Re:Creation Book 1: Allegiance

Eleven

Phaeus wandered through Castle Tyveren's garden, located within the courtyard between the royal chambers. Practically all of the garden had been reduced to ash, which was no surprise, yet there was still a harmonic beauty to it. Perhaps it was Phaeus's developing connection with the earth, or maybe it was due to his upbringing, but even charred and destroyed, the array of plants laid before him was comforting.

Each step Phaeus took displaced more of the ash scattered along the ground. A tiny sneeze behind him drew his attention to see his little fox companion doing its best to keep up. Some of the ash seemed to be getting in its face.

"Sorry, little friend." Phaeus stooped to lift the fox out of the gray powder layering the ground. Cradling the animal in his arm like a baby, he gently scratched its belly. "There. That's a little better, isn't it?"

The fox let out a cheerful squeak, playfully attempting to catch his hand between its paws. Phaeus chuckled and continued his stroll towards the center of the garden, playing with the fox as he walked. At the same time, part of Phaeus marveled at how large the garden was. He grew up sharing a fairly cramped bedroom with his father and sister, meanwhile Prince Lev lived with the space of a small field between him and his parents. Didn't he ever get lonely? Probably not, considering all the servants he must have had at his beck and call.

In the heart of the garden was a shallow, murky pond. The reason he had come to the garden - and the pond in particular - was because his power allowed him to sense his vulpine friend's thirst. Now that he was looking at the water, however, Phaeus was reconsidering his plan. The ash and soot that had accumulated in the pond left black and gray deposits all along its edge, and rendered the water so opaque that even the moon's reflection was blurred. Clearly, this water was unfit for any being to drink from.

"What are you doing out here this late?" A voice that Phaeus had the misfortune of knowing sounded from behind him.

"M'lord Vin," Phaeus acknowledged, though he refused to turn and face the man. Lord Vin Melchior was Ilaven's Right Hand, though he hadn't arrived from Mithro until after Phaeus reached Castle Tyveren. Ever since, Vin had made his distrust of the new farm boy living alongside him apparent in almost every interaction.

"You do not use the entire phrase 'my lord' when addressing a lord by name," Vin corrected. "Face me when I'm speaking to you."

"If that's what you want, Vin." Phaeus did as he was told with a shrug, to see the familiar icy gaze he'd come to know from this man.

"How dare you?" Vin hissed. "I am not one of your slovenly friends from the farm. You will address me with due respect."

Phaeus feigned his confusion at Vin's remark. "Oh, but you said that I don't need to use 'm'lord' when talking to you."

"That's not what I mea-"

"Besides, the king wants me as his priest, which means I rank above you now, yeah? Shouldn't you be showing me 'due respect?' "

Of all the nobles he'd come across, Vin was by far Phaeus's least favorite. With his dark, straight hair, beady eyes, and slender build, the Thrali lord's very being reminded Phaeus of a snake in the grass.

"Forgive me if I don't reward suspicious behavior with welcoming arms," Vin replied. "Someone like you wandering around castle grounds at night isn't exactly a settling thought."

"Maybe not for you, but that isn't my problem, yeah?" Phaeus grinned warmly despite the venom coating his words.

There was a short pause from Vin. "What are you doing out here?"

"My friend here needed a drink, so I thought I'd bring him to the pond." Phaeus gingerly scratched behind the ears of the small animal cradled in his arms. It eagerly responded by pressing its head firmly against his hand. "But I see that that's not a good idea anymore, what with all the ash floating in it."