11. The Morning Sun
The Morning Sun
T he doors to the Eryas Palace swung open and Declan quickly turned from Aquilan and straightened.
There was no evidence–outwardly, at least–that he had touched the Sun King.
But internally? His fingers tingled. He could still feel the warmth of the Sun King’s skin through his clothes as if Aquilan was imprinted on him.
Why did I do that?
Why? Are you honestly asking or are you just shocked you finally acted upon what you wished to do? The voice asked indulgently.
Declan did not answer that question, instead he asked another, Who are you?
Me? Why a little voice in your head–
I know you’re not me! Declan cut him off .
You used to think so.
I was wrong. And I have proof now.
Proof?
The things you know about Ailduin, I didn’t know about them. Finley never told me any of that, Declan pointed out.
Ah, but you hardly remember yourself so–
You’re not me, Declan stated firmly.
All right. I concede, I am not you though I never claimed to be, the voice chuckled softly. But I suppose that does beg the question as to who I am .
Are you going to tell me?
You need to focus on what’s going on in front of you. Don’t you think?
Of course, you’re not going to tell me! Declan growled.
Dear Vesslan isn’t going to let you have a pleasant afternoon alone with your dearest Sun King. Not if he can help it, the voice pointed out. Isn’t that what’s most important? Being with Aquilan?
Despite feeling as if his world was turning upside down, Declan listened to the voice.
He smoothed his face into an expressionless mask as he saw that, indeed, Vesslan was waiting for them along with two servants just inside the palace doors.
Further, as Aquilan had requested, one of the servants held a gold tray with a perspiring glass pitcher containing a sparkling drink while the other servant held a gold tray with three glasses.
Three, you see? Not two. Though if he had just brought out two, I can assure you, that one of them wouldn’t be for you, the voice huffed with laughter.
Probably not, but Aquilan would have been upset.
Yes, indeed and even Vesslan would have realized that.
Vesslan bowed low and the servants inclined their heads. Aquilan’s mouth flattened as if displeased by this display somehow, but he quickly switched it into a smile though it looked like it took effort.
“Vesslan, thank you so much for ensuring this was ready. The day is so warm and I am thirsty. Declan, are you thirsty as well?” Aquilan asked as he lightly stepped into the golden-domed foyer.
Declan didn’t say anything as the question wasn’t a real one.
It was just something for Aquilan to say while he shook off his annoyance at his brother.
He stepped into the grand foyer after the Sun King.
The foyer was a massive circle with a soaring ceiling that appeared to be gold-plated.
The floor was alternating white and black pie-slices of stone.
There was a massive stand of flowers in the center of the circular space that stretched well above Vesslan’s head.
The heavy blooms bobbed in the warm air currents.
The voice chuckled in his mind as it said, This truly is based off of Efenalune!
Oh, the gilt! Ailduin will be unimpressed.
He is! Look at those little frowny-face lines between his brows!
He’s trying to hide it, but he’s likely thinking all this gold could have been used to feed and house the poor or something.
You mean Aquilan. His name is Aquilan , Declan found himself frowning, too. Why are you getting his name wrong?
Oh, yes, of course. Forgive me. When you’ve lived as long as I have and met so many people, well… it’s easy to get confused, the voice answered, but it didn’t sound confused at all.
How long have you lived? Declan’s alarm grew as the voice was definitely no longer even pretending to be some part of his own consciousness. Who are you?
But even if the voice had been inclined to answer, a servant popped up in front of Declan at that moment. He wasn’t unaware of their approach. He’d seen them coming out of the corner of his eye. They bowed and held out their hands towards the books in his.
“May I take King Aquilan’s books?” the servant–a woman with long copper hair plaited to her waist–asked.
Declan turned to Aquilan. “Do you want her to take them? I can carry them to wherever you would like them.”
Aquilan already had two drinks in his hands. “Yes, please let her take them. Ah… I’m sorry, my dear, but I do not know your name yet.” He asked that to the woman.
The servant started as if shocked that he cared what her name was. But knowing Vesslan even a little, he guessed that the Emissary didn’t know and didn’t care. The elven woman lifted her head and said softly, “Cellica, my king.”
Aquilan gave her a brilliant smile that had her eyes widening. “Cellica, yes, please do take the books and bring them…” He looked a little at a loss for a moment, but then turned to his brother and said, “I assume that in my bedroom I have a writing desk of some sort, yes?”
