《In My Arms》


 Chapter One: The announcement (Part 1)

    The dwarves in the Noaria Territory were famous for their craftsmanship in stonework and metalsmithing. This fame leads them to receive the royal family as visitors, always when their weapons need to be fixed or a new custom piece was to be ordered. The lather was why they visited them today. The new King Nicod¨¨me Belmont was accompanied by his younger brother Dominic Belmont and his trusted friend Milovan Rowe. Their receiving was like any other potential customers; they were greeted in the great hall, one made out of the precious stone, marble, and gems. A perfect example of the dwarves outstanding craftsmanship and what they always provide in their work.


    Nicod¨¨me stood stoically waiting, a perfect picture of an intense, battle harden King. However, his younger brother, a towering, imposing man on his own rights, stood back with arms crossed. The difference between the two were night and day. One of the only physical differences, besides the apparent lengths in hair that two had.


    "You should try looking less like a brute," The King said, not moving his eyes off of what he had locked onto in the distance. Dominic, the one he was talking to, remained silent. Though he did adjust his posture into one more adequate for a Prince of the Kingdom. "Thank you." Nicod¨¨me approved, and then the silence of the three remained.


    "How long must we wait?" Milovan asked, twitching around in his spot.


    "As long as we have to, as you were present for Fletcher is currently busy, and as I said, we would wait here until he is not." The King said, "It has simply been you and my brother''s idea to sit here in silence; I have not asked, but now I am going to. What happened to cause this?" Nicod¨¨me asked, turning around and facing the two younger men.


    Milovan and Dominic looked between each other as if they were having a silent conversation before looking back.


    Milovan spoke, "I will speak on behalf of the Prince."


    Nicod¨¨me groaned, rubbing his forehead, "Fine, if this is how it must be. I''ll entertain my brother''s childish act right now."


    "Permission to speak freely?"


    "Grant-"


    "You, my King, are an ass." Milovan waited long enough to know for sure what he was going to say but no longer, which ended up causing him to cut off the King.


    "-ed. Excuse?" Nicod¨¨me head snapped over to Dominic and stared him down. "Would you mind explaining, brother?"


    Dominic calculated his thoughts but only came out with one word, "Sh?ra."


    "We have had this conversation. I will not repeat myself on the matter."


    "And I will not let you control my life just because you have become King."


    "Dominic-" Footsteps could be heard coming down the hall, alerting the feuding brothers. Nicod¨¨me backed away, "We will finish this conversation at home."


    In walked an ageing dwarves male, with braided locks for hair decorated in beads. He moved with a limp in his step, causing him to almost hope every third step he took.


    "Ah, King Nicod¨¨me, you look like your father; if I hadn''t been by his side when he died, I would have thought you were he." The dwarf smiled as he arrived in front of the party of three. He looked over at Dominic, "Is that wee ol'' Dominic?" He moved his head to the side, looking past Nicod¨¨me.


    "Aye, how are you, Fletcher?"


    "I am well." He said, "So, my lege, what can I do for you today?"


    "I have a Sh?ra bracelet that is to be made." This statement caused Dominic to cough; he was doing his damnedest to keep from reacting. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Fletcher misread the action and- "Congratulations, my boy. I assume that''s why you here to make suggestions on the design."


    "No-No, that is not," Dominic started to say but decided to not drag the old man into him and his brothers fight. He went along with Fletcher, who was talking about how he was the one who made his uncle''s Sh?ra bracelet.


    Fletcher led the three men down the hall, past doors that were elegantly decorated and alabaster carved statues. Until they reached an archway that led outside to a smaller, less crafted building that held the forges.


    The old dwarf shuffled the men into a small room with a table, large parchment scrolls and charcoal drawing sticks.


    "Do we have a plan for what we want?" Fletcher asked with joy in his voice.


    Dominic hadn''t thought about the Sh?ra bracelet yet, so of course, he had no plans for what he would want it to look like. What did he want? Now that he had to think about it, he found himself thinking of every possibility, from colour combinations to metals and gems, even design.


    "Prince Dominic?" Fletcher''s voice sounded concerned; Dominic looked over and from their faces; he had probably been in his thoughts longer than he assumed.


    "My apologies, and no, I haven''t thought about anything for this bracelet. I know it''s rather important, but... you know life as a Prince and all."


    Fletcher sighed, "You''ve always been a lousy lair, Dominic, that''s good. Now, what''s the real reason you haven''t planned anything before today?"


    Dominic bit his lip, making an awkward face. He tried to spin words in his head when Nicod¨¨me spoke for him, which left Dominic wondering how much that would cost him.


    "How can you expect the residential bachelor to think about his Sh?ra when he hasn''t met him yet." Nicod¨¨me, look over at Dominic, mouthing your welcome.  Fletcher was an old friend of their father, the late King; when the two were around him, it was like a second father.


    "You haven''t met him yet?" Fletcher''s outburst caught the attention of several workers outside the door. Milovan being closest to the door reached out and shut it in the face of the men and women looking in.


    Milovan with a grin, "Don''t worry, ol'' timer. That was about my reaction too."


    Nicod¨¨me sided eyed the redhead but said nothing. "It was a quick decision,"


    "For you," Dominic mumbled under his breath. His brother then looked at him the same way he did his friend.


    "Given the situation in all, that is why I requested you worked on this project as you could produce the best quality work."


    Fletcher crossed his arms, looking towards the ceiling. "Oi there, Nicoic, your boys have gotten themselves into quite a feud, haven''t they." He pulled out one of the charcoal sticks. He started writing some notes on the large parchment. "Nicod¨¨me, since you obviously know more about the boy than Dominic does, why don''t you start telling me anything you know."

 Chapter One: The Announcement (Part 2)

    Dominic stood outside of the Halls of the dwarven halls; as he Stelven herb into a smokable roll. Stelven was a plant used mainly by nobles and royals as it curbed anger, great use for those dealing with both people and state.


    Milovan walked up next to him, grabbing the rolled herb in his hand, and taking a long drag off of it himself. They stood there looking out at the setting sun over the Maraan Mountains, the bright orange and red liting up the sky like a fire.


    "Can you believe that asshole?" Dominic said, grabbing the smouldering stick.


    "Hmm? Are we talking about your brother?"


    Dominic coughed as he spoke, "Who else? Ever since he became King, he became over baring codsucker."


    "This is supposed to calm your anger, not inflame it."


    Dominic shook his head, "I know. I know." he leaned against a half stone wall, sighing heavily. "He just decided this all without even consulting me, and it''s my life."


    "I agree that he should have talked to you. We always knew you were going to have to take on a Sh?ra, so no use in getting angry over something you had prior knowledge about."


    "Milovan, you don''t have to live this life; you get to have kids, and if you choose to, could leave the palace life and never look back."


    "IS that what you want?" Nicod¨¦me''s voice echoed loudly behind the two males. "To leave your family and your people?"


    "I never said that! Since when has it become custom for us to listen in on the private conversation?" Dominic stormed off towards the royal carriage, leaving the other two behind.


    "Milovan." the King said sternly.


    "Yes?"


    "You will have the ability to speak freely, but what exactly is going on in my brother''s head?"


