Kara
The thump of king Arian positioning himself back into his seat was all that could be heard before silence filled room. The echoing bouncing from wall to wall when the king and queen had spoken made it feel as though you would be able to hear the slightest whisper from one end of it to the other. Now it was dead silent.
A tug on my left arm made me turn my head around and I was met with the facial expression of a concerned older brother. The look in Cayden's eyes held a sense of pleading but most of all - concern. Concern that was perhaps directed towards my wound, which I would of course deny hurt even the slightest bit. It could have also been concern for the fact that I did not understand the gravity of the situation and that he was afraid that I was hastily excited?
I will be okay, brother. I am fine.
Hoping he would somehow get the message from the look in my eyes, I merely tore away the hand from my arm in a manner as softly as possible. I returned my attention towards the queen who appeared to be in deep thought. The room was otherwise still silent, as no further questions were asked in regards to the suggestion that my brother and I would partake in the search party, though a few unpleasant glances were once again thrown my way.
Of course, they would not doubt my brother's capabilities. Though young, he had had the chance to prove himself in a couple of battles and was already considered a worthy commander and one fit for the large footprints my father had left him to follow. I did not like it, but I sometimes felt envious. I felt envious that I was not born first and sometimes that I was born as a girl. I was envious that I was born weaker and that I had not had the chance to spend as much time with father as Cayden had.
I doubt that queen Leandra ever thought me being part of the search party was a good plan initially. She spent a good while pondering what I figured was different alternatives to my part in the expedition. However, it appeared as though the approval of Shaw eventually had her convinced. I was not certain I trusted him, but he was royalty and therefor an authority who, regardless of the mysterious nature of his actions not aligning with the otherwise tame nature, was not to be questioned.
"And Shaw, who from your kingdom do you have in mind?"
I noticed a tiny smirk tugging at his lips and disappearing again just as fast as it had surfaced.
"My son and his betrothed, both high ranking magicians."
The answer apparently satisfactory, made Leandra nod, though her blank facial expression did not change much.
"And you trust that these are people capable of completing such a quest?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.
"I do, your grace."
There was that smile on his face again.
"Very well. Does anyone object to this decision?"
Looking straight towards William I felt a tinge of nervousness and a bit of nausea crawling its way up my throat. I feared that he would ruin my chances again. He watched me with an unfamiliar emotion in his stare. Was it anger or jealousy? A new recruit in the good graces of royalty already had to feel like a slap in the face, considering his opinions on me being part of the guard beforehand. When nothing came out of his mouth, I felt relieved. Maybe he thought his opinion would not sway that of two rulers. His hands were fisted together, his knuckles appearing white and then he looked away from me.
"It is decided then. They will depart tomorrow with Shaw and his party."
"I will have a banquet prepared for their arrival, so that they may get acquainted my people," Shaw told Leandra.
It did not take long for the councilmen to part their ways and rise from the table. Some remained within the room, whispering about the day's occurrences and about their opposite nations. Each had a clear bias towards their own country, and I was not surprised. If I had to decide which country I would reside in until my death, there was no doubt which of the two I would choose.
On our way back towards the stables, Cayden and I barely spoke. We both knew how the other felt and the stubbornness we had both inherited from our father would only complicate the solving of our conflict. When we reached the stables, I turned to him.
"You are not going to change my mind," I said, caressing Leon by the mane.
"Perhaps William was right," he burst out.
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
"It means, little sister, that going on a mission of this much importance and for the safety of our people brings with it a great risk! Right now, you are too weak!"
"I am not going to get hurt Cayden!"
"This is not just about you anymore!"
I took a step back, surprised by the sudden outburst. He was yelling, practically spitting the words out of his mouth. Cayden usually never raised his voice around me and was always protective of me and my feelings. This new side of him was very different and I was not sure I was going to like it.
"I would want nothing more than to be able to protect you, but my duty is also to our people! By putting yourself in harm's way, you risk jeopardizing the fate of our country!"
The skin around his jaws became tight as it clenched together along with his fists. I could make out a vein pulsating near his temple, like it was threatening to pop out of his head. A sense of guilt rose within me and tugged at my heartstrings. I had been so fixated on getting my way and honoring our dad, that I had completely overlooked how my injury could prove an obstacle in retrieving the talisman. I did not want to be a burden. I refused to see myself as such.
"Brother, I will not let a few broken ribs get in the way! If I become a liability for even just a second, you will have every right to send me back, but I beg of you to please just have a little faith in me."
"Please. This might be the only chance I will get to honor father for good, to prove that he did not die for nothing."
Having to stoop so low as to plead to my older brother, who was usually very docile towards my requests, went against my otherwise stubborn nature than both Cayden and I had gotten from our father. Grabbing the reins, I rose atop of Leon, swinging my legs across his back as to best position myself in the saddle. Looking downwards towards Cayden, whose face was still fuming with flames of anger and judgement, I could make out our mother's eyes looking back at me. They did however soften upon hearing my pleading words.
"Very well little one. You get one chance! I cannot be biased towards you, therefor I will withhold my right to dismiss you," he said, his demeanor seemingly becoming calmer.
"You will not regret this!"
My mouth widened into a grin and prompted one to appear on his own face as well. It felt good to see him more at ease. Neither of us was able to handle the other being upset with the other for extended periods of time. We were a unit. Having grown up together without much attention from neither of our parents, we had become very close and Cayden had been the most present fatherly figure ever since our own passed. Our mother was never really there emotionally, always meddling in social affairs, attending balls, and secretly hoping that I would eventually change my mind on marriage and that a suitor would want me in return. Needless to say, that had not happened yet and with my future departure, I would at least have some breathing room from her endless blabbering and blaming.
"Would you like to ride home together? We should tell mother about our departure," I asked.
"She is not going to be happy with you," he said, mounting his own steed, Sol.
And he would be very right about that. I just had not found out yet.
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