Page 4 of The Night Prince 2

The humans who had chosen to be a part of the Aravae Empire were often called Loyalists, which Shonda felt a little uneasy about. They wanted to be a part of the new world, but the word “Loyalist” made it seem as if they were holding onto something rather than turning towards something new. Of course, the Separatists called them simply Traitors or Sympathizers.

“Vesslan thinks to control Aquilan,” Sorisana mused, “like he thought he used to when they were children. But the truth was that Aquilan was too easy going to put his foot down. Yet what Vesslan took as biddableness is really steel beneath a velvet glove.”

“From everyone, I have heard that King Aquilan is incredibly kind.”

She nodded. “Oh, yes. Like Ailduin, he calls people to their better natures. Ailduin kept Vex in the light for a very long time. Very long.” Her expression became incredibly sad and, for a moment, she looked old to Shonda. Sorisana shook herself. “But just like Ailduin, Aquilan is as powerful as he is good. Make no mistake about him. He is no weakling. He will not bow to Vesslan or anyone else when it comes down to it.”

“So this is Vesslan’s first taste of that power?”

A dark chuckle. “Oh, yes, and he clearly did not like it. Though I pray he does not take it out on that poor girl, Elasha.”

Shonda said nothing. She was not a fan of Vesslan’s daughter. While she didn’t like anyone being treated as sometimes Vesslan treated her, Elasha parroted her father’s prejudice with too much zeal and glee for her taste. What would it take to shake Elasha out of her blind obedience to her father?

Probably something terrible and I don’t wish that upon her.

“Well?” Sorisana said with a lifted eyebrow.

“Well?” Shonda blinked at her.

“Come, my dear, you have a king to go meet.”

“But… you don’t mind me leaving you? Or rather, won’t you come with me? We should go see Aquilan together,” Shonda offered.

Hopefully, Helgrom hadn’t sold out of his roast beef. Speaking to the king and eating the Dawn’s delicious food sounded so much better than what her evening had been.

Sorisana shook her head. “I have known Aquilan since he was a baby. He has heard enough from me. You are the newest of his Councilors. He has yet to hear your voice. Raise it so he will listen.”

Shonda leaned over and gave the Aravae woman a kiss on the cheek, which had Sorisana lifting both eyebrows, but with pleasure. “Thank you, Sorisana. For everything.”

“I believe that there will come a day soon when I will be thanking you. Now go! The night is wasting and the wine is flowing.”

Her laughter followed Shonda as she hurried back into the palace. She hurried towards the front gates, her mind filled with the possibilities of what she might say and how the king would be. Oh, and roast beef! But just as she was hustling down the final hallway, she heard raised voices ahead of her. It was Elasha and her twin brother Darcassan. The brother and sister were right in front of the main entrance having a squabble.

“... you can’t go out now, Darcassan!” Elasha cried in Katyr.

Shonda slowed her steps and opened her purse as if looking for something inside of it.

“Why not? I have things I must do.” Darcassan, a solidly built youth with the Fairlynn coloring, shook off his sister’s restraining hand.

“Protectors have seen Leviathan in the ruins at this hour! It's not safe!” Elasha protested.

Darcassan rolled his blue eyes. “Here you fear a lone Leviathan or two while you ignore the true danger of a whole horde of them! It’ll be far less safe if I don’t find a rift to Illithor!”

Illithor? How strange to hear this city’s name twice tonight.

Shonda continued to pretend to rummage in her purse as she passed by the twins. Since she was human, they would hardly take notice of her, Councilor or not. They likely had no idea she could understand Katyr.

“That’s nonsense, Darcassan! I told Uncle Aquilan about your mad ideas already and he agreed–”

“You told him?” Darcassan had gone rigid. “You who made him so damned angry that he went to a dwarven tavern instead of his own palace?”

Elasha crossed her arms over her chest defensively. “I… it doesn’t matter! He still thinks its mad that there’s a rift to Illithor and–”

“When I bring him proof, he won’t think it mad, Elasha.” Darcassan stormed out of the main gates.

“Wait, Darcassan!”

“Stay here, Elasha, or Father will punish you further!” Darcassan tossed over his shoulder as he disappeared into the night.

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