Grief

Chapter 5

"Sozec, wait outside. I will handle this," Vincent says, his eyes on Zeala. "No," Sozec says walking towards the woman. "She just said I am her brother. I have no reason to question her so before you plunge your dagger in her chest, allow her to speak for herself," Sozec says putting himself between the two. A flame in his eye like no other suddenly lights causing Vincent to take a step back.

Zeala pushes her hair back; it falls behind her shoulders reaching just below her torso similar to Sozec's. "I was at father's funeral. It was his wish for me to attend," Zeala says rummaging through the pockets of her cloak. "That is enough," Vincent says pulling Sozec back. Just as he does, Zeala pulls out a note offering it to Vincent. Vincent skims the note before putting it in his pocket.

"We cannot allow you to come to the castle. It would come as a shock to the family and the people," Vincent informs. "You are so heartless, you did not even ask me why I was not with the family, to begin with," Zeala whines playfully. "It is almost as if you already know," she says, her voice grave as she speaks. Vincent flinches at the sudden comment. "It is my job to protect Sozec, I cannot break protocol, especially for an outsider."

"I am done talking to you, I want to talk to my brother," Zeala says finding no value in talking with the lowly mage servant. She shoves past Vincent to Sozec who had been quietly soaking in all of the information. "Where were you all this time?" Sozec asks.

"Father told me that I was hidden for my protection," Zeala begins. "Protection from what?" Sozec asks mesmerized by the thought of his father stowing away a child for protection. "From those afraid of magic," Zeala says. "That is enough, Zeala," Vincent demands.

Vincent's face is one of pure anger. Sozec has never seen him so worked up before. He, who could easily sense a person's emotions could not read the usually calm Vincent. The corner of Sozec's mouth raises in a smirk as the aura of his friend sweeps through the room. If aura's could be colors Sozec would assign the one exuding from his friend to be red, but there's something strange about it. It's clear that it's blocking another aura not quite visible; as if masking another emotion Sozec could not quite identify. It was rare that he allowed the aura to be seen as if purposely hiding it. Only when he was unguarded or deeply emotional could Sozec read his true intentions.

I should stop pushing him, it will be too dark to get back home soon if this keeps up.

Sozec grips the chair beside him as Vincent approaches him. "We are leaving," Vincent says. As Vincent makes eye contact with him his aura concedes just as fast as it had arrived. Sozec frowns at the sudden guard he puts up.

"Do not follow us or I will arrange for your death myself," Vincent says peering behind at Zeala before confronting Sozec. "We must leave now," Vincent says in a claimed voice as he addresses Sozec. "We aree taking her, I have decided," Sozec demands. Zeala pulls her cloak over her head hiding her face as she takes Sozec's hand. "I want to go too, I won't make a fuss, I promise," she pleads.

Vincent looks from Sozec to Zeala. There is no convincing either of them. I guess that is one thing they have in common. "Utter silence from you both, one wrong move from either of you and she is gone," Vincent says defeated.

***

"So this is what living in a castle is like?" Zeala says taking off her rugged sandals and running barefoot to the bed. "You need a bath, you are dirty," Sozec says. "It is not like we can call in the maids to run a bath for her now," Vincent says still angered that he brought the outsider to their home.

"Aren't you a knight? Shouldn't you be standing outside the room?" Zeala mutters as she sits on Sozec's bed. "I am not on duty till 'morrow. Regardless, you are still an outsider, and a woman too... in every regard necessary anyway. It would be improper for you to stay in a room with him," Vincent shoots back. "She is my sister," Sozec says as he comes back from behind his folding screen. "As far as I'm concerned she is simply an outsider," Vincent states crossing his arms in dissatisfaction at the woman's presence. "And it is okay to have two men here? A knight and a prince?" Zeala questions innocently.