you lay a finger on Cassandra.”

Stalyan grinned. “You would. But would you rather see her in prison?” She pulled Cassandra up, grabbing her face with her hand. Cassandra looked shocked, confused, barely awake but scared. “Or your brother Rider?”

Lance’s composure broke. “I’ll do anything. Just let her go.”

“You already know not to double-cross me. She needs to learn that too.” Stalyan turned, dragging Cassandra towards the window. “You’ll have her back before breakfast.”

“Stalyan please.”

“You’ll all know your place, then.” Cassandra’s grey eyes, full of tears and fear, managed one last glance at Lance before she was tossed through the window to a man who stood outside waiting.

“Please…” Lance whispered as Stalyan left and he fell to his knees.

Chapter Text

Eugene was finally led to a cell after hours of grueling questioning. The manacles finally removed, revealing red wrists that ached as he rubbed them. The cell is big, but it’s empty. There’s a small bed with no blankets on it and a mattress so thin it was worse than the orphanage. He walked over to the bed and climbed on top. He pulled his legs up and to his chest.

It was cold.

It was dark.

There were clanking noises echoing through the halls.

Distant voices, he couldn’t make out the words off.

The sound of someone crying several halls away.

Eugene felt tears began to build up in his eyes as fear began to settled inside of him.

He tried to cling onto the image of his little sister, tried to picture her smile as she showed him a drawing she’d done, tried to convince himself she was safe in bed cuddled up to Lance. Eugene had to be here. Eugene had to. Because he, the big brave strong brother, was scared, imagine Cassandra.

Eugene had to be here.

He tried to cling onto the image of Cassandra, but eventually fear took over and he couldn’t help but break down sobbing as he hugged his legs, desperate for comfort.

Cassandra had been forced onto her knees near a river. Her arms pressed to her side as one of the thieves who worked for The Baron tied rope around her so she couldn’t move.

Stalyan stood over her, looking proud of herself.

Cassandra refused to raise her head to meet the older girl’s eyes.

She’d managed not to break down sobbing and thought that was enough inner strength for now.

“The fact you thought you could get away with this really does speak of your youth, your naivety, your innocence.” Stalyan’s teasing made Cassandra almost wish she’d get on with it. Could the punishment she’d chosen really be worse than her obnoxious behaviour? “Well, that innocence ends tonight.”

“Really?”

Stalyan nodded. She held out a hand and one of the men handed her the owl plush Cassandra had been holding when they’d taken her from the room.

Cassandra’s eyes widened. “Don’t you dare! Put that down! It’s mine!” She attempted to grab Stalyan, but her movements were hindered by the rope, and she tumbled to the ground instead. “That’s mine!”

“And that necklace was mine ,” Stalyan said simply, pulling a knife from her belt. “Say goodbye to your precious little toy, Owlet.”

“No! Nooooo!” Cassandra was grabbed from behind by several men, material stuffed in her mouth so her screams were muffled as Stalyan cut off the wings of the owl plush, dropping them on by one into the river.

Cassandra tried to scream through the material not caring how her throat ached.

The little pieces of fabric were worn, they had small patches made out of old clothes that Eugene had to sew on after Cassandra chewed through the original fabric. Now that fabric that had bought her so much comfort and the patches Eugene had sewn on with so much love were floating down the river.

Next Stalyan slashed open the body of the owl, letting the fluff fall to the ground, finally she threw cut of the head, holding it close to a tearful Cassandra before throwing it into the river and for the current to take it.

Cassandra screamed and pulled with all her strength, trying to get to her beloved toy. Once the toy was out of sight though, Cassandra became still and quiet. Her mind processing what to her was a grand loss. That plush meant so much to her. It was one of very few belongings. Eugene had helped her get it. She took it everywhere. She slept with it every night, she would hold it on her lap while eating. She couldn’t imagine her daily routine without it.

Tears ran down her face as she curled in on herself.

Already she regretted stealing the necklace. It hadn’t been worth it. Not at all.

“Secure the rope,” Stalyan’s voice was clear, but Cassandra wasn’t listening. She felt more rope being tightened around her waist, tighter than the one binding her arms to her side. She saw a man checking the length of the rope, but didn’t put two and two together. “Throw her in the river.”

Lance ran through town. His feet ached with every step as he ran faster than ever before, the burning in his lungs almost too much to bear and his uncertainty whether this was the right choice didn’t make matters any easier, but he had to try. He couldn’t leave Cassandra in the hands of those people.

He saw the familiar wooden door he’d knocked on so many nights before, begging for help. He ran over and banged his fists against it louder than ever, intending to beg, going so far as to fall to his knees before the door even opened.

The Captain was both surprised and suspicious to see Lance, one of the three kids he’d learnt to trust and care for over the past few years.

“Cassandra—”

“Forget it.”

Lance looked up with tears in his eyes, face red from the run.

“I’m not an idiot. Well, clearly I was.” His expression darkened. “I know what you three have been doing. I don’t have proof, but know this: my empathy has run out.” Lance reached to hold the door when he attempted to shut it.

“No! For real this time! Cassandra’s in trouble! Please, you have to help her!”

“I don’t have to do anything for a bunch of low-life-good-for-nothing-criminals who have taken advantage of my kindness for the past many months!”

Lance felt the sting of the words, his head lowered almost to the ground. “Please,” he begged, as tears ran down his face and fell to the stone floor below. He looked up. “She’s eleven, she’s just a child.”

Captain really should have listened to those pleas.

He reached inside for his jacket and, for a moment, Lance dared to hope he’d gotten through to the man. Instead, he slipped his coat on and pulled some manacles from the pocket. “Hands.”

Lance shook his head, but because he was on his knees, he couldn’t get up and run fast enough. Captain restrained Lance.

“I’m taking you back to your home this time, but next time you’ll be put behind bars. Do you understand me?”

Lance cried. “Please… My sister—”

“Will find her own way home.”

Cassandra couldn’t scream fast enough as she hit the water.

She felt a sharp, fleeting pain in her muscles when they first broke the water, quickly numbed by the frigidness. She flailed, but all she could do was kick her legs in her tied up state. She sunk deeper and deeper down.

The cloth in her mouth sucked up the water, filling her mouth with a dirt like taste.

She couldn’t see past the murkiness.

This was it, this was where she died.

Then there was a tug on the rope. It was hard, so hard it hurt, but the rope was used to pull her out of the water and throw her onto the side into the dirt, now mud.

“Three breaths.”

Cassandra heard Stalyan’s words, but they did not register.

But on her fourth breath, she was tossed back into the water.

That was when the full realisation of her torture came.

She wished she’d never told Stalyan she was scared of water now.

Chapter Text

Back at the orphanage, the manacles were removed, and the caretakers grabbed Lance tightly.

“Please,” Lance tried one last time. “It’s my fault she’s out there.”

“Then you’ll know better next time,” the Captain said. Assuming Cassandra was in no real danger, assuming Lance was trying to trick him again, not realising the horrors to which he was becoming an accomplice by ignoring the desperate pleas of a kid who’d mustered up the bravery to ask an adult for help, only to be rejected.

Captain left, and they tossed Lance into one of the intake rooms. The door shut with a heavy finality, the sound of the lock clicking echoing in the darkness as Lance felt his knees buckle beneath him.

He knew not the horrors Cassandra was facing, just that he hadn’t been able to save her from them.

Captain couldn’t sleep after that.

He walked all the way over to the prison and looked over the schedules. He was tempted to drag young Eugene back into the interrogation room just to uphold his promise of going on all night, but he doubted the boy’s answers would change. Stubborn. So very stubborn.

He hated these kids.

He hated the fact he’d seen them caring for each other, followed by them committing crimes. It was so easy to dismiss most thieves as unethical, but when you saw three young children loving and caring for each other, and then watch as they slowly descend into a life of crime, it’s not such a simple dismissal to make.

He didn’t want the kids to grow up criminals, but he had no clue how to stop it.

He looked at the schedule again.

A thief would be hung from the gallows in about twenty minutes.

A young man of only twenty-five years of age, for stealing from a noble family, they’d broken an entering, stolen a jewellery box but been caught before they could get out.

They claimed it was to pay for food.

But every thief claimed that.

Whether it was true or not was impossible to say.

Between breaking an entering, the damage to property, the value of the stolen goods… The man was to be executed in… Fifteen minutes.

Captain frowned, placing the schedule down. Thinking to the three thieves, Lance, the oldest who carries his sister around as though the ground itself would eat her up if left unattended too long, Eugene, the middle and most outspoken, and little Cassandra. He didn’t wish to see them on his schedule, didn’t wish to watch their limp bodies swing from the end of a rope after going too far.

But how could he possible make them understand that?

Understand where they were heading?

Cassandra was dragged out of the water for the seventh times.

Seventh.

Cassandra was ready to die.

She no longer feared death.

She feared the burning sensation in her lungs.

She feared the way her vision and hearing blurred.

Her ears screamed out in agony as they were filled with water.

She feared the disgusting taste in her mouth.

She feared never being able to see again, as her eyesight didn’t become any less murky outside the water.

She feared the moment her body broke the water each and every time, feeling like she’d been thrown to the ground.

She feared many things.

She still feared water. Exposure therapy wasn’t working for her. Not like this.

“Five—” How generous it was of Stalyan to raise the number of breaths she got.

A hand found Stalyan’s shoulder, The Baron, looking proud. “You’ve come to a crossroad my darling.”

“Oh?”

“You must pick, keep throwing her in and she will break. She will no longer be useful to you, but she will send a message to all else who work for you. Or, let her be for tonight.”

Cassandra was breathing. Many people held their breath awaiting Stalyan’s response, people who watched in horror at the treatment of a child. But Cassandra couldn’t afford to hold her breath. She needed all the oxygen she could get.

Stalyan walked over slowly, until she stood over Cassandra. She knelt down, pulling the rag from Cassandra’s mouth, causing the girl to cough and splutter. “Beg,” was all Stalyan said.

Cassandra looked confused for just a moment before the word set in. “ Please don’t hurt me.”

“You can do better.”

Cassandra wiggled onto her knees. “Please, please don’t throw me back in the water, please don’t hurt, please let me breathe. Please. Please.”

“Apologize.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Is that all?”

“I’m so very sorry. I should never have done that. I will never do anything you disapprove of ever again. Please let me rest…”

Stalyan turned around to look at her father as though asking him if Cassandra had done well enough. When he just gestured for her to choose, she nodded.

“You’re lucky you’re so young. Otherwise, I would have had you put through proper torture.”

Proper torture?

What was proper torture?

Cassandra nodded. “Thank you.”

“Learn from your mistakes,” Stalyan gestured for someone to untie Cassandra as she turned around and left.

Cassandra fell limply to the ground as she watched the group of people leave. She closed her eyes and came to a realisation she should have reached a long time ago… They needed to get away.

Lance screamed as he banged on the door of the intake room. Designed to be soundproof and withstand children with meltdowns, it was no use.

“If she dies, her blood will be on your hands!” He screamed. “She’s a child! She’s a child!” he screamed, and he screamed, but nobody batted an eye. He fell to his knees. “She’s my sister.” He hugged himself. How had he failed her so badly? How could he not be with her? He screamed this time, no words, just noise.

He folded up tighter on himself.

How could he not be there with her?

He sat there crying and occasionally screaming, begging anybody to do something. He curled up in the room, realising that he’d made a mistake, him and Eugene both. They’d chosen to stay in Corona because Cassandra needed stability, but… Nothing about this was stable. They needed out . And they needed it now .

Captain made one of those decisions he would not soon regret, but he would regret.

Many years down the line, he’d be made aware of what a terrible idea it had been.

But right now, he walked down the prison hallways with a thirteen-year-old boy whose hands were chained in front of him, eyes on the ground.

He didn’t ask any questions, and the Captain didn’t give him any answers.

The halls were as cold as the cell. They seemed to go on forever. Eugene wasn’t sure if they were worse or better overall. In the cell, all he could do was curl up and cry. At least now he got to walk. Though he wasn’t sure if he found the Captain to be a figure of security anymore. The chains were definitely a point in favour for the cell.

He looked up at the Captain. The man had been one of the few adults Eugene thought they could go to when things went wrong. He knew he’d risked that when they started tricking him for Stalyan. He almost felt bad. Almost. It wasn’t like they wanted to get involved in those stuff! They hadn’t had a choice.

The Captain lead him into a room with a wooden stage overhead. There were some wooden planks thick and sturdy forming an upside down L, from which some rope hung, the end tied into an oval.

Eugene stared at it.

It spoke so much of his age that he took a few minutes to realise what he was looking at. When he did, his first instinct was to sprint, trying to get to the door, but Captains caught him by the back of the shirt.

“Relax, you aren’t going to die today.”

Eugene stilled as the Captain put him back down, kneeling on one knee so he was eye level with the boy. “But this is where you’ll end up if you don’t figure your life out. Do you understand?”

Eugene didn’t answer.

Captain expected that. “Where did the jewels come from?”

Eugene didn’t answer. Captain considered this progress as it was not the same three words.

“Listen to me. It’ll be easier for all of us if you cooperate. Where did they come from?”

Silence. If Eugene said anything, he’d have to face The Baron. That wasn’t an option.

The Captain frowned. “Fine.” He turned Eugene, so he was facing the gallows. “Watch.”

“I don’t understand.”

“In a few minutes, you’ll see your future if you do not change paths.”

Eugene still didn’t understand, not until a few guards came in dragging a struggling young man.

Everything happened so very fast.

He was dragged onto the stage, rope around the neck, left there for barely a few seconds, a level pulled, a few more desperate kicks, those kicks became slower and slower, then he was hanging there, body limp.

Eugene couldn’t look away from the horrors he was witnessing, and his face was wet with tears as his eyes widened in disbelief.

“Do you understand what you’re looking at?”

Eugene opened his mouth, struggled for a bit of air, then managed to whisper: “My future?”

“Only if you don’t change paths,” the Captain reiterated. “You can change.”

Eugene couldn’t change. Not without The Baron killing him. His eyes went to the dead hanging body.

“This is what Corona law does to thieves?”

“Yes.” Captain sounded almost proud.

Eugene felt sick to his stomach. How could they have ever looked up to this man? How could they be in this kingdom?

Eugene wanted to leave.

As Captain walked home after leaving Eugene to cry alone in his cell, he saw a familiar figure.

“I see you found your own way out?”

Cassandra turned to look up at the Captain. She was visibly soaked, dragging her feet, holding herself.

Captain’s brows furrowed in concern, but he quickly put on a stern expression. “Your brother came to me for help. I assume you thought you could distract me from my duties once more?”

Cassandra shook her head.

“Well, as you’ve experienced tonight. That won’t be happening anymore.”

Cassandra didn’t answer.

“I’m sorry you had to suffer alone tonight… Not sure what type of mess you got yourself into for the sake of a distraction. But I hope facing it alone served as a lesson.”

Cassandra looked at the ground.

“I’m talking to you.”

She looked up.

“You understand that from now on, you are alone? There’s no point getting into trouble because I won’t be coming.”

She swallowed and nodded.

“Good. So, did you learn your lesson?”

“Yes, Sir.”

Though the lesson wasn’t the one Captain hoped. Captain took Cassandra back to the orphanage. He almost asked her what exactly had happened, but he didn’t. He stuck to his assumptions and let the caretakers throw her into an intake room without a towel, without a change of clothes, and without any blankets.

It wouldn’t be until Eugene got back that Lance and Cassandra were released from the intake rooms. Tired, all looking sick. Were relieved to see the others and all in agreement that it was time to move away from the orphanage.

Chapter Text

Lance and Eugene did the packing.

They packed all their belongings as well as some stuff they decided to steal from the orphanage, such as a few blankets and some utensils.

Cassandra double checked their work with trembling hands and a shaky voice.

Eugene and Lance were terrified of Cassandra’s shaking. Knowing how the last involuntary swim had ended, they were tempted to go steal medicine before needing it, but Cassandra insisted it wasn’t like last time.

They chose to trust her.

Mostly because Eugene had a newfound fear of being caught stealing. An intense fear he knew he needed to shake off, but couldn’t.

On the night of their breakout, Lance carried most of their belongings. Eugene had a few bags of blankets, but his most important task was holding Cassandra’s hand.

Though the girl proved she was more than capable of managing on her own as she leaped over the wall as she had so many times before. She held herself tall and she lead the way through town. If not for the bags, Eugene would have grabbed Lance with his other hand to not get split up.

They sprinted across the bridge and into the forest.

As they walked through the forest, the only illumination was the moonlight glimmering through the branches of trees. The crunching of leaves beneath their feet sounded loud compared to the sound of scurrying animals and the hoots of night animals.

Any other group of children their age would be terrified, but not them.

This was peaceful for them.

The scent of pine and mud. The chilly breeze on their skin. The way Owl, Cassandra’s favourite forest dwelling animal, watched over them. It was a good place to be,

“Are you sure about this, Cassandra?” Lance asked.

“Yes.”

Eugene nodded at Lance’s concerned glance, trusting Cassandra.

When they found what they were looking for, the sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon and they could hear the nocturnal animals scurrying away, replaced by the sound of birds chirping as the diurnal animals began to wake. It was the sunlight just managing to slip through some vines, which told Cassandra she’d found it.

Her hands trembling, she reached out and brushed against the vines, at which point she froze.

“Want me to go first?” Eugene asked.

Cassandra shook her head, pushing through into the clearing. Eugene and Lance were right behind her. They all three looked up at the tower.

A stone structure which started thick at the base but became thin before expanding out into a few larger round rooms. It had a purple roof, a window through which to look out. There was exposed stone where the weather had eaten away at the structure and plants grew up and around it. The building was framed by mountains and a waterfall. The clearing was filled with the echoing sound of flowing water.

“Looks old,” Eugene said.

“Like it’d fall down in a storm,” Lance added.

“I’ve been in there through plenty of storms,” she said. “It’s fine, come on.”

“Better than the orphanage,” Eugene said.

The stairs were not much fun and far less with all the stuff they were carrying, yet Cassandra lead the way and marked the pace.

She was the first to step up into the main room of the tower.

Empty.

Just as she’d expected, the place had been emptied of almost everything, sold off on auctions to rich buyers such as The Baron by a royal family with more money than they knew what to do with already.

Cassandra swallowed down her rage as she stepped towards the open window, testing the wooden blinds. “They’ll shut,” she informed.

“Great,” Eugene frowned, walking over to the fireplace. “Guess we won’t freeze to death, at least.”

Lance dropped the bags, moving to inspect the stairs and other rooms.

“It’s a good first hideout. Near the border, sturdy, better than a cave.”

“Yeah, and if they do figure out we’re here, we can jump out the window and ensure a quicker death than the gallows,” Eugene’s voice was both cold, sarcastic, and held a hint of fear.

“Good,” Cassandra’s voice was as cold as the icy water she’d been thrown in with no hint of fear.

Eugene didn’t like that. “Sit down Cass, me and Lance will set up some places to sleep.”

“You think I’m too weak?” she said, sitting on the windowsill, arms crossed.

“I think you’re close to falling sick and we all know how that went last time. A sit-down after an entire night of walking won’t kill you.”

She glared, but then her features softened. “I suppose not,” she admitted with a frown.

Eugene moved up the stairs into the room, which once had belonged to Cassandra and Rapunzel. Lance had found a few dusty old pillows in a closet that had clearly been missed.

“What do you think?” Eugene whispered, too quiet for Cassandra to hear.

“It’s a good first hideout,” Lance repeated.

Eugene nodded, taking the pillows.

“We’ll set up beds, take a nap and then I’m going to cross the border to get some food and you can go get some firewood from the forest to keep the place warm.”

“It’d make more sense for you to do the firewood and I go steal. I can only carry so much up at a time.”

Lance frowned. “Are you up to stealing?”

Eugene swallowed, clenched his fists. “Will I have the image of the gallows looming over my head? Yeah. But I’ve got to get back into it. There’s no other way. Might as well as be today.”

“If you’re sure Eugene. But if you’re not, I’ll happily handle the stealing. You only need to get enough wood for tonight, not the entire week.”

“I’ll do the stealing.”

“Alright,” Lance nodded.

Back in the main room of the tower, Cassandra had fallen asleep on the windowsill.

Eugene and Lance were quiet as they came down the stairs. Lance took one of the blankets from the bags and covered her with it. He then managed to raise her head to slip the pillow underneath it. His hand found her forehead. She was still a bit chilly to the touch; she had been since the incident, but nothing like her first swim.

She was older, stronger.

But the boys still had the memories of the first incident and would be pushing for her to rest for a while yet.

“This place will work,” Lance said, looking around the tower.

Eugene nodded. Setting up a few blankets on the ground near the empty fireplace for him and Lance.

They both fell into a deep slumber quite fast. It was clear the walk had gotten to them; the stairs hadn’t helped, and the many emotions of all the past weeks. But the tower, for all its faults, was a space protected from the elements where no caretakers would throw them into isolation, where guards were unlikely to show up searching for stolen goods, where they could freely play without being scolded for being noisy. It would work.

When the caretakers saw they were missing the trio of kids in the morning, they didn’t think much of it. They’d have gotten in some sort of trouble and the guards would drag them back if necessary.

But the day went on and there was no sign.

Eventually, the caretakers checked the room for clues, finding many of the belongings missing.

Three more runaways.

Not good for statistics, but far from unusual.

One of the younger caretakers went to file the report at the closest guard station. Their missing posters added to a small noticeboard, lost between pictures of wanted criminals, missing pets, and stolen items to keep an eye out for.

When orphans went missing, you kept an eye out for them, but there was rarely a search.

The way they saw it, the same way animals with no owners couldn’t be lost, could children with no parents be classified as missing?

Chapter Text

Despite being the first to fall asleep, Cassandra was the last to wake up. She’d been moved during her sleep from the windowsill to the floor, probably by Lance. She figured her brother didn’t trust her to not fall out the window during her slumber, probably wise.

She was wrapped in blankets and lying in front of the fireplace, though it remained unlit. She sighed. She recalled sitting in front of the fireplace with Rapunzel, telling stories late into the night while the wind rattled and their mother failed to come home.

How things had changed.

People said for the better, but Cassandra wasn’t convinced.

Her mother had been… Not the best. But there had been food in the tower, logs to light a fire, some toys, some books. Cassandra had a younger sister to love. She’d had a mother who, despite her cold ways, Cassandra couldn’t let go of the belief loved her.

Now Cassandra had Eugene and Lance. Though she loved her brothers more than anything in the world, the constant fight for survival was exhausting, and Cassandra wasn’t sure it’d ever get easier.

“Cass?” Lance’s voice came from the stairs. “You just wake up?”

She nodded.

Lance came in with a handful of wood. “Cool, cool. Do you know how to light a fire?”

She nodded. “I used to live here, remember?”

Lance thought back to how tiny Cassandra had been when he’d first met her and wasn’t sure how he felt about that tiny thing lighting fires, but he supposed there was nothing he could do about it now. “Be careful.”

“I’m not a child, Lance.” She took some logs from him, beginning to set them in place.

“Yeah but, you’ll always be my little sister,” Lance tried to tease.

Cassandra just glared at him. “Leave the teasing to Eugene if you don’t want to get hurt. I know no mercy.” She paused. “Is Eugene still coming up the stairs?”

“Eugene went over the border to the closest town.”

Cassandra sat up straighter. “For?”

“To get us some food. Or do you plan to photosynthesising?”

“I would if I could.” She stood up. “Alone?”

Lance nodded. “He’s the best pickpocket of us three, nimble, smaller than me, faster than you.”

“What if he freezes and gets caught? Who knows what could happen to him!”

“He’ll be fine Cass, now set up the fire so he has some warm flames to get home to.”

Cassandra hesitated before nodding, setting up the logs. “We’ll need better sleeping gear in the long run. This setup is fine, but it’s… Lacking. I take it the bed which was upstairs is no longer there?”

“We were lucky one wardrobe was left unraided.”

Cassandra huffed. “I can’t believe it.”

“That they missed a single closet?”

“No. That they took everything.” Cassandra’s hands formed into fists. “They took my mother from me and didn’t even have the decency to give me my stuff. That princess got everything, parents, a palace, even my old toys.”

Lance hummed. “Given what we know of the royals, perhaps you should be grateful they didn’t sentence you for your mother’s crimes.” Lance had meant it as a joke, but his voice came out cold. “We can’t change the system, Cass. Just sit tight.”

Cassandra nodded. “I know. I don’t want to change the system.”

“Oh?”

“I want to destroy it.”

Lance chuckled. Though he knew she was serious, he decided to pretend it wasn’t. “Good… umm… Luck with that one.” He frowned.

As Lance had promised, Eugene did get back okay. A little pale but otherwise alright. He had pockets full of food, from tomatoes to pastries to some flour and sugar.

Cassandra grinned. “Impressive Fitzherbert.”

“Rider,” Eugene corrected.

Lance expected Cassandra to tease Eugene, but she just nodded. “Rider.”

“I thought, seeing as we have a kitchen, I’d grab some ingredients… I don’t know if they’re good ingredients.”

“I can make them work,” Lance said. “Go sit with your sister.”

Eugene nodded, falling to his knees next to Cassandra in front of the start of a fire. “I don’t like you playing with fire.”

“I don’t like you, period.”

Eugene grinned at Cassandra.

She managed a grin back.

Lance managed to make some dough with the flour, though by not allowing it to raise it wasn’t the ideal texture. He threw on some the tomatoes Eugene had stolen and chopped some apples as dessert. He set them out on top of some broken tiles on the floor, the closest they had to plates.

Cassandra hummed contently as she ate. “This is good.”

“Nah, you’re just starved,” Lance argued.

