THE IN-LAWS.

Back in the kitchens, the servants help Tiger prepare for dinner. The night staff all have vastly different schedules, so it’s rare for them all to have time to gather together. When they do, they tend to make the most of it.

ELIZABETH: Go on, Osprey. Tell us more about them.

OSPREY: Not much else to tell so far. Primrose is kind, and she actually does seem to care about Ares, which is a nice surprise. Once she’s settled, I’m sure she’ll be fine.

PYTHON: She’ll be fine. What about us? If she keeps trying to treat us like a friend, we’re going to get whipped for it.

AUGUSTUS: What a sad state of the world that someone being kind to other human beings means they’re ostracised. She won’t fit in with them, or with us. Who’s she going to talk to?

OSPREY: Her servant— that is, assistant.

ELIZABETH: I mean, seriously? What even is the difference between them?

AUGUSTUS: Between the work? Not a lot. Between the titles? Everything. She’ll be given leeway we would never even dream of. Not to mention, better hours. She’ll probably earn the same respect as Marsden, maybe more. Even if she never does a thing to earn her keep.

ELIZABETH: Now, why would you assume she won’t earn her keep?

PYTHON: You can just tell. Trust us on that one.

ELIZABETH: Well… I’m excited about her being here. I want to learn about Tijora. A life by the ocean sounds relaxing and romantic. Osprey, will you go with them when they go?

OSPREY: If they ask me, I’ll go. No questions.

TIGER: Can you all stop waffling so much? It’s time to take up dinner.

OSPREY: Sheesh, Tiger. You’re always so grumpy. Everyone ready?

PYTHON: Dinner with Ares’s wife… hard to know what to expect, really.

AUGUSTUS: Want to place bets? Will Lord Kur be pleasant or insane?

OSPREY: Watch your tongue, Augustus. Just do your jobs. That’s all we ever have to do.

The servants take their plates of food and head through to the dining room. The whole family is already seated.

ARES: Then, after climbing Mount Otto, we stayed a night in Din’s Vale, and now we’re home. We want to continue out East as soon as we’re rested.

MINERVA: Sounds like you had a lovely time. And I hear you fell in love with each other while you were there.

ARES: …Uh, yeah. We did. Sorry, Minerva. I know that goes against your anti-arranged marriage stances.

MINERVA: Don’t be silly. I’m happy you’re happy. Less happy I’ll get to hear how happy you are, seeing as our rooms are next to one another.

ARES: We’re not animals.

KUR: Let’s not be vulgar at the dinner table. In any case, Ares, I’m glad you’re home. I hope your new wife adjusts to our way of life here quickly, we wouldn’t want anyone giving her a hard time thanks to those clothes. I had Marsden take inventory in the nursery, there’s probably things to add and replace, you can look it over when you have the time.

ARES: Uh, actually…

KUR: What?

ARES: Thing is… Primrose and I talked about it, and I know Queen Jade and the Tijoran elders wanted Primrose and I to start a family, but we’re too young to do that right now.

KUR: …no children?

PRIMROSE: Let me clarify, Lord Kur. No children yet. I definitely want kids one day, just not for a few years.

There’s an uncomfortable silence. Set snickers to himself.

HORUS: Forgive him, Primrose. Father’s keen to have grandchildren. I’m sure your parents are the same.

PRIMROSE: I’m the oldest of nine. They’re not in any rush. Sorry.

KUR: I suppose I can wait a couple years. Maybe I wouldn’t have to, if my other children would hurry up and find someone to marry. They’ve been dodging the subject for weeks.

HORUS: We’re not dodging the subject, it’s just that there’s nothing new to discuss. There’s no-one out there for me or Minerva, strategically speaking. It’s not like there’s any hurry.

KUR: Except that all of us are getting old, and I want to meet my grandchildren. At this rate, Set will be the next to get married. People will think there’s something wrong with how I raised you.

SET: …Actually, Dad? About me getting married?

KUR: Gods, Set. Don’t tell me you’re backing out of your marriage with Madam Jean.