    "Uhm, well, as I said, you are quite an ass." Milovan paused and looked about, "Nevertheless, did you really get a Lupengar from Tanbori?"


    Nicod¨¨me nodded, "Is that so shocking?"


    "You already know that answer; may I ask why?"


    "Simple, they were the quickest I could find, and they have no choice in the matter except to accept."


    "What do you mean?"


    "It is just best you don''t ask any more questions." Nicod¨¨me, in a calmer but similar fashion to his brother, walked off towards the carriages.


    "The Belmonts are going to cause me to go grey."


    The ride home from the Dwarves proved rather uncomfortable as the two brothers had refused to look at each other, let alone speak to each other. The same treatment they had given each other on the ride there, just this time now, they both knew why they weren''t on speaking terms.


    Dominic stared out the window watching the country pass by him, this was his peoples land, his home, and yet at this moment, it felt like it was his prison. He let himself be rocked by the carriage into sleep, his head rocking back and forth. It would be a long trip and would be far into the early morning before they would reach the capital city of Rathe, and then another hour or so to get the Castle.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    It was night when Dominic awoke, the other two men long asleep, leaving him to his own thoughts for the rest of the journey. The moon was bright that night, making everything easy to see. They were nearing the outer wall of Rathe; out here, there were the large farms that provided most of the cities food sources. About three hundred yards or so from the gate was a large thicket area that the road led through, and it was here that the cart started to slow down.


    Dominic popped the window and leaned his head out; looking around; he saw no one- not even the driver and the horses had seemed to stop themselves.


    "Milovan, wake up" he elbowed his friend hard in the side, causing him to wake up in pain. Dominic covered his mouth and quickly informed him of what happened.


    "Stay with the King," he said and stepped out of the carriage withdrawing the blade he kept on his hip as he disappeared into the darkness.


    Dominic did similar as he pulled a small blade from his belt, stepping out of the cart listening for any sound that was out of the ordinary. He could hear Milovan''s metallic clanking footsteps and the rustling of night animals in the distance.


    "Dominic." Milovan''s voice was quiet and carried quickly


    Dominic quickly made his way over to Milovan, who was standing over something. As he drew closer, he saw it was the driver of the carriage lying in the dirt. Dominic knew better than to ask what happened here; he already knew of the man''s fate.


    "What was the cause?" he asked, looking down at the body, trying to expect for any wounds that could be seen.


    Milovan rolled him over, his face was discoloured, his eyes rolled back, and a yellowish goo pooled out from the corner of his mouth.


    "Poison?"


    "It seems like it," Milovan nodded, "I don''t see why they''d target the driver unless they were expecting that to take action quicker than it did."


    Dominic nodded in agreement; he looked around at the area he was in; this was also a decent ambush area. The thickets would clock you from sight and the way the field laid out behind them; it wouldn''t be odd to see a horse or mule.


    This thought caused him to stand up and look around. A horse or mule... he remembered seeing one about a hundred yards back. That wouldn''t usually cause concern, but if you were planning to attack the King''s carriage, that might be the perfect plan.


    Before Dominic expressed his thoughts, the horses started to stir as if they had been spooked, causing the two men to run to the cart before the animals could take off without them. Dominic was the first to get to the carriage; he ducked into where his brother was, satisfied that he was still there and alive.


    "Nico, get up," he yelled, grabbing his elder brother''s arm and shaking him awake. "Of you can still use that axe of yours now would be a good time to prove it."


    This, of course, would have woken anyone up; Nicodeme was no different. The King''s green eyes popped open, staring at his brother. He was in a state of shock for a moment as his brain caught up with him before moving up out of his seat.


    "What has happened?" he demanded to know.


    Dominic moved out of his way quickly; "The driver was poisoned, and we are expecting an ambush. We need to get up make sure that the area is clear. Milo is already checking on the horses."


    "Right," Nicodeme had a look on his face that Dominic hadn''t seen since he was a child. He shook it off, and they pressed forward; why would that memory matter now at this moment.


    "Where''s the body?" he asked, looking about with his guard up, as he was on high alert.


    Dominic had him follow him back to where the body was; as Nicodeme was looking at it, Dominic was looking around. He still thought those horses a ways back was suspicious and that they should be moving, but he allowed Nico to do as he pleased for the moment.


    "Berban, it''s a flower that grows in the north of Juerty. It is a very slow poison; you''d never know that you were poisoned until it was far too late. He could have easily been posioned back at the Dwarves, and it just now is taking effect."


    "Is this a hunch?" Dominic asked, "Or something you have reliable proof on?"


    Nicodeme didn''t look at his younger brother. "You will never forget the thing that you used as a weapon against an entire village." that was all he said about the matter before heading back to the cart. "How are the horses?" he yelled to Milovan.


    Dominic followed quickly; his neck hair was standing up on end. "We should start heading out," he warned his brother.


    "Keep calm," Nico patted his shoulder, "No one is near, not anymore, at least." they met up with Milo, who was unhooking the horses from the cart. "What are you doing?"


    "As it looks like." Milovan said, "Look at the cart, and you will understand why I am in a hesitate to unlatch the steeds."


    There were three arrows on the side of the carriage. That hadn''t been there when Dominic had first stepped out of the cart. He followed their shafts back to the area of their origin. It was paralleled with the thickest part of the brush. Someone could still be there, and the three men wouldn''t know it.


    "Then we need to head out." Dominic, this time demanded. Helping Milovan deattach the last two horses. "There is four, one for each of us and one to carry the man''s body back into the city."


    With the horses saddled and the driver''s corpse tied to the fourth horse. Milovan took the lead to ensure that the road ahead was cleared for the two royal brothers he was accompanying. He also brought forward the body that was with them.


    The King and Prince of Noaria made their way to the gate, it was a short two-mile ride, but they still had to keep vigilant. The horses were tired; though they knew to be cautious, they choose to save the horses strength for any escape they may need to make.


    The sways of the horse were making Dominic lethargic; he knew the moment he got home he was going to pass out. That, of course, would have to wait until they made it back safe.

 Chapter One: The Announcement (Part 3)

    Sunrise came far too quickly for Dominic''s taste; he hadn''t but a few hours of sleep once he escorted his King brother back to the castle. Now he had to meet with the Noaria honourable council of nine. This council was much like the King''s advisors, except they were chosen by the previous ruler before their death.


    Dominic made his way from his bedroom on the 8th floor to the "secert" council room on the 4th; the original non-disclosed area of this room was left unofficially announced by Nicod¨¨me when he decided that there were far more essential secrets in the castle to keep than the area in which he meets with his advisors and the council of nine.


    The door to this room was kept shut flushed against the stone walls, except for today in which it hung wide open, and the voices of the people who were already inside flowed out like crashing waves. The sound was distinct, and yet it made no sense to what each conversation was holding.


    The council room was relatively roomy, with a large whole wall window pointed in the direction of the rising sun, causing everything and everyone to be bathed in soft golden light.


    Dominic''s eyes strained as his still tired eyes was met with the frontal assault from the sun. Looking around as he blinked the dark spots from his sight, he saw that everyone else who was supposed to attend had already made it in before him, including Nicodeme.


    One of the council members jumped to their feet; he coughed to get everyone''s attention.


