Out of all the crazy hair brain schemes Mare could come up with. Why this one? No doubt her husband the king had something to do with it. She muttered to herself as stomping up to Maven's room… cell… whatever they were calling it.

Looking at what she thought of as a guard she paused, "I need to speak to prince Maven, can you please point me in the right direction?"

"And you are?"

"The sister to Queen Mare."

The guard closed his eyes and counted to ten. Then turned her to face a wooden door. "You may enter."

Through her muttering she found the royal apartment by her herself, "Thank you." Then she entered. He should have been in here. Her eyes scanned the bare room. A single large bed. A single sheet. A doorway without a door and that was it. Two small windows that barely letting any light in. "Um… Hello?" She called out. The Guard closed the door behind her. When no one answered she took a few steps further into the room.

Just as he had placed his head under the spray of warm water he heard someone call out. Turning the water off he tied a single white towel around his middle and placed the second around his shoulders before seeing who had entered. Of course the guard could have checked to see if he was decent before allowing the girl to come in… actually he should have checked. Perhaps he would tell Cal… then again probably not. Let him figure out his own guards now that he was king.

The bitterness surprised him. He had no reason to be bitter. He loved his brother, besides he didn't want the crown to begin with. Elara. Something still left from her. Maybe after the ball he could see if the Montfort queen could do something about what was left even if that meant pain.

Slipping out of bathroom the girl shrieked and turned with embarrassment.

"I called out"

Shuffling over to the closet he slipped into a pair of trouser that were not befitting a prince nor was the plain white shirt. But they were warmer than his practice outfit. Slipping back out he told her, "I Heard you. The guard didn't check to see what I was doing?"

She turned to watch him limp over to the bed. "Should he have?"

Maven nodded once, "You're Mare's sister?"

"I am." She looked around the room puzzled. "Shouldn't you have things in here?"

Choosing to ignore the question he asked, "What do you think of Mare's idea?"

"I'm sure your brother put her up to it."

He shook his head. "No but he agrees with her. Then again she shocked him until he agreed with her."

Gisa sat on the only chair available. Not much of a chair but rather a three legged stool with a back. "She used her ability on the king? That's…"

"No she used her ability on her husband. I doubt she would use it on him if he was in public. Still better him then me." He was cold and the fire didn't really warm the room as he would like but she was shivering. Taking his single blanket from the bed he held it out to her, "Here, it's not much but it's warm."

"Oh but…"

"I'm fine." It was a lie. "So… are you going to accept?"

"I want to know why I should. I know what's in it for me but what do you get out it?"

He held op a finger, "What is in it for you?"

"Two stores that I can do whatever I want in them. Sell anything I want and keep all of the income. I'm sure there is something I'm missing but I'm sure to figure it out eventually."

"Ah." His heart sank. Mare didn't think her sister would say yes unless she compensated her… a lot. Just like paying a wager. "Truthfully I get nothing more then what you see. I may have the title of prince but I'm nothing more the a prisoner. So yes you do get something else that you weren't told. A husband that will never see your shops or have any say in what you do. Really the only time you would ever see me is if you came here… or my brother thought I could behave at some silly event."

"Mare didn't mention that." She mumbled.

"Of course not. And I bet she didn't tell you the reason she wants you to marry me either?

"No… she didn't."

"Your brother is betrothed to the crown princess of Montfort. It gives the silvers here one more reason not to kill me. Or at least that's what your sister thinks."

No that didn't sound right but she would have to talk to Mare. "And when they go to the summer palace?"

"I'll join them and have a room similar to this one."

She looked around the room again. No Cell there was nothing in here that said room. "If we marry I would be excepted…"

"Oh no. You would have an apartment I'm sure of it. Cal would never make you live in a room like this."

"I could request an apartment with two bedrooms or have you moved…"

"No. The guards need to be able to see what I'm doing or not doing. I'm thinking about taking up a hobby. Something safe like art or music."

"So…"

"It's up to you. I have no say either way and if I don't marry you I'm sure either Mare or Cal will find someone to agree to the terms."