HORUS: We organised that almost a year ago.

SET: I know, and I’m sorry, I’ll marry her, it’s just… I wanted to ask if it was okay… to marry someone else.

HORUS: Don’t tell us you have someone in mind?

SET: No, not at all. It’s just… ah…

KUR: Spit it out, Set.

SET: …I’ll never be able to fall in love with Madam Jean. I want a chance at that.

ARES: Why can’t you fall in love with her? You’d be surprised—

SET: Because I prefer men.

A brief silence is followed by laughter from Horus, Minerva and Ares. Set waits patiently for Kur’s reaction.

KUR: You…prefer men?

SET: Yes, Dad. Sorry.

KUR: Want to tell me how you know?

SET: What?

KUR: It’s not like you’ve tried man or woman… unless you’re not longer chaste, of course…

SET: I’m chaste, father, and promise to stay that way until marriage, which is more than we can say for some people at the table.

I’d rather not go into any physical details of how I know, but… I know. I can’t fall in love with Jean.

HORUS: Why does that matter? You don’t have to love someone to marry them.

SET: Well, that hardly seems fair. I’d be marrying her under false pretences. And besides… I thought the whole point of staying chaste was about finding someone you love. I mean, Ares and Primrose weren’t in love, but they are now. Dad, you and mama were never meant to be married, but because you loved each other it worked. I mean… maybe it’s stupid, but I at least want a chance to fall in love. So, yeah, I’m asking, please don’t make me marry Jean.

A silence drags for a while, most people watching Kur for his reaction. Primrose coughs uncomfortably.

KUR: …fine.

SET: Wait, really?

KUR: Yes. Really. The pool of noble men willing to date men is small, though. Are you prepared to settle?

SET: …I mean, yes. Within reason.

MINERVA: Aw, Set’s gonna marry an old pervert.

HORUS: No, he is not.

MINERVA: What, you want him to find someone younger?

HORUS: Is that your plan, is it?

MINERVA: You know, father, seeing as Set isn’t marrying Jean, maybe Horus could marry her?

KUR: …interesting.

HORUS: Absolutely not. She’s half my age.

KUR: Fifteen years isn’t such a big difference.

HORUS: No, father.

ARES: *I am so glad not to be roped into these conversations anymore.*

PRIMROSE: *Me too. I guess this is something our families have in common.*

KUR: I’m sorry, is there something the two of you want to share?

ARES: Sorry, Dad. There’s nothing.

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KUR: Hm.

Osprey refills Ares and Primrose’s glasses. Primrose smiles at him.

PRIMROSE: Thank you.

The room goes quiet at her words. Ares laughs sheepishly.

ARES: Uh… Primrose? We don’t normally thank the servants.

PRIMROSE: Really? Why?

ARES: It’s kind of hard to explain—

KUR: It’s because they’re less. Don’t let their vests and polished shoes fool you — when I hired them, they were just as dirty and ignorant as any common villager. They don’t have the same blood we do. There’s no need to thank someone like that. You wouldn’t thank the mailman, would you?

PRIMROSE: Well… actually, yes. We thank our mailman all the time.

Silence lingers until Set laughs.

SET: Sorry. Sorry. It’s just funny to me. I guess your family dinners look pretty different to this one, huh Primrose?

PRIMROSE: You could say that. For one thing, there’s eleven of us. We also tend to play music.

MINERVA: That would make the awkward silences easier to fill.

KUR: Yes, your culture is rather different to ours. Differences in culture can be a strain on new relationships.

PRIMROSE: Yeah, so can being separated from your husband.

The room goes quiet again.

HORUS: Am I to assume this has something to do with the letter that came for Ares?

KUR: Yes. Ares is paying the capital a visit.

MINERVA: For how long?

ARES: I dunno. Depends how long they hold me there. I reckon I’ll be home within ten days. Primrose is worried it will be longer.

HORUS: Dare I ask what it’s all about?

