Proteus was helping the kids do some of their homework, patiently coaching them through reading their letters.
"The. Kingdom. Of… Creee-t-e." Shin'ha slowly sounded out, mouth forming around the words. "invade-d, the peninsula. Of Athens." Shin'ha turned the page of the 600 page anthology, it had taken five minutes to get through the first page.
"Proteus, did I do this right?" A'anun lay his mathematics down in front of Proteus.
Proteus quickly looked over his numbers, "You forgot to carry the one here." Proteus pointed. "But everything else is right. Good job!"
A'anun grinned and wiggled off the bench carrying his math with him.
Seyyal came in carrying one of the babies on her shoulder. "Thanks for your help Proteus."
Proteus smiled, "It's the least I can do."
"Traea will be back soon." Seyyal smoothed A'anun's hair.
The cows had broken through one of the gates and Traea went with the others to round them up. Proteus and his bum leg were ordered to stay and hold down the fort. He couldn't wait for his leg to heal.
Proteus looked at the baby who was awake now and looking around with big brown eyes. The baby hiccupped and started crying.
Proteus's eyes widened.
Seyyal laughed, "Don't worry, he's just hungry." She pulled out a bottle.
The baby immediately stopped crying the moment the bottle was in his mouth.
Seyyal looked at the Prince who was fascinated, "You wanna hold him?"
"Can I? Proteus asked.
Seyyal handed the baby to Proteus who carefully took both the bundle and the bottle.
The baby started sniffling with the bottle out of its mouth. Proteus gave him the bottle back and the baby continued sucking.
"you ever hold a baby before?" Seyyal asked.
"A little." Proteus smiled, "People always want me to kiss their babies."
Seyyal burst out laughing. "I guess that counts."
Proteus looked down at the baby and smiled, this was the first time he'd held a baby for so long, he could get used to this. "He's adorable." Proteus felt like he would move heaven and earth for this baby. He blinked, is this what being a father feels like? I need to go talk to my father.
"Seyyal!" One of the guards came running in, "A couple of the cows made it into the storage shed!"
"What?" Seyyal cursed, "Proteus can you look after the baby for a bit?"
"I got it!" Proteus smiled.
"When he's done eating, burp him!" Seyyal ran after the guard.
Proteus smiled, "Looks like everyone's busy." He said to the baby who just watched him with big brown eyes.
The kids perked up, "Can we go play now?"
Proteus gave them all a look, he was new to this, but not that new. "You have to finish your homework first."
"But we already finished our homework!" Mai complained.
"I don't think so." Proteus smiled.
The kids all pouted unsuccessful in their attempt to escape early.
The baby finished the bottle with a burp. Proteus put the bottle down and put the baby on his shoulder, luckily, he'd seen some of the maids do this before. He walked around the kids doing their homework, gently patting the baby on the back.
The baby pealed out laughing and Proteus was surprised. He turned around and Ariel quickly turned back to her homework.
The baby giggled and Proteus smirked, "Something funny there?" he asked looking at the infant.
The baby blew raspberry's.
Proteus put him back on his shoulder with a chuckle trying to burp him. The baby smelled like soft linen and milk. So small and soft and warm.
"Proteus,"
Proteus turned.
"you'd make a really good dad." Anna said.
Proteus smiled, "You think so?"
The small girl nodded.
The baby burped and spit up a little.
"Proteus, I need help." One of the kids said.
Traea came back inside and found complete and utter chaos.
"I was first!"
"I was first!"
Juniper and Ada were screaming at each other. The other kids weren't helping by arguing over them.
Proteus kept the two girls apart while keeping the baby on his shoulder.
"Guys! No fighting!" He admonished pulling Ada away.
"It was my turn!"
"I got there first!"
"I'm hungry!"
"I don't wanna do homework!"
Proteus looked so flustered. "Guys, Please calm down. I'll help all of you, and get you food."
The baby started crying then and Proteus looked like he was on the edge of panic.
"Alright, that's enough."
Traea picked up the two girls.
Ada and Juniper kicked in the air yelling.
"Traea! I was first!"
"No you weren't you butt head!"
Traea raised an eyebrow, "If you guys think you can fight each other, you'll have to beat me first!" Traea laughed boisterously.
All the kids turned and looked at Traea. With a yell they tried to leap on the general but she slipped away and started running, "Ha! You can't even catch me you slowpokes!"
Proteus heard her laughing all the way down the hallway as the kids chased after her. He just looked around helplessly. What just happened?
The baby hiccupped and fell back asleep.
Traea ran back in, "Thanks for your help Proteus!" She yelled and then kept running, "Keep up the good work!"
"…thanks." Proteus stared as the kids thundered after her, the baby drooling on his neck.
Xi laughed as Proteus blushed.
"Don't laugh Xi." Malakos admonished, "Proteus was trying his best."
"he did a good job!" Xi grinned, "Don't you think?"
Malakos nodded enthusiastically. "Good job Proteus."
Proteus just shook his head, "I had no idea what I was doing."
"No one does!" Xi grinned, "You've got good instincts."
"Ugh. Better than me…" Traea dragged herself over the windowsill and slid onto the floor.
