Emin arrived outside the king's council chamber after breakfast, a little early. He paused before entering, seeing Daryun and Narsus also arriving. He went to bow to the two greatest of Arslan's advisors, when the Daryun he was seeing also bowed to him.
"It is an honor to get to greet the Hero Jaswant," Daryun said, surprising Emin a little, although he quickly remembered that the advisors had also said that he looked the same.
At the same time as he was looking into blue eyes and wondering why, an older Daryun arrived with a, "Good morning, everyone."
"Ah, I see," Emin said, his lip quirking up. Narsus was already trying to not tease. "There is old Daryun behind young Daryun, and here I am also the same."
Daryun's confused look fell on Emin. "Jaswant? Here? Really?"
Emin shook his head. "No. I am young Jaswant, not old. Like him," he pointed to Merkan. "My father looks like you - his age. I am Emin." He bowed again, this time to Daryun properly.
He watched Daryun's eyes carefully, then sighed to himself. "I've warned Jaswant already. He doesn't care and says he wouldn't have done it at all save he was convinced that you and King Arslan would need to have at least one of him here, even if it wasn't him specifically. He will give you no contest, if you really care to catch a wild mare like that one. He only thinks the whole family is odd. You may have it if you can win it."
Daryun's eyes went wide, then his hand went to his head in disbelieving dejection. Narsus laughed uproariously. Emin went very serious. "Other than needing to say that, it never happened and I am newly come from his training and nothing else."
Daryun gave a weary nod. "We are already all in agreement, but you need to know the final piece."
Merkan frowned. "Does he have to? I didn't like having to learn it."
Emin raised an eyebrow, then slumped and sighed. "No. Jaswant told me, to give me warning. I don't really want to know it either. The King has already agreed to the silence." All three in front of him nodded.
Their eyes went beyond Emin's shoulder. His ears could hear the footsteps. Others from the inner council were arriving. They all went into the council chamber together to begin the day's labors.
