Harin - One
His body ached from the ride down from Aquilen, his mind tired from thoughts of how to prevent his sister having to leave the life she knew. He knew this was some kind of twisted punishment his father was trying to place on him, but all it really did was hurt Alba, and that was the last thing he wanted. Harin cursed again, just like he had done constantly for the last season. He passed through the armory with only a nod to one of the guards, remembering the way to his mother’s chambers. Maybe she would know a way to put this right. If there was a way.
He was so lost in his own thoughts he did not see Fabia turn the corner to his left, and stormed into her with a force that knocked her off her feet. He reached a hand down to help her back up, but she simply ignored him, gathering her skirts with an emotionless face. Only when she was standing again did she say a word. “I see you have returned to us.” “And I see you are as cold as ever,” He muttered under his breath, before adding “Good day to you too sister, you are well, I hope?” So that she could actually hear. Shooting him a look, he could tell she was not in the mood for pleasantries. Instead, he asked “Have you seen mother?” “Throne room.” She retorted, curtseying too him hastily and leaving him alone in the hall. Harin sighed again, a new habit of his. He understood why his sister behaved with him the way she did, she believed that as she was older, the throne should be hers. And if  Harin had the chance, he would tell her to take it. He had no real desire to deal with matters of state, he would much rather pretend it all did not exist. If only it was that easy.
He carried on, heading down the spiral staircase to the Throne room in search of his answer. Pushing aside the great wooden doors, he could not see his mother. He could not see anyone, and as he walked towards the thrones themselves it seemed to be empty. “Ah,” The voice cut through the air like a knife, and he cured once again under his breath. “Your sister said I would find you here.”
So this was Fabia’s doing? By the god, he would make sure she regretted this. Right now, his father was the last man in Surd he wanted to see. And yet there he was, following Harin’s path to where he now stood next to the towering thrones themselves.
