QT Prompt #5: Sophos, Helen, and Irene talking about their favorite king? - hiveofsoccermoms

"There is very little relief for it. I cannot threaten to kill him – do that and the Eddisans look ready to restart the war, and some of my own people look rather hopeful. And then the urge to execute them instead must be resisted. Sounis, are you laughing at me?"

"No, Your Majesty, never. I was just thinking about the time the magus was so angry that he beat the thief with a riding crop."

"That was funny?"

"The funny part was that Gen looked so angry that he actually managed to scare the magus into falling over himself. I think even Pol was nervous."

"He is very strong-willed."

"I can see why you would feel the need to complain about him sometimes."

"Before I married him, your wife warned me that he'd have my court in shambles and people would be coming to me for his blood. It isn't that I didn't believe her, but I certainly didn't understand."

"You're not worried it wasn't worth it?"

"Never. I know it was."

"Speak of the devil – hello, my dear."

"Sophos. Irene. What are you two doing hidden away in the garden?"

"We were simply on a walk."

"And this seemed like a good place to talk about the king without him hearing."

"Why the garden?"

"Well, the queen has asked him not to come here without his attendants after the assassination attempt, and so we thought hiding here would assure that we hear him coming."

"Do you think he's going to heed your request, Irene?"

"I don't know. But I hope so. I know it's hard for him to not be alone, but perhaps he could be alone where it's safer."

"I'm sure it's hard on him that his own garden isn't safe anymore."

"Yes, I'm waiting for him to lose his temper and do something extremely dangerous. I grew too used to having Costis around to watch him, and now I have to worry because he's gone."

"Costis?"

"You remember."

"Yes, Sophos, the guard."

"The babysitter?"

"Is that how my king describes him?"

"I don't know, Your Majesty. I heard from my wife's cousins. Has he left? I thought he was one of those loyal unto death sorts."

"You're projecting, dear."

"You flatter me."

"But there is definite pressure there. It's going to explode eventually."

"We could send him on some sort of vacation. But, you know, the sort where there is subterfuge and stealing. That would probably be quite the break for him."

"I'm not sure Irene appreciates your humor, dear."

"What? Oh, no, I apologize, I was considering other things. Of course your point is both amusing and true."

"Would it be terribly inappropriate for me to say that I look forward to seeing what Gen does if he does decide the pressure is too much? I get the idea that perhaps the people around here aren't as wary of him as they could be."

"Terribly inappropriate, I think."

"I understand, Sophos – but trust me, it's never as satisfying as you think it will be."

"I think I'm going to consider that vacation idea."

"Or we could bring the magus here for a while. He and Eugenides would both be stimulated. And perhaps they would do each other some good. They always seem to."

"The magus would suggest a parade to make him feel better."

"Ornon and the magus would get along well, I think, Helen, have we introduced them?"

"My husband will have the head of the next person who suggests a parade, I think."

"Something will give eventually, I think, Your Majesty. And when it does, we'll be right here."

"Sophos, we're going home next week."

"But we can come back. And then we can either knock him down or punch his face – whatever form of treasonous violence gets him to feel better this time."

"You have a point, Sounis – my husband's pattern is slightly concerning."

"Gen will be Gen."