They had Sehun chained to a cot inside a wagon. He lay on his back, apparently unconscious. His deep breaths came so far apart that each time it seemed he would never take another. His shirt had been ripped half off, his exposed chest marked with bruises. Across the tattooed skin of his throat lay the collar.  It was about an inch wide, plain iron, and tight enough that Sehun couldn't have pulled it over his head. Kai knew that type of collars were usually welded shut. Something about iron blunted any access to magic. Kai was wearing one albeit modified, he could only imagine how terrifying Sehun would find such an experience. Again. He looked pale as death, his jaw too sharp, his upper stomach too sunken, while his abdomen looked bloated. A cuff encircled one delicate wrist. His hand lay open on the bed, and Kai counted the fingers. Just a few days in Nero but Sehun looked as though he had been here for months.  His dragons stirred slightly, Kai knew they would have merged and rain havoc If it weren't for the wristband. He knew he’d stared for just a little too long when he turned to find his father watching him with that same assessing expression. The sorcerer hovered near the door, looking sheepish. Kai seized on that. “I’d like a word with the magus Choi,” he said, holding back a growl. “Alone.” Heechul inclined his head. “I will be in my tent.” he didn't protest, which had Kai's insides dropping. It wasn't a good sign. Heechul seemed to see through Kai. Kai had ensured that Heechul wasn't here, but he knew he’d still hear about the conversation, just as he’d hear about anything else that happened. He always knew everything, eventually. And he was much harder to fool than Siwon. If Kai slipped, even just a little– if he let his fingers linger on Sehun's arm with no reason, if he looked too often or too long in the wrong direction, if he did anything to suggest an attachment, he would know about it. He couldn’t take the chance to let him know Kai cared about Sehun that much. When he was gone, Kai turned furious eyes on Siwon. With the sorcerer, at least, he felt he could throw his weight around a little. He knew little about this man, only that he was a powerful sorcerer, that was hoping to tie his family's name with Heechul's. "Why are doing this? I understand my father but you however I couldn't." Siwon looked exceedingly uncomfortable. "Your father wanted the elf."  "Still it doesn't explain what you'll gain form all this." Siwon let out a breath. It was clear he didn't want to offend Heechul, also didn't want to offend Kai, knowing he had the military power behind him. "I want to secure an alliance with the house of Drake. And your father has his eyes on my daughter. I must do what I can for him."  "You realize he's still married to my mom right." "I know, but that wouldn't stop him from taking another wife." "What are we? The ancient times or something?" The response he got was a shrug."Why is it important to you?" Kai pressed. "What is all important to us all, power. With Heechul behind me, my rank will rise, I might be able to get back to the capital." Siwon wanted his position back. He was once the King's right hand, but had lost that position thirty something years ago, due to reasons Kai didn't know, and didn't wish to know. But there was something in his eyes that told Kai, the sorcerer wouldn't be satisfied with just that. He wanted more. Probably to be the King? Kai did not envy Siwon's position. That was Siwon's problem, however, and Kai didn't intend to try to solve it for him. "Why are you still camping here?" The sorcerer didn't say, only lowering his head. When Kai realized he wouldn't speak about that, he changed his question.“Have you injured Sehun?” Siwon looked surprised. “Nothing he can’t recover from. We have been trying to learn his true name. Ordinarily, there are spells that can coax this information out of memory or dreams, but he’s proven quite resistant. I’m beginning to think he has employed some technique to make his name inaccessible without his express permission. That is...unfortunate. Your father wanted to use him one way or the other." Elves had a long conpilacted names, that was given to them at birth. But due to the fact that not many could pronounce said names, they extracted the simple pronounced to go by. It was also because their names could be used against them, like how his father and sorcerer accomplice had been trying to. "I hoped to keep him collared to let him live, you understand. But if we can’t learn his name and he will not give it, the only way to make use of him is to take his magic by force. That will probably kill him.” Kai clenched a fist behind his back, exerting all the frustration and fear he dared not show on his face. He had told himself to not use force, tactic was best if he wished to help Sehun. Not a good sign, if Sehun was still being held in such unpleasant conditions, especially considering his condition. But at least