KUR: Not now. There’s no point worrying, Primrose. I don’t know how they do it in Tijora, but Ares will be safe as he travels to the Capital.

PRIMROSE: …What does that mean, exactly?

SET: Sorry to interrupt. I just want to be very clear — I’m not marrying Jean, right?

KUR: …No, Set. You aren’t marrying Jean.

None of my children are marrying anyone.

ARES: …I just got married?

HORUS: Listen. What if we held Solstice this year? We can invite potential new marriage candidates for all of us, not to mention, smooth over whatever feathers this new marriage has ruffled.

KUR: I suppose that’s true… people will be wanting to meet her…

HORUS: Perfect. Then there’ll be no more marriage talk until then.

KUR: …I see you’ve all decided to gang up on me. I suppose I’ll retire, then.

ARES: Dad, we weren’t—

KUR: I understand. It’s how siblings are. Servants, have Marsden bring me some wine. Primrose, there is a lot to learn about this place. I’d like you in my study tomorrow morning at ten so I can make some of my expectations clear.

PRIMROSE: I look forward to that very much.

KUR: Wonderful. Good evening.

Kur leaves, giving Set and Minerva a head kiss on the way out. As soon as the door is closed, everyone noticeably relaxes, including servants.

ARES: You can relax now, Primrose. The Big Bad Wolf is tucked away for the evening.

HORUS: With Set coming out victorious. I’ve caught you with your hand up girls’ skirts, Set. You’re telling me you’re only interested in men now?

SET: Yes, Horus. None of that was a lie, honest! I really thought he’d freak out. I’m going to need a surrogate to have kids now.

ARES: You always make Dad out to be a monster, but he’s normally pretty reasonable. The only one who’s ever been forced into a marriage is me.

PRIMROSE: And we got pretty lucky.

ARES: Yeah, well… he wouldn’t have agreed if we didn’t have a chance. Love does matter to him.

MINERVA: Easy for the favourite child to say.

ARES: You think I’m the favourite?!

HORUS: Shall we not? get into it? The point I was making, is Set’s a snake.

SET: I’m not a snake! Those girls you saw me with… call them unresponsive tests.

PRIMROSE: While we’re on it, I want to ask about your version of being ‘chaste’. How can you call yourself chaste when you’ve had your hands up girls’ skirts?

SET: It was just my hands. So long as no-one touches me, which they haven’t, it counts. I’m a good boy.

ARES: At least tell a joke that’s somewhat believable.

MINERVA: He got the ‘boy’ part right. Isn’t it time for little boys to go to bed?

SET: I’m not a little boy. I’m literally taller than you.

MINERVA: Yet still so unwise. Goodnight, Set.

SET: What! They haven’t even brought out the dessert, yet.

MINERVA: Ruin your figure if you want.

HORUS: Can we all stop bickering? We’re making a terrible impression on our guest. Sorry, Primrose. We’re not normally like this.

SET: We’re normally much, much worse.

PRIMROSE: Please, don’t apologise. I have eight siblings, remember? I know how tense a family dinner can get.

MINERVA: Is your father psychotic, too?

HORUS: Don’t, Minerva. Our father is abrupt, but I assure you, Primrose, that he’s very just and fair.

PRIMROSE: I’m sure he is. I hope to learn a lot from him — from all of you — while I’m here.

HORUS: Good. There’s a lot to learn.

I’d better go up and keep working. Set, straight to bed after dessert, alright?

SET: I’m not having any. Might ruin my figure.

HORUS: Don’t be dramatic. Goodnight, everyone.

Horus leaves. Primrose offers Minerva a smile, but she looks away.

ARES: They’re a dramatic pair, those two. I can’t believe I’m leaving so soon. Being here really made me realise how much I need rest.

MINERVA: Why are you going, anyway?

ARES: Magic stuff. I’d better practice tonight, actually. But let’s not get into it now. Minerva, how’s life in the lab?

MINERVA: It’s fine. Business as usual.

SET: She’s been blowing stuff up.