    "Ladies and Gentlemen, and the members that sit on the council of nine. I present the second son of The Queen Mother Mira and Late King Nicoic and the current holder of 1st to Noaria, Prince Dominic Zephyrinus Girolamo Belmont." the man who spoke was one of the younger council members, compared to some of the other. He still had his dark colour in his hair; his topaz eyes seemed even livelier in the current lighting making everything about him appear slightly younger.


    "Thank you, Council Member Ozols," Dominic said, nodding his head.


    "Please do have a seat by your brother." he lowered his voice to only address, Dominic.


    Kaspars Ozols wasn''t a bad man, but his existence had always given Dominic an unsettling feeling when in the same proximity. That being said, Ozols also had none or said anything to warrant that feeling. So, of course, Dominic has shaken it off since he was a child.


    "I would like to thank the none council members here today for joining us. I assure you that we will get to the heart of the meeting very shortly." Ozols continued and then started with the same opening every council meeting had, resiting why the first council of nine was created and why it was so important that no matter what happens, they as a people withheld their traditions.


    After the long-winded speech that, by the looks on everyone''s faces, was just as annoying to them as it was Dominic. Ozols offered for anyone with urgent matters to be addressed to speak up to be handled before.


    A petite elder woman named Missy Sona spoke up, "I do have a question, well few."


    "Proceed."


    "The news to us about Dominic''s Shira was quite shocking; we all know that you did, in fact, choose his for him. In tradition is not unheard of but what is concerning is that the new rumour now is they aren''t Noarian blood." This caused quite a few non-councilmember attendees to start gossiping, saying things like, That can cause a threat to our nations security, or even a peasant of our country would be better than someone of a different nation.


    Dominic watched Nico out of the corner of his eye as he was analyzing the crowd. Using his own war strategies against his own. But, it was the only thing that would have saved him in this dispute.


    "Ah, Council member Sona, to answer that, I must first make an announcement." He said, plastering that award-winning smile of his, gaining the trust of the room in him again.  "Queen Aveline and I are expecting an heir."


    The room went silent than to murmurs for a second, then erupted in joyous applause. Dominic, on the other hand, sat there in silence. Most of the members in the room noticed his mood, which brought the rest down back into a state that the meeting could continue.


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.Nicodeme leaned over and whispered into Dom''s ear, "After this, I would like to have a word with your privately."


    "I''m sure you would," Dominic said, still stone-faced as ever.


    The King snorted and turned back to the room of people. "It is for this reason that I choose someone that could fill in the spot for Dominic''s Shira, as tradition holds it, he is supposed to have one before the new King has an heir, luckily for my brother I and Aveline hadn''t had any children prior to my father''s death."


    Councilmen and Advisors alike nodded their heads as he spoke, for his words were coming from along withheld tradition in their lands. Nobody, except for maybe Dominic, would have arguments for this.


    "That being said, the Shira in question was being sold in his nation. I had some men go over and purchase them. Once he and Dominic are tied, I already have the paperwork to file him as a free person."


    "You BOUGHT him?" Dominic''s voice rang through the room, causing most to cover their ears.


    "Everyone but Dominic leave," Nicodeme growled; the two brothers were now in the midst of a staring contest. It took only a few moments for the people in the room to leave. "You dare disrespect me?" Nicodeme''s voice lowered to an immortal level.


    Dominic''s eyes started to yellow out, snarling like some kind of beast of hell. "You are my brother, not my father; I will dare if I please."


    "You have no right to challenge my authority; I am King here."


    "Trust me, you don''t ever let me forget it. When will you stop being my power-hungry King for a moment, and remember your my kin."


    Now where once stood two men, of ruffled hair and human flesh. Now was to creatures of a different persuasion, one black with yellow bleeding out from under his skin like lava pooling through the break in the earth. The other a light grey, whose colour was blue with electric blues running down his body like veins on a tree; these were the Belmonts, the curse of the noble family. Passed down from Belmont to Belmont, bestowed onto them for reasons unknown to the two standing looking as if they were readying to kill.


    "You know nothing about power-hungry; I am trying to keep us safe."


    "Safe? You are controlling every aspect of my life."


    "Excuse me that you''d rather be a partying bachelor than a respectable Noble."


    "That was the only thing I could do for me, and you decided to take that away from me."


    "My wife is pregnant, and I needed you to start acting your part. I wasn''t going to let your shenanigans risk the family I am trying to have."


    "Least you get to have one!"


    "BOYS!"


    The two turned face to face with a woman who would resemble someone half her actual age if not for the salt and peppered hair. Strolling into the room as if she had owned it.


    "Mother," Dominic was the first to speak as he turned his colours, reverting back to their standard appearance. "I''m sorry-"


    "I don''t want to hear a word out of your mouth, boy" She cut him down before he had anything to build off of, then her anger turned to Nicod¨¨me. "Nico, you are twelve years your brother''s elder; I expect you to act the wisdom of someone that much older."


    Having your mother lecture you and your brother was one thing. Embarrassing and rough, but for a King and now 2nd line to the throne, being verbally beaten by the Queen Mother was a new level entirely. It was noon when the council was called back into session, and up until that point, the voice of Queen Mira could be heard even out into the outer courtyards.


    As the nobles and councilmembers shuffled back into the room, Dominic and Nicodeme''s expression were as low as they could be. Dominic, with his head, actually hung, while Nicodeme''s was slumped awkwardly in his seat.


    It was apparent in the room everything was awkward and silent, and people were afraid to speak. As the leader, of course, Nico did what was needed to be done.


    "I apologize for mine and my younger brother''s unacceptable behaviour."


    "If that is all, let us continue with what we were initially here for, the preparation of Dominic''s Shira, there are a feast, public announcements, the official public view, and we now have a deadline we have to have this all done and the two united before Queen Aveline births."

 Chapter Two: The Prisoner (Part 1)

    It had been a long, harsh journey, travelling between the Nation of Tanbori to Noaria. The travelling party had to cross two other nations; the Republic of Capory and Naples. It was a three-month trek on horseback and cart, and the group on this was already two months in.


    The company consisted of four horse riders, one cartridge driver, and two men riding on the cartridge with driver, the final member of this party was a small male who was locked up in a special crate that had an open sidelined with iron bars and the other sides thick heavy wood no one could escape on their own.


    Rain fell heavy this day, causing everything to be cold; the grey sky may have been more accessible on the eyes, but that was all this day made easier. The horses and cartridge had to redirect several times, avoiding high waters and deep mud. Where they all would prefer to find a spot and wait this mess out, all the men out of the cage had orders for their King to get their package back to the Kingdom of Noaria as quickly as possible.


    Reglan, one of the horse riders, was in charge of keeping an eye on the boy in the cage. Making sure that he was kept alive on the journey back. He and his horse, Birch, generally rode right up next to the back of the cart. Other than a few short comments from the rest of the men, Reglan''s voice was only one the, barely into adulthood, prisoner was accustomed to.


    Because of the rain and the mud, Reglan had to ride quite a way back to not get in the way. So he was keeping an eye on the boy from afar. This typically very fidgety creature was rather sluggish today, which the weather could be blamed, but there was something else. He studied him closely, watching how he breathes went up and down in the position he sat with his head between his knees that he had tucked up to his chest.