"You finally lost them, huh?" Malakos laughed.
"I had to jump the stream." Traea sighed pulling a twig out of her hair. "You guys should have practice every day, they have way too much energy." She stood next to Proteus.
"Kids shouldn't practice every day, it's not healthy." Xi admonished.
"I had to jump the stream." Traea repeated. "I'm lucky I didn't fall in."
"Traea's instincts leave much to be desired." Malakos smiled. "She's lucky she can back up her bluffs."
"Who do you think I learned it from?" She looked at her father.
"Perses, obviously."
"Where are the kids anyway?" Xi asked.
"I left them a false trail going east, should buy us some time. They'll cool off by then." She put her hands on her hips and took a deep breath. "You held down the fort Proteus. I'm impressed."
"It was a near disaster." Proteus frowned.
Traea grinned, "Two hours is better than I could ask for."
"And nobody got hurt, so I'll considered that a win." Xi nodded.
"Do they often get hurt?" Proteus asked.
"More than is preferable." Xi sighed, "I don't know how they get into so much trouble."
"You're talking about me aren't you?" Traea frowned.
"Of course I'm talking about you." Xi looked at Traea.
Proteus and Malakos laughed.
"How are you liking your stay so far Proteus?" Malakos asked.
"I'm having a lot of fun." Proteus smiled, melting stray hearts. "Everyone is so nice. And you have a lovely family."
"I'm glad you think so." Xi grinned. "Even if we messed up with this one." She pointed to Traea.
"Oy, be careful or you'll catch these hands." Traea protested.
Malakos grinned, "I think you turned out great Traea."
"Aw. Thanks dad." Traea threw her arms around Malakos. "It's nice someone appreciates me."
Proteus said, "Give yourself some more credit Master Xi. I think Traea's is very accomplished. Even if her common sense is somewhat lacking." He winked.
Traea didn't have a chance to reply because a high pitched yell rang out. "There she is! I FOUND HER!"
One of the kids pointed at the doorway.
"Where is she?"
"I knew that trail was fake!"
"Apollo on a boat." Traea ran and dove out the window.
"See you for dinner Traea!" Malakos waved
"She went out the window!" Mai yelled, "She's going for the woods!"
A herd of kids thundered outside.
Proteus turned to Xi, "How many kids are there?"
Xi and Malakos looked at each other.
"There's supposed to be fifteen." Malakos hedged.
"But with all the farmer's kids, honestly," Xi shrugged, "We have no idea."
Proteus nodded.
"You can put them down there." Ling pointed to a table.
Proteus put down the stack of books staring at the room in awe. The library was an older part of the house, probably created with the original building. Ladders stood against the shelves to reach the higher books. Proteus looked at the nearest titles, it was mostly law books with a small guide to rye farming tucked into the stack. Two assistants looked up and froze when they saw the Prince wandering around their library checking out books and running a hand down the spines.
"This is amazing." Proteus mumbled to himself. He saw books that the library in Syracuse didn't even have. Mostly foreign ones, he picked up one about China. He'd love to read it. All of his were out of date and vague at best. "Sir Ling, you practice law is that correct?"
"Mostly." Ling spread out his papers, "But I prefer to think of myself as a scholar on many things." He winked. "Please." He gestured to the library, "Make yourself comfortable. Traea tells me you're a bit of a scholar yourself."
Proteus looked around, "Thanks." He looked around browsing the bookshelfs.
"Ilaf can you grab me the fourth volume of Athenian public works policy?" Ling asked.
"Sure thing!" A voice said from around a bookshelf.
Proteus followed a series of books from middle eastern folk tales to south Asian religion. He rounded the corner mapping out the contents of all the books. History, history. Eastern plains. He looked up and found an assistant at the top of a very tall ladder looking for the correct book.
Ilaf looked down and jumped, "Oh my gods! Your highNESS!-" She lost her balance arms waving.
Proteus dropped the book he was holding and leapt forward as the surprised woman toppled off the ladder. Sliding forward Proteus reached out and caught the woman with an oof forced to go down on one knee.
The ladder spun on one leg and Proteus raised a hand and caught it before it fell on both their heads.
"You okay?" he asked to the woman he was holding up.
"Oh!" Ilaf leapt up and backed into a book shelf making a couple of the books teeter precariously. "Prince Proteus! I'm sorry. What- what are you doing here?" She looked baffled.
Proteus put the ladder down and smiled, "General Traea and I got shipwrecked. I'm sorry to have startled you."
"No! I'm okay! Uh, thank you." She said bowing her head. She picked up the book on the ground and handed it to the prince. "Here. Sorry."
Ling came around the corner, "Ilaf, did you get the book yet?" he looked at the ladder laying on its side, "Did you fall again?"
Ilaf pointed, "Prince Proteus, caught me." She pointed, "uh, sorry. I'll get it." She picked the ladder back up.
Proteus frowned, "That doesn't seem very safe."
Ling winced, "Yeah I've bumped my head more than I'd care to admit." He rubbed his head. The woman grabbed the book and slid back down swiftly, "Here."
Proteus looked the woman over, "Are you sure you're okay?" He asked worried.