Eugene shrugged. “I dunno. It’s pretty impressive. You turned white powder into this.” He held up his meal before taking another bite.

Lance laughed. “Well, gotta be using that magical culinary ability to keep you two from remaining pipsqueaks.”

“So… What’s our long-term plan here?”

“Tomorrow I’m going to head into town to steal more fruit and vegetables,” Lance said. “It has to be me because I don’t want just any fruit and vegetables.”

Eugene raised his brows.

“I’m going to start a farm, plants some plants near the stream, just like Quirin taught me. That way, if stealing is ever extra dangerous, we have options.”

Cassandra nodded.

“We need sleeping bags or something to sleep in, bit big and bulky though, not an easy steal.”

“I’ll do that,” Cassandra said, and before anybody could argue. “I’m still the youngest. If I get caught, I won’t be executed or sent to prison.”

“We can’t drop our duties for The Baron, he’ll have our heads,” Eugene added. “It doesn’t matter how far we run, he’ll find us.”

“Only I have duties to The Baron. I’ve already set-up a meeting with Caine tomorrow in the forest.”

Cassandra nodded. “You’re using Caine as a middle-woman?”

Lance nodded. “I don’t trust her fully, but I trust her more than anybody else.”

“Me too,” Cassandra said.

“I’m going to pay off my debt and if Stalyan tries to argue Cass owes her anything , I will take Cassandra’s debt on myself.”

“Lance—”

“Cass, if more than one of us is indebted, it’ll just get harder.”

Cassandra frowned, but nodded.

“And what about the money we saved?” Eugene stared at the little porcelain owl still packed away in the bag.

“We’ll save up and buy a farm in a faraway kingdom one day,” Lance decided.

“Yeah, right,” Cassandra said with a laugh, lying down. “I think we all know that’s never going to happen.”

And it was the first time Cassandra fully dismissed the idea of a future outside of thieving.

“We’ll save up for the option…”

“Go ahead.” Cassandra mumbled. “But once we’re wanted across the seven kingdoms, it won’t matter how much money we’ve saved.” She sat up. “And believe me, I plan to commit the types of crimes that earn me a reputation. When I do something, I do it properly.”

And lance and Eugene shared glances, concern for the anger building up in their youngest member was difficult to dismiss. But right now, they were together in front of a warm fire, enjoying a meal.

So Eugene pulled Cassandra into a hug and Lance started telling a story. Tomorrow would be another day.

Chapter Text

After a few weeks, the tower began to look like a home.

Cassandra had successfully stolen sleeping bags, which, when combined with blankets and cushions, made for comfortable makeshift beds.

A couple of logs made for seating. Another log was their table.

They had a decent pile of logs for keeping fires going at night when the tower got cold. And slowly Lance was getting the kitchen stocked. He’d started planting seeds near the stream, as promised, and he would lie on his stomach and squint at the ground, trying to see if he’d been successful.

They’d set up a bucket and some rope so they could bring water up into the tower without carrying it up the many stairs.

They weren’t entirely sure how safe the stream water was, but they’d also never felt sure about the orphanage’s water.

Their clothes were folded neatly in a closet. Cassandra had placed the porcelain owl and other belongings from the orphanage in locations that were almost decorative and made the tower feel somewhat like a home.

Lance had also spoken to Caine, though he refused to reveal his upcoming work to his younger siblings, claiming it was safer that way.

Cassandra didn’t like being kept in the dark.

And she also didn’t like the fact she was being forced to rest, handed simple, low-labour tasks such as folding clothes and setting up beds. She hated being the child of the group; she hated how her brothers were scared she’d get sick.

In part because she was stronger than they realised.

In part because seeing them scared made her scared, despite the fact she was almost fully better, her shivering having gone away, her nose no longer stuffy and her appetite back to normal. Yet Eugene and Lance needed her to be at 100% before they’d let her do any heavy lifting, and Cassandra couldn’t bring herself to lie to them.

So she organised the kitchen for the fourth time and told herself to be patient.

Later that day, Eugene arrived from stealing. He brought food, a few coins and, most importantly, a gift for Cassandra.

It was almost sunset and Cassandra had gotten the fire started at Lance’s request so that he could cook.

Eugene dropped off the food before moving over to Cassandra’s side. “How you doing?”

Cassandra rolled her eyes. “Almost perfect.”

“Almost?”

“Throat’s still aching a little. But trust me, I’m going to heal.”

Eugene nodded. “Good… Good…” he couldn’t hide the slight fear in his voice, nor the implication of mistrust that Cassandra wasn’t lessening her symptoms for her brothers. “I stole something for you today.”

“Food?”

“No.” Eugene rolled his eyes. “Something more exciting.”

“What?” Cassandra wasn’t sure why she sounded so harsh. Eugene wasn’t doing or saying anything mean. He wasn’t even teasing her. Yet Cassandra had a lot of feelings. Perhaps once she was back on the street and contributing she’d feel better?

Eugene grinned as he brought an owl plush out from behind his back. “Ta-Dah!”

Cassandra’s eyes widened. It wasn’t her owl plush; it was slightly bigger; the colouring was different; it didn’t have the chewed up wings or the sewn in patches from over the year.

“Hey, and this one’s new! Not as umm… Not as cheap as your old one!” Eugene was trying to lesser the loss, trying to help her move on.

Cassandra felt her heart begin to race, her skin felt warm. The new owl plush stared at her, big black shiny eyes, for some reason Cassandra felt like it was mocking her.

Eugene saw the change in demeanour, saw how her hands became fists, how her eyes darkened and how her lips parted to reveal teeth clenched tightly. Despite this, Eugene did not expect Cassandra to lash out, her hand snatching the new plush from his grip and throwing it straight into the fire.

The plush soon caught fire, the eyes cracking, the colour fading.

Eugene stared at it, shocked. He thought of how determined he’d been to steal it upon seeing the owl plush, how he’d forced himself to work through his fear of being caught because Cassandra needed something to hold, something to hug, something to sleep with.

But the owl burnt, no longer able to give Cassandra the comfort she needed.

Eugene heard a thud and turned to see Cassandra had fallen to her knees, arms embracing herself tightly, her fists pale from how hard she was holding herself as tears ran silently down her face.

Eugene slowly stepped forward. He knelt down. He wanted to cry over Cassandra’s disposal of his gift, but he knew that right now Cassandra was hurting too much to see her big brother cry.

“I’m sorry,” Cassandra whispered. “I don’t know why I did that… I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”

Eugene slowly brought his arms around her, helping her move her own arms around him so she wasn’t squeezing herself but him. He could feel how she shook, how the sobs shook her chest in what must be a painful manner. He could tell she was hurting. “It’s okay…” Though he wasn’t sure he felt that way.

“I want my owl plush. I want the one from the box you helped me get, the one who slept with me every night and came everywhere with me. I don’t want a new one. I want my old one.”

“I know… But I can’t… I can’t get that…” Eugene felt like a failure for not being able to.

“I know!” Cassandra sobbed. “I know and I’m sorry! You were so… The new one… I just… It made me angry, like he didn’t deserve to survive when mine died.”

The reference to life and death with something like a plush told Eugene how much the owl had meant to her. He held her. “Did you let some of your anger out?”

“What?”

He helped her to look towards the fire to see the owl plush burning away. “You were angry at him, right? Now he’s dying. Does that help?”

Cassandra hesitated, her eyes locked with those of the plush and she nodded. “It does.” And her voice held a peace Eugene thought was healthy.

“Then that’s all that matters. It wasn’t how I expected the toy to help but… That’s alright.” He kissed the top of her head in the way he’d seen parents and older siblings do. In a way that said I love you without actually speaking the words.

Cassandra nodded and watched the plush burn into soot.

Eugene thought he’d brought his sister some much needed peace. He thought of that as a good thing. He didn’t think about the implication behind her finding peace in destruction. How this moment alongside many others would mould her into a woman that held little of the values she’d clung onto through her childhood.

It would be several more weeks until Captain was going over the noticeboard and spotted the three kids’ posters. It explained why it had been so quiet for the last month. But it also gave Captain a very uncomfortable feeling.

His mind went to the youngest of the three. How she’d been wet and shaking the last time he’d seen her. How quiet her voice had been. How odd it was to see her without the typical owl plush.

Then his mind wandered to Lance working at the farm, and to Eugene sitting in the prison cell suffering the week long sentence.

Where had the three orphans gone?

The only bit of comfort Captain got from the posters is the fact there were three. Wherever they were, they were together.

Now that wasn’t to say Captain didn’t intend to bring them home. He knew protocol didn’t demand it, but… He knew those kids; they were trouble, but they were still just kids.

Chapter Text

Seven am Cassandra woke up.

Sunlight filtered in through the large window, forcing her to acknowledge her sleeping hours were over. She climbed out from under the blankets, stepping out of the log bed the three of them had constructed after realising sleeping on the floor wasn’t a long-term solution.

She stretched and threw on a darkly coloured cloak, stuffing her mask into the pocket of said cloak and putting her hair into a tight ponytail.

She moved to the door of her mother’s old room, now hers.

The boys had taken the upstairs room.

As she left the room, the aroma of something delicious filled her senses. Unsurprisingly, Lance was in the kitchen.

“Morning,” she greeted.

“Morning,” Lance responded, turning to see Cassandra walking towards the stairs. “Breakfast?”

“Later—”

“What did we say about thieving?”

Cassandra groaned. “Not on an empty stomach?”

“Yup. Now sit your thieving ass down and enjoy.” He filled a plate with pancakes, eggs, vegetables and an apple on the side.

Cassandra rolled her eyes but accepted the fork, twirling it before starting her meal. “You know, I’m not a little kid anymore.”

Lance was filling his own plate, leaving one on the side for Eugene. “I’m aware.” He sat down facing her at the wooden table they’d also constructed. “Fifteen already.” He grinned. “How time flies.”

Cassandra shrugged. “Didn’t fly for me. We’ve been here for years and it’s just now starting to feel like we’re getting anywhere.”

Lance nodded. “I can understand why you’d feel that way. But we knew what we were getting into, did we not?”

“Oh, this beats out the orphanage by a long-shot.”

Lance nodded.

“Guess who’s home?” The sound of Eugene’s voice echoed through the tower as he climbed the spiral staircase towards the top.

“A hindrance to our day-to-day life pretending to be of use?” Cassandra called.

Eugene’s chuckles could be heard just before he popped up, dressed in his usual outfit for thieving clothes that allowed him to run fast without getting caught on stuff. “Does that mean you don’t want any of your favourite sweets?” He held up a small bag he’d snatched on the way back from his main heist.

Cassandra held out a hand, and Eugene tossed it to her. She didn’t bother to thank him as she ripped open the bag to get the sweets in her mouth, and Eugene didn’t expect such pleasantries. That wasn’t either of their styles.

“Supper is in the kitchen,” Lance informed. “Should still be hot.”

Eugene nodded.

“Other than sweets, how was the night?”

“Peaceful, until I got there.” Eugene snickered. “Left most of the loot downstairs, too tired to be carrying it up right now. Just brought the food up. Some expensive spices, some teas, cocoa powder, you know, nothing too exciting, but it’ll be nice to have flavour.”

“And downstairs?”

“Robbed a bank.”

Cassandra paused, eating her sweets. “Mask?”

Eugene didn’t respond, which was more than enough of an answer.

“Were you seen, Rider?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Oh wow, that’s about as reassuring as it gets.”

“I know how to handle myself, Owlet.”

“You know how to handle yourself about as well as a sea turtle in a river.”

“It’s fine.”

“It better be a damn big sack of gold.”

“It is.”

“Stop arguing,” Lance interrupted with a couple of glares. “What’s done is done. If Flynn has to lie low for a few days, he will.”

Cassandra huffed, sitting back in her chair. “Great, that leaves me as the main provider.”

“I can—” Lance started.

“You have enough work with The Baron. Get that debt paid off, then we’ll talk.”

“I said it’s fine,” Eugene said, coming to sit with them. “I just need to keep to the night shifts while you, my beautiful sister with as much fashion sense as her pet owl, can stick to the morning shift.”

Cassandra rolled her eyes. “My fashion sense consists of an outfit that will hide my identity. A skill you’d do well to learn.” She stood up, leaving her plate for Lance to clean up as she headed towards Owl’s perch near the fireplace, careful not to wake the sleeping bird as she grabbed his treat bowl, currently empty of meat scraps and instead filled to the brim with jewels he’d stolen during the night. She threw them into the centre of the table.

“Lance.” The single word was enough instruction. Lance began to organize the jewels, pick out those he would bring to Stalyan to pay off part of his debt, those to go into their private savings and those that were not as valuable as they looked and would be used to barter with.

Cassandra moved towards the stairs.

“Don’t do anything too risky,” Eugene shouted.

“I’m not you,” she said back, pulling up the hood of her cloak and double checking she had weapons on hand. “I’ll be back before nightfall.”

It was broad daylight, yet Cassandra jumped from roof to roof as quietly as her owl, which had joined her late into her shift. Slipping in and out of windows, stuffing every pocket of her cloak with valuables and the occasional trinket she actually wanted such as some nice pens for Eugene, a new whisk for Lance, and a beautiful red rose.

If her pockets ever became full, she’d hand some things to Owl who’d take them back to the tower for her.

If ever some place was not open, her lock-picking skills were on point, having taken Eugene’s lessons to heart.

Not only was she attentive to her surroundings, but if ever she did get close to making a mistake, Owl was there to correct her. Hooting and warning her of dangers.

Cassandra had become somewhat of a legend in many of the small towns touching the border between Corona and Equis.

Not as a thief, see, Cassandra was quiet enough and selective enough in how much she stole from each home, that the towns, to this day, weren’t sure it was a thief. Tales of ghosts coming back to collect their dues, animals who were drawn to shiny things or some form of magic were all tales she’d heard.

Cassandra liked it that way.

She sneaked into one of the small, dark alleys to check on her current loot. Owl settling on one of the washing lines as her watch.

She soon heard footsteps, but paid them no notice. If it mattered, Owl would tell her.

“Looks like a good day’s work,” the female voice was barely a whisper.

“Not bad,” Cassandra responded, feeling the gentle hands which wrapped around her shoulder. She raised her head to look up, and Caine quickly caught Cassandra’s lips in hers. The kiss lasted perhaps a little too long for broad daylight, in a dirty alley, while Cassandra held stolen goods in her hand, but they had little restraint when it came to one another.

“Not bad,” Caine repeated Cassandra’s words back to her, carrying a rather different meaning.

Cassandra finally turned around fully, so she was facing her girlfriend. “You were just fine.”

Caine grinned, her skin flushed, looking like she would go in for another kiss if Cassandra allowed it.

Cassandra moved a hand to Caine’s cheek. “I got you something today. Nothing very exciting but something I saw and thought of you.”

Caine tilted her head. With a graceful gesture, Cassandra produced a rose from her pocket and handed it over. Caine grinned. She took it from Cassandra, fingers delicately moving up, feeling the thorns. “Beautiful.” She said, placing it carefully in a satchel she had with her. “Just like someone else I know.” And without warning, she pinned Cassandra to the alley wall, kissing her once more.

Cassandra kissed Caine back, happy Caine liked the gift.

“What do you say we go back to your place?” Caine whispered in her ear, when she finally stopped to take a breath.

“In your dreams,” Cassandra whispered back.

Caine laughed. She had no clue where Cassandra lived. Neither Lance nor Eugene revealed their hideout, and Caine couldn’t fault them, though she wanted to at times. “Then someplace else, I’ll pay.”

“No, not today, Caine.”

“Got other plans?”

“I need to figure out if Rider blew his cover last night.” She put the jewels away, pulling her hood down and pulling her hair down so she looked every bit the friendly traveller just passing through town.

“You could do better than those two as a team. You should come back to us.”

“Did Stalyan put you up to this?”

Caine huffed. “No. But she’ll accept you. She knows of your skill.”

“I’m sorry if the idea of working with the woman who almost drowned me isn’t appealing. Besides, Lance and Eugene aren’t just my co-workers, they’re my family. You know that.”

Caine did. “I’d love to work with you, spend more time with you.”

“We’d just distract each other. I already have the perfect partner in crime.” Owl landed on Cassandra’s shoulder, hooting his approval.

Caine rolled her eyes. “Tonight? Snuggly Duckling?”

“No promises, but I’ll try.”

“I’ll see you tonight then.”

“See you tonight.”

Captain sat in his own private home with a notebook full of clues about the three young thieves. At this point, it was almost certain he would never see them again. For a while he hadn’t even held much hope they were still in Corona, yet for some reason he hadn’t been able to move on.

The posters were outdated by this point. It’d been years. Yet he felt this obligation to at least find out what had become of them.

Today was not like most days, though, where he mulled over the insignificant clues. Today, he had a brand new wanted poster and a report on a bank robbery that had taken place in Corona. The drawing of an older Eugene was unmistakable.

Captain felt a sadness and a disappointment at the sight.

He also found a small bit of relief in that the other thieves spotted were not Lance or Cassandra. And a smaller bit of relief was the fact Eugene was still seventeen.

If Captain managed to catch the lad and put him on trial before his eighteenth birthday, he could surely spare him the gallows. But given the report, that wasn’t looking like an easy task.

Captain glanced at the older missing posters.

He stood up, knowing he had to try.

Chapter Text

Caine sat at the bar of the Snuggly Duckling, slowly sipping at her drink.

She wasn’t old enough to drink, but they didn’t check that there.

If you were young enough to be out on the street fending for yourself and committing crimes just to make it by, you were old enough to drink as far as Attila was concerned.

These kids deserved whatever small pleasures they could get and, besides, they always paid their tab.

Caine glared daggers at a thug who looked like he would take the seat next to her, he backed away at the unspoken threats.

“Waiting for your girlfriend?” Attila asked.

Caine took a bigger gulp. “Yeah.”

“You know this is a terrible idea, right?” Attila never sugarcoated anything.

“I’ll admit she deserves somewhere fancier than this,” Caine ignored what Attila meant in favour of acting sassy. “But you aren’t the worst establishment around.”

“She’s going to find out, Caine. And that woman has worse anger issues than you,” he said while drying a glass with a cloth that had seen better days.

“She won’t find out.”

“Are you ready to handle the backlash if she does?”

Caine glared. “I said she won’t find out.”

“That’s a no.”

Caine drank more of her drink, sending the clear message this conversation was over.

It wouldn’t be much longer until the door opened. Caine turned to look excitedly, her shoulders sagged when it was Rider, but then they raised again as that probably meant… Cassandra stepped in behind her brother.

Caine grinned. “Hey, over here,” she pointed to the stool next to her with her head.

Cassandra walked over, offering her girlfriend a kiss before taking the seat.

“The usual?” Attila asked the two newcomers.

“The usual,” Cassandra nodded.

“Yeah,” Eugene dragged his own stool over.

“You’re beautiful this evening,” Caine informed Cassandra. Taking in the skintight black outfit she was wearing before realising it was a flexible material, all black, not meant to be sexy but sneaky. “You got plans after here?”

“Not with you I don’t,” Cassandra said, taking the glass with a sweet creamy alcohol to her mouth.

“You shouldn’t drink before a job,” Caine hissed.

“Don’t worry, my love. It’s the type of job I could do in my sleep.”

“Sure, until something goes wrong and your reaction time isn’t up to speed.”

“My reaction time could outperform most of the thugs in this place, even in my sleep.”

That wasn’t untrue, yet Caine felt unnerved anyway. “Want to at least tell me what you’ll be up to?”

Cassandra sipped her drink before sighing. “We’re going to rob sheds in Old Corona.”

“Sheds? The farming village? What do you want from there?”

“Seeds.”

“Valuable seeds?”

Cassandra laughed. “Just seeds Caine. Lance has a garden. It’s growing well. We want to expand. It’s nice to not need to steal every meal we eat.”

Attila glanced over.

Cassandra pulled a valuable necklace from her pocket and placed it on the bar. “Keep the change.”

Attila took the jewel. “You’d make my life easier if you converted your goods to coins first.” Though the Snuggly Duckling was no stranger to alternative payment methods.

“That’s what the change is for.”

Attila rolled his eyes. Not that anybody could see.

“So, Caine.” Eugene leaned over the bar. “You taking good care of my sister, I hope.”

“Don’t get all protective big brother on me, Rider, I’ll beat the shit out of you.”

Cassandra sipped her own drink, knowing both parties were harmless as long as she was in the middle.

Eugene chuckled. “Perhaps on an off day, but we both know if you hurt my sister, I’ll fucking kill you.”

“If anybody hurt Cassandra, I’d kill them before you even found out, Pretty Boy.”

“If anybody hurts me, I’ll be the one throwing punches,” Cassandra finally interrupted, gulping down the remainder of her drink. “Don’t forget it. Come on Flynn, we better get to work.”

“You’re leaving so soon?” Caine looked disappointed.

“Told you no promises. Though you’re welcome to tag along, maybe I’ll even give you some vegetables once they grow if you’re helpful.” Cassandra’s fingers traced Caine’s neck in a manner that promised alone time after the heist, if breaking into sheds and stealing a handful of seeds could be called a heist.

“You sure I won’t distract you?”

“I mean, security is pretty tight, but I think I can manage.”

“Had I known I’d of stayed home,” Eugene informed.

Caine’s hand raised to behind Cassandra’s head, pulling her in for a kiss, making Eugene roll his eyes and gulp down what was left of his drink.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

Cassandra held Caine’s hand as they walked through the dark forest. Eugene leading the way a little further ahead so he didn’t have to watch them be all lovey-dovey. He was double checking his list of seeds to collect when Owl flew off in the opposite direction. Eugene watched, but the owl hadn’t hooted, which meant he wasn’t warning them. Though Eugene had to wonder what had caught the bird’s attention. He’d learnt that the animal had pretty good senses. It was probably just a gopher or something to hunt.

Attila was wiping down the bar with a cloth when the door opened. Suddenly, the clients were running in all directions, which caused him to look up to see a guard. Not just any guard, the Captain of Corona’s Royal guard, in his golden armour with it’s sun crest.

The Captain didn’t pay any notice to any of the locals. His eyes were to the bartender.

Attila leaned on the bar. “What can I get for you, Captain?” he asked.

“Water.”

“Wouldn’t recommend,” Attila said.

“Fine, then whatever your weakest beverage is.”

Attila pulled out a glass, which he filled with beer. “No tabs.”

Captain threw down some coins, more than the beer cost, but Attila didn’t offer change.

“Now tell me, Captain, what is it you actually want?” Because they both knew he wasn’t here to drink.

“I need information.”

“We don’t snitch in these parts.”

Captain sipped his drink. “I know you have the information. I could bring you in for questioning.”

“Sure. You have no proof and I wouldn’t talk then either.”

Captain nodded. “It’s about these kids. Three of them went missing years ago.”

Attila didn’t react, but knew exactly where this was going.

“I need to know where they are.”

“You won’t get that information here.”

“It’s important.”

“What trouble have they gotten themselves into this time?” Attila asked calmly.

“The middle one, Eugene Fitzherbert.”

Attila frowned at the name, not that it was visible.

“Stole a significant amount of gold from a bank. Enough, it could cost him his life if he were of age.”

“I see.”

“I need to bring him in and have him go on trial before he comes of age.”

“Why would you care if a thief got hung?”

Captain swallowed. “Usually I don’t care. People pick the wrong path. It’s not my fault.” He sipped his drink. “But I’ve known these kids since they were little… They… They’re not bad kids, they just made bad choices and I know they could change paths but… Not if they’re dead.”

Attila frowned. “And if you brought that kid in now, what would happen to him? Because what is this alternative path of which you speak? A lifetime behind bars?”

“I think with my good reference I could keep his sentence under five years. Enough time he’d learn his lesson, but not so much as to truly ruin his life.”

Attila frowned. “And what about when he comes out? You think lessons are learnt in prison, but what alternative to crime will he have? Having grown up uneducated, with no work experience and only prison time on his resume.”

“I’d find something.”

“Would you now?”

“I would.” Captain looked up at Attila with a surprising amount of determination. “Look, those kids I… I tried to help. I don’t think I did, I think I messed them up worse. Now… I want to do right by them. I really do.”

And Attila knew the Captain meant it. He thought of the three kids who’d been coming to this establishment since far too young.

He remembered Cassandra at thirteen being laughed at until she broke one of the thug’s noses in a single swoop. He remembered how she’d then taken the time to set the nose, helping the guy out before promising to unset it if he dared laugh again. Earning herself the respect of the establishment.

He remembered Lance helping Attila set up some vegetables in the window that would be perfect for drying down and offering as snacks. Lance had been the first to come, usually accompanied by The Baron’s men.

He remembered Rider, apparently named Eugene, who came in after Cassandra got into a fight with a new client. Rider had punched the new client until his fists were bloody, sending a clear message. The client hadn’t returned since. But Rider had seemingly liked the company, as he came often enough.

The three kids were more than capable of fending for themselves. But the Captain was right, they were good kids. It’s why Attila always kept an eye on them. And he knew that a second chance would do them well.

“I’ll tell you where he’s at, but you have to promise me you won’t abandon that kid again, because if you do, Captain or not, I will find you and I will kill you.”

Captain could have arrested Attila then and there for threatening an authority but he didn’t. He nodded. “You have my word.”

Chapter Text

“Alright, just a few more stuff on the list and we’ll be done for the night,” Cassandra informed as she leaned against the outside of a shed checking the list of seed Lance had written out.

Eugene was in the shed locating some pumpkin seeds while Caine stood close to Cassandra, her fingers running through the other girl’s hair.

“You’re so beautiful under the moonlight,” Caine said.

Cassandra grinned. “You too, except you look better under the sunlight.”