    "Captain! Hold the line!" He yelled and moved up to the cart once it was stopped. Reglan was usually the companies animal specialist keeping the horses up to par and whatever else they were given to work with up and running. Even saved their skin a few times by knowing how to deal with a couple of wild cougars once. So though he wouldn''t claim to know this boy, he was skilled at helping things that couldn''t communicate with him.


    "What''s wrong?"If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "If I am correct, I think there is something wrong with the boy." he hollered up. He knew that he wouldn''t hear the end of it for the rest of the trip if he was wrong.


    The Captain gave the signal for the other men to take their positions while he went back to hand Reglan the key to the bars. "What do ya think wrong with the boy?"


    "Hell if I know," he said, opening the barred door; he hopped up, sitting in the small unoccupied space. He reached over and nudged the blond; at first touch, he could tell his skin was as cold as ice. When he didn''t respond, he grabbed his arm and pulled him out of his position to get his attention.


    "You awake there?" he asked, but he already knew the answer seeing the boy''s eyes were wide open. "Get me the med bag and an extra blanket." Reglan half ordered, and he moved out, pulling the boy with him.


    "Don''t let him out of there; what are we going to do if he runs off?" the Captain stands as he tried to block his movements.


    "I''d rather have to do a man chase than explain to King Nicodeme why he was dead on arrival."


    The Captain backed off, allowing his man to do what he needed. He called to one of the men to grab what was requested. The Captain sat back and watched Reglan as he stripped the prisoner of his cold, wet clothing and quickly threw him into some spare clothes in his personal bags, then wrapping him in the blankets. Reglan hung the med case on the side of his horse''s saddle.


    He claimed back onto his horse, pulling the blond up on the horse, positioning him to where his hands were stuck between Reglan and himself.


    "He is hypothermic; I can attempt to keep him warm until we get to the next town."


    "This is Naples, the nearest town isn''t for another three days."


    "Then we need to find a dry place to buckle down and make a fire."


    "We''ll see what we can do." The Captain turned, grunting to himself ever since they were given this mission. Reglan had acted more of the leader than he had, tossing orders and outright disrespecting him. When they got back home, he was going to rip him into shreds.


    "MOVE OUT" the Captain yelled, and the party started on the road again.


    Reglan looked down at what he would call a kid, he was an adult, but he was still half a century younger than he was. Though Reglan himself didn''t look much older than this "kid", his father was an elf and thus was the cause of why this very much human-looking man was still in his prime at the age of seventy-three.


    "Your gonna have to own me a drink there Tacitus, the Captain would have let you die if I wasn''t here," he said. Talking more to himself than Tacitus even though it was directed to him.


    Reglan felt the boy''s head movements and the words he spoke hit the older half breed right where his blood pumped.


    "You should have done the same."

 Chapter Two: The Prisoner (Part 2)

    "Come on, Captain, we have been here for three days. We are already behind schedule enough. I want to get back home to my girl."


    The King''s selected part had stopped in a rocky area somewhere in the Naples region; they found a small alcove that they were able to use as shelter from the rain, which continued for three days straight. This made the road ahead unsuitable for travel, so the group was stuck waiting for the mud to dry.


    "Bengie, unless you want to walk all the way back because your horse broke its damn leg, you''ll go out there and set up as lookout."


    Bengie, who was complaining, snorted and stormed off, taking over a watch position for the only female hired on to the party.


    She walked back like she witnesses a madman''s preachings, "What on earth is wrong with Benjamin?" She asked in her proper tone.


    "He is having issues obeying orders." The Captain said, crossing his arms, watching the man make sure he doesn''t do anything stupid.


    "Oh, I see. He wants to get back to that little floozy he met at the bar a couple of night before we headed out. Poor fool still doesn''t realize the bitch was playing him like a fiddle."


    "Is that what his issue is?" The Captain asked in a way that made it seem like he cared when he really didn''t.


    "Oh yeah, it is most definitely; anyways, I''ll go switch out Casper. I''m sure he is tired of sitting over Reglan and the objective." She trotted away and over to where a tall, slender male stood; he was not human, nor was he elven. He came from a race called the Luftian, people who were descendants of the air elementals.


    "How''s the small thing?" She asked, leaning against the rock wall next to Casper. The chill of the cold stone quickly pulled the heat from the young woman causing her to shiver.


    Reglan stood on the other side of Casper in a small grove that almost made him hidden. The Luftain next to him blocked the rest of him with his body. He stepped up away from the wall to answer.


    "He is alive, and he started eating again. After we got the freeze off of him, he stopped trying to pull off that ''I don''t want to live'' act he was giving us." Reglan leaned back with exhaustion in his face; he had been up for three days pulling Tacitus back from dangerous waters. Now that he was more active, he had a moment to rest.


    "He is also very talkative," Casper added.


    The girl chuckled, "You must love that. Good thing the boy is talking."


    Casper chuckled. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    "Why are you giggling?"


    "Well, Ash, you keep calling him boy, and he is a year older than you."


    Ash gasped, "No. Are you serious? He is just so... small and quiet! I would have never guessed."


    Casper nodded his head, "Reg had him talking all morning. We got a lot out of him, the answers we''ve been wondering about he told us."


    She almost seemed too excited upon hearing that bit of information. "Tell me! I want to know; I have to know." She whined, making her look even younger.


    Reglan groaned; he was trying to take a small rest, but with this overly excited one, he knew that would be short-lived. So he sat up and moved around to be a part of the conversation.


    "His full name is Tacitus Uzi, his mother sold him, and he is a beast shifter."


    Ash bounced her eyes between the two men in front of her. "Seriously?" She said quietly. "That''s horrible; why would a mother do that? But you said a beast shifter? I thought beast shifters wiped those out about a hundred and eighty years back?"


    "No, a good portion of them were killed out, but not all. In fact, the Uzi name he holds was initially one of the beast shifter noble names. I only know that because my father''s family made their fortune from trading with them back in the day." Reglan continued.


    Casper tilted his head as if he was lost in thought, "What kind of shifters were they again? If my memory servers me correctly, I was told that shifters were very biased against each other."


    "Don''t know, he hasn''t said what he is yet, and I don''t remember the stories that well to remember what kind they were."


    The group''s discussion was interrupted by the sounds of footsteps coming upon them. Turning their heads, looking at the incomer, the small, blond male they all had been speaking about.


    He staggered as he walked, moving as if he was a toddler learning how to walk.


    "You up? That''s a good sign." Reglan said, now that Tacitus was up and moving about, they could head out once the mud from the rains had dried up enough to move the horses safely.


    The blond nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. He looked between the three guards and then returned his head to the ground. The same reaction he has had to everyone since they picked him up back in Tanbori.


    "You keep acting like that, and the King is gonna think we beat you." Ash popped up after the moment of silence had gotten on her last nerve.


    "Ash-" Casper started to interrupt her to keep her from speaking but was cut off by Reglan putting his hand to the man''s mouth.


    "I know you can speak." she said, stepping away from the wall, "And honestly, anyone who would bite is outside pissin'' around with the Captain. So you don''t have to worry about gettin'' bit." Ash was in his face, with her finger up and to the side like she was making a point. Which she was, and the reason Reglan was keeping anyone from interfering was to see if she could get him to react.