"I'm fine. Thanks for the catch." She assured him.
Ling leafed through the book walking back to his desk, "If you need anything Proteus, ask Ilaf, she knows this library better than I do."
Proteus turned to the woman and smiled, "I hate to impose."
"I'm at your service. He's got me filing things anyway." She said smiling completely fine after having fell nearly ten feet, "What is it you're looking for?"
"Maybe something about the far east?" Proteus asked.
"Well you're in luck. We've got plenty on eastern Asia. Anything specific?"
"Recent history, trade routes or political."
Ilaf led him around the stacks and zeroed in on a single shelf of books above them. She pointed, "Recent Chinese politics, is there. Southern Asia is there. And trade routes are over there." She reached up fingers not quite reaching, being of rather short stature. "I recommend this one." She strained for it.
Proteus decided to help and took the book she was reaching for, "This one?" He held it out.
Ilaf adjusted her head covering and dusted off the cover, "Yes, I think it does well to cover the most important events, with some detail on the more complicated issues." She flipped through it and then put it in his hands.
Proteus looked at it, "Thanks."
Ilaf nodded, "Call me if you need anything else." She inched away.
"Sure." Proteus nodded already half absorbed in the book. "Thanks again."
The two other assistants were peering around the corner watching events unfold. Ilaf toddled away looking a bit dazed. The other assistants made meaningful eye contact with the woman and asked her with raised eyebrows and panicked faces.
"Is that really Prince Proteus?" One of them whispered peeking at the reading prince, elegantly leaning against a book shelf, like he was made to be there. "He caught you! Out of the air!" One of them whispered furiously miming the catch. They ducked behind another book shelf.
"He's so much more handsome in person." The tallest assistant fawned.
Ilaf hit them both, "Stop it guys."
"But he's handsome though. Isn't he? Does he smell like flowers or is that in my imagination?"
"He does smell a bit like flowers." Ilaf admitted.
"Why is he here?" the shorter one asked.
"Traea brought him."
The other two nodded, "Oh. That makes sense."
"Wait," The tall one paused, "but why?"
Ilaf thought for a moment, "He said they were shipwrecked."
"Shipwrecked?!" They both cried. They peeked around the corner and saw his injured leg. "He's injured! The prince is injured in our house!"
"Guys! It's not our business." She pointed, "Back to work."
"Should we get him a chair?"
Ilaf pondered it for a moment.
"His leg is injured." The shorter one emphasized.
"We're not gonna bother him." The taller one said, "It's just a chair."
"I can find my own chair I think."
All three of the assistants yelped and turned around.
Proteus stood there smiling holding a pile of books.
"Your highness!" They sputtered.
Proteus nodded, "Thanks for your concern, but I don't want to distract you guys." He said shifting the books in his arms. "These are great by the way, Great pick Ilaf." He held up one, "Well, uh. Excuse me." He smiled and glided away.
The assistants watched him go.
"He does smell like flowers."
Traea dove behind the hedges panting. The kids had gotten really persistent, she didn't know whether or not to be impressed or afraid. She froze hearing footsteps.
"Did we lose her again?"
"Where did she go?"
"I think I saw her near the barn!"
"Look there she is!"
The kids ran off and Traea breathed a sigh of relief. She'd have to thank Perses later.
"Fancy seeing you here."
Traea jumped at the voice and turned around.
Proteus smiled at her from his place on the bench, book open on his lap.
"Athena's chariot, don't scare me like that." Traea sighed. She crawled onto the bench and peeked over the hedge, "What are you reading?"
"Imperial Palace politics of China and how it effects trade routes." Proteus held up the book.
Traea looked at him, "Are you enjoying it?"
"It's very interesting. China has a different value system compared to Syracuse so there's a lot I don't fully comprehend."
"You could just ask my mother about it you know." Traea sat next to him. "She was a noble after all."
Proteus looked at Traea, "Would that be alright? I don't want to make things awkward."
Traea smiled, "You won't find a better expert." She gestured, "The Chinese army is all about politics and bloodline."
"Really?"
"Yeah, there's something called the warrior class or something." Traea shrugged, "As far as I know anyways. But I don't remember much."
"You were born there?" Proteus closed his book giving her his full attention.
Traea looked at the Prince, "Don't get excited." She grinned, "I wasn't there for very long."
"And I've never been there at all." Proteus turned to her. "Anything is better than nothing. What was it like?"
"It was different. Less rocks, more green."
"What else?" Proteus waited.
Traea frowned, and looked at the sky, "It was wetter. At least where I lived, there was a lot of fog in the morning that used to cover the mountains." She made a gentle curve with her hand. "There were a lot more trees too. And rice, rice fields as far as the eye could see." She stretched out the scenery before Proteus. "The land isn't like the land here. It's very flat in between jagged mountain peaks, like shark fins rising into the sky." Making mountains with a cut of her hand Traea continued, "There are oxen instead of bulls. And the houses are different, they're built out of wood instead of stone most of the time. But the palace is enormous, and ornate. A different kind of ornate than here in Syracuse, It's colorful, and the designs have all these flourishes." She tried to explain, "they're incredibly tall, and the roof corners point up. It's not seamless like Syracuse marble but it's got ribbing and patterns. You know?"