“Oh?”

“Your hair looks like fire in the sunlight.”

Caine leaned in closer, intending to kiss her girlfriend until Eugene came out and ruined the moment.

“Come on, you two go find a place to spend the night once we’re done with this.”

Cassandra nodded, but before they could move on Owl appeared and hooted to Cassandra, pulling at her clothes.

All three knew exactly what to do.

Run .

Captain wasn’t sure how the kids had seen him, but he saw their sudden sprint and swore at himself for drinking at the pub. That was clearly the issue!

He took chase immediately. Thankfully, he knew Old Corona well, and the kids were clearly a little less agile than usual.

Captain didn’t know why, but he wasn’t the only one swearing at himself for drinking before a job.

Eugene was the fastest but he made sure to be the last, he needed to see the girls, especially Cassandra, to know they were okay.

Besides, Cassandra was as skilled as him at finding a spot to hide. The issue was Old Corona was farmland, fields, and more fields. Flat land with no caves, no bushes, no trees, no cover.

“Rider,” Cassandra’s voice was stern. “Last night, did they see you?” the same question as that morning.

Eugene frowned, but nodded. “Yeah.”

“Are you in trouble?”

“Yeah.”

At least they knew who he was after.

“There’s only one guard,” Caine informed.

“We could split up?” Eugene suggested.

“He’s after you. Splitting up won’t accomplish anything.” Cassandra said, which wasn’t entirely true. It’d ensure Caine and Cassandra’s safety, but Cassandra wasn’t leaving her brother behind.

Owl flew lower.

“Lead the way,” Cassandra instructed.

Owl lead them into one of the sheds which was unlocked and they all quickly found a corner to hide in. Though the cover wasn’t great and if the Captain opened the shed they were goners. They heard running and to their horror they heard the running slow.

Had he seen them enter?

They’d trusted owl to know about visibility the bird had never failed them before.

Captain could be heard panting. “I know you’re around here! Come out! I want to help you!”

Good, he didn’t know where they were, however, he did seem aware they were still nearby.

There was three of them and only one guard however it was the Captain, probably the best fighter out there. Could the three of them take him down? Maybe, but what if they didn’t? They’d end up with assault charges on top of everything else.

“This isn’t good,” Eugene whispered.

“Not shit Sherlock,” Caine hissed. “Why must you be so careless?”

“Don’t start,” Cassandra ordered. “High emotions lead to high volume. We need to think of a plan.”

“Do you think he’ll start opening sheds and searching?” Eugene asked.

Cassandra listened to the sound of stomps outside and nodded. “He sounds pretty determined.”

Eugene was pale. “Shit…”

“He won’t get you, Eugene, I promise.”

“I robbed a bank Cass, I didn’t take an insignificant amount of coins. They’ll send me to the gallows.”

“He isn’t going to get you,” Cassandra repeated, looking around the shed for anything they could use. Her movements were silent, and she kept a close eye on the door, on the light slipping in under it, listened carefully to the footsteps that did not go away.

Her heart raced and sunk when she heard him fiddling with a doorknob, not the one to their shed, but it was only a matter of time.

“I’m going to die,” Eugene whispered. Tears formed in his eyes and Cassandra knew the seventeen-year-old was mentally back in the prison where he saw someone hung year prior.

Caine had her arms crossed but her eyes were locked on the doorknob, clearly scared.

Cassandra realised there weren’t many options. She knelt down in front of Eugene. “Give me your coat.”

Eugene swallowed and did as he was told.

“And your bag.”

He did so.

She slipped the outfit on and handed him her cloak.

“What are you doing?” Eugene asked, brows furrowing in confusion, unsure what her plan was.

Cassandra looked down at her big brother. “Remember how you handed yourself in back in the orphanage?”

“I saw a hanging, so, yeah, not easily forgotten,” Eugene spat. “Cass, we don’t have time.”

“Eugene.” Cassandra grabbed Eugene’s hand, offering it a quick squeeze. “We’re even.” And she ran out of their hiding spot before Eugene could process what was happening.

As expected, the captain began to chase her away from the shed. He was after Eugene after all and in the darkness and at the speed Cassandra moved. All he saw was the blue jacket.

It wasn’t easy for Caine to get Eugene on his feet. Get him running in the opposite direction and fast. Caine wasn’t happy about leaving Cassandra behind, but Cassandra had made her choice.

She was just fifteen, still a kid, and as far as everybody was concerned, she didn’t have a criminal record. This act of rebellion and the fact she’d ran away from the orphanage was all they could hold against her.

She’d be fine.

Sure, they’d put her behind bars.

Sure, they’d interrogate her.

But Cassandra was strong. She’d look them in the eyes and tell them to fuck off.

Caine smiled, knowing Cassandra would be okay.

“Fuck off,” Cassandra hissed at the Captain as he asked her where Eugene had gone. She was on the ground, her hands manacled behind her back, her ankles also restrained, clearly the Captain knew she was a bit of an escape artist as he was circling her with his sword out, not that he’d use it on the teenager but he hoped it’d at least intimidate her a little.

“Listen here. Your friend is in a lot of trouble. This is his last chance to turn his life around.”

“Oh, really?” Cassandra spat at the Captain, causing him to step back and look surprised. This wasn’t the same sweet child he’d seen years ago. “We were set on a path of no return years ago! There are no second chances for orphans or thieves!”

Captain wanted to refute that, but he wasn’t sure he could. “Listen, if your friend is put on trial after he reaches the age of eighteen, after he is an adult, he will be hung.”

Cassandra paled.

“But right now he’s a kid.”

“He won’t go on trial as an adult. He won’t go on trial now either. Because he isn’t stupid enough to get caught by an idiot like you!”

Captain stared at the girl before kneeling down. “But you are?”

Cassandra flinched and despite her brave facade, Captain could see the fear in her eyes, in her tense shoulders and in the way she tried to move away from him, in how pale her complexion was and in the tears that threatened to fall.

In the past, he’d used fear tactics with these three, but it clearly hadn’t worked. So he knelt down and tried to seem gentle. “Cassandra…”

Hearing her name, and her real name at that, did not sit well with the girl.

“Please, I want to help you.”

“Well… You could have… Years ago. But you let us suffer.”

“I thought I was teaching you.”

“Oh, you taught us…” Her eyes shut, her hair fell over her face. “We learnt.”

Chapter Text

Captain tried to get Cassandra to talk. When she became quiet, he brought her back to Corona. The walk back was slow, as he didn’t remove the chains from her ankles. She felt extremely embarrassed being dragged all the way back to the prison in such a manner, but she was a criminal.

In the prison, she was placed in one of the interrogation rooms where the Captain asked question after question until Cassandra fell asleep on the table. At which point he moved her to a cell. He removed the manacled but stationed guards at her door. Not taking any risks with her, desperate to get Eugene in before it was too late.

Cassandra didn’t cry that night.

She didn’t scream.

She was strong.

Captain expected it’d be hard on him if she started to cry, he didn’t realize how much more her hard front would hurt. To be able to put on such a stern front said a lot about the teenager’s life. Plus, the Captain couldn’t stop seeing her as a child, she was barely of age to work, yet she looked already overworked with a slender figure and pale skin.

When she didn’t talk by morning, the Captain had no choice but to take her before the king, seeing how big of a crime Eugene’s robbery had been. He expected the royal family to take one look at the teenager and have her sent back to prison for Captain to interrogate for a week before returning her to the orphanage.

Captain didn’t think, until they were walking into the grand throne room, that perhaps today Rapunzel was at her throne, watching her parents work and learning the ways of royalty. He tensed up before even Cassandra did, as the girl had her eyes on the ground with her hands manacled behind her back. Captain’s tension caused her to raise her eyes, and she froze. Captain had to gently push her to get her walking again.

Cassandra looked up at the king, the man who put her in the orphanage. At the queen, the woman, tall, regal, yet there was a softness to her Cassandra despised. Because this family was anything but soft, they were evil through and through.

But what truly drew Cassandra’s attention was the eleven-year-old girl sitting to her father’s left. Rapunzel, with her long golden locks, had her head tilted at the sight of the teenager. Her brows were furrowed in confusion, which soon began to fuel Cassandra’s anger.

She was forced onto her knees by the guards. She didn’t dare speak, though she wanted to scream and shout.

“Who is this?”

“This is Cassandra. She’s one of Corona’s orphans.”

“She’s a kid,” Arianna added, looking at the young woman on her knees in front of them.

“Fifteen, Your Majesty,” the Captain clarified.

“A kid.” Arianna sat back on her throne.

Captain nodded because he agreed. “She was taken in while we were chasing down the infamous Flynn Rider, also one of Corona’s orphans, seventeen years of age, Sire. We believe they are living together. However, she will not tell us the whereabouts of Rider. That is the reason she is brought on trial today. She has no other criminal record.”

“No other written record,” Frederic said.

Captain swallowed. “There is no reason to believe she’s committed any crimes prior to this refusal of cooperation.” Every word Captain chose carefully, not wishing for harm to come to the teenager.

“I see. So, you understand, young woman, that your lack of collaboration is the same as obstruction to justice, a serious crime.”

Cassandra glared up at the king.

“I’d suggest you help our guards out by collaborating, otherwise I will be forced to take action.”

Cassandra snickered.

“You think that’s funny?” Frederic asked.

“I think it’s funny how you ask me to take accountability, while shifting the blame of your own actions to me. Like, your actions aren’t your own, rather just consequences of mine. You’ll be forced to take action, huh? Must be nice to take zero accountability for everything you do.”

Frederic glared at the girl. “You’re committing a crime. You aren’t innocent.”

“But I was innocent the first time your actions hurt me.”

Frederic looked confused until sudden realisation hit. The black curly hair, the grey eyes, the tears staining her pale skin. He stood up, making Arianna lean forward. “Honey?”

“Out,” Frederic said before blinking. “Rapunzel, go, you’re dismissed for the day. Arianna, I can handle this alone.”

Rapunzel, who wasn’t liking this interaction one bit, stood up and left without debate. But Arianna was more hesitant. “What’s going on?”

“I can handle this.”

Arianna’s eyes moved from her husband, who looked angry, to the girl, who looked angry, but also scared. “She’s just a kid, Frederic.” Her hands moving to her husband’s arm.

Frederic looked at his wife, and his features softened. “I’ll keep that in mind, but please, leave us be for now.”

Arianna gave her husband a gentle kiss on the cheek before nodding. “Alright, I trust you will tell me later?”

He nodded, though he had zero intention of telling her the truth.

Arianna left with a few guards trailing her for protection.

Once she was gone, Frederic looked at Cassandra with anger. “I supposed I should not be surprised you are brought before me.”

Cassandra didn’t respond.

“The apple never falls far from the tree after all.”

“My mother had nothing to do with who I became. The way you and your kingdom treated me did!”

Frederic glared. “My kingdom gave you a roof over your head, clothes, food, all of this after your mother kidnapped the kingdom’s beloved princess. You should be grateful.”

“I was four. Are you saying I should have been thrown to the street to starve and die?”

“You do not get to speak to me in that manner.”

The Captain swallowed. “Your Majesty…” He spoke slowly, hesitantly. “She’s just a teenager who hasn’t been given the best environment to grow in. She’s acting out is all, as teenagers do.”

“I believe she’s following in her mother’s footsteps.”

Captain hated that Cassandra wasn’t being judged on her actions but on her heritage, but he couldn’t well go against the king.

“I don’t want a person like her in my kingdom. She’ll be exiled for her crime.”

Captain’s eyes widened. “Your Majesty—”

“I’m being kind. I could have her locked away to never see the day of light. But my wife said I should keep in mind her youth.”

Captain stepped back. “I’ll have her accompanied to the border.”

“No.”

Captain looked confused.

“I want her taken off the continent on the next ship. I don’t want an exile from which she can easily return.”

“But Your Majesty—”

“I didn’t ask for your opinion, Captain. See to it she’s taken someplace where she can never reach my daughter ever again.”

Captain hated this, yet he nodded. “Yes, Sire.”

Cassandra remained silent. As she was pulled up onto her feet and removed from the throne room, she remained silent. As she was placed in a holding cell once more, she remained silent.

But the Captain could tell the girl was processing her punishment. Processing the fact if she was sent away, she’d not see her family again. She’d be truly alone. Captain wasn’t happy about this. But perhaps this was for the best. If he found the right ship going to the right place, maybe he could send word to an old friend and ensure she’d have a place to stay and a new job ready upon arrival. Maybe this was just the chance the teenager needed to start a new life free of bad influences.

Captain convinced himself this was what was best for Cassandra, even as the teenager broke down into tears in her cell. That strong facade from the day before finally gone.

Chapter Text

With tears streaming down her face, Cassandra sat huddled in the corner of her cell. Whenever a guard tried to say anything to her, she’d scream at the top of her lungs, not caring how her throat ached, not caring for how the other prisoners complained.

Nothing mattered anymore.

Captain appeared with a bowl of soup and a tea with honey, hoping to ease the pain in her throat.

He didn’t even need to open his mouth to draw a scream from her. However, her scream sounded muffled, as if her throat was constricted and painful. Once the scream ended, she continued to cry.

Captain slowly entered, laying the metal tray down in front of her. “I can still save you.”

Cassandra peered up through her hair.

“You just need to tell me where your brother—”

She let out another, louder scream, causing him to flinch, and her lips twitched into a somewhat smug grin.

His expression hardened, but upon noticing blood dripping down her legs, it quickly softened again with concern. He took one of her hand in his and pulled it away to reveal she’d been digging her nails into her flesh through her clothes. She pulled her hand back.

Captain sighed. “Eat.”

“No.”

“There’s a boat coming tomorrow morning. You’ll only be given one meal a day once on it. It’d be best you eat now while you still can.”

“Fuck you.”

Captain swallowed. He pulled out what looked like material bags from his pockets before grabbing one of her wrists tightly; she tried to pull away but didn’t have the strength. He placed the bag around her hand before clicking a manacle around her wrist so the bag was unremovable. Cassandra looked horrified and put up as best of a fight as she could, but Captain soon had her other hand restrained. “For your own protection.”

“My own—” Cassandra was in shock. “Fuck you!” she screamed louder, kicking over the soup and the mug.

Captain just sighed, picking up the tray before ordering another guard mop the floor.

Cassandra curled up again, her crying starting anew.

Soon it was nightfall.

Cassandra still hadn’t eaten, refused to even drink the cups of water Captain tried to force down her throat.

She was stressed.

Captain couldn’t blame her. He would be too if he were going to be shipped away from his home. He was glad he’d restrained her, though. As the time passed, her frustration only grew, and she was pacing and banging against the bars. If she got any more energetic, he’d have to further restrain her or even force some sleeping medicine to get her sedated, for her own safety.

But he didn’t want to do that.

Didn’t think it’d help her.

He checked up on her one last time before his night patrol and was shocked when she walked over to the bars with her head lowered, not screaming. He expected her to start screaming but instead she raised her tearful eyes to meet his. “Help me, please,” she whispered, begged, as she stepped closer to the bars.

Captain’s heart broke at the teenager’s pleas. Clearly scared. No longer knowing what to do.

“Tell me where your brother is.”

“If you can’t keep me from exile, how can I trust you to keep him from the gallows?” she whispered, eyes wide, her lip was trembling, tears streamed down her face. “Please.”

Captain’s hands made their way around the bars. “Cassandra…” He wanted to help her. He thought maybe he could go speak to the queen, maybe she’d talk some sense into the king. She’d seen the teenager as the kid she was rather quickly. And if Captain explained the depth of her story—Then he felt something, and looked down fast, realizing despite having her hands manacled together and inside bags she’d almost managed to take his keys.

He snatched her wrist, and the keys fell to the ground, making a clanking sound.

Cassandra’s eyes widened.

“All these years later and you’re still taking advantage of my kindness…” Captain looked disappointed, but Cassandra’s fear morphed into anger.

“All these years later and you still confuse common decency with kindness.”

Captain opened the cell and grabbed Cassandra by the arm, dragged her over to the bed which was only a slab of metal with the thinnest of white mattresses held by chains. He unlocked one of the manacles but only to slip the chain through the chain and back around her wrist so she couldn’t so much as step away from the bed. “You’ve earned this treatment, Cassandra.”

“Earned it? I did no such thing!” She screamed as the Captain began to walk away calmly, ignoring her every word. “You invaded my home! You split me and my sister apart by force! You killed my mother! You threw me in a dark room to be alone with no explanation!” By now Captain’s steps were barely audible yet Cassandra raised her voice in hopes he would at least feel guilty. “I found out my mother was dead because of a painting! My brothers had to steal medicine to keep me alive because I had no parents to care for me!” But soon it was silent. She was alone, and nobody cared.

She curled up as best she could with her hands awkwardly restrained as they were, and she began to cry. Desperate, miserable sobs. And she couldn’t even move her hands to wipe her face. Oh, what a mess she felt.

How could they do this to her?

How had she done this to herself?

Been captured! On a heist for seeds, of all things.

How embarrassing.

She swore it didn’t matter how far away they sent her, she’d find her way back, and she’s get her vengeance on the royal family.

On Rapunzel, who had barely looked at her, after all she’d done for that blonde!

On the Queen who had acknowledged her youth but done nothing to protect her.

And on the King, who moved the blame to her as though she hadn’t been a child when all of this went down.

She’d make them pay. She’d find a way.

She struggled desperately against her chains, but it was no use.

She struggled and filled the dungeon with the sound of metal hitting metal.

She screamed.

She’d cause as much trouble as she could while here, kicking her feet against the walls.

Eventually, her energy dwindled, and she fell silent.

Eventually, she fell into a deep slumber.

Awakened by a gentle hand on her shoulder and a female voice she’d never been happier to hear. “Wake up gorgeous.”

“Caine?”

Chapter Text

“The one and only,” Caine said with a gentle laugh that echoed off the cold metal walls of the prison. And despite how much of a mess Cassandra looked, her hair unbrushed and full of knots, tears streaming down her face, and a runny nose, Caine kissed her. Gently but more passionately when Cassandra returned it.

Cassandra was about to pull away to ask her to release her first when the manacles that restrained her wrists opened with a click and she realised Caine had been picking the locks the whole time. “I’m in awe of you.”

Caine grinned, though there was a bit of doubt in her eyes that Cassandra would question later. “Let’s get you out of here.”

Cassandra wiped her face on her sleeve as she took Caine’s hand and allowed her to lead the way. The guards were out cold on the corridor floor. Cassandra spotted some form of dart in what little exposed skin they had. “Where’d you get the resources?”

Caine’s grip on Cassandra’s hand tightened. “Silence. The coast should be clear, but be ready to run.”

Cassandra nodded.

Just as Caine had assured, the coast was clear. A few unconscious guards littered their path as they sneaked right out of the main doors, down the stairs and into the courtyard, hidden away just past the arch was a carriage which Caine guided her into and it started to move.

Cassandra stared at Caine, who’d just shut the doors. “You aren’t working alone.”

“You were in the palace dungeons…”

“Who?” Though Cassandra already knew.

“Cass…”

“Who?”

“There wasn’t another way.”

Cassandra backed against the wall of the carriage, eyes on Caine. Her expression was difficult to read. Caine didn’t know if her girlfriend was angry at her, terrified of what was to come, or simply processing.

“Stalyan wants you back on the team. Though she’d never said it, the fact she was willing to go through this trouble shows she regrets losing you.”

“She tied me up and threw me in a lake. I was a child.”

“You were… You were old enough…”

That was not the right thing to say as a fire grew in Cassandra’s eyes.

“Do you have any idea where they planned to ship you off to?”

Cassandra didn’t respond.

“These islands, nothing but mines and a few stores. Only one boat docks there and it only goes to Corona. It wasn’t just an exile, Cassandra, you’d have been trapped there forever. The only job you’d be able to take was mining, mining!”

Cassandra’s features softened.

“Trust me, I considered the alternatives, but I couldn’t let them take you.”

“I can’t go back to working for Stalyan. I can’t.”

“You have to.”

“Caine.” Cassandra stepped forward, her arms wrapping around Caine. Just like with Captain, her grey eyes filled with tears as she looked into hers. “Please.”

“It’s already been done.”

“Please,” she begged.

“I can’t stop it.”

Cassandra pulled away.

“I really am sorry.”

“I won’t keep my mouth shut. I can’t. She’ll have me killed.”

“She won’t.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Cassandra, you steal from the rich in broad daylight using nothing but your skills and an owl. She wants you on the team. If you show some gratitude for rescuing you, I’m sure she’ll be… She’ll be bearable.”

“Joy.”

The Stabbingtons were the ones to open the carriage. They’d grown since Cassandra had last encountered them and now looked like little more than walls of muscle. Caine exited calmly, but Cassandra backed further into a corner.

Caine frowned, gesturing for her to follow. She slowly did, and the Stabbingtons snatched her when she got close, practically dragging her as they held her arms tightly. Cassandra didn’t make a noise but did glare.

She was dragged through the ornate garden of The Barron’s mansion, through a few halls full of ornate statues and finally tossed onto a rug in what was a relatively cozy living room.

“Did she fight you?” Stalyan asked.

“No.”

“Then next time, try not to be so rough,” she scolded. “I don’t like when people rough handle my belongings.”

Cassandra’s fists clenched as she pushed herself up. She heard Caine coming in; her steps stopping right behind her and her hand moving to hold hers. Probably more thinking of holding Cassandra back from punching Stalyan than any form of support.

“It’s been a while, Little Owl—”

“Owlet,” Cassandra corrected with the same venom as when she’d been a child, though the nickname did not suit her nearly as well as when she’d been a child. Perhaps it was time to switch to something more adult: Night Owl? Weren’t all owls nocturnal? Silent Owl? Again, owls were pretty silent. Owl? Nope, that’d be confusing. Oh… Daylight Owl? Most of Cassandra’s thieving did happen in the morning. Yeah, that one suited her… Except Stalyan may have other plans for her schedule…

“Owlet,” Stalyan repeated, gently, almost… respectfully? For some reason that felt more annoying to Cassandra than teasing. “It’s been a while.”

“Ever since you ripped my childhood to shreds before throwing me into a lake.”

“Oh, you’re not still salty about that?”

Cassandra glared at Stalyan.

“You started it.”

“I was a child.”

“As was I.”

“Which has me questioning. If you were willing to do that to me then, I can’t imagine what you’d do now.”

“Oh, far, far worse. But you wouldn’t make the same mistake twice, now, would you?”

Cassandra swallowed. “I never agreed to this.”

“I know. And I want your full cooperation, which is why I’m going to give you a choice.”

“There are no choices with you.”

“You can stay here, Owlet. You can work for me. You know I’ll take good care of you. I’ll make sure you have a room of your own, the best food, a bright future, as long as you accomplish the missions I send you off on…”

“Or?”

“Or I’ll have my men hand you straight back to Corona officials to be shipped of overseas. As though nothing had happened, they can’t worsen your punishment after all.”

Caine squeezed Cassandra’s hand.

“Not much of a choice, is it?” Cassandra whispered.

“I didn’t put you in a situation where you needed rescuing, sweetheart. I simply gave you the choice: stay in Corona, work for me or find a new career overseas.”

“How long would I have to work for you? How much debt have I incurred in this one night?”

Stalyan knelt down. “How about we not talk about numbers? Let’s just say, I’ll be reasonable.”

“Like hell you will.”

“If you get injured on a mission, or you grow old, you’ll be free. I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of, as long as you’ve made me enough, obviously. And I’ll listen to you, like Caine here. You want vengeance on the royal family—”

“Yes.”

Stalyan was caught off guard by Cassandra’s fire, as she’d only been using it as an example. However, this was good. She smiled. “Then I’ll help you with that.”

Cassandra swallowed.

“So, what do you say, Owlet?”

“I hardly have a choice. Exile isn’t in my plans.”

“Then welcome aboard.” Stalyan held out a hand, grinning, and despite everything, Cassandra shook it, causing Caine’s shoulder to sag in relief. Once Cassandra’s hand dropped, Stalyan’s eyes went to one of the Stabbington brothers. “Lock her in her room.”

“Starting very trusting,” Cassandra commented.

“Once one of your brothers shows me where you’ve been hiding all these years, I’ll trust you more.”

Cassandra let the larger man guide her out of the room, Caine on the other side ready to hiss at the Stabbington if he squeezed Cassandra’s arm too tight.

Cassandra just lowered her eyes to the ground, tired, angry, but also somewhat relieved. She hated Stalyan, but for all her faults, it would seem she was a better alternative to the king. Something she and Caine would talk about a lot in the coming weeks, oftentimes late into the night.

But not tonight.

The Stabbingtons released her in a small room with an empty wardrobe and a single bed with only a sheet on it. The windows had metal bars covering it, and Cassandra could tell she couldn’t easily escape.

Caine didn’t leave her side.

“I just move from one prison to another.”

Caine wrapped an arm around Cassandra, kissing the top of her head.

“This is my fate…”

“It doesn’t matter,” Caine argued. “As long as we’re together.”

But to Cassandra it mattered.

Chapter Text

Cassandra was awoken quite rudely and suddenly by the sheets being pulled out from beneath her. She expected one of Stalyan’s goons come to collect her, but instead she found herself looking up at the two people she loved most in the world but whom she also currently wanted to punch.

“I haven’t had a bad enough few days already?” she asked with exasperation as she sat up. “Let’s just throw her onto the ground. Why not?”

Eugene grinned. As he got closer. Cassandra could tell it was not genuine, a forced bravado probably for her sake. “That’s vengeance.”

“Vengeance? For what? Saving your neck from the gallows?” she asked, a finger poking him uncomfortably in said neck, causing him to back away.

