Ursula's Beginning

13. We musn't lurk in doorways

The next morning, Ursula was en route to the temple when she spied Triton and Ganeon making their way toward her house. Ganeon lagged behind his younger brother and appeared to be pouting.

She intercepted them and was dismayed to see that the middle prince had a broken nose.

"I guess Alphon knows everything now?" she asked.

"Not yet," Triton answered. "And that should scare you," he said to Ganeon. It sounded like a reprimand.

"I refuse to be intimidated," he huffed.

"We're having a disagreement," Triton stated matter-of-factly.

"I can see that. Let's go to one of the conference rooms in the temple to talk. I'll fix you up," Ursula reassured Ganeon.

"I'm fine."

They proceeded through a rear entrance and secured themselves in a private room. Triton spoke as soon as the door shut behind them. "I met with mother alone this morning. She did not take any of it well. She's angry at us for not telling her sooner about father's parting words."

Ursula grimaced. "Is she upset with me too? I've wanted to speak with her, I swear I have, but—"

Triton shrugged. "She didn't say anything about you. But she refuses to lead. So your prediction was correct."

"I see. And what happened to you?" she asked Ganeon cautiously.

He was slouching against a wall, gingerly touching his misshapen nose and wincing with every bit of contact. "Nothing of importance," he muttered.

"Ganeon..." she began plaintively.

Triton shot his brother a dark look. "So, I'm finishing up my conversation with mother and I hear a crash in the next room. I go in there and find Alphon scurrying out the door and Ganeon in a sad state."

"What happened? Please tell me," she said, extending a hand to the sullen prince. "I'll fix your nose while you tell me."

Ganeon accepted with reluctance. He watched her open miniscule compartments in her jewelry, then stared somberly into her eyes as she began to touch him.

"Well?" she prompted, her hand clasped over his swollen nose.

"Alphon approached me and asked how many wives a king can have. He said he knew the kings of antiquity had several, 'plus concubines.' I told him that customs had changed hundreds of years ago. He then demanded that I compose something establishing the legality of such an arrangement. Said I could 'use my books for something useful for once.' Started blathering about custom being different from law—as if I don't know that!—then said something like 'if custom changed, it can be changed back.' I told him I had more important things to do, and he punched me. Sent me flying into a table."

"Which broke," Triton added.

"Horrible!" Ursula clucked. "I'm sorry that happened. He's absolutely foul." She released Ganeon's nose and patted his cheek tenderly. "How's that feel?"

Ganeon explored the contours of his now-flawless nose with several fingertips. "Much better. I thank you. And that is all the magic I will be receiving today," he declared.

Triton shook his head. "Which brings us to our quarrel. Alphon is foul, and everything is a big joke to him. He will clearly disgrace the throne. I'm tired of his bullying, too. I'm going to challenge him."

Ursula leapt to Triton and flung her arms around his neck. "That's fantastic news!" she crowed.

Deftly and gently, Triton wrenched her arms away. Not here, his eyes warned. Not in front of Ganeon.