#fe alm

But in his defense, Berkut looked downright ridiculous in Gray’s old farm clothes. With its colorful patchwork mending and childish buttons, it had cursed Gray with relentless teasing in the past. The getup was even more entertaining when paired with the perfectly-groomed hands, hair, and scowl.

“People shall think I was born amongst the chickens,” Berkut snapped, pacing the tiny kitchen in which Alm grew up. “I look as though I’ve lived my life in the coop, eating nothing but seeds and dirt!”

Alm forced his smile to remain at a polite minimum. “You look fine. Trust me, you’ll be grateful at the end of the day when you realize it saved your regal garments. Those kids are sticky...”

He knew asking Berkut to help with the farm chores was the easiest way to destroy all developing truces and treaties, so he compromised by letting his cousin supervise while he completed some familiar duties for his old neighbors. All the villagers insisted the king himself shouldn’t stoop to do their farmwork, but Alm insisted things would be different now. It was planting season, and he was home, and he it was a thrill to be a part of it all again after everything he’d been through.

And, he knew the way that Tobin’s siblings would stroke Berkut’s ego with their awe-sparkling eyes and questions wouldn’t hurt relations, either.

He continued his complaining. “How many different fabrics are pieced together? I look like a lady’s quilt that decided to get up for a stroll.”

This time, Alm couldn’t help the little sound that slipped out.

Berkut whirled on him with a pointing finger. “So, you agree!”

“No, no! I just didn’t realize you could be so witty while upset.”

“A Lord of the High Court of Rigel keeps his wits about him at all times.”

“And good thing – these villagers know how to keep a newcomers on their toes. Do stay on your guard around Mister Taylor, he will catch you in the most terrible of puns.”

“More terrible than yours?”

“Eh, I know they’ve been growing on you.” Alm had seen the glint in Berkut’s eye when a new opportunity for wordplay came up. He was biding his time – one of these days, the man’s need to prove his intellect would outweigh his dignity.

For now, however, his dignity was far too intact. “Are you certain there’s nothing else I can wear?”

“Not unless you want chicken droppings on your fancy trousers.”

Berkut grimaced. “So, we really are going to some dirty coop. I will blend right in…”

The pair headed out the door and into the breezy morning air. The sky stretched over them with a rosy pink; they had departed with the dawn. It was warm early this time of year in the south.

Alm took a deep inhale of the fresh scent of earth and greens. “In all honesty, it may be a little ill-fitting, but I think you look like…” His face softened. “Well, never mind.”

Berkut clicked his tongue. “I can’t believe I share blood with such a sentimental child. Just spit it out already.”

Alm had spent his life surrounded by the freckled faces of Faye’s family. He was amazed that Gray’s parents shared the exact same laugh with their son. The marketplace was always full of a handful of little Tobin clones. As much as he admired them, something was missing in those years. Mycen bore no resemblance to himself, nor did anyone bear resemblance to Mycen.

This was the first time someone who wore Ram clothes and stood on a Ram street had eyes the same shape as his, or a nose that curved in just the same way, or a smile that crinkled in the same way when caught by surprise. He felt a warmth in his chest.

“You look like you really belong with us.”

The startled look on his face was forced into disgust. “Th-that is the vilest insult you could have said to me at this moment.”

For all his complaining, Berkut was still here, standing by his side, wearing a commoner’s garments and preparing to entertain a houseful of rowdy children. While Alm may have been naive about that joking glint in Berkut’s eye, there was no mistaking the confidence in his posture as he started down the road.

His ears were tinged red, just as Alm’s did when he was flattered.

“I can’t wait to introduce you to your other family members.”

“Would that be the red hens, or the leghorns?”