Proteus didn't really get it but he nodded.
Traea put her hands down, "But that's pretty much all I remember. Everything looked bigger then, but that was probably because I was smaller too." She paused, "Oh! This one time I saw a princess. Her hair was up in all these loops and she had this huge gold headpiece on. And she was wearing all these layers of thin silk so that when she moved it looked like she was a butterfly. And she had these super long sleeves that almost touched the ground." Traea held up her arm and demonstrated. "I never wore anything like that, but it was incredible." She leaned back reminiscing, "I wonder if Perses remembers."
Proteus watched Traea. His enigmatic general. "What was your life like?" he asked finally.
Traea paused thinking, "I can't say for sure. I thought it was normal, but I don't know if that's what's, you know. Normal." She tilted her head, "Perses and I would always see who could find the better stick, and we'd sword fight. That used to be a thing." She chuckled to herself remembering.
"When did you come to Syracuse? Did you come with Xi?"
"Well." Traea wrinkled her nose, "We met my mom on the way. But Perses and I left on our own initially." She winced, "Which in hindsight was pretty stupid."
Proteus frowned, "On your own? How old were you?"
"nine?" Traea guessed, "I was stubborn even back then." She grinned.
What made a nine-year-old flee the country? The question burned in the back of his throat but he was unsure if he should ask, if he could ask. Even the best-case scenario made him wince. He didn't want to imagine the worst. Was there something that had made a nine-year-old child take it upon herself to leave. He wanted to know, he wanted to know because he wanted to understand.
"What made you leave?"
Traea stayed relaxed, which was a good sign. Proteus looked at his friend.
Traea rubbed the back her neck, "It's complicated."
Which was code for, I don't want to talk about it. Proteus instantly started back peddling.
"That doesn't mean I won't tell you." Traea stopped him, "I just don't really know where to start."
"If you don't want to tell me you don't have to." Proteus said earnestly.
Traea shook her head, "No I don't mind." She smiled, "It just feels weird, I haven't thought about it in a long time."
Traea thought about it.
Then thought some more.
And then some more.
She screwed up her face exasperated, "Jeez, anyway I say it, it makes me look pretty stupid."
What does that mean?
Suddenly a horn blew from the north.
Traea and Proteus both looked up.
"What's that?" Proteus asked.
"We gotta go." She grabbed his hand and started running toward the horn.
Traea and Proteus slid to a halt behind Karos.
"What is it this time?" Traea asked the captain of the guard, trying to look over all the heads.
"It's a challenger." Karos said and then looked at her, "What happened to you?"
"I've been playing with the kids." Traea said breathlessly. "Let me take that." Traea took Proteus's book and handed it to one of the servants.
"Hello again." Proteus greeted.
"Hello." Karos nodded.
Traea pushed through the people pulling Proteus behind her. Perses waved at them and Traea squeezed through to stand by her twin.
"There you are." Traea popped out of the crowd Proteus stumbling behind her.
"About time you showed up." Jin was looking at something else, "Look who we got." He nodded at the stranger.
He was lean and sharp. Auburn hair and hazel eyes. He was wearing Spartan style armor but with a Syracuse sword.
"What do you think?" Jin side eyed his niece.
"He looks interesting enough." Traea appraised the man, "What's his deal?"
"He says he wants to know how strong Xi really is. Apparently Chaigus beat him in a tournament." Dakai said from the left.
"Good for Chaigus." Traea grinned.
Perses waved his hand happily.
"What's the bid?" Traea asked.
"I've got twenty on fifteen minutes, he'll be begging to be a student." Sotor said casually
"Ten, he comes back tomorrow on his hands and knees." Ling smirked.
"He doesn't come back at all." Seyyal grinned, "I don't like his attitude."
Dakai coughed, "I'm probably losing then."
"You in Traea?" Ling asked.
"Fifteen. He'll get two sound beatings and then want to be a student."
Bo whistled, "Specific, I like it."
Lila hummed, "Should we really be spectating so obviously?"
"There's no point in hiding." Naysir shrugged, "Plus it's too entertaining to miss."
The Spartan man was saying something to Xi while Malakos stood behind her looking as threatening as a hamster.
The challenger glanced at the crowd and he did a double take.
"Oh shit." Traea quickly shoved Proteus into the crowd and stepped in front of him.
The Prince was caught by three guards, surprise etched onto his face.
"Sorry your Highness." Karos apologized and pulled him to the back where people stepped in front of the Prince covering him from view.
Xi saw what happened and immediately got the Spartan's attention.
"You want a duel?" The former general grinned, "We'll have a duel."
The Spartan's eyes snapped back to the martial arts master. "Thank You." He bowed his head.
Seyyal made a face, "Oh, is he nice now?"
Everyone moved to the training field, following the challenger and Xi.
Traea came back over to Proteus, "Sorry." She looked worried, "You okay?"
"I'm fine." Proteus assured her with a smile, "you think fast."
Traea shrugged, "Eh- It's part of the job." She helped him up.
