Chapter Text
Vox Machina had been approached by Seeker Assum before the feast where he told them about his suspicions about the Sovereign's guests, Lord Sylas Briarwood and Lady Delilah Briarwood. He'd asked for their aid in investigating the Lord and Lady during their stay in Emon, which was part of the reason why Vax was in his current predicament.
Sweat was beading down Vax's forehead as his muscles locked into place along with the realization of how much danger he was truly in.
Standing across from him with an eerie smile and her arm out, holding him in place with a spell, was Delilah Briarwood. And just over Vax's left shoulder was Sylas Briarwood who had begun pulling him toward the center of the room,
"You are a curious one, though not quite gifted with the silver tongue. Foolhardiness is not becoming for a guest of the Briarwoods," Whispered the lord in his ear,
"Yet, my love, we are not here to make enemies, nor raise suspicion. We are merely protecting ourselves from intrusion. Isn't that right?" She pinned her gaze onto Vax who began to feel his hair stick to the back of his neck.
He felt his body go lax and feared he would be forced into unconsciousness, but instead found he could once again control his own body. But, that relief quickly left Vax as he could still feel the presence of Lord Briarwood at his back.
And, no doubt realizing that Vax was no longer under his wife's spell, the Lord clamped his hand harshly on Vax's shoulder,
"Indeed. We do require allies. I would have you prove friendship," He started to step back and twisted Vax so that he was looking directly at him, at his eyes.
Vax felt, something, begin to prod inside his head, his mind, and he fought against it. The slight tingling he felt behind his eyes vanished, and Lord Briarwood looked him over.
Attempting to play along, Vax asked, "What do you need?"
"There now, be a good boy," Again, Lord Briarwood looked him over before calling to his wife, "Very well. Apparently, the help was not very helpful,"
Before the Lady could reply, a repetitive and harsh knock sounded at the door followed by a voice calling,
"Are you all right? Is everyone all right?"
The Lady merely crooked one of her fingers and the door swung open to show the guard Vax had sent Simon after holding the guard that had been knocked out. When he saw Vax, his fellow guard was dropped to the floor as he scrambled for his sword,
"Do not worry," Lord Briarwood said, waving his hand in dismissal, "We're just having a conversation. Close the door, and get him up,"
"Yes sir. Not a worry, sir," The door shut again, leaving Vax with the Briarwoods.
Both were looking him over, the Lady had sat herself on the foot of the bed while the Lord began walking between Vax and the door, cutting the rogue off from the immediate exit.
Vax attempted to swallow despite the dryness in his mouth before tilting it up into a smile,
"Thank you so much! What can I do to help? I'm pretty meager a servant, but anything you need, whatever you need! Gosh, you guys are good-looking!" He inwardly cringed.
Was it true? Yes, the Briarwoods weren't bad-looking by any means. But, was it a bit much? Most likely,
"It isn't that, is it?" Vax questioned in an attempt to quickly move past his blunder.
The Lady chuckled from where she stood, "No, but what do you think, my love?"
Two hands squeezed Vax's shoulders, dangerously close to the base of his neck as Lord Briarwoods' breath ghosted over his ear,
"Like we said, you haven't the gift of the silver tongue. But, I applaud your effort,"
"Well, my mom and dad said I'm a real good speaker. They paid for a tutor to teach me how to talk. And it's worked really well for me in my life. So, if you need an ambassador or a butler who talks? I can do that for you!" He was still smiling brightly while trying to turn his head between the two so that he could try and catch a glimpse of the Lord behind him.
The Lady stared over his shoulder at her husband, "Well? What do you think? Can we trust him?"
"I'm afraid not," Sylas Briarwoods' voice rumbled in his chest against Vax's back, "However-"
"Well, here's the thing you need to know about Uriel-"
Vax tried stepping away, but one of the Lord's hands tightened around his shoulder while the other locked around his jaw. He could see the tip of Sylas' chin in the corner of his vision and felt the broad chest press further against his back.
There must have been a silent conversation between the husband and wife, because Delilah slipped from her position at the foot of the bed, and began raking her eyes over Vax's body until she met his gaze.
It felt as though she were staring into his very soul,
"Do you wish to keep this one?" The question made dread pool into Vax's stomach.
The hand on his shoulder trailed down his arm,
"You can't deny I'm not the only one interested,"
Delilah cocked a brow and stepped closer, both hands resting on Vax's waist as she looked him over again.
He wanted to squirm, shove their hands away, shout for the guards, call for the others through the earring, and maybe even make a break for the windows. But the cold fingers around his jaw tightened when Vax so much as shifted,
"No. I suppose not. But, the question is, My Love, do we keep him for ourselves, or use him?"
