#never confronting Aaravos or coming back to face the music because meh 😒

[zuppizup]

Circumstance IV

Circumstance III

They made it all the way to the drains without running into another guard and Rayla’s anxiety had begun to lessen just as they ran into Soren.

He sighed upon seeing them, his sword slung over his shoulder. “I was beginning to hope you weren’t as dumb as I thought.”

“I don’t want to fight you, Soren.” Rayla unsheathed her blades, stepping in front of Callum. He’d surrendered his staff before being sent to the dungeon and there wasn’t even a slight breeze this far underground. Potentially, he could use the puddles of water under their feet, but it would be weak magic.

“I wouldn’t want to fight me either.” Soren smirked at her, holding his sword in front of him for a moment, before he sighed and sheathed it.

Rayla frowned at him, not in anyway relaxing her swords. She glanced at Callum, finding him similarly perplexed.

“Soren?” He stepped around Rayla, eyes fixed on the crown guard.

“You had to know everyone suspected you’d do this, right?” Soren rolled his eyes, a hand on his hip. “For a smart guy, you can be really dumb, Callum.”

“You’re not stopping us, Soren.” Rayla gripped her blades tightly, confused as to what was going on. “I’m not going to let them sentence Callum to death.”

“Wouldn’t that make sense? That’s what he’s done to the rest of us.” Soren glared at Callum, his expression harder than Rayla had ever seen it.

She gripped her swords tighter, watching Soren, noting his every move, preparing for him to reach for his sword again-

“Go.” Huffing, he shook his head and stepped aside, gesturing down the tunnel. “They’re expecting you to run to Xadia, so don’t go there. Or go the long way around or something.”

Rayla looked at Callum, finding him similarly confused.

“Seriously,” Soren pursed his lips, looking like he was warring with himself. “Before I realise how dumb this whole thing is too.”

Exchanging a glance with Callum, Rayla took the lead, inclining her head at Soren as she passed him.

“Thank you, Soren.” Callum nodded at the crown guard.

“I’m not doing this for you.” Soren turned to face Callum; his eyes fierce. “Either of you.” He looked between them. “I’m doing this for Ezran. You both have put him in an impossible situation. First you, giving up the Cube-” He glared at Callum then turned to Rayla. “And now you, being so stupid as to bust him out. Ezran doesn’t want to see either of you hurt, but his hands are tied.”

Rayla looked away, unable to maintain eye contact. Of course she knew this, all of this, was betraying Ezran more than anyone. What was the alternative though?

“Here,” Soren’s voice was hard, and Rayla braced, not knowing what might be next. Instead, Soren leaned into the shadows and produced Callum’s staff, the miniature primal stone glowing brighter as soon as Callum’s fingers touched it.

“Don’t make me regret this,” Soren held Callum’s gaze for a moment, then looked at Rayla.

Callum nodded, taking Rayla’s hand in his. “We won’t.”