Wolfgang's Exile House

Wolfgang had been directly escorted to the house that would ultimately become his prison. The journey was long enough for the initial relief to fade and leave him with the realization of his new circumstances. Everything he owned was gone. His family's home, the university, his clothes, his books, his life's work- everything was taken from him. It was enough to make him feel sick to his stomach, but he was beyond lucky for the one thing that had been spared- his life. He found solace in the fact that he would soon be reunited with his loved ones.

The house itself appeared to be an old, but large estate with plenty of space for its new inhabitants. His carriage pulled up outside where several guards were already stationed around the perimeter of the house. They were brave souls, or maybe just stupid, because the wolf stirred at the sight of them, practically laughing at the pathetic display. Luckily for them, Wolfgang had no intentions of breaking the rules. He just wanted to be at peace again. Wolfgang was escorted into the house and, as the front door shut behind him, he was finally left alone. The house was quiet and bland, with only the bare minimum of dusty furniture scattered about most of the space. He sought out a bedroom, quick to find one near the back of the house with a large window that allowed light to pour into the room. It would do.

Not long after he'd arrived, he heard Sasha's voice echo through the house. The only thing he'd managed to do in that time was get rid of the unkempt beard that had begun to consume his face. He'd found a knife from the kitchen and did his very best to clean himself up and wash his hair, desperately trying to recognize himself in the mirror. He'd lost some weight and color, and being dressed in what he could only refer to as rags didn't help.

Emerging from a bathroom, he found Sasha in the hall, "I'm here," he called, approaching her slowly. He couldn't deny how good if felt to see her, without bars between them, but he hadn't forgotten what she had said during the trial. He stopped in front of her and exhaled heavily, "What were you thinking?"

Wolfgang sighed, his frustration evident. She had to be aware of the danger of letting emotions interfere with such matters, but her expression told him she wasn't ready to admit to that. "You are not responsible for what happened, Sasha. Do not risk yourself for my sake." It still shocked him that she had been so willing to sacrifice herself for him. They had grown close, yes, but to think that she would risk her life for him made him question everything. He sighed to release the tension built up inside of him, realizing they would have plenty of time to work things out during their time here. Right now, he was just happy to see her, and desperate for human contact. Stepping closer, he pulled her into his arms for a warm hug, "Thank you. For everything."

Wolfgang released her, painfully aware that he was filthy. He wasn't sure whether to be offended or amused as she sniffed at him, but it caused a smile to reach his lips for the first time in a long time. "Apt analysis, miss Cross," he mused, allowing her to usher him down the hall. He reentered the bathroom and lifted the bucket of water that he had prepared earlier to help with shaving, pouring it into the tub. It filled it about halfway and he stared into the water, realizing he couldn't remember the last time he'd prepared a bath for himself. All his life, he had maids and servants to perform such duties for him.

"No," he replied, turning back to Sasha, "What do you think of that woman? Lady Demaris, was it?" he asked, genuinely curious about Sasha's impression of the proclaimed scientist that would be joining them. Of course, he was more worried about Sebastian's arrival. He knew how his brother felt about him, and now the boy would be paying the price for his mistakes. Wolfgang was nervous to see him, but grateful that he was safe.

Once the bath was ready, Wolfgang removed the tattered shirt that he had worn through imprisonment, feeling as though he was shedding the reminder of where he had been. He cast Sasha a glance before continuing to undress, piling the clothes onto the floor. He had never been shy about nakedness, or much of anything for that matter, so Sasha's presence did not bother him. He should have asked her permission out of respect, but he honestly didn't want to give her the option of leaving him. He didn't want to be alone.

Listening to Sasha's opinion of the woman, he stepped into the tub and sunk into the water with a long sigh of relief. He couldn't help but chuckle at her obvious reservations when it came to Evadne. Was that jealousy he heard? He began to scrub the grime from his body, preparing to tease her when she brought up the one thing he'd been terrified to ask about.