    Tacitus was looking Ash dead in the eye now. Which was the first time he looked anyone in the eye since that night. The two male guards overseeing him watched as he visually became calmer with this chaos incarnate girl up in his face. A slight grin from the left side of his face formed, showing off the tip of his upper canine.


    "He can smile, can he?" Ash said, moving back on her hips and placing her arms in front of her chest.


    "You remind me of someone," he said with a raspy voice.


    "You weren''t lying Reggy, he does speak." Ash seemed content with herself; the female scout, which closely resembled the personality of an over-hyper hound, had alright started scheming to pull the prisoner out of his shell. Even if the Captain had said to leave him be. She wasn''t the one to listen to orders.


    Ash reached into the breast pocket of her uniform and pulled out a black velvet back. Reaching her fingers into it, she asked, "You know how to play Black Bard?" revealing a game card and six-sided die.

 Chapter Two: The Prisoner (Part 3)

    "What''s wrong with Ash?" the squeaky voice of Fiedo, a forest Gnome from the North-Eastern part of Noaria who was riding a white donkey named Fester. The ordinarily chipper, happy go, lucky girl who had managed to make herself the de facto mascot of the Pae Helmet company looked very serious all day. Something was bothering her, and she hadn''t spoken or done anything except stare intensely at the back of her horses head.


    Casper looked over at her; she was intensely biting her bottom lip and placed her index finger over it. "She''s thinking."


    "What?" How can you tell that from looking at her?" The Gnome stared at her and tried to comprehend how he got that from her immense staring.


    "If you paid attention to her actions more and not her body, then maybe you''d understand how she worked a little more," he said, rolling his eyes at Fiedo. He had been pawing after the girl since she got assigned to their group over a year ago. Six missions and over a hundred border patrols later, he still hadn''t got a grasp on anything about her, except maybe her cup size.


    "There is nothing wrong with enjoying the beauty of a woman." Fiedo declared proudly, offended by the lack of taste Casper had.


    Having been done with the conversation before it began, Casper rolled his eyes and trotted over to Ash. She was mumbling something to herself but still with the same look she had that concerned the perverted Gnome.


    "AH, HA!" She screamed, spooking her and Caspers horse, as well as a few of the others.


    "Ash!" The all the nearby scouts hollered her name. She looked around, mouthing her apologies as she moved her steed back, pulling her up next to Tacitus''s cage at the back of the leading cart.


    "Cat." She said proudly as if it was the most intelligent thing in the whole world.


    Tacitus looked up at her, "Excuse me...but what?" Their face showed their apparent confusion.


    "Your Riddle. This morning." She said like he was the crazy dumb one. Looking at him with the come-on catch on already.


    Tacitus''s face turned from confused to unamused, "It''s not a cat."


    Ash dumbfoundedly gapped at him, "What do you mean? It has to be a cat; nothing else would fit."


    "Think about it; I promise you that yes, something else will match my riddle."


    Ash bit her lower lip and moved back to her place in line. Tacitus rolled back into his position, looking around the group. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    "Your talking," Reglan said behind him; Tacitus looked back at his caregiver.


    Nodding his head, "Yeah, I am. I feel better."


    "That''s good. And as I promised, once you started talking more, I''d answer any question you had." Reglan looked ahead, keeping an eye on the Captain, who wanted him to not tell the boy anything the day before.


    Tacitus showed his obvious wanting to know, but he had also overheard the Captains threat. He didn''t want to be the cause of Reglan''s reprimand, but he also wanted to know what lay another weeks travel for him.


    "Would you get into a lot of trouble?"


    Reglan shook his head confidently, "No, and even if I do, Casper over there knows a few people that can help me out. And I am not too good to call in for favours."


    "Is that smart?"


    "Who knows, but what is your first question?" He pushed past the issues of his possible mark up and continued the conversation forward.


    Tacitus sat and thought about that for a moment, "I guess I''ll start at the beginning. Who am I going to? I''m not stupid; I realise what my life entailed after my mother handed me off to those slavers."


    "You bounce back quick; I meant a while ago, you told me I should have let you die. Now your like a chirper bird just waiting to go on his morning fly."


    Tacitus shrugged, "Coping Mechanism or maybe I just bounce who knows. We''ll see if I break now in a few weeks, and then we''ll know."


    "Guess you''ll have to keep me updated, but for your question." he continued on, "Technically, King Nicodeme purchased you as a Shira for his younger brother Prince Dominic."


    "I''ve heard the first name being passed around a few times, but not the second. Can you tell me anything about him?"


    "Prince Dominic? I can''t, but Casper can; he is old friends with the Prince and his personal guard Milovan."


    "I guess he can''t be all horrible if Casper knows him. So, what is the King like?"


    "Complete and total dick, but all of that is off the records. He is a decent leader, I suppose, so I guess that makes his personality obsolete in the long run.


    Tacitus thought that before nodding his head, he supposed it really didn''t matter what their personality was as long as they lead the nation in the right direction. "Oh, I just thought of another question." He said as he was lost in his own thoughts.


    "What is that?"


    "You said I was a Shira? Is that like some special gift or something?" Tac leaned his head on his knee that was tucked up by his chest. Staring at the half-elf.


    "It''s more akin to a spouse. In our lands, the siblings to the King or Queen don''t get a wife or husband like everyone else. They get what is called a Shira, which is someone that is the same gender as them. It is to keep them from having kids that could take rights of heir and some other crazy noble crap."


    "So, doesn''t matter what the siblings want, they are forced no matter what?"


    "Yep, and from the little I have heard about Dominic, he chooses to become a social elite and party all the time. Which upset the King who was waiting on him so he and the Queen could have a child, thus why he went ahead and choose for Dominic and thus why you are here in a cage with us."


    Tac just went quiet for a long while, thinking about the situation he was about to be thrust into. He figured that if Dominic was anything like most of the men he knew, that he would probably be hostile towards him for a while. He understood that feeling; he literally stood as a symbol of his lack of freedom and choice.


    Staring off into the distance, he watched two birds flying. His mind wondered what that would be like, to just leave his cage and bindings and just be a bird.

 Chapter Three: Shira Ball (Part 1)

    "How do you feel, Dominic?" Milovan asked as he leaned against the door to his best friend''s bedroom.


    Dominic, who has been in a rut for the path month, was donning on a new outfit. Though it looked rather dashing on him, the white colour of the long sleeves and the cream coated vest could bring out the copper tones of his skin quite nicely. The Prince who stood in front of his floor to ceiling length mirror showed no impression.


    "Dominic."


    "Hmm?" Dominic quickly moved his head around to look at Milovan.


    "Are you even here right now?"


    Dominic looked back to the mirror, then back at his friend, who was standing at his doorway. "No. I am not; I am three days away, drinking everything placed in my hand and waking up, upside down in the cart with you dragging me home."


    Milovan let out a hard laugh, "That was fun until you and Casper puked all over each other, and I was the one having to clean the two of you up."


    Dominic looked down and smiled, fiddling with the cufflink. "Probably won''t have that again."


    "You are being tied to someone, not tied down," Milovan said confidently.


    A knock came at the door; Milovan opened it to see who was there. A few words were spoken before he shut the door again.


    "That was our call; they are waiting on us."


