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Soldiers. Hundreds and thousands of trained killers.
Oh, there were also myriad giants and farmers further back in the crowd. But they weren’t his focus.
Aurelius gulped. Only now did he appreciate Calix’s reluctance to take him on as an advisor. Seeing them like this, with their shining weapons and strong stares, he’d been a fool to think they could keep a relationship hidden.
Calix carried himself with apparent calm, as Brothers and Sisters saluted their general, only to eye Aurelius suspiciously. The sharp lines of their helmets made their faces even darker, suggesting how quickly that curiosity might turn to contempt.
If they knew what we are, would they even offer us a chance to walk away? Or would they gut us where we stand?
“We don’t have to do this,” he whispered, half hoping Calix would concur. “We could always duck somewhere quiet for now, and you can introduce me more slowly?”
Calix set his jaw. “No, Aurelius. You were prepared to go to the Grove for me. Now it is my turn.”
“But, what if they suspect? I don’t want you getting into trouble on my behalf.”
“Don’t you? There must be first time for everything.”
“I’m serious!”
“So am I,” he whispered through the corner of his mouth. “Trust me, it’ll look worse if we creep around. No one here will question two men slapping asses and spending all their time together, as long as they’re relaxed about it. But the second you start acting nervous, questions emerge.”
“Yes, but—”
“Don’t worry. I can do this for you. For us.”
He sighed. “Thank you.”
He did his best to follow the advice and relax as they moved into the courtyard proper, where a wooden platform had been erected in the middle. That stage was already surrounded by people, and lit on each side by a large brazier, crackling in the dusk air.
The two of them weaved deeper into the crowd, with more senior captains, both men and women, coming up to gossip with Calix about upcoming strategy. The prince warmly embraced them all, including one large, older woman in a hugely plumed helmet, taking frequent swigs on an amphora and appearing barely able to stand from the drink.
Though most seemed curious about his presence, Aurelius slipped into the comfortable role of a cultured Mestibian idiot, all artsy and passive, who now needed the big strong fighters of Ardora to sweep in and save them from their past foolishness.
It worked a charm, as he knew it would. Sometimes it was good to shock a potential rival. Other times it was better to hew completely to expectation—for as long as someone could slot you into a ready-made groove, then you melted into the background of their prejudice.
In less than half an hour, he went from a virtual unknown to just another part of the furniture.
Son of their ruler, you know. Going to help us navigate those poor defenseless little towns down south.
Horn trumpets swept the night, reverberating back from the steadfast stone. First to the stage was the king, climbing the wooden stairs without any apparent pain, buoyed by the great wave of affection from the crowd.
Then, from the very back of the press, moving slowly, came Ms. Securia. She was dressed in the cleanest, whitest stola he had ever seen, trimmed with a brilliant yellow. She clearly wasn’t happy to be there. But still, she’d turned up, which counted for something.
She spotted Aurelius from across the crowd and made her way over. “Your Excellency,” she said, looking from him to the prince. “I thought you had departed?”
“I decided he could stay a little longer,” said Calix, with surprising warmth.
That warmth must surely have been for the new journey the two of them were starting together, and the remnant glow of his recent feeding, rather than for her. He couldn’t recall Securia having met with Calix since Aurelius arrived. Although, now that he thought about it, she must have known him for decades?
“You aren’t nervous?” Aurelius said. “Half the polity must be here.”
She took his hand, and for a moment he became lost in her eyes—as if they were the only thing in the entire world. There was such resolution there. Such focus. And yet, such pain as well.
She deserves this. All the credit, all of the glory, all of the fame and reputation. She has earned it all.
“No, Your Excellency,” she said, blinking him free. “I think I will be just fine.”
Aurelius cocked his eyebrow once she’d left, shocked at his thoughts. Not wanting the credit? Allowing someone else to have the glory? That wasn’t like him at all.