he was still alive. How long could he last for? Kai needed to be careful. Any overt steps he took would almost certainly alert his father and result in Sehun's death, not his escape. It was a horrible situation  “Why is he unconscious?” “We’ve put him to sleep. He kept spirit-walking. I know his a dark soul, but it is unwise without his elfin magic. He could have died or a monster could have taken his body. We’ve put him into a deep sleep to stop him from doing that. Such sleep will also decrease his body’s need for nourishment. This may be the only way to keep him alive, since he won’t eat.” Don’t lose your mind, Kai told himself. Don’t grab Siwon by the neck tear his head off. “Can you wake him up?” “I can.” Siwon's eyes searched Kai's face.  He is not going to let me talk to Sehun alone. Kai tried to think of another angle. Aloud, he said, “Why won’t he eat?” Siwon shrugged. “Food can be laced with magic. Although I already got a charm down his throat. I’m not sure what exactly he expects I can do to porridge that would be worse.” Kai passed a hand over his face. “Perhaps he simply does not wish to be your slave or your source of magical fuel– can you get the charm out?"  Siwon nodded, "it has proven to be futile anyway." Saying so, he extended a hand, chanting some spell. Sehun's lips parted and in an instant a ball like thing came out of his mouth and onto Siwon's palm. Other than twitching his fingers, Sehun didn't wake. Siwon frowned, eyes on the charm in his hand . At last, he said, “May I speak to you outside, General?” Kai nodded. He cast one more look at Sehun's pale, still form, and then followed Siwon out of the wagon. It was on the edge of the mountain and had no fewer than a dozen guards. Kai could see the fortress from here and wondered why they were still here. Like they were waiting for something. The sorcerer did not speak at once. Kai followed him through the trees between fallow fields, past hunters returning to camp with game from the hills. They’d strung up three elk, their great antlers brushing the earth, blood pooling in the leaves beneath. Kai said nothing. He thought Siwon was about to launch into a lecture on dragons and elves shouldn't be and he didn’t want to hear it again. He had enough from his father. Siwon spoke at last. “So you are not his enemy.” the sorcerer sounded too casual. “You’d like to be his friend.” He smiled gently, as if inviting a confidence. “All of the elves, or one of them in particular? Were you very friendly with him?" The hair on the back of Kai's neck stood on end. This was a trap. He had no idea what would happen to him if he fell into it, but he had a pretty good idea what would happen to Sehun. “I spent more time with elves,” he admitted. “One of them—” He stopped, wondering whether it would be wise to mention Taegun to Siwon. He was a chef on his ship, that had begged to follow Kai when he couldn't bare the life in Lyfe. Kai always felt the older elf was hiding or running from something but he never asked.  “There was one. His name is Taegun, and he’s . . . We think of elves as being ill-humored, but he’s not, at all. Taegun was a good friend.” "Taegun.” Siwon looked surprised. “What about the dark soul we’ve captured?  "Sehun?” Kai forced a shrug. “I think he has good intentions. Not quite as smart as Taegun, maybe; less aware of the larger world. He was almost completely unable to admit that elves aren’t the best at every single thing. But he wasn’t a problem. Just like i told father." "Your father said—” Siwon paused before continuing. "He was worried. He thought you’d ... He said you might have ‘formed an unnatural attachment’ to him.” Kai couldn’t help himself. He schooled his face to innocence and said, “‘Unnatural’? What do you mean?” "He didn't didn’t say,” Siwon said stiffly. "He probably thought you shared something more" “Oh. Well . . .” Kai reflected for a moment and realized he could say it honestly. “No. Nothing unnatural, I don’t think.” “But you looked upset moments ago and you seem to want him alive?” “Well, yes. And more importantly, I think he could be useful.” Siwon then surprised him by saying. "I don't know whether to be offended by your lack of trust in me or for insulting my intelligent." He shook his head "You might not believe me, but I am on your side. If the dark elf is special to you, I promise I won't say a word about it to your father." "Huh? What are you talking about?" "You might think you're hiding well, but I can tell there's more to you and the elf.  And It’s quite obvious that you disapprove of our actions here, Young general. I agree that it is distasteful—using another person in this way. It is not my preference. But dark souls gain power from the deaths of those around them. I’m not sure I can adequately explain what that means—how magic feels to a person. It is pleasurable, intoxicating. Would you be able to trust someone who felt pleasure and gained benefits when people around him died?” It took Kai a while to get his head around the sudden change of topic.