Flat Earth, The edge of the world...

[Mayor Nardine]

[Mercedes]

Mercy whimpered when her wrists, her burned arm and her legs cried out in pain from her struggling. She was wheezing for air, her vision blurry as she lay in that coffin, wondering when her life would end. Why did I leave that place? Why did I not stay inside? Who are this people? she mumbled against the thick rope tied around her mouth.

[Farai]

Farai slowed when he came within boundaries of his old home, scoping to see who was around. He knew the seach patterns and how to avoid them but he didn't want to run into any surprises. He remembered where they usually kept prisoners and went about trying to get there without being spotted.

[Mercedes]

She started coughing, kicking her feet loudly until she heard a voice from the outside. Mercy waited, holding her breath which was a bad idea considering how tight the space was. She gasped for air and tried to be silent, hearing footsteps approaching.

[Farai]

Farai had to abandoned his ship halfway in. He wasn't sure how he was going to get in without being spotted but for Mercy's sake he would have to. e kept his head down as he used the old backways that he could remember but it wasn't good enough. He was recognized by one of the sentries who immediately arrested him. Anything to get me to Mercy quicker, he thought as the sentry took him to the prisoners' ward.

[Mercedes]

Mercy gasped, almost choking on the forced-in air as the casket threw open and her eyes widened at the face. Same sharp features as Farai and the same ink-marking on the left eye but with different characters. Except it wasn't him even with that scowling face. Holding back a cry as the man lowered and jerked her out on her backside, Mercy held back a groan when she noticed the entire room was filled with creatures just like Farai.

[Farai]

"Serik!" The sentry said grandly as he burst into the room with a chained Farai in tow. "Farai has violated his banishment."
Farai gave Serik, the ruler, a grin. "Nice to see you again Old Man. Surely you haven't gathered all of the council for my arrival?"
The sentry kicked him.
Serik turned away from Mercy and strode over to Farai, punching him in the face. "You insolent fool, you know you are banished. Why have you returned?"
Farai met Serik's gaze. "You have something that belongs to me. I'l kill you for my family later."
His comment was greeted by a violent kick to the stomach and murmurs among the council.
"I have nothing of yours!"
"You took a human. She belongs to me." Farai growled once he'd caught his breath.

[Mercedes]

Mercy gasped when she saw Farai led in by another one of them. Her eyes widened when he got kicked and she struggled against the ropes bound on her wrists and ankles.

Two of them came to her and untied the ropes from her mouth. Mercy started to speak. "You cannot hurt him. He's not to be touched. That is against the rules of this city," she spoke boldly despite her heart racing at seeing the creatures that had haunted her all through her years back at home.

[Farai]

"I make the rules of this city." Serik roared. "The punishment for banishment violation is death!"
"That's nice, I knew that already. Let her go." Farai demanded.
"You do not command me! You are a disappointment Farai. I held such high hopes for you."
"I'm sure you'll get over it." He sneered."Let the woman go."
Serik kicked him again, this time drawing blood. "You hold no authority here! She knows too much!"

[Mercedes]

She winced in pain every time the man kicked Farai and she screamed. "Stop! He's hurting." She gasped for air when one of them slapped her clear across her face.

"Silence, human or we'll draw your blood," one of the subordinates said, angered at Farai's presence.

[Farai]

"Don't touch her again Temir." Farai threatened in a lethal tone.
"I demand punishment now!" Temir told Serik.
"Wait." A woman said and Farai's eyes widened at the sight of her. "I ask for a day's wait." She said in a beautiful but commanding tone.
"Why do you stay my hand Kaniya?" Serik asked.
"One day Serik." She repeated without answering the question. "There are more important matters at hand."
Serik considered it before yelling. "Throw them both in a holding cell."
Farai and Mercy were both grabbed and roughly hauled to a holding cell and thrown inside before the door was locked.

[Mercedes]

Mercy was terrified and confused, her body trembling with pain and the cold of the cement floor. Apparently her clothes weren't completely dry. She shivered. "I-I-I'm s-s-so-sorry..."

[Farai]

Farai moved over toward her and pulled her to him, sharing his heat.
"Don't worry about it." He said absently rubbing her arm, his mind on Kaniya and what she was planning.

[Mercedes]

She sighed, leaning against him. "So these are you people, Farai?"

[Farai]

"These are my people: the Nadari. I feared you'd seen too much when you told me you use to see them often. We're very...secretive about ourselves. Serik is our ruler. Temir is his right hand. Kaniya...is part of the council."