Blood Ties

Chapter 3: Doomed to Diplomacy

Trisa sat at the table discussing the last thing she ever wanted to know. Yes politics, since being a diplomat meant she was the voice and negotiator of her particular kingdom, it was crucial to discuss the socioeconomic relations of the Sevens. Just dandy, it involved meetings about budget, security, and crops. Basically, the right hand of the King, which Prince Ryi just loved. He'd been trying to get Trisa to spend more time in the palace since they were children. Ryi seemed to prefer his cousin's company to other members of the palace. Trisa wasn't sure exactly why, but she assumed it had something to do with the fact she wasn't condescending when carrying out the Prince's wishes. She'd adored Ryi like an older brother when they were younger, but now his decisions were interfering with her life, and it was getting annoying.

Trisa hated the way Ryi chastised her for being a practicing craftsman. It wasn't any of his business what Trisa did with her time. He'd purposefully goaded her into diplomacy. She only agreed on the condition that he'd leave her be in the guilds if she visited in the palace to carry out whatever duties were required. She was deeply regretting such a promise as she realized the numerous commitments she'd have to take on. Still, some part of her didn't want to disappoint Ryi, so she'd just have to deal with it.

The table they were sitting around was covered with the remaining scraps of their feast. It'd been an hour since anyone had eaten anything, they all just sat there discussing the current state of affairs in their respective kingdoms, and the new year's trading contracts for which they were responsible. Ivan and Narissa were arguing back and forth about potions distribution in the Fourth. There had been a shortage of Night Man's Lock, a sleeping-draught for the sick and injured. Narissa argued with Ivan that Eden farms were already strained to produce Night Man's Lock and that a surplus for the fourth kingdom would be insurmountable.

"Don't you call me a ninny, you stubborn old goat! It's not my fault that the children of the Fourth continue mortally injuring themselves with improper incantations and sloppy wand play. That's something the Fourth needs to remedy. Not the Witches of Eden." Narissa said shortly.

"Oh, they know in the Fourth of Eden's disdain for the Wizard's Academy. They know the Second is holding back. My hands are tied Nari; we need more Night man's Lock or we can't provide the service menders for next year, I know how short Eden is on good repairmen, but it can't be done if they've killed themselves before learning anything."

The bickering between Ivan and Nari continued if you look just carefully enough you could see a residual affection coming off between them during their heated argument. There was the pretense of diplomats hard balling for the good of their kingdoms, that Trisa supposed was somewhat genuine in their earnestness. However, looking closer you'd see a smile where there should have been a frown, they'd lean in when they should have repelled each other, and most telling of all is the way they'd stolen looks at the other during the feast. She wondered if they had told each other if they knew? How many decades had they passed like this?

It surprised Trisa that she'd given any notice since her mind was on the craftsmen guild. Trisa had been trying to repress it, but couldn't stop thinking about Colton. They'd been friends for a long time. Colton was honorable if a word could describe him. Amiable in appearance, though not altogether shockingly attractive, except for his Hunter green eyes. They'd been a soft brown before he'd been found to have the Sight. Colton was only ten when he took the test. Trisa remembered his excitement at the prospect of being able to provide for his widowed mother, and darling younger sister Kara. Colton's scrawny limbs shook as he walked into the area, bidding Trisa goodbye with a casual flick of his hand, he'd been trying to play off his nerves nonchalantly. She knew how much it meant to him, a chance to fight poverty's pull. To thrive instead of just survive.

When Colton came out just thirty minutes later, a smile broke across his face like waves upon the shore. Then as Trisa moved her gaze upward, she saw the green orbs beaming proudly at her. It was the first time she'd realized Colton was handsome. Until that moment something had been missing, not physically, but as a piece of him had been undiscovered. Seconds later Trisa had rushed to him, wrapping her arms around his waist in congratulations. It was one of the few embraces they'd shared, throughout the years they'd spent together. Colton had taken a full minute to encircle his arms around her shoulders. It was a lovely moment. A smile spread across her face as she thought of it.