by B. K. Boes
“Right. And I’m sure it has nothing to do with Marna?”
“Of course not,” Moloch said in mock seriousness. “How was your time with the blacksmith?”
Zuria gestured toward the General’s Road, and they walked south. “Fascinating,” he said. “We’ve got good men making our swords. They know their craft well.”
“Did your father go through all this trouble? I get the point of training alongside your future army. Obviously — that’s why I’m here, too. But the blacksmith? And the apothecary? When you’re king you won’t need to know how to make a sword. You can commission the best sword maker in all of Leyumin to make one for you.”
Zuria laughed. “Yes, you’re right about that. I won’t be making my own swords. I’d make a mess of it, that much I’m sure of.”
“Then why?” Moloch was truly curious, though he treaded lightly. The prince always appreciated honest questions, and he loved to talk about his ideals, his philosophies that were forming into something more solid with every passing day.
Zuria stopped. “I don’t need to know how to make a sword. I need to know how to appreciate the man who does. And the man who does needs to know his king sees more in him than a mere servant to do his bidding.”
“Or he could do his job out of a sense of duty.” Moloch continued walking, and Zuria along with him. “But, I see what you’re doing. Winning the hearts of the ‘least of these’ and all of that.”
Zuria smiled. “Yes. And all of that.”
“Are you off to the royal quarters?” Moloch asked as they met a crossing in the road. The royal quarters were where Zuria should have stayed during his time at Bastra. Instead, the young prince chose to bunk in the barracks. Sometimes the prince’s behavior confused Moloch, but mostly it just seemed excessive. Those in control had a responsibility to ensure the public was safe and well-fed. It was good to show the people favor, but a king ruled with power and conviction, first and foremost. Discipline, intelligent decisions, politics, and the right of blood. These were the things that mattered.
Of course, he could always influence Zuria toward the practical little by little. As long as the prince was building the proper skills, Moloch couldn’t care less if he had breakfast with a beggar, or whatever other nonsense made him feel better. In fact, Moloch might join him for the sole purpose of strengthening their friendship. It was harmless, and in a time of relative peace, it was good for people to think their king kind.
“No,” Zuria responded. “My servants will meet me in the common bath house.”
Moloch shook his head but didn’t say anything as they continued toward the southern end of Bastra. To the left, music floated on the air from the amphitheater. It started and stopped and started up again. Another kindness of the royal family. Twice a cycle, the king would pay for his men in Bastra to have an evening of a more refined kind of entertainment.
“Sounds like the Royal Symphony,” Zuria said. “If we weren’t having dinner with our fathers, I’d be in the front row tonight.”
Moloch shrugged. “The king’s got good taste, but I prefer it when the troupes come through and put on a play.”
“There is a charm to rustic diversions.” Zuria nodded.
The bath house was just beyond the stables and across from the barracks. When they arrived, Rendre was nearly bursting with excitement. The poor man had very little to do when his master wore nothing but a soldier’s simple tunic over trousers. Moloch tried not to be too disappointed by the thought of wearing a very fashionable, very uncomfortable fitted vest with buttons up to his neck. He’d nearly died from asphyxiation the last night he wore one. It was paired with a lightweight robe that fell mid-thigh over stiff trousers that barely allowed his knees to bend.
Though Zuria didn’t reside in the royal quarters, all of his personal servants did live there. It was where the king resided when visiting Bastra to oversee its functions and listen to suggestions for change. Zuria might be pretending to be just another officer in training, but he still spent many evenings attending social functions. He also sat in on many of the king’s private meetings. These exceptions to military training were to be expected. After all, he was the future King of Eikon.
So, when they walked into the bath house, Zuria was swept away by a flurry of servants who would clean the prince from the tips of his ears to his toenails. Moloch, on the other hand, was more than content to bathe himself and then accept Rendre’s help in dressing for dinner with the king. By the time Moloch walked into the foyer of the bath house, Zuria was pristine, dressed in a fine set of trousers and a tunic with twice as many buttons as Moloch’s vest.
