Vows of Blood and Honor

Andreas closed his eyes against the light that slipped between the drapes over his windows. Even the misty grey sunlight that seemed so dull outdoors was not dark enough for him. His friend was gone, and no amount of sun would put the light back in his sherry brown eyes.

Darew had been with him for so long, almost as far back as his memory went. When he had been ten, Darew had been twenty. When he had been six, Darew had been sixteen. To a small boy, the teenage watcher had been a tall, strong presence, ever constant.

Andreas nearly smiled as he remembered thinking Darew had just liked him, that the older male was his friend and enjoyed being with Andreas. He remembered thinking that every child had a friend like Darew to be with. For a while he had been certain Darew was related to him. The watcher had gone everywhere with him. It was almost unthinkable for the small prince to take part in an activity when Darew would not be present.

Strangely, or perhaps not so strangely considering Sebastian's current profession, it had been his younger brother who disabused him of that notion. At fourteen when Andreas was going through a moody stage of wanting to be alone he had slipped away from Darew to walk on the ramparts. He could usually be assured of at least five or ten minutes of solitude before the older male caught up with him. The younger prince had matter of factly commented that Andreas should not go out on the ramparts without Darew. When his brother had asked why Sebastian had looked at him as if he was dense and asked how was Darew supposed to protect Andreas if Andreas kept running off and making himself a target?

Andreas had simply blinked at his younger brother and Sebastian had said as if it were obvious. "Darew stays with you to protect you Andreas. He might be your friend, but he's also your Watcher."

Andreas had had to think about that one. Certainly he had heard of his parents speaking of 'Watchers' in connection with their children, but he'd never thought Darew was his. When he'd thought about it for a while it hadn't made much difference in his friendship with Darew, but he no longer avoided the Watcher's company, even when he wanted to be alone.

Andreas sighed and winced as the deep breath sent a pain through his shoulder. It was not right that he should live while Darew had died.

"Darew will always be with you," A voice from the shadows said.

The startled Andreas flinched slightly so surprised that another person was within the room. Almost instantly, he recognized the voice. Turning to a darkened corner, Andreas said, "Father."

Amon shifted slightly allowing some light from the window to fall upon his figure. He stood leaning up against a wall opposite Andreas' bed having come in while his son slept. For the better part of almost an hour, the King had watched his oldest son both asleep and then awake.

Andreas shifted from his seated position on his bed. He had not left the bed all day, having dozed on and off since last night. He felt a bit unsure now, afraid of what his father might think of him still mourning a friend. "I…" Andreas began when he realized his father was not going to say anything else. "I was thinking of when you first introduced me to Darew."

From the shadows, Amon paused for a moment, then smiled as he recalled his son looking up at the older man as Amon made the introductions. "Yes."

"You lied to me," Andreas said, his voice dropping to almost a whisper. He looked up finally, towards the corner where his father stood as he made his accusation.

"What?" Amon said, no trace of anger in his voice, simply confusion.

"You told me," Andreas explained, "that Darew was a friend of the family." Andreas looked up again. "You lied to me."

Amon stepped forward now, the light from the window hitting his face now. The King took just one step, and then folded his arms behind his back. "I see." Amon said finally after a few moments contemplation. "Well," He said looking at his son, "what I told you was true, from a certain point of few."

Andreas looked at his father dumbfounded. "A certain point of few?" He finally asked his face showing disbelief.

"Yes," Amon said. "From a certain point of view, Darew was a friend to the family, albeit one who was a protective snort."

Andreas, the dutiful, polite, obedient son could not withhold his reaction at his father's reply. "A certain point of view," He snorted again in disbelief.

Amon sighed and walked over to his son's bed. Sitting down at the far end of the bed, Amon said, "Son, you're going to learn as a ruler that many of the truths you cling to so dearly are only valid from a certain point of view. Still", Amon said shifting and looking directly at Andreas, "I understand your point of view and realize you make a valid point about being deceived."

"But, you just said," Andreas began.

"I know," Amon said raising a hand. "But being a ruler has also taught me that other people can be just as right as myself from their point of view even though we disagree on the same issue. There is no black and white Andreas in most matters, there is simply a gray from through which you must navigate."

Andreas paused for a moment before answering, "There is one thing very black and white. Darew is dead."

"And you feel responsible," Amon said quickly.

