Private Tales Brothels and Broken Things

[Lexi Quinzell]

The Ganushi was an enraged beast and its anger only grew as it realised its fire attacks were being deflected by two puny humans with their stupid spells. It pawed a cloven hoof through the ground with enough strength to turn up the cobbles and send them flying before it gave a roar and charge. It was at that moment that it felt a little cut against its knees. With a snarl it kicked out and lowered his head, catching Alec in its sweep and lifting the boy a good eight foot into the air to toss him into a side street.

Lexi grimaced. The tusks has definitely gone into the lad, it was hard to ignore the red droplets of blood that arched after him.

"Are you ok to hold?" she let down her guard when he nodded and sprinted for the building Alec had been thrown into. The creature, seeing one of the mages disappear turned its attention, threw another hit at whoever was nearby and charged after the woman. Kain threw spells after it but its attention was set.

 

[Cassian]

Cassian took a kick and was sent crashing into the ground and he skidded back to his feet, an arm pressed to his chest as tried to pull in a breath. Winded, he tried to call out to Alec, but couldn’t, and he watched the boy fly through the air, gored by the beast and his heart sank. He coughed and readied his weapons and began another run at the beast, but it’s attention had shifted, and it was readying a charge at the commander.

“Lexi!!!” He roared out in warning as he dropped both weapons to free his hands and he leapt for the beast to climb onto his back and wrap his arms around its head to shield its vision.

“Peter!!! Weapon!!!” He yelled at the lad, hoping to the gods he’d be able to catch whatever he threw. Fuck Fuck Fuck!

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

"Oh Alec," Lexi skidded to the boy on her knees, gently putting an arm under his head as she examined the wound. There were two large gorge marks up from the mains belly button to his chest and he was desperately trying to hold all of his internal organs inside. He looked up at her with fear and panic and resignation. He thought he was going to die. She briefly spared a glance for the thing coming her way but a second more she dwelt on it and Alec would die. She shut her eye and held her hand over the man's torn torso.

Kain swore and began sprinting towards the beast - it seemed to be uncaring about anything he threw at it. Peter conjured coil of golden rope and flung it at the bests legs like a whip and pulled hard whilst with his other hand he threw Cassian his broadsword.

The creature tripped due to the rope, it's face going into the ground. Lexi's eyebrows pulled down into a knitted frown mid concentration as she could feel the creature approaching even whilst sliding. She gently laid Alec down, one hand still concentrating on the healing whilst the other flew out to her side and threw up a barrier. The creature smashed into the invisible wall and threw its head back, trying to get Cassian off of it.

 

[Cassian]

Cassian held on for dear life, trying to stop the beast reaching Lexi and the boy. By miracle he caught hold of the broadsword just as the creature toppled and he clutched hold with his free arm to stay on it's back as it fell forward and skidded into the dirt.

He winced as the momentum of the fall propelled them still and he pulled back on his head as though trying to stop a sled. He almost flew forward as they clattered into Lexi's wall, and he quickly let go and lifted the broadsword in a single movement, and aimed the blade down into the beast's neck with a growl of effort as it thrashed at him, his own breaths quick with fury.

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

Alec was spouting blood and Lexi dropped the wall, returning her attention entirely to the boy. Beads of sweat were coursing down her face from the effort it was taking to stitch a body back together.

"Hang in there Alec," she murmured under her breath as organs and blood flowed back into their proper places.

* * *
​

The beast howled in a rage as the sword went through the back of its neck. Unfortunately it was a huge thing and it was going to take more than some mere... toothpick to bring it down. If anything the blade seemed to only drive it further into madness. It tore at the bounds around her feet and threw another flame of fire towards Peter. Kain was fortunately there to dispel it, redirecting it upwards to the sky instead. The younger White Raven gave him a look of thanks before drawing his own blade to take advantage whilst it was focusing its hatred on Cassian who had put the sword into its neck in the first place.

Peter leaped and slid the blade across the creatures throat as Kain through a stronger spell at it.

It began to quiver but it did not fall.

 

[Cassian]

He heard Lexi's words as he rolled onto the ground and looked over the boy, seeming to forget about the beast for a moment as he stared with a troubled expression. His triggered mind seemed to stop working, he tried to focus again but it was like running through water..