Perses came over to check on Proteus too. Although it was hard to tell since he just stood nearby, it still made Proteus's heart melt.
Perses dusted off Proteus's arm and Proteus smiled, "Thanks Perses."
Perses nodded.
"Come on Xi! Kick his ass!" Bo yelled.
"You can do it Honey!" Malakos called supportively.
Xi paced around the Spartan, who's name was Barroy. Her eyes never wavered. He was very well trained, most Spartans were. His style though was not orthodox Spartan, so she was being cautious, he was at the moment an unknown threat. The Syracuse style saber and quick feet were not what she was used to. She wondered where he learned it from.
Proteus, Perses, and Traea watched underneath a tree off to the side, mostly hidden from view.
Xi and the Spartan traded blows, neither giving ground, testing defenses.
Proteus could see the basis of Traea's style in Xi's. The older woman was graceful, almost effortless in her movements. Left cut, right. Diagonal slash. Parry, Parry, Parry. Her straight sword flashed in the sun. Her form was perfect.
The Spartan pressed in, but Xi easily held her ground. One handed holding him back, parrying his rain of blows.
"Does this happen often?" Proteus asked, he was tired of asking that question.
"More often than not." Traea watched. "I told you she was famous in certain circles."
"Yeah, but how famous?" Proteus asked.
"These challengers come in every two weeks." Traea shook her head, "This one time, we had nine in one week, and Mom just kicked their asses at the gate."
Perses nodded.
"Do you fight Perses?" Proteus asked.
Perses actually snorted.
"Perses is too precious to fight." Traea nudged her twin, clearly it was an old joke between them.
Xi started pushing a bit. Sword blurring faster.
"Have you ever been to Sparta?" Proteus asked.
"A few times actually. Their generals and I have a good relationship." Traea flicked her hair behind her shoulder, "Not to brag but I have a fan club over there." She looked rather pleased with herself. "You ever been?"
"Yes. I can't say I have a fan club-" Proteus grinned, "But I do get showered with flowers every time I visit so I'll have to settle with that."
Perses snorted again.
"That's why he smells like flowers." Traea muttered.
"Refreshments?" A servant appeared at Proteus's elbow holding a tray.
"What kind of tea is that?" Traea leaned over.
"Jasmine."
Traea took a cup. "Thank you."
Perses took a cookie.
Proteus just took some lemon water, "Thank you."
Xi took a thrust forward and easily smacked away the challenger's counter. She moved to the left and hit the man's sword hard enough to unbalance him.
Traea grinned into her cup, "Oh, it's over."
The man swung horizontally at the older woman and Xi ducked, spinning she swept out his right leg. He tried to catch himself but Xi grabbed his sword bearing arm and threw him into the ground.
Proteus winced as a cloud of dust rose into the air, that must've hurt.
Perses clapped.
"Yeah Mom!" Traea shouted, "Show him who's boss!" She crowed.
The Spartan sat up panting. Everyone else was cheering. Xi helped the man up.
"Can you teach me that?" Proteus asked Traea.
"What?"
"That move." He mimed it, "You know." He enthusiastically mimed the throw. "Like, Wah!"
Perses and Traea smiled at the excited prince.
"It's you!"
They all looked over and the Spartan was pointing at them jaw dropped.
"Oh shit." Traea gave Proteus's hand to Perses, "Perses go."
Perses pulled Proteus away and they disappeared behind a building.
Traea stepped up as the Spartan came over ready to stop him, her face set in stone.
"Thank you!" The Spartan stopped and bowed deeply.
"What?" Everyone watching stared.
Traea stopped confused, "Sorry?"
Proteus and Perses peeked from around the corner.
"I knew it was you." The Spartan looked star struck. "My name is Barroy, I was there when you defeated the menace of Barsun."
Xi raised an eyebrow, "Did she now?"
Barsun. Barsun. "Barsun?"
"Yes the menace of Barsun in Sparta!"
"Oh! Barsun!" She'd forgotten about that, it was just a side stop on her way to a military exercise with the Spartan army.
"Ever since, I've been trying to find you and become your student." He bowed his head, "If you'll have me."
"Woah." Traea stopped him, "Hold up there tiger. You don't even know who I am."
"A warrior's sword never lies." He said seriously.
Her uncles where snickering and Traea glared at them.
She sighed, "Before all that, Introductions. I'm General Traea of Syracuse." She held out her hand, "Nice to meet you."
He shook her hand, "General- You're General Traea." He was slack jawed.
"That's right. And this is my mother, who taught me. Master Xi." She gestured to her mother who was casually holding her sword with an amused look on her face.
The man looked at Xi and then back Traea.
"So if you want to learn from the best, I suggest you take it up with her." Traea smiled.
Xi raised an eyebrow as the man turned to look at her. Traea gestured helplessly behind him. I'm sorry! I don't know what to do!
The man bowed deeply, "Thank you for the fight Master Xi. If you'll have me it would be a great honor to learn under you. Although if you refuse I understand."
Xi shook her head, "First you want Traea, now you want me. You switch sides easy don't you?" Xi grinned.
The man stiffened.
Traea frowned, "Mom, don't be mean. He's so earnest. He definitely can't take a joke."
