Between the Veil and Crown

Ranger and Prince

Crown Princess Rovyna rose from her seat and glided over to the fireplace as though to warm herself. After staring a few moments into the fire, she turned to face the room, the Ranger Kylin in particular. He shifted his attention to her, expectant.
"I hope our accommodations are meeting your standards," she said cordially.
"No," came his blunt reply.
Crown Prince Arvek raised an eyebrow while his wife tilted her head, her expression still welcoming, but with lines of concern. "No? What is the problem?"
"I did not say there was a problem. I said that they did not meet my standards."
"If I know what is lacking, then I can see to it that it is adjusted," the princess said.
"It is not something that can be adjusted," the Ranger responded with a note of finality.
"I see."
The trio lapsed into silence, all eyes falling on the ailing prince.
Arvek cleared his throat. "Forgive me, but I feel as though you hold a wrong against me. Have I done something to offend you?"
There was a slight pause before Kylin answered, "You chased my sister into possible danger, with only the hope she reached someone before anything happened."
After another pause Arvek said, "Are you speaking of Amelia?"
"Have you been chasing other young women into the forest? If not, then yes."
"I can see your concern, but she was wanted," Arvek retorted.
"Then you should have spoken to us Rangers before you enforced your law on our territory," Kylin countered.
"I was not aware of the boundary line," Arvek answered. "That besides, my first and foremost concern at that moment was my brother- whom you held in that very dangerous forest."
"He was fine before you arrived," Kylin retaliated. "No harm came to him while he was in our care."
"Only had his mind altered, did he not?"
"The effects were temporary," Kylin responded. "But you would rather punish a young woman keeping herself safe than those who made her feel unsafe. Your mother's life was not worth that price, apparently."
Arvek got to his feet.
"I sympathize with your sister's dilemma," Rovyna cut in. "If your sister took drastic measures to keep herself safe as you say, perhaps the drastic measures my husband took can be understood, the safety of his brother -which was then unknown- as much on his mind as your sister's was on yours."
The men did not speak, but they did continue to regard each other with glares. The silence eased the tension and they were eventually able to look away from each other, keeping the other in his peripheral.
Glancing at the two of them, Rovyna broke the silence again. "Your sister's crime aside, the behavior of the soldiers there is not condoned by us."
Kyline studied her carefully, slower to respond this time. "That means nothing to me. Considering my mother grew up with the same attention from the king as I have, and her parents before her, you might as well just pass your condolences and move on. Anyone seeking to implement change joins the Rangers."
Husband and wife exchanged glances.
Rovyna continued, "Then forgive my ignorant remark. I know what it feels like to be on your own, unable to find help from anyone else." She stared into the fire. Still staring into its embers, she asked, "So then ,does the church also abandon their responsibilities?"
"Harlofelp's religion is not ours," Kylin answered with a hint of a growl. "When they continued to side with the soldiers, and still found many reluctant to convert, they left their churches to us. Only recently have they thought of sending anyone down."
Arvek straightened. "They've sent monks?"
Without looking at him Kylin nodded.
"Perhaps they think they'll have more success this time," Rovyna said.
"As long as they claim the soldiers are granted authorities by the gods, they'll get nowhere."
No one argued him on that point.
Arvek settled himself into his chair again, propping his elbows on his knees and pressing his lips against his laced fingers. When enough time had passed, he asked, "What of the seventh village? When I went through, it had been decimated."
"A shelter is being built," Kylin replied. "Enough of it should be built by the time the snow stays. Though none of it because of your own commander's initiative."
"I was only impressed by one commander," Arvek said, unflinching at the criticism. "His village had also suffered, and he sought to repair as quickly as possible."
Kylin turned his head, offering no information on this.
"The intention is not to leave the Veil in its state," Arvek said.
Kylin returned the comment sardonic smile. "Your king left his own son in the Veil for how long? I think the intention is clear."
Arvek took a deep breath and leaned back. Kylin's words were followed by the longest of the silences.
The Ranger leaned back into the window, resuming his surveillance of the room. The crown princess turned her attention back to the fire. The Crown Prince's eyes fell back on his brother.
It was as though the conversation never happened