Chapter Fourteen: Brothers

"I still can't believe he did that."

Kedi, serene and patient as he sat on the gym floor next to Nikos, looked over at his uptight friend. While the other cadets relaxed and leaned back on their hands, Nikos was scrunched into a tight little knot of pure tension. It was a broiling hot and humid day, too hot to fill the gym with fifty active cadets, so one-on-one matches were being called. They were watching Avocato and another cadet spar using an ancient Ventrexian weapon known as an ust, the ceremonial halberd of the Ventrexian Royal Guard. It was a long staff with two crescent-shaped blades surmounted by a spike at one end and a rounded metal counterweight at the base. Avocato's opponent, Currant, was holding his own, but only because Avocato was handicapped by having to stay within a small circle the instructor had drawn on the floor. Unfortunately for Currant – and everyone else in the class – the ust was Avocato's favorite martial arts weapon and he was frighteningly adept with it.

"Are you still upset over the brush? Why? Avocato didn't send it."

It had been five days since Cordell's note, three since Princess Apricot's. In that time, Nikos had grown increasingly agitated and quiet, almost snappish as Catowba's actions gnawed at him. Sensing he was somehow the cause of his friend's mood, Avocato had wordlessly drawn back, clearly hurt and confused, but unwilling to press. Kedi, who'd had enough, now took up the combined role of oracle, mediator, and older brother.

"I hate to say this, but it just seems very . . . presumptuous to send someone a gift in someone else's name."

"But the lady was grateful and immediately put it to use."

"But what if she wasn't?"

"You wouldn't know because she wouldn't have sent a note."

"I can't imagine what Lady Cordell thinks of me."

Kedi smiled. "I imagine she thinks you're a gentleman, one with good taste or at least sense enough to go to your friend for advice on what to send her. I doubt she would have taken the time and care to ink you a picture of a silverwing in such gorgeous detail otherwise. Women like her and Lady Clawdia are used to receiving gifts, but Cato's right. It's usually something safe, like flowers or froo-froos, not something they actually want."

"Catowba sent Lady Clawdia flowers for you!"

"And I thank him for it. She wants flowers and froo-froos."

Out on the floor, Avocato stamped his foot and thrust the ust far forward with a savage cry, catching it just above the counterweight and swinging the weapon in a wide arc. Had it not been a practice weapon, anyone standing within the circle of his reach would have been sliced to ribbons. Currant nimbly dove and rolled out of the way, his own ust at the ready, alert for any opening but not holding out much hope.

Nikos sighed, not liking the resentment that had settled into his chest. It was a struggle to hold his emotion at bay, and he did not want to spoil the pleasure he'd had after such an exciting and eventful visit to Avocato's home. He had liked Catowba, but he could not wrap his brain around what passed as acceptable behavior in noble circles.

"Nikos, I see you are upset. Avocato does as well, even though he doesn't understand -"

"I'm upset because something was done in my name without my knowledge or permission."

"If you had known, would you have refused?"

"Yes. No. I don't know. It depends."

"On what?"

"On the entirety of the situation! Catowba acted as if I couldn't be trusted to do it myself. And his brother's conduct doesn't upset Avocato. Or you. You seem to expect it."

"It was a kindness." Kedi blinked, then frowned. "Do friends not look out for and cover one another in the Answaar? Because that's all that happened."

"You two are from a different world than me, Kedi!"

"And last week, you were part of that world." Kedi gestured with an open paw, asking to be heard. "You also need to understand, Nikos. Getting and sending gifts is normal in the court. It's as much generosity and manners as a statement for them. I had a long talk with Catowba the morning after the wedding, when Cato was showing you the portraits in the hall. He is very fond of his little brother - far more so than of his older brother - and will go to any length to protect him and his interests."

Nikos snorted and gestured to where Avocato, shackled though he was, was terrorizing his classmate. "Cato hardly needs protecting."

"Really? I'm of a different mind. I think we all need someone who loves us watching out for us."

Kedi let that sink in for a moment, then gave a loud shout of appreciation and encouragement as Avocato dropped low and swung the ust at ankle level, a pretty show of control and strength that forced Currant to jump over the blades.

"Are you saying Catowba sent Cordell a gift in my name for Avocato's sake?"

Kedi smiled. "You're catching on."

"Why?"

"You never had brothers until now, Nikos. You're still not used to them. Brothers watch out for each other. They take care of each other. Catowba, he thanked me. He said he has never seen Avocato so happy in all his life. Cato grew up with people who know what a Blue Imperial is, and always treated him with a deference he didn't want or expectations he couldn't meet. He wanted to be included, but never really was except by some who wanted to use him for his rank. He's always been set apart until he stopped trying to belong and simply stood apart. Catowba said this is the first time Avocato has been among people who don't care he's the stuff of legend or an heir of a grand lord. We only care how good of an officer he'll make. We are the first real friends he's ever had."