The man looked up.
Xi sheathed her sword, "I'm warning you, I'm a harsh teacher. You won't have an easy time."
"I am prepared Master Xi." The man said seriously.
Xi grinned, "Alright then. Doro! Get our new friend settled in."
Everyone dispersed back to their work now that the excitement was over. In a moment it was like there was no fight at all.
"Welcome aboard Barroy." Dakai came over.
"Be careful, Xi is a monster when it comes to practice." Bo laughed.
Ling frowned, "You're from Sparta right?"
"I made a statue for their prince once." Jin thought out loud.
Barroy looked at Traea eyes questioning.
Traea smiled encouragingly, "Don't worry, my family is a little odd, but work hard and you'll fit in." She glared at her uncles, "Can you introduce yourselves before you scare him?"
Proteus came out, it seemed it was safe now. "Do you think he recognized me?" Proteus asked Perses.
Perses shook his head.
"Thank goodness." Proteus sighed, "Hanging out with your family really lets me relax." Proteus started walking away, "You wanna show me where you keep the dogs Perses?"
Perses hopped after the prince.
Traea looked behind the building and found it empty.
Xi laughed, "They abandon you?"
Traea jumped, "Mom!"
"Your new friend ran off with Perses. Can't say I blame him." Xi grinned.
"I can't either." Traea sighed. "Perses is so likable." Traea rubbed her head angrily.
"Who won the bet?" Xi asked.
"Traea interfered so it's off." Dakai said.
"But just so you know I would've won!" Sotor chimed in.
"No you wouldn't have!" Bo argued.
Ling waved Traea over, "Hey Traea! You wanna have an archery competition?"
Traea turned around, "Heck yeah, I need to work all this energy off."
"Careful Traea!" Bo called, "You might get shot in the shoulder again!"
Traea made a rude gesture at her uncle. "I'll stick you with an arrow Uncle Bo!"
Proteus and Perses came back to the house near sunset hearing the bell for dinner. Proteus felt bad for leaving Traea behind, but he figured it wouldn't be a good idea for the general and Prince to be seen together.
"Guys! It's dinner time, wrap it up." Seyyal called.
Her shout was followed by two quick thuds.
"Five more minutes!" Traea shouted.
Naysir shook her head, "Only idiots could go this long."
"I'm winning this for you Naysir!" Ling grinned sweat running down his face.
Both of them drew arrows and notched it to their bows.
Proteus looked on curiously.
A breath for a moment then both of them raised their bows, drew and fired in one breath.
Proteus's jaw dropped. What in Olympus was that? He'd never seen someone fire so fast before. He turned to look at the targets. Center both of them.
Traea clenched her jaw.
Ling drew another arrow.
Proteus went over to Seyyal, "How long have they been at it?"
"Nearly two hours." Seyyal said watching on.
"Who's winning?"
"Ling, he's never lost. But this is the closest Traea's ever gotten." Seyyal smirked, "She must be really riled up about something."
Traea dashed the sweat out of her eyes and notched another arrow.
They both drew and fired again, Traea lagging behind by a hair. Ling's arrow hit center, Traea's wavered to the left.
Is this a Sun family thing? They aimed and fired too fast for him to comprehend.
"Let's switch it up." Ling said.
Traea nodded.
They both took five steps back and switched targets.
Notch. Breath, Draw-fire. Ling's hit the target dead center again. Traea's went further to the left.
Proteus barely registered the flex of muscles and the straightening of their backs before another arrow was flying. Traea hit hers in the center. Ling did as well.
Proteus finally noticed their bows. They bent most of the way in the right direction, but the ends curved outward again.
Ling fired effortlessly, dark eyes sharp never wavering. He could hear the thrum of the string and the buzz of the arrow as it sailed perfectly into its target.
Traea followed a moment behind. She was on target, but not as flawless as her uncle. Though by any other standard, perfect.
Proteus watched them send three more arrows into targets an almost ridiculous distance away.
Traea rolled her bad shoulder with a grimace and set her footing again. She was only six targets behind her uncle. She barely wiffed the target, Seven.
Ling took another ten steps back. Traea followed him. He glanced at his niece who looked too determined two-hundred and fifty arrows in.
They both notched their arrows. Ling drew first and fired, and then in a split second fired again.
Traea's eyes widened as his first arrow hit his target, and the second hit hers dead center. Her arrow hit just below his.
Traea turned to her uncle surprised, "Hey-"
Ling stopped her, "That's enough for today."
"But-"
"Your shoulder is still healing. And dinner is ready." Ling followed tapping her injured shoulder, "Good job. You've been improving."
Naysir called, "It's been five minutes!"
"Go ahead!" Ling said, "We'll clean up first."
Naysir and Seyyal waved and left.
"Your accuracy is still iffy after one-hundred yards."
Traea nodded, "I know." Traea unstrung her bow. "I haven't had as much practice."
"And you still use your first arrow to sight. You know that's a bad habit. You can't let your form drop when you're tired." Ling walked over to the targets.
"Yeah." Traea started picking up arrows.
Ling pulled an arrow out of the target, "What's bothering you Traea?"
