#The mental image of Nicholas hiding behind Matthew's back and pointing his finger and screaming KILL IT

[zaralla1]

✎ Twisted Crests - In the Mage's custody

Just around the time of Cuvier's downfall (The largest nation to settle on the continent of Altemira) things became truly hectic for those moving in the highest layers of society. Politicians, diplomats, mages and business owners alike spilled throughout the country in all directions, seeking to escape the grasp of warlords with big ambitions who rose amidst the conflict.

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Matthew too, quickly found himself without a place to be. When the government dissolved, would the country still acknowledge him as a Praetor? Praetors are the mightiest mages in cuvieran hierarchy. Up until recently they were treasured, as religion and politics are closely knit together in Cuvier- and their magic stands as a reminder of their life in the north. Still in shock over what happened over the last 24 hours, Matthew couldn't wrap his head around the situation. But there was one thing he was sure of-

He would apprehend the traitor "Nicholas" who left his king's side and attempted to flee the country.

This is how Nicholas Zeppeli found himself in chains. He didn't understand the purpose of it (as cities went into lockdown, and courts became disbanded)... all he knew was that he was afraid of the look in the Praetor's eyes, full of uncertainty and rage, like a bolt of lightning looking for an escape out of his tensed-up body. But Nicholas also felt somewhat fortunate- despite the chains rubbing against his wrists, he was actually saved by Matthew. And if Matthew wanted to kill him- Well, he wouldn't put him in chains in the first place.

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Up until now, the most dangerous situation Nicholas thought he'd be in was the time when he was tasked with maintaining equipment in regions that bordered with countries at war. Lantern in hand, he would patrol the warehouses at night. There would be 4 or 5 guards accompanying him- but he knew that if a passing war band wanted to cause some damage, killing him would be no obstacle. There was a nearby village as well- which gave him no feeling of comfort, as criminals would sometimes come there to lay low as well. In his mind's eye, he could already see his own corpse looted from valuables left to rot in a gulch... But nothing he ever experienced compared to the chaos of this day.

Nicholas was wandering around the forested outskirts of Udol, after being injured in a savage attack from Sagrad that wiped out his entire team of scientists... on the same day that he was found out to be a traitor- having exchanged secret correspondence with a colleague, planning to escape the country on brink of collapse. Just barely holding on, Nicholas was surviving on pillaged supplies and whatever he could take from corpses. He was tired, dehydrated and without any safe haven. When he finally heard "STOP. YOU DAMNED TRAITOR" - and saw the great Cuvieran Praetor (also mysteriously injured, tattered and alone?) stomping angrily towards him in the middle of nowhere, he was actually relieved. He almost ran into the Praetor's arms.

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Now, there is an awkward silence between them as they sit around a campfire, and Matthew insists that Nicholas remains chained. This makes movement across the terrain pointlessly difficult, and Matthew must surely be aware of it. They make such a sad pair together, it's almost funny- with Nicholas waddling behind the Great Praetor like a duckling walking behind its mother. After being made to collect firewood, Nicholas can't help but wonder: "Do we know where we are? Do we know where *anything* is?" Matthew gives him a puzzled stare, and then moves away from him some five meters and turns his back against him- as if he's hiding something. He opens a map and just stares at it for some time. Nicholas nervously looks around, and eventually notices what Matthew is doing. "... Are we lost?" (he carefully inquires) - Matthew raises an eyebrow - "Of course not. We're coming along." - and he quickly stuffs the map into his vest.

"You know... I could be of more help to you if my hands were free" - he raises his shackles, but Matthew quickly points a knife at him - "Don't try to barter with me, traitor. You are in my custody. If I moved my eyes from you for five seconds, you'd disappear behind my back... Cuffed like this though, hmm, I doubt you'll be as excited about running into the forest." Matthew jabs his knife into a tree stump, and Nicholas sighs with resignation, as the scene slowly fades into the nightly campfire.

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The next day, sounds of chains clanking can be heard again, as Matthew and Nicholas progress slowly through the Cuvieran terrain. Nicholas is walking stifly, making quick, short paces behind the Great Praetor - "You didn't need to tie me to a tree" - he comments, stretching his aching shoulder, but gets no response. He tries to find a way to soothe the edge, and his best idea is to start talking to himself, seeing that Matthew isn't interested in light conversation. Nicholas keeps sighing constantly, and making sarcastic remarks about the environment with the expression of a bored teenager forced on a family outing. The scene fixes itself on Matthew's face, walking ahead of him with a tired expression that grows more weary with each useless new word uttered by his "prisoner". The moment Nicholas realized his life wasn't in immediate danger, he became very comfortable. In some ironic way, Matthew felt that the roles were actually reversed. Finally, he turns his head towards Nicholas, and says "You seem unusually comfortable for being a hostage". Despite that Nicholas is in *his* custody, Matthew begins walking faster. Subtly hurrying away from the annoying man in chains who won't shut up- with the latter tapping faster to stay close to him for the sake of safety.

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As they journey together, we learn more about Nicholas himself. For one- he claims to not be religious, but just in case if Cuvier's goddess is watching- he bows at every shrine, and kisses every idol - and when he's in trouble, he calls out her name. Actually, "Hiraeth" is more often on his lips than on Matthew's - who is ironically appointed as a figure of an exceptionally high level of the religious order. Nicholas is also extremely chatty- a sheer contrast to the taciturn mage in his company. He is also prone to screaming, and insulting enemies in some vain attempt to disparage them. This is a slight problem when he's the one in chains- and Matthew is the only one with an actual weapon. It is safe to say that the pair ended up in some pointless fights on the account of his big mouth.

It also doesn't help that Nicholas is scared of lightning strikes- while Matthew's main weapon in his arsenal of magic is based on thunder. He jumps on the spot every time Matthew casts a spell (promptly accompanied with "OH MY GODDESS" or "AAAHHHH AHH").

In a way, Nicholas is Matthew's "emotion". What Matthew should be allowing himself to feel, is shown directly through his chained companion. Fear, hope, happiness and exhaustion. The emotions that are healthy to express, are what Nicholas is showing and saying. And the two of them are undoubtedly in an extraordinary, difficult situation.

#twisted crests #twistedcrests #TC stories #Matthew and Nicholas #They're doomed #The mental image of Nicholas hiding behind Matthew's back and pointing his finger and screaming KILL IT