Kurthnaga stared at the door Ike had just entered, thoroughly depressed. He'll never forgive me, he thought resignedly, recalling how the mage still held a grudge against Nasir. I can't even bring myself to talk to Ike about it... He used his good hand to pull himself up, wincing as he looked out over the entrance.
I'm not doing any good standing here, Kurth realized. He had every right to criticize my leadership- I haven't done any lately! With a sudden burst of energy he swung himself down the steps, determined to return to his duty. First, I need to finish that paperwork, then go out and speak to the people, tell them the news, ask what needs they need met. Didn't the bird tribes request hunting ground? I'll have to contact Reyson...
"Your majesty! What in the world are you doing?"
The dragon king cursed mentally. Gareth appeared from nowhere, holding a fresh roll of bandages with a concerned look on his face.
"You should be resting!" The red dragon continued, "Not up and climbing stairs of all things- whatever is the matter?"
Kurth met Gareth's eyes hesitantly, feeling his cheeks heat. "Gareth, I should not be neglecting my duties. I am the king of Goldoa. My father would not wish me to rest- nor is it right to treat my people thus. How is Ena?"
The red dragon looked confused. "She just gave birth, you majesty, but- you must take care of yourself- would you like me to carry you to your office?" There was a pleading look in his eyes that stopped any ideas of refusal.
"That would be most appreciated..." Kurth said with a sigh. He was pulled off the ground in an instant, bridal-style, as Gareth rushed him to his office. For an instant, Kurth could've sworn he seen a dreamy smile on the older dragon's face, but it vanished the next time he looked. Gareth set the king down on his office chair, right before three stacks of paperwork that towered over the young king's head. Kurthnaga stared at them with wide eyes.
"Would you something to drink? Tea, water, vodka, perhaps?" Gareth asked. Kurth heard the word vodka echo in his ears, but shook his head- he could wonder about Gareth's strange behavior later.
"No, but thank you," he said with a smile. "I'd appreciate it if you could keep Almehda occupied, though. I know it is difficult..."
An echoing smile grazed the elder dragon's face. "Yes, my liege."
He left with a spring in his step, leaving Kurthnaga to sort through the 1,243 documents on the desk before him. The young dragon king fell asleep wondering how it was legal for giant flame dragons to skip, and wishing marshmallows would fall from the sky.
"You're scowling again," Ike said, tripping over a tome as he made his way over to the mage. The crash shook the windows slightly, and Soren cringed, eyeing the wrecked tome with sympathy.
"I have infinite reasons to scowl, Ike. You should know this by now."
The former general grinned, his spiky blue hair now split in two directions to look like horns. Soren ignored him as he stood up, scrawling out the coastline of Goldoa onto her still-developing map. She tightened her braid self-conciously as Ike leaned over her shoulder.
"So the new continent's gonna be in that big blank space?" he asked.
His staff officer nodded.
"Um… well, you just plan on staying in here all day?"
Soren's eyebrows drew together as she felt Ike's breath on her back. "You really think leaving would be wise, given our location?" The apparent answer was no, but she knew it'd take a few minutes for him to get it.
"…oh, right. Forgot about that."
Soren was tempted to ask if he remembered anything, but knew it wasn't worth the breath. Besides, that built-in idiot of Ike made him forgivable. Simple. Trustworthy. But there was something lacking in his company, too- something Soren often wondered if she'd misinterpreted. Perhaps it was depth- Ike rarely descended beyond the surface level of conversation. Or maybe contact. Whatever it was, something was missing.
"I'm gonna go talk to Nasir. See how much longer we'll be stuck here."
The mage nodded. "Please do. Though the answer will always be 'too long'…" She heard a chuckle behind her, followed by the closing of a door. Blissful silence entered the room.
Five minutes later, the door shot open.
"Soren, Gareth says Ena just gave birth! I'm gonna go see the kiddo!" Ike shouted. Soren clutched his ears as he turned in Ike's direction.
"I'm right here. No need to shout." She kept her eyes closed, doing her best not to glower at him. The mammoth of a man sauntered off, leaving the door wide open. Soren snuck a glance outside- no one roamed the halls, not even one of the eyeless servants. The quiet emboldened her to step outside, closing the door behind her as she began to wander the palace.
One thing about the Goldoan palace that never changed was its grandeur. The ceilings seemed to stretch to the heavens- the engravings were all masterfully done, figures showing the great strength of the dragon tribe building all manner of structures, filling all roles in life. As she passed them, Soren recalled that only black dragons held the power of flight, and vaguely wondered if they descended from the same Zunama as the crow tribe. It seemed a likely theory- black dragons lived the longest, and thus were closer in lineage to their ancestors. Without realizing it, Soren pushed open the door to Kurthnaga's office.
Curses filled her mind at the sight of the young king. How could one with so much experience be so incompetent? It made no sense to her. Why, he's even sleeping right now, of all things! Her eyes traveled over the young dragon's tousled hair and the pen still held in his hand. Curious, Soren crept over to his location, staring at the edges of the document the king had been about to sign. Not that she had a reason to be interested in political matters, but it might come in handy, she reasoned.
Hunting grounds for the new bird laguz nation? So this is their solution to the meat problem… but can Goldoa even supply that much meat? And if they couldn't, where would they import it from? Crimea seems the only option…
She took a few steps back as the king's hand twitched. All her instincts told her to leave, but some other force kept her rooted to the spot, fixed on the king.
"….Mmmm…" The black dragon shifted in his chair, lifting his head from the desk. His eyes never left the page in front of him, but a sigh escaped his lips. With a final read-through of the document, Kurth signed the document and stamped it, placing it in another large pile of signed documents for delivery. His head served to check the next page, and for the next half hour he worked without looking up.
Soren hadn't moved. She knew if she did, Kurth would immediately see her, and undoubtedly question her later. Please, please doze off again… she wished, her eyes wandering over Kurth's exhausted figure. Go to sleep already…
Kurth looked up. Their eyes met instantly.
"Good… afternoon?" Kurthnaga asked cautiously. "I apologize for ignoring you. Is there anything you require?" He folded his hands at the desk, trying to blink away the haziness in his vision. The mage before him dodged his gaze.
"Nothing," Soren uttered rapidly, though it lacked its usual venom. She rushed out the door, almost slamming it behind her in haste and leaving behind a very confused Kuthnaga.
AN: Update schedules have changed; school has started. I won't be abandoning anything, though, so that's the good news! But I am feeling like Kurth- staring a school newspaper in the boonies is no easy task. More to come on Nasir and Gareth, plus- dare I say it?- fluff. (Not between those two…)