The Jealousy of Kyprioth

Summary: It is 7 years after Dove took the throne of the Kypriang Isles and Aly and Nawat are happy together, with a son. Until Kyprioth's jealousy puts Aly is a position she doesn't want to be in.

Chapter 3: Preparations

Alan woke up feeling groggy. He sat up and saw that he was in the stables and that it was about four hours after midday. Wondering how he got there, he remembered that he went to see his mother and found out that she knew about his magic. He also remembered leaving the castle and walking towards the stables. But how he fell asleep was a mystery to him. Alan felt like he was missing something. Something that was important for him to remember…

He stood quickly and immediately felt dizzy. He waited for the dizziness to pass and then took a look around him. There was no-one else in the stables. He figured that that was why no-one had discovered his nap in the hay. Alan slowly made his way out of the stables and winced against the glare of the bright sun. He hurried to his room, and on the way was confronted by his maidservant, Annabel.

'Master Alan, look at the state of you. You've been spending too much time in them stables. One day I won't even be able to wash that smell off of you. Now come on, let's get you cleaned up.'

Alan allowed himself to be ushered into the room, out of his clothes and into the privy in which he found a tub of water already waiting. He saw the steam rising off from the water and guessed that Annabel had seen him coming from the stables. She was like that, always looking out and having things ready for him. She was like a grandmother to him. He let Annabel scrub him till he was pristine. He climbed out of the bath, got dressed and suddenly felt extremely tired, though he was full of energy on his way up to his room. He barely made it to his bed as he fell into a deep slumber.

Dove stood at her window, looking at everything and nothing, sifting through her thoughts. Oh Sarai, will you have changed?

She had spent the day overlooking the preparations for the arrival of her sister; the original Twice-Royal.

Dove took a deep breath, as she allowed herself a smile at seeing her nephew for the first time. He would be around Alan's age. At least they would be able to enjoy themselves; she sighed, and let herself be taken up with the countless preparations still needing to be done.

The objects of Dove's thought stood looking out at the dock, contemplating her arrival at her homeland, and what her welcome would be like. She watched as men went about their daily business, some acknowledging her as they recognised her. She was so absorbed in her thoughts she didn't hear the light tread of footsteps behind her.

'Sarai, my love. Do not worry. Your sister will welcome you with open arms.'

Sarai leant back into the arms that encircled her waist. She sighed and looked up at her husband.

'What if she hates me for leaving her? Anything could happen and… and I just don't know…'

'We leave in a four days, and we won't arrive for 3 days after that. You rest and stop worrying.'

Sarai and Zaimid made their way back to the castle, the former looking out at the ocean one more time, before she was led under a large stone arch.

Alan woke up with a thumping headache. Though he was advanced in his thoughts and actions, he was still a typical 6-year-old is some aspects. And like all 6 year olds, he went to his mother to complain.

'Mum, my head hurts.'

He went into his parent's bedroom, oblivious that he had walked into the room whilst they were caught in a passionate embrace. They sprang apart and Aly went to her son, gathering him into her arms.

'Oh poor baby, maybe you should lie down.'

Aly shared a significant look with Nawat. They had an entire conversation with their eyes, all of this going unnoticed by their offspring.

Before long, Alan was sound asleep and Aly laid down beside him and dozed off. Nawat spared the two people who he loved with his entire being one glance before he slipped out the room, careful to not wake them up.

As soon as the door closed a soft white light filled the room, not enough to wake up the sleeping persons on the bed. When the light faded a blanket covered Alan and Aly and invisible hands tucked in the covers to make them more comfortable.

Nawat ran down the corridors, feeling very claustrophobic. He had this sudden need for fresh air. Literally, leaping out the door, he transformed in a graceful movement into a crow before his legs even touched the ground outside the palace. Revelling in the feel of flight, he sped up and soared over the city of Rajumat. Sensing trouble, he doubled back and swept into the throne room. Dove was pacing.

'Nawat, I need you to go back to Lombyn. I'm afraid the problems have started up again, and I would like you to be stationed there for a while.'

'How long is a while?'

'Six months...'

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Erytha