Page 131 of The Last Syphon

He didn’t know Inara was aware of his sister’s status, and she didn’t tell him, fearing the repercussions that could bring down on the princess.

She managed to convince him to try worms on a stick. She had no idea how, but at her insistence, he purchased two helpings and took a bite.

His entire face had scrunched up at the taste, and she’d outright laughed.

They spoke of the danger that threatened the realm, and what plan he had to try to solve it. After the somewhat failed meeting with the representatives of Pregon and Roylan, the next step was to appeal to the council.

“I just don’t understand,” she said, moving amongst the crowd. “You’re the Crowned Prince. Why do you need permission to leave? Aren’t you in charge of everyone?” She found the entire thing idiotic.

“The kingdom comes first,” Prince Walder said, as if reciting a line he’d been told his whole life. “There is a great risk involved, and if something happens to me, that leaves the kingdom without a successor.” He picked up a vial, inspecting its contents before placing it back down. They moved on. “The High Council must operate with Arelia’s best interest in mind. Only the king has the power to overrule them, and my father will not.”

“They’re aware of the danger, aren’t they? They’ve seen your reports?” The two walked side by side at a slow, leisurely pace. They were nearing the end of the markets.

“They have. And while some of the High Council members can see the danger, others would rather live in blissful ignorance.” Anger coated his words, his jaw clenching.

“Is that why you haven’t gone out to inspect it yourself?”

He nodded grimly. “Frustratingly, I have been outvoted the last three times. I am hoping to finally win a vote on the morrow when I convene the Council.”

Inara could easily guess which High Council members were voting against him.

Movement caught her attention. There was a group of youthens up ahead, two positioned on the left and two on the right side of the street. Her guard went up.

“So why don’t you just go anyway?” she asked, keeping her eyes on them as they slowly trailed up the footpath.

“Go anyway?” It was clear the idea had never occurred to him before.

“Yeah. What’s the worst they can do? Stick you in the naughty corner?” The two youthens on the left moved, walking slowly towards them. So did the two on the right. Her eyes narrowed.

“The law is very clear. The High Council must approve all missions that hold any element of danger.”

“Even if their decision could put the kingdom in jeopardy?” The youthens crossed the street, switching sides. They slunk in and around people with a slyness that was all too familiar to her. “It’s clear they’d rather pretend there is nothing wrong than actually look into the problem. Denial is a trait we humans love to exploit.”

He snorted. “Agreed.”

“Surely the assassination attempt tonight should sway their decision?”

His head tilted to the side. “You believe the two are related somehow?”

“I don’t know. Was anyone left alive to question?”

“Unfortunately not. It seems you and I are far too competent at killing.”

“Never thought that’d be a bad thing.” She sighed, stopping at a jewellery stall. “Huh. These are pretty,” she said, picking up a set of knuckle rings. They were silver and designed to sit on one’s knuckles so that when they punched someone, it did a fuckton more damage. Inara liked that. She placed it back down and continued walking. “So, you’ll never find out who was responsible for the attack?”

“It’s highly unlikely. The bodies are being rounded up to see if they can give any clues as to where they came from.”

Inara doubted it. She wasn’t speaking from experience or anything, but if one was going to go kill someone, it would be common sense not to leave anything identifying on their person.

Two of the youthens glided up behind Prince Walder. The other two stopped in front of them, smiling widely. One was tall, with a skinny build and dark brown hair. The other was at least half her size with a thick head of yellow curls. They couldn’t have been any older than twelve.

“Good eve, sir, madam. Sorry to bother you. We were hopin’ you could tell us how to get to Flinders Street?” the older one asked. “We seem to be a bit lost.”

Inara’s gaze slid to the side, seeing the two other youthens inching closer to Prince Walder and the coin pouch tied to his belt.

He pointed in front of him. “Just down there.” The choice of street wasn’t a coincidence, but thoroughly planned. It made Prince Walder focus ahead of him instead of behind him.

“Th-thank you, s-sir,” the blonde stuttered. He wrung his hands in front of him, looking down at his feet. “You, um…You wouldn’t happen to have any food?”