“Of course, you do. I’ve already put many of the documents that you need to review upon it and–”
“Yes, yes, well, I’m sure,” Aquilan quickly moved the conversation away from that deadly dry topic and said to Cellica, “Could you please place the books there?” Declan surrendered the precious volumes to her, but before she could leave, Aquilan added, “Oh! And could you locate some kind of pretty wrapping paper for me? One of the books is a gift.”
Cellica nodded. “I could wrap it for you, my king.”
“Oh, no, no, I would do it myself. Just something… Rhalyf is very fond of purple and red. So perhaps some paper of one color and a ribbon of the other?” Aquilan looked tentative as if such a thing could likely not be found, but Declan was pretty sure that Cellica would move Heaven and Earth to find just the things.
Cellica smiled genuinely. “Of course, I will make sure the materials are delivered to your rooms.”
“Thank you, Cellica. I do so appreciate your help in this.” Aquilan beamed at her.
And Cellica appeared dazzled by him for a moment, but then she was beaming back and gave a delicate curtsey before rustling off deeper into the palace with the books reverently cradled against her chest.
Already, she would die for him! The voice said in delighted amusement.
He is a good and kind elf, Declan answered, but that seemed hardly to encompass Aquilan’s true nature.
Yes, he is the shining star of his people. A guiding light even in the darkest of places, the voice murmured.
“Here, Declan, taste this. It’s wonderfully cool and refreshing!” Aquilan handed him the second drink he held. Vesslan had been reaching for it first as if Aquilan was going to serve him. Instead, Aquilan gave Vesslan his own drink. “Here, brother, have mine. I’ll have the third glass, please.”
So the Sun King was now without any drinks while he and Vesslan stared at each other over the tops of theirs.
Vesslan’s eyes were narrowed. Declan kept his own expression neutral.
He took a sip of the drink. It was delicious with tiny bubbles and a refreshing citrus taste with just a hint of sweetness.
That’s right. He is beneath you. Not worthy of notice , the voice said, but then cautioned, But be careful. Vesslan may be a bug, but even a bug may kill. So pretend to ignore him, but keep him well in your sights.
Kill? You think Vesslan would kill me? Declan couldn’t help the disbelief in his voice. Throw me out of here? Yeah, but…
When he knows who you really are, yes, he will want to kill you, the voice said.
Cold washed over Declan. He wouldn’t have been surprised to see the perspiration on his glass turn to ice. Who am I?
Ah, the tour is starting! Focus! Focus!
You must answer me! I need to know!
But the voice refused to answer and Vesslan was speaking.
“Shall we begin in the throne room, brother?” Vesslan asked Aquilan unctuously.
“Must we?” Aquilan asked faintly, but then seeing Vesslan’s fallen expression amended with, “Of course! I wish to see the throne room. I’m sure you’ve made it quite… impressive.”
“As it should be.” Vesslan started walking ahead of them briskly, saying over his shoulder, “The Empire is growing ever bigger, brother! The throne room must be the heart of it!”
Aquilan met Declan’s eyes at that moment and there was a sort of despair in them.
Declan often feared the words that came out of his mouth.
They were uncertain at best or misconstrued at worst. They were not his friends.
But he found himself compelled to speak again as he seemingly often did with Aquilan. For good or ill.
He stepped to the Sun King’s side and whispered fiercely, “Remember that this is your palace and your Empire. The heart of it is whatever you want it to be.”
Truer words were never spoken, the voice agreed.
Those clear as glass blue eyes studied his face for long moments. But then, Aquilan nodded and that tensity drained out of him. His steps seemed lighter and his shoulders were thrown back as if he were welcoming whatever would come.
And he agrees with you! Most excellent. A step in the right direction, the voice said.
Aquilan doesn’t need my help. I just… Declan broke off. For all the Sun King, undoubtedly, had friends and advisors–not to mention plenty of family–Declan sensed that Aquilan was in some very profound way alone .
The two of them walked after Vesslan while the servant with the pitcher followed closely behind, ready to fill their glasses at a moment’s notice.
Vesslan was monologuing about the architecture, the portraits on the walls, the value of this and that piece, which neither he nor Aquilan appeared to be listening to.
Not that Vesslan noticed as he appeared to just assume they would hang on his every word.