“For disrespecting thief rule number three.”

“You still have those?”

“Rule Three: Hierarchy!” Eugene told her with a glare.

“Which means?”

“We’ve taught you this,” Lance complained.

“When I was a kid.”

“It means we protect our youngest,” Eugene said. “I protect you. Lance protects us. You do not get to sacrifice yourself for me! That’s now how this works.”

Cassandra nodded.

“Do you know how bad these past few days have been for us?”

“In fairness, I didn’t expect for things to go the way they did.”

“None of us could have,” Lance sighed.

“Did you tell her where the tower is?”

“We couldn’t be here if we hadn’t,” Lance told her.

“So this is it? We’re gonna live our lives serving them, we’ll probably die serving them.” She hugged her knees close.

Lance squeezed her hand. “Eugene, he’s still free… Kinda. He can leave if he wants.”

“I’ll be accepting some freelance work by my sister’s side.”

Cassandra looked up at him.

“I can’t let you go out there alone.”

Cassandra nodded. “Rule three…”

He smiled. “Thank you.”

“Am I allowed out of this tiny closet of a room now you’re here and she knows our hiding spot?”

“Still guards out there…”

“Lovely.”

“I thought so too,” Stallyan’s voice caused Cassandra to flinch. “Hello boys, nice to see you all three together again.”

“Shut it Stalyan.” Eugene glared at her, standing up so he could better protect his sister. “You know damn well nothing about this reunion is nice . ”

“It’d serve you well to speak to me nicely, Rider, otherwise you may not be my first choice for the dangerous missions your sister gets assigned.”

Eugene glared, but didn’t say anything else.

“I’ve had rooms set up for you two, so that you may stay.”

“Do we have to?” Lance asked.

“I want Owlet here for the first month, at least. Depending on her performance and loyalty, I will consider giving her more freedom down the line.”
“So vague.”

Stallyan ignored Cassandra’s sass. “I’ve also been chatting with Lady Caine, seeing as you both seem motivated by the idea of vengeance on those royals…”

Cassandra looked up, while Eugene and Lance looked nervous.

“I think you’d be good together.”

“We are—we will be.”

“They’ll distract each other,” Eugene corrected.

“We’ll manage.”

“With the right motivation, they won’t have eyes for each other, just the target,” Stalyan reassured. “No need for you to worry, Rider, I know how people work.” She stepped into the room, showing that it wasn’t Cassandra’s space but hers. She reached a hand as though to touch Eugene, but he snatched her wrist with his.

“Touch me and I’ll be acting in self-defence.”

Stalyan leaned in. “There’s no such thing as self-defence under my roof.” She pulled her wrist away before grabbing Eugene by the chin. “Touch me again and you’ll regret it.”

“I’m not scared of you.”

“Yes, you are. Maybe not directly.” Her eyes moved to Cassandra. “But you are.”

Eugene swallowed and stepped back, pulling his chin from her grip, not caring when her nails scraped his skin and drew blood, only caring about getting away.

Lance didn’t say anything, simply remaining close to his sister as Stalyan finally turned and headed towards the door, there she paused. “There’s food in the kitchen. I expect you to eat.”

Cassandra took a second to notice she was the one being talked to. She nodded.

“You’re dismissed. She may roam the house… But if she gets caught trying to leave without a mission, break both her legs.”

Cassandra watched Stalyan leave.

“Charming,” Lance said as an arm came to rest around Cassandra.

Eugene slammed the door shut, letting out at least a little of his anger. “I wish I could strangle her and watch the life leave her eyes.”

Cassandra nodded. “Me too…”

“We’ll figure this out, Cass,” he whispered, coming to kneel in front of her. “We aren’t staying here, do you understand?”

“I don’t think we get a choice.”

“Listen, they’re strong,” Eugene said. “But they’re strong here, not everywhere. We’ll figure out how far their connections go and once we know where it’s safe, we’re gone.”

“Until then,” Lance said. “We do as we’re told.”

“And we act happy about it, you at least,” Eugene added, rubbing his sore chin. “That look you gave when she spoke of the royals, good, keep that up, make her believe there’s someone you hate more than her—”

“I do hate the royals more than her.”

“You—” Eugene raised a brow. “You realise she’s the one keeping you prisoner here?”

“The royals were sentencing me to a life imprisoned on an island of sorts. And at least Stalyan knows she’s the bad guy. They pretend to be righteous .”

“Cass…” Lance spoke slowly and gently.

“I want vengeance.”

“Cass if we’re going to get you out of here, it’ll be under the condition of never returning.”

“Then I want to stay.”

“Please tell us you’re already in character?” Eugene looked scared.

“I want the royal family to pay.” Her fists clenched and tears fell down her face. “I want them to suffer. I want them to feel just a fraction of the pain they caused us!” she shouted.

Lance swallowed.

Eugene’s grip on Cassandra’s arms tightened. “Cass…”

“I won’t rest until that happens. I don’t care about the cost.”

“That’s not true,” Lance whispered. “You have a family.”

Her features became more gentle. “I don’t care the cost… As long as you guys are safe and happy.”

Eugene smiled and hugged Cassandra. “We’ll do what we can to help you accomplish that goal… And after…”

“We leave.”

“We escape.”

Cassandra nodded, then frowned. “This goal might take a while.”

“Time spent with family is time well spent.”

Chapter Text

Eugene sat on a rooftop in Vardaros. Calling it a rooftop was odd. It was a ship holstered in midair, convenient because it gave Eugene a banister to lean on. He watched an owl fly through the street and the shadow that followed. Even with the knowledge of what was going on, Eugene struggled to see his younger sister.

“The bank’s been robbed!” a distressed call from the direction Cassandra came from marked Eugene’s sign to act. With a slash of his sword, the sail of this ship… home? Fell to the ground, causing a loud crash and drawing attention to the square in the centre of the town.

Eugene heard a loud crash coming from the other side of town as he climbed down. Good, Lance had done his part.

Now if Stalyan kept her side of the deal, all would go well.

Stalyan hadn’t left them stranded yet, probably because she wanted the loot and more than that, them. But Eugene always felt a shiver run down his spine just thinking about how their safety lay in her hands.

Eugene arrived last at the meeting point. In the forest, there truly was no time to waste.

Except, of course, they were wasting time.

Cassandra had her hands on a tree and her cloak on the floor, while one of Stalyan’s more trusted men patted her down.

“One time,” Cassandra grumbled before she was allowed onto the carriage. She eyed the safe. The fact it would be easier to sneak money on the trip back made their insistence on searching her, that much more of a bother.

Eugene and Lance got on with their sister and soon they were moving.

“Any trouble?” Lance asked.

“Nope,” Cassandra answered. “You two?”

“None at all,” Eugene answered first, and Lance just nodded.

“Good.” Cassandra folded up her cloak to rest her head. “Wake me when we’re closer to home.”

“Will do.”

And she fell asleep without any trouble.

Eugene wasn’t sure at what point during the past two years working for Stalyan Cassandra had become so comfortable sleeping through just about anything. He wished he was able to do the same. Their line of work did not offer great sleep schedules and naps were a great way to combat that.

Lance rested his back on the safe as his eyes moved up to the sky. “Think Cass will have any luck convincing Stalyan to give her just a small cut?”

Eugene laughed. “As if.”

Lance nodded. “That’s fine.”

Upon getting home, Cassandra was patted down again and taken to Stalyan to debrief.

Eugene and Lance were allowed to go back to their rooms to rest. There they emptied their pockets of the gold Cassandra had accidentally dropped on her way to the meeting point. They never suspected of the boys. It was almost laughable.

“Owlet,” Stalyan greeted.

“I want a cut.”

“Lots of people want lots of things. Unfortunately, in this world, not everybody gets what they want. Now, for your next mission—”

“I hate you.”

Stalyan paused. “You really love to put my patience to the test, do you not?”

“Not as much as you do mine.” Cassandra glared. “I bring you more gold than you can count and I’m not allowed so much as a measly amount to buy myself breakfast at a bakery.”

“If you’re hungry, go to the kitchen. I already supply you with everything you need.”

“Maybe I want to buy my girlfriend a drink?”

“Caine can afford to pay for you. You agreed to this, remember?”

“Flynn should get a cut. He did his part. He doesn’t owe you or your father shit.”

“Flynn wanted to play a part to lower the danger you were in. His precious little sister… Your story is endearing, Owlet. Three little orphans destined to starve who joined together to become three of the most skilled thieves I’ve had the fortune to manage.”

“Destined for greatness but held back by the likes of you.”

“Your next missions is regarding a trip the king and queen are making.”

Cassandra’s interest perked up significantly.

“Thought you’d like that,” Stalyan smiled.

Caine listened to Cassandra tell her where she’d be this weekend, her expression neutral.

As Cassandra finished, she leaned in close, noses almost touching. “Jealous?”

Caine snorted. “Of what is essentially a suicide mission? No. I’m furious.”

Cassandra stood up straighter, crossing her arms and rolling her eyes. “You under judge my skill.”

“You’ll be caught. And when you are, you’ll be hung.”

“You’ve broken into the castle countless times, my love.”

“Not into the king and queen’s private chambers.”

“It’ll be fine.”

“They’ll shoot you on sight. An arrow will easily rip through your beautiful skin and your blood will stain the floor.”

Cassandra hummed. “I do hope if it stains that every time they see it, they think of me and never sleep soundly again.”

“There are degrees of recklessness and you outdo even the most idiotic of individuals.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“I’m going to talk to Stalyan and I am going to beg her to rethink this mission.”

“You’re welcome to try, but given I’ve already accepted and the value if I succeed is great, I doubt she’ll be interested in your groveling.”

“Groveling,” Caine’s face scrunched up. “What a horrible word.”

“I’ve seen you beg.”

Caine’s hand found the back of Cassandra’s head, pulling her in for a kiss. “You have seen me beg.”

Cassandra blushed. “Not what I was talking about. Beg her , Stalyan.”

Caine leaned back. “You know, I’ve begged numerous times for things, always seemingly related to a certain woman who brings almost more trouble than she’s worth.”

“Almost,” Cassandra grinned.

“Almost,” Caine repeated with a grin. “And call it what you will, but I will get Stalyan to change her mind. Forget about vengeance for at least another month because I won’t allow it.”

“If you convince her, I’ll respect your accomplishment.”

“Good. Now kiss me before I go ruin your weekend plans.”

“Gladly.”

Chapter Text

Caine did her best, but Stalyan was not convinced.

Caine then changed strategies and went to Cassandra’s brothers. “She’s not a child anymore. And you saw how they treated her when she was!”

“We know,” Eugene said, sipping a sweet alcohol anybody else would be teased for.

Lance eyed the Snuggly Duckling’s door for anybody not welcome.

“Well, do something,” Caine insisted.

“She’s more likely to listen to you than to us,” Lance pointed out.

“As if! She adores you two.”

Eugene grinned, but Caine’s glare cut his next comment down before it came.

“She wants vengeance,” Lance said. “Some emotions run deeper than love.”

“No emotion runs deeper than love,” Caine spat back.

“Is that so?” Lance leaned forward.

Caine looked away.

“Let’s not lie, Caine. I know you love Cass. It’s the only reason we allowed the relationship to start.”

“Allowed?” Caine leaned further forward.

Lance did too. “Criminals can be real backstabbers. We both know that. So for Cass to date one, it has to be a real exception. That’s a compliment. Don’t start a losing fight.”

Caine scowled, but sat back. “As if you had a say in it.”

“Yet despite your love for her, tell me to my face you’d not push her to the ground if you got a chance to stab the king.”

Caine looked up at Lance. They both know ‘push to the ground’ meant more than the literal action. She opened her mouth, closed it, then sat up taller, looking him right in the eyes. “She’d want me to stab him.”

Lance snickered and sat back. “Tell yourself that.”

“She’d do the same.”

“Exactly.” Eugene sipped his drink. “That’s why we know she won’t care what we say. She’s taking that mission.”

Caine finished her drink quick, feeling it burn her throat. “Are you on the mission with her?”

Lance nodded.

“Then you better get back with her or not at all because I’ve committed enough crimes to be hung already. I don’t mind adding murder to the list.”

“I’d love to see ya try,” Eugene said.

“While you’re ridden with grief for not trying harder to protect your little sister, that’s when I’ll get you.” And she had a point. “I’ll see you back at the mansion.” She left in quite a strut, several thugs moving out of her way.

“Did we need another reason to keep Cass safe?” Lance asked with a chuckle.

“I don’t think so, but there you go.”

Lance chuckled. He frowned as he sipped his own drink. “It is dangerous.”

“In fairness, it always is. You think Cass would have been on good terms with that Quaid had she gotten caught in Vardaros?”

“Course not.”

“Then let’s not pretend this is anything other than another mission. Stressing never helped anything. Right?”

“Right.” Lance nodded, sighing.

Scaling the castle walls was easy for the three thieves. Sneaking through the garden was a bit harder as there wasn’t anywhere to hide and the guards patrolled frequently. It wouldn’t be possible to be both fast and silent. So they chose fast. They made noise which drew the guards but Owl stood in the clearing staring straight at the guards before flapping his wings noisily and flying off with a mouse.

Cassandra smiled at her very good bird as the guards turned around. Assuming they’d only heard an owl.

“That’s the window,” Lance pointed.

“Get me up there,” Cassandra ordered.

“No way,” Eugene shook his head. “I’m first.”

Cassandra glared.

“No negotiations,” Lance added.

Cassandra huffed but didn’t argue further as this was nor the time nor place. Disagreements on the field were to be handled democratically, and she was outnumbered. Lance helped Eugene up onto a ledge from which he was able to scale to the window. It was locked. On the surface, it seemed like there was no lock to pick as it locked from the inside. But Eugene came prepared for this, pulling out two pieces of wire, he stuck one inside and then the other, using the second to bend the first piece into shape so he could pick the lock from the outside. The window swung open, and he swung inside.

Empty, perfect.

He signalled for Lance to help Cassandra up.

Lance boosted Cassandra up and Eugene grabbed her hand, pulling her into the king and queen’s quarters with him.

Cassandra picked up a diamond necklace which was just sitting on a vanity, she leaned out the window checking no guards were present before throwing it down for Lance to catch.

Eugene grinned. This was going to be one of their best heists yet.

They left the window wide open. No guards ever looked up. It was one of their fatal flaws and one the group would happily take advantage of. They fulled sacks with loot which they tossed down to Lance who remained hidden in the bushes. This was dangerous, they’d likely have to take several trips if they truly wanted all the loot and the guards were unlikely to fall for the Owl trick more than three to four times before doing a more thorough search. Though the riches were so many and of such high value, it was hard not to keep filling sacks upon sacks.

“I’ve never sat on a more comfortable bed,” Eugene said as he reached for a pillow, only for Cassandra to pull on his ear, forcing him to bite his tongue to remain silent.

“Head in the game, Rider.”

Eugene groaned but did as he was told, rummaging through the wardrobe while Cassandra took perfumes from the washroom worth more than many homes. Then they froze at the sound of clicking.

Eyes went to the door.

If it was a guard, they’d shoot on sight.

Thankfully, it wasn’t a guard.

Rapunzel’s eyes widened at the sight of strangers in her parent’s room.

Chapter Text

Cassandra was fully frozen at the sight of Rapunzel.

Thankfully, Eugene was not.

Before Rapunzel could call for help, Eugene had crossed the room, his hand over her mouth. He pulled her inside, many feet of hair included and closed the door with his foot.

“Get something to knock her out with,” he ordered to Cassandra, who quickly glanced around the room.

Rapunzel kicked back, hitting Eugene hard causing him to lose his grip just enough for her to pull away and scream. “Guards!”

Eugene grabbed her again, pulling her close and pulling a knife to place on her throat.

The door opened and there were crossbows pointed, but nobody shot. They couldn’t risk hitting the princess.

“One move and she dies,” Eugene said, a bluff, he didn’t have the guts for murder, but they didn’t know that.

Cassandra recognised among the guards the captain, and it was clear he recognised them. No time for re-introductions, though. She moved across the room, behind her brother. The guards allowed her, not daring to move.

“Plan?” she whispered.

Eugene frowned. This hadn’t been part of the plan.

Cassandra’s eyes darted around the room, trying to think of anything they could do to get out of this alive. If they were caught, there wasn’t a doubt in her mind they’d be executed. Breaking into the king and queen’s private chambers alone was plenty of reason to meet the noose but to hold the princess at knife-point? They’d probably be used as an example, killed in some cruel manner.

Cassandra’s heart was racing.

But Eugene was calm. He handled the stress of work well, better than Cassandra or Lance ever had, but that wasn’t to say he was any less aware of the severity of the situation they were in.

“Put the knife down,” Captain ordered.

“I doubt that would help us much,” Eugene said with a roll of his eyes as he backed further into the room, getting closer to the window.

Cassandra thought Eugene must intend to take the princess with them but they were too high up, getting her from the quarters to the ground alone would be a nearly impossible feat but to then get her off castle grounds… Eugene had to have a plan.

Eugene’s head turned ever so slightly so he could see Cassandra, who was waiting for a sign, a signal, an order, anything!

Eugene smiled at her, the type of gentle smile he had when he was trying to calm her after a nightmare or an episode of panic. Then he let go of the princess, using his free hand to push Cassandra out the window. Cassandra screamed as gravity embraced her and she was falling, but only for a second before Lance caught her, she could see the open window, see how the guard tackled Eugene.

They were lucky the guards prioritised checking on the princess to shooting Cassandra as it gave Lance just enough time to throw Cassandra over his shoulder, grab a single sack of loot with his free hand and rush towards the palace walls.

Owl was on his side, hooting frantically, warning him of incoming guards.

Lance tossed the sack over the wall before scaling it with one hand, his other holding Cassandra. They were over the wall, into the streets. He didn’t pause, didn’t look back. He didn’t even take the time to put Cassandra down, uncertain what her next move would be, he just kept going.

Eugene was pinned to the ground, his arms and legs restrained, guards surrounded him. He didn’t try to escape. He knew that wasn’t a possibility.

The princess was reassuring the Captain she was okay, though she was trembling ever so slightly. This had been a scary moment for the fourteen-year-old, not that Eugene had intended to do anything. He just needed the time, to get Cassandra out of there. He knew Lance, and Lance knew Eugene, he’d know to take Cassandra far before worrying about him.

Once the princess was removed from the room Eugene was dragged onto his knees so he could see the Captain. The man looked disappointed. Eugene didn’t much care for his disappointment.

“How did you get in here?”

Captain noticed Eugene’s brown eyes staring back at him, but the man didn’t utter a word.

“This is a high up, locked window.”

Eugene said nothing.

Captain sighed. “I’d recommend you collaborate.”

But Eugene knew it’d make no difference to his sentence, his silence could only delay the inevitable, maybe offering Lance and others a bit more time to come up with a plan… Eugene didn’t hold high hopes. Not this time. But he didn’t need to think about that.

“Take him to the dungeon, make sure he has guards on him twenty-four seven.”

“Yes, Sir!”

Guards on either side of Eugene dragged him to his feet and out the room, he glanced one final time at the window where guards were staring out but they weren’t shooting or shouting; he hoped that meant Cassandra and Lance were long gone and safe.

Chapter Text

Cassandra was struggling to breathe. Lance kept his arms wrapped tightly around her as they sat on the floor of the Barron’s mansion. A few workers stood nearby, unsure what to do. At one point, Lance saw the sack he’d manage to throw over the wall be brought in. He was glad they’d pulled something off with the heist… Though he’d address that later.

“Eugene…” Cassandra managed between short, urgent breaths.

“Shush,” Lance whispered, holding his younger sister to his chest.

There was the sound of hurried footsteps, and Lance looked up to see Caine rushing over. “What happened?” she asked, falling to her knees, her hand immediately cupping Cassandra’s face.

Lance held Cassandra close. “I’m not entirely sure, just that Eugene pushed Cassandra out the window and he was taken by the guards.”

Caine’s eyes widened before softening to try to seem calm to Cassandra. “We’ve done prison breaks before,” Caine whispered, pressing her forehead to Cassandra’s. “Remember, love?”

Cassandra shook her head. “I was held for obstructing justice! Eugene… He… He…”

“Flynn,” Lance corrected, though it wasn’t high on the list of priorities, the names mattered within the Barron’s house. If Stalyan were to overhear their real names and start using it, it would be one more way she got to invade their life.

Cassandra was crying. Breathing was a challenge.

More footsteps. Lance knew he needed to get Cassandra to her room to rest.

“Owlet, Lance…” Stalyan’s voice was the last one he wished to hear. “Debrief in my office, now.”

“She needs a moment,” Caine said, standing up in front of the two.

“That’s not up to you, Caine,” Stalyan said.

“She’s panicking, she needs a moment.”

“Caine…” Stalyan’s voice was a warning. “How important is this, really?”

Caine swallowed. “Please Stalyan, give me one hour to calm her down, then I’ll personally bring her to your office to debrief.” Caine got down to her knees, lowering her head. “Please,” she begged.

Stalyan hesitated, then smiled. She liked when those below her acted like it. “Fine. One hour. Strongbow, you come now.”

Lance nodded, carefully pulling Cassandra’s arms away from himself and handing her over to Caine who held her protectively. “I’ll be quick,” he promised his sister.

Cassandra’s grip on Caine was so tight it hurt, but Caine didn’t mind. She kissed her girlfriend’s cheek and held her. One hour to get her to a point where she was ready to face Stalyan. That was doable.

Eugene sat on the floor of his cell, in the corner furthest from the guards, his arms remained chained behind his back and his head rested on the wall, despite exhaustion pulling at him he kept his eyes open and alert, watching the guards who moved just outside his cell.

They’d searched him thoroughly and confiscated all his weapons, all his lock picks, and anything he could have used to escape.

He was in one of the cells lower down in the dungeon, fewer prisoners, more guards, no windows, no chance of escape.

His hands and arms were aching from the uncomfortable position. Even having them chained in front of him would be better. However, he doubted any of the guards would be willing to grant him such mercy.

They all knew what he’d done to their precious little golden princess.

Eugene tried to listen in on the chatter of the guards, but his mind kept wandering to what awaited him further down the line. He had no idea how long he’d have. Would they hang him tonight? Tomorrow? Next week? He had no doubt they wouldn’t let him live after his crimes but also had no clue what the timeline for these things was. He hoped maybe they’d want to keep him alive long enough to get some information out of him? He’d refuse to talk, of course. But how long would they be willing to postpone in hopes of information?

Eugene watched guards walk back and forth. This was just a normal day for them. The inner turmoil of the prisoners they guarded wasn’t felt by them. Eugene wondered how that was possible.

Lance’s debrief with Stalyan was short and to the point. Stalyan didn’t comment on Eugene’s capture, Lance didn’t offer more than a factual recounting.

After that he went to Cassandra’s room, unsurprised to see her asleep in bed with Caine by her side.

“She’ll sleep off her panic,” Caine informed.

Lance nodded.

“How’d it go?”

Lance looked past Cassandra. “You’ve got her?”

“I’ve got her.”

Lance nodded. “I have stuff to do.”

“You don’t stand a chance getting Rider out of there alone.”

“I know. I’m not a fool,” Lance said. “I have other plans.”

Caine nodded and let Lance leave without argument. Now wasn’t the time. Caine’s hands ran through Cassandra’s hair. Caine didn’t care much for Rider, but if he died, it’d break Cassandra in a way Caine wasn’t prepared for.

Cassandra couldn’t lose anymore of her family.

Caine could relate heavily to that feeling. She’d lost plenty of family herself. Right now, Cassandra was her only family and she would do anything to ensure that. She kissed Cassandra on the cheek.

When there were only ten minutes left until the meeting with Stalyan, Caine woke Cassandra up, helped her to get changed and linked their arms to guide her towards the office.

“We have to save Eugene,” Cassandra whispered to Caine.

“Rider,” Caine gently corrected, kissing her girlfriend on the top of the head.

Cassandra nodded.

“We will. Stalyan knows how valuable you three are. She’ll want all three of you. Plus, Rider is the only one who isn’t in debt to her. If anything this could be good news for her…”

Cassandra sniffled. “I cost him what little freedom he had left.”

Caine felt an urge to point out how strong she’d opposed the mission, but she didn’t have it in her to press salt into an open wound so she just squeezed Cassandra’s hand. “Those brothers of yours love you a lot.”

Cassandra nodded.

“We’ll get him back.”

Cassandra nodded, pressing her head to Caine’s shoulder.

“Hold in there.”

Chapter Text

Stalyan perched on her desk, while Caine and Cassandra squirmed in their rigid wooden chairs. Stalyan looked down upon them as she always did. Making sure there wasn’t a doubt in anybody’s mind who was in charge.

Cassandra first mumbled an explanation about what happened, the stuff they’d managed to throw out the window, the plan, what had gone wrong and how Flynn had reacted.

“So you didn’t grab a sack of loot after escaping? Not just that, you didn’t even escape. Lance had to carry you out, meaning he was only able to get one sack.”

Cassandra’s gaze traveled up to Stalyan, her eyes widening in shock at where Stalyan’s concerns lay.

Caine leaned forward. “She was thrown out a window and saw her brother tackled by guards.”

“And instead of honour his sacrifice by getting the job done, she froze.”

“Honouring his sacrifice?” Cassandra whispered.

“She was in shock!” Caine shouted.

“Then she better get those emotions under control before her next mission.” Stalyan rustled through papers. “There’s an art exhibit north of—”

“What about Flynn?” Cassandra interrupted to Stalyan’s dislike.

“What about him?”

“He needs help.”

