Exile....It takes your mind

[Theo Chulainn]

His shoulder ached. A physical ache that reminded him that the numbness that was taking over his body was not completely overwhelming. He still had feeling in his nerves as he shuffled between two officers. Hand's cuffed like a wild animal. Not like he had the spirit to attack or run. The memories burning at his mind stabbing his numb heart in attempts to break him. Caomihe.....dead....father.....dead......Keiran....turning on him...Drai....Drai...

Theo shut his eyes tightly trying to surpresss the horrible nausea that threatened to overwhelm him. This was all to much for him. His life was never perfect but....surely he had never done anything to deserve such a twist of fate. The guards where rough with him as they directed him towards the car, forcing him to sit in the back. The journey was filled with silence....much like that trip to his brothers death bed. He wretched slightly trying to suppress the horrible feeling of loanlyness. He was alone....utterly alone.

The car pulled up in front of the station and he was dragged out. People where staring....Camera's where flashing. Then again it had been a long time since anyone had considered trying to take out the royal family....especially the Proud Chulainn clan. There were whispers and shouts. People trying to get his statement on something. But the guard chucked a coat over his head and forced him to almost trot inside the station. The fast bending to the right then left, left again several more times then right made the bile burn his throat as the horrible dizzy sensation almost made him topple over if someone wasn't holding his arm in a vice grip.

A push on his head forced him to sit in a chair as the coat was whipped off so harshly the zipper must of caught hair and tore it from his scalp causing him to hiss and snarl slightly. The slamming of the door and the sitting of the man in front of him. Protected by some forum of bullet proof glass like he could magically harm him from his chair. Cuffed and weapon-less. Theo almost chuckled but his spirit didn't have the heart to laugh. His world had been destroyed before his very eyes. He listened numbly as his charges were rambled to him by some officer who was clearly out of shit's to give to his cause. Photo's had been placed in front of him to stare at including the site of his sister's murder. Tuning it out as he tried to swallow the lump in his throat. Some how not noticing when the officer stood and left as Theo collapsed in on himself.

[Gavin Etheridge]

There was a time, long ago, when Carraig had been diveded amongst itself on the small mountainous island where little grew well. The fourteen remaining counties had been small states, each governed by warlords and clans that constantly clashed against one another over territory, especially the heart of the island that was able to yield grain and root vegetables and allow the sheep and wild mountain goats to be tamed and bred. Of these many clans, one has emerged the strongest and also the most cunning, and through this was able to ally with the next strongest clans to back them up, slowly building agreements and pacts with all the warring tribes. Under their strict codes and persuasive means, they were able to keep a peace that became less-strained over the years, turning their strengths instead to fight as one against the outside forces that would take the island from them, and later offering their battle skills to those other countries as they warred with each other. That family was the family that became the founding blood for the Kings of Carraig, and those warlords sworn most closest to them remained. The Scaith family became as brothers to the King's own family, swearing their life and blood to them generation after generation. The clans McDowell, Athol and Dundas worked closely to govern the rest of the island and keep the laws and peace set by the ruling clan. Other clans, like the Chulainn, kept a much more discreet relationship, relying on their strength and planning, training their children since birth so they would serve until death, offering their continued mercenary services to the royal family for generation upon generation... until now.

Gavin Etheridge had been noted by the people of Carraig that he was, quite possibly, one of the most tender-hearted leaders the ruling family had bred yet, and more than a bit eccentric with him adopting a stray child as his own, his lofty plans for the country's quiet aerospace program, and Gavin's discreet relationships with other countries meant to keep the people happy and fed but heavily questioned every step of the way. And yet, of all the Kings of Carraig, Gavin was the one most dedicated to urging his people to trying a new path while keeping the old traditions and relationships strong. Even though Gavin went about things in his own odd way, the deeper traditions were part of what Gavin was, and who he was; just as Artemis of the Scaith clan was bred and schooled to serve and protect him, Gavin had also known the Chulainn clan from a young age, listening for long hours as as the head of the clan, "Uncle" Aodhan, spoke to the young prince about battle and tactics and weapons, letting Gavin be taught the basics of fighting by his eldest son, Conor, and then set most often to practice with his youngest, Theodore. So simply stating that Gavin had known the family since he was a child was a mild understatement; Gavin cared little for his pretentious and selfish cousins, and had very few close friends. Conor and Theodore were two of the only people Gavin felt he could speak with openly, Theodore seeming to enjoy Gavin's peaceful and open-minded outlook and Conor not scolding the prince for wanting to help the working classes have better lives because he knew how much the country relied on them.