He heard Peter go in for another attack however and his reality came flooding back. He pulled himself to his feet and retrieved his axe, and stormed toward the beast, swinging the head of the weapon behind him and bringing it forward with every ounce of brute force he had, and he loosed it to spin through the air, aiming at where Peter had already cut it.

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

As Peter struck first the monster smacked the boy to the side with a hoof cracking a few ribs audibly but it did mean that it was focused on him and not Cassian as he dove towards his neck. At the same moment Cass struck, Kain sent a searing bolt of green lightning through the cut too which added that little extra force to sever the creatures head from its body. The head rolled and the body collapsed, red blood began to spread outwards from it.

Kain gave Cassian a grim nod, blood had splattered him but he seemed unbothered by it and moved to help Peter to his feet. The lad was clutching his ribs but he wasn't otherwise injured.

Alec was a deathly white now but most of the organs were back inside of him and the skin and muscle were beginning to stitch back together. Lexi's whole body was shaking. Bringing someone back from death in that way was a powerful spell, much harder than deep cuts or broken bones which she could do with her eye closed. Finally the flesh looked good as new and whilst the boy had slipped into unconsciousness his chest rose and fell gently and unlaboured.

Lexi stood shakily for a moment before the tiredness seemed to get too much and her legs gave way.

 

[Cassian]

He returned Kain's nod and rubbed at the back of his neck as he went to retrieve his weapons, giving Peter a pat on his cheek and Kain one on the back before turning in time to see Lexi's legs buckle underneath her. He dropped the axe and moved forward quickly before she hit the ground and grabbed hold of her, dropping to a knee to look over her for wounds. "Lexi. Y'alrigh' lass?" With a hesitant look to Alec however, he saw that he'd been brought back from the brink of death, and he gave a weak smile as he looked at the woman. "He's alive." he laughed quietly and let out a breath he hadn't realised he'd been holding onto. "Y'did good." he winked "I've got you lass, rest easy." he told her, and hooked his arm under her legs to left her from the ground, hoping to not be punched in the face for such an offence.

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

"I'm fine..." Her voice was hoarse but she didn't protest too much when he lifted her up. In fact she was mildly impressed considering she was in armour too. "It just... took a lot," probably a small understatement keeping a soul in a body whilst attempting to heal it at the same time but she was content for once to not make a quip about such things and instead let her head fall against his chest with a sigh.

"Lexi!" Kain had also seen his Commander fall but had been mid spell healing Peters wounds to be there. He jogged over as Cassian lifted her, concern turning his pretty face into a broken mirror of pain and concern.

"Stop fussing," she waved him off pathetically, seemed to realise and cleared her voice trying to insert a bit of her iron will into it. "Get Alec, he's going to be out for the next day or so. You know where we're going next Kain, lead."

Kain hesitated then nodded and set about carrying out her orders, getting them rounded up and back on the horses. "There's a coach house not far from here along the Northern road, if everyone could stay semi upright for an hour ride you can sleep in a bed."

 

[Cassian]

Cassian gave a small pouting of his lips and narrowed his eyes at her words "Aye.. Sure y'are. Just let em fuss." he muttered and shook his head as even still she tried to remain invulnerable.

"Peter, fetch my weapons if you're fit, would you lad?" he asked the boy with a nod toward the road, and headed out of the town to the where the horses had been left.

"Ready?" he asked her and lifted her up onto his own horse and after securing her own horse to his, he pulled himself up behind her, leaning back a little to let her rest back against him, an arm curled around her waist in case she passed out. Red, happy to have company, pulled herself out of her bag and climbed up onto Cassian's shoulder to nuzzle affectionately at Lexi's face.

"Lead on brother." he nodded to Kain and kicked at his horse to fall in behind him.. it was a step up from 'blue balls'.

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

Lexi murmured something slurred but it was clear she was losing her grip on the waking world. Peter looked ashen faced - having seen his closest friend near death and now his Commander so limp was taking its toll on the 18 year old lad. To be given an order was probably a relief and he hopped to it, collecting weapons and also dealing with the body. Kain with tender care dealt with Alec, putting him on his own horse and then hopping up behind. He glanced briefly behind him with a worried expression as Lexi's whole body slumped back against Cass.