Traea pulled out an arrow and frowned.
"Does your shoulder hurt?"
"No." Traea answered quickly and then hedged, "A little, but that's normal." She looked back to the house, "There's something I can't figure out."
Ling quirked up an eyebrow, "That's rare. What is it?" He glanced at the Prince and Perses who were waiting for them, "Is it Proteus?"
Traea snorted a laugh, "No, that's a different problem." She grinned, "Luckily, my current predicament is simpler."
"I would hope so." Ling smiled.
Traea's laughter died away and she dropped her smile, "Uncle Ling, why would a bandit have seventy-five gold coins on him."
Ling instantly frowned, "seventy-five. On one bandit?"
"Yeah, in one pouch. One of the bandits I took down on our way here had a purple purse full of newly minted Syracuse gold."
Ling's brow furrowed, "Have you told Xi about this?"
"Yeah, and father, they are just as baffled as I am." Traea pulled out another arrow. "If I had 75 pieces of gold, I would retire from being a bandit."
"I agree." Ling frowned, "Newly minted, somebody must have given it to them."
Traea nodded. "I think someone hired them to take out Proteus." She said seriously, "They knew about us even when we were travelling incognito. And there were nearly fifty of them."
"Could be the Thracians."
Traea shook her head, "I wish, but it was newly minted Syracuse gold. No Thracian would have that much already without raising red flags. Besides, if they were so desperate, they could've sent their people after us, not hire some third-rate thugs. Whoever hired the bandits didn't want to be connected. And the Thracians don't exactly care about subtlety."
"So," Ling caught on, "Someone within Syracuse wants the Prince dead." He frowned, "Not just anyone either, someone wealthy and connected."
Traea nodded. "I don't know who. I didn't think someone would make a play for him since he's so well liked."
"There's always someone who wants what they don't have." Ling sighed, "They must've been waiting for the right moment."
Traea rubbed her head, "First Thracians and now someone inside Syracuse." She pulled out an arrow, "Things are starting to get complicated."
"And you get to be in the middle of it." Ling smiled.
Traea glared, "You know I hate that."
"Who doesn't?" Ling shrugged, "I'll start researching. See who has something to gain with the Prince being dead."
"Thanks, I don't want to go back to Syracuse without some idea of who to look out for." Traea gathered the last of the arrows.
They started walking back, "Have you told Proteus?"
"Not yet."
Ling raised an eyebrow, "You need to."
"I don't want to worry him until I have answers." Traea sighed.
Ling shook his head, "The longer you wait, the worse it'll be. He needs to know. He's being affected by it whether he knows about it or not."
Traea sighed, "But he's so happy." She looked at the Prince, "I don't want to ruin it."
Ling rolled his eyes, "You're too soft Traea."
Traea glared, "You're just like Somor."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
Proteus waved, "That was some really great shooting!" He said earnestly. "I've never seen that kind of bow before."
Ling smiled, "It's Mongolian. It gives you more power with less draw strength."
Proteus nodded listening closely.
Ling gave his niece a meaningful look and they all went to eat.
Traea fell into bed with a sigh.
Proteus looked at her in the middle of putting on his robe, "Tired?"
Traea rolled over onto her side and looked at him. "Do you think mosquitos are valuable?"
Proteus paused, "Depends. They're valuable to frogs, and fish, and birds. But to me they're a little annoying."
Traea rolled back to face the ceiling, "What do you think would happen if they disappeared?"
Proteus paused tying the sash, "Was this what you were thinking about during dinner?"
"Yeah."
Proteus thought for a moment, "I think every creature has its place. The world is carefully balanced in a way we can all thrive, so getting rid of even mosquitos would have consequences."
Traea nodded. "The frogs would be hungry."
"Yeah, they would be."
Traea folded her hands over her stomach, "Do you think we look like mosquitos to the gods?"
Proteus sat on the bed. "If you were a god. Would you?"
"I don't know." Traea looked pensive, "I hope I wouldn't. But maybe that's just wishful thinking."
"I think the gods look at us like playthings and dolls rather than mosquitos. Mosquitos at least can be annoying."
Traea chuckled, "I think you're right."
Perses turned to Traea, "Why do you ask?"
"I'm procrastinating."
Proteus raised an eyebrow, "on what?"
Traea chewed on her lip and sat up, "One of the bandits had 75 gold coins on him."
Okay. Proteus paused, "What does that mean?"
"Newly minted Syracuse gold."
Proteus thought for a moment eyes darting left and right, "…Someone in Syracuse is trying to get rid of me."
Traea nodded once. He caught on quick. "Somebody well connected, and well off. Do you know who?"
Proteus put a hand over his mouth deep in thought, "Depends if they want me dead or captured." He muttered, "They don't need me for money, so power then."
Traea watched the prince mull it over, "You're taking this surprisingly well."
Proteus looked up and grimaced, "After my first assassination attempt it can't exactly get worse. Besides-" He took Traea's hand, "I've got you." He smiled sweetly.
Traea frowned holding back a smile as hard as she could. She ducked her head, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you before." His trust seemed misplaced now. "You were so relaxed and you seemed unburdened for once, I… didn't want to ruin it." Saying it out loud made her sound so stupid. She covered her face with a groan.