“Sounds like he was perfectly aware of what he was doing. It’s a dangerous job, sometimes we lose people. Now, Owlet, as I was saying—”

“No.” Cassandra shook her head. “He’s my brother.”

“I doubt that’ll make much of a different darling,” Stalyan said. “He held a knife to the princess’ throat.”

“He bought me and Lance enough time to escape.”

“Yes, well done on his part. I hope you do live long enough that his sacrifice ends up being worth it. Shall I tell you about your next mission now?”

“Stalyan,” Caine’s hand found Cassandra’s lap. “You can organise a mission to rescue Flynn.”

“Why? This isn’t a charity, Caine.”

“Because he’s good at what he does, because if you save his life he’ll owe his life to you, because you know he works great with Owlet here?”

“I repeat, he held a knife to the princess’ neck, to the fourteen-year-old golden child of the king and queen. Their baby who’s only been back with them for ten years. Not only would saving Rider require a huge amount of resources to be moved, it’d put our entire organisation in danger. Who’s to say they won’t search restlessly for him?”

“He’ll work in a way that he’s never seen again,” Cassandra said. “Like I do—”

“You proved today you’re not so perfect, little Owl.”

“Owlet,” Caine corrected Stalyan.

“Would you like to know where your next mission is going to be, or shall it be a surprise?”

“I’m not doing anything for you if you allow my brother to die.”

Stalyan hummed. “Is that so?”

Cassandra nodded.

“Remember what happened last time you disobeyed me?” Stalyan reached out to touch Cassandra’s face but then there was a smacking sound as Caine hit her hand away.

Stalyan was shocked, as was Caine and as was Cassandra.

But then Stalyan was mad. “Guards,” she called.

Two large men entered, and Caine stood up immediately.

“Take Caine downstairs to be beaten,” she said as normally as though she were asking them to fetch her some water.

“No—” Cassandra tried, but Caine held a hand out, gesturing for her to stop.

“Wise,” Stalyan commented as the men grabbed Caine and forcefully pushed her towards the door.

Cassandra stared, tears fell down her face.

“Where were we?” Stalyan pretended to be lost before her hand found Cassandra’s face, grabbing it with more force than she would have before the incident. “I own you, Owlet. After breaking you out of Corona’s dungeon, I own you. So, you going to do your job?”

Cassandra looked up at Stalyan, her eyes closed. “Not without first saving Flynn.”

“Alright…” Stalyan let go, walking towards the door. She gestured for some men to come over. “Lock her in the fridge for two hours and then bring her back to me.”

Cassandra felt warm tears run down her face as she let the men pull her to her feet.

Eugene glanced up at the sound of keys. It was Captain, bringing him a meal he fully planned to ignore. He hadn’t eaten and knew reasonably he should be hungry, but how could he be?

Captain dropped the food on the food pretty carelessly. “You’ve got a few days at least.”

Eugene looked up at the man.

“Word was sent to the king and queen, and the king wishes to personally sentence you.”

“Splendid,” Eugene said coldly.

“Your trial will be held in the throne room upon their return.”

“Do I get a lawyer?”

“Do you have a defence?”

Eugene glared and the Captain glared right back. “I told you where you’d end up if you didn’t switch paths.”

“Congrats, you were correct.”

Captain did not feel at all happy about this. “Your sister will receive a sentence at the trial, though wanted posters have already been printed.”

“Don’t waste ink. You won’t find her.”

Captain hoped not, but he didn’t say that as he left Eugene alone.

The man turned his head downwards, leaning it once more against the wall. He wasn’t sure how the Captain expected him to eat with his hands still tied behind his back. Maybe they didn’t expect that from him. Maybe they just wanted to be able to say they’d brought him food.

He kicked the tray over, making it spill and hoping the mess was at least a bit of a pain to clean up. He wondered how Lance and Cassandra were doing, he hoped they were in hiding, hoped they had the sense to lie low, especially Cassandra who has been seen by the guards, but Captain probably also knew Lance was in on it so it’d be best if neither of them left the mansion for a few weeks… If Stalyan would even allow for that.

Eugene thought back to a very young Cassandra, who hadn’t wanted to be a thief… He wondered if they’d messed up by influencing her into this life. Then again… Had they ever had a choice?

Chapter Text

Cassandra sat in the corner of the cold room. Her hands were chained to one of the shelves full of frozen meat. Ice lay at her feet as she trembled, unable to even wrap her arms around herself to get warm.

This was far from the first time Stalyan had punished her like this. It was actually one of her more common punishments, Stalyan especially enjoyed how nervous Eugene and Lance got whenever Cassandra got cold. But usually it was twenty minutes, not two hours. And even those twenty minutes were painful.

Stalyan was properly angry this time.

Usually, she just liked to watch them suffer and squirm beneath her authority. Today she seemed willing to let damage occur.

Sometime during the day, Eugene succumbed to sleep, exhausted from the restless night spent glaring at passing guards. His dreams, however, were not peaceful. He dreamt of the noose; of an enraged king screaming at him from the throne. He dreamt that as he stood atop the gallows; they had somehow captured the rest of his family, and they dragged Lance and Cassandra out to hang the three together.

Eugene jolted awake, his heart pounding. It took him a moment to come to terms with the fact he was still in a cell. It was dark and almost silent, only the sound of the guards patrolling and the clanking of his own chains. His hands were still bound behind his back. The cold metal of the cuffs bit into his wrists as he lay on the frigid floor, causing his shoulders to throb. With every passing second, his fists clenched tighter, and he struggled to hold back tears. Nobody had come to clean up yesterdays’ food, which he’d kicked all over the cell floor. He hoped there were no rats or other insects in the dungeon system who’d be attracted to the mess.

As he lay there, he concentrated on the rhythm of his breathing to calm his nerves. It’s said the worst part is often the wait. Eugene doubted that was the case here, yet he knew this wait would be torture.

Cassandra woke up in bed.

Not her bed.

Not Caine’s either.

Her vision was blurry, her memories failed to come.

“Lance?” she whispered, but got no response. “Eugene?” she tried to no result. “Caine?” nothing.

She squinted, but all she could see was white.

“Ah,” she heard a male voice she couldn’t place.

“Leave me alone…” she said before knowing who it was.

The man who looked at her with a raised brow was familiar… Physician. This man was the mansion’s physician. She’d only seen him a handful of times to get stitches. But she knew he was good at his job. With all the injuries that occurred in this line of work, he had to be.

“Nevermind…” Cassandra whispered. “What happened?”

“Body temperature too low,” he informed. “You’re going be fine.”

“How?” Cassandra’s eyebrows furrowed as she tried to recall what had happened.

“Stupid punishments, that’s how,” he grumbled. “Another twenty minutes you’d have been a goner. Though at least your body would have been preserved.”

“Lovely.” Cassandra let her head fall deeper into the pillow. Then the memory as to why she was being punished hit her like a brick wall. “Eugene…” she whispered.

The physician ignored her mumbles. “I’m going to give you some medicine and then a potion to help you sleep. If anybody asks, you were never awake?”

Cassandra frowned. “Why?”

“Stalyan wishes to speak to you as soon as you’re awake. I don’t think you’re in any condition for that.”

Cassandra agreed. “Thank you.”

Caine raised her head to look at her bedroom door when she saw the handle move, hoping for Cassandra, dreading Stalyan or one of her men here to drag her to the office, but it was neither.

Lance entered, closing the door behind him, glancing around the room without saying a word. Usually entering Caine’s room in such a manner would be a dangerous ordeal, but Caine was curled up on her bed and it hurt too much to move, she wouldn’t get into any petty fights today.

“Here,” Lance tossed her a canteen with water and some pills for pain, not exactly allowed after punishment.

Caine nodded, the only thanks Lance would get. “Cassandra?”

“With the physician.” Lance’s fists clenched at his side but he quickly shook his head. He couldn’t afford to be angry right now. “I’m going to convince Stalyan to let us save Flynn. Are you in?”

Caine looked up at Lance. “You don’t stand a chance. She’ll punish you too.”

“Caine, with all due respect, you and Cassandra are too emotional. You got angry, you lacked respect, and more importantly, you lacked reason.”

Caine’s mouth formed a thin line.

“I have reasons for Stalyan to rescue Flynn. Reasons that benefit her, the only reasons that matter. I’m getting my brother out of there. I just need to know if I can count on you?”

Caine didn’t look happy, but she nodded. “I don’t want Cassandra to go through any of the loss I had to.”

Lance nodded. “Then expect a mission very soon.”

Chapter Text

Eugene was dragged to the throne room the same day the king and queen returned home. His hands were still chained behind his back, causing a pain so intense it was difficult to hold back tears. He hadn’t eaten since his capture; he knew that wasn’t a good idea, but how could he? He refused to lean over and eat like an animal with his hands restrained and his stomach wasn’t exactly open right now.

The doors opened, and the guards were careless as he was forced to his knees in front of the thrones.

The princess was nowhere to be seen, no surprise there. Who would bring a fourteen-year-old to trial? Her parents could talk on her behalf. Eugene stared up at said parents.

The queen was tall and her expression was difficult to read, her mouth remained in a firm thin line, yet Eugene couldn’t imagine the woman felt very fondly for the thief who held a knife to her daughter’s throat.

The king was a lot easier to read; he was angry. He was glaring down at Eugene, looking nothing like a level-headed ruler and every bit like a protective father. Again, Eugene couldn’t quite fault him. Not this time. He was never going to hurt the young princess. He’d done what had to be done to ensure his younger sister made it out safely, that was all. But he couldn’t prove his intent. His actions, unfortunately, spoke for themselves.

Eugene was vaguely aware of the Captain reading out his many crimes, reading out his name from the orphanage and his thief name.

“Let’s get the other thief out of the way first,” Frederic spoke calmly.

“Yes, Sir.”

“She was caught in our private quarters. She was a collaborator in threatening the princess and heir to the kingdom. When she is captured, she shall promptly be executed through means of hanging.”

Captain was silent for just a few seconds as he processed before nodding and moving to scribble down the sentence.

“That’s not fair,” Eugene said, only to be hit in the back of the head by a guard.

“You do not speak until spoken to.”

The queen, however, leaned forward. “It is the law. What she did—”

“She’s barely eighteen!”

He was hit again, and this time the pain was worse, but Arianna rose a hand. “Let him speak. She’s an adult. The law does not discriminate in regards to age once one comes of age.”

“She was just following the orders of those who control her.”

Arianna didn’t seem to believe Eugene fully, but she also wasn’t willing to completely disregard him. “Explain.”

Eugene hadn’t expected to be given this chance, and he wasn’t prepared, but he had to make a convincing argument. “Her crimes may be significant now, and she’s an adult today, but when she was sixteen she was brought here for obstruction of justice.”

Arianna’s brows furrowed as she thought back to two years ago. She recalled a teenager that matched Captain’s description of the second thief.

“She was sentenced to exile for that petty crime while being underage. And not just any exile, an exile that would leave her stranded on an island and that would take away any possibility of a future.”

Arianna’s eyes moved to Captain. “Is this true?”

“Yes, Your Majesty, the girl was sentenced to exile on the volcanic isles where her fate would have almost certainly been that of intense labour or, at best a job cleaning or cooking for the other labourers.”

“And at sixteen, this was a suitable punishment?” her eyes moved to her husband.

Frederic took a deep breath. “She was protecting criminals, she was clearly destined to be a future criminal herself as she has proven, and there are other factors too…”

“Other factors?”

Frederic remained silent.

Arianna sighed, not willing to start a full argument in the middle of the throne room, instead she gestured to Eugene.

“She was broken out of prison not by a friend but by somebody who wished to have control over her via debt. Yes, she was committing a crime, but it wasn’t like she had much of a choice in the matter.”

“Who is this person who controls her?”

Eugene looked down. He couldn’t snitch, not if he had any hope of rescue.

Arianna’s fingers tapped on her throne, not surprised by the silence.

“He’s clearly lying,” Frederic said.

“I don’t care.” She sighed. “We shall leave the other thieve’s sentence unspoken for now.”

Frederic frowned.

“If she’s captured, she shall be brought before us and she will be given the chance to plea her case. Is that not fair?” Though she faced forward, it was clear her words were more for her husband than anybody else present.

Eugene wasn’t sure if he’d accomplished anything. Cassandra wasn’t a very polite individual and if allowed to plea her case, she’d probably use that time to cuss out the royals before actually making any defence, but Eugene felt some level of calm knowing that she’d not be dragged straight to the gallows if ever caught. Knowing her wanted posters would continue to read wanted alive and not dead or alive . Eugene felt some level of calm, knowing that no out-of-town fool would stab Cassandra in the back while at the Snuggly Duckling in search of a quick coin.

“Now, you,” Arianna’s voice sounded cold, angry. It was clear that though Arianna was not so angry to let the fury blind her judgement, she was a mother, and Eugene and threatened and scared her child.

Eugene didn’t expect himself to be able to talk his way out of the death sentence, but nothing could stop him from trying.

Chapter Text

“You broke into the palace with the intent to steal, however, you ended up committing a crime far worse. You threatened the life of an innocent child.”

“I wouldn’t call her innocent,” Eugene mumbled.

“Excuse me?” Frederic boomed and this time, Arianna did nothing to stop him. “What does that mean?”

“It means she’s of royal blood. Upper class, that she gets to enjoy a lifestyle most could never even dream of while others starve.”

“You were stealing jewellery, not food.”

Eugene glared, the oversimplification and refusal to understand the layered complexity of this situation showed this man was not a fit rule in Eugene’s eyes.

“Even if you were stealing food, you had the choice to accept the consequence of your actions and you chose to instead use an innocent person to avoid said consequence as long as possible.”

“I used your family to ensure my family got out of there alive,” Eugene pointed out. “Your kingdom is known for harsh punishments and I wasn’t about to let a person I swore to protect face that type of cruelty. I didn’t have any intent to hurt your daughter, but just as you may wish to protect your family, it’s only natural I would protect mine.”

“I’m sure if the price were right, you’d happily slit the throat of a child,” Frederic said.

Arianna’s gaze wandered elsewhere, away from Frederic and away from the young man on trial. The assumption was harsh, but she also could not help but picture what could have happened to her daughter.

Frederic looked at Eugene. “Nobody touches my daughter. You committed many crimes that night, trespassing, theft, threats, but also treason.”

Eugene knew this.

“You shall be publicly hung in three days for your crimes against the kingdom.”

The guards approached Eugene, their heavy footsteps echoing ominously, prepared to forcefully restrain him should he pose a threat to the king.

“Threatening the princess will have been the final crime you commit.”

Eugene glared up at the king, his gaze piercing and unwavering. “We’ll see.”

“Strongbow…” Stalyan sat atop her desk, unimpressed by the visit.

Lance nodded politely. “Stalyan.” He got down on one knee respectfully, none of his usual humour or laid back attitude present as he looked up at the young woman. “You can probably guess what it is I wish to ask of you.”

“Do you wish to end up like your sister?”

“I think her disrespect towards you is something unforgiveable, and I take partial responsibility for not raising her right. When we were young I saw a scared and sad little orphan and between me and Rider we clearly spoilt her. But I shall make sure to teach her respect as soon as I have the time.”

Stalyan rolled her eyes. “Fine, plead your case, but given the severity if his crimes, I cannot see a way rescuing that man could be worth it! The security will be high, the resources needed for the rescue astronomical and honestly, he’s not as good a thief as his big mouth likes to claim.”

Lance nodded. “Flynn may not be the best standalone thief, but you cannot deny that what happened on this mission was a fluke. Nobody should have been in those quarters, and if nobody had entered, we would have come back with one of the biggest stashes you could have dreamed of.”

“But that didn’t happen.”

“Despite how badly it ended, one sack of goods was still retrieved, values at over a hundred thousand coin thanks to a few ancient gems from historical crowns repurposed into jewellery.”

Stalyan leaned forward. “You did your research.”

“I asked around. I like to know how well a job went.” Lance looked at Stalyan. “Not this time, but next time we’d have brought back five times that amount. And even looking at our failures, any other team, every one of them would have been captured and killed. But because of our willingness to work together, only Rider was taken. Owlet came back unharmed, as did I. You aren’t ever going to have another team as in sync and as skilled as us.”

Stalyan nodded. “Ever considered going into sales, Strongbow?”

“Unless that were what you wished for me, no.”

Stalyan smiled at the word choice, then frowned. “The tools needed, the manpower, the bribing… I’d have to ask for my dad, The Baron’s, assistance.”

Lance nodded.

“He’d expect you all to repay him for that service.”

“I understand.”

“He wouldn’t be as kind as me. What little freedom you have would be lost.”

Lance looked up at Stalyan. “As long us it’s us three together, we’ll be fine.”

Stalyan smiled, a grin that spoke of her intention. “Good. Then I’ll send somebody to figure out how your little friend is going and we’ll work out a plan real soon.”

Lance nodded and got up to leave.

“Lance.”

He paused at the door, turning around.

“What’s your name?”

Lance blinked. He hated his name, hated where it came from, hated how it sounded, but the Baron must already know of the name, so why did it matter if Stalyan did too? Sure, she’d use it to torment him when she saw fit, but right now it was far more important to appease her. “Arnwaldo.”

Stalyan’s face scrunched up.

Lance smiled. “Shitty parents.”

“I’ll say. Go.”

Lance moved to leave. As he closed the door, he heard Stalyan mumbled something that brought a real smile to his face.

“I’m never going to remember that…”

Chapter Text

Captain dragged Eugene to his feet and out of the cell to be taken to the prison just beyond the bridge. There he would live out his final days. The King was going to make an example of this young man, which meant announcements had to be posted, preparations had to be made.

As guards opened the metal carriage, Captain realised Eugene had tears flowing down his face. Captain couldn’t help but remember the kid who’d stood between him and his little sister, so determined and protective. But Captain tried to ignore those memories, who this man had been was irrelevant. Today, he was nothing more than another criminal.

“You didn’t expect any other sentence, did you? After what you did?”

Eugene’s face scrunched up as he glared at the Captain. “I don’t care about the sentence,” he lied. “It’s the fact my wrists are burning up from being chained behind my back for days and nights that’s causing me pain. Just another example of how Corona treats those it doesn’t deem worthy.”

Captain’s grip on Eugene’s upper arm tightened. He looked at the chains and could easily see the painful trembles. He would release Eugene from the chains at the prison when he was under guard. “Let’s go,” he guided Eugene onto the carriage, watching the man drop to his knees in defeat. As Captain moved to close the door, Eugene didn’t even look back at the Captain, just sat on the thin layer of hay and stared at the thick metal wall in front of him.

With a resolute click, the Captain closed the door.

Cassandra woke up to the worst possible person in the world. Under the effect of the painkillers, she couldn’t think straight, which caused her to groan.

Stalyan frowned at the reaction.

“Her muscles will be aching,” the physician said, saving Cassandra from the truth. “Extreme temperature can be quite painful.”

“Ah. Well, I do hope that pain has served to teach you a lesson.”

Cassandra nodded. “Disrespect you and I get to die a slow, painful death.”

“Good.”

“You’ll be glad to know I have reconsidered your brother’s fate.”

Cassandra’s eyes widened, and despite her weakness, she sat up. “We’re going to save Flynn?”

Stalyan rolled her eyes. “It’ll cost you, you and both your brothers, but yes.”

Cassandra’s eyes widened. She took a few deep, steadying breaths before locking eyes with Stalyan. “Thank you.”

The honest gratitude caught Stalyan off guard. She wasn’t sure she’d ever been shown such honesty, and she had no clue if she liked it or not. “It’s an investment… Be ready for a mission. You’ve got only a few days and you’re going to want to be in top form.”

Cassandra nodded firmly, her eyes shining with resolve.

Eugene was moved from the carriage to a cell with four guards surrounding him. It was only there that the Captain finally removed the chains and Eugene’s arms fell to his side; he looked at the red marks on his wrists that wouldn’t ever heal if he was killed in just a few days. He wondered if those attending his execution would be able to see the marks…

“What do you want for your last meal?”

Eugene glared up at the Captain.

“It’ll be best you answer so I can have it ready for tonight.”

“Tonight? Isn’t my execution still days away?”

“Yes,” Captain replied in a monotone voice, devoid of any emotion. “However, it is protocol to stop meals a few days before to… minimise cleanup.”

Eugene stepped back further into his cell. “I don’t want any of your disgusting prisoner food.”

“The last meal will be of your choice.”

“I don’t want it,” Eugene repeated.

“I think that—”

“I won’t eat.”

Captain hesitated but finally shook his head. “Suit yourself.”

Eugene watched the man leave. There were guards standing at his door. It was clear they weren’t going to be leaving him unguarded during the coming days. He moved to a corner and allowed himself to fall to the ground, legs brought to his chest.

He didn’t want to pick a final meal.

He hadn’t eaten since his capture, which meant his last meal had been some potatoes and vegetables eaten in the Baron’s mansion alongside his siblings while they went over the plan. Not a luxurious meal, but one he’d shared with the people he loved. If truly these were his final days, then he wanted that as his last meal.

Chapter Text

Eugene sat in the corner of his cell, head resting against the side wall, eyes taking in the feet of the guards that walked by. Large men who sometimes stopped to look at him, gawk at him, even. Eugene wasn’t surprise, he was the thief who broke into the king and queen’s chambers and dared to threaten the princess. He was to be gawked at until his death, then gawked at some more before discarded as nothing more than a warning.

Eugene wasn’t brought to tears by the idea of dying. Death was a risk in his line of work and one he assumed was possible with every mission he went on.

But he did find himself crying when he thought of what he’d leave behind. At one point not too long ago, he’d had hope for a future where his family could live an honest life and just be happy together. That hope has been foolish. He thought back to the man he’d seen executed as a child and knew soon that’d be him. But what had him crying was the fact that after him it’d likely be Lance… And one day, he could so clearly see Cassandra meeting the same fate. His brother and sister were not loved by the kingdom.

None of them ever had been.

Even as children, they’d been more pests than people.

Now they were pests to be exterminated. Out of the way of more important lives.

He didn’t mind dying, but the fact he was leaving the world as bad a place as when he came with no impact was something he couldn’t wrap his head around. He refused to.

He heard the key turning in the lock.

His eyes moved up to meet Captain’s. “It’s time,” the man said, trying to keep his voice monotone and posture strong, yet his eyes betrayed a slight pity.

Eugene didn’t like the pity. This man didn’t get to feel pity after all he’d done. Yet Eugene didn’t get a say in it.

Two guards entered the cell and dragged him to his feet. He stumbled, his vision dimmed from the sudden movement after days of no food. The guards didn’t, however, care for his struggles as they forced him to step forward, the sound of chains clinking as they pulled his arms behind his back and shackled them together.

As Eugene was forced to walk through the prison corridors, catching glances of other criminals, many of which he’d worked with before, he could hear a crowd. His mind couldn’t quite comprehend how that was possible, though. He knew where the prison was, nowhere near the village or any place people would gather.

They reached a door leading out into the center courtyard of the prison and the light blinded him only for a moment; he was hit hard by the demeaning sound of a booing crowd and he soon realised just how public his execution was to be.

The gallows were set up outside to allow for the crowd, most were from Corona and overwhelmingly they were of higher ranking, those were the people who took the most pleasure in seeing the death of a thief and also the ones who had the time to waste on such an ordeal.

Eugene could see towards the front there was a makeshift throne.

The king himself had come to oversea Eugene’s execution.

Eugene didn’t fear death. Yet he realised as the guards dragged him further out that he’d held onto this slither of hope that he may somehow be saved or find the chance to escape, but now, seeing this crowd, seeing the event that was to be his death, he understood there was no hope of saviour.

This was the day he died.

This was where he died.

And all these people would watch it like a spectacle.

Eugene felt a stinging pain in his shoulder. Then a similar pain in his back. Another in the back of his head.. He didn’t understand why as his eyes remained on the floor in front of him, concentrating on not tripping over his own feet. Then the stinging pain hit him in the right cheek before bouncing onto his shoulder, and this time he saw what it was.

Stones.

The crowd was throwing stones at him.

He allowed himself to listen more closely to the words they were saying rather than just the booing sounds.

“Monster!”

“Criminal!”

“—to threaten a child!”

“Deserves a more gruesome death…”

“Felon!”

The insults weren’t too bad. But the stuff they said to each other about him. Eugene was going to die a spectacle, and these people would see him as pure evil. Evil that needed cleansing.

It was stupid… Eugene had done bad stuff. But he wasn’t pure evil. He wasn’t.

Before he was a thief, he was a little boy just asking the surrounding adults to help him read his book. Before he was a criminal, he’d been a big brother sitting in an uncomfortable bed reading his favourite story to his little sister. Before he was a felon, he’d been a young man helping a baby bird back into its nest in the forest near the tower.

A stone hit his other cheek. “I hope you and everybody like you dies for the crimes you’ve committed against humanity,” a woman hissed at him.

Eugene glared at her. What did she know about humanity? She probably hadn’t grown up alone and unloved, fighting for the scraps from those who had more than you. The guards dragged him further forward.

The guards even were struggling to get Eugene through the crowd. There was no protection for Eugene. What was the point? He was about to die anyway.

Eugene could see the king, whose piercing glare stood out among the others.

Not that Eugene cared much for the opinion of a man who had failed so many children and so many of his own people.

Eugene heard the creaking of the wood beneath his feet, signalising his arrival at the stage. He was made to stand atop the trap door, placed in the centre for all the crowd to see. The executioner fastened the noose around Eugene's neck as though he were tethering a horse or some other mundane task.

The air grew still and tense as the king stood.

Eugene moves his eyes to the trapdoor below him. It was a better view than the man who sent him here.

