A Little More Than Kin

"A Little More Than Kin..."
By: Crystalis Blade

Chapter 8


The gala was going to be held in the music hall and throne room. People were running about doing last minute organization, cooking, cleaning, and decorating, and since the meeting ran over, the throne room was being hysterically refurbished for the evening. The chancellor ran from one area to the next barking out orders and greeting people as they came.

The music hall was already bustling with people as more came in through the guard lined corridor. The music hall was candle lit to give a quixotic feeling. The reflection of the flames in the black liquor of the piano added to this effect.

Edgar continued to walk through the halls, dodging people as best he could and even occasionally helped. He eventually disembarked out the side door at the left side of the castle and breathed in the deep aroma of untainted night air. It was cool in his lungs and made him feel more relaxed as he headed to get dressed. He was worried about the events of the evening. He wondered what people were going to say, what the Emperor was going to ask

if father was going to make it through

He opened the door to his room and went up the stairs. "Okay," he sighed. "I have a little less thanuh oh" he checked his clock, "twenty five minutes!! To get dressed and act like a king! How long did I?!?" He frantically ran over to his closet and pulled out his vestments for the evening then proceeded to take a shower. He jumped out and threw on his pants and ran to his mirror. He started to comb his hair when he heard a familiar voice.

"Brother," Sabin submissively asked from behind. He was in his deep blue slacks and matching under shirt, but he didn't have his armor or cape on, nor his shoes.

Edgar just looked at him through the mirror and continued to get ready. "What Sab. I'mI'm kinda busy here," he said starting to split his hair half up and down and braid the upper half.

"It's just that I need to-" Sabin started looking up at him but Edgar walked back into his bathroom still braiding his hair.

"If you need another shirt just grab it Sab," Edgar yelled out. He was tying a blue ribbon at the bottom of the braid and starting to put his shirt on. He peeked his head around the corner and continued, "isn't that what you need?"

"No. II was justhow, how the meeting went," Sabin faltered putting his head down shaking his head to the side.

Edgar pulled his head back into the bathroom and said, "let's put it this way: I'm glad one of us got out of it." He laughed and came running back out and put on his shirt and armor. He looked over at his brother who wasn't sharing the humor. Actually, he had a very grave look on his face, but Edgar paid it no heed. "Shouldn't you be getting ready, Sabin? I mean, I have to go in a few minutes to talk to the chancellor and hopefully catch Liam, and the ball officially starts in about," he glanced at the clock again, "ten minutes." He grabbed his dress boots and slipped them on without another glimpse.

"Ohokay," Sabin said contorting his brow and nodding. His eyes were deep pools of confused thoughts. He looked up and continued, "heh, I probably should, huh? I guess I'll see you later then." He turned and left down the stairs without another word.

Edgar stopped.

"Sabin? Sab" he lifted his head back up to the sound of his door closing. "Brother," he squeaked out one last time before he got up to get his cape. Thatdidn't seem right He spun his cape around his shoulders and shrugged. Edgar rushed down the stairs hoping that Liam would be waiting for him somewhere.

Meanwhile, Sabin stole through the rear of the castle once more to get back to his room as not to be seen by the looming guests. He came out the other side and walked across the sands. They shimmered in the waning sunset giving the golden color a touch of dripping red.

Ohhow ironic Sabin thought as he opened his door and started up the stairs. He heard the lone patter of his feet as he entered to get dressed.

His clothes were still on his bed when he checked for the umpteenth time of the evening. He silently walked over and began to dress. He sighed. I don't want to do this tonight, nor do Edgar and probably not dad either. Once he had his gear on, he held his crown once more in silent awe before he headed back down the stairs.

This is going to be a very long evening

Edgar flew out his door and down the stairs to a well welcomed surprise of Liam. He stopped and laughed,

"Guess I'm not the only uncomfortable one tonight," Edgar asked Liam with a smile as the two began walk to the ball. Edgar was in a full three piece armor set including blue breastplate with a collar that had an alternating triangle pattern that came to about his Adam's Apple in addition to the shoulder pieces. There was a purple circular gem in the middle of the curve at the bottom of the plate with a leather piece that came down to his belt. The armor was gold lined and sat over his tight, long-sleeved black shirt. He had matching wrist pieces that started at the middle of the forearm and stopped right at the wrist connected to a triangular piece that made a point at his second knuckle. His blue pants were held with a leather belt that had a gold decorative buckle. He also had two white, hanging cloths from his belt and his sword on his left side. His boots came up to the lower part of his knee where there was another purple toned gem covering his knee cap. His hair was half up and braided as it came down to the end with a blue ribbon that stood out against the lower portion of his golden hair.

"You've got that right," Liam responded shaking his head. Liam was dressed complete for the evening as well; his black hair was tied back in his gold dress tiara that matched his gold lined armor. His long sleeves were tapered to his wrists as his boots came just past his shins. He opened the door for Edgar and continued, "you don't look too bad yourself, Your Highness."

Edgar rolled his eyes, "oh, please don't start that, Lee."

Liam laughed and continued in a sarcastic tone, "I can't help it. I'm your date for the evening"

"Oh no. Not youanybody but you."

"Yup. It's me tonight. I'm your guard for the evening."

"And Sabin's?"

"Yeah, his too. But, you know me," he smiled. "I probably won't do my job anyway!"

Edgar joined in his laughter. "True. And I think I like it better that way." The two brushed their light dusting of sand off and continued down the hall to the imminent clamor ahead.