I watch the guards pass by, each one of their pristine black uniforms looking like obsidian among their ashy skin.
A mistake, I solemnly acknowledge, they are easily seen.
Especially by people like me.
I signal with my half-leather-clad hand to Thanatos, who whistles as he swaggers over. Waddly and limping, staggering to this side and that.
Days in Tech Duinn are shorter. Instead of one day being twenty-four hours, it is one day being twelve. And night follows for six of those hours, the other six are for your own leisure. Usually gambling. I wonder what they are doing back on Imbolc Island, maybe they are fighting. Maybe they are dead.
I wonder how Garbhan is. His Nanny was the only one I would trust with him, she is full-blooded, but she is amazing. She once was a teacher of mine, and she is an ancient. She just hates Laundry, so I always tell her I can do it, but she insists that I already do enough.
Thanatos sways on his feet, and one of the guards snickers as he approaches him, the other one swears.
"Hewo," He mutters, his words off kilter and swirling together. He sounds like a cat that got beheaded, with that soft lilt and purr to his now stuttering voice.
The guard chuckles. "And what did you have?"
The other one groans, and grabs Thanatos's arm, letting the prince lean on him. "Just how high are you?"
"Six... feet, and two inches." Thanatos grins. Clearly proud. He snaps his hands and curls his hair, as if in arrogance. But I note the tight movement, a sign. I start to move.
"So incredibly fricking high, then." The guard holding Thanatos grumbles, the other one just laughs.
And then I slip through the ornate doors masking the main ballroom. I slide along the shadows, my eyes taking in everything around me. Every painting, and statue, every Bubak and ancient book. The head of animals long extinct hanging from the raptors. And my eyes catch on a sword of light and dark.
The Universe incarnate. It beckons me forward, and I oblige.
It is in a glass case, next to things now forgotten. A shield, a mask, and a begotten heart. But I pay them no heed, instead focusing on the sword.
Aeron.
What we came here for.
Too bad Bayou is drunk so we cannot take it today, we already have it mapped out for tomorrow via Imbolc time. Nudiustertian in Tech Duinn.
I walk out and snap my own fingers to alarm Thanatos, of whom is still charming the guards.
I roll my eyes.
He nods at me before chuckling half-heartily to the guards, the one who had him hoisted up leaves go, and he stumbles away after me. Thanatos gives me a slight nod, and I return it.
I found it.
YOU ARE READING
Morons and Monarchs
Fantasy"You wish, Ea. I surmount you in all things," I wink, then whisper. "Bottom." Ea chuckles dryly. "We'll see, Viviendel, what you call me later." -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* In a world where immortal feuds hold more power than a ruling monarch, a Queen dies w...
