200 and some odd years ago...

“Knock yourselves out! I’m going to wait here.” Kliali dropped into a cross-legged position in a fluid motion. He flicked the tail of his long, silky black ponytail over his shoulder and pulled his materials onto his lap to continue constructing arrows like he was doing when they entered his room.

Eun scowled, “I would like us all to discuss the situation and make plans together. If we are to be working together on protecting our nations from demons, then we really should start now.”

The last of Kliali’s good humor disappeared from his face as he scowled back at Eun, “y’all are a bunch of nobles and advisors and shit. I’m from the Borderwood. You cannot tell me you actually plan on listening to my opinion.”

Tejara, who stood next to the door with her back almost leaning against the wall, spoke up, “I’m a criminal; I was almost hanged for my crimes.” Ves’hil’n jumped a little bit in his seat, having forgotten entirely that she was there.

Kliali pointed the feathered end of the arrow at her as he responded, “and those are the first words I’ve heard you speak. So, no offense but that really doesn’t change my mind, dear.”

“Well, I was once a deathrow prisoner as well,” Eun said, drawing all eyes to him. Everyone, aside from Ka’shin’lai and the soothsayer, looked at him with shock at the revelation.

Ves’hil’n’s surprised expression melted into a frown. Eun was his bodyguard, his teacher, his... his... why didn’t he know about this?

Kliali recovered his jaw from the ground and cleared his throat, “fine. If you want me to go so badly I will.”

As the group left the guest room a servant rushed up, stopping a few feet back and bowing low at the waist, “my apologies for the interruptions, Your Highnesses, but the King requests the Crown Prince’s presence in the War Room.”

Ka’shin’lai nodded at the servant than folded his hands together in his sleeves. He glanced at Ves’hil’n than looked between the two guests, finally settling on Uling, “it seems I must take my leave, give Lord Xeit my apologies for not yet greeting him in person.”

Uling returned Ka’shin’lai’s small bow with a soft smile and a slightly deeper bow of her own. “Of course. He will understand.”

Crown Prince Ka’shin’lai left, gliding through the halls with elegant, quick steps. When he was gone Kliali muttered under his breath, “I wish I could’ve missed meeting Xeit like that.”

Uling gave him a disapproving stare but didn’t say anything.

She led the way to Lord Xeit’s room. Along the way, Ves’il’n stared a hole into the back of Eun’s head, not even looking away when Uling stopped in front of a door and knocked. Nor when the door opened. “What do you- Ah! Your Highness, Prince Ves’hil’n, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. Apologies for not coming to greet you earlier.”

Hearing his name, Ves’hil’n finally turned to look at the man in the doorway. He was pale in a sickly way (Ves’hil’n vaguely remembered something about food poisoning). His long, black hair was pulled back from his face and braided down his back, his eyebrows were small and thin, and his lips looked perpetually pursed.

He looked annoying and Ves’hil’n had forgotten his name.

So he smiled serenely and said, “nice to meet you, weakest link.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Ves’hil’n saw Eun cover his face with his hand, shoulders shaking slightly. Kliali didn’t even try to stifle his own mean-spirited laugh, barking it out.

The young nobleman’s head whipped towards Kliali. “You b-” he cut himself off and turned back to Ves’hil’n, still seething while fighting to keep his tone polite, “I assure you, Your Highness, I am far from weak.”

Ves’hil’n shrugged, “couldn’t remember your name sorry.”

The young noble smiled, His cheeks clearly straining with the effort, “my name is Xeit, Your Highness, of the Third House of Xoran. Please do remember it.”