"If she starts showing any signs of discomfort tell me," his voice was strained as he tried to keep his own composure then he turned and led them from the town.

The coachhouse was indeed only a small ride away but because they had to walk it took closer to an hour than it did half an hour. Kain was off his horse in a flash and striding inside, Alec in his arms to deal with the rooms. He was back and motioning the others inside a moment later.

They had three rooms between them. Kain quietly shut the door to the room he had laid Alec in and went to speak to Cassian.

"Can you stay with her?" He glanced inside to the room Lexi was laid out in. "The spell she used was... people don't use it often for a reason. I need to stay with Alec because sometimes the spell can unravel a little and I don't want him to start bleeding internally," he ran a hand through his hair, clearly distressed at having two patients to deal with. "Just... just come and get me if she shows any signs of having a fit or something like that. You need to make her eat - I've ordered some food to come up."

 

[Cassian]

His chin dipped at Kain’s words and he kept an eye on Lexi’s breathing, but she’d seemed to sleep peacefully enough on the way to the coach house. He’d carefully dismounted and pulled Lexi from the horse back into his arms whilst Red clung on to his shoulder. He left the horses to be tended to and his things, he hoped, would be brought to him safely, but he was more intent on getting Lexi a comfortable place to rest to care.

Sensing Kain’s worry, Cassian gripped the back of the man’s neck and squeezed it to offer him reassurance “Aye.. I’ll stay with her. Get yourself something to eat and let Peter watch over Alec for a while. You look like shit.” he grinned at the man. It had taken a lot for Cassian to refer to the man as brother, not that Kain would know that, but despite their initial differences, Cassian’s respect for him had grown.

He settled Lexi down on the bed, and lifted Red from his shoulder to let her curl up against the woman. It was a risky business removing her boots and armour, but he hoped the woman wouldn’t wake and stab him in the eye for gently stripping her to her undergarments and covering her over with a blanket. She’d be more comfortable, so he took the risk anyway.

A gentle rapping of knuckles against wood told him their food had arrived, and he collected the plates from a very pretty woman who smiled charmingly up at him, but he dipped his chin and thanked her with a small smile of disinterest and closed the door.

“Lexi..” he beckoned her calmly as he set the plates down on the side table and dropped to a crouch next to her bed, his hand reaching to sweep her hair from her brow “Lexi, you need to eat, lass..”.

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

Kain clamped a hand on Cassian's shoulder and returned the grin. It was slightly feral from tiredness but it was a moment shared and he hoped that Cass understood how much it meant to him that he would do this. A week together was enough to have removed the bitter taste from his mouth and the man had proved himself on the field more than once. In that moment there was mutual respect. Then he departed for Alec's room.

Lexi was dead to the world lucky for Cassian. The only hint she was alive was the small mumble as the kitten nuzzled into her neck and a deep sigh of relief once the armour was done, a weight from her chest. She rolled onto her side, arm around the cat and kept sleeping.

Her mind registered the rap on the door. She could hear it in her sleep but it was like swimming through treacle to respond to it and she decided it was probably not worth the effort. The touch against her face was harder to ignore though. Someone might have need of her. Battling the exhaustion she blearily opened her eye and glanced from Cass to the food.

"Not hungry," she shut her eye again then after a moment seemed to find the eye patch too irritating and she took it off so she could be fully comfortable. A nasty scar ran over the lid but other than that it looked relatively normal whilst shut.

 

[Cassian]

He flashed his teeth in a grin at her stubbornness, how the tables had turned “I ent askin’ or carin’ If you’re hungry or not, but you’re gonna eat and then you can rest.” he rumbled at her. He was surprised to see her take off the eyepatch, he’d been so used to it being a part of her that he’d forgotten she’d ever had two eyes. His thumb traced over her brow and he looked her over, she was outstandingly beautiful, but what worried him more was that the last thing on his mind was jumping into bed with her. Well, maybe not the last thing. But it was certainly not on his current agenda.