PRIMROSE: I’m sorry, did you saying blowing stuff up?

ARES: Minerva is a chemist. She makes potions and poisons. It’s her way of getting out of combat.

MINERVA: Ha-ha.

SET: Lately she’s been working on something explosive.

ARES: That’s not like you.

MINERVA: I wanted to get away from poisons for a bit. There’s only so much you can do to someone’s heart.

PRIMROSE: Heart?

ARES: Minerva is famous for something called Vascular Venom. It’s a poison that slowly eats away at your heart’s valves, and eventually gives you a heart attack. It takes several days to work, making it really difficult to trace. Minerva perfected the stuff when she was what, seventeen? It’s still her biggest seller, even now, no-one’s done any better.

MINERVA: Ares, don’t give away country secrets to a terrorist.

ARES: Don’t call her that. She’s not the enemy.

SET: She was until a few weeks ago. I’m interested to see what father does to her tomorrow at ten.

PRIMROSE: You make it sound like he’s planning on attacking me.

SET: I mean… he might.

ARES: Shut-up, Set. Don’t worry, Primrose. Dad’s fine.

MINERVA: Let her decide that for herself.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧

Ares stands alone on the second-floor balcony. As he breathes in the clean, crisp air, he exhales a bright blue energy. As he begins his routine, blue energy follows him, radiating strength as he shoots it towards the sky in energy waves. Horus enters from behind and watches for a while before speaking.

HORUS: Didn’t we agree you wouldn’t practice alone anymore?

ARES: I’m just doing some warm-ups. I’m hardly likely to get hurt.

HORUS: Right… so this is what your visit to the capital is all about, then?

ARES: They’re summoning people who use human magic for some sort of testing. My magic is still pretty low-level. I doubt they’ll want me for anything.

HORUS: …let’s hope not.

Don’t keep pushing yourself. Practice tomorrow when you’re rested.

ARES: Dad wants to practice with me tomorrow. I need to warm up before then.

I’m fine, Horus. Don’t worry. I haven’t forgotten what happened.

…Please, go away. I’m fine.

HORUS: …goodnight, Ares.

Horus leaves. Moments later, Osprey appears.

OSPREY: Not interrupting, am I?

ARES: Osprey. It’s so good to see you again.

OSPREY: Lord Ares. I’m so happy you’re home.

ARES: How was everything while I was away?

OSPREY: Fine, Master. Nothing to be concerned about.

ARES: …no big fights, then?

OSPREY: I don’t know. I was on leave for most of your departure, though it didn’t feel like it. My siblings kept me on my feet.

ARES: I’ll bet. The whole thing already feels like a dream. Like, did I really just marry a Tijoran a few weeks ago? Did we really have a wedding, fall in love, travel the mountains? Did all that really happen, only for me to come back here, and nothing’s changed?

OSPREY: …I’m really happy you fell in love, Master.

ARES: Me too. I can’t tell you how much. Look, I don’t want to keep you here. It’s past bedtime. Horus obviously sent you to keep an eye on me.

OSPREY: Of course not. I wanted to see you.

ARES: Mind if I practice a bit more?

Osprey nods and Ares continues his routine. Everything is going well, until he tries something too big, and it shoots back, shocking him. He doubles over in pain, and in those moments, millions of whispers scatter in his mind, a carnival of sounds, before dying down again. Osprey watches from a safe distance, waiting for the chi to fade before approaching.

OSPREY: Ares…? Are you alright?

ARES: Yeah… yeah, I’m okay. I’d better get to bed. Thanks for the company. Oh, Primrose sleeps late, by the way, so don’t come up early. We’ll buzz when we’re ready.

OSPREY: Yes, Lord Ares.

ARES: Thanks. See you soon.

Ares goes inside and leans in the corridor, out of sight. The whispers linger in the walls.

*✧₊ ༉✧*‧₊˚✧

Ares and Primrose are riding goats through the city outskirts. They stop somewhere close to the giant windfarms.

PRIMROSE: Wow, these are huge! So much bigger up close. These power the entire city?

