Part II
(Part I I will be honest, they're not exactly parts, but they're close enough, like they're mostly just sketches of ideas for something so the continuity is real sus, but there is some connection, also I barely edited this so sooorrrrrrryy I just had an idea so I did a little tappity tap tap)
Regulus is alone. Which is a new and not entirely unwelcome experience.
Usually there are servants, courtiers, advisors.
Regulus is very often lonely. But he is seldom alone. And yet...here he is.
He stands in his brother's bedchamber, the bed still unmade, empty bottles of wine on the tables, piles of books on the floor. Clothes everywhere - over the chairs, balled up in the corners. Some are his brother's, some are, quite clearly, not. Mostly what Regulus sees is the small piece of parchment placed so delicately on Sirius's pillow. There's not much on it. Just five words. I asked you to come
It's hard to swallow. Regulus isn't sure what it is he feels exactly. Anger, grief, betrayal. Betrayal more than the rest of it. Their father has barely been dead three days.
"You haven't sent out a search party."
He grimaces, wiping his face clean before he turns around to face his mother. She's dressed in an ornate black gown, covered in jewels and lace, the most extravagant widow in the whole kingdom.
"No," Regulus says finally. "No, I don't see much point. We have no idea where he's gone."
His mother's dark eyes narrow. "Don't you." It is only many years of training - of beatings - that keeps Regulus's eyes from rolling. "I told you, he didn't tell me anything."
Lets steal a ship. What?
Come on Reg, you and me. Lets steal a ship. Lets go discover something. I don't want to die an old man in my bed.
You'd rather die a young man on a ship?
I'd rather live.
Regulus turns away from his mother, walking towards the window. You can see almost the whole grounds from here. The intricate gardens, the orchard to the west, the forest just on the edge of the property. The best view in the palace.
Makes sense, Sirius is the king after all. Has been. For a whole three days.
"You have a plan then? For finding him? Because the second the families find out he's gone for good this time-"
"I know."
"- they'll come for our throats. And I mean that quite literally."
"I know."
The families are the three other noble lines with a claim to the throne. The Blacks have been in power barely thirty years and their hold on the kingdom has always been shaky. Sirius leaving could ruin them. Will ruin them. Which Regulus thinks, is probably part of the reason his brother did it.
"We haven't got the army or the funds to fight a civil war, let alone win one," she's crept up on him, standing too close, a shiver running down his spine. "So I hope you have a plan to bring him back." Down below a man walks into view. He has long shaggy brown curls, barely contained by a leather strap. He's playing with one of Sirius's dogs - a giant black hound - throwing sticks. Not exactly courtly behaviour.
"I think I know someone who might have some information."
"Well then give him to Greyback so we can get it already."
Regulus feels himself go very still. Fenrir Greyback was one of their father's most trusted advisors, and oldest friends. He's also a torturer. No one uses that word, of course. No one says it out loud. But that is what he does.
"I don't think that will be necessary," the man below him bends down, scratching the dogs head so thoroughly that the ridiculous creature quickly plops down and shows him his belly. Even from this distance, Regulus can make out James Potter's laugh.
"Regulus, you can't be soft about this."
That's her favourite word for him.
His brother is reckless.
But Regulus is soft.
He takes one final look at the pirate below him before turning away. "I'll get the information mother. Don't you worry."