Light caught something in her hair, "If you come back you shouldn't wear pins in your hair. I'm actually surprised the guard let you in with them." Another thing to bring up to his brother.

Her hand covered the spot instantly, "Why?"

"They can used as a weapon."

"A hair pin." Doubt filled her voice.

It would no doubt get him in trouble but it was worth the risk. If anything it would get her to say no. Not that he didn't think she was pretty but she shouldn't marry him… no she deserved better. She deserved to marry someone who could be a husband in every way not just in name. "Would you like me to demonstrate."

Trusting that he would not harm her she took one out, "Please?"

Carefully taking from her he held it over the fire in the hearth until it glowed red. Then set it on a piece of paper that had been left from last night. It lit the moment the hot metal touch it.

A breath later the guard rushed in, "Step back, Maven."

"Oh it's my fault really he was showing me what not to do."

"It's fine Gisa." He put the now burning paper in the hearth, "I knew better but now you know all of it."

Storming back to where she had left her sister she yelled, "You could have told me!"

"Told you what?" Mare glanced up from the papers she was trying to figure out.

"That Maven… " She paused, "Is there cameras in here?"

"No. Now what about Maven?"

"He's little more than a glorified prisoner. I just got him trouble because of my hair pin. A hair pin."

"Today , yes Maven is a prisoner. For the sake of his life he can't look like a threat."

"So he gets to sit all day in a room that consist of a bed, a single pillow and a thin blanket. Oh I forgot a chair? " And where was the door to his bathroom? That was question she wasn't ready to ask. Not yet.

"Until Arianna is confident that nothing remains of the programming that Elara did remains. Yes. I don't like it either but marring you is the first step in him getting a life that he can live with. It may not be the life he dreamt of but it will be better then what it is right now."

"And if Arianna can't be confident?"

"Then you will have a husband that you see when you feel like it as long as you don't tell anyone what he really does all day."

Gisa took a seat now to numb to stand, "How confident are you with her abilities."

"Very. So is Cal." Mare closed her eyes, "In truth she only stopped because of the people getting ready to riot over Elara not being dead yet."

"Will it hurt when she does… whatever she needs to."

"It will. Maven already knows how much pain is involved so does Cal if that matters."

"Is that why he's limping? From what she's doing or undoing?"

"Partly. Every part of his body hurts right now. Every time she goes deeper into his mind Maven's body responds not as it should but in a way that causes him the most pain. Elara did that to keep people from undoing what she did."

"By the gods. So you want me to accept… so…"

"He has something to look forward to. He needs hope right now the only thing he has to look forward to right now is hoping to live till the morning. We can't trust those who work in the palace not to kill him while he sleeps so he can't trust them either . It's a real mess right now. On top of everything else."

"Can't he … I mean his abilities."

"No. In that sense he's harmless. Word has already spread about his cuff made from a silence stone. It makes him look less like a treat to Cal but also makes him an easy target to those who want him dead."

For a moment Gisa sat there then sat up straight, "If I'm going to do this we are going to come to an agreement."

"Should I have Cal join us?"

"Yes, I think he should since it's his brother he should know the man better then you do. And I want to know exactly what I'm getting myself into before I agree to anything."

"Darling we have rooms for meetings." Cal smiled as he opened the door but stopped short when seeing Gisa in a chair watching him, "What's going on?"

"Gisa has something that we need to compromise on. I told her we will hear her out."

Well at least she wasn't making the decision for him. "Alright what's on your mind?"

She just looked at him, "You don't sound like a king."

"Good, because I don't want to be in here because I'm the King. Unless Mare is willing to discuss the troops that she moved and where she moved them from and how. Then I would be more than happy to be the king. Or we can discuss the guards from Ciron that I don't remember requesting to come here. And I know I didn't agree to half of things that are going on in the square including rebuilding the bridge."

Mare just smiled so sweetly, "Your men are fine. Most are here in the city doing the job of keeping the piece for the moment. As for where they came from I didn't ask the general. He wanted the men here and I didn't see a problem with it." Then to her sister, "You get to deal with him as another brother instead of a king. Deal with it."

