silverchain.
chapter four: diplomacy and irrationality do not go hand in hand
Anonymous - thank you so much. you have no idea how much that means to me. i'm honored that you think so! i hope you continue to enjoy the story.
anon - thank you! i am quite a grammar freak, so i'm glad it's satifactory. and you have no idea how worried i am about getting Amiti out of character. i am full of fangirly love for him, but i haven't written people like him before...except he actually is quite similar to younger Ivan. hmm, maybe that "girls date guys like their dads" theory has something in it after all.
Amiti stepped outside, breathed in the fresh air, and looked to the side. He somehow knew he'd find Karis in that little grassy patch, and there she was, feathery hair tousled, long legs stretched out, a peaceful smile on her face. He crouched next to her, and, not daring to wake her, brushed a few strands of her hair to the side. The young woman's eyelids fluttered, but she didn't stir. Making himself comfortable, Amiti sat all the way down, and leaned against the palace wall with her. His lips curled into a smile, and even the cold stone against his exposed arms felt wonderfully restful.
It called to his mind a hypothetical scene that he barely allowed himself to consider, where he had his arm like this around her, only they were both awake, and laughing, laughing at some private joke. They were sitting at Lake Barai, shoes discarded feet away, dangling legs in and talking. On her finger glinted a beautiful interlocked wedding ring, gleaming a mixture of gold and silver. Amiti felt in his pouch for the little box, almost unconsciously. Her eyes would sparkle happily and her voice would sound like bells and wind and lightning and trees rustling and pouring rain and he would soak it in like the sunlight. He would turn to her and say—
A soft sigh distracted his thoughts. Karis' head lolled, and she slowly opened her eyes. "I...fell asleep?" she asked, in a sleepy, disconnected tone. He smiled and nodded.
Suddenly, the Jupiter Adept sat bolt upright. "Amiti!" she gasped. "How did it go?"
He smiled confidently, and his eyes lit up with amusement. "It went very well, thank you."
"It's already late afternoon! How long did I sleep?" Her lips were pressed into an expression that could very nearly be termed a pout. Amiti suppressed a laugh.
"I just returned a few minutes ago," he explained. "Lady Layana was very cordial, and we spoke more informally for a time after our official business was complete. Thank you." She looked puzzled. "I sincerely appreciate you waiting for me."
Karis laughed. "My pleasure."
"What activity was next on our itinerary?" Amiti asked, appearing entertained. She pursed her lips, and hoisted herself up. Extending a slender hand, she smiled sunnily at him.
"We'll find out."
He followed her, wondering when it was that she became so incredibly irresistible to him. The Wind Adept led him to a bench situated on a gentle hill, giving them a nice view of Kalay as people prepared for dinners and parties. "I thought you could use some relaxation after this day," she explained, sitting down and motioning for him to take a seat next to her. Amiti smiled mischievously.
"I believe you have had quite enough relaxation, sleeping beauty," he teased gently, and she groaned at him, shaking her bright green hair everywhere. She blew a strand off of her nose, then, realizing he was watching her, gave him a look. This sort of look, when addressed from a young lady to a young man, is generally considered flirtatious, although accidentally so. Amiti felt his composure beginning to slip as they looked at each other, and suddenly it felt as if the moment from last night was uninterrupted and merely the location had changed. Was he breathing? He didn't know any more. Her face was so terribly close, but not nearly close enough when he wanted to be kissing her. He realized that these were very inappopriate thoughts when they were not yet engaged, and her father still disliked him, but she just had to be so...attractive...
He broke the eye contact. Her father would hardly like him more if he already did something ridiculously rude such as kissing her before their engagement was set. He saw, in his peripheral vision, that her face was downcast, and he felt a twinge that grew into a stabbing pain. If she was interested in him romantically, he may have just sent her a wrong message. "It's beautiful out here," he murmured, just to gauge her reaction. Karis looked at him, and though her eyes were bright, something seemed to be missing.