“Flynn Rider, Eugene Fitzherbert.” Frederic glared directly at the thief. “I should list all your crimes before your execution. However, the list is too long.” He flipped through a stack of papers as though to prove his point. Eugene couldn’t help but think how so many of those so-called crimes were not only extremely minor, but many were done when he was a mere child seeking out food for himself and his family. “However, your last crime was that of holding a knife to the neck of a fourteen-year-old child in her own home.”

Eugene raised his eyes to look at the king.

“People like you make this world a place parents cannot sleep in peace. It is with great pride I will have you hung today so that this kingdom can be that bit safer.”

Eugene could think of so many ways this kingdom could be a safer place. So many that didn’t involve the killing of waves of people. Of barely of age orphans like his sister, some who were detained before coming of age but came of age before trial and faced with the full force of the law.

“You will not be granted any final words. People like you do not deserve them.”

Eugene's chest burned with a fiery anger, and he almost screamed at the king, he almost screamed his last words against the king’s wishes because what was he going to do? Kill him? But somebody else was faster to act on anger.

The rope from which Eugene was about to hang dropped.

A series of shields rose.

An arrow clung against them before falling to the ground.

“Damn it! That was such a perfectly aimed shot!” Cassandra’s voice filled the air.

In a fleeting moment, Eugene realised that the arrow had sliced through the noose and had come very close to slicing through the king’s neck too. His eyes rose to see his sister standing atop one of the prison buildings, a crossbow in hand, looking far too calm for the situation.

Eugene felt relief that his life was no longer in immediate danger but that relief was overcome by panic as he realised Cassandra was here. She wasn’t alone, was she? She couldn’t be! Lance wouldn’t allow it… Assuming, of course, she told anybody.

Crossbows were pointed upwards.

“Ooooh, oh no!” Cassandra twirled carelessly around. “No need to share your arrows with me!” she grinned before pulling out another. “I have more.” And before the guards got the chance to hit her, an arrow pierced the chain between Eugene’s wrists and then got stuck in the wooden stage.

The guards shot, but Cassandra just laughed as she allowed herself to fall backward.

“Guards!” Frederic shouted and guards rushed towards the main wooden door of the prison, throwing it open without a care in the world to rush outside and capture Cassandra.

Eugene couldn’t help but think about how careless leaving the door open was. Then the trapdoor beneath him suddenly opened. With no noose to hang by, Eugene fell straight through but was caught by someone much bigger. “Hey,” Lance grinned.

The crowd was chaotic. Nobody was paying attention to Eugene anymore. Nobody had seen him literally fall through the floor. His older brother’s calm demeanour reassured him Cassandra had a plan to follow.

He just hoped their plan worked out better than the last one they’d had to follow.

Lance placed him on the ground but didn’t let go of his hand. “We have to get you out of here…” He firmly grasped Eugene, tucking him discreetly into his waistcoat, as they briskly manoeuvred through the bustling crowd.

“The other way Lance—” Eugene tried to say, but he was interrupted by the sound of wood smashing, he turned and just saw the large wooden doors of the prison falling, then there was the sound of screaming coming from the other side. He looked to one of the doors into the prison, seeing prisoners seeping out of the cells. “How?”

“Money moves the world,” Lance answered. “You’d be surprised how easily corrupted those designated to carry out justice can be.”

“You got him?” Caine’s voice came from below.

Lance tossed Eugene through a hole in the ground only for Caine to catch him, helping him catch his footing.

Despite Caine’s catch, Eugene still felt foul smelling water splashing against his feet. “Is this the sewer?”

“If you complain about the quality of our escape tunnel, I swear you’re going back out there with the crowd and the king,” Caine snapped.

“No, no, it’s charming. Peaceful, soundproof…” some rats ran by. “And such lively neighbours.” Eugene threw his hands into his pocket, fearing they may try to nibble on any exposed flesh before his expression became serious. “Cassandra?”

“There’s a plan,” Caine reassured, tugging on Eugene’s shirt and forcing him to move forward. “We’ll meet up very soon,” she reassured, though her eyes lingered ever so slightly.

Eugene could still hear the crowd. He hoped that was a good sign.

Cassandra hadn’t fallen far, caught and dragged into one of the windows at which point she had sprinted through the prison tunnels towards the opposite side of the prison. The idea was she’d be all the way there before they realised she hadn’t fallen to the ground below.

She dodged the many prisoners that were rushing to escape, some of them would make it, those who did would probably be recruited to the Baron’s forces with a debt they’d never finish paying, the rest would return to their cells with a longer sentence for their escape attempt.

Cassandra felt almost bad for them. They were her people, and she was using them as no more than a distraction, though they did get a chance at freedom, in many cases a chance at life even. It wasn’t her fault if they weren’t skilled enough to escape.

She saw the window she was to escape through, with no time to check she leaped out, digging her knife into the wall to slow her fall but ultimately it was Lance who broke her fall. Twirling dramatically before placing her on the ground, as though she were still the small child he’d first taken under his wing.

“Flynn?”

“Smelling terrible!”

Cassandra smiled and laughed, but the laugh was short as they sprinted towards the forest.

“Anybody see you?”

“Not a soul.”

Cassandra could hear footsteps. “They’ll be patrolling every inch of forest…”

“As expected,” Lance said, seeing their escape route. He took the risk to turn. Thankfully, the footsteps were not of guards chasing them, but of general chaos. “Let’s go.” He pushed a large tree trunk out of the way with close to no effort. Cassandra slid in and Lance made sure to drag the trunk back over the hole as he, too, jumped down.

His nose scrunched up. “We’re gonna smell like this for weeks…”

“A none-issue at this point in our lives, Lance.” Cassandra grabbed her brother’s arm and pulled him forward, hoping to catch up with Eugene and Caine. “We have to get back to the mansion. They’d never dare search the homes of the high ranking.”

Lance nodded.

It didn’t take long to catch up with Caine and Eugene. Cassandra rushed forward, splashing sewer water everywhere to Eugene’s disgust yet he caught his younger sister as she flung herself into his arms.

“Eugene!” she shouted.

Before Eugene could crack a ‘miss me’ or other joke, Cassandra was hitting him and hard.

“How fucking dare you? Throw me out a window? Nearly get yourself killed? Do you have any clue how horrific these past days have been for me?”

“For you?” Eugene tried to move away, but there wasn’t exactly anywhere to hide. “What do you think my week’s been like?”

“We’re not talking about you right now, Eugene.”

“Well, maybe we should be, a ‘how are you?’ would be nice!”

Cassandra moved forward and Eugene covered his head as though to protect himself only for this time Cassandra to wrap her arms around him, holding him close. “You don’t do those stuff…”

Eugene’s arms around Cassandra. “I have no doubt in my mind they’d have sentenced you to death too had they caught us both.”

Cassandra didn’t answer.

“I couldn’t let that happen…”

“I know…” Cassandra acknowledged, despite still being angry. “I know, but I won’t be able to live with myself if you or Lance ever…” she didn’t even dare to say it.

“We won’t,” Eugene reassured, despite how close he’d come. He pressed his face into Cassandra’s hair. It was a mess, unsurprising, she never did take much care of it. “We’re in this together, forever and ever, okay?”

Cassandra hummed and nodded. She stepped away and Eugene immediately tensed up, expecting the violence to come back. Thankfully, Cassandra instead moved to kiss Caine on the cheek. “Thanks for your help.”

Caine grinned. “Anything for you, my love… Especially if it gets on that king’s nerves. Why, seeing that arrow get so close to that man’s neck, never have I ever felt so dangerously attracted to you.”

Cassandra blushed, grinned and kissed her girlfriend. “I won’t deny I quite enjoyed it myself. I just wish those guards hadn’t been there.”

Caine laughed. They’d not hoped to do something as dramatic as kill the king but how close Cassandra had gotten had been a joy.

Lance moved forward. “I’m loving the amount of joy one can find in these tunnels, but you all need a shower.”

“You too,” Eugene said.

They moved to keep walking, at one point Cassandra tried to increase the pace of the group but upon doing so Eugene struggled, swaying slightly as they moved forward.

It was Lance who noticed and quickly moved to support him. “Lot of excitement?” he asked.

“Yeah… that and haven’t eaten since before my capture.”

This caught Cassandra’s attention. “Why not?”

Eugene laughed. “Well, at first they had me chained up, and I refused to eat like a dog… And after that… Well… They don’t feed you for your last days, did you know that?” His eyes moved to the ground. “So there’s less to clean up.”

The tunnel was silent.

Caine’s grip on Cassandra tightened. “See? Told you we should kill the king.”

Lance said nothing, but he was fuming, nodding along with Caine. They all knew prisoners were not kept humanely, but the more they knew the more horrific it all became.

“Let’s go,” Cassandra lead the way. “One day the king will regret his decisions…”

Everybody followed.

“One day,” Cassandra repeated, no, promised.

Chapter Text

It wasn’t surprising that the moment the four exited into the Baron’s mansion; they were surrounded. Stalyan leaning against a wall.

Usually the distrust was something the gang loathed.

Not today.

Today being surrounded felt more secure, even.

“We did it,” Caine stated.

“So I see. Nice to see you alive and breathing, Rider.” Stalyan nodded almost politely.

Eugene grinned. “You know what, for once, it’s nice to see you too!”

Stalyan rolled her eyes. “I did not, however, miss your arrogant humour.”

“That’s the best part of me!”

“Don’t make me side with Stalyan,” Cassandra groaned.

“Caine, you may return to your room to rest,” Stalyan spoke. “You three, in my office, now.”

The order was said to Eugene, Cassandra and Lance, but it was carried out by the larger thugs, who grabbed the three by the shoulders guiding them down the hall.

“Really unnecessary.” Cassandra glared, but otherwise rolled her eyes and allowed it.

Eugene didn’t really care. After being pushed around by the guards, these guys felt gentle.

Lance tried to get closer to his younger siblings to guard them from the shoves, but wasn’t able to.

In the office Stalyan moved to sit on the desk as she often did. There were three chairs set out, different ones to usual.

“Sit.”

“Gladly.” Eugene smiled as he sat down, taking a deep breath. “This is nice,” he said. “You know, in the cell I was just on the floor, mostly.” Eugene was already telling stories of his experience as though it had happened weeks ago rather than hours. To each their own as far as coping went.

Lance sat down, but he looked unhappy. “These chairs are new.”

Cassandra hummed as she sat down, pulling her legs up onto the seat, crossing them for comfort.

“Hands behind the back of the chair,” Stalyan ordered.

“Pardon?” Cassandra blinked.

“Hands behind the back of the chair.”

“Why?” Eugene frowned.

Stalyan tapped her fingers on the table impatiently. Eugene did as he was told, not liking Stalyan’s impatient look. One of the thugs snapped some manacles around his wrists so he couldn’t get up.

“Unfortunately, in the past, some people have reacted badly to the conditions their debts put them in with my father. Now we have new, safer protocols.”

Though unhappy, Lance did as he was told. He’d said he was willing to do anything to save his brother’s life, and this was a natural consequence of that.

Cassandra, however, pulled her hands to her lap. “We’re not going to argue—”

“You already are,” Stalyan gestured to the men, who promptly forced Cassandra’s hands behind the chair, snapping the manacles on.

Cassandra seemed ever so slightly distressed, not liking being restrained.

Lance tilted his head to look at her in the eyes. “This won’t take long.” He had no clue if that was true or not.

Stalyan nodded. “Long as you don’t argue.”

“We won’t,” Lance said, because there was no point. They had nothing to bargain with and everything to lose.

The Baron’s footsteps could be heard before his voice.

“Stalyan.”

“Daddy.” Stalyan leaped off the desk and across the room, kissing her father on the cheek before linking her arm in his. “I have them ready for you.”

“Good.” He stepped forward, moving to actually sit at Stalyan’s desk chair, something the woman rarely did. Even while seated, he loomed over the three thieves. “It’s good to see you again after all these years.” His eyes moved over them, one by one. First Eugene who looked tired, then Lance, who he remembered most clearly, and finally Cassandra. She’d not stood out to him too much as a kid, but that changed today. “You know, Stalyan, when you asked me for the funds for this project, I wasn’t sure about it.”

“Daddy—”

The Barron raised a hand. “I don’t misjudge your skills, Darling. I just thought maybe they’ve been working with you so long there were some emotions at play. You’d grown fond of them.”

Stalyan shook her head.

“But it was silly of me to assume such a thing. Today at the event, I saw just some of the skills these three have.” He nodded approvingly.

“Um, yes. Of course.” Stalyan smiled, uncertain what exactly her father meant. She hadn’t been there herself, hadn’t seen Cassandra’s arrow.

“I’ll be keeping them. I’ll give you new men, my darling.”

“Keeping them?”

“I’ll give you enough men to make up for it, I promise. But their talents are wasted on mere-thieving.”

“Mere-thieving?” Lance asked, the severity of what they’d agreed to starting to become apparent.

The Barron smiled at the three. “There will be new criminal endeavours for you.”

“Such as?” Eugene enquired.

The Barron’s eyes moved to Cassandra. “We can always use a shot like hers.”

Cassandra’s eyes widened. “I’m not a murderer…” she whispered.

“Not yet.”

“Not ever!” Cassandra tried.

“You seemed happy to kill the king?”

Cassandra shook her head. “That’s… He’s evil.”

“Then you’re going to have to start making with the idea that a lot more people are evil.”

“No…” Cassandra looked to Lance for support, though her brother was speechless.

The Barron stood up and moved around the desk to get a closer look at the three.

“Listen, we’re thieves! We’re amazing thieves. We’re trained as thieves.”

The Baron nodded as though listening, as though he cared. But then his hand moved under Cassandra’s chin, lifting her face to more closely look at her. “We’ll have you trained for new tasks.”

“Please, no…” Cassandra’s eyes filled with tears.

“Woman are so emotional…”

Stalyan frowned at the statement, as did Lance and Eugene, who were not exactly fond of the idea of murder either.

“You’re a beautiful woman. That’s good. It’ll help you get close to the men you must kill.”

Cassandra tried to shake her head, but the Baron’s grip was too tight.

“How old are you?”

Cassandra struggled to breathe far less talk, but she managed a meek. “Eighteen.”

“Eighteen.” The Barron finally let go of her. “Pity. You’ll still be useful, but I do have a personal rule about them being older than my own daughter.”

It took a second for the three to process what that rule was referring to. But once it did, Eugene leaned forward. “Get your fucking hands away from her.” His glare was fierce despite being chained to a chair and in no condition to pick fights.

The Barron smiled. “You don’t get to be angry with me.”

“I’m fucking furious!” Eugene clenched his teeth because how dare this man even imply…

“You have three breaths to calm down.”

“Three breaths?!” Eugene shouted, not understanding what that even meant. But on his third breath he got the answer as the Barron suddenly grabbed him by the throat, knocking his chair to the ground and closing of his airway.

“Three breaths. Calming down now?”

“Eugene!” Cassandra struggled.

“Let go of him!” Lance also was struggling, but not even he was strong enough to break through metal.

Eugene struggled. Despite his desperate kicks and thrashing, he could feel his strength waning as the lack of oxygen took hold; he thought how ironic it’d be if he died this way despite being saved from the noose, only hours later. But as his body stilled, the Barron let go.

“Three breaths,” he repeated. “Next time, I expect you to calm down before I have to do that.”

Eugene closed his eyes, biting his tongue.

“Take them to their new rooms.”

“New rooms?” Lance asked, as though that weren’t the least of their worries.

“There’re some rooms setup for you in the basement,” Stalyan filled in.

“Rooms or cells?” Lance thought of the basement.

“We’ve had some amenities added in that wouldn’t be there for prisoners,” Stalyan said almost gently. “You three are now on Corona’s most wanted list so, it’ll be best you not be seen, not even passing by a window.”

Lance frowned. “We won’t be allowed out.”

“Not until the excitement dies down,” The Barron confirmed. “But don’t worry. That’ll be the perfect time to begin your new training.”

Chapter Text

There were many things hidden away on the lower levels of the Baron’s mansion. There were wine cellars and rooms for storage. Stuff you’d expect from the rich and powerful. But of course, the Baron was no ordinary high-ranking figure; he hid secrets in his basement. One of those secrets was a series of cells, usually reserved for those who double crossed him. However, three of them, side by side, now housed three of his newest men.

Just as Stalyan has mentioned, the cells were given some adjustments to reflect that those within were not prisoners, but not much. They had a bed, a chair and a desk. More than a normal prisoner would get.

Eugene wasn’t sure what the desk was for. They weren’t given paper, pens, or any other activity to do on them. So he lay on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

He knew his siblings slept nearby.

He could visit.

There were guards in the hall, but they knew the three were not prisoners. They could visit one another. However, they did not allow them to leave the basement.

Eugene knew Caine had slipped into Cassandra’s room shortly after their arrival. It was the only reason Eugene wasn’t in there. What the Baron had said… the stuff he’d implied… Eugene felt anxious about his younger sister. But he knew she was in good hands right now.

Caine had two fires burning within her. One demanded justice, one demanded the king and queen pay for taking her childhood too soon. But the other fire was one of passion. Caine adored Cassandra and loved her with a burning passion.

Criminals were dangerous.

You couldn’t trust just any of them.

However, if someone capable of bad things loved you, they will do terrible things for you. Eugene knew Caine would commit almost any atrocity for Cassandra.

Caine was good for Cassandra.

So Eugene let Caine comfort Cassandra first.

That gave him a moment to process what their future would be like, after all.

Lance, unfortunately, knew what the future would look like. He paced as he tried to think about how he’d avoid it. Because there was no way he was letting this happen.

When Lance was young, he’d taken a little bookworm obsessed with adventure books under his wing to protect him from bullies. He’d done so, intending to help him get a better future.

Years later, he and Eugene accepted little Cassandra into their family and taught her some much needed survival skills. Again, with every intent of things being better for her.

He remembered the innocence both of them had back then.

Eugene cuddled his books and was ever so gentle.

Cassandra, with her little owl plush, refusing to steal.

Neither of them had been predisposed for this life.

Making thieves out of them had been bad enough, but now the Baron wanted more?

Lance recalled getting home from a day’s work, back when they lived in the tower to find the two younger members of his family had held onto all the bones from the animals Owl fed off and were holding a burial for them.

No… These two were far too innocent to be anything more than thieves. No matter the tough faces they put on, no matter how good Cassandra’s shot was and no matter the threats Eugene made. They were thieves. That was all.

Cassandra and Caine twirled and swayed around the cramped room, their laughter filling the air.

Caine was smiling. After a bit of complaining about the size and state of the room, she was smiling, because they’d done it! Eugene was back and alive and well. Cassandra was good, Lance was good! Everything was good!

Plus, the king had gotten the scare of his life.

Seeing Caine’s smile, Cassandra hadn’t the heart to tell her they wouldn’t be working together any longer, or about the stuff the Baron had said.

Later, Cassandra would cry to her brothers about how scared she was and how little she wanted the future to come. But right now she danced with no music in a dimly lit cell and she smiled.

That night the boys brought their supper to Cass’ room. Suddenly the desk had a use. They pulled it into the centre of the room and brought the chairs in.

“So…” Eugene spoke with his mouth half full. “I know every time we get out of a mess, we inevitably end up in a bigger one.”

Cassandra nodded her agreement.

“But we ain’t taking this lying down, right?” Eugene looked at Lance. “I mean that man wants Cass to be a killer and, well…”

“I’m squeamish at the sight of blood,” Lance joked. “Far from an ideal career path for any of us.”

“So?” Eugene asked.

“So…” Lance sat back. “We have a while still until the excitement of breaking you out of prison dies down. We’ll go through the training, whatever that entails, and hopefully, we’ll figure something out.”

“Our plan is to figure something out?” Eugene frowned.

“Yeah,” Lance said.

“He wants to turn Cass into a killer,” Eugene repeated.

“Yes, but we need time to come up with something perfect, Eugene. It’s the Baron we’re talking about.”

“Lance is right.” Cassandra stuffed a vegetable in her mouth. “We can’t risk what he’ll do to us if we don’t make it out first shot. I can take whatever training he throws at me. You forget how capable I am,” she said with a smug grin.

Eugene hesitated before nodding. “Alright.”

“Eugene,” Cassandra leaned forward.

“Yeah?”

“Will you tell me a story before bed tonight?”

Eugene turned, his eyebrows raised in surprise.

“I hate to admit it.” She sat back and crossed her arms. “But while you were gone… I couldn’t help but think if you died, I can’t remember the last story you told me. I don’t want that.”

Eugene smiled. “Sure Cass. After dinner.”

Lance smiled, though his heart sunk a little. These two were definitely too innocent for what the Baron had planned out for them.

Chapter Text

I can take whatever training he throws at me.

That’s what Cassandra had told Eugene, and she hadn’t meant to lie. She’d fully believed the words as she’d said them.

But now it was the next day, and she knelt on the ground cuddling a very sweet street cat. It confused her why the Baron and Stalyan had brought it here; she assumed to keep the three from going insane during their time in the cells? She thought it may just work. Until the Baron spoke. “Kill it.”

Cassandra lifted her eyes to meet his. “What?”

“Kill it.”

Cassandra’s grip tightened around the animal as she held it protectively to her chest, feeling its warmth. “No.”

“It’s a pest, picked up off the street, here to help desensitise you to the act of killing.”

“It’s an innocent little animal and I’m not hurting it!”

“I see…” The Baron held out a hand and Stalyan gave him a knife.

Cassandra backed away, but the man twirled it and held the handle towards her. “Here.”

Cassandra shook her head.

“If you do it right, the animal will barely have time to feel pain.”

“I won’t do it.”

“I told you dad,” Stalyan stepped forward. “She’s not a killer. Skilled thief, but barely the murderer you want her to be.”

“Not yet.” The Baron placed the knife on the ground next to Cassandra before exiting the cell. The guards outside handed him a small package, then he was moving through the cell back towards Cassandra.

“Stay away from us!” Cassandra shouted as she backed further into the corner, trying to protect both the animal and herself from whatever this man had in store for them.

“This’ll barely hurt,” the Baron assured. As he knelt down in front of her, she could see what was in his hand, a metal sphere.

Cassandra tightly closed her eyes, clutching the cat.

The Baron was right; she felt a prick in the side of her neck but it was less painful than the cat’s claws in her side. She opened her eyes to see a spider being gracefully returned to its metal prison.

“I don’t fear spiders,” Cassandra whispered. Her eyes moved with confusion to the door where Eugene and Lance had appeared after hearing her calls, though Lance was hiding behind Eugene, very much terrified of spiders.

“No, but this isn’t just any spider.”

“It’s poisonous!” Lance declared, his greatest fear becoming a reality before him.

“No…” Eugene shook his head, thinking Lance was being dramatic.

“Yes, actually.” The Baron nodded.

“But there’s an antidote,” Stalyan sighed. Her voice carried a hint of displeasure.

“Where?” Eugene asked, his fists tightly clenched by his side as he took a determined step forward.

The Baron smiled, finger tapping on the knife that lay by Cassandra’s side. “In the guts of that little pest. I suggest you act fast, though it’ll take a day or so to kill you. The symptoms are quite unpleasant.”

Cassandra shook her head, the cat’s fur brushing against her cheek as she held it close.

“Soon you won’t even see the animal’s eyes through your pain, then I trust you’ll start you training.”

Eugene quickly shifted to the side, making room for the Baron and Stalyan to exit. Tears welled up in Cassandra’s eyes. Fearing the spider’s return, Lance hurriedly backed away, while Eugene rushed inside to kneel by his sister, offering her comfort.

“I won’t do it!” Cassandra shook her head. “I won’t!”

Eugene looked at the animal nestled in Cassandra’s arms. It had a fluffy face and big eyes, adorable, but ultimately, cute wasn’t enough to stop Eugene from doing what needed to happen to keep his sister safe. Without hesitation, he snatched the animal out of Cassandra’s grip, turning so his back was facing her. He grabbed the knife and in one swift movement; the floor was covered in blood; he was fast; he was efficient; the cat didn’t even make a noise. Eugene hoped it felt no pain as he threw his hand into its gut to find the little vial of antidote.

With a quick motion, he wiped the blood off on his shirt, then held it out for her. “Drink this.”

Cassandra shook her head.

Lance finally reached his siblings’ side, taking the vial from Eugene and opening it to force Cassandra to drink. While Eugene took the bloody remains of the animal out of the cell Lance had to fight Cassandra to get her to drink it, but he was an older brother, forcing younger siblings to take medicine was one of he lesser used skills from the orphanage but one that occasionally came in handy.

“Impressive…” Waiting in the dimly lit hallway, the Baron’s stern gaze bore into Eugene, who remained unfazed as he approached and dropped the cat corpse at his feet. “Though that wasn’t meant for you.”

“You poisoned my sister.”

The Baron nodded, taking in the young man’s determined expression. “I see.”

“I won’t apologise for ensuring her safety. She wasn’t going to kill that cat. No matter how much you hurt her, she doesn’t work like that.”

“How does she work?”

Eugene remained silent.

“Based on what I just witnesses in there, I can conclude one thing about you three.”

“What’s that?”

The Baron raised his hand, his fingers gently grazing beneath Eugene’s chin, tilting his head upwards to meet his demanding gaze. “You’re going to be easy to control.” His grip on Eugene’s chin tightened, causing a sharp pain to shoot through his jaw. “I just poisoned the wrong sibling.”

Chapter Text

Eugene didn’t tell Cassandra about the exchange he’d had with the Baron just beyond her room. He should have. It was only fair she knew what was coming, only fair she be prepared.

But Eugene couldn’t.

Cassandra was buried under her blanket, curled up in the corner of her ‘room’, crying. Mourning the death of an animal she’d only held in her hands for a few minutes.