Terrowin was a constant presence in his mind. Not knowing if she was safe was a constant torture he'd learned to push from his mind while helpless in the dungeons. Now, as it was revealed that she was in fact missing and unaccounted for, he felt anxiety swell in him. Sasha was smart to wait until he was in the bath, or he would've done something stupid like storming past the guards outside in an attempt to return to Alynthia in search of the girl. Instead, he squeezed his eyes shut and tried to quell the irrational reaction he felt coming on. He sunk further into the water, holding his breath before he plunged his head beneath the surface. He'd dragged an innocent, young girl into his complicated life and practically fed her to the wolves. The guilt and helplessness was suffocating, but he found a sense of resolve beneath the water. He didn't know where she was or what was happening to her, but he would not give up until Terrowin was safe.

Wolfgang reemerged from the water and inhaled a deep breath of air. His panic had subsided, for now. "Locating her is a priority. If I cannot go there myself, then I will send word to the Kingdoms, asking for help. I must find her, Sasha." He wasn't above reaching out to old friends and begging for help, even though most people had turned their backs on him already.

The gears turned in Wolfgang's head as she described Terrowin's last known whereabouts, leaving his mind to fill in the blanks. Everyone knew there were shady figures that worked within the walls of Raevaryn. Had one of them sunk their teeth into the innocent woman who had wandered too close? Pushing the thought aside, he focused on the people at his disposal. Stark; Sebastian's friend who'd been missing in action, as far as he was aware. Not an option. Sahara; his connection to all things seedy who probably wouldn't bother wasting her resources on him. Again, not an option. He was not above sending word to Alister, though the king had no reason to help him any further.

Wolfgang was pulled from his thoughts as Sasha moved closer, settling at the edge of the tub. He took a moment to study her in close proximity, finding her presence to be a comforting distraction. He wasn't sure what he did to deserve her loyalty and dedication, but he was grateful for it. He had no way of repaying her, and yet here she was, by his side before anyone else. "She seemed intelligent and interested in my cause. I hope we will get along," he answered honestly. He lifted a hand from the water, creating a trail of droplets as he reached for her, "Why? Tell me if you're worried about her," he urged, resting his hand over hers on the edge of the tub, "I trust your instincts, but we could use her help."

Wolfgang caught the look in her sightless eyes and was hit with an undeniable intuition. Some might write it off as his overblown ego, but he'd seen that look in the eyes of many women who'd developed feelings for him. He usually pushed aside such matters of the heart, but it was different with Sasha; he cared deeply about her and he'd be lying if he said he didn't crave her magic touch. Meeting Terrowin had put an end to his constant juggling of multiple relationships, and he knew that now was not a good time to confront the matter. So, for once, he kept his mouth shut.

He sighed and pushed his damp hair back with one hand, "Of course I am. The boy has always hated me, and I don't blame him. Now I've cost him his freedom." He frowned, trying not to dwell over broken relationship. He would do everything in his power to clear Sebastian of suspicion and send him away from this prison. He deserved some semblance of normalcy. "I know I shouldn't expect forgiveness from anyone, but that doesn't mean I've given up on earning it."

When Sasha pulled away, Wolfgang instantly missed the contact. Closing his eyes, he firmly reminded himself not to fall back into his old ways. He was fully aware of his flaws and compulsions, but it was still a struggle overcome them, especially after the month or so he'd endured. Luckily, Sasha had far more self-discipline then he did.

He went back to scrubbing his body with soap, finally starting to feel like himself again. At the mention of Evolet, the memory of the princess commanding the court room flashed in his mind, "I always knew she would," he agreed, thinking about the times they'd shared together. She was smart and level-headed and, against all odds, she'd spared his life. "She deserves a far better husband than I would have been," he mused, shaking his head at the idea that he'd been so ambitious. None of that mattered anymore. "Alister should be worried about her. I know you couldn't see, but he appears to be taking a foreign handmaiden as his new wife. As sick as it sounds, he seems to feel like I did him a favor."