"Yes," she agreed quietly, not fixing the strands of hair that had fallen over the side of her face. Compelled by some unknown force, he reached out and tucked the locks behind her ear. His fingers lingered a moment, and Amiti had to consciously move them away from her soft skin. Karis smiled gently, and stood up. "It's getting late, and I don't want to miss dinner, so we should probably go." Her tone was not pushy, but it did have some strange note of urgency. He followed her back, resolving to talk to Ivan that night.
"Master Ivan, may I have a private word with you?"
Ivan looked at the young man who was standing proudly but politely in front of him, arms at his sides, head slightly inclined, eyes bright but serious. The older man nodded. "Karis, I am going outside to speak with Amiti," he said in an offhand manner to his daughter. She smiled, clearly assuming this signified some desire to know one another better instead of the personal business to which it truly related.
"May I read what you're working on?" she asked, already reaching for the sheets. Her father nodded again, and with a gesture followed the young king up the stairs to the second-floor balcony.
The chilly night air provided the backdrop for this anticipated conversation. After both scholar and king were comfortable, Ivan mildly inquired, "Are you planning to reveal the true reason for your unexpected visit?"
Amiti flushed slightly. "I was planning to do so from my arrival, but Jenna thought it best to wait," he confessed.
"I thought as much," the other man said. "What is your true purpose, Amiti?"
Considering slowly the best way to phrase his objective, he answered, "I have come here...to ask your permission to court Karis." Ivan's eyes narrowed slightly, but Amiti was determined to continue. "I became quite fond of her over the course of our journey, and were it not inconvenient for both of us, I would have appealed to you directly upon the closure of our adventures. However, at my uncle's passing, I was required to set affairs in order and take the throne. Now that I have done so, and am able to temporarily leave Ayuthay, I have come for a visit and to inquire this of you." The clouds of warm air formed from this speech dissipated, and the young king had to restrain himself from biting his lips of nervousness.
"Well," the father of the woman he loved said slowly, "I'll consider it." He placed a hand on his slightly stubbly chin. Feeling a bubble of hope in his chest, Amiti smiled somewhat overconfidently, and Ivan frowned at him.
"Thank you," Amiti said hurriedly. "If there are any worries you have, please let me know and I will do my best to dispel them. If you and she consent, we could have as long of an engagement as she pleases. We have recently purchased ships, and are in the process of building a port near the city, so she would be free to travel as she likes, even though I may not always be able to accompany her. Of course, she would always be very well taken care of—"
"That is not my concern," Ivan interrupted, but then paused before elaborating further. The man did not want to reveal his conjecture about Amiti's parentage until it could be confirmed; bringing it up now would only serve to alarm the boy (Ivan insisted on thinking of him as such). "I apologize, Amiti. I am not able to make such a decision at this time."
The Mercury Adept looked troubled, but nodded. "I should be able to stay for several days more, if I am not being too much of a bother. I have offered several times to stay at the inn in town, but I'm afraid that Jenna won't have it."
Ivan gave him a half-smile. "That's just how she is," he mused. "I have made plans to travel, beginning tomorrow, after Isaac has returned. I assume that you have not told Karis of your designs?"
"It would have been improper without your blessing," Amiti replied smoothly. Ivan's eyes lingered on him for a moment, and the flicker of distrust in them concerned the young king. Finally, the older man nodded.
"When I return, I should be able to give you an answer." He rose, yawned, and looked up into the dark, clear night. "Jenna's probably expecting you back now, so I won't keep you any longer. I'm sorry that I cannot make a decision right now, and I can't tell you how long my journey will take. Of course, I am sailing with one of the best captains in Weyard, so that shouldn't be a worry." His eye glinted with nostalgia.
"Are you referring to Captain Piers?"
The Jupiter Adept smiled. "Yes, I am. Did you encounter him on your encounters?"
"Not directly, but he did help us save Eoleo. Please give him my regards." Amiti bowed his head in respect, and turned to leave. "Godspeed on your journey, Master Ivan."
"Thank you, Amiti."
Ivan looked up at the bright stars, suddenly missing his departed wife more than ever. "You'd know what to do, wouldn't you," he said quietly, face a mask of sorrow. Unable to take any more of the absence and introspection thick in the air, he turned and left the balcony silent and even more lonely than before.