Cold lips traced against his temple, "You have an idea?"
The smile she flashed her husband was just as cold as the skin on Vax's jaw.
Delilah leaned forward, her grip on Vax's waist tightened as she pressed him closer to her husband, and the distinct hardness that was now pinned against his lower back. She began whispering something to Sylas who angled Vax's head away so he wouldn't hear what they were saying.
With them engrossed in their conversation, Vax tried looking for something, anything he could use to escape! But, everything Vax saw was out of reach, he couldn't even reach for his daggers without Delilah noticing! And the hand he'd use for his earring was currently in Sylas' grasp!
A low rumbling laugh reverberated against Vax's back,
"I can't argue with that, my dear," He could hear the grin in Sylas' voice, "The pup does need a new friend, the self-isolation can't be good for him. However, if this plan falls through-"
"Then we can have our own fun without having to jump through those blackmailing rings," One hand trailed up to his chest and she pressed her palm against his heart, "Perhaps if we play our cards right, we can have them both,"
Delilah's hand replaced her husbands, curling her pointed nails around Vax's chin while tracing his lip with her thumb,
"While I can't deny you anything, I worry you'll grow cold," His hands were trailing Vax's body, one encircling his waist while the other grasped the hair at the back of his head, "His warmth could do some good,"
"I do appreciate your worry, my love, but there are other things to keep me warm. And you know I don't mind the cold. Besides," She angled Vax's face toward her.
Between her hand and the grip Sylas had on his hair, it felt like his scalp was about to be torn from his skull,
"He'll be easier to control this way. And something tells me this one will need a harsher hand than the pup,"
There was a noise of agreement from Sylas as Delilah relinquished her hold and stepped back toward the bed. She draped herself against one of the posters on the bed with a dark grin as Sylas yanked Vax's hair and angled his head to properly display his neck.
He felt twin, piercing pains on the side of his neck that drew a harsh gasp as warm blood splashed across his skin.
Vax could feel the blood still inside his body being drained as his vision began to swim. His legs shook while his knees began to give and his hands uselessly clawed for one of his daggers.
But, one hand managed to catch and wrap around a hilt.
He didn't know which dagger it was or if it would do anything, but Vax yanked it free and managed to bury it deep in the arm that crossed his body.
The surprise of the attack was enough for him to be released. But, when Sylas released him, he tore a large portion of Vax's skin away which caused a spray of blood, but the rogue began running toward the window.
He threw himself against the glass, Delilah laughing as the window shattered and Vax fell into empty air.
Vax landed on his feet and felt both of his legs shatter before his head cracked against the stones of the courtyard.
His breathing was labored and one of his arms wouldn't move. But, the other, while sparking pain up to his shoulder, managed to grasp his ear, and while his vision went dark, rasped out,
"Jenga,"
And then something was covering his face, while the pain had, disappeared.
Except for a twisting pain in his stomach.
Vax tried opening his eyes, tried calling for his sister, but something with an earthy taste fell into his mouth that choked him. And when Vax tried to cough, clear his throat, more fell in and-
Oh for fucks- was that dirt?
His arms were crossed over his chest and there was a light pressure keeping them and his legs pinned.
Was he buried alive?
Vax felt his stomach twist again with a sharper pain.
He attempted to shove the pain away, focus on getting out from this fucking grave!
The dirt keeping him trapped was loose and fell back each time he clawed a handful away from his face, but he needed to get out!
Vax clawed upward, frantically trying to free himself as his stomach began to burn from the inside out with pain.
Until-
Until-
He felt air across his fingers.
A hand was wrapped around his palm that pulled.
Vax felt himself being pulled through the dirt.
When his face breached the surface, Vax coughed, dispelling lungfuls of dirt as he was pulled further from the grave.
Hands wiped the dirt from his eyes and he squinted upward.
The sky was still dark, how much time had passed? Where was he? What happened?
There was a face, an unrecognizable one with glasses, sharp features, and white hair.
The man above Vax frowned and quickly turned away,
"What's-" Vax coughed again, his throat was so dry,
"You need to get up," Said the man while harshly pulling Vax's arms,
"Who are-"
"Shut up!" He hissed while forcing him to his feet.
The moment Vax was standing, he stumbled back to the ground, and the man yanked on his arm again,
"Careful, Pup," Called a familiar voice that froze Vax, "You were no less graceful when I helped you from your resting place," The man holding Vax stiffened as footsteps approached.
A hand weaved its way through his hair and gently forced his gaze up, which had Vax looking into the eyes of Sylas Briarwood as his wife grinned over his shoulder. They both looked him over before turning to the man holding him up,
"Take him home, Percival," Said Delilah, "His meal will be ready by the time you get there,"