So when the police officer nearly burst into Gavin's office with the urgent news that Theodore Chulainn had been apprehended, Gavin was more than a bit confused, especially when it was stated that he was arrested for murder and plotting treason. The Chulainn family was large and had many cousins... perhaps he'd meant some other Theodore. Surely not the one he'd known all his life and sparred with so often. But as Gavin looked over the report thrust at him, it would appear very, very clear that the truth was just that shocking. Theodore Chulainn had murdered his younger sister and his own father, and had been plotting to overthrow Gavin from the throne. That... That didn't even make sense. The narcoleptic lancer had been angry and withdrawn after Conor died, but he'd come out of it, just as Gavin had recovered from the loss of his own father. Appointments for the afternoon were quickly canceled and reset by the secretary. Gavin heading out of the palace to go to the jail where Theo was being questioned. If Theo was being held for murder and treason, Gavin wanted to hear it from Theo himself. Gavin knew that when they were young, Theo would have much rather gone fishing or napped under a tree than train to be the attack dog 'Uncle' wanted; Gavin could relate very well and at time had envied Theo just a little. Even after Conor died, Theo would never have fathomed to do the things he was being charged with. But as a man, now? Now, it was just a lot of question marks; he hadn't seen Theo in a while. When was the last time they'd both sat to catch up and say hi like they used to?

Reports were handed to the King as he made his way through the hall as though he owned it, escorted to the holding room. The room was large, and empty save for the plain table and two chairs, separated by a wall of bulletproof plexiglass, small holes drilled through to let speaking be clear, and a little slot to pass papers through. This was a room for questioning the most dangerous people. On the other side of the glass, however, was a man Gavin had never known to be a murderer. Tall, lean, hair the colour of the lapis stones Gavin's mother wore in her bracelet, and sullen red eyes that he remembered being so bright, now dull and flawed, bleary and tearstained. Gavin sat down in the seat across from Theo, looking at him carefully and gesturing for the other guards and officers to leave them alone. Theo seemed so lost, drowning in the bloody photographs. Even from where he sat, Gavin could see their faces and swallowed down that he knew and cared about those people. Those bodies weren't them. They were just bodies. Slowly, Gavin pulled out his speech aid, the volume just loud enough for the two of them to talk. The paperwork and reports were all laid in front of Gain like a disassembled newspaper.

"Theo, the mechanical voice nearly beeped out, breaking the silence as he typed. "I know what I've been told, and I'm not sure what to think. Tell me it isn't true."

[Theo Chulainn]

He flinched when the robotic voice called out to him. Looking up to see Gavin. His cousin by blood. His friend and ally. He really hadn't expected the charming mute to come to this....well he had prayed he wouldn't have to see the distrust and hurt in Gavin's eyes. They had grown up doing so much together...from training to hunting. Then Fishing and just relaxing. Heck he even had Cinder's litter mate.

But now all that and the future was on the line as he let his crimson gaze capture Gavin's. He wasn't sure what was worse....Gavin's stare of judgement or the picture of Calcifer through his sister's chest. He shuddered knowing the answer but he wanted to break the eye contact.

His gaze turning to his cuffed hands. The question made him angry. What did Gavin think? He would actually kill his old man and his beloved sister? Didn't Gavin see how wild and pained the death of his brother had made him. Causing him to be kicked out of class often due to his aggressive outbursts....How it had taken Caomihe to be sick...really sick to calm him down. Realise he had to protect her.