As the prince smoothed his clothes and took a deep breath, Moloch shook his head. He can have his twenty servants. I’ll take my one manservant and a warm, relaxing bath.
The prince’s carriage was summoned, and they were soon at Bastra’s gate, where Bram jumped on the front bench with the driver. It was a short ride by carriage to Patriphos’ northern gate. They traveled south on Merian’s Way, then east on the King’s Road. Heavily guarded with high walls and beautiful white towers looking out over the city, the palace was formidable and breathtaking as always.
Moloch shifted in his seat as they entered the grounds, looking out of the carriage toward the gardens. Zuria did the same. Neither man found what they were looking for. But as they pulled up to the grand staircase, both men sighed happily. There under the arcade of arches and columns stood Princess Naova with the Lady Junia at her side.
“The palace doesn’t do my lady justice,” Zuria said.
The ladies waited patiently for Moloch and Zuria to reach the top. Moloch couldn’t get there fast enough. His heartbeat thrummed inside his chest at the sight of Junia. She offered her hand when he bowed in greeting, and he kissed it softly, wishing he could kiss her lips instead.
He turned to the princess, careful not to step too far out of the bounds of protocol. She should have been the first one acknowledged, but she didn’t seem to mind. “Princess Naova.” Moloch bowed in greeting, lower than he had to Junia. Zuria had finished greeting his future wife and now had her hand in the crook of his arm. They would marry when Zuria’s time at Bastra was done, but until then, she would remain a ward of the King of Eikon. Moloch envied the sureity of their relationship.
“My dear Lord Sarrem,” Naova said as Moloch stood. She smiled wide at him and lightly touched Junia’s arm. “Junia has missed you this past cycle. She’s talked of little else.”
Junia’s half smile lingered for a moment as she met Moloch’s eyes. Then, she turned to the princess and placed a light hand on her arm, her demeanor playful. “I can be too talkative, my lady, and you too gracious. If I overuse my tongue, please do mention it, and I will be sure to let you get a word in about your prince.”
“No,” Naova said, her smile still genuine and elegant. “I spoke just as much of my own anticipation, I’m sure. Without your clever tongue, my life would be so much duller.” She let her head rest on Zuria’s shoulder for a moment.
“We’ve been just as eager to see the two of you,” Moloch said. He offered Junia his arm, and he delighted at the warmth of her hand through the thin fabric of his tunic. “Will you be joining us at dinner tonight with my father and the King?”
“I will,” Naova said. “I believe Junia must be off soon, however. We’ll let you two say your goodbyes.”
The prince and princess passed through the arcades into the inner courtyard, arm in arm. Moloch looked at Junia, brow furrowed. “Where are you going?”
“My father is in Patriphos on business for King Gonnoss. He and my mother traveled from Ergon to stay with a Lord Gerrend Aimes. He controls much of the trade goods from Ergon to Eikon. A good impression is important. Ergon could use a deal with someone like that. My brother will be there as well.” She met Moloch’s eyes. “I’d stay if I could.”
“I know,” Moloch said. “And we don’t want your father upset. You will be missed, but the last thing we want is that m
an’s wrath.” He shuddered as he remembered Lord Nondrum’s dark eyes, the way he looked at Moloch with so much disdain.
“He’s not that bad,” Junia said.
“I doubt you’ve ever seen him in the same light as I have.”
Junia laughed, her emerald eyes sparkling. “You look like a ghost. My father is all hard and tough on the outside, but he loves me, Moloch. Our plans will work. You’re going to be named the next Duke of Pytar. You’re gaining a reputation at Bastra. There’s a good chance once you’re on the War Council, and your father has retired, you will become the Military Advisor to King Shamylle. Our match is perfect in every sense, both personally and politically. My father will come to his senses.”
Moloch nodded. “Of course,” he said. “We’re close. Just a little longer, and I’ll prove myself.”
Junia stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. He tucked a loose strand of auburn hair behind her ear. A carriage pulled up below at the bottom of the steps.
“That’s mine,” Junia said. “You’ll come to the palace sometime soon? I do miss you.”
“I will,” Moloch promised. He waved her off, watching as she boarded the carriage, keeping his eyes on her until the carriage left through the palace gates.
