“Are you insane!” Yaluda exclaims, voice rising to a shout “There is no way I’m letting the heir to the Yamat house– whose father is plotting to kill me—!”
“I know you wouldn’t like it!” Ludgera interrupts loudly. “That’s why I hesitated to tell you. But I can’t keep something so big a secret from him. Not when it affects our future. We either come as a pair, or I go and tell his dad what you’re up to.” That shuts Yaluda up real quick, but his golden eyes burn with suppressed fury, an expression that still is somehow beautiful, even though it promises violence.
“He can be useful!” Ludgera is practically begging now. “He’s loyal, to me at least, more loyal than he is to his family. If I tell him it's for us, he can become a double agent within the Yamat household.”
“And what if he’s not loyal?” Yaluda’s voice is grating.
“He is loyal!” Ludgera insists. “He’s kept us a secret from his parents for three years now.”
“Are you completely certain of that?” Blix asks sternly.
“Dead certain!” Ludgera replies. “They’d never let him sneak out to meet with a Tirade, they'd die from apoplexy if they thought anything close to that was happening to their heir. They’re so arrogant and annoying! They think of him more as an object than as a real person with feelings and opinions!” Ludgera continues, desperate in the face of Yaluda’s grim expression.
“We could always use another spy…” Blix says, turning to look at Yaluda. “Especially one so close to Lord Yamat. Imagine the possibilities, Yaluda.”
“I am.” Yaluda says coldly. “Especially the ones where he gets cold feet and runs back to his daddy.”
“I’ll take full responsibility for his actions.” Ludgera throws in. “If he does something wrong, you can imprison me or whatever. I’ll cooperate, I won’t attempt to sabotage you. Just consider him an extension of me. If he puts a toe out of line, you don’t even have to keep the promises you make me.” She glances at the elves, who are both still silent, letting us figure this out on our own. Then she glances towards me next. My gaze meets hers, and then I quickly look away. Why would she look at me? Yaluda is the one she needs to convince. I shift uncomfortably and glance up at her again. Her eyes sparkle with desperation and unshed tears. She’s already half-way given up. Yaluda just won’t bend on this matter, and she can’t either.
I almost sympathize with her on this one, and I can definitely respect her choice. Honesty is vital in a relationship, it makes sense she would want her boyfriend in on this. Unfortunately for her, Yaluda can’t risk bringing in a Yamat–”
“Fine.” Yaluda cuts in on my thoughts. Every eye in the room, including both my own, turn to stare at him, completely shocked. His face twitches slightly before he elaborates. “It’s not like you leave me much choice at this point. But if either of you puts a toe out of line, I will destroy both your family and your relationship if it’s the last thing I do.” I gulp. He’s dead serious.
The room is completely silent for half-a-second while we all just process Yaluda’s choice then “Thank you! You won’t regret this! I promise!” Ludgera exclaims, but only I seem to notice.
“Yaluda?” Blix asks at the same time, even more confused than I am.
“She said she’d go to his parents. If I reject him, I reject her, she made that clear.” Yaluda says, and lifts his tea mug hiding his lips, “As I said, I don’t really have a choice.”
Meanwhile Faladel murmurs, “Interesting. I wasn’t expecting him to make that decision.”
“Yeah, I really thought this would end up in a fight.” Briareth says, seemingly almost disappointed. “And here I was all ready to leap across the table with my knife to prevent her escape.”
Faladel chokes on his tea for a few seconds and twists to stare at Briareth, who’s sitting innocently next to him. Faladel quickly relaxes. “Really Briareth? Put that back in the butter, where it belongs.”
“Got you!” Briareth cheers, his serious face twisting into a grin. “But seriously, I could’ve used it if it was necessary.” I hadn’t even noticed the butter knife was missing. When did Briareth snitch it?
Faladel sighs tiredly. He looks like an overworked babysitter. “I’m sure you could’ve. But you shouldn’t now that we’re all allies, so put it back please.”
Briareth nods, and leans forward, putting it back. At the questioning look Blix and Ludgera shoot him, he shrugs. “It was just a precaution.”
“That’s blunt, it wouldn’t have done much.” Ludgera says. Briareth grins savagely and I wince. Wrong comment.
“Not to kill maybe, but blunt objects are far better for inflicting pain. Would you like to hear the list of the 23 ways I was considering using it?” Ludgera looks frightened and a little sick to her stomach. I hope he’s joking, but I can’t be sure. I mean, according to Faladel and himself he’s quite skilled, and 23 ways to use a butter knife feels up his alley. But he has to be kidding right? I mean, just earlier he was inviting her to Elven territories and less than a minute later he’s considering torture?
“Unless that list only includes 23 different ways of buttering bread,” Faladel cuts in, shutting him down. “I think we’re good.”
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After that, Briareth settles down a bit and we all get to work. Yaluda hashes out a few more details with Ludgera, With Blix, Briareth, Faladel and I occasionally chiming in with ideas, opinions and suggestions.
A few hours later, there is a written agreement signed by the both of them, with Faladel and I written in as witnesses. I feel honored, I thought Yaluda would chose Blix as a witness, but instead he picked me. Ludgera picked Faladel, probably since he’s been the nicest one to her so far. It is agreed that she’ll come by with Agnark Yamat, her boyfriend, in a few days time. With him there, she’ll give us the blackmail, both the verbal summary and the proof of its authenticity. Then she leaves, much more quietly than she entered.