“He can’t help it!” Kai exclaimed, unable to keep the feeling from his voice. “It is his nature. He didn’t choose it.” Siwon looked at him sidelong. “Indeed.  Many creatures were born that way, and this is not their fault, but we kill them because they are too dangerous to live with ordinary people and we haven’t found a way to make them safe. It is not fair, but it’s all we can do.” “Sehun is not dangerous." Since Siwon had figured it out there was no need pretending to use Sehun like he had claimed. To Kai's surprise, Siwon nodded. "I realize this. General. If I thought he was willfully dangerous. If I thought he had already progressed to the point of killing for power and pleasure, I would never have tried to bargain with him. But he is young, and, unlike other creature, it is possible to collar a dark soul or inhibit his magic in such a way that he can coexist with mundane people. He could give Heechul the magic he so badly wanted of his own free will, and that would be better for everyone. If you believe he would listen to you, I would appreciate your talking to him.” Kai his lips. This was not what he had expected. Keep playing along. “You want him to sign some kind of contract so that you can control him?” “So that if he runs mad and starts killing indiscriminately I can stop him. Considering what chaos the previous dark soul had brought– no the main point it will help him stay alive. Is that really such a bad thing?" Kai hummed, trying not to lunched into defending Sehun again. “Is it permanent?” It was Siwon's turn to be surprised. “The collar I would make? Not...as such. It could be removed later, yes, although I do not believe that is a wise thing to promise him.” "I will join my father for a meal, let me know when he wakes."

***

When the interminable meal had ended,  Heechul took Kai's arm and murmured, his eyes on the sorcerer "I am told your dark soul is awake. Perhaps you should have a word with him. Siwon thinks you might be able to persuade him to accept a more permanent collar."  Siwon that was nearby nodded. "I confess, such a thing would make me easier in my mind." It seemed Heechul didn't tell Siwon what Kai and him talked about. Likewise, Siwon didn't completely share their conversation with Heechul. Kai forced himself not to leap from the table, while he opted to play along " Magus Choi spoke to me about the collar. I will hear Sehun's objections and maybe we can come to some agreement.” “Very good,” Heechul said smoothly. “Let us go see what he has to say for about it.” Kai was a little dismayed to realize that, in addition to Siwon, Heechul also intended to join the discussion with Sehun. Kai had known they would not be allowed total privacy, but he’d hoped for just Siwon, who seemed to have seen through Kai.  Sehun is going to feel outnumbered and trapped. He may feel betrayed when I ask him to wear the collar. But if I can just get him out of here alive, the rest will work itself out. Kai told himself this over and over as they approached the wagon. It was getting dark, with frogs singing from the riverbank. The guards held lanterns, but Kai saw no sign of light from the wagon’s small, barred window. If Sehun was awake, he was huddled alone in the cold dark. That reminded Kai of something— the dream of being held. He’d almost forgotten it upon waking, but the memory returned now with singular force. Kai's dream was yet to come true. But he wouldn't allow it to happen now that he was here. Kai's heart ached for Sehun. He felt angry at himself for his belly full of good food, his warm clothes, and his well-lit path.  One of Siwon's magicians unlocked the heavy door of the wagon, and Siwon carried their light into the room. Sehun was, indeed, awake. He had been sitting alone in the dark, his hands folded on the little table. The tight cuff on his left wrist had chafed the skin an angry red around the edges, while the iron collar made an ink-black line across his clavicle. He looked scruffy and bruised, but self-contained. The light, falling across the planes of his face revealed not a flicker of expression. Kai tried to catch Sehun's eyes with what he hoped was a reassuring look. He wanted to say so much that was forbidden to him in present company. Please trust me. I am going to get you out of here. Siwon set the lantern on the table, along with a sheet of thick vellum. He unfolded two more chairs. When everyone was seated, he said, "Sehun, General Drake would like to see you through this situation alive. As an act of good faith and the soon to be formed friendship, will you give us full cooperation?” "Okay." Sehun's voice sounded tired and bored. He was looking at Siwon, ignoring Kai. Sehun raised two fingers to his temples, making the chain clank." I’ve considered your offer. I have decided to sign. No more of this tiresome cuff and loathsome iron collar, no more of you picking through my memorie