His fingers gripped into a tight fist as he snarled slightly. "What do you think?" His shoulder's shook. "That I would really harm my father and sister?" He gnawed at his lip slightly trying to suppress the over whelming sadness. "I didn't even want to be clan head...why on earth would I want to be sodding king of the country?"

[Gavin Etheridge]

Times like this Gavin honestly wishes there were some rogue fae to hear the passing prayers and wishes of humans and for just a moment, grant Gavin a voice to properly express the feelings and inflections his aid couldn't. It had recordings of thousands and thousands of words and was constantly being updated, but it never would be able to say things the way the King knew they ought to be said, the way he knew he would say them. He personally was still in shock and wasn't sure what to believe, but the reports and things the King had been told at the palace and on the way to the cell, all of it pointing at Theo with bold red arrows. But... that just made so little sense, it was so unlike him...

Finally the bleary red eyes pulled away, Theo seeming to curl into himsef, his fists tightening as the rage bubbled up tot he surface. Ah, there was something Gavin remembered quite well. Gavin took a deep breath in, exhaling it slowly through his nose, summoning all of the patience he'd inherited from his mother, quelling any rashness and urges to fight back and lock horns with his cousin. Even if not first cousins, they were related through his mother and still technically family.And that... was something Gavin was having a hard time fighting with right now. It was so hard to separate yourself from what you felt; right now, Gavin had to be two people, and ignore one of them.

To be King was to remain impartial, and not shed the tears that want to come up when something hurts as deeply as loss of a soldier, friend, or even family member. Being King meant Gavin couldn't allow himself to go into the room to hug Theo and turn those horrible photographs over so neither had to see them, and instead see to it that the truth came out of this somehow for the good of the people. The Greater Good... God, Gavin hated that. How many times did Gavin lock himself in the chapel to do his beads, hating himself for the things he had to do for "the greater good," just to make sure that his people would continue to be alright? How many would he do tonight, foregoing sleep, to beg forgiveness for having to ask the horrible questions directly to someone he loved?

Theo growled at Gavin, who was probably just as miffed that Gavin would even ask as he probably was by the hurt yet stony expression. "What do you think? That I would really harm my father and sister? I didn't even want to be clan head...why on earth would I want to be sodding king of the country?" Gavin inwardly snorted a bit. Theo didn't want to be King; like Gavin did? But he was right.... Growing up Theo would have rather shirked anything to be done for the day rather than not. He paused for a moment, collecting himself before typing.

"I don't know what to think, Theo. I know the reports state the weapons were yours, and right now forensics teams are taking a closer look at things." Gavin sighed, pausing to reach his hand through the small opening at the bottom of the glass, gingerly taking the grotesque picture of Caomihe. That... was a loss for the world, even if they didn't know it. Slowly, Gavin turned the picture over so Theo wouldn't see it anymore, even if it was only until Gavin left the room. Her sweet smile would be missed, and it killed Gavin to know that right now he couldn't express what he wanted to and what he deeply felt. Gavin's hand hesitated before withdrawing, resisting the urge to pat the lancer's hand at the very least. Instead, the buttons clicked quickly and quietly as the dull voice began to chime out again. "I know what I feel about all of this, but I cannot act on my feelings alone. But please, Theo, tell me what happened?"

[Theo Chulainn]

"I don't know what to think, Theo. I know the reports state the weapons were yours, and right now forensics teams are taking a closer look at things." Gavin reached over and turned the photo over for him. And for once he had never wanted to hug his second cousin more then now. He could see that pain in the others eyes too. They had been through a lot together growing up and sure they hadn't always been eye to eye on everything. Quite often having butted heads but they always would get over it and forgive each other. "I know what I feel about all of this, but I cannot act on my feelings alone. But please, Theo, tell me what happened?"