Andreas eyes shot up. "I know-" He stopped then closed his eyes. "I know people are going to die protecting me. I mean, I knew that was a possibility. But," the young Prince's voice cracked now. "I did not think I'd hold my friend in my arms as he died for me." As he finished speaking, Andreas' composure cracked and tears streamed down his face.

Amon waited several seconds letting the tears fall before his son's face. Finally, father reached out an arm, "Andreas-"

The young Prince jumped up as if instantly ashamed at his reaction. "I must get dressed," He said moving towards his wardrobe to find an outfit. "It's past midday and I am still in simply my pajama bottoms."

"Andreas!"

The firm, commanding voice from his father made Andreas pause and turn a tear streaked face back at the King. "Sir," He said weakly.

Amon did not look at his son. Instead his eyes took on a distant look as he stared off into space seeing to visualize something else. "When I was sixteen, I was leading a squad through the Cormanthor..."

Andreas froze and felt his eyes go wide. In all his life, he had never heard his father speak of the Cormanthor. It would be briefly brought up sometimes, by others, but Amon always brushed aside any lengthy discussions. Andreas had read of his father's actions during the War, but he never felt the courage to ask the King directly feeling it would be intruding.

Yet, now Amon talked, oblivious it seemed to Andreas reaction, as if he needed to get the words out now. "We came upon this hill, where some of Malar's forces had set up an ambush point." Amon swallowed. "I ordered the position taken, even though others objected."

Andreas stood transfixed as his father raised his eyes and looked at his son. "During the attack," Amon said, "my medic," Amon felt his hands shake, "my..fr...my best friend was fatally wounded. He died in my arms."

For several seconds silence descended upon the room. Slowly then, Andreas returned to his previous position and sat down on the bed again. "How-" He began feeling as if there was a link between father and son that had never been there before. "Did-" He stopped and shook his head feeling like a rambling boy.

"The same way you feel, I imagine," Amon said answering the unspoken question. "Though every person deals with a situation in their own way. But," Amon said shifting slightly his position on the bed, "what I really am trying to say is I knew the risks and you did not when you went out with Darew to practice. But, I know that I made the right decision that day. Others might not think so, but I believe I did."

Andreas felt he finally understood what his father was trying to make him understand. "But, you still regret the decision."

Amon closed his eyes and then opened them again quickly. "Every day of my life," He added quietly.

Andreas shivered feeling suddenly very cold in the room despite it being past midday. "What I'm trying to say," Amon said rising as he spoke now, "is that people are going to die based on your decisions." He shook his head. "I thought then when I was fighting that I might spare my children that horrible reality. I told myself that if my children could avoid dealing with what I was facing, then no matter what pain I went through, it was worth it." Amon shook his head as if not understanding the thoughts of his teenage self. "How naïve of me."

"Not naïve," Andreas interrupted. "Just wishful," He said in a softer voice understanding now that was his problem now more than anything else. He knew he had done nothing wrong in the circumstances leading up to Darew's death. But, he still wished that things had turn out differently, then, and years ago, when a girl by the sea had reached out to touch his cheek, and say goodbye.

Andreas stood again about to move to the wardrobe. He paused and turned to regard his father. "Thank you sir," He said extending his hand.

Amon looked at him for a moment, hoping he had understood. Then slowly he extended his own hand. The two men grasped each other, more like comrades in arm now rather than father and son. "You're welcome Andreas."

Amon watched his son turn back to the wardrobe and begin to select an outfit. The King knew there was more to his son's mood than just Darew's death, but for now, for today, enough had been dealt with. Perhaps in time, the king thought as he moved to leave and give his son some privacy, Andreas would be ready to deal with whatever other ghosts from the past still haunted him.

Briar looked up from fingering her harp, and shook her wrist trying to loosen it. Sebastian threw a grin at her and then frowned when he saw what she was doing. "Are you well?" He asked in concern.

The bard flexed her fingers and rotated her wrist. "I'm fine love. But practicing the same movement over and over does require that I periodically exercise the muscles differently."

Her father nodded his understanding. "I have the same difficulty when I practice my flute."

Briar suppressed a smile. Her father had been doing his best to discover where she was sleeping. He had also done a fine job of not broaching the subject with her, and ignoring Sebastian almost completely unless bound by courtesy.

Sebastian rose and kissed her forehead as he went past. His hand trailed down her back making her shiver and drawing a frown from her father. "My Rose, you look overtired." He observed. "You are not sleeping well." It might have sounded like speculation to anyone else but Briar knew he was well aware of her restlessness at night.