"Fine. First off if I choose to marry, Maven and I will share an apartment or suite. Two bedrooms."

"Reasonable, I'm guessing you talked to him."

Mare answered him, "She got him in trouble with his guard. You may have to sooth things out a bit."

Cal shrugged, "You get me in trouble with the guards so it must be a family trait. Then again the guards you are getting me in trouble with shouldn't be here… but I'm guessing we're not discussing that right now."

"I have not…." She paused then reconsidered, "… To my knowledge I did not get you in trouble with your men. You got yourself in trouble with them for not moving them here before I did."

Cal leaned on the edge of the round table and glared at his darling wife but chose to ask Gisa, "What else?"

"Until then he needs more then what is currently in his room."

"Once Arianna is done, I agree. Just because he won't be able to leave the palace does not mean he can't have his belonging back."

"I doubt a few pillows and blankets are going to do any harm." Gisa protested.

"You think not? What would stop him from hanging himself in the bathroom? Or someone trying to? The blanket he has right now would come apart if he tried. Pillows have a way of catching on fire especially when placed in the hearth to cause smoke. It can be a good diversion."

"He hasn't done any of that since you apprehended him." Gisa pointed out.

"True, but he hasn't be able to move much either. And the guards that are watching over him are from Montfort handpicked by their queen."

Mare sat back , "Arianna could try to finish today. She was almost done anyways."

Cal turned to her, "She also said he wouldn't withstand what needed to be done at one time. Actually I do recall her saying that the pain alone may kill him if she tried."

Yes she had heard that as well. "If Clare helps he might."

"Meaning?" Oh this couldn't be good.

"Meaning, if Clare keeps in control of his body then Arianna can just take care of the mind. Shade was toying with the idea. It seems he wants Clare back in Montfort before Gisa and myself become such good friends with Clare. Or mom with Arianna. "

"If you can convince them… I'll be there to do whatever it is that I can."

Maven let his eyes open to a tap on the door. He didn't answer it before his brother walked in, "Cal? It's late?" The fact the sun had set hours ago was making this visits more disturbing.

"I know. Your bride is rather convincing when she wants to be."

"My… Gisa said yes?" Stubborn just like her sister. At least she was just a red instead of whatever mare was. Then again how could he be sure?

"She didn't say no."

"So why are you here?" His eyes closed once more. After all it was nighttime so it was reasonable to be going to sleep.

" Arianna is going to finish what she started."

Fear ran across his face. Fear of the pain he would have no control over. Fear that he might not survive. "I won't be at the ball if she does."

"We moved the ball to end of the week. This is more important." Cal took a seat on the edge of the bed.

"Will you be staying?"

"I will so will Mare. We won't be much help. But we will be here."

"Not Mare. I don't want her here to see this."

"Maven?"

"Cal, don't make your wife watch this. She doesn't have the stomach for it." He saw she reacted when the reds had been interrogated and didn't want to know he had been the cause of that pain… not to her. Not when she was offering friendship as well as being an ally in saving his life.

"I'll tell her. She can go work with her sister on whatever it is that she's doing."

"You make a lousy husband. You should know what your wife is going to be doing and why. At least when you are asking her to go somewhere else."

"It's Mare… when I know what she's doing I wish I didn't."

"Why?"

"She is moving troops from all over. Relocating them. Demanding training for the ones currently serving. And all without consulting me on any of it. Me. The one person who has been trained to move troops."

"If you ended the war what do they need training for?"

"Apparently whatever general Marcus thinks they need. Oh and he is now my advisor to the military. Appointed by the queen."

Maven pressed his lips together so not to laugh. "Are you king or is she queen?"

"It's not funny."

Laughter bubbled over. "Come on it's a little funny."

Cal rolled his eyes and laughed a little bit, "Alright it's a little funny. I'll just be happy once things settle down. Oh and as soon as the weather breaks near the Choke we will be going there to start Mare's project. Don't ask it will make her happy and keep her busy for next few years."