A heart breaking pause as he shut his eye's. Calcifer...he must be hurting too being used for such a purpose. The brief moment he had heard the spirits voice as he lunged at his cousin sounded so broken and pained. "They...were in the forges lock up...being sharpened and balances.... Everything but my sub..." He rubbed his eyes.

"I never signed it out...you should see.... on the forum there signed in but not out." The clan was very particular of order. When weapons where handed to the forge the owner would sign and date when they where handed in and then repeat the process when they where taken. It was to prevent anything like thief happening. But as his eye's flicked to the charts a gasp caught in his throat. His signature and out date sat in a perfect copy of his handwriting. How....how could that be...he hadn't even gone near the forge that day...having been told that they would take another two days to be finished.

"That's a lie...I hadn't even gone near the forge that day! I spent most of it watching the others train...Then I spoke to father before heading to my study...but then I passed out...." His narcolepsy was no secret after all. Especially when one time hunting with Gavin when it had kicked in once causing him to fall off the horse onto his face. This had caused a lot of laughs between the pair. But now...He wished this was a crazy dream.

[Gavin Etheridge]

The face of innocence that had been Caomihe was turned over to stpare them both from looking at the bloody and lifeless body any longer, using it to also cover up the horrible photo of Uncle Aodhan. Even black in white, the pictures still made the King feel ill; the man Gavin had taken to and become closer with when his own father passed, and the sweet younger cousin Gavin adored and would spoil without thinking about it were both gone forever, and those photos just made it seem unreal and horrific. His mother. Oh God, Gavin's mother was going to be devastated at the loss of her kin.

Photos, notes, and some of the evidence bagged, sealed and labeled were all scattered about the table. Photos of the bodies, the blood spatters, the weapons... God, so many photos, and the blood was just everywhere... "They...were in the forges locked up...being sharpened and balanced.... Everything but my sub... I never signed it out...you should see.... on the form they're signed in but not out." gavin watched patiently as Theo's shaking hands went through the bagged papers, finding one that was a release form from the smithy. Leaning forward, the King took a close look at the names and times on the page, scrutinizing carefully and then pulled away slowly as a realization hit, making Gavin's stomach knot: the weapons were signed out, stamped with a time and date and Theo's signature. In his handwriting.

As far as proof went, Theo's weapons and his signature were pretty hard to argue. "That's a lie...I hadn't even gone near the forge that day! I spent most of it watching the others train...Then I spoke to father before heading to my study...but then I passed out...." Gavin was even less ure of what to tink. Hard proof was pretty tough to beat. he sighed, running a hand through his hair, biting his lip lightly as he thought a moment before typing once more.

"These alone aren't enough to convict you, but they do make it hard to prove your innocence. I will make sure that forensics is very thorough, and that your lawyer will actually help you." Public defenders were good and well, but they were pretty lousy at defending their clients since they worked for the public and not the defendents. Witnesses could help testify that Theo never went to the forces; the people he had watched train, and the smith himself. But those would take time. Theo, I promise I will make sure the truth is found out." What the truth was, Gavin didn't know. If Theo really did do this, then God help him because Gavin wouldn't be able to. But... Caomihe... No, Theo wouldn't. It just seemed so far out there, especially since his sister had been the one to pull him out of his eternal mourning after Conor died. And then as if the murders weren't enough, they were saying Theo was guilty of treason?

But that doesn't make sense, Gavin thoguht frustratedly. I love Theo but he never wanted to trade places with me as a kid. Never. Theo just wanted a normal life, and he knows what mine is like firsthand, so why would he try to take over, especially if having his family dead didn't help his personal image? The funny thing about being a figurehead was that everything about you was always being scrutinized, especially your relationships with your family members. Having his immediate family dead as he tried to usurp the throne wouldn't have made him look as good in the public eye. Gavin shook his head. He just didn't know; he wasn't a detective. He was King, swallowing his emotions as best he could in hopes of helping find the true culprit even if only to bury and help her lay Caohime in peace.