ARES: And then some. Mountains get a lot of wind.

PRIMROSE: I’ve noticed.

ARES: Must seem weird when you’re used to water-power. Anyway, what do you think of goat riding?

PRIMROSE: Exhausting. Very different to riding serpents.

ARES: Yeah? Well, everyone rides goats around here. They’re kind of necessary for getting around the mountains. I usually train horses, though, the kind we use in wars.

PRIMROSE: I see.

ARES: …anyway, how’d your meeting go this morning with my dad?

PRIMROSE: …well…

KUR: Thank you for coming. I trust you slept well.

PRIMROSE: Yes, thank you. The mountain air is so refreshing.

KUR: Yes. It keeps our people level-headed.

…I want to discuss my expectations with you. I understand you’ll one day be the tribal leader of your little… smidge of land… but while you’re here we expect you to uphold Saber values. We want to see a woman of power and dignity in these halls, one my wife would have been proud to see. Do you know how to fight with a sword?

PRIMROSE: Uh, a little…

KUR: You’ll learn. Until then, I suggest working on your manners. You smile far too much, it shows weakness.

PRIMROSE: …Lord Kur. I appreciate our cultures are different and I’m willing to compromise, but you’re kidding yourself if you think I’m going to leave myself behind. I won’t stop smiling, and I won’t stop being kind and saying, ‘thank you’. And you know what else? You can expect me to teach those same things to your grandchildren, because if you’ll remember, I’m not a Saber, but Ares is a Costa.

ARES: You… really said all that to my father? What did he say?

PRIMROSE: Nothing, actually. He stared at me quietly, so I excused myself and left. Now we’re here.

ARES: I’m sorry. I can’t believe he told you to smile less.

PRIMROSE: Don’t worry about it. Some old people are set in their ways, thanks to wars. It’s a wonder you turned out so normal, actually.

ARES: Well, Dad didn’t do much in the way of raising me. I mean, we always trained and dined together, but he was pretty busy most of the time.

PRIMROSE: If your father didn’t raise you, and your mother died when you were seven, who looked after you growing up?

ARES: The servants. Most of them have been with us their whole lives. You know Marsden? He was hired when Dad first moved here — he was twelve years old. Been Dad’s squire and estate steward as long as I can remember. Python moved here when she was nine, or something. Hired when Horus was born, pretty much raised us all from the baby years. Then Osprey was assigned to me when I was six — normally, kids don’t get a personal servant till they’re over ten, but I was a handful, and mum was pregnant with Set and she’d had a stillbirth the last pregnancy… so, yeah, mostly it’s been Python and Osprey raising me.

PRIMROSE: I see… no wonder they’re all so defensive around me.

ARES: They’ll settle down once they get to know you.

PRIMROSE: Hope so. Danielle said they’re too busy to talk to her much. I think we’ll miss Tijora.

ARES: You’re talking like we won’t go visit. How’s your legs?

PRIMROSE: Sore. Riding a goat is really rough on the groin area, isn’t it?

ARES: Try being a guy. C’mon, let’s head back. It’s my turn to meet with Father for a special talk.

PRIMROSE: You’re going to be careful, right, Ares? You won’t push your magic too hard.

ARES: Don’t be silly, Primrose. Magic isn’t as dangerous as everyone makes it out to be. I’ll be fine.

PRIMROSE: Ares, you’ve already lost control once…

ARES: I was a teenager. I’m not going to lose it now. C’mere. Listen, everything’s going to be fine. Just do me a favour, and don’t challenge my father unless I’m around, alright?

PRIMROSE: What’s that mean?

ARES: Just don’t. Let him be a jerk until I get back from capital. Just… don’t do anything reckless while I’m away. Promise?

PRIMROSE: I… I guess so…

ARES: Good. Now, let’s go.

Ares takes his goat and starts trotting off. Primrose turns to look at the castle, tucked onto a bed of green that’s sprawling beside the mountains, before turning to catch up to Ares.