Scylla dried herself off from her bath, her supple skin once again smelling like the usual concoction of oils and lavender.
The Teryn’s heavy musk and sweat was rinsed off and she at the very least felt somewhat clean again.
The man himself was resting for a moment as he regarded the ivory board in front of him. His eyes taking in the positions of the pawns of both sides whilst dressed in nothing more than a simple robe.
Like father like son Scylla supposed. 

She remembered the old days when Avitus still had been alive, how she had quite the upper hand then, she had beguiled him and worked her way into his bed, giving her master all he desired and more...
The act itself wasn’t particularly terrible, in fact with a well versed lover it could even be pleasant, but she had to be rather clinical about it. 
Feelings would obscure her reasoning and only caused more harm than good.
Whilst she had a tender sort of affection for the old Teryn, she had to focus on the future now.
The young Teryn ruled now and unlike his father was power hungry and eager to prove himself. 
The son wanted to be better than his father and to prove it to the world, he had torn down two important Vaimese families, bringing them to ruin and destitution.
The only survivors were the young daughters. 
He made them think he was their savior and their protector, whilst he had murdered their fathers and thrusted the rest into slavery.
He used their trust in him against them, seducing them so they would willingly do everything he told them to. 
After all what young maid could resist a handsome young and powerful lord that had saved them from calamity? 
Naturally, they gave themselves up willingly….
Many times Scylla would pass the Teryn’s chambers only to be met with the cacophony of moans and lustful cries as the familiar rhythm would echo the very halls.

Even today as she had gone down to report to him she had entered upon such a very scene.
Though such things hardly fazed her, she had seen the embarrassment radiate from the young noble girl. 
Another freshly plucked cherry to add to his collection. 
Scylla had almost felt sorry for the girl were it not for the fact that a well bedded Teryn was more tired and thus less able to grow angry beyond reprieve at her. 
She taken her position off to the side, awaiting her turn silently as they were but playthings to be used and abused by those who held power.
She had watched the young blonde dress again quickly before leaving the Teryn’s chamber, not sparing Scylla a second glance.
The Teryn however had gotten up and lazily poured himself some wine, not even bothering to cover himself up. 
[i]Something his father would have done[/i], Scylla thought. 
No, the young Teryn knew very well that he was physically fit and handsome and would even use it as a weapon against those who were weaker of heart.
After downing a first cup he commanded her to start her report, whilst he poured himself a second.
She had explained to him exactly what had happened and who she had faced. 
Her inability to capture Eilis and apologizing again for her failings.
He regarded her silently with eyes that showed a malicious glint, similiar to burning embers. 
Scylla knew that her words were never going to be enough. And so she decided that to escape a fate worse than death she had to give up what little pride she had left once more. 
She raised her head, her eyes full of promise and passion and did what she did best, using his very hunger for pleasure to escape punishment.
She still felt his strong hands on her hips and how he had thrusted her down upon his bed, barely allowing her to slip out of her garments and in between the sheets. 
She had bought herself some time with it, making sure to exhaust him. 
Afterwards, when he had finally released her, he had regarded her with calculating eyes and a terrifying grin. Features that would be able to ensnare anyone that wasn’t familiar with his cruelty and manipulative ways.
As he had ran his fingers up and over her curves it had felt hypnotic and pleasurable. A absentminded gesture, but Scylla knew better.  
She knew those were the moments you had to watch out for, those tricks lulled you in a false sense of security, until he decided to strike.
“Tell me my sly little fae, what do you think my father was planning to do with her?”
“Replace me, have a new pet to experiment on… Whatever your father’s plans were they were not privy to me. The Tahjai orders your father received were not shared with the likes of me.” She answered knowing his innocent sounding question wasn't just that, he was testing her.
She couldn’t let him know the truth, heavens forbid, if the Teryn would ever find out about the machine he would make a terrifying dictator, he already had intentions to become the most powerful man in the Empire, if he got his hands on whatever that machine the entire world was at risk.
The man seemed to think for a moment before he smiled bringing his hand up to cup her face and steal as kiss from her lips.
Obediently she offered all she could, tasting the traces of the rich vintage that still was there.
As he stopped and withdrew his eyes turned cold and his fingers squeezed her jaw painfully.
“You’re certain he never spoke of it? Knowing how intimate the two of you were…”
Scylla’s eyes had panicked regarding him with fear.
“Yes I know about how you warmed his bed sly little Scylla, about his regard for you and I must confess after tasting your delights I can see what had enraptured him so.” He spoke carefully and with weight to his words, making her wonder if she had underestimated him all this time.
“I am as much your loyal servant as I was your father’s.” Was all she meekly could say.
His eyes turned malicious once more hovering over her dominantly before he uttered softly.
“Don’t disappoint me again.”
Scylla held her tongue, she held it long enough for him to grow bored and release her, clearly seeming to accept her fear and passiveness.
Or at least Scylla hoped that was the case.
She had taken her bath after that, after he had insisted ofcourse. It was poor manners to refuse a Teryn's generosity. She knew she had merely been allowed to do so so he could watch her.
The nobles always like to watch and so she had willingly obliged him.