"I can't help thinking that this is all my fault." Briar said quietly. "If not for me, your family would have nothing to do with Serendal."

Sebastian reseated himself and regarded her with sapphire blue eyes that grew darker by the second. He was aware that she had not confided in her father her reasons for leaving Serendal. All Vidan knew of it was Saldan had come to Aeliara and due to his actions there had been executed for treason. "I am aware of the fact that had you not come here, I likely never would have met you. And my life and heart would be the poorer for it." He smiled. "Court was despairingly dull without you love." He teased donning his mask more thoroughly.

Briar was spared replying to that uncannily accurate statement by the arrival of a page. The boy handed Sebastian a folded note with a black seal and Briar tensed immediately. Sebastian looked at her and at the note and then patted her hand reassuringly before he opened it. "I read here that the Lady of Serendal, Ljosa, has been killed. The whereabouts of her husband and lord Serek and her daughter Loren are as yet unknown."

Briar sighed. "Lady Ljosa." She shook her head. "A strange sad frightening woman." She fingered her harp and looked down at the strings.

"I am pleased that an enemy of my daughters is dead." Vidan said coolly. "But why does the head of Cormyr's intelligence agency and the head of the assassins' guild send this information to you instead of the queen or king?"

Sebastian smiled coolly, his mask fading around his eyes and for a moment he looked as dangerous as Briar knew he could be. "Well now Lord Dhulouragne, could it be that the answer is right before you, but you simply are not seeing it?" He drawled in his sensual languid tone. He rose and bent down to Briar. "I'll return beloved." Before she could reply he kissed her passionately, thoroughly, drawing a response from her in spite of her father's angry gaze. Breaking the kiss he smiled slowly and brushed his mouth against hers in a light sweet caress. "Don't wear out your fingers my Rose." He admonished as he strode purposefully from the room.

Vidan looked after him with a glare and then caught sight of his daughter staring dreamily after her love. A sigh escaped her lips the sound a complete antithesis to her sigh of a few moments ago. "What was that all about?"

Briar smiled still caught up in the mood Sebastian's kiss had left her in. "Sebastian kissed me." She remarked absently.

"I didn't mean his continued propensity towards treating you as a concubine he possesses. I was speaking of why he receives messages from his Raden. And his words." Vidan said irately.

"You know Father, for someone who follows Lady Silverhair, you do not act with a great deal of respect for her credos." Briar said gently. "I am far from perfect but I do try. Where my beloved is concerned, do you even try?" She tilted her head. "And do you even notice what he does and says as opposed to how he presents himself?" She rose and picked up her harp. "I am going to take a nap. Sebastian is right. I have not been sleeping well." She curtseyed to her father and smiled. "I leave you to think on my words. Perhaps you do not know anyone as well as you think. And if you continue to choose to only believe surface appearances, I'm not sure what type of relationship we can have."

Sebastian reentered the sitting room and looked around for a moment. In a dry voice he asked Vidan. "What? Did you chase her off?" His mouth quirked up at the corner.

"Hardly that." Vidan told him, the elf's eyes moved over the prince again. "She said she was going to take a nap." As Sebastian nodded Vidan noted again the beautiful but very functional sword at the princes hip and wondered why he had heard nothing of Sebastian's brush with the assassins.

The prince did not speak any further but began to neatly stack and roll up the parchment he had been alternately studying and taking notes upon. "I will finish my work at the desk in my rooms." He said finally when he had everything. "I'm sorry to inflict my presence on you."

Vidan simply looked at him and finally said. "I've noticed everyone in your family has a position of responsibility of sorts. Your sister Asrai is concentrating on her education and that explains why she does not have a post. But what is it precisely that you do?"

Sebastian smiled languidly. "Why just as I told your daughter when she asked me the same. I do very little. I am after all a Courtier, not good for much."

"Your parents do not seem to be those who would easily tolerate such nonsense." Vidan observed.

The prince bowed slightly. "No, but they tolerate it if not easily." His voice was carefully bored and his face expressionless but for faint amusement.

"That is not their manner when they regard you." The bladesinger pointed out. "They act around you as if you are doing something that they respect."