He pulled his gaze from her face and stood to take her shoulders and prop her up with a pillow at her back reached for the plate of chicken, bread and potatoes, and he tore a piece of the meat to hold to her lips. “Come on lass, or it’ll be Kain’s temper I’ll be dealing with.”..

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

Lexi wasn't used to being man handled and she made a series of complaints as he disturbed her curled up position with Red and forced her to sit. There were a few choice expletives along with threats that Kain's temper was not the one he should be worried about. Once she was sat up she found her dizziness was even worse and she groaned putting a hand on her forehead.

"I feel like I just ran from Aliiria to Mothal in a day," she complained then opened her eyes for the first time. The injured eye was a milky white and it made the scar stand out all the more around it but it didn't seem to bother her in terms of pain though it did look sore.

"I am capable of feeding myself," Lexi watched him like a wary fox but she didn't go to take the food and allowed him instead to feed her. "Is Alec ok?"

 

[Cassian]

He grinned at her mutterings and complaints and nodded at each one “Aye lass... I know lass... You can yell at me later.” he assured her..

He looked her over. Kain said she might take a fit and so he was on edge, he didn’t know what the signs would be but he treated her like fine porcelain, afraid she might crack if he spoke too loudly or pushed her too hard. “Well you look like shit too.” he mused at her and sighed at her trying to prove her own capabilities again. The woman really hated being vulnerable and taking help. “Aye lass. I know yeh can..” but he smiled as she ate anyway and he offered more.

“He’s doing fine lass, don’t fret. Kain and Peter will take turns watchin’ over him. ‘Fraid you’re stuck with me.”...

“They’re lucky to have you.” he added quietly.

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

"If you keep insulting me...Maybe I'll just toss you again," Lexi muttered darkly. She was amused by the way he was being around her and wondered what precisely Kain had told him about the spell she had had to cast for Alec to live. It was a relief to hear he was doing fine though and that that was where her Second had chosen to stay. She sighed in relief. Kain would have walked out of here in a bad state if he had chosen to stay by her bedside instead.

She attempted to help herself to a bit of food but her hand shook so much she nearly ended up dropping it. Cursing she folded her arms around her waist and then it dawned on her she was in her negligee. His words distracted her for a moment and she raised her gaze and studied his face.

"They're my men they're only on this mission because of me. I would be a sorry excuse for a Commander if I hadn't at least tried."

She was quiet for a moment, debating asking.

"You looked like you saw a ghost out there... did you lose someone?"

 

[Cassian]

Cassian's dimples reappeared as he laughed at her "You mean all I have to do is insult you? Fuck, I've been doing it all wrong.".

His legs were starting to ache, and he stood from where he'd been crouched and sat on the edge of her bed and proceeded to help her eat since she hadn't actually been as capable as she'd insisted. He didn't comment on it though, just as he hadn't commented on her eye. She was obviously a woman who couldn't tolerate having any signs of weakness, and it was just another eye. It made her who she was.

"I know... But, they're also on this mission 'cause they want to be, lass. You haven' forced any of us here against our will. They know what they're signin' up for.. The boy wouldn' have lived if he'd been followin' any other commander."

He tried to hold on to his smile, but it faltered a little and his brow creased. "Aye.." but he cleared his throat and decided not to elaborate much more. "Seen a lot of young lads killed.. Don' get much easier."

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

Lexi scooted over with a clenched jaw to allowed him more room on the bed and pulled the blankets a little closer around her. She didn't protest again when he helped her eat this time. It had been a stupid decision to make, leaving herself so weak when she couldn't have known for certainty the others would have dealt with the beast.

"Others might say that doing such a spell was a reckless decision," she was curious to see his thoughts on the matter in a way. He had held a rank when in the army, he knew the problems that came with commanding. "I risked everyone else's safety by performing it and removing myself from combat."

Lexi wanted to push the subject when she saw his expression but chosen not to. Instead she just laid a hand gently over his and gave it a squeeze to show she understood.

 

[Cassian]

His lips tugged into a light smirk as she moved over and pulled the blanket tighter, his mind called back to her prodding at him with her foot two nights prior.. Now apparently it was a different story. He didn't take her for the modest type but again, he didn't comment

He lifted a broad shoulder in a shrug "It would only have been reckless if someone died because of it. Instead nobody died because of it. So fuck what others might say." he lifted a brow to her. "You knew Kain could handle it, and you trusted him."