When she was gone, he turned to enter the palace and joined Zuria and Naova in the inner courtyard. Guards lined the perimeter, and Naova’s lady-in-waiting stayed nearby. As long as the prince didn’t try to whisk the princess away where they would be alone, Junia’s absence as chaperone would be acceptable.
The sky was open above the courtyard, cloudless and blue, and Zuria and Naova sat together on a bench surrounded by foliage, the backdrop smooth, white stone. Moloch sighed. He felt the absence of Junia, and a small pang of jealousy pricked his heart.
She’ll be here next time. Now is the time to focus on dinner. I haven’t been in the casual presence of the king in too long. Impressions go a long way.
Moloch breathed deeply, and began to take a step toward his friends, pushing Junia’s absence from his mind. Then, a voice sounded from the western hall, and the last person Moloch wanted to see stepped out of the shadows.
“Brother!” Waen strode into the daylight with a young woman on his arm. He was smiling, perfectly confident and irritatingly polite.
Moloch stopped in his tracks, his eyes narrowing. He controlled his expression, forced his body to relax, and buried his distaste beneath the skin. Zuria and Naova left their bench and met Moloch in the middle of the courtyard as Waen and the woman did the same. Moloch searched his brother for any hint of information as he, along with his companion, bowed before the prince and princess.
“It is an honor to dine with you tonight,” Waen said. He addressed them all when he turned to the woman on his arm. “Have you all had the pleasure of meeting my betrothed, Lady Rianne Yinnew, daughter of the Duke of Okleria?”
Moloch suppressed the urge to scoff at his brother’s emphasis of her title. They all knew who she was. He took a moment to look her over. Thin, with hardly any curvature to any part of her body, Lady Rianne looked as though she could be carried away by a strong gust of wind. She was pretty enough in the face, her complexion two shades lighter than Waen’s and her eyes a lighter shade of brown. Her hair matched her eyes, and it was curled and pinned up.
She’s probably a decent human being. Poor thing.
Moloch pasted on a smile. “I suppose we are to be relatives soon, Lady Rianne. What a pleasure to meet you.” He held out his hand and noticed how her hand trembled as she gently placed it in his. He lightly kissed her wrist, as was appropriate. She let her hand fall back to her side, gripping a fold in her skirts to stop the trembling.
“The pleasure is mine,” she said, her voice small. Her eyes kept darting to the princess as she spoke. “I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting any of you, save Prince Zuria once long ago. I doubt you remember.” She blushed as she looked at the prince.
“I do, in fact. We took a turn on the dance floor at your debutante ball.” Prince Zuria smiled brightly.
Naova laughed, and it carried like a soft song on the wind. She was ever graceful. “My prince does remember nearly everything,” she said. “But I haven’t been able to make your acquaintance. Let us ladies lead the way to the dining hall. I’d love to hear all about you and your home. Okleria, I hear, is quite the interesting city.”
Lady Rianne didn’t hesitate to join the princess, and the two ladies began the walk to the dining hall. Moloch turned to his brother.
“I suppose Father invited you,” he said. “He neglected to tell me. What exactly are you doing here, Waen?”
“Having dinner with the king,” Waen said. “Just like you. Except my betrothed is on my arm. Where, might I ask, is your Lady Junia? I would expect her to be here as companion to the princess, much less the woman you so obviously pursue. Did she have something more important to do?”
Moloch took a step toward his brother, remembering the cracked rib Waen had given him the last time they were in the same room. His hands tightened into fists.
But before Moloch could act, Zuria stepped between the two brothers. “All right,” he said, hands up. “We’re all friends here, are we not? Remember where you are.” Zuria looked directly at Waen, a passive gesture that put the prince squarely in Moloch’s camp.
Waen cleared his throat. “Of course, Prince Zuria. Shall we follow the ladies?”
Zuria put his hands down. “Yes, I think we should. Waen, go ahead. We’ll be along in a moment.”
Waen opened his mouth but shut it again before following the path the ladies had taken into the palace toward the dining hall.