Once she’s gone, Yaluda slouches in his seat, elbows on the table, head concealed by his hands. “How did she even find us?! This is a disaster!” He moans.
“She probably followed you two back from the castle.” Blix says, patting Yaluda on the back. “I apologize for leaving the door unguarded, I should have called the previous soldier back when I followed you inside. I made a mistake, but it won’t happen again.”
“Look on the bright side,” I add, “Doesn’t this mean we can stop the High Priest and the Yamat family from interfering?”
“Yeah, if anyone tries to misbehave, release the blackmail on the High Priest and threaten to kill the Yamat heir dude.” Briareth says. “I, for one, think we’re in a better position than we started out from!” Faladel looks a little scandalized at his bluntness, but Yaluda seems to take the suggestion seriously.
“It’s a good idea, but who knows if it will work. We still don’t know what that blackmail even is, much less where Ludgera Tirade, of all people, managed to get her hands on it!” Yaluda sighs.
“It doesn’t matter where or how she got the information, as long as it’s true and her proof is as good as she thinks it is.” Blix says calmly reading the situation. “She has no reason to betray us, now that she has not just one but three things riding on our success. Her future, the Yamat heir’s future, and the future of her family are all at risk now, because if we go down and get questioned, you made it quite clear you’ll bring them all down too. She wouldn’t be dumb enough to risk it all. And if the boy she loves is as in love with her as she claims, he won’t dare do anything either.”
Yaluda doesn’t say anything, but he and Blix exchange stares that speak a lot. Yaluda’s is tired, Blix’s reassuring.
Eventually, their gazes break, and Yaluda straightens up, glancing my direction and smiling at me. My stomach swooshes uncomfortably. “Blix and I should get going. I’m expected at a state dinner my father is holding. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Have a nice evening.” Faladel offers.
“Fat chance.” Briareth says, “Good luck staying awake!” Blix actually chuckles at that.
“Good bye.” I say slightly lamely.
“Good bye.” Yaluda responds, waving as he heads out the door.
“One of the PPG members will bring you supper in a while.” Blix turns around as he reaches the door. “Hopefully, when he reports back, it will be with news that nothing out of the ordinary has happened. I don’t want to hear of any more broken teacups, rugs set on fire, or escape attempts when I get back.”
“Don’t worry! You won’t hear about them this time!” Briareth calls out as he shuts the door.
“What exactly happened with you guys while I was gone?” I ask, more to Faladel than to Briareth. The elf Prince looks like he’s about to answer, but Briareth beats him to it.
“No Balderk, the real question is, what happened with you while you were gone? Am I to understand that you snuck out and spent hours alone with Yaluda?”
“I spent maybe the last thirty minutes with him! The rest of it I was out spying.” I protest.
“And? What did you talk about?” Briareth presses teasingly. “Come on, Balderk, spill the tea!” I take a teacup from the table and start to lift it. “Not literally!” Briareth hastily adds.
“Pfft!” Faladel lets out as I put the teacup down slowly. “Leave him alone Briareth,” he adds. “The poor dwarf has enough on his plate without you messing with his head. Besides, this boyfriend joke is getting old.”
Thank heavens one of the elves is sensible I think to myself, ears burning as I help Faladel put all the tea supplies back onto a tray.
“Well…” Briareth says, “It did start out as a joke, Faladel, but now I’m almost serious. I swear, our dear friend Balderk here is catching feelings. Look at his ears!”
At his comment the heat spreads all the way around the back of my neck as well.
“Blushing does not equate crushing!” Faladel retorts.
“I’m not blushing!” I protest. “It’s just a little hot in here. Besides Briareth, although Prince Yaluda and I have gotten closer, it isn’t nearly as romantic as you suspect. And even if it were, he’s heir to the throne. No matter how you elves think things are done, he’ll need to have heirs someday, and even if he and I were–” The heat spreads to my cheeks as I try to find a delicate way to say it “–romantically inclined, I would never biologically be able to provide that. You always trying to pry into my personal relationships and set me up with someone I appreciate and respect as a friend is really getting annoying. Yes I like Yaluda. I value his honesty, I enjoy his companionship, and I don’t ever want to lose that. Especially not by making things awkward because he thinks I have feelings for him beyond friendship.” My face is in flames as I finish, and it only reddens more as some part of me adds on internally “especially if he isn’t attracted to guys.” I bury my face in my hands and groan, imagining for a few seconds actually having romantic intentions towards Yaluda and trying to confess to him and having him turn me down because of that. Stupid Briareth for putting these ideas in my head in the first place.
“Oh.” Is Briareth’s only response. He’s probably surprised by my outburst.
“Well said Balderk.” Faladel chimes in approvingly. I thump my head– still covered by my hands– on the table. He might be proud of me, but I’m not. That was so embarrassing. Just considering those thoughts, just thinking about it, it’s too much.
“Uhh… Sorry, if I came on strong.” Briareth mumbles. “I guess I– well, I guess I didn’t think about how you would feel if the prince walked in on me teasing you.” He hesitates. “I– um… I won’t ask about it again, if it really makes you uncomfortable.” He offers. I nod into my hands still not looking at him. “Uh…” Briareth says, obviously feeling something is lacking from his response to my outburst, but not quite sure what to add. “Yeah. Sorry.” he eventually finishes. I nod again. I don’t think I’m capable of a verbal response right now. Much less one that will require me to meet his eyes. But I do forgive him, especially if he keeps his promise not to tease me again.