Cassian glanced down at her hand on his, that squeeze that told him she'd saw through his evasiveness and he lifted his gaze back to her, pausing for a moment before silently offering her more food.

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

"Hmm," Lexi mulled over his words as she accepted the mouthful of food. They were pretty much how she thought too but she couldn't just let her own thoughts dictate her actions. She had to think of her whole Chapter. It was a heavy weight and one she would wear till her early grave.

"Kain was with me the day our last Commander died. He still carries the blame for it on his shoulders, I fear I sent him back to that day today," she leaned her head back against the headrest and pressed her lips into a thin line. That was irresponsible. Her gaze flicked to him after a moment of warring with herself over the matter and then she ran her gaze down his state.

"I'll be ok for a moment if you want to change."

 

[Cassian]

He shoed Red away as she came sniffing toward the plate, taking the chicken from his own plate and tossing it onto the floor for her.

"Lexi.." he paused and rumbled a sigh, knowing how she might take it.. "You bear the blame of everythin' on yer shoulders. You're one hell of a commander and aye it's righ' that you should worry 'bout your men but. Don' take so much on, your mind will end up wasted an' you won' be fit for leadin' anyone." ..like me, he wanted to add but refrained. "Kain's a strong lad, they all are, an' that's a credit to you too. Stop beatin yourself up so much. You saved the kid's life an' yer still worryin' that someone else mighta died because of it. Give yourself a break, lass." he sighed and set the plate on the bed as he got up, hoping she wouldn't launch it at him.

He pulled his shirt over his head and pressed his fingertips against the dark bruising on his chest, checking that nothing was broken which after a kick from the beast, it was a miracle his ribs hadn't been shattered. Leaving her to eat what was left of her food, he knelt by the basin of cold water and washed the day's dirt from his face and skin and got a fire going..

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

Lexi's lips twisted into a pained grimace. It wasn't the first time someone had said something similar to her and it probably wouldn't be the last. She had taken on the mantel at a young age and she had lived by the motto of living fast and dying young for most of her life. Now that she understood the responsibilities of Commanding and had come to care for the men and women who rode under her banner she had taken a foot off the accelerator. But she couldn't stop who she was.

"It is easier to say a thing than do it," it was a brutal admission as she nibbled on a bit of bread. In truth she really wasn't hungry and all she wanted was to sleep but she knew the risks and tried to force herself to stay awake long enough to eat. She decided to occupy herself by enjoying the view.

"So now you've seen demons and monsters, still not tempted to join my crew yet?" Lexi sipped on the warm mug of tea that had been brought up with the food.

 

[Cassian]

“I know, lass. Why do you think I’m no longer where I should be?..” he frowned. It was easier to say he’d control himself but doing it had been a completely different story.

He had his back to her when she asked the question and he rubbed at the back of his neck, pulling in a breath and letting it leave his lungs in a heavy sigh before he turned to look at her, clearly having some trouble with the decision.

“Aye. Too tempted..” he answered and folded up his shirt into a makeshift pillow and put it on the floor in front of the fire. Of course Red saw fit to make it her own bed before he’d had a chance to and he shoved her with his foot. He lay down on his back to soak in the heat and propped his head up with his hands.

“The lads feel like brothers already. And you.” He licked the dryness from his lips “I don’ mind followin’ a good commander.. it’s just complicated.” he frowned.

 

[Lexi Quinzell]

He actually caught her off guard. Lexi had been expecting a quip about hating magic and all the things that came with it like demons and monsters. She lowered her cup and cradled it in her lap as she listened more intently. Cassian had proven himself - if she could convince him to join she would be gaining a valuable member. Something was holding him back despite him apparently enjoying the little crew he had found himself with over the past few days.

Where he had laid himself on the floor meant she couldn't see his face but it might make the rest of the conversation easier for it. Quietly she ran her finger around the rim of her mug before speaking.

"Every soldier has their story. I won't judge you, Gods know I have my own."