She moved over to the Teryn, draping the extra towel over his shoulders as she regarded the board.
It showed a representation of the battlefield, maybe it was even accurate to the events that were happening at the Belisian border.
“Scylla, what do you make of her? This farmgirl.”
“Desperation is always a rather hardy motivator. I’d say desperation and willfulness are attributes I would ascribe to her judging her by the predicament she finds herself in.”
“How long do you think she will last?”
“That is difficult to say, they used a forbidden ritual on her, she’s an abomination now and if she continues to use her magic she will either burn herself out or have the other soul overtake her completely.” Scylla stated as she watched him pick up a pawn from the board.
“And what would be the outcome of that?”
“Well no one truly knows since the ritual is forbidden for a reason. The old days of when it was used are long since gone as well as the knowledge to what would happen to the individuals, but my best guess would be she’d either combust or be taken over by the other soul and since we do not know anything more it is hard to say what 'its' motivations are.”
The Teryn stroke his chin as he rolled the pawn between the fingers of his other hand calmly letting out a soft hum. 
“The Tahjai want their little prey back, but politics demand I focus on the war with Belisio first. I want to get to her before they can. You and your sister will go and capture her for me, I suggest you take one of the Threaders with you, should she prove difficult again.” He said as he placed the pawn down in front of him.
“But my lord my sister is still weak…” Scylla started knowing that she had to tread. “The ritual to find her demanded quite a great deal of energy, she still needs to recover from it.”
The Teryn grimaced in displeasure and as he made a throwaway gesture he said.
“Then procure some of that poison she requires, you can forward the bill, I need you both at your best so you may strike when they are the most distracted.”
“Also my Teryn, the Threader is still an experimental device… I do believe it would not be wise to test it out on her, considering all the other things already put upon her, it might ruin her completely.
“Are you saying you wish to be its tester Scylla? Or your sister?”
“Nnno my Teryn. I just wanted to ensure your success, if you were to lose the girl because of some experimental device I doubt the Tahjai would be pleased with that." She stated quickly hoping she hadn't overstepped her boundaries.
“Very well, don’t use it on her then. But take it with you as a precaution, should you find a fool for it test it. For the interest of science.”
Scylla’s eyes held a saddened glimmer, before she nodded. 
“Of course my Teryn.” She uttered and moved away from him, her hips swaying as she walked, intending to keep him distracted before she would strike.
Feeling his hungry eyes following her she picked up her dress and slipped it back on. 
“I will do as my Teryn commands.” Was her reply as she bowed more excessively and adding.
“Would you be willing to gift me a boon upon our success?”
Now the hungry eyes narrowed and the glimmer of intrigue lay cast within them.
“A boon?” The inquiry almost sounded amused, as if he hadn’t expected it. 
Naturally Scylla knew that this was merely a façade that the Teryn was good at. 
“Your father once held some knowledge on someone who was very important to me.”
“Did he?” His response and tone was light and of curiosity, but not for the sake of curiosity itself. 
No he was, much like all the other nobles only interested in it in order to see how he could benefit from it. 
How it was advantageous to him…it had been one of the earliest lessons Scylla had learned.
“Yes, I would be more than grateful if you would offer me that knowledge when we return with ‘her’.”
Silence followed as Scylla awaited his reply. He kept her waiting a little longer on purpose, for the sake of manipulating her. 
“I would be a cruel master if I did not reward a faithful servant for their hard work… Very well, upon your successful return I shall gift your desire.” He spoke rather easily as that handsome smirk graced his face again.
“Of course you will still have to succeed first.” He added with a rather demanding finality to his voice, one that made Scylla bow and leave quickly. 
She knew she shouldn’t press her luck any further and moved away from his chambers with a quick step and a new promise.