Dark Armor: Morning Answers

"Ah, there you are." Ravaj was sitting at the table, with a half-empty plate in front of him and a recently-filled mug of kalf in his hand. He'd selected dark gray robes for the day, decorated with jewelry of sapphire and topaz; a rather elegantly-carved cane leaned against the chair beside him. Its length was lacquered black, and its head was pewter or something similar, cast in the shape of a demon's face. 

Pallian gave him a nod and took a seat, and one of the servants appeared beside him with a warm plate stacked with food. Either Ravaj was still watching out for him, or the kitchen staff had noted his appetite on their own. 

"Kalf or tea?" asked the young woman, and Pallian turned to look up at her. He only managed not to look startled because he wasn't awake enough for that yet; but this was the first servant since his return to the obsidian citadel who'd actually shown the capacity to speak. 

"Tea," he answered after a moment. "But make it strong, and add a lot of honey if we can spare it."

Across the table, Ravaj shook his head. "You heard him. Strong tea, with a lot of honey."

The servant slipped away, and Ravaj said softly, "You're my royal brother. Speak forcefully. Demand what you desire, and assume it will come to you. Don't hesitate." He paused, but none of the servants were near. "Don't make us look weak."

Courtesy is not a weakness, Pallian thought, but kept his reaction silent. Even with Counselor Barias elsewhere, that was not a sentiment that should be considered loudly, or at all. Not here, and not now. "Let them think me weak, until it matters," he said. "It will only make you look stronger, and me better suited as a prospect for the Heir of Edrias."

His brother considered that for a long moment, then made a gesture that was half acknowledgement and half dismissal. "For the Royals of Edrias, yes," he conceded. "But here among our own subjects, be strong."

Pallian nodded back, making his own concession. "Fairly taken." He looked down at this plate, and then reached for his utensils and started in on it. 

For the better part of a minute, Ravaj fell to as well. Then he straightened, regarded Pallian, and asked: "So, now that we're alone: what do you think of my future bride?"

"She's clever," Pallian said immediately. "A quick wit. Likely quick to react in an emergency. One of our hereditary enemies, of course, but treat her well and win her to your side and you'll have an ally that, honestly, I don't think I'd care to face."

"You admire her?" Ravaj sounded surprised, but he sat back, considering. 

Pallian shrugged and shoved down his misgivings. "I'm promised to her eldest sister," he said by way of reminding his brother of the fact. "But House Edrias would not have survived as our enemies for so long if they lacked in quality. I'm not suggesting you go witless, but... be kind, listen to her, make her a friend if you can. I think you will find the rewards well worth the effort. But your efforts will have to be sincere."

"That is... not the advice I would have expected from the Black Knight," said Ravaj. 

Pallian straightened and cut the air with his hand. He had enough food in him now to be more certain of his thoughts and feelings, and his immediate feeling was that his role as the Champion of Teregor should never be mentioned aloud. "That is a topic better left undiscussed, O my brother."

"Quite right," answered Ravaj, looking faintly discomfited. "It shall not happen again."

Pallian shook his head, letting the matter go, and attacked his plate again. As he was finally starting to feel that body might have what it needed, he paused and looked across the table to his brother. "Have you been given a direction for today?"

"Yes," said Ravaj, and for a moment he looked... frustrated? Resigned, at least. "Father and I will be meeting with Barias, Paledes, and Amedin to go over the proposed treaties and prepare our counter-offer."

That was interesting. Either Ravaj disagreed with something that he expected their father to do, or he simply disliked the business of running the kingdom. Or perhaps he resents being forced to listen in while any thoughts or advice he might produce are ignored or claimed by the others. "Do you think he would object if I entertained the royalty of Edrias, to keep them occupied while you meet?"

"I would not," said their father from the doorway. "In fact..." He studied Pallian suspiciously. "...that would be an excellent use of your time. Have Vathira arrange it... and have her accompany you."

Pallian nodded. Very well, he wouldn't be telling Ashmiren anything important about Ravaj just yet; but at least he would be seeing her again. And he would be excused from his father's councils. 

The faint shadow of a scowl crossed Ravaj's face, there and gone before their father could see it -- or at least before he could take notice. Jealousy, Pallian thought, and wondered if Ravaj thought he had been scheming to have things turn out this way. He hadn't, but he could easily see how Ravaj might not believe that.

That, at least, was a problem for later. For now, he needed to eat as much as he could manage and then go find Vathira.