    Dominic snorted, "They can wait a few minutes more." he turned and walked to his wardrobe, grabbing a hidden bottle that was tucked behind something; he took a swig, then offered some to Milovan, who politely turned it down.


    "Ready?"


    "As I''ll ever will."


    ----


    Tacitus sat in the room he was given three days ago when they arrived. He was surprised that they had actually given him a room and not some cell for the time being.


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    He had been given accommodations that were far luxurious than anything he was used to backing home. Even the room he stayed in was larger than his old house.


    His old house...his sister. He hadn''t thought of Nisha until just now. Tacitus wondered what she was doing and how she was fairing. He couldn''t imagine what she was going through.


    Maybe, if he were lucky, he would be granted the ability to write a letter to her. No one said he couldn''t once he was here and asking never hurt anyone. He could tell her he was safe, and she wouldn''t have to worry.


    The door clicking open pulled him from his thoughts. He looked over and saw a man dress in very nice clothing and long grey hair pulled back into a slicked-back style.


    "The King wishes to see you before the ceremony today," he said in a drawn-out way.


    "Okay." He stood and followed the man out.


    The halls of the castle were enormous, almost too large; they didn''t need to be. Every step echoed, and even though he was walking next to one, he still felt like he was alone. This walk was long as well. They had a torch every so often, and even that didn''t help keep the halls lit. The natural light that came in through the coloured glass windows also didn''t help.


    "So what do I address you by?" Tacitus asked, looking up at the other man.


    "You don''t address me. Nor anyone else. You are a slave, and you will remember that when talking to the King. Yes, Sir, only unless No sir is what he wants. Do I make myself clear?"


    "Yes."


    "Though I may not be the King, you add Sir to me as well. In fact, that will be to anyone. Learn your place, do it quickly, and you won''t die quickly."


    Tacitus looked away from him; he wasn''t the only person in this place to show him this hostility. Though he was the first to say that. "Yes, Sir." He stated, and they continued until they reached a door; in the door was an extensive study outfitted with the finest things.


    Behind a desk sat a man; he looked more like a war general than anything else. He figured with the crown that sat on his head that this was the King. I thought they only wrote those in public, not while sitting at a desk.


    The King looked up, and for a second, Tacitus thought he saw something in his eyes that wasn''t normal. Something not human.


    "Sire, I brought the boy to you as you asked."


    "Thank you, now go tell my brother to hurry up."


    "Yes, Sir," he walked out and closed the door behind him.


    Tac sat there looking at him, not knowing what to say. Or even do. King Nicodeme was a very imposing man, and Tac was one who, in stressful situations, could be easily frightened.


    And this was a very stressful situation.


    The King had only ever seen him once, and that was on the first day arriving. It was quick and only to look him over, and no words were exchanged between the two.


    When the King''s eyes came to rest on Tacitus, he all but felt like he was going to throw up. Tacitus could feel vile of what this man had done in his past; instead, he was that monstrous or not something about him or something he did leave implantation on his aura.


    His eyes glanced down at a paper he pulled from a pile on his desk, "Tacitus Uzi, I know that we haven''t spoken, and we are running out of time before you meet Prince Dominic. I get to the point then, tell me about your family or what you know."


    Tacitus stared off for a moment, thinking about where to start. He was still staring off to the side when he began speaking, "My father was the Lupengar, my mother was a half-elf."


    "That explains your looks," King Nicodeme used his finger to gesture to Tacitus''s small and slender frame.


    "Yeah, I took on the small elven build of my mother, while my sister took our father''s Lupengar build. Though she and I are both Lupengars like our father." Tacitus''s mind started to flood with old memories when he was younger when his father was still alive.


    Nicodeme watched him for a bit, allowing the younger man to think to himself for a while. "Did you know your father''s parents?"


    "No, my father was from a different country, and he told us that he was an orphan."


    "I think that is all I need for right now; I don''t need you to be upset while in front of a large audience." he tapped his writing quill on the desk.


    He gestured to Tacitus to get him to stand, Tacitus who didn''t entirely know the hand gestures of this country''s noble sec, continued to sit but with a furrowed brow.


    "That means stand; I''ll make sure Dominic teaches you those." Nicodeme had a bit of irritation in his voice; he also stood moving towards his study door.


    He opened the door and called to one of his servants. "Have them prepare to announce my arrival."

 Chapter Three: Shira Ball (Part 2)

    The ballroom was a vast open floor room with six large scalloped styled pillars along the sides. With three large floors to ceiling windows on the three outer walls.


    The first wall had two doors on the far left and right. This was where the guest usually came in from. In the centre was a large marble staircase used for the entrance of the noble family and special guests.


    Dominic stood just on the other side of the door, looking from side to side at the guards waiting for the nobles in the hallway. Standing up more, his head turned to Milovan, who was standing a few feet back.


    "Good Luck", he mouthed before taking his leave to join the guards on the outer wall of the castle keep.


    With a deep breath, giving command for them to announce his arrival for the guest on the other side of the door.


    The two sizeable dark wood doors were opened; like a wave, the loud chatter of the already bustling ballroom rushed into the attached hallway.


    A man with sharp ears similar to an elf but whose height was much closer to a stunted dwarf walked in with his head held so high up that a bird could have flown up his pointed nose.


    He strolled in and the doors shut behind him. It wasn''t but a few moments until Dominic could hear his booming voice quite the room on the other side.


    The time it took for him to enter and start speaking; was about the same time it took for the doors to reopen and the Prince''s official entrance.


    Dominic looked over the crowd of people scanning their Appearances, soaking in what he could before moving down the steps. Attempting to spot the more critical guests as he moved along.


    Though he was having a minor difficulty spotting out the people he needed to speak with to keep a good grace with on behalf of his family, he did spot his mother in the far left of the room; she was wearing an elegant formal dress with the gold and red colours. Her hair was up, and a matching tiara was placed on her. She looked rather lovely and as if she was ten years younger, which was a feat for the woman who barely looked as if she could have two adult children naturally.


    As he reached the bottom step, the crowd came around him, making their greetings as he did to them. There were nobles for several different lands and some lesser ones from his own nation here. Anyone who was of any notable name was standing in the royal ballroom on this day. He passes this person and that person, making his way further and further back until he broke into a clearing where he could reach his mother with no issue.


    "You look lovely tonight, Mother." He said, bowing as was expected of him on this night. When he raised his head, she was smiling softly with a bit of sorrow in her eyes.


    "Oh, baby, you look grand in that outfit and so much like your father when I met him." She said, reaching her hand out to grab him; he walked closer, allowing her to place her arm on his.


    "Thank you."


    "Have you met the boy?" She quickly straightens her mind and changes her face to hide her emotions.


    Dominic shook his head, "I know he came in a few nights ago. Casper came and saw me told me a few things about him. Other than that, I still am completely ignorant about him."


    The former Queen nodded her head slowly, "I met him yesterday and only for a few moments. He is small yet quite intelligent; he will make for decent conversations at the least."


    "As Casper also said." Dominic looked out to the people who were drinking and snacking on small hor deuirvs; he hadn''t any appetite this morning, and the ale was making his stomach turn. He probably should have eaten, and yet even then, the butterflies he felt still wasn''t allowing him to even think about placing food in his mouth.