With a heavy heart, Eugene knelt down on the floor and began scrubbing away the remnants of the unsettling event.

Lance didn’t move from Cassandra’s side, though he didn’t touch her. He glanced back at Eugene, ready to help, but Eugene had the cleaning under control, and after this, Eugene was going to need to get clean of the blood staining his hands. It would be best if Lance didn’t leave her side.

Cassandra didn’t eat all day.

She didn’t talk either.

The two guys hated her silence, but they knew that when the world overwhelmed her, words were the first thing she abandoned.

She’d been silent the day they met her. She’d been silent when she discovered her mother had died. And today she remained silent as she mourned the life of an innocent creature.

But she always found her voice again.

“Just a biscuit,” Eugene tried to negotiate.

Cassandra shook her head.

They didn’t push any further.

They each slept in their corresponding room. There was temptation to stay together, but the floor wasn’t comfortable and moving the beds was too much effort. Besides, sometimes you need space to cry. Cassandra wasn’t the best at talking about her feelings or handling them. But she’d never really failed at seeking out company when she needed it. And the rooms weren’t far.

If Cassandra had a nightmare or found herself shrouded in dark thoughts, she’d find her way into one of the guys’ rooms. They trusted her to do so much.

Morning arrived.

It was hard to navigate the passing of time when stuck underground.

Lance was awoken not by sunlight or birds chirping but by the loud click of the heavy metal latch being secured.

“Hey!” Lance leaped out of his bed, his fists hitting the thick metal door, causing pain to travel through his fists and up his arm. “What’s going on?!” he shouted. But nobody answered. Lance had a terrible feeling about this.

Eugene, likewise, was awoken by the sound of metal, though in his case it was the heavy door swinging open.

He leaped up and glared at the Baron’s men blocking the doorway. They were all at least double his size, strong, muscular, impossible for him to fight unarmed as he was. Yet he felt the urge to try.

“Are we ready to assist in your friend’s training?” The Baron’s voice was indistinguishable.

“For goodness’ sake, leave Cassandra alone! She’s not a killer and no amount of dead animals will change that. You’re not making her indifferent, you’re just hurting her.” Eugene held his fists to his side. “She’s a skilled thief. That’s all she needs to be.”

“I believe in making the most of my men, you’re sister is no exception. Will you assist, or shall we force you?” The Baron’s eyes wandered aimlessly, clearly unimpressed with the lack of cooperation.

“I appreciate you saving my life, but fuck you if you think I’m gonna help you break my sister.”

The Baron sighed. “Many people in your situation would be thrown right back to the king’s men for your lack of gratitude.”

“Go ahead,” Eugene challenged.

“But you have a use. And it’s in your best interest to make yourself into more than a mere tool.”

Eugene just glared, because whether or not he wanted to, he was only a tool to this man. Willing or unwilling.

“Hold him down.”

The men came closer and Eugene backed away, grabbing the cushions from his bed. Hardly a weapon, but simply having something to hold helped.

Cassandra was the last of the three to wake up. She woke up to the sound of Eugene’s scream, a battle cry. She’d know it anywhere. She rushed out of her room and to the door of her brother’s.

Eugene was being held by four of the Baron’s men. One man for each limb. Despite their firm grasps, Eugene's body thrashed violently, his teeth sinking into anything within reach. He was vigorously kicking, his legs flailing in the air. He was relentless in his pursuit to make the men work to keep him down.

They forcefully pushed him onto the ground, feeling the weight of their hands on his limbs as they tried to keep him restrained without breaking any bones.

The Baron smiled at the sight, knowing that all this energy and determination would serve him well once they fell into place.

“Stop this,” Cassandra’s voice came from the doorway. She didn’t shout or cry. Her voice was gentle, not an order, but a plea.

The Baron turned around. “There’s my little assassin!”

Cassandra wanted to back away, but she couldn’t, not with Eugene in danger. “Please.”

“Don’t worry Sweetheart.” The Baron came closer to her. “We will not hurt him. He’s just being very dramatic.”

“Cassandra, go be with Lance!”

“The door’s locked,” The Baron said simply. “Today I want to work with just you two.” He finally stepped away from Cassandra, crossing the room to look down at Eugene.

“I don’t know what you’re planning, but fuck you if you think we’re collaborating,” Eugene glared.

The Baron nodded. “You’ll collaborate.” He pulled out the same metal sphere from yesterday.

“No!” Cassandra jumped forward, only for one of the men to snatch her and lift her off the ground. She struggled, but unlike Eugene, a single man holding her off the ground was enough to keep her out of the way.

Eugene knew this was coming. He turned his head away, not scared of spiders but far from fond of them. As the Baron released the spider onto Eugene’s chest, he could hear the faint rustling of its movement as it searched for exposed skin.

“No, no, no.” Cassandra’s voice echoed through the room as she relentlessly kicked and hit the man who held her, trying to get away.

Eugene shuddered as he felt the spider’s hairy legs skittering across his skin, moments before it sank its fangs into him.

Eugene flinched, feeling a brief sting that quickly subsided.

The Baron carefully returned the spider to its spherical home, watching as it scurried inside.

“Well done.”

Eugene wasn’t sure if the words were directed at the spider or himself. The men finally let go, and Eugene curled in on himself, feeling the cold floor beneath him.

The man holding Cassandra released his grip, and she darted across the room. She reached Eugene and embraced him tightly, feeling his arms wrap around her in return.

“Now, little assassin, just like yesterday, the antidote is well within your reach, waiting in your room.”

“Another cat?”

“A vermin you should not concern yourself with.”

Tears welled up in Cassandra’s eyes.

Eugene kept his arms around his sister. “Where’s the knife?”

“In her room,” The Baron answered before grabbing one of Eugene’s hand and forcefully pulling it away from Cassandra. “But I want her to do it.”

“She’s not an assassin!” Eugene shouted.

The Baron, alongside one of his men, pulled Eugene’s hand behind his back. quickly retraining them with some manacles before pushing him back to the ground. “She’s going to do it. If we find out you did it, next time, there will be no weapon, and you’ll have to do the deed with bare hands. Am I understood?”

Eugene growled. “You think I’m past doing it with my bare hands if it means her being free of the deed?”

“You think she wants to hear the heartbreaking cries of what she perceives as a defenseless creature, as you do?”

Eugene wanted so badly to fight these people, unfortunately he was outnumbered, out-powered and in this very instant, his hands were chained behind his back.

“I’ll do it,” Cassandra whispered. “I can do it.”

Eugene’s eyes moved to his sister, softening immensely. “Cassandra…”

“Take as much time as you need,” The Baron reassured. “Though, the longer you take, the more you should expect your brother to… Suffer.”

Cassandra wiped tears from her eyes as the men began to empty out of the room.

Eugene glared at them before his eyes went back to Cassandra. “Don’t do it.”

“I have to.”

“Not yet.”

Cassandra looked at him.

“You know what those sorts of people are like. They lie to get you to do what they want.”

Cassandra hummed.

“We can’t follow their orders blindly. We need to wait to be sure that spider even is venomous.”

“Great, yeah, sure Eugene. Let’s wait until you are suffering.”

“I’d rather test it today than another day when it’s you he has poisoned.”

“I know you would, and I’d rather test it on myself.”

“Well, too bad because I was very efficient yesterday and now that has passed. So, you going to kill an innocent animal when you maybe don’t have to, or are you going to wait?”

Cassandra glared at Eugene, but then she thought of yesterday’s animal. “I’m going to wait…”

“Good… Now get these stupid manacles of me before I use them to strangle somebody.”

Chapter Text

Eugene took Cassandra to her room, there a knife waited atop the desk and a cat waited hidden beneath her bed.

Cassandra was fast to kneel, making herself small and holding out a hand for the animal. “Hello sweetie.”

Eugene wanted to tell her not to get attached, but even now it was too late.

The cat sniffed Cassandra’s hand before rubbing its face up against it. Cassandra slowly scratched behind the ear, receiving an approving purr. “If today’s your last day, I promise I’m going to make it warm and full of love,” Cassandra whispered. Thankfully, the cat didn’t speak English and continued to rub up against her hand.

Eugene took a deep breath. “I’m gonna go tell Lance not to worry, alright?”

Cassandra nodded, allowing the cat to curl up on her lap, feeling the gentle weight of the cat settling down.

As he exited the room, Eugene felt a slight wave of nausea wash over him, though he attributed it more to anticipation than an actual symptom.

When he knocked on Lance’s door, it reverberated with a forceful bang. “Let me out!” Lance ordered.

“Pretty sure I’ll be in bigger trouble than I already am if I do.”

“Flynn?”

“I just came to reassure you everything is fine… Same trick as yesterday.”

“That’s not what I’d call fine.”

“I’ll handle it.”

“Are you sure?”

“I don’t have a choice, Lance. Point is, nothing urgent you need to attend to.”

Lance huffed. “Cowards for locking me in here.”

“True that.”

“If you can get Cassandra to see less than yesterday…”

“I’ll do what I can.” Eugene decided against mentioning the Baron’s threats. “You just don’t worry.”

“Until I’m with you two, I’m going to worry. I know you’d do the same.”

“Point taken.”

“I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Soon.”

Eugene returned to the room to find Cassandra had climbed up onto the bed, cat on her lap, blanket around both her and the cat to keep it warm. She seemed calm and serene, even with the looming threat of Eugene’s poisoning.

Eugene moved to her side. Cassandra rested her head against him. “Eugene…” She whispered.

“Yes, Cass?”

“I don’t know if I can do this.”

Eugene nodded, arm wrapping tightly around her. “Then don’t.”

“Eugene—”

“Soon as I get some symptoms, I’ll handle it.”

“But he said—”

“I’ll handle it and I’ll handle the consequences.”

Cassandra looked up at Eugene.

“How many times have I promised I’ll protect you?”

Cassandra thought back to the orphanage, to her older brother who would hold her hand and tell her stories. “Too many to count.”

“Then you know how serious I am about this.” With gentle care, Eugene tucked the blanket around her, ensuring she was comfortable and protected. “You just give that kitty all the love and don’t worry about me. Okay?”

“You promise you can handle it?”

Eugene nodded.

“Thank you.”

“Anything for family.”

Eugene sat on Cassandra’s bed. Cassandra’s shallow breathing indicated that she had drifted off into a light slumber. The soft purring of the cat on her lap provided a soothing soundtrack to the stillness around them. The girl was attached. A part of Eugene seriously hoped the spider was not venomous and the cat could simply live. Maybe Cassandra could even keep it? Owl went surprisingly well, so why not a cat?

Despite this optimistic thoughts, his body was aching. The throbbing pain in his muscles sent waves of discomfort coursing through his entire body, causing him to feel nauseous. His skin was uncomfortably hot and his eyelids felt heavy.

But that was all in his head.

He kept telling himself that.

He told himself that while struggling to take breaths. He told himself that when the pain became worst and worst. He told himself that as the fever began to take hold and all he could feel was the searing heat of his skin.

It was all in his head.

The dots on his skin were in his head.

The vile in his throat was in his head.

The tears streaming down his face were in his head.

And the man and woman standing before him, they too were in his head.

His eyes narrowed at the blurry figures, a man who was large, wearing armour and holding a sword. A tall slim woman with a raven on her shoulder. They were smiling at him.

Eugene smiled back.

Cassandra stirred from her sleep when she felt the weight on her lap shift as the kitty hopped onto Eugene. Cassandra smiled, but her smile quickly faded when she realised why her furry friend had chosen her big brother.

Cassandra’s hand found Eugene’s forehead. “Flynn, you’re burning up!”

Eugene’s eyes were unfocused, and he had a big, dorky smile on his face. “So I’m a bit of a cool guy, talented, adventurous… I’m glad you came back.”

“Flynn!” Cassandra shook him.

“I love you too mum…”

“Mum?” Cassandra’s whole face scrunched up, and she lowered her voice. “Eugene! You said you’d handle this! Clearly you’re unwell. Now handle this!”

But Eugene was feverish, and he couldn’t see Cassandra. He could see the blurry figures of his parents, adventurers finally come home for him, allies who’d help him and his siblings escape the Baron’s clutches. The only imperfection was they weren’t real, and while Eugene got to live this dream, Cassandra was scared of losing her brother.

“Eugene, please,” Cassandra begged.

“Yeah, I can do maths.”

Cassandra hugged her bother, tears streaming down her face. He was hot, way too hot, his skin was sweaty, and the coloration was wrong and Cassandra knew she had to do something.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered, standing from the bed and walking over to the desk, picking up the knife. “I am so very sorry,” she repeated, eyes going back to the cat that was cuddled up comfortably to Eugene. “I really am.”

Chapter Text

The sound of pencil on paper filled the silence.

Eugene was slouched on a chair, his eyes fixated on the ceiling. His arm throbbed with pain from the gruelling morning exercises he had been forced to endure, a topic he adamantly avoided discussing with his siblings.

Lance was sitting on Cassandra’s bed, his gaze fixed on the floor.

Cassandra was on the floor with a journal and some pencils, colouring in her latest cat. It had a name, a personality, and a date of death. It could not be revived but it would be remembered. Cassandra had gotten this gift a week into their forced stay in the basement as a reward for her jobs well done. Now it was almost out of pages.

Despite never becoming desensitised to the violence she inflicted, Cassandra executed each act with increasing speed and efficiency.

The Barron was content.

Cassandra had her first real assignment the next day.

Caine had been kind enough to dig up some dirt on the man. Cassandra has a long list of all his fault, he was rude to servers; he taxed the poor, he would poison the stray cats that entered his garden… this would make it easier for Cassandra.

Eugene would be forced to stay behind, his life on the line, if Cassandra did not perform correctly.

Lance had also gone through some intense training these past many months and would be sent with Cassandra to keep her safe.

Despite brainstorming session after brainstorming session, the three had no plans of escape.

Which meant Cassandra was going to need to ask the Baron for yet another journal as a reward if she wanted to keep remembering those she killed.

“Is it really necessary for you to draw them that cute?” Eugene finally snapped at his younger sister.

“It’s an accurate representation.”

“It’s eyes weren’t that big.”

“They looked that big when he was looking up at me, silently begging me to spare his life.”

“He had no clue what you were about to do to him.”

Cassandra didn’t answer.

Eugene sighed. “For what’s it worth, it’s over. No more stray animals. And animals may be innocent, but humans are not.”

“They’re not.” Cassandra nodded, passing the page of her journal, wondering what she’d be drawing in it tomorrow. “But they sure do leave a trail… Stray animals disappearing is bad, but people… they have families, friends…”

“That man played with fire. Someone was gonna get him eventually Cass, consider himself lucky it’s gonna be you. Cause with you, he won’t see it coming. You’ll get a clean shot. He’ll die quick and painlessly, just as you’ve been taught.”

Cassandra’s eyes glinted with determination as she nodded.

“That’s a girl.” Eugene patted her on the head as he moved across the room to pour them a drink. Stalyan had brought them a bottle of some sort of brown alcoholic liquid and cups. Said it’d work as a pain-killer, sleeping pill, antidepressant, all in one!

“What if we’re caught?”

“I won’t let anybody reach you,” Lance reassured Cassandra.

“This isn’t thievery anymore.”

“To steal, you gotta go someplace. You can shoot an arrow from a distance,” Eugene chugged down his drink. “You’re gonna be fine.” He poured another glass, handing it to Cassandra.

She shook her head.

“Drink, you need it,” Eugene insisted and Cassandra finally accepted. “You need to ease your nerves and sleep.”

Cassandra did as she was told, and after another flip through her journal, she threw the boys out of her room to nap. They complied without issue.

“How do we think she’s doing?” Eugene asked Lance.

“I think she’s killed hundreds of animals, feels the guilt running deeper than her bones, and is about to kill a human being tomorrow.”

“So what I’m hearing is I need to leave the entire bottle for her?” Eugene threw his hands in his pocket.

“That journal needs to go missing. She cannot force herself to remember and cry over every life she’s ever taken. It’s bad enough with the animals, but once it’s people, she’ll want to know everything about that person.”

Eugene nodded. “I can pull that off.”

“Good.”

“Anything else?”

“I need to rest too, to be at my best, but you don’t. So wait to see if Caine comes down and if she does, ask her to talk to Stalyan about regaining access to the rest of the mansion. These rooms are prisons and if we’re gonna be working for this guy, we deserve to be able to walk around the halls freely.”

Eugene nodded. “Alright, but I don’t think it’s Stalyan’s call anymore.”

“Never thought I’d miss her.”

“She was horrific and yet so much better than her dad.”

Lance nodded.

“Go rest. I’ll stay up.”

“Alright.”

“Good luck tomorrow.”

“Thanks… We’re gonna need it.”

Chapter Text

“He poisons innocent animals, he poisons innocent animals…” While being escorted into the garden by the Baron’s men, Cassandra whispered what she considered her victims’s most unforgivable fault under her breath.

Once in the garden, they forced Cassandra to kneel. The men made her raise her hands over her head and patted her down, checking she had nothing on her before doing the same to Lance.

They made Cassandra stand, then they gave her a new leather jacket, a new bow, and some arrows.

They gave lance a sword and a new vest.

The men brought a metal carriage into the garden, meant for transporting gold or valuable cargo, not people. Before loading the two ‘weapons’ inside, The Baron came out with Eugene by his side, surrounded by men.

“You understand your assignment?” He looked at Cassandra.

She nodded.

“And you understand what happens if you fail?” He smiled, his gaze fixed on Eugene.

With clenched fists, Cassandra reluctantly nodded in agreement.

The Baron smiled, his hand raised, making Eugene flinch, but it landed gently on his shoulder, as if they were old friends. “Don’t worry, little one, your brother will be in excellent hands until your return.”

“If you hurt a hair on his head—”

“I’d recommend you not make threats to the person who owns you, little one.”

The choice of words caused Cassandra to grit her teeth, prompting Lance to grab her arm just in case.

“Give them zero opportunities to escape.” The Baron looked at his men. “Given what's at stake, I am sure they would not be so foolish.” As his grip on Eugene tightened, the young man winced in pain. “Nevertheless, can’t be too cautious.”

With a nod, the men seized Cassandra and Lance, their tight grasp propelling them towards the carriage. Their hands were swiftly bound behind their back, and their mouths were gagged to silence any cries for help during the journey. A stupid precaution in Cassandra’s opinion. Both her and Lance would be executed if caught! With a forceful shove, they hurried them inside the carriage; the door slamming shut with a resounding thud.

Lance moved closer to Cassandra who cuddled up to her big brother, her eyes shut as she continued her mantra about innocent animals in her head and occasionally wished forth he image of Eugene with the Baron, her reminder that this was not her choice but her responsibility to her family.

It felt like much later when the carriage came to a halt; the men dragged the two out and into position. Cassandra’s hands were finally freed, but the material still covered her mouth, muffling her voice. Cassandra really hoped that with time, they would start to trust her, even if it was just a little.

In addition, they untied Lance and positioned him next to Cassandra. His task was straightforward - ensure Cassandra’s safe return to the carriage if they were spotted.

The carriage rolled away slowly. It wouldn’t be far.

With steady hands, Cassandra adjusted her grip on the bow and poised herself for the perfect shot.

She had simple instructions on which house it was, which window, what time to expect the man and what the man looked like.

Lance watched silently as Cassandra carefully set up her shot, not interfering. He knew not to make a noise or touch her whatsoever.

Cassandra’s eyes narrowed.

Lance didn’t even see the man appear before Cassandra had released the arrow, but Lance did see him fall.

A clean head-shot and the silence that rang after confirmed that nobody had been there to witness it.

Lance felt like his presence there was useless until he heard the thump of Cassandra flopping down into the grass.

Lance saw the empty look in her eyes.

Carefully, he picked her up off the ground, holding her to his chest. Cassandra was fully grown yet still half the size of Lance. She started to cry. Her actions settling in her mind. Lance held her tight and moved silently through the forest towards the carriage.

The men ordered Cassandra to stop crying; she did not.

They gave in and put the two thieves… no, thieves didn’t really describe them anymore, mercenaries? Back into the carriage.

Lance was grateful that their hands remained untied, allowing him to hold Cassandra close and provide her with comfort through gentle circles rubbed against her back until they arrived home.

Caine was the first one there to greet them. She looked horrified as she gazed upon Cassandra, whose tear-streaked face revealed her deep distress. With a swift motion, Caine produced a knife from her boot and cut the fabric encasing her mouth. Then she wrapped an arm around Cassandra and lead her towards the house.

Inside, The Baron awaited, with a wide smile on his face. Eugene’s absence was noticeable, although one could assume he was out of harm’s way. Cassandra had succeeded, after all.

“The first one’s the worst,” The Baron said as though to comfort her. “But you did well. You’ll serve me well, little one.”

Caine glared at the man but said nothing.

Lance wasn’t far behind.

“And you brought her home, just as instructed,” The Baron congratulated Lance, who also glared.

“Miss Caine, show them to their new rooms, food will be with you shortly, a reward for a job well done.” The Baron spoke with an air of condescension, as if he were bestowing a great favour upon them. However, no matter how lavish the food or luxurious the room, it could never compare to the exorbitant sum they paid him to orchestrate a person’s demise.

All three of the siblings knew this.

They were well aware of their own worth. They understood the reason behind taking precautions. This knowledge did not serve them for anything, though. They had absolutely no leverage or influence in this place, none whatsoever.

Their new rooms were actually on the top floor, they weren’t bad; they were more quarters than rooms, having their own bathrooms, dining table, desk and bed. Eugene was already waiting. He gave Cassandra a tight hug before shifting his attention to Lance.

“My journal?” Cassandra asked, already panicking as she looked around her new room.

“Oh… Cass… You know how little respect they have for our belongings…” Eugene gave Lance a look, one that read guilt, but it was for the best.

Cassandra sank onto the bed, tears streaming down her face.

With a piercing glare, Caine assessed the two brothers, well aware of their dubious intentions. However, she remained silent, focusing instead on comforting her girlfriend. “Hey, he was a dickhead, the man you killed.”

“He had children!”

“He was hurting many families. You saved many people a lot of pain today.”

“I killed a person!”

“A very un-nice person,” Caine tried to no avail to comfort her.

Eugene moved to the kitchen. He had brewed a few teas, their steam rising delicately from the cups, anticipating that Cassandra might need something warm and comforting after her arrival. Though he doubted she would touch the soon to arrive food, he remained hopeful. It was important she eat. It wasn’t like they’d get long to rest.

Cassandra had another job tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that…

The Baron had taken no time in taking on orders and filling her schedule. Eugene had gotten a glimpse of what the next year or so of their life would be like, and he was not happy about it.

Chapter Text

“Fuck you!” Cassandra’s voice rang loud and clear throughout the entire of the Baron’s mansion, a truly impressive feat and something that, if not for the extensive garden with many bushes and trees to keep the noise in, would be dangerous.

The Baron watched as Cassandra kicked over a chair and crossed her arms in an almost sulking manner.

With no context, an outsider could confuse the two for a father and spoilt daughter. Especially with how the Barron addressed her. “Now, my child—”

“I am not your child!”

“You are mine , though.”

Cassandra's gaze burned with anger as she stared at the man responsible for reducing her and her brothers to mere tools and weapons. “I do more for you than anybody in this house.”

“That you do.”

“I kill for you! I kill every single day. I’ve taken countless lives so that you can cash the check.”

“You’re very good at your job.”

“I am. You want to know why?”

“Because I trained you well.”

“Bullshit. It’s because I shot from far enough away I don’t have to look them in the eyes.”

“I think you underestimate your own skills. You could kill a man with your bare hands if you wanted to.”

“But I don’t.”

“There is no perfect shot for this target.”

“Then give the money back and apologise to your client cause I am not doing it.”

“You don’t have to sleep with him, you merely catch his eye, go home with him and then kill him.”

“Fuck you,” Cassandra repeated, quiet but firmer.

The Baron sighed. “One more.”

“One more what?”

“Insult me on more time. I don’t care how much money you bring in, your lack of respect will have consequences.”

Cassandra glared, but the way her arms tightened around her and the step back she took informed the Baron she had taken the threat plenty serious.

“As you know, none of this is optional.”

“I do so much for you already.”

“And I’ve done a lot for you. There is no other person in this building who I have taken the risks to save that I took for your brother.”

“I have more than paid off the costs of that day.”

“The financial costs, sure, but the risk? I could have lost everything.”

“Please, Sir, I can’t do what you’re asking for. I can shoot from afar, but if I look him in the eyes…” She shook her head. “You’ll lose me. I won’t be able to carry through and a guard will see me.”

“If that happens, your brother will save you. And your other brother will die for your disobedience.”

Cassandra’s eyes glimmered with tears. “I’m telling you Sir… No threat will stop my hands from shaking in the moment. No threat will stop me from freezing up. You’ve seen what my body will do when under stress.”

The Baron sighed. He frowned. “You are awfully fragile sometimes.”

Cassandra’s eyes lowered to the floor. “Yeah…”

“Go to your room. I’ll consider your concerns.”

Cassandra bowed her head. “Thank you, Sir.”

The door to the Baron’s office closed as Cassandra exited right into Caine’s arms.

“And you call me irritable?” The red-head scolded with a roll of her eyes before leading her back towards the attic.

“I had to try everything .”

“Yeah, yeah. Did it work?”

“He said he’ll consider.”

Caine huffed.

“You don’t think he will?”

“Word is he charged five times the usual for this client.”

“But at the risk of losing me?” Cassandra pointed out.

“You know what he’s going to do.”

Cassandra shook her head.

“He’ll hold a knife to Flynn’s neck, break an arm… or two. And promise it’ll be much, much worse if you don’t get the job done.”

Cassandra sniffled.

