#from the factions (avantika and sabian) at play within the Evil Uk'otoa Forces

[demenior]

Brine King (ft Eadwulf) 👀👀👀

Check my list of current wips here and send me a title and I'll post a bit or share some details about it.

The Brine King au started as a 'what if Fjord released Uk'otoa' concept. While I adore the idea and have a LOT of it planned, I know I probably will never write it.

So I took up the critical role wildflowers event as an excuse to write the idea, while tailoring it to what my giftee wanted.

which worked out perfectly because they're a fellow fjord/jester/eadwulf fan and because this Brine King au was begging for a Scourger thread to weave it all together.

Here's a blumentrio reunion to celebrate (Caleb snuck into Eadwulf's bedroom, was surprised to, uh, interupt his old loves)

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Eadwulf stares at Bren, wide-eyed and face slack with shock. He’s in no state to compose himself, or take the lead. So Astrid will.

“What are you doing here?” she asks. Why did he come to Eadwulf, and not me? She wonders. And then scolds herself.

“We heard about the position you’ve been offered. Ambassador to the new Brine King ,” Bren says to Eadwulf. Bren always had a way with words, about coming around to a point. To let him speak is to be hypnotized by him, Astrid knows this.

Eadwulf makes no effort to cut him off. He hangs on every one of Bren’s words.

She glances out the window. It’s far from dawn, but not that far. The sky is beginning to light. There isn’t much time.

“You said you have information?” she interrupts. Focus, she reminds himself.

“I do,” Bren agrees, and he only glances at her before focusing on Eadwulf.

He’s here to manipulate Eadwulf, she’s sure of it. But to what end?

“Wulf,” Bren says slowly. Eadwulf shivers. Astrid flashes handsigns. Danger. Danger. But Eadwulf doesn’t look once in her direction.

“I want to make a deal,” Bren says.

Eadwulf stays silent.

“We knew the man, before he was Uk’otoa’s Champion. We have information on his behaviour, his person, and how to beat him. We were in Nicodranas, before…”

“Why didn’t you go to the King? Why come to us?” Astrid presses, “this information could make you rich.”

Bren flinches like he’d forgotten she was there. She’s more certain than ever that he had thought Eadwulf would be alone. Good thing she decided to stay. Eadwulf would be eating out of his hand if she wasn’t here.

Why is Bren treating them like the enemy? She wants to ask. She wants to hold him, and kiss him again. If only he wanted that to. But he left them, she has to remind herself. He abandoned them. He doesn’t want them.

She digs her nails into the skin of her arms, and keeps her face neutral.

Eadwulf needs her to speak for him, to protect him.

“Because I have no love for the King,” Bren says, and leaves it there. Eadwulf shivers again. Astrid’s breath catches in her throat. Bren can’t be saying— not after all this time?

This must be a dream.

As if he can read her mind, Bren steps towards Eadwulf. He holds his hand out. Eadwulf steps towards him.

Astrid takes a half-step forwards, before she realizes what she’s doing. It’s too late, and Eadwulf has fallen into Bren’s orbit. His hand settles on Eadwulf’s shoulder. She sees Eadwulf shudder. His knees tremble.

“I know you will have orders, and I know you are going into danger,” Bren says softly. Eadwulf has to lean closer to hear him.

Astrid pushes into their space. She’s losing Eadwulf.

She wants Bren’s soft voice for herself.

“I will tell you every piece of information I can think of. Every scrap of every moment I spent traveling with Fjord. But I need you to make a deal with me, old friend.”

“What?” Eadwulf asks.

Stupid, Astrid wants to say. He shouldn’t speak. You should always let the target make the offer first. He knows this. Astrid doesn’t think she could hold her tongue if Bren was this focused on her.

She can’t think when Bren looks up at them through his lashes. When he lays a hand on her arm as well. His touch is like a wildfire, sending gooseflesh down her arm. She wants to touch him in turn.

“There is a woman, with Fjord. He took her from us. She is a prisoner… if she’s still alive. I need you to help her, in any way you can.”

Astrid’s mouth falls open. No noise comes out. No, no, no! Eadwulf will die for their Master. But he will do anything for Bren. This will get him killed.

Bren knows about Eadwulf’s tender heart. It’s why she and he worked so hard to protect it, during their training.

He must know what he is doing. And he doesn’t care?

“Your woman?” Eadwulf blurts out. He sounds jealous.

Bren takes that information carefully. He doesn’t deny it immediately.

“She’s precious,” Bren agrees. Neither a confirmation, nor a denial, Astrid notes.

“Why me?”

“Because we cannot get into the fortress,” Bren growls. His grip on both of them tightens. Astrid’s head spins.

“Don’t do this,” she whispers. To which of them, she cannot say. There is a second collar on Eadwulf now, that Bren is placing himself. And it looks more like a noose.