Nikos blinked, astonished and not quite able to believe. "He's eighteen and never had a friend?" It seemed to Nikos that someone in Avocato's position should be awash in friends, but what Kedi said made perfect sense.

"Sad, no? Catowba said that's why he's such an excellent student - he had nothing else to pour his energy into. Such a lonely childhood. It's pretty on the surface, but underneath . . . Many people would say his life is perfect because he has wealth and influence and a powerful family name. I don't agree."

He looked back to Avocato as the tall, blue-green cadet pulled back into a fighting stance, poised with his left foot and arm raised before him, his right hand angled over his head and gripping the ust, ready to lunge and strike. For a long moment, Avocato stood stone-still. All his focus was on his opponent, and he had no notion of what a striking figure he made. It was a beautiful form, perfectly executed, the results of years and years of training. Everyone watching knew they could not match this level of skill, even the instructor.

"Catowba did not send Lady Cordell the brush to show off. He knew you wouldn't know a token was expected, or have time to send it, or where or what to send. He did it because he thinks the world of his brother and wants for you to make the best impression with the people who matter to Avocato. He wants, too, like Avocato and his mother, to help you be more comfortable in the circle they inhabit. Catowba expects you back at their home. Often. Me, too. Why? Because Catowba loves his brother, and wants him to be happy, and we make him happy."

Guilt settled on Nikos like a blanket. He had reacted without making any effort to understand first. He had been angry at Avocato simply for being the messenger. He should have delved deeper, not assumed. He had defensively judged by his own culture's standards without considering that he had, indeed, stepped into another world. A beautiful, glittering world where loneliness was as keen a barb as it was in remote little Vel Pitten.

"Kedi, I'm going to hate the answer, but how much does a fennit-feather ink brush cost?"

"Not much," he answered with a gentle smile, glad his message had gotten through. Not enough to hurt your friend over went unsaid.

Nikos looked down, quietly distressed at himself. "I owe him an apology."

"Mmm. I suspect he doesn't get very many."

He sighed, pursing his lips. He deserved that.

They looked up at an excited shout as the instructor loosed Avocato from his circle. He surged forward in a graceful bound like a drayhund on the hunt, his long strides driving his opponent across the floor. In a matter of seconds, Currant was disarmed and flat on his back with Avocato's ust just a hand's width from his nose.

"Hold!" called the instructor. "Good match. Good control. Next up!"

Avocato smiled and hauled Currant to his feet before passing the practice weapon on to the next cadet. Nikos watched his friend take a few moments to talk to Currant as they walked back to the group of cadets sitting on the floor, clearly explaining some technique or other as he gestured and demonstrated some footwork. It struck Nikos that Avocato was remarkably generous with himself and his time and his things. He could not imagine what the past year would have been like without Avocato. Indeed, the past week. Without Cato, he never would have attended a ball, or danced with anyone as wonderful as Cordell, or come to the attention of the future king and queen of Ventrexia. So many things he owed his friend - he'd be an utter fool to let something as inconsequential as an ink brush and a misunderstanding ruin the bonds they had been forging all these months.

Avocato dropped down on the other side of Kedi with a long exhale, panting and smiling and accepting a few nods and nudges of appreciation for an excellent sparring demonstration. The instructor had let it go on for longer than the earlier matches, just to see Avocato fight. He gave breathless thanks as Kedi handed him a water bottle. Avocato drank half of it in one go.

"It's too hot. I'll get you more," volunteered Kedi, rising. "Finish that, Cato."

He clapped Avocato on the shoulder with a murmured "Good match," gave Nikos a look, and strode away. Bracing himself, Nikos turned to Avocato.

"That was an outstanding match, Cato," he complimented.

Avocato quickly hid his surprise at this seeming shift in attitude. "Thank you."

Momentum gained, he plunged onward. "And . . . please allow me to apologize. Both to you and Lord Catowba. I judged you both unfairly and undeservedly, and I am sorry. I was hasty, and it was a mistake. I promise I will never presume again, or let pride blind me to kindness. And along with the apology, I owe you and your brother my thanks."

By Avocato's expression, Nikos knew Kedi had been right and that few people had ever apologized to Lord Catomar's son. After a moment, the tension drained out of Avocato and he nodded, smiling the least bit as he nodded again in thanks and acceptance of the apology. Though he said nothing, he was visibly relieved. Equally relieved, Nikos ventured a small smile of his own. Kedi returned, plopping down beside Nikos and forcing him to slide closer to Avocato.

Kedi passed Nikos a dewy jug of water, gesturing at Avocato and ordering, "Give this to your brother."

And with another smile, Nikos obeyed.