Another tap on the door, "Cal? Maven?"

"Clare. Is your mother coming?"

"She is. She needed a minute."

Cal stood up and squeezed Clare's shoulder, "Alright I'm going to wait for Mare outside."

Clare slid into the room and took a seat on the bed, "You had Cal laughing that's a good thing."

"We were discussing Mare's attempts to be helpful. Did she really move his troops without asking?" or his input?

"Ah. Yes she's is a little ambitious with some things but she has the mind set for a great queen."

Clara looked over to the door, "Oh good he convinced Mare not to be here. This is no place for her. Not this time."

"Does she look disappointed?"

"No, I think she understands more then he gives her credit for. Oh and mother just arrived." She turned back to Maven, "Last time. You have my word."

"Yeah. That what she said the time before." He gave a small smile that couldn't reach his face.

"Well you have the word of your brother and myself last time. No matter what happens."

"What if she can't finish?"

Clare locked eyes with him and nodded, "She will, I'm here now."

Arianna slipped into the room her hair pulled back into a tight braid, a look of determination on her face. "Mare and her sister will be back in an hour in case she is needed."

Cal nodded once not ready to question why mare would be needed. "Maven?"

"I'm ready." His voice didn't sound so sure.

Sitting next to Maven's back Arianna combed her fingers through his hair trying to give him some comfort. "Just try to relax your mind. The more you fight me the harder it will be on you."

Cal sat on the edge of the bed. His brother's fingers were already curling into fist as tears were begging to stream from his face… and Arianna had only started. Carefully he took his brother's hand making sure not to trap his fingers or anything that he didn't want broken in Maven's grasp. "Clare?"

"He's aware. Knowing you're here gives him some comfort." She looked down at him, "Just don't let go. He's more afraid of the pain then he is of this going wrong."

An hour later Clare screamed for the guard. She needed Cal out of the room in order to do what she could for Maven. The guard rushed in without a second thought, "Escort the king out of here. Now!"

"No!" Something was wrong he could feel it.

Mare slipped into the room hearing the commotion, "What's…" She saw Cal struggling with the guard not trying to use his ability but then again he could if the man didn't let him go. Her eyes glanced to Maven. Silver blood ran from his nose and mouth. "Cal?"

He ignored her and tried to reach Arianna once more, "Stop! You're killing him."

Pushing Cal out the way she let herself feel for small electrical pulses that the healers were working with her to recognize. She felt none. "Clare can you focus on his lungs."

"I…" his lungs were more important then the rest of him, "Yes."

Small little shocks where the heart should be… a breath later she felt what she had been looking for and let out the breath that she was holding. Taking Cal's arm and making sure the guard had him she lead him to the hall. "Cal?"

"Mare…" He glanced over at his brother just as Maven's back arched " … I…"

"We'll be just outside the door. I promise he will be fine." She tried to keep her voice as level as she could not knowing how much more Cal could handle right now. Or what would happen if Maven wasn't alright after tonight.

In the Hall Cal slid down the wall just outside the door unable to stand, "Mare?" His voice broke.

Kneeling down before him she took his hand. "A blood healer is on her way as is a red doctor in case there is something he can offer." She took a deep breath, "I promise he will be fine."

"I can't lose him. Not now. I thought I could kill him when I thought this whole mess was his doing… but I can't not now." A tear fell from his eye. "He's all I have left of my father. Just like Julian is-is for my mother." His voice hitched as he tried to catch his breath. "I Can't…"

Clare slipped out to the Hall her guard making sure no one entered that room until she or the queen said otherwise. "Mother is almost done." She sat down next to him hoping he would look at her, "Cal?" He turned his head to her. "There's not much a blood healer will be able to do for him. Not when the most of the pain isn't physical. But there are thing that she will have to do."

He only nodded.

"You're brother is going to need you for a few days. Two at most."

Shaking he got to his feet so the healer didn't see him looking upset, I'll do anything he needs."