In The Village of Crows

T W O

I sigh, just finally getting back into my room. A successful day out, albeit draining. I try to not allow my mind to stray too far, while I've already done much, my day is far from over. It becomes increasingly difficult, the weariness of my body not noticing my mind slip back to the stall in the market.

A rapid knock at the door brings me right back where I'm supposed to be. "Alenis?" Jaimie sticks his head through the door.

"Yes?"

"Be in the war room in fifteen minutes. The king wants to speak to you about your acting reign while we are abroad."

"Yes, Jaimie," I say, while suppressing an eye roll as he leaves. I always thought it was so pompous and high and mighty that Jaimie always called our father "the king," never just "dad" or "father." A strange notion at the least. but very in character for Jaimie. Everything about his being seems regal, cold, distant, and removed. Never a mistake, never a laugh, rarely a smile or anything less than formality.

I push the door fully shut, mildly annoyed that Jaimie didn't click the door into place. With the last few minutes I have left, I freshen myself up a bit, and fold and store some of my freshly washed linens.

I then make my way down the hall to the war room, or at this point, my father's office. I knock on the door, waiting for my father's okay.

Once received, I open the large door open just enough for me to slip in, and take my place on the left of my father. I try to ignore the glares from the men who are much older and much more experienced than me, knowing they're angry at the notion of a young woman sitting at the side of the king, let alone being left to reign for the king's departure. The muted entitlement swirling around the air thickens, and is suffocating.

I adjust my posture, reminding myself I belong there just as much as anyone else. Jaimie sits directly across from me, and as I readjust, he raises his chin slightly, looking down his nose at me.

I do not allow their intimidation tactics to break past the surface of my cool. I have sat here a thousand times before.

My father smiles and puts his hand on mine, and I can tell he is about to begin.

As he does, my mind begins to tune it out, knowing the first twenty minutes of him speaking will be of little to no substance or import. My father is the most bland man I have ever met. I love him very much, but there has never been a more plain person. He has almost no defining traits, other than the crown that sits upon his head. Even his face reveals nothing, set in an unreadable expression.

The predictable nods and murmurs of agreement begin to register as I draw back into the conversation at hand.

"And with Jaimison and myself gone, that leaves Alenis, though I know we are all certain she is more than capable of handling this task, especially with all of your support." The mention of my name makes me sit a little straighter, and completely focus on my father.

"Should we be worried about the Dark King in your absence, Your Highness," one of the men at the end of the table asks. I begin to roll my eyes, but remember that there are several eyes on me at all times, so I play it off like something above me caught my eye.

My father chuckles a little. "No, there shouldn't be a thing to worry about there. The Dark King has never made a direct attack to Avenir and our forces are far more than capable of dealing with anything he could throw at us. Besides, with Jaimie and I gone, I don't think of much reason for him to come here. It is far more likely for him to be out looking for us."

The men nod.

"Alenis, this will be your time to show what you've learned and what you're capable of. I don't expect to be let down."

I smile, not too widely though, "Thank you, Father. All your expectations will be met and more."

He smiles with a convicted head nod. "As it should," he returns his attention to the table, "Tomorrow, Jaimie and I leave. Hopefully we return with a marriage agreement for Alenis."

I try to hide the shock on my face.

Maybe I should have paid a little more attention.