Of Plots and Mischief

Chapter 12: Hidden prejudice

It was first light by the time he had done his ablutions and prepared for the day. Somehow, he was not surprised to find Sonaya waiting for him at the deck, knowing the practices of his people. They reflected in silence as they waited for the prince who had been roused and not a little grumpy for being woken up quite so early. But he quieted when he observed the stillness of his soon to be companions, somewhat abashed to Phyllon' amusement.

The prince was a complex creature, so passionate and uncertain, combining assurance and vulnerability that drew a brotherly urge to protect him. Phyllon suppressed an urge to smile wryly as he realised that the first person he would have needed to protect the prince against would be himself.

Torynik was waiting for them with Asmir by the time the prince had come down. He carried a light pack like they all did and raised an eyebrow at the prince's slightly more ornate one. Phyllis was interested to notice he blushed before shifting it uncomfortably across his back.
"Are we having breakfast-"

"On the way." Torynik cut across. Phyllon turned to the captain before handing him the instructions and explanation he had prepared the night before. He skimmed it quickly before looking at him carefully.

"Are you sure?"

Phyllon nodded sharply.

"Everything would be ready by then." He promised.

"I wouldn't expect any less,"

Phyllon said with a slight smile before he signed to Torynik, and he was ready.

"I'll meet you at the forest's edge," Torynik said before exchanging a wordless conversation with Asmir, who nodded his head in agreement.

It was peaceful at the faint pre dawn light. Very few people were about the further they went from the wharf. There was something quite peaceful about that time of the day, Phyllon found, something about the cold, fresh air that seemed to embrace them, or perhaps the shy brilliance of the sky, not quite light. There were few people about giving his normally overtaxed Gift a rest as he was not bombarded with everyone's emotions.

Phyllon took the air in lungfuls, letting a slight smile spread across his lips. Sonaya glanced across him and gave him a questioning look, but he shook his head in response and smiled brighter. Sonaya was slightly taken aback before he ventured a smile that seemed surprised at its own genuineness.

The prince was not caught up in the spell of the time, as his usual ebullience was replaced by a gruff scowl. He was not a morning person, it seemed. He grunted as he stumbled across what seemed to be a pothole every few steps, his mood getting bleaker by the second. Phyllon only knew he had drifted to sleep when he woke up to the cry of birds and knew that it was time. He shook his head as he followed Asmir down the port. All was quiet. Asmir gave an occasional nod and a wave to a sailor they met on the way, but otherwise, they did not meet much company. They appeared curious about the little group, but they made no comment.

They took a different route this time to leave the port. It was faster, Asmir said, but Phyllon suspected it was more than that. Less people were about, it being the older, abandoned side. Phyllon was surprised to find that he was unfamiliar with the area, which meant it was not when that was in common use. He threw Asmir a sharp glance, noting his familiarity with the area. He walked ahead and fell into pace.

"Did you grow up here?" Phyllon nodded to the abandoned area. Asmir smiled, a hint of wistfulness and nostalgia showing on his face.