Page 38 of Veil of Vasara (Fate of the Five #1)

CHAPTER 38 – LORIA

“C ome in,” Princess Rhana said, opening the door to the dining hall. It was far too large for the four of us, but the Princess had set two chairs at the table's rear end, and on either side of it.

She sat next to her escort at the rear. Nathon and I sat opposite one another.

I had resisted attending this dinner. Nathon had argued with me about it for hours earlier this morning. He had said this was the perfect opportunity to learn more about them. I argued it was simply an opportunity for them to learn more about us. Nathon still hadn’t heard from Mathias, or our father, and it had been two days since the Coronation.

There was nothing we could do he had said, but proceed with the plan as initially intended. Part of that plan, he reminded me, would involve blending in, and appearing amenable to these invites, and social occasions.

There was a plate in front of each of us, served by Palace Staff. It was some kind of fish, served on a bed of plants, and drizzled in a light sauce. Nathon hated fish, I remembered that from our childhood.

Nathon grabbed a fork and placed a large portion into his mouth.

“Divine.” He swallowed, smiling.

I supposed he’d done far worse than eat odious food to meet his ends. This was nothing to him. This whole meal was child’s play.

Princess Rhana smiled softly. “I wasn’t sure what you both enjoyed, so I’ve asked that several dishes be prepared.”

“Thank you, that’s very thoughtful.” I smiled at her. Rhana’s escort remained silent.

“I thought it might be good to get to know each other a little better,” Rhana said calmly.

“Just us?” Nathon asked, placing another portion into his mouth.

“No, in fact. Kalnasa’s candidate rejected my request, as did Vasara’s. I never received an answer from Jurasa’s.”

“How impolite,” Nathon remarked light-heartedly.

“I suppose that everyone is wary in light of recent events,” I murmured, picking up the cutlery.

Nathon and Rhana both looked at me. Jayli looked at Rhana. “Yes, you are right. But not you, it seems.” Rhana smiled, now eating herself.

“We already agreed to dine with you, it would be discourteous to refuse now, and I too…would enjoy getting to know you both,” I said.

“And who could refuse a free meal?” Nathon gave his reason, continuing to indulge in the free meal that he in fact, despised.

“So.” I thought that it would make sense to ask a question. “Do you miss home?”

“Very much so,” Rhana chuckled. “The atmosphere is very different here.”

“You dislike it?” I asked.

“I am…not accustomed to it,” Rhana answered. “I prefer the quiet, the mountains, the trees.”

“You can always go back to them,” Nathon probed.

Rhana swallowed some of her drink, placing it down with a soft smile. “I could become accustomed to it though…eventually.”

“What about you?” she asked me. “Is Audra in your thoughts?”

“Of course,” I replied. “But I am glad to have the opportunity to explore Vasara. I would like to visit Zeima one day as well.”

Yes, Audra was in my thoughts, but not in the way Rhana had implied.

“And I Audra, I have never been,” she said.

“I’m not sure you’d enjoy a visit to Audra’s very much.” Nathon leant back into his chair, finishing the plate.

“How so?”

“It’s quiet like in Zeima, yes, but it also possesses a certain…roughness to it.”

“Mmmm,” I agreed. “The people are rather…lively.”

“How interesting,” Rhana said, raising her brows.

I wasn’t sure that I believed she was unaware of Audra’s nature, or the nature of its people. But Audra was something that could only be truly understood if one saw it and experienced it themselves.

“And you will rule it one day, Prince.” She looked at Nathon.

Nathon smiled and quickly flicked his eyebrows up and down. “A perfect candidate for the role, wouldn’t you say?”

“Psst.” Jayli made a sound under her breath. Nathon ignored it.

A few minutes passed by in silence as we ate.

What were we doing here? So far, this dinner had amounted to nothing more than pleasantries, and polite conversation. I remembered and knew that Nathon had said such things were my responsibility, my contribution to this scheme. But since we were here now, impatience and frustration simmered within me. This meal could, and should, be a means for us to make progress. I had to ensure I did everything right. I had to do more.

I could do more.

“Do you truly wish to be the Queen?” I asked.

Nathon, whose arm had been hanging over his chair, dropped it, and turned to me, Rhana and Jayli did the same. Rhana peered at me, as if she were searching for a trick behind the question.

“Do you?” she said.

Perhaps Nathon was right, I should have avoided an attempt to gather further information, that was his forte not mine. His facial expression hadn’t changed, after all, we were in the presence of guests, but I could feel, I could tell that he wasn’t enthralled about my having asked.