Caine didn’t offer up any comfort as she opened up the door to Cassandra’s room. “If it helps, if the man you’re meant to kill places one finger on you, you won’t have to kill him. I will.”

“According to the Baron, I won’t have to sleep with him. I can kill him first.”

“If the Baron made you sleep with a man, I’d kill him, too.”

“Don’t even joke about that, wrong person hears you and we’re all dead.”

“Yeah, yeah. Can I ask you something, Owlet?”

Cassandra closed the door to her room behind her. “Go ahead.”

“Why don’t you kill the Baron?”

Cassandra glared.

“If anybody’s skilled enough in this big old house, it’s you. The number of people in forced debt to him is way higher than those willing.”

“Because I might make it out alive. Heck, we might make it out alive. But what are the chances me, you, Flynn and Lance all make it out alive?”

Caine didn’t answer.

“You know why I follow orders.” Cassandra moved to her kitchen, pulling out a bottle and starting to pour out some drinks, only to find there wasn’t enough for two cups. “What? This bottle is new!”

“New?”

“Two days, maximum.” Cassandra stomped across the room. “Rider!”

Caine sighed as she followed Cassandra as she slammed open the door to Eugene’s room, unsurprised to find Eugene and Stalyan half dressed on the sofa. Stalyan quickly pulled a blanket over them.

“Did you touch my drinks?”

“I’ll get you a new one!” Stalyan shouted.

“Stay out of this!” Cassandra snapped. “Flynn?”

“Yes, I ran out and took yours. You barely drink!”

“You drank the entire bottle in two days?”

“I said I’ll get you more!” Stalyan shouted, wanting the girl out.

“And I’m guessing not only mine. Do you have anything left in your kitchen?” She walked past the sofa to Eugene’s kitchen, uncaring what she interrupted.

“Owlet!”

“And Lance’s?”

“Are you listening to me?” Stalyan shouted.

“No, I am not. Because you’re not my boss anymore and even if you were, what are you going to do about it?”

Stalyan glared.

“Can’t tell your daddy you’re sleeping with the… what were the words he used to describe him?” Cassandra leaned over the sofa.

“I’ll get you a new bottle,” Eugene tried.

“I don’t care about the bottle, Flynn. I care about the fact I go out into the world every day and kill people to keep you alive and you’re going to kill yourself drinking. Way to value my work! Fuck you.”

“That’s what we were trying before you interrupted!”

“A terrible idea.”

“You’re judging me for sleeping with a woman?”

“With the Baron’s daughter.”

“I am right here,” Stalyan had at this point pulled her clothes back on.

“The assassin for hire is judging my life choices?”

Caine gestured with her head for Stalyan to follow her and let the siblings squabble.

“I am not an assassin for hire.”

“You’re right, you don’t get payed. You’re the murder weapon. The Baron points you and you go.”

“And you’re the boss’ daughter’s play-thing.”

“At least I enjoy it.”

“Do you? Cause if you really enjoyed it, you wouldn’t need to drink your way through every day!” Cassandra screamed, smashing one of Eugene’s glasses on the floor.

“Get out of my room!”

Another door opened. Lance looked exhausted.

“Given I’m the only reason you have a room, I think I can be here if I damn well want to be!”

“Cassandra,” Lance scolded, not knowing how this had started but seeing where it was.

“I hate her. She’s out to ruin my life,” Eugene complained.

“She’s not,” Lance said, crossing his arms. “What’s the issue?”

“Eugene took my alcohol!”

“I said I’ll get you more!” Eugene huffed. “She interrupted me and Stalyan.”

“Good.” Lance rolled his eyes. “I understand being alone here all day is boring, but if the Baron finds out…”

“He’ll break my limbs, but he’ll let me live. Needs me alive so Cass can keep being his little lapdog.” Eugene grumbled as he moved to the kitchen, rummaging through the cupboard but only finding empty bottles.

“You think I want this?”

“I think you let him get away with far too damn much.”

“Last time I disobeyed, he snapped your arm.”

“Was I using it?”

“Eugene, that’s enough.” Lance placed a hand on Cassandra’s shoulder. “You too.”

There was the sound of smashing glass as a frustrated Eugene threw an empty bottle to the ground.

“He’s got a problem,” Cassandra whispered.

“Go be with Caine,” Lance instructed.

“I kill people, but you want to shield me from my idiot big brother’s drinking problem?”

“You kill people. So I get to handle the more mundane issues.”

Cassandra nodded, giving Lance a quick hug. “Thank you.”

“Go rest.”

Cassandra rushed to the door, knowing Caine would be waiting for her, likely with snacks.

Lance turned to Eugene. “Keep angering her. See how far you can take it before your life becomes less valuable than her newest target.”

Eugene looked up at Lance.

A brief silence hung in the air before Lance finally realised. “That’s your intent.”

Eugene didn’t answer as he turned to go through his cupboard once more.

“Eugene…”

“I am the reason she mourns strangers every night.” Eugene found some crackers to snack on. “We said we’d protect her, and we became her worst enemies. You and her, you could take that crossbow, turn around, kill the Baron’s men and be free. But instead day after day, you go out there and you do as you’re told. For what? For me?” He laughed. “What a waste.”

“It’s not a waste.”

“Cassandra could be free. You could be free.”

“We want to be free together, all three of us.”

“And what if a chance for that never happens?”

“What if you were the one with the crossbow and it was me or Cass locked up here all day?”

Eugene didn’t answer.

“I know what you’re going through isn’t easy. It’s been months since you’ve been allowed outside. I can’t imagine…”

“Don’t act like I’m the one suffering. You go out only to protect Cass and witness a murder. I know I have the easy role.”

“I don’t think you have the easy role. I get to play an active role in protecting my family. You’re used against yours. I know it hurts.”

Eugene didn’t answer.

“But your destructive behaviour, it’s scaring Cass.” Lance moved closer. “Me and you both know she screams at you because she loves you.”

Eugene nodded. “I’ll not touch her stuff again. I’ll hide it from her better.”

“Maybe you should consider stopping?”

Eugene shook his head. “I need it.”

Lance nodded. “You’re old enough to make your own mistakes. But keep it hidden from your sister. She’s got enough on her mind already.”

“Did the Baron back off about her newest job?”

“No.” Lance shook his head. “But if Cass panics, I’m gonna go in myself and kill him. Nothing’s going to happen to her or you.”

Eugene nodded. “She’s in good hands.”

“And you are too,” Lance moved to Eugene’s kitchen, emptying the cupboard of the empty bottles. “The day you want help, come to me.”

Eugene kept his eyes on the ground, nodding. “Okay.”

“For either of your issues. I honestly don’t know what’s worse, the drinking or your choice of woman.”

Eugene shrugged. “She keeps me company.”

“I know,” Lance gave Eugene’s shoulder a gentle squeeze as he headed towards the door. “Once I’ve gotten rid of these shall I come back?”

Eugene nodded. “Please.”

Lance’s smile widened, and he nodded.

Chapter Text

Cassandra was sitting by the tinted glass window of her attic room, sketching. It was the first page of the journal, not because she’s managed to complete her last journal but because they kept in disappearing.

She figured it was the Baron’s doing, a way to hide evidence, another way to control her.

She let it be.

When it came to dealing with The Baron, you had to be selective about which fights to engage in, and these journals simply did not make the cut.

Today’s victims was a man. And for once she did not depict him in life but in death. She drew his body on the floor, covered in blood, with Lance standing at the door.

She hadn’t killed him.

She’d done as she was told, approached him in clothes she hadn’t picked, acted lost, innocent and naïve, followed him home. The idea was she’d kill him there, but she hadn’t. She’d let him lead her to the sofa, let him give her a cup of tea. She’d answered honestly when he’d asked. “Are you okay?”

“No.” She’d wanted to cry.

“Let me make it better.” His hand had touched her face, but then it had soon moved lower.

It was then that Lance stormed in and smashed the man’s head.

Cassandra had been grateful for the cloak he threw around her and even happier for him to drag her away from the house and hurry towards the carriage that awaited them.

Had there been servants in the mansion, they’d have been caught, but the man hadn’t wanted witnesses for his crimes. Thanks to that, nobody was there to witness his death.

Well, nobody who would help him at least.

Cassandra didn’t feel bad about this one, as she closed the notebook and moved over to the door. She opened it just a slither, enough for her to see into Eugene’s room where he was sleeping on the sofa. The curtains were pulled shut, casting a dim light that caught on the empty bottles that stood as silent witnesses to the early morning drinking.

Cassandra closed the door.

She couldn’t worry about Eugene yet. She needed to sleep first. With her journal pressed tightly against her chest, she wiped away tears and made her way from the door to her bed.

The grandiose mansion, with it’s tinted windows and expensive artworks decorating the hallways, with it’s many employees and it’s even more numerous rooms, a fortress that shielded them from the outside world, felt more like a prison to Eugene. Within its luxurious walls, his days and nights blended together, the confinement serving as food for his inner demons.

He woke up in his dimly lit room, seeing the empty bottles scattered across his coffee table and the half full coffee cup of bourbon he’d fallen asleep before finishing. The amber liquid within it offered a brief respite from everything. His dishevelled hair fell into his eyes, concealing his empty gaze and the blue sacks beneath his amber eyes.

Stalyan, a constant presence in the mansion, eyed him with a mixture of annoyance and disdain. Eugene wasn’t sure how long she’d been there, or what was on her mind. But he knew what she wanted.

He gulped down the remains of his coffee cup before standing up, his best charming grin plastered on his face. Eugene had always been the charming rogue, but now that grin alongside a few other mannerisms were mere shadows of his former self left behind.

Eugene walked across the room and his fingers traced Stalyan’s hair. “Hi Beautiful.”

Though the alcohol dulled his senses, Stalyan's voice cut through the haze. “You couldn’t clean up before I arrived?”

His grin became yet more forced, the charm in his voice replaced by a bitter edge. “If you’d like, we could go to your room?”

Stalyan rolled her eyes. To her, Eugene's struggles were an inconvenience. “Yes, let’s, and if my father sees you and smashes your skull on the floor, we’ll have two stained rooms.”

Eugene rolled his eyes and began moving some of the bottles out of the way of the sofa.

Stalyan shook her head. “Leave ‘em, tidy them up tomorrow. You’re just going to make another mess tonight.”

Eugene looked up at Stalyan. “You aren’t staying?”

“I was going to but by the time you’ve got this clean I’ll be heading out for a mission.”

“Can I come?”

“Oh, Rider.” Her hand gently caressed his cheek, and before long, her lips found his. “You know you’re not allowed to leave the house.”

“Not while Cassandra’s out but she’s in…” His eyes shifted towards the door, a perplexed expression forming on his face as he struggled to remember the time or day. “Right?”

“She is. But it’s still better for you if you stay here.” Eugene stumbled backward as Stalyan forcefully pushed him down onto the sofa.

“But… What will I do?” Eugene’s eyes were downcast, and a frown tugged at the corners of his mouth. “I wanted to be with you.”

“I know. I can’t blame you. Here.” She pulled out a bottle of liquor from her bag, handing it to Eugene.

Eugene took it.

“Drink. Tomorrow morning when you wake up, you clean this mess up and this time tomorrow I’ll be by your side. We’ll have fun.”

Eugene nodded, his hands trembling slightly as he opened the bottle. Carefully, he poured the liquid into his coffee mug, mesmerized by its golden hue. He looked up seeing Stalyan walking away.

“Where is this relationship going, Stalyan?”

Pausing for a moment, Stalyan glanced back at Eugene. “Nowhere.”

“Nowhere?”

“Precisely. You’re bored and alone. I’m bored and alone. We keep each other company and entertain each other. That’s all.”

“And that’s all it’s ever going to be?”

Stalyan walked back. “Rider, you are the person my father holds a knife to when your sister is acting up. You are nothing in this house. I am everything.”

“So… One day my sister will fail, and you won’t even try to save me?”

Stalyan’s mouth thinned. “No.”

Eugene began to drink.

“Have the place tidy for tomorrow, okay?”

“Course.”

The door closed with a resounding thud.

Shortly after, another door creaked open.

“Go away,” Eugene mumbled.

“Nope,” Cassandra said simply, wondering inside with a meal in her hand. “We’re talking. Now.” And she took the new bottle away.

“That’s mine.”

“You taught me to steal, now deal with it.”

Eugene sat back, sinking into the plush cushions of the sofa.

“This is an intervention, Lance will be here shortly.”

“Oh, fuck you.”

Cassandra took one of the chips of Eugene’s plate to put in her mouth.

“Hey!”

“Every insult is more of the food I cooked that I take back.”

Eugene pouted as he waited for Lance to show up. It wasn’t like it’d make a difference.

“Sorry I’m late.” Lance arrived.

“No problem.” Cassandra smiled at Lance.

“I know I have a problem. I know the drinking is bad. But I’m locked in here all day and—”

“We’re not worried about the drinking, Eugene.” Cassandra pulled her legs up.

“Oh?” Eugene frowned.

“This is an intervention about Stalyan.”

Eugene began to stuff his mouth with food.

“What are you doing?” Lance frowned.

“His preparing to say a lot of bad words,” Cassandra responded.

Chapter Text

“Stalyan is none of either of yours business!” Eugene argued with his siblings.

“Except if the Baron finds out, you’ll probably be killed which will mean I will have to take your place in the mansion and Cassandra will have to face the dangers of being an assassin unprotected, so… it kinda is our business,” Lance pointed out.

“Plus, she’s a real piece of trash,” Cassandra added.

“You don’t realise how lonely it is here.”

“Then go play cards with some of the other criminals!”

“With no money to bet? Sure.”

“You can just hang out with us when we’re here,” Lance said. “Not like you’re alone all the time.”

“Maybe I want company other than my siblings, such as the hot chick who’s interested in me.”

“She’s using you.”

“And I’m using her.”

“Great, we’ll sit Stalyan down for an intervention next week, but family first.”

“Cass, Lance… Is this really how you want to spend your afternoon?”

Cassandra shook her head. “Not one bit. Wanna know what my ideal afternoon looks like?”

“Caine, Caine… Caine,” Eugene guessed.

“Close.” Cassandra looked towards the window. “We have a family meal, just the three of us. You both remember to compliment the chef for her cooking and being an absolutely amazing little sister.” Cassandra smiled. “Then Caine comes and we all four sit down to talk about the books we’ve read and maybe play a board game? Something… childish… That lets me forget about the horrors of work.”

Eugene’s brows lowered into a look of pity.

“Nobody smells of alcohol, nobody has bruises on their neck from how their girlfriend held them down too hard… Everything is okay, for a few instants we get to be normal.”

“But we’re not normal.”

“I know that,” Cassandra nodded. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t pretend.”

Eugene looked down. He sighed. “Get me something for a headache and a glass of water and we can try that tonight?”

“What about tomorrow night?”

“Stalyan’s coming tomorrow.”

“Then tell her to go away.”

“She won’t like that, Cass.”

“Please,” Cassandra moved closer to her brother, kneeling on the floor to look smaller. “For me?”

Eugene was very bad at saying no to the women in his life. Stalyan rarely got denied anything. But Cassandra was even harder to deny. She looked so hopeful, so sad.

“Fine, I’ll send her away tomorrow but… But while you’re out on missions, I’m allowed to be with whoever I want.”

“Okay,” Cassandra agreed. “ Only when I’m out.”

“Nice doing business with you,” Lance grinned.

“Pretty sure I lost this deal?”

Lance shrugged. “It’s for your own good.”

Stalyan, with a disdainful expression, paced the lavish halls like a panther. Eugene's struggles were an unwelcome thorn in her side, a constant reminder that her plans for a life were slipping away. She’d started dating him because he was convenient. He’d not die on a mission and was always home when she needed him, but recently he’d become a lot less bearable. His depression, his drinking, it reminded Stalyan of how low a station the man she slept with was.

She didn’t like that.

Yet under the influence of alcohol was when he’d let her do anything she wanted, when his complaints quieted and when his whining stopped.

It was difficult for Stalyan to decide what was best for her. Caring not at all for what was best for him.

In their private chambers, Stalyan berated Eugene. “What do you mean only when your sister’s not around?”

“She doesn’t approve of our relationship.”

“Oh, and is she the boss of you?”

“No. But neither are you.”

“Well, what do you want?”

“Me? I want to go outside.”

Stalyan scoffed. “Oh come on Rider, that’s not going to happen. You should be grateful for what you’ve got. You have a comfortable sofa, big beg, some of the best quality liquor I can get my hands.” Her fingertips brushed against the smooth surface of the unopened bottle, a silent plea to bring an end to the argument and fulfil her desires.

Slouched in the sofa, Eugene’s face twisted into a bitter smile. “This mansion is just a gilded cage.”

She scoffed, the disdain in her eyes intensifying. “It's a cage you willingly stepped into.”

“That’s not true.” Stalyan's words hurt Eugene’s pride. He had once thought of himself as the charismatic thief, the one who played by his own rules. Now, he felt like a puppet dancing to the tune of someone else's desires. The implication he had chosen that fate was stupid.

“Yes, it is. You could have left Corona and all of this behind, but you chose a tower right next door. Was it because you weren’t brave enough? Or because you knew this was your place?”

“Leave.”

Stalyan remained motionless.

“Tonight I’m going to enjoy a family dinner, and you don’t get to stop me. So either you leave, or I raise my voice and let the men who come explain to your father what you were doing in my room.”

“See how long you last on your own.” Stalyan turned and left, but before she exited, she hesitated at the door. “Tomorrow, while your sister’s out on a mission?”

Eugene hesitated, his brows furrowing, before finally giving a hesitant nod. “That’s a good time to come.”

A mischievous grin spread across Stalyan’s face. “See you then.”

Chapter Text

As days passed, Stalyan's discontent escalated. Eugene only wanted her when Cassandra wasn’t around, and Stalyan didn’t like being second to anybody in her partner’s life. Not even family. So she decided to sabotage Eugene’s relationship with Cassandra.

First step was buying him more ‘gifts’, bottles of dessert wine that suited Eugene’s sweet tooth, bottles of cider because what was the harm in just one? Snacks that were perfect to go with a drink on those long lonely nights when Stalyan was working and so was the rest of his family.

But somehow, despite the tapping of his foot and the temptation, he always managed to be sober for when Cassandra was there.

Stalyan watched Eugene hug her after a mission, shower her in affection and praise.

Stalyan didn’t like it.

Eugene didn’t have a limited amount of compliments or affection, but in Stalyan’s mind, those were still hers.

So she started to talk, something she despised, but something she knew Eugene longed for, a connection.

“I miss you,” Stalyan whispered into Eugene’s ear as her hands ran down his chest.

“You miss what I do for you.”

“Not true,” she denied. “I miss you .”

“Really?”

“Well, I could have any man I want, or do you want to deny that Rider?”

Eugene didn’t.

“But I get it.”

“Get what?”

Stalyan sat up, brushing hair out of her face. “You have a family. And family comes first, right?”

“Right.”

“That’s why I have to do what’s right by my father. And you do what’s right by your siblings.”

“That is how it goes.” Eugene sat up. “Where’s this coming from?”

“Oh, nothing.”

“Okay,” Eugene said, taking another sip of his drink. “Shall we continue, then?”

Stalyan’s eyes narrowed. “It’s just that… Well… Don’t you ever worry you’re holding Cassandra back?”

“I’m used to force her to kill people and come back here. Of course I’m holding her back. Your point?” He downed the rest of his cup before pouring more.

“Do you ever wonder how much she must hate you for that?”

“She doesn’t hate me.”

“Are you sure? Because she seems real intent on taking away those small pleasures you get.” Her fingers traced the back of Eugene’s neck, causing a shiver to run down his back.

“She just wants to protect me.”

“Or control you.”

“Stalyan, drop it.”

“I’m just saying, you didn’t deny her a relationship with Caine. You met the woman, sat down and had drinks with her, accepted her.”

“Are you upset Cassandra, doesn’t accept you?”

“I’m upset she isn’t willing to try for you. Nor for me. For you .”

“Well, maybe if you hadn’t thrown her in a river as a child, she’d be more welcoming.”

“Oh.” Stalyan brought the palm of her hand to her head. “I’d forgotten about that.”

“Good for you. Cassandra, on the other hand still wakes up from nightmares of that night.” He got up, walking across the room. “We’re done.”

“No, we’re not!”

“For tonight, we very much are.” He poured another drink and raised it as thought for a toast. “Nothing like bringing up my sister’s trauma to turn a guy off.” And he chugged the rest of his drunk before dropping the glass in the sink.

“We could still enjoy the night. No more talking.”

“I’m done. Go sleep with one of the other guys, seeing as you can have literally anybody.”

Stalyan hesitated before turning on her heel. Then she paused. “Flynn?”

“What?”

“We’re going to finish what we started.”

“No, we’re not.”

“Or I’m going to ask my dad to split you three up.”

Eugene’s eyes raised.

“I’ll say Cassandra’s becoming soft because of you two coddling her. Suggest she be moved down into the basement. Kept on a strict routine of training and work—”

“Don’t you fucking dare.” Eugene stepped forward, his fists tightly clenched, ready for action.

“I won’t dare, not so long as you give me what I want.”

Eugene didn’t want to, but what choice did he have?

The once fiery romance between Stalyan and Eugene flickered, replaced by a toxic dance of control and submission. Eugene, chained not only by the walls of the mansion but by the expectations and demands of his supposed partner, found himself drowning in a sea of disillusionment.

Stalyan grew reliant on her threats, keeping Eugene by her side and away from his family. Her threats were effective. But she failed to hide them. She didn’t whisper, or lower her voice, she’d occasionally even raise her voice.

At first Cassandra was angry at Eugene for his distance, but it wasn’t long until she caught her first whim of what was going on. After that, Cassandra watched from the shadows, an observer in this twisted drama that unfolded. Her concern for Eugene deepened with each passing day, and she could not stand idly by.

One evening, as Eugene sat alone on his sofa, drink in hand, Cassandra found an opportune moment to intervene. She approached him with a mixture of trepidation and determination. “Eugene, we need to talk.”

He looked up, meeting her gaze with a mix of defiance and resignation. “What's there to talk about, Cass?”

“I know why you’re spending more time with Stalyan.”

“Do you?”

“She’s been threatening us… me.”

Eugene nodded. “That’s correct.”

“And you’re giving into her threats.”

Eugene raised his eyes. “Are you judging me ? I’m not exactly the star student when it comes to giving into threats.”

“Your life is on the line. You’re protecting me from being in a basement. Those threats are not the same.”

“I am protecting you from the same isolation that drove me to this point,” Eugene glared. “Besides, sure, I’m giving into the threats, but giving in for me is just sleeping with a woman I despise. For you it’s murder, a body-count higher than I can count.”

“It’s forty-seven.”

“I can count to forty-seven.”

“Could have fooled me.”

Eugene shook his head. “You know I’m right.”

“You deserve better, Eugene.”

“So do you. But I can’t give you better. What I can do is ensure we get to keep our current lives.”

Cassandra sighed, her frustration evident. “This isn't living, Eugene. It's existing. And we're not even doing that well.”

He chuckled bitterly, taking another sip. “What choice do we have? This mansion is our prison, and I'm just finding ways to survive.”

Cassandra's eyes softened, her concern breaking through her tough exterior. “Surviving isn't enough. We used to dream of something more, something beyond these walls. You can't let Stalyan dictate your every move and destroy what's left of you.”

Eugene's gaze flickered with a spark of recognition, but the chains of Stalyan's influence held tight. “It's not that simple, Cass. You don't understand.”

Cassandra shook her head, refusing to back down. “No, Eugene, I do understand. I understand that this isn't the life we wanted. We were supposed to be a team facing the world together. But you're letting her tear us apart.”

“What do you suggest?”

“I suggest you fight back. Threaten her with going to the Baron.”

“If he finds out I’m sleeping with her…”

“He’ll probably break about half your bones.”

“Charming.”

“But we’ll take care of you, Eugene.” Cassandra hugged her brother. “And you’ll recover. But you won’t recover from Stalyan if you let her keep going.”

“You’re seriously suggesting I go to the Baron?”

“No. I’m suggesting you threaten Stalyan with as much, and I suggest you mean it.”

Eugene’s eyes lowered. “You think that’d work?”

Cassandra nodded. “I know it will. Because unlike you, Stalyan’s a coward.”

Eugene smiled, then frowned as Cassandra began taking all his bottles away. “Those are mine.”

Cassandra shook her head. “Nope.”

Eugene lay back. “Fine.”

Chapter Text

“This is an intervention,” Cassandra declared.

“We’ve been doing a lot of those recently,” Lance commented.

“This is not an intervention,” Eugene corrected.

“It’s a problem that is being addressed by a group…” Caine looked thoughtful. “It may be.”

“You’re just supporting Cass!” Eugene shouted.

“Well… Yeah?” Caine shrugged, kissing her girlfriend on the cheek.

“As an entertaining as this is.” Stalyan, who was sitting on Eugene’s sofa, leaned forward. “The point?”

“Flynn’s breaking up with you.” Cassandra crossed her arms.

Eugene thew his arms into the air. “Couldn’t let me say that part?”

“She said to get to the point!”

“Can I speak to Flynn alone ?”

“We know what you’re going to say and it’s not going to work,” Cassandra said.

“We’ll see about—”

“You’re going to threaten his family.”

Stalyan’s lips formed a thin line.

“We’ve discusses it. Being with you is far worse than anything you can do to me or Lance.”

Stalyan’s glare intensified, causing Eugene to take a step back. Uncharacteristically, fear flickered in his eyes.

“Okay then…” Stalyan stood up. “We’ll see if you’re saying the same thing in a few weeks.”