    His mother hummed to herself, something she always did when she was nervous. She did that a lot when his brother was at war and when his father became ill. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    "Are you alright?" He turned his head to her, scanning her features. She was nipping at her lower lip to the point it was a bit puffier and redder.


    She took a deep and loud breath, "I do worry for you and your brother. Mostly you right now, with everything going on. You don''t have the same responsibilities as your brother, and yet you carry all the same burdens."


    "I will be just fine."


    "That is what both you boys say; your father would always say the same thing." She smiled, looking up to the ceiling, "You think being the queen as long as I have that, these burdens would feel less like such and more like just annoying meaningless chorus."


    "Yes, I understand."


    They stood in silence for a while, just enjoying the moment with each other when the Queen spoke again.


    "I hope you and your soon to be Sh?ra will get along. Your Aunt never loved hers and was never happy, and the Uncle you never met treated him like it was human trash. Just treat him well, and I pray he will treat you well."


    Dominic could hear the plea in her voice like she wasn''t speaking to him but someone beyond something he couldn''t see.


    "As he had no choice in this, I will do what I can. From what I have heard, I can probably in do time learn to love him."


    His mother started to beam with that statement, and before she could say anything in return. An instrumental cadence sounded loudly over the chatter of the room, turning everyone''s head.


    "Go, you must be upfront when your brother and the boy enters," Dominic''s mother ushered, pushing him gently forward.


    Dominic weaved his way back to the front of the crowd; this time, people moved out of his was making his trek forward easier than when he came through. Stopping at the bottom of the stairs, he had made it just in time for the announcer to step forth.


    "If I would have all your attention please, as I would proudly announce, His Majesty King Nicod¨¨me of Noaria." The announcer stepped backwards and to the side, bowing as the two large doors opened, revealing Nicod¨¨me as he stepped through.


    He stood tall and proud as he always did, towering over everyone like a living Giant. Though this was no surprise to Dominic, and for himself, he was trying to sneak a peek at the one who stood behind him.


    As his brother, the King stood in the doorway greeting the open room. Dominic leaned back as he noticed someone standing behind him, only catching a glimpse of the dirty blond hair that was swept back. Before the Prince could get a look at his face, the doors closed, and the King stepped forward to the front of the stairwell. Calling the attention of the room with his voice.


    "I thank you all for being here today, as you all are aware that two big announcements will be made. One stands on the other side of that door." He stopped just long enough for the mummers to start up. This was his typical speech making short statements and then waiting for the people to say a few words among themselves before continuing. Something that had always annoyed Dominic.


    "Before I get to the announcements, I would like to take this time to say a few words. Firstly, my brother." He pointed to Dominic, and he now felt all eyes on him, something he pretty used to. Yet, his brother seemed to have something up his sleeve, and he didn''t like it.


    "Some days, I still see him as a small child. As he was always and will always be my dearest younger brother. Someone I looked forward to seeing during my time at war."


    Ahhh. Dominic thought; he is pulling the sympathy card with the audience. His mind still wondering what motive he could have for this.


    "That, however, is no longer the case, still dear to me, yet he stands a man among us all¡ªa man who is about to follow a very long-held tradition dear to the heart of royal life as we all know that a Sh?ra is an essential part of royalties ways of life. As a long-held tradition, it keeps the peace between siblings, cousins, aunts, and Uncle. It allows true love to pierce the veil of society that otherwise may never feel due to duty. Even occasionally allowing peasantry -commoners into the life of the better so for a time we can understand how to forward our lands."


    Dominic was still waiting for the over sympathy to play in, but he started to feel like that might have just been a long play strategy. Now, he felt his chest tighten as the reality of what was to happen was becoming real.


    "With that, I would like to announce the chosen Sh?ra of Prince Dominic formally. Tacitus Uzi."


    The crowd erupted in applause; he even heard a few congratulations, but his mind reeled on the name Uzi; there was no possible way that it could be the family he was thinking of. They weren''t even from Tanbori, where his Sh?ra was supposed to hail from. Yet, that name repeated in his mind over and over.


    The applauding started to quiet as the doors opened one last time.

 Chapter Three: Shira Ball (Part 3)

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 Chapter Four: New Routines (Part One)

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 Chapter Four: New Routines (Part Two)

    Dominic stood outside the door to Tacitus'' room; he hesitated for a moment before knocking. His head still felt off from his night of drinking with his two friends, but this was nothing he wasn''t accustomed to. He also had the decent thought of stopping well before getting to a place he would have regretted later.


    After a few quick knocks, he stepped back away from the door and waited. It was pretty early in the morning; the morning sun was able to light up the hallway creating a pleasant glow.


    Tacitus'' door opened up to a fully dressed but not quite awake Tacitus, he had some bags under his eyes from tiredness and his hair, though combed, still seemed a bit frizzed. He was rubbing his face when he yawned his good morning.


    "Didn''t sleep well, I assume?" Dominic closed Tac''s door after the shorter male walked into the hallway.


    He shook his head, "Not really; I had too much on my mind."


    "Those nights are never enjoyable. Is there anything I could do?" Dominic didn''t plan on making him feel isolated or hated. It wasn''t his fault he was here, and he could easily take his anger on his brother like he had been doing for the past few months.


    Tac thought for a moment, "Do you think I could get a stationary? I want to write a letter to my sister back home." this had been Tacitus plan for some time to ask to write a letter to Nisha. He decided on his journey that he would only include he was alright and leave any part of his mother out of it. What became of their relationship was none of his business, and from his long night last night, he settled that he could never forget what his mother did.


    "I can arrange something later today for you," Dominic said, and the two awkwardly and silently made their way down to the small dining room that was reserved for the King and Queen.


    Tacitus and Dominic were the last to arrive, as Nicodeme and his wife were placed at their seats, and Dominic''s mother also waited on them. In front of them, waiting for their arrival, taking their seats at the large white wooden table, was the silverware and plate set.


    Tac fidgeted with the handle of the butterknife. He thought to himself about how he was expecting something far more complicated, yet this seemed simple enough.


    "Now that everyone is here," The King spoke after a long, drawn-out silence. Tacitus was starting to wonder if this family ever talked to each other. "We have a few matters to address," he stated.


    "First, Dominic, you and your Shira will need to make a trip to the Dwarves to get the fitting for the bracelet."


    "Bracelet?" Tacitus muttered before thinking; Nicodeme shot him a look that made Tac fear for his life.


    Dominic leaned over, "He is talking about the Shira Bracelet; I guess you could say it is very similar to a wedding band. It is just part of our custom." Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Tacitus whispered a thank you.


    "Give him a break Nico, he hasn''t been here long." Dominic locked eyes with the King, and the two had a minor staring contest before they broke contact around the same time.


    "Very well," The King muttered just enough for them to hear, but not loud enough for them to acknowledge that they heard. "Next, we will be receiving King Naqi in two weeks. Dominic, by that time, I expect that one to be up to speed on how things are done. I will have no interrupts while he is here." he pointed towards Tacitus when he said that one. He said it with such a distaste in his mouth that all Tac could do was feel horrible.