Still, I had to pursue it now.

“I…believe it would benefit my people. I suppose the same could be said for you. As to whether I desire to rule, I am unsure. But perhaps that is better than seeking power for power’s sake,” I speculated, looking at my food.

“I do wish to rule,” Rhana said, straightening up. “Power is the only way that someone can implement their ideals and make a change in the world.”

“What ideals are those?” I asked.

“A world which is fairer, safer, that protects those who cannot protect themselves. That would see an end to poverty, to disease, that would allow the poor to learn, to grow, and thrive. That would spread wealth with equity, that would distribute goods evenly, that would not neglect the people.”

“I truly hope such a world can exist,” I said to her. I admired her enthusiasm.

“Yes. It sounds wonderful,” Nathon added, squinting.

Rhana faced Nathon. “You don’t sound convinced, Prince. It is your destiny to rule too, is it not? What do you wish to do with such power?”

Another dish was placed in front of us, meat and vegetable based.

Nathon leant forwards. “I haven’t decided yet. There’s still much that I have left to do first.”

“Such as?” Rhana inquired.

Nathon didn’t say anything, he simply smirked and began eating again. Rhana and Jayli glanced at each other. Jayli was like a statue, a shadow, her very presence at this meal felt simply for her own reassurance. She was barely eating or drinking anything.

“Perhaps travelling? Visiting each Kingdom’s local attractions, for instance?” Rhana peered at him. Nathon’s hand grasped harder around the flute of the wine glass he was holding. He set it down.

“Are there any you would recommend?” He smiled at her.

“I know little of Iloris, I'm afraid. But... the Solar Inn seems to be quite the bright spot.”

Nathon’s face fell slightly. I could tell without needing to ask, needing to speak, that Nathon, for whatever reason knew of this place, that he had in all likelihood already been there, and that somehow, Rhana had found out about it.

“That’s interesting. I’ve not heard of it, how did you?” I asked her.

The Princess slowly turned to me. Nathon’s eyes flitted in my direction. There was a glint of approval in them.

One thing I had learnt from my time growing up at the Citadel, from my childhood, was that if you didn’t want to answer a question, asking an equally uncomfortable one tended to work well. Then, you would leave the other person no choice but to avoid probing you further in order to avoid answering themselves.

I am sure Nathon had learnt similar tactics himself, as well as more refined ones.

“From the maids, the servants here, I hear them talk,” Rhana explained.

“They must have granted you the only talkative servants in the whole Palace, how fortunate. Mine are rather quiet. Aren’t yours, sister?” Nathon responded.

Sister.

Inexplicably, a lump formed in my throat and my flesh crawled with a chill. Nathon rarely addressed me as his sister. I couldn’t remember the last time he had done so in the presence of others.

Everyone was waiting for my answer.

I composed myself. “Mine seem afraid to speak to me at all.” I chuckled lightly.

“Have you heard of it, Prince?” Rhana asked. “The Inn?”

“I have. In fact, I’ve even been there.”

I was right. Knowing Nathon, the Inn was a place he frequented for his own pleasure or gratification. It was beyond me why Rhana would even wish to know more about it. She, in all likelihood, simply wished to inform him that she knew of his activities, but Nathon’s reputation was hardly a secret.

Perhaps she was trying to shame him. But that wouldn’t work on Nathon.

Not that she was aware.

“Ahhh. Well, I have little else to offer in the way of recommendations. Besides if the Inn sufficiently meets your desires and needs, why look elsewhere?” Rhana put to him.

His needs. Gods. This was beginning to become uncomfortable.

“Precisely,” Nathon agreed. “And if a current lover or partner already meets your needs, why look elsewhere for another?” He looked at Jayli pointedly.

I tried my best to hide my glare at Nathon. He never could help but try and get the upper hand. If he saw an opening or a chance to attack, he always took it.

But this did not feel like the time or place to do so. Not to me.

Rhana laughed, airily, brightly. “Is that a logic you apply to your own nightly activities, Prince?”

Not the Inn again. I hadn’t been able to anticipate where this conversation would lead, but Nathon’s 'nightly activities' were not one of the possibilities I had considered or wanted to discuss.

“I make no false claims about my needs. Why are you so curious about them?”

Rhana waved her hand dismissively in the air from side to side. “Pay me no mind Prince. It was only idle chatter and curiosity. What you do in your spare time is your business…and who.”

“I do not think that any curiosity is idle,” I said, hoping to put an end to this conversation.

