The Memory of Darkness (on hold until October)

11 - Family Values

Danger. More danger. What was it this time? Probably a death threat; Arianna couldn't think what else would cause Anton such concern. She knew that there had been threats in the past, a hazard of being both royal and a Mage.

She glanced around at the soldiers flanking her. The men had all taken oaths of loyalty, but what was there to stop one of them from running her through with their sword, right now? Apart from the threat of a slow, painful execution...

Perhaps I should become a hermit and live in a cave, miles from-. Hmm, perhaps not, I meet strange people in caves. Without thinking, she brushed the fingers of her free hand against her lips. The memory of the kiss sent a shiver down her spine. Strange people indeed.

"So, these walls don't have ears?" she asked, glancing around the room that Anton had led her into. Sebastian stood beside the window, a goblet in his hand. They nodded to each other in greeting, before Arianna took a seat at the table, the surface of which was littered with paperwork.

"Just my ears," said Sebastian, joining her at the table. "Though I'm sure they don't count."

"Indeed not," replied Anton, casting a disapproving glare at the scattering of paper. "Your mess, on the other hand..."

"Never mind that," said Sebastian, turning his attention to Arianna. "Where have you been?"

"Nowhere in particular," she said, growing impatient. "Are either of you going to tell me what's going on?"

"We've heard of a threat to kill you," replied Anton.

Arianna sat back in her chair, grimacing. "How disagreeable." She didn't ask how they'd heard of this threat. No doubt Anton had spies and paid informants in all manner of places. If that knowledge meant that she avoided having a dagger thrust between her shoulder blades, she didn't care how he'd been made aware of it. "Who is it this time? The League of Whispers?"

"No," replied Anton, a smirk playing on his lips. "You could say that the Whispers have been silenced."

Arianna looked up at her brother in surprise. "Was that an attempt at humour?"

"I suppose it was," said Anton, with a shrug. "Don't be too harsh on it. These things don't come easily to me."

Sebastian took a drink. "I'll say they don't."

"Thank you, Sebastian," said Anton, an icy smile on his face. "I'm so pleased that you insisted on being here for this." He turned to Arianna. "Until we're certain that the threat has been neutralised, it would be best for you to be closely guarded."

Sebastian nodded. "No wandering off by yourself."

Arianna glared at her brother, irritated by the condescending tone in his voice. "I refuse to be confined to my chamber, if that's what you mean."

"It wasn't," said Sebastian. "Though it may be something to consider."

"I don't think that will be necessary," said Anton. "Limited movements, perhaps, and an increased number of guards, as I already said." He paused. "Though perhaps not Captain Coren."

"Why not?" asked Arianna, suspicious. "Has he done something wrong?"

"You tell me," replied Anton. "I presume he's the man that you said you dislike immensely."

Arianna let out an involuntary bark of laughter. "No!" she gasped, trying to regain her composure. "I don't dislike Coren... Captain Coren. He's done nothing to deserve that."

"That's good to know," said Sebastian. "If it wasn't for him, I'd be... I dread to think."

"Indeed," said Anton, regarding his sister carefully. "So, who is it?"