"Go," the queen ordered.
Everyone in the great hall froze and fell silent, wondering if Queen Kono had directed the order at them. Prince Camtor was most apt to have this reaction since the queen had just summoned him for the first time in the three years Camtor had been at court. People she didn't like rarely lasted long.
Queen Kono wanted perfection in work and looks; Camtor was anything but a vision of perfection. He consistently wore black from the eyepatch over his left eye to his boots. The queen gave him jewels; he gave them back.
The people at court wondered how he survived.
He was good at his work.
A mere messenger, someone might say. Camtor had heard it more than once ... but a reminder that he worked for the queen usually quieted that bunch. Very few had the nerve to ask where he delivered those messages.
The Queen was reference enough for his good work, and only fools would ask for more.
It seemed to Ryson, as he watched his younger cousin, that Camtor chose his relentless black outfits for more than to look sinister. Twice, Ryson thought he had lost Camtor, only to have him appear in some other shadows a few feet away.
Camtor played the game through most of the evening. Then, Camtor disappeared between one waltz and the next. Ryson had hoped to follow, but now he had to watch for a second chance.
Ryson hated this assignment. Someone in the council mistrusted Camtor or the queen -- or both. They wanted information that the queen didn't want them to have
They sent --
A small, very sharp blade settled across his neck. Ryson stopped breathing and moving. This was the time to think and listen.
Two people. He hadn't expected that since the second moved almost as silent as the first. Ryson caught a hint of a special scent. No, it could not be.
"Queen Kono," he greeted her without moving. "Forgive me for not bowing"
"Told you," Camtor said in that same sullen, mocking tone Ryson had tried to beat out of him as a child. "You heard her?"
"Yes, but I heard her first. Where are her guards?"
"Guarding her rooms," Camfort replied.
"Where she should be," Ryson replied.
"Depends on how much you trust them."
"If you two continue this conversation around me, you might end up running the prison cells -- from the inside."
This is a short piece for a new series I am contemplating. I apologize for the late postings. I hope to do better in the new year.there are four parts.
"Go," the queen ordered.
Ryson watched as everyone in the great hall fell silent, wondering if Queen Kono had directed the order at them. Callum was most apt to have this reaction since the queen had just summoned him for the first time in the three months Callum had been back at court. People she didn't like rarely lasted long.
Although just because Callum wasn't called to the Queen's Court didn't mean he never saw the queen in private. After all, the three of them were practically a clan of their own. They had grown up together, and she allowed Callum and Ryson certain liberties that nobody else in the court would dare do.
Callum gave some sort of signal, and in the next moment, the queen spoke.
Her voice had softened, and she even smiled. "Everyone, go to your duties. We are done here."
People bowed and left, some with discreet glances at Callum. Ryson noted that his cousin ignored them all. He also did not leave the room. Neither did Ryson, though he was more discreet about it and just stepped into the shadows, displacing a clerk who hurried out of the room. He made note of the man. The queen did have enemies.
Callum didn't bother to do even that much, though he did smile in Ryson's direction. Of course, he hadn't missed his cousin's quiet arrival.
Ryson was the opposite of Callum in personal refinement. He dressed well, though with little pretense, despite his wealth. Ryson liked bright colors and jewels, but wore little of either, at least at the Queen's court.
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