Sebastian tilted his head and let his eyes sharpen speculatively over the elf's face. "You know very little of my family's history. Hardly anything of my parents and all they suffered in their youth. I merely am as my father was, before he married my mother. If you wish to know more than that, you may certainly investigate their past." He smiled mockingly. "Of course the respect you see may simply be their distaste for showing any feeling other than pride for their children before an individual who is still a relative stranger and has made no effort to be other than such." He swept the elf lord a mocking graceful bow and strode languidly from the room.

Meeting Dragon and Lorelei in the hallway he shook his head. "Were I you I'd choose another place to relax." He suggested. "Vidanalas is in there and having just spoken with me he's most likely not in the best of moods."

Lorelei smiled up at him sweetly. "You have that effect on everyone Sebastian." She pointed out.

"Lorelei, don't ever change." Sebastian smiled affectionately and then added. "The gods forbid you should grow any worse."

Dragon as always rolled his eyes at such baiting of each other but forbore to become involved in the verbal sparring. He was well aware that these two loved each other but sometimes it seemed the only pleasure they had left from childhood was this exchange of insults.

Sebastian moved on, and Lorelei turned to Dragon. "The joys of insulting my brother aside do we wish to go to the library instead?" She asked. "I have not noticed Lord Dhulouragne having any especial liking for my company."

Dragon considered her for a moment. "I think I would like to see exactly how annoyed Sebastian left him." He said thoughtfully. "We haven't seen that Vidanalas actively dislikes you as he does Sebastian."

Lorelei nodded. "If he starts in on my brother when I am there he will be in for a shock." She muttered. "I'll put up with a lot but no one insults my family."

"That's your job?" Dragon teased her.

"Exactly." She smiled serenely up at him and stuck out her tongue.

Dragon reached as quick as the now vanished beast for which he was named and took the tip of her tongue between his thumb and finger. "What will you do now my Siren?" He teased. "Shall I give it back?"

Lorelei's expression changed and she lifted her eyebrows curiously. Her amber eyes gleamed up at him like a dare.

The warrior chuckled and put his other hand beneath her chin. "You offer me your tongue my Lorelei, I think I will have it where I would like it best at the moment." Holding her still he bent and slipped his mouth over her tongue, as he released it from his fingers. Lazily his own tongue wrapped around hers and stroked her mouth. Lorelei melted against him, feeling as if he was infusing her with liquid heat from her lips straight to her belly.

Dragon's free hand took one of hers and gently pulled up upward to rest against his heart as he slowly kissed her. This time it was Lorelei who pulled away gasping and leaned against the wall. "Dragon." She whispered. "Please don't."

"I thought this was what you wanted Lorelei." He asked in gentle confusion. His willingness to accept her request was as obvious as his need had been in their embrace.

"I do, sweet Sune knows I do." Lorelei took a deep breath. "But I know my own limits." She met his eyes and her own were molten gold with passion and love. "If you had not stopped I would have tried to seduce you and have my way again. And I know that probably wasn't what you had in mind."

"No it was not." Dragon admitted. "I know you need affection and touching. You are accustomed to that because of your family's loving nature. I am not generally a very affectionate man but I am trying to be more so since I know it makes you feel loved."

"And I do." Lorelei admitted. "You are right about that. I love your touch. Your kisses are treasures. But I am greedy for them. I never wish to stop kissing you." She smiled. "You and I…we are a strange pair."

Dragon moved towards her and carefully took her in his arms, amazed at how strong she truly was and how fragile she seemed. "Only at first glance." He said softly. "I appreciate that you stopped me." He kissed the top of her head. "It requires all of my self control to cease kissing you on my own."

Lorelei grinned ironically. "Mine too." Her irrepressible sense of the ridiculous got the better of her and she tilted her head up at him. "Boy we're going to frustrate each other until we get married. Do you think we'll even leave our room for the first week?"

Dragon's chuckle rumbled through his chest. "Only a week?" He grinned boyishly. "You underestimate yourself, or is it me of whom you have such low expectations?"

Lorelei blushed slightly and bussed his mouth. "I expect you'll be dragging me off to bed whenever whim strikes you the second week, but I think we might get as far as appearing in the hallways." She gave him an appraising look acting very much like the Princess Lorelei now. "Low expectations? Of you? Oh never my Dragon…never."

Dragon's eyes twinkled down at her and he glanced toward the sitting room. "Perhaps we might go and join Lord Dhulouragne? I think company will prevent us from becoming too…amorous."

"You mean an audience?" Lorelei teased. "Certainly if you feel the need for one."

TBC