“Really?” Rhana’s voice was warm. “What if I was curious about your favourite meal, for instance?”

“It wouldn’t be idle, since you could attempt to impress me with such a dish,” I replied.

Rhana shifted in her seat. “What if I was curious about your favourite…animal?”

I chuckled and thought. “Perhaps then.”

“Well, which is it? I assume it is not an Erebask?”

I had been cutting my food but stopped abruptly. “Why would you assume that?” I asked carefully.

“They say of all the nobility in Audra, you are the only person who does not ride one.”

“It is not the animal, but the ride I dislike.”

“I had always thought it must be rather exhilarating. I envy those in Audra and Kalnasa for being able to take their creatures to the skies.”

“Your Vilkan are said to be rather magnificent as well,” I spoke. Vilkan were wolves born of sorcery, far larger, and more dangerous than ordinary wolves.

“They are beautiful beasts. Truly. I feel very lucky to know them. Do you feel that way as well, Prince, for your Erebask?”

Nathon took a deep breath in and out. “Very much so.”

“Have you seen any of the Chimera’s here?”

“No, we have not,” I answered.

“I have heard that they will be present at the great festival in a few weeks’ time, as part of this Season. To lay eyes on them will be a…wonder,” Rhana sighed.

“Yes, it will be,” I agreed.

A few more minutes passed as we ate.

“Ahhh, bring the dessert please,” Rhana said to one of the servants.

In walked one of the servants, holding a large tray. Just one dish, on one platter, rather than multiple dishes for each person.

The servant was dressed differently.

No.

He wasn’t just dressed differently. He was dressed in Audra’s attire. Dark purple fabric covering his arms. Thick dark trousers lined with golden thread caressing the ground as he entered.

I looked at Nathon who was staring at the man, his eyes growing wider, his hand edging closer to his belt, where his daggers lay.

I recognised this person. I had seen him around the Citadel. I had spoken with him. I had spent time with him. He had guarded and accompanied both Nathon and I in the past.

“This is Ruban,” Rhana said, smiling. Ruban edged closer to the table and placed the dish in front of her.

“He works for me.”

In an instant Nathon shot up, standing at his full height, his nostrils flaring. His jaw was clenched so tightly as he glared at Ruban that he could have cracked his own teeth.

I couldn’t understand. I didn’t understand what was happening. I knew little of the activities of Audra’s unit, but I knew that Audra was known to be far superior to other Kingdoms when it came to spy craft, intelligence, and undercover operations. How was it possible that this man had slipped through our nets? Besides, he appeared to be from Audra.

As I struggled to comprehend this, I looked at Nathon and Ruban again.

Ruban was smiling knowingly. Nathon was shaking his head slowly.

Rhana stood. Jayli did as well. “Ruban is of mixed heritage. He is Jayli’s half-brother. He was born in Zeima and has been working for my family ever since.”

As Rhana was speaking, Nathon lowered his head, closing his eyes, laughing to himself. “Well played… Princess.” Then he looked at Ruban. “Do you truly believe you can evade his wrath?”

“There are places in Zeima not even your father knows of, Prince,” Rhana’s voice had become far more assertive, cold.

“Are there?” Nathon quirked a brow. “I’d love to visit one sometime.”

Rhana was brave, bold, to confront us, to confront Nathon in this way, to place a spy within Audra’s Kingdom. Of course, it was understood that all Kingdoms planted agents in the others, but the identity of the spies was not usually revealed to those who had been spied upon.

“Why have you told us this?” I asked, becoming the last person to stand. “Ruban could have remained your spy for many more years without detection, yet you have revealed his identity to us. You would not do so without reason.”

Rhana addressed us both as she answered. “I have long suspected you had ascertained the nature of my relationship with my escort before you even clarified it yourself. You and I both know such information could be used, not only to force me to withdraw from the Courting Season, but to bring great ruin to myself and my family. I have no guarantees you will not use this information to your advantage and so, I feel it is necessary to inform you that I know far more about you” —she looked at Nathon — “than you realised. Ruban can worry about himself. All you need to be concerned with is this… you tell no-one of what you know, and I can assure you I will do the same. Ruban reports directly to me and to nobody else. He will not disobey my orders to remain silent. If, however, you try and use this information against me, then I will make sure that every trace of your dark past is cast under a light so bright that the glare will destroy you.”

Again, she was looking at Nathon.

But Nathon only laughed sedately. “You place a very high estimate on the amount I value my reputation, Princess.”

