One Last Chance
Part 1 - The Letter | Part 2 - Cope | Part 3 - The Arrival | Part 4 - Necessary Risks | Part 5 - Eleven Years | Part 6 - One Step
Part 7 - Trust (AO3 Link)
Athran heads off to perform his duties, and the team reconvenes to plan the final assault - the grand theft. But sometimes, even planning the plan does not go according to plan.
CW: violence, (very) minor character death, mentions of abuse
Athran released a shaky breath, his skin clammy, his hands curling and flexing by his sides as he walked a few steps behind his escort. The guard was one he’d only seen once before, but it had been recently, and it had been memorable. As they moved down the hallway the large man paused, turning, a thin smile curling up the corner of his mouth.
“Well, you’re looking better than when I left you. You elves must heal up well.”
Immediately, Athran looked down, casting his gaze to the marbled floor. He was meant to show reverence to the guards as well as the guests, and the last thing he needed was to anger the man who’d already beat him senseless earlier that night. His face still ached from where he had been struck for dropping the tray, and part of him wished he’d remembered to apply the salve. It would have helped numb the area; muted the pain.
He supposed a lot had happened between then and now.
After an extended pause, the guard scoffed and turned, continuing to walk. “Didn’t think I’d get many kicks out of this job, short as it is. Should thank you for being a clumsy bastard. Thought I’d die of boredom tonight.”