Between the Veil and Crown

Arvek 2

"Not even a week ago, two scouts from the Phrompt kingdom were spotted in one of the upper cities, your Majesty," the messenger told Masitof and Arvek.

Arvek, fighting to keep his mind focused through the news that could really only be called gossip, felt his interest pique at the mention of Phrompt.  Masitof sighed in frustration.

"Now is not the time for me to be dealing with Phrompt," Masitof muttered. In a louder voice, one that the messenger could hear, he said, "Is that it, or did the baron believe that to be fitting enough and not do anything?"

The messenger his most respectful attempt at a shrug. "I am afraid he did not say," he answered. "But he felt it necessary to tell you."

"I dare say so," Masitof said, under his breath again.

Phrompt had always been an issue. Being the kingdom just north of Harlofelp, and prone to aggression, the two kingdoms always eyed each other cautiously. What made Phrompt scouts in Harlofelp more concerning was news not too long ago from spies located there that the entire kingdom was suffering from an illness with no cure.

No cure that Phrompt knew of, anyways.The symptoms sounded very much like a disease Harlofelp experienced in the past, but was quickly quelled due to ingredients and herbs from the Veil Forest. The business of medicinal herbs was carefully watched by the soldiers stationed there, though. If Phrompt believed themselves capable of stealing from Harlofelp territory, they were in for a nasty surprise.

"Then you can go back and inform the baron that if he happens upon anyone from Phrompt, he is to take them into custody. I will not deal with Phrompt sneaking around; the king can see me directly."Arvek heard his father continue, but he was distracted by movement outside the door. A few seconds later it registered that it was Selim who had walked by. What was he doing? Mother was still ill, and Lia was still present.

He stood up. Bowing his head slightly out of respect to his father, he said, "I beg your pardon; something requires my attention."Masitof waved him on and continued to berate the messenger as if the poor man was the baron himself.

Arvek left the room and followed after Selim. He quickened his pace until he could reach out and catch Selim's shoulder.

Selim gripped his wrist and whirled around, other hand raised and poised to strike. He stopped himself when he saw that it was Arvek, but the fierce look did not leave his face. "What do you think you're doing?" he hissed.

"I would ask the same question of you," Arvek retorted, pulling back his hand as soon as Selim released it. "You are supposed to be with our mother. How could you leave her with a strange woman?"

"Her health is improving," Selim said defensively. He stepped back, still bristling. "She is not sleeping all the time now, and she is able to sit up and converse."

"You are still not supposed to leave her," Arvek said.

"There's a guard."

"I didn't ask for-"

"Besides, Lia seems trustworthy."

Arvek sighed in exasperation, pinching the bridge of his nose. "There's no way for you to determine that in only a few days."

When Selim didn't answer, he opened his eyes. Selim had his arms crossed and an expression that clearly said, "Fight me."

"Selim."

"Stop treating me like an idiot. Just because you're older doesn't mean you know everything. Besides, I'm out on Mother's request. The flowers in her room wilted, and she wanted new ones from the garden."

Of all the lame excuses . . . .

Before he could answer, he heard footsteps coming up behind them. He turned to see Rasinod coming down the hall. He was likely going to see the king and inquire about the queen's condition. However, there was a chance that Rasinod was coming down to talk to either one of the brothers, and Arvek didn't particularly care to take that chance.

"Come on," he growled, grabbing Selim's arm roughly and pulling him away, down another hallway and out of sight of Rasinod.

"I can walk by myself." Selim wrenched his arm out of Arvek's grasp and stalked off. Arvek followed after him, working out what he wanted to say.

If only Selim was like their younger brothers. Cor and Veran would listen. They wouldn't fight Arvek on just about everything. But no. Selim had to be like . . . this. Even when he and Selim agreed, there was usually a fight. He was already twenty-three; how much more time did he need to grow up?

Perhaps it was the lack of responsibility. While Arvek had been expected and trained to sit in his father's meetings and understand the gravity of all that went on there, Selim was free to go where he pleased after his studies. Their father had attempted to teach him responsibility and use of the knowledge he had learned by granting him an estate to run. However, Selim's vehement disinterest and their mother siding with him had caused Masitof to drop the idea altogether.

To Selim's credit, he did go right out to the garden. He followed the winding paths for a little bit before stopping before a patch of purple flowers. Pulling out his knife, he began to carefully cut the finest of the blooms.

"And for all of your worrying, Lia's not even with Mother at the moment," Selim said."How do you know that?" Arvek challenged.

Selim pointed at another spot in the garden with the tip of his knife. Sitting on one of benches, about fifty feet away, sat Lia. She was staring up at the leaves and flowers that surrounded her, a smile lighting up her face as she leaned on her cane.

Alright, so Selim didn't just up and leave their mother alone with the woman. That didn't mean what he did was right.

"Whatever," Arvek said dismissively. "I still don't think you should leave her alone for extended periods of time. There's something about Lia that I don't like, and I can't put my finger on it."

"That sounds like an issue you need to work out," Selim retorted. "Perhaps it's because she's doing something you thought wouldn't work?"

"Oh, yes. Because I want our mother dead?

""You just don't want to be wrong."

"That's hardly it. Lia seems to think this as some sort of game. I would question her motivations."

"You had one conversation with her. I've had many. She gains nothing by not helping Mother, or even hurting her. She just doesn't want to give false hope."

One look at Selim's face told Arvek that his mind was set. There was nothing he could do to convince him to be on his guard around Lia.

That sinking feeling from when he had first left Lia with their mother had not left his stomach. Even after hearing news only the day before that Niara was getting better did not get rid of the sensation. Looking over at Lia now, it only worsened.

If it wasn't his belief that she couldn't help their mother that was causing that feeling, what was it?