“Do you dare to play this game, Prince? I know there are things that even you wish to remain concealed. Things that even your sister” — she gracefully lifted a hand and gestured towards me — “remains unaware of. Things that pertain to yourself…and to her and—"

To me?

“That’s enough,” Nathon’s voice was monotonous.

“What does she mean?” I asked Nathon. I mentally berated myself for asking him in public, for admitting that there was information I did not know, despite Rhana clearly being aware of it already.

Nathon said nothing.

Ruban turned to me, the sunlight striking his closely cropped hair. “The Prince is keeping things from you.”

That wasn’t surprising at all. I had always assumed Nathon kept things from me, but the ‘things’ that Ruban and Rhana were alluding to now, felt different in nature.

“You know, who's to say that I won’t kill you myself before you get a chance to return to your hideout?” Nathon’s squinted at Ruban.

“You won’t do that. I know how you operate well enough,” Ruban replied smugly.

“Isn't that wonderful. And would you like a more physical demonstration?”

“Nathon,” I said quietly. Jayli looked as if she were ready to jump on him at any second.

Nathon turned to Rhana, taking one step towards her. “I understand. I must remind you though, that if you break your end of this bargain, that it won’t just be your lover’s brother I eradicate from this world. After all, if you do break your end of it, then I will have no honourable elements to my reputation whatsoever. My heinous deeds will become common knowledge to all, and there will be absolutely no reason for me to maintain any air of decency, or refrain from committing more. Think about that .” He spat the last three words.

Rhana looked a little unsettled. It made sense, for the possibility of Nathon’s vengeance was considerably more frightening than hers or Ruban’s was.

“I think I’m full. Thank you so much for the meal… and the threat.” Nathon walked past Ruban as he made for the door, patting his shoulder overly hard.

I was left alone with the others.

I looked at the tray. “Is there even a dessert under there?”

“Of course,” Rhana answered. She lifted the cover to reveal an intricate and exquisite looking fruit-based pastry, dusted with sugar and cream.

I sank down into my seat. “I’ll have some. If you please.”

Rhana and Ruban looked at each other. “You can go,” she said to him.

Ruban bowed at her, then faced me. “You should stay away from him, Princess, if you can, when you can. You don’t know a fraction of the things that man has done. I’ve worked beside him…I’ve seen it. He is pure evil.”

I gulped. My blood iced at his words. It was as if a skeletal bony hand seized my chest, its joints a ruinous deliverance of the truth.

I hadn’t dared to think about it. There were times I had considered, I had imagined the things Nathon might have been responsible for, but I had convinced myself not knowing them was better. To see him as a blade, forged from cold hard steel. Metal could not feel as it took lives. Neither could he. That was all I needed to know.

Now, reality was staring me in the face, weighing down on every limb like lead.

Yet still, I replied, “Then I hope for your sake, that you remain faithful to your word.”

The corner of his lips twitched up, and he let out an amused sound. “You’ll see, Princess, one day… you will know.”

I shuddered inside. I wasn’t sure I wanted that day to come.

After Ruban had left, some of the other servants entered and dished out the dessert. I began to eat it, half present, half in my own mind.

“You know more about my own brother than I do, it seems,” I said, still staring blankly at where he had been sitting.

“Are you saddened by that?” Rhana said.

“I admire you for it.” I was still in a trance, glaring at the table. “Not many people would dare to confront my brother in that manner.”

“He left me with little choice.”

“Did he?” I looked at her now. “Was it him? Or was it this place? This world. This life that we lead?”

It felt ridiculous to maintain such a strong air of pretence around Rhana. She already knew so much about my brother and his life. She had openly threatened us. There was no use pretending we were allies when we were in fact, rivals.

“Are you angry, Princess?”

“I am tired, and I am…not like you, or my brother. I am not good at this game, these tactics.”

“You are better than you think, Princess, else you’d be dead already.”

“How… reassuring.”

“You know, I much prefer this version of you.”

“It would only be a disrespect to you, to continue with the farce this meal had started with,” I said.

“I agree.” Rhana raised a glass to suggest a toast. “To our newfound understanding, and to the end of our farce.”

I raised my glass to hers, reluctantly.

“So that Fargreaves is a bastard, don’t you think?” Rhana said. Jayli looked at her in shock.

“The farce is over,” Rhana said, shrugging.

“Between us,” I said slowly.

“Exactly.”

We looked at each other for a few more seconds.

I sighed. “He is a bastard.”

Rhana’s face lit up in genuine amusement. She laughed so much that her body shook with the force of it, placing her hand on her stomach.

And I, against my own will, found myself laughing too.