“Your father didn’t tell you Waen was coming?” Zuria asked as soon as Waen was out of earshot.
“No. It’s a test. A game of some kind,” Moloch said. “To see which man catches the king’s attention, I’m sure.”
“Surely it’s nothing so sinister as that,” Zuria said.
“If you think so, you don’t know my father.” Moloch rubbed his hands over his face. Nibal Sarrem dining with the king was no rarity, but this was the first time either Sarrem twin had been invited. Moloch had thought this invitation was exclusive, that his father was confirming all of his hard work. He looked at the prince. “Are you on my side, Zuria? Can I at least have that comfort?”
“You are my friend,” Zuria said. “And I will stand by you, but…” He trailed off, his expression pained.
“But what?”
“My father trusts me. And I trust him. He’s grooming me to be king — something he’s been doing for decades. My father has a mind of his own, and opinions of his own. He sees things through his advanced wisdom that I do not.” Zuria’s posture drooped as he met Moloch’s eyes. “You have to understand. I am for you. I trust you. We work well together, as we always have. But, if tonight is some test, some measuring of you against your brother, my father’s insight will be invaluable to me. I will not contradict him if he advises your father to appoint Waen as Duke of Eunoya. At least not publicly.”
Moloch took a step backwards. It felt like a rock had been dropped in his stomach. All this time, groveling and pandering to your whims, and your loyalties are still not grounded?
But, this was a test. It was possible his father had anticipated this. Now Moloch had to pass it all on his own. He recomposed himself. No need to burn bridges, but the prince needs to know who Waen really is.
“I understand, Zuria,” Moloch said. “But if you trust me, hear this. My brother has not one genuine bone in his body. Not one original idea. Not one ounce of integrity when it comes to getting what he wants.”
Zuria’s lips pressed firmly together. “I don’t doubt you believe that to be true. If it’s so, his character will be revealed. The truth never stays hidden for long.”
How can he be so foolish? So blinded by idealism?
Anger began to boil Moloch’s blood, but, again, he controlled his outward appearance. “Perhaps you’re right,” Moloch said, forc
ing a small smile. “Let’s go to dinner. We shouldn’t leave the king and my father waiting.”
Zuria breathed a sigh of relief, and patted Moloch on the shoulder. “That’s the spirit. I’ve already told my father of your loyalty and your friendship. He’ll have that in mind.”
Moloch walked with Zuria into the hallway of the palace. It was lined with torches, fire flickering and dancing, throwing shadows on the wall. Footsteps and chatter echoed down the hall as they neared the dining hall. The double doors were propped wide open, two palace guards at the ready on either side. Moloch paused just inside the doorway.
At the head of the table was the king, the queen at his left-hand side. By her sat Lady Rianne, and then Waen. At the end of the table, beside Waen, sat Zuria’s sister, the oldest Eikonian princess now old enough to join such a dinner.
At the king’s right-hand side, and Naova’s left, was an empty chair, which Prince Zuria claimed. Princess Naova smiled as he sat beside her. General Nibal Sarrem was seated third from the king, and he gestured for Moloch to sit beside him.
It had been nearly half a year since Moloch had seen his father, but it wasn’t because there hadn’t been opportunity. Nibal Sarrem was the king’s man, through and through. So much so that Moloch guessed his father had spent more time in the king’s presence than in his own sons’. There was something to be admired in that. No one had the king’s ear like General Sarrem did.
Moloch took his seat. Once all were settled, the king stood, and everyone else followed suit as King Shamylle prayed to the Sustainer. When he finished, everyone sat back down amid a shuffle of skirts and clanking dinnerware. As dinner commenced, light, casual conversation ensued. Moloch kept sharp — listening, waiting, anticipating whatever test his father would throw his way.
But it didn’t come during dinner. Instead, when they were all finished eating, the king invited the men to join him in his private study for a game of cards.
So, it’s a more intimate test.
Waen made a point to look Moloch in the eye as they all stood to wish the women a good night. His brother had already been given enough attention by King Shamylle due to his lovely bride-to-be. The king was a family man with a soft spot for a good love story.