Proteus chuckled and pulled her hand away, "No, Thank you." He smiled.
Traea clenched her jaw, this prince needed to be less damn likable. "My uncle is compiling a list. We'll get the bastard."
Proteus smiled, "Well then they don't stand a chance." He tilted his head, "Can I see the money?"
Traea nodded, "Sure, let me go get it." She rolled off the bed, "It's around here somewhere…" She went to her room and Proteus could hear her opening drawers.
He sighed and sunk his head into his hands, he thought he'd be safe back in Syracuse. But there were enemies there too. He was wondering if there was anywhere that was safe for him. He'd gotten too used to not being on his guard.
Traea cursed and he heard some books topple over.
Proteus smiled, well, he'd found one place at least.
Traea came back in holding a purple purse. "Here we go." She plopped down on the bed.
Proteus opened it and picked up a coin, new mint, from this past year. When the kingdom had issued new coins to prevent counterfeiting. Syracuse coins were pretty strong in the market, it wasn't rare to see them in other countries, but these were brand new. Someone would be hard pressed to get this amount outside of Syracuse. He poured out the rest onto the bed, the gold clinking together. He shifted through them all and Traea was right, they were all new mint. Even some of the outlying provinces and their nobles wouldn't have this many stockpiled yet. Proteus thought that maybe it could be stockpiled by a major organization, but if it had been he'd had have heard about it already. It had to be someone who dealt with the treasury regularly. Most likely a noble then.
"It has to be a wealthy noble, active, with something to gain from me disappearing." Proteus sighed, "Unfortunately that isn't a short list."
"Nobles." Traea sighed. "Always over reaching their bounds."
Proteus eyed Traea, "Aren't you a noble?"
"Not by choice." Traea huffed, "Your father gave me a title that I didn't want."
Proteus shook his head, "Malakos is a noble."
"Oh yeah..." Traea started sorting the coins, "I forgot about that."
"What did my father give you?"
"More territory, and I'm technically a Lady." Traea postured. "He basically gave my family more land to look after since Minuchki wasn't doing his job-" She pushed a few coins to the right and then paused, "Don't tell anyone I said that."
"My lips are sealed." Proteus promised watching Traea sort coins that seemed to have no difference.
"What's the purity of these coins?" Traea shook two together listening.
Proteus smirked, "That's a state secret."
Traea put them down, "They sound purer, but I'll have to get scales to be sure."
Proteus rolled his eyes, "Why do you even ask?"
"I can be wrong." Traea said simply, "Was I?"
"They're purer by ten percent." Proteus frowned.
Traea continued, "I asked one of the bandits who hired them, but he had no idea." Traea held up the coins that she's sorted to the right, "These ones have bite marks." She had three in her palm. "So at least two other bandits knew about the gold."
Proteus examined the coins, "So they should know who hired them." Proteus thought, "If we catch them they could tell us."
"If we didn't kill them already." Traea sighed, "And unless we have a good lead, we'll never find them." She shook her head.
Proteus rubbed his forehead. "This is going to be harder than I thought." He looked at Traea, "If we can't narrow it down, what do we do?"
"You get yourself a full-time guard." She held up a hand to stop his protest, "I know you can take care of yourself. But even you will have to sleep sometime."
"Who would be my guard? If there's someone after me, I can't just hire anyone."
Traea crossed her arms, "I could have one of mine do it." She said seriously, "At least at night. We can make it unofficial so that no one else will know."
Proteus scooped all the coins back in the purse. He finally noticed the dried blood on the bottom staining the leather. He pressed his lips together, "I can't have anyone else hurt for me." Not enemies, not friends.
Traea looked at her prince. He was far too kind to be a king. It must've hurt to admit but it had slipped out regardless. He was far too caring and soft, to everyone, his allies and his foes alike. Traea couldn't help but feel bad for him. Proteus was a kind and gentle soul, who loved adventure and believed that people were inherently good, he was human. Prince Proteus was responsible, fair, and just; upright and moral beyond human means. However, both of them valued Syracuse over themselves. Perfect, painfully and effortlessly perfect, held together for so long she wondered if he even knew how not to be. He's like a diamond, flawless, precious, created by heat and pressure so intense anyone else would've been crushed already.
Reaching out Traea gripped his arm. "It's going to be okay."
Proteus sighed, "Traea-"
Traea squeezed him firmly, "You have me." He'd been carrying his mantle alone for too long. "It's going to be okay." She said it with such gentle conviction that Proteus had to believe her.
He let out a deep sigh he'd been holding in for twenty years. He pat her hand, "Okay."
Traea rubbed his back, trying not to be obvious about checking his stress. They were looser than before. The kids were good for him. A thought obtrusively popped into her head and she sat up, "Do you want to play mahjong?"
Proteus blinked suddenly ripped away from his thoughts. "What's Mahjong?"
"It's like Chinese rummy." Traea explained, "But with tiles instead of cards."
Proteus chuckled, "Sure." He looked around, "Where are the kids anyway?"
"My father is doing bed time stories tonight." Traea got up. "They like his stories best."
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