    Tacitus really didn''t listen to the rest of the conversation; he zoned out and dug into his food as gently as he could to not get the groups attention on him. His eyes bounced around the table; he had met the mother a day or so after arriving. She had sprung upon him and ran question after question until his head spun. Then he looked at Dominic, who he only had a few words with sense meeting yesterday; he had been decent to him...so far. He wondered if they would start treating him like he wasn''t a living thing.


    He had two options from that moment forward. Or at least that was what he thought, throw up a wall and forget that the words sting or keep getting hit and suffer. He didn''t have a choice in the matter on which he chooses to go with. It was in his mind one or the other.


    After breakfast and the long announcements made by Nicodeme, they were all excused to leave. Dominic took to walking Tacitus, just following along with what the King wanted. Dom watched the smaller man, who was still rather tall compared to some of the peasantry, but he was slender, and as Dominic looked him over, noticed that he could be easily mistaken for a lady from behind.


    "You said you wanted a stationary?" Dominic asked, knowing that was what he asked for, but he had no other way to strike up a conversation. He knew that the soon he could get his Shira, this stranger in his life, to be on his side and not so awkwardly distant yet so physically close, Dominic''s life would be less stressful. He wouldn''t have to worry about his brother having a spy on him or even fear about Tacitus spilling any information he would surely come to hear with his time staying here.


    Tacitus nodded, "If it isn''t much trouble," he continued facing forward while he spoke. Dominic didn''t know if this was his usual, and before breakfast was his attempt at being hospitable or if something happened and the reverse was true.


    As they passed a servant as they walked the halls, Dominic grabbed their attention. Telling them to send a stationary set to Tacitus'' room. The interaction lasted for less than a minute, but it left Tacitus speechless as he pondered over what gimmick the Prince was trying at by being so kind to him.


    "Is there anything else you would like or need?" Dominic scratched the back of his neck and his mind as he tried to remember the last time he had this much trouble speaking with someone.


    "Do you know the situation with me and owning things?" Tacitus stumbled over his words.


    Dominic looked at him weirdly, then remembered the circumstance in which he was here. "I can discuss that with Nico; as far as I know, he still owns you."


    "That''s what I figured, then no, I don''t need anything."


    "I see; well, I will come back in about an hour or two," Dominic said as they arrived at Tacitus'' room. The two said nothing else and departed from each other.


    Tacitus flopped on the bed he had, curling himself up around a pillow. Tears started to stream down his face. He felt so alone and helpless; he also began to fear for the future. The lies he had convinced himself of, about not minding because of all the luxuries, was just that a big lie. His first actual day around the nobles that own him, and he felt like just an object all because of a few words and a look he was given, he couldn''t bare the idea of what else could come. Especially knowing the stories he was told from other slaves at the sales yard.


    He wanted out before it even began.

 Chapter Four: New Routines (Part Three)

    Casper waited in the western corner of the Castle grounds. He was sent a crucial message and was waiting for Dominic to show up. The information needed to be passed along, and the longer he waited, the more Anxious he got, and Casper was not an easily anxious man. He rolled the black soot left after burning the paper that the message was on, using the visual reminder of its importance.


    Dominic showed up when the hour struck. His stroll seemed casual, but he knew it was to keep from alarming anyone. "I apologize for being late; my brother pushed breakfast over with his annoyingly long lecture and chores list."


    Casper only nodded at the information, not having much else to add to that, so he quickly jumped into why he was there. "We got a message in from the eastern alliance."


    "I assume it is dire."


    "They intercepted a letter with the royal''s personal seal on it, not the nations." Casper straightened up, "It was coded; we have people working on it currently, though they got part of it uncoded, and it was asking about troop numbers."


    Dominic swayed, "That is dire. Could they tell who wrote it?"


    "No, it seems that the letter wasn''t written by anyone in the royal family or the royal scribes; we cross-referenced the handwriting already."


    "Possibly one of the Castle servants?" Dominic asked, trying to eliminate as many people as possible cause what Casper was saying could easily cause much danger for many people.


    "Not that we know at the time, Milovan is heading over the search. We had to let this information slip to the King; we know that it wasn''t him for that much, or we believe it isn''t him. But, unfortunately, we had to neglect to inform him where it was heading nor who sent it. We need this to see his reaction, and well, it seems that he had no prior knowledge." Casper took a few steps forward and leaned into Dominic''s ear. "You need to be careful; if you are found in this ring, your brother won''t hesitate to end one of his own."


    Dominic patted his friend on the shoulder, "I am quite aware, you focus on that letter, and I will focus on my brother. I should warn you. King Naqi is coming for a visit; we should post some people up to watch him while he is here after all."


    Casper nodded; he left after that, leaving Dominic with that new bit of information. King Naqi''s nation was east of Naoria. Suppose the eastern alliance was the one that intercepted the data. In that case, the foreign King is here to defend or possibly take Nicodeme out or possibly Dominic himself to keep throne rights in check before an attack. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Dominic pulled his hair back from his face, quickly wrapping it up into a bun on the back of his head. He used a small band that would keep around his wrist under his long sleeve to help hold it up. The heat from his hair was getting to him, making his thoughts fuzzed.


    He went to the one person who would answer something for him and give him an insight into this King visiting¡ªhis mother.


    The Queen Mother Mira was enjoying a stroll in the rose gardens when she caught sight of her youngest son approaching from the western wall. She could tell before he even got to her that something was wrong and he needed something.


    "Seems a mother job is never done," She said to her lady-in-waiting, who often joined her on her walks.


    "Of course not," The woman whispered back as she came to a stop next to Mira''s side.


    Mira lifted her hand to greet Dominic as he approached, "My baby, how are you doing? I didn''t get to talk to you much after you met Tacitus."


    "I am doing fine," he quickly said, wanting to get past this and into the topic at hand.


    "Your not avoiding things again, are you?"


    "What? No, no, no. I am not avoiding anything; I am just swamped with responsibilities." He refused to let her rework this conversation with him, as he was too focused on his current job.


    The Queen walked around him, looking him up and down; Dominic hated when she did this. He stood up straighter, letting her look him over and over. Her eyes flickered with an unnatural glimmer. She then stopped and wrapped her arm around his upper arm.


    "You are doing too much; you and me around going out, and we will be bringing your Sh?ra."


    "He isn''t my Sh?ra yet," Dominic said without thought.


    Mira crossed her arms. "It is that attitude that is why I am bringing him." In her mind, she would make this situation better, but many know that rarely happens.


    "Mother, I need to discuss something with you."


    "I will not answer a single thing until you do this."


    "Mother, you are ridiculous!"


    "Do not mother me, boy. Your number one focus right now should be that boy that is up in the castle right now and nothing else."


    Dominic was done; she had pushed a button. "I don''t want to! For months now, this is all anyone wants from me, I do not know him, and I met him yesterday. I did not ask for him; I did not want him." He pushed past his mother, "I just go talk to Nico,"


    He stormed halfway across the courtyard before he stopped and took a moment to reevaluate what he just did. He felt like everything was felt tight around his face and his arms. He looked down; his skin was tinted grey, and blue started to streak down his arms.


    With a deep breath, he moved forward. There was no point turning around and facing her right after what he just did. There was a sense of lightness in his arms after a while and a high to his mind. The anger sometimes felt this way, like an addiction, but he always felt sick afterwards. It always felt like overeating sweet until it hurt.