Hart lead them to a building in the middle of the town, it was slightly bigger than most of the other houses that didn't have a shop front attached to them. It had ivy growing up the side and small flower bushed spaced evenly in a circle around the property.

The group filed into the building but as Navihm went to enter, the guard at the door stopped him.

“I'm sorry, Sir,” the young guard said in Genti. “I can’t let you in.”

“What’s going on?” Rose asked in the common tongue.

“Enfeitar Navihm has been banned from the King’s properties,” the guard explained, switching to the common language for her benefit.

“What are you on about, Mal?” Hart addressed the guard. “Banned? Who banned him?”

“You did, Sir,” Mal replied. “You made a Royal Proclamation.”

“What are you on about, boy? I did no such thing.”

“With respect, Sir. You did, Sir.” Navihm glanced at Hart. He seemed genuinely confused by the young guard’s statements. Mal seemed to realise this too. “It was just after the tournament last winter, Sir,” he elaborated. “The one where Enfeitar Navihm beat the snot out of you, Sir.”

“You banned me from the royal grounds because I won the tournament?” Navihm was bemused. Royal grounds? Rose was confused, Weren’t we supposed to be visiting Hart’s parents?

“He was quite drunk at the time, Sir,” Mal offered in explanation.

“I do seem to recall this conversation now you mention it Mal.” Hart grinned at his cousin. “I guess you will just have to wait here, Nav.”

“I’m sure I can keep myself busy in town,” Navihm replied casually. “Tell me, does Naomi still work at that restaurant on the main street? You were getting quite close with her when I last visited, as I recall. I’m sure she would be a lovely conversationalist.” Navihm’s tone turned playfully threatening. “I have many stories I'm sure she would be thrilled to hear.”

Hart paled. “Let him in, Mal.”

Mal didn't move out of the entrance. “I can't do that, Sir. Only a Royal Proclamation can undo a Royal Proclamation.”

“Fine, by Royal Proclamation, let him in.”

Stolen novel; please report.

“I'm sorry, Sir. I can’t.” Mal was fighting a grin.

“What now?” Navihm asked, struggling to keep the exasperation out of his voice.

“Regus Hart is no longer allowed to make Royal Proclamations.” Mal swallowed a laugh, “By Royal Proclamation of the King.”

“What?” Hart was outraged. “Since when?

“Since you tried to make a holiday named after yourself, Sir.”

“This is getting ridiculous,” Rose chimed in.

“I didn’t make the rules, Ma’am.” Mal kept his expression politely professional but he was clearly suppressing a smile.

“Mal?” asked Navihm.

“Yes, Enfeitar?”

“Who is the closest relative to the royal family with their Bo Accion?”

“That would be you, Enfeitar.” Mal was no longer bothering to hide his small grin. Rose blinked. Hart was a royal? And Navihm too, she supposed.

“And is Regus Hart an Enfeitar?” Navihm didn't take his steady gaze off Hart, though his question was directed at Mal.

“No, Sir.”

“Wouldn’t that mean I outrank him?” Navihm rose both eyebrows at his cousin. If he was going to be childish, Navihm was perfectly willing to pull rank.

“Technically, that means you are first in line for the throne, Sir.” Rose gasped. She had no idea how Genti politics worked and would never had guessed Navihm was so close to being the king of the second biggest tribe in the North.

“Yes, well, I’ve never really made a big deal about that but it seems it works in my favour today,” said Navihm. “By Royal Proclamation, I declare myself no longer banned from royal grounds. Is that good enough for you, Mal?”

Mal gave a short bow.

“That’s perfect, Sir. And, Sir?” Navihm shot him a questioning look. “Welcome back to the Second.” Navihm grinned and offered him a salute.

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Next Chapter up tomorrow.