The Ties That Bind

As Akkarin levitated the last of the wrapping paper into the bin for burning later, a presence outside suddenly caught his attention. It was familiar and yet he could not place it immediately. Frowning, he turned to his wife who was sitting cross-legged on the floor with Lorlen and Orson, skimming through one of the books they had bought the boys for Midwinter's Day. A half smile formed on his face involuntarily. He had suspected that when Sonea had suggested the books, she was doing so as much for her own benefit as for the boys' benefit—while he was sure Lorlen and Orson would both enjoy the adventure novels, Sonea had a passion for them as well. "Sonea," he remarked, catching her attention. "There's someone here. I am going to see who it is."

"We'll be fine here."

"Can I come, too?" Eoghan asked eagerly, always ready to follow his father anywhere. Akkarin nodded, and the young boy pushed aside the wooden cart and horse with which he had been playing, jumping to his feet. He practically ran down the steps, Akkarin following behind at a more sedate pace. As they reached the entry room, Akkarin opened the door with a small exertion of his will, blinking in shock when he saw the person on the other side. Though many years had passed since he had last seen him, Akkarin's older brother Edgar was still easily recognizable. A feeling of foreboding settled in Akkarin's stomach. He doubted Edgar's presence meant positive news.

"Edgar? I did not expect you," Akkarin said, keeping his tone neutral.

"Well, I was not expecting to be here," Edgar grumbled. "Can we come in?" Noting the plural pronoun, Akkarin looked closer and saw at least one other figure behind his brother though he could not make out any features.

"Of course." Akkarin gestured into the room, and Edgar stepped inside. Akkarin's eyebrows rose when he noted that the person behind Edgar was a boy who looked to be a year or two older than Lorlen and Orson. It did not take Akkarin's quick mind long to deduce the likely identity of the boy, and his foreboding grew.

Once they were all in the entry room, Edgar made quick introductions. "Akkarin, this is Rhydian. Rhydian, this is High Lord Akkarin." Akkarin thought it was the first time Edgar had used his title, and he wondered what his brother wanted that required it. Rhydian gave a nod and bowed.

"Is that your son?" Rhydian asked, his tone carefully polite.

"One of them," Akkarin said. "I also have two boys about your age. Eoghan, why don't you take Rhydian upstairs with your brothers and sisters?" Eoghan nodded quickly, recognizing the command in his father's tone. He beckoned for Rhydian to follow, and the two disappeared up the stairs. Once they were gone, Akkarin turned back to his brother, his expression cold. "Why are you here, Edgar?"

For the first time in his life, Edgar seemed worried. "Truthfully, I did not know where else to go. They tested Rhydian a couple days ago and found he has extremely high magical potential."

"Why would they test him now? He must be at least thirteen." In the Houses, parents generally had their children tested at eleven or twelve, sometimes even earlier, so they could begin planning for a career in the Guild if a child had potential—or a marriage match for girls.

"He will be fourteen in a couple months. But until King Merin's son was born a few weeks ago, it would not have mattered if he had potential." Akkarin nodded in understanding. With King Merin and his official heir both childless, his nephew would have been next in line for the throne. Now that Merin had a son, however, the line of succession changed considerably. "Hanna just wanted what was best for him and thought perhaps if he had a bit of potential, he could join the Guild and have a good life serving Kyralia, albeit not as King. But then they tested him and found he had a massive potential. The royal line, as you know, has very little, and Hanna's husband's family also does not have much."

"But the Delvon family does."

"It brought back some old rumors that I had hoped were buried long before."

Akkarin let out a long breath. "What exactly would you like me to do, Edgar?"

"His parents have disowned him. The Guild is his only option now, but I fear that as soon as this scandal breaks, most there are not going to be very welcoming to him."

"And you think I can change that?"

"You are the High Lord."

"That does not mean I have the ultimate authority."

"Then take him as a novice."

"I cannot just take a novice without careful consideration. As you pointed out, I am the High Lord."

"But you said before that the High Lord would generally take the most powerful novice, right? Test him; I'm sure you'll find that's Rhydian." Akkarin shook his head.

"By the time Rhydian starts at the Guild, there will be two other novices who are more powerful than him." At Edgar's confused look, Akkarin clarified. "My oldest sons. They are already more powerful than I am at my natural levels, and their power is still increasing. If I was going to choose a novice based solely on power, it would be one of them."

"Please, Akkarin, you have to do something! He's your nephew—probably the only nephew you're ever going to have. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

"Of course it does, but in my position, I cannot just think about myself and my family."

"So you will just cast him aside? A boy who did nothing to deserve this?"

Akkarin ground his teeth, wondering how his brother could cause so many problems for him so quickly. "Why can't you take him?"

"You know that would merely add fuel to the fire." Akkarin closed his eyes, thinking carefully. At the end of the day, Edgar was right—no matter what sins Edgar had committed in the past, Rhydian was innocent. Akkarin had never liked the idea of condemning someone for the sins of his father. "If it helps at all, Rhydian only takes after me in appearance. His personality is much closer to Hanna's, likely since she has raised him up until now."

"Small blessings," Akkarin muttered. He opened his eyes. "You said that Hanna and her husband have officially disowned him?"

Edgar shrugged. "I do not know that it is official yet, but it likely will be soon."

"If it becomes official, I may be able to do something for him. I will need to talk to Merin first and make sure he has no concerns—though I imagine that in some ways, he will be happy to have the matter settled in this way, for it will ensure that Rhydian has no claim to the throne."

"Are you suggesting what I think you are?"

Akkarin smirked slightly. "Sonea has always said she would be open to more children. Though I will need to confirm with her as well." Edgar considered for a moment before nodding.

"I suppose you are right—that is the most sensible solution. Though I suspect it will not endear you to our dear mother and brother."

Akkarin gave a harsh laugh. "That is the least of my concerns."