Blood and Betrayal

-04-

Prince Ian nervously paced back and forth, waiting for Westin Charan to arrive.

"Prince Ian! What brings you to Quibeo? How is your father- is he alright?" he turned around to see the Lord of the South, picking his way through the crowd.

The prince forced a smile and cleared his throat. "Oh, my father is fine." Straight to the topic, straight to the topic. "I take it you heard about our current situation?"

The lord's face turned grim. "Yes. In fact, I have." He turned to a young woman with cinnamon-colored hair leaning against the wall, murmuring things the prince couldn't pick up. The woman's expression gave away nothing, and neither did her body language as she strode away.

Westin Charan smiled faintly. "My daughter, Anthrea. Her temperament is a bit... cold to new people. You'll probably see her soon again."

Ian nodded. "Now, about my father's situation...?"

The Master clasped his hands together. "Yes, indeed. About your father's request..." He shifted uncomfortably. "We could, but... we have problems of our own."

Ian tilted his head. "Like what?"

Westin Charan sighed. "My son has gone missing. We've been searching this entire day, and we have no luck."

"I don't want to go back to my father with negative news."

"I'm afraid you'll have to, my dear prince. I would, I really would, but I cannot, not while so many things are happening. I don't know if you've noticed, but our world is not balanced anymore. Slaves and rogues have taken advantage of our current predicament, and our world is falling apart, Ian. Your father is an old friend of mine, and I hate to say this, but if I cannot convince you to leave, we may have to force you to."

"Lord Charan, you have to understand the issue that is at hand! If you don't help, the king will lose faith in his council, and-"

"I am no longer part of the council! I thought I made that clear years ago."

"I understand that you and my father have had your disagreements, but-"

"What's going on here?"

The prince turned to see the Lord's daughter, Anthrea, along with Leila Dabbids, niece of Loarinton Huntsbern, Duke of Costella.

Oh, gods, no. The last time he'd seen Leila, she'd tried to kill him.

Ian cleared his throat. "Uhm. Leila. It's, uh, good... to see you?" Leila Dabbids, daughter of Evaliyn Dabbids (formerly Evaliyn Huntsbern) and Matteo Dabbids. Woman who'd probably stab him without thinking twice, just because he'd spilled tea on her favorite dress. Typical of her to care more about her apparel.

Leila lifted her chin and promptly ignored him.

Anthrea gave a wry smile. "Must've done something horrible to get on her bad side."

Her friend frowned. "He spilled tea on me."

Anthrea gestured with her hand. "And?"

"It was the rose-colored one with the beaded neckline and the lace," Leila fumed irritably.

Anthrea covered her mouth. "The one with the kunzites and tourmalines sewn into the hem?"

Leila nodded. "And the blossom-shaped gems on the chest. Don't forget the pearls."

Ian snorted. "It's just a dress- couldn't you just get a new one? What's the big deal? You could always wash it or something."

Anthrea turned to the prince slowly. "Ohh. You're in for it."