"Theo. I don't want to ask this, but I have to. You are also being charged with treason; if proven, that alone is enough to warrant execution by our laws." Oh God, those laws he had to know. So many he'd removed for being too old, or reformed to keep up with the times, but some were very clear and would not change. Desertion and treason were met with public execution, and the few that had managed to run had been hunted, dragged back to Carraig, and put to death, in some cases parts of them left on display after they'd died. Gavin hated knowing those laws, and had never hoped he'd have to think about them, especially not for his own family. Another deep breath moved through him as Gavin resumed typing, the mechanical words irritating him. "Do you know anything or have any involvement in such a thing?" Theo would say no. Gavin was praying he would say no. He was selfish like that. Family meant so much to the young king, and losing them in any way was something that, even as King, Gavin doubted he had the strength to push through.

[Theo Chulainn]

"These alone aren't enough to convict you, but they do make it hard to prove your innocence. I will make sure that forensics is very thorough, and that your lawyer will actually help you." He looked to Gavin even though the man's kind words tried to sooth him Theo couldn't help but let the hopelessness swallow him. "Theo, I promise I will make sure the truth is found out." At least Gavin had a little faith in him. But...Evidence was saying he did it after all. Gavin's love had no power in a court room.

"Theo. I don't want to ask this, but I have to. You are also being charged with treason; if proven, that alone is enough to warrant execution by our laws." He sighed looking down. He felt sick and stressed. His head pounding almost like his narcoleptsy was about to kick in but he knew it wouldn't. That would be to kind. Pressing a shaking hand to the glass as if trying to reach out for Gavin. "Gavin....No matter what happens...please know I would never do such a thing....I love you Gavin...You were never a mere cousin to us...you were a brother...a part of this family...." He just wanted to hold onto the other make sure he was real...he was alive. Not Even Calcifer was at his side to comfort him and he worried for the lance.

Keeping his hand to the glass in hopes it would just disappear he sighed. "Do you know anything or have any involvement in such a thing?" He growled suddenly like a dog. "Kieran....That bastard...I don't know what he is plotting but he's up to something." His crimson eye's looked to Gavin's. "Don't trust him...be careful round him...who knows what that snake is up too."

[Gavin Etheridge]

Looking at Theo just hurt. This wasn't right, and Gavin knew it, and the speed to which everyone had jumped at his younger cousin made him sick. The hopelessness in Theo's eyes, the pure grief. There was a certain amount of remorse people who had killed bore in afterthought, once they realized what they'd done and couldn't take it back. Gavin had seen it before among his own guards and soldiers. But this wasn't the look Theo was giving him. He looks like I'm preparing to drown him myself... At this rate it might be kinder. Treason was such a tricky thing, and sometimes it really did just come down to a battle of who said what if there was nothing tangible for evidence. But that look of pure heartbreak...

"Gavin....No matter what happens...please know I would never do such a thing....I love you Gavin...You were never a mere cousin to us...you were a brother...a part of this family...." Theo's hand pressed against the galss as though trying to will himself through it. Of all the things Gavin had been taught and told, and all the times he'd had to separate himself from his work... this was becoming the hardest, and it was quickly becoming apparent that saying you must split yourself from your feelings when it was someone you genuinely loved and trusted and actually being able to do it were two very, very different things. At the moment Gavin was truly beginning to doubt his ability to remain impartial in all of this. I love you, too.

Theo couldn't have done this. Even if somehow Theo had gone off the deep end and plottoed to hurt his father, he'd have sent Caohime out somewhere, to a friend's or other family, or even to the palace to visit for the weekend. Things just didn't make sense. "Kieran....That bastard...I don't know what he is plotting but he's up to something," Theo said with a growl, his hand never leaving the protective glass. Kieran? Gavin rarely talked to him anymore, so busy in the demands of his role. But what would Kieran possible have to gain from any of this? Of all of them he was the most ree do do as he pleased, if nothing else. "Don't trust him...be careful round him...who knows what that snake is up too." He let out a tired sigh, Gavin's head swimming with questions that had no immediate answers and grief that had nothing to console it.

