Kings Game

Chapter 76 - Royal Conundrum

(1)

Roran felt strangely alone with Sarah. It was common for them not to talk when they were out in public, oftentimes he would go hours without acknowledging her presence. But it was always there. He always knew she was tagging along, hiding in his shadow.

She had once explained to him that she assisted other lyhlim while they were out and about. Nothing serious, all of the dangerous remnants in King's City tended to be in the arenas, and there were a handful of lyhlim that kept a watchful eye on all of the arenas throughout the city. What she did was pass along information, update others on their progress, and help gently push benign remnants towards the ebb and flow. That's what she'd done with his mother. She'd convinced Alira's remnant that her son would be safe and looked after, and that had been enough to send her back into the ebb and flow to begin the cycle of life anew.

"You okay?" asked Kell. "You're spacing off."

"Yeah, sorry. It's just been a while since Sarah and I were apart like this."

"Not since Uhlara, right?"

Roran nodded. "The last time we separated was after I fell off the cliff. She injured herself trying to catch me and had to go home to recover. Ever since then she's been by my side in one form or another. Even when she helped you, she maintained a presence near us to stay close and keep watch."

Kell clapped Roran on the back. "Well, chin up, it's only for a little while and it's for a good cause."

"I know," said Roran. Still, knowing didn't make him feel any less lonely.

"Say, I know what will cheer you up!"

Roran frowned, worried by the tone of Kell's voice. "What?"

She gestured over to Prince Vassilian and his courtiers. "I bet you anything that Vass would kill for a rescue. Why don't you go swoop in and save him from lady grabby-hands."

Roran spotted the woman Kell was talking about, her hands were holding onto Vassilian's hips a little tighter than was appropriate. Though he maintained perfect composure, Vassilian was leaning slightly away from her, his head turned off to the side to give him some breathing room.

Roran scowled. He knew the Prince was expected to fraternize with the nobles, his mother was heavily encouraging him to get married to one of them—his choice at least—before she was no longer a sitting Queen. Still, Vassilian was clearly uncomfortable with the level of affection they were showing him.

"If you'll excuse me," Roran said, and went to save the Prince.

As he approached, Vassilian locked eyes with him.

"Roran!" the Prince called out, all but breaking away from the woman's grasp.

"Prince," Roran said, dipping his head. Some of the nobles cast him a disdainful glance but he ignored them. "I'm sorry to pull you away from your liaising but a matter demands your attention."

"Of course." The Prince turned to the small throng. "I'm sorry, but I must be off, I will be sure to catch up with you later." They all bid him farewell, while casting dirty looks in Roran's direction, then Vassilian said, "Lead the way, Sir Champion."

Roran turned and led Vassilian through the ballroom, skirting the walls to avoid the dancefloor and guide him towards one of the hallways that would take them deeper into the palace. Roran began navigating through the various corridors and hallways at random until he found a set of stairs leading upwards. As much as Roran hated stairs, he charged up them, pushing forward until he was able to find a secluded balcony that looked out upon the arena.