The Hidden Orphan (The Chronicles of Mistar - Book 2)

Seventeen · · · Dusk

Parlonin Manor, Offland/Blood Valley Library, Blood Valley, Opa

THE DOOR WAS COLD against his ear, Dusk's fingers over the door's smooth wooden surface. He could hear his parent's voices on the other side, their voices silenced in security. It was their study. Their office, where they spoke of things only the Advisors Table knew and discussed.

Dusk liked to listen in, especially when the hot topic was about the Pent soldiers that somehow happened on their planet and almost killed him. A planet, that was so closed off some Mistar citizens thought it was a rumor. Only did they know, Opists lived everywhere. Because of skin changing, they could look like anyone and live on any planet. For hair color, they could always dye it or make some crazy excuse of why it was so dark compared to the blondeness of a Lotnan citizen, an example.

"We shouldn't be in this partnership," Ponsis said, her voice tense.

Dusk could here Rand growl. His parents spoke quietly but their voices floated through the Parlonin Manor. Dusk could always hear them no matter where he was in the house, but their voices were muffled. That's why Dusk reverted to his ear pressed against the study's door, listening in on their very important conversation.

"We're not in this partnership," Rand argued, hard and full of accent in Opa's nonexistent language. "King Fantish is in this partnership. Can we stop talking about this?"

"No," Dusk's mother ordered, her voice shaky. "Never, until they are no longer our partners. They almost killed our son, Rand. We can't let them get away with that."

Rand sighed, sounding annoyed with his wife. "We can. We have to let them. King Fantish will let them get away with it for his plans." With a huff, he added, "We don't make the rules, Ponsis. We follow them. We advise. We let things happen and deal with the consequences."

"What do the Pent do for us?" Ponsis asked. "For Opa?" When there was no response she said, "That's what I thought. Nothing. Cadi was there too, Rand. She could have gotten hurt. The Pent shouldn't have been there. Our children shouldn't have been there. That tree is bad. Nobody should be even near it."

"I know," Rand said, his voice low with a grimace. "I know, Ponsis. Dusk was there to save her though, and all their friends. I know you'll say he almost died because of it, but he saved them. He saved them. Do you have any idea what that means? Dusk is stronger than you think. He's grown up in a home where physical strength is just as good as mental strength."

Ponsis still sounded annoyed. "Don't give me that crap, Rand. I know all already. I'm just saying that I don't think this deal is worth it."

"Then let's bring it to the Table today," Rand suggested. "I'll give them my advice and you can give them your cries," he said sarcastically.

Ponsis grunted. "Don't play games with me."

Rand slammed his fist on the desk. With his normal strength, only the desk would have rattled but Dusk's father wasn't using his normal strength. Rand was using his super strength. It shook the whole house, making Dusk jump away from the door for only a brief second. He quickly came back, ear against the study's door listening in to whatever was going to be said next. 

When he heard Ponsis gasp, Dusk could imagine his mother bringing her hand to her chest and step back out of surprise. But then she growled. "Don't call me woman," she spat, ordering her husband.

Rand quickly closed his mouth. After a few moments of silence and heavy breathing, he finally said, "You know what I'm trying to say, Poni. We can't go crying to the Table every time we disagree. There are compromises we can make and suggestions that can be said, but we can't go against the king. There are rules, Poni."