The opening through the glass on the table itself had only been big enough for Gain to reach his hand through and turn over those horrible pictures. The guards would get pissed, but for fuck's sake, he was King and of everyone, Theo was no threat. Slolwy Gavin's hand moved to his aid, typing and trying to gather his thoughts. Deep breath in, and then out slowly, trying to remain level. "I know you didn't do this, Theo. I promise, if I can, I will save you." Gavin's hand slipped away from the aid and across the table, flattening to go through the small opening. That promise was only made of a few small words, but was one of the biggest promises Gavin had ever made, and sadly one that even he didn't know if he'd be able to keep.

[Theo Chulainn]

"I know you didn't do this, Theo. I promise, if I can, I will save you." He linked there fingers. Theo felt his eyes water again as he clutched the warm fingers of his cousin. The warm promise radiating and warming his soul. He gave a weak smile knowing that at least Gavin knew he didn't do this. Out of all the world there was only two people that he cared about there taught. One being Gavin. The other....Drai....

He shook his head hearing the soft jingle of his earrings soothed him slightly in a weak attempt to comfort him. brother..... His free hand stroked the silver metal. forgive me, I failed you...

The door behind him opened and a pair of tall men in uniform and a woman in a suit stood. "Forgive us my king but we will escort the accused to his cell now." She said with a bow. Her short smart blond hair in a messy bun held by a toothed clip. The men walked over and cuffed his hands behind his back. But with surprisingly soft calmness. Compared to the previous rough handling. He looked over to Gavin softly his eyes reading his farewell while sending his own.

[Gavin Etheridge]

It hurt to know that he was promising something that Gavin wasn't entirely certain he'd be able to live up to. He wanted to just say 'screw the system' and let his ruling stand supreme over anything anyone else had to say. Theo was blood, family, and one of the few people Gavin would truly call his friend; he refused to accept that Theo would do anything of this sort. But Gavin knew better. This wasn't the olden times when the King's law was the only law, even if modern Carraig was still a true monarchy. The court system was put into place and made the way it was by years of fine-tuning and making it for the benefit of the people and to grant equality, not to say that the country's nobility could simply do as they pleased. Gavin wasn't a detective or a forensics expert by any means, but even he had enough sense to know when things didn't add up. Theo wouldn't have killed his father to be head of the family; Gavin knew about some of their fights and Theo's marital preferences....

Gavin gave Theo's fingers a gentle squeeze. He had promised, though. He would make sure Theo's lawyer was amazing, and that forensics got everything figured out. And if I can't save you, perhaps some angel will take mercy and save you for me. He pulled his hand away subtly as he heard the door open, two guards and a woman in a skirt suit. ""Forgive us my king but we will escort the accused to his cell now." Their movements were slow and oddly caring; either Gavin wasn't doing so well hiding his emotions or because he was there they were being delicate. Theo was family of the King, after all. Sighing heavily as he stood up, Gavin looked up to get a good look as Theo glanced back over his shoulder at his cousin, and that look.... That was a look that very claerly said he held no hope of seeing the other again.

He stepped out of the room quietly, walking in the opposite direction of Theo and the guards as they went down the hall to the cells; there was nothing more he could do here, but the King had to stop at the desk and give a few orders. He had been in there to hear Theo's side of the story to help shed some light on it, and he had. Seeing the homicide detective who had fist come to alert Gavin personally, Gavin walked to him, taking out his aid and typing quickly. "After speaking with him, there are things that don't add up," the mechanical voice stated. "Disregarding his relationship to mine, I am not convinced he is guilty. Start with the blacksmith. I want your best forensics team to look into this until the truth is exposed..." Come hell or high water, even if Gavin would not cheat his people for his own selfish feelings, he would at least use his power to make sure that no stone was left unturned.

[Theo Chulainn]

Theo was marched out. Keeping his head down as he walked a glips out the window revealed the inky black night and he shuddered at the taught of the cell he was going to sleep in. But when the sign to the cell's pointed right Theo was confused when they kept going before turning left. Heading to the escort cars? Was he being taking to a different jail? Well it wouldn't be to surprising so he relaxed.

The car they took him to was a black Kia sorento. With black out windows the vehicle was a beast as he was placed in the back centre seat but force to crouch down. He blinked confused. Was this to avoid being seen by paparazzi? Suddenly a blonde wig feel in front of him and as he looked to the female beside him he stared wide eyed. "Chloe?!?" He shouted when she shushed him as his childhood friend signalled for the man in the driver seat to start going. As they almost exited the car park Chloe flicked and object out the window. Theo cocked a curious eye brown wondering what the object was.

He wouldn't get his answer till several moments later when a loud explosion pushed the car forward making it skid and veer. Looking out the darkened window he saw the car park of the station engulfed in flames and smoke billowing into the air. "CHLOE ARE YOU CRAZY GAVIN MIGHT OF BEEN THERE!" He shouted as he saw the flames spread into the night sky. Chloe shook her head. "His car is parked in the north car park for visitors and lawyers. That was the squad car park. Only police related vehicle allowed. Do not worry...your cousin is safe."

[Gavin Etheridge]

Gavin was quiet, his face hard in a grim resolve as he stood in the station, waiting for the inspector to confirm that he would have the matter of Theo's innocence thoroughly looked into. They would. Of course they would. Not because Gavin was their King and had asked them to, but because that's what the system was for: justice. And it would be put to its best use or Gavin would have a field day ordering some pink slips to be issued. But Gavin didn't glance down the hall he'd come from to the direction Theo had been marched down. He couldn't bear it right now. Part of Gavin wanted to go down to the holding cells and see him again, just to tell him that it would be okay somehow... But Gavin knew he couldn't and that it would just cimplicate things more by getting that involved.

But as Gavin stood there waiting, a heavily-armed escort walked up to him, giving a short bow. "My Lord, have you finished speaking with the traitor?" Gavin blinked. Of course he'd finished, why else would he be standing here? Gavin nodded as his fingers moved across the pad, really wanting to drop the subject as he pushed his emotions aside. "Yes. He was just escorted out a moment ago." The guard looked puzzled for a moment, then turned to another officer, hurriedly asking who had taken Theo and where. Thick arms folded over his chest, Gavin watching as one ran to the room where they had been, confirmed it was empty, and then another called out that the holding cells were empty as well. Well, isn't this nice... Theo, what did you do NOW?!

There was a rather large panic and commotion, nobody knowing where Theo was as it became apparent that he had escaped them, and rather well. Orders were being barked out to find and kill him, when Gavin turned up the volume to convey his own orders. "I want you wall to continue the investigation and inform me of any new developments. If Theodore Chulainn is found, he is NOT to be harmed. Capture him and bring him back alive and untouched. Am I clear?" The mechanical voice was loud but could barely keep up with the speed of Gavin's typing, the king determined that his orders for the safety of his cousin were heard and carried ou-

BOOM!

Something had blown up out front. Police officers ran toward the front exit of the police station as several guards rushed toward Gavin, crowding close to him and quickly ushering their king in the opposite direction of the danger. Well hell's bells... This night just got more and more interesting, and as gavin moved in quick time with the guards all he could think of was that he could really do with something to drink to settle his head. Too much in one day. Almost too quickly to register, Gavin had been nearly shoved into his own armored car out the back, the light of the fire and smoke filling Carraig's starry sky. Someone had rescued Theo, and Gavin hoped that he would stay safe until this was cleared up... even though Gavin knew that the tragedy, treason plot, and now escaped suspect would be a hot mess that the press would just love for weeks to come. Oh what he'd give for a normal family life sometimes.

{END THREAD}

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