The tent had already been set up when Edon walked back with Aleci. The cat had long abandoned them, probably harassing the men at the campfire to share their food, no doubt.

“You should apologize,” said Aleci, holding out a hand to stop Edon.

They were far enough that Finne wouldn’t hear their conversation.

"Why?" said Edon, crossing his arms, “I don’t see why.”

“What did you say to him, before you ran out?”

Edon sniffed and refused to look at Aleci.

“If you’re so sure that you didn’t say anything wrong, you would have told me now, wouldn’t you?” said Aleci.

“I didn’t!” Edon exclaimed, “I said the truth! It’s all about them…” he paused, taking in several deep breaths. “Fine, you are right about the tri- thing but…”

“But you want his time as well?” offered Aleci, “I understand.”

“How?” said Edon.

“My father was away quite often when I was a child. I didn’t have brothers to compete for his attention. I think, Edon, if you apologize, it would surprise him, a nice surprise,” he nodded confidently. “Wouldn’t you like that?”

Edon kicked at the dirt, “What do I say? Sorry? I don’t want to… it’s the truth!”

“You can say you’re sorry for shouting,” said Aleci patiently. “You’re sorry that you’re upset and you said mean things. But you would like him to spend time with you. Just you and him.”

“Why?” said Edon.

Aleci supposed one never really enjoyed a new sibling, particularly if they were prone to crying and would be crying more if the description of Iachos’ treatment were as he described it.

“Because, it tells him why you’re upset and tells him what you want. Maybe you don’t mean it, your apology, I know babies aren’t very enjoyable, but he cares for your brother, hm? He cares for Ethain.”

“So?”

“If you love someone, you would care for what they love,” said Aleci. “Like your horse, don’t you love her? Why did your mamaí let you take her when you could’ve ridden on another one?”

“Stygian does things, Ethain doesn't, ” Edon insisted.

“Ethain will do things too, you’ll just have to wait,” said Aleci, deciding it was best not to laugh at the statement. “But how about it? Say sorry, and mean it, and I’m sure he will understand.”

“What is he supposed to do with me?” Edon demanded, “I told you before! It’s all about them!”

“Have you ever told him?”

“No,” said Edon, blinking.

“So tell him. Tell him you want to spend time with him. Just the two of you. I’ll have my,” Aleci chuckled, “stupid soldier watch Ediann and Ethain.”

“Mamaí never lets anyone watch them,” said Edon.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Probably because any nursemaid would undoubtedly gossip about Ediann’s deafness and Ethain’s feet. The latter gave Aleci some pause, weren’t most nobles attended to by several attendants? They would notice Ethain’s feet. Mytea then, Aleci decided, Finne must have had Mytea’s blessing.

“Maybe he’ll change his mind,” said Aleci, “because you were honest.”

"Hmph,” said Edon, biting his lip, “I’ll try.”

Aleci patted Edon’s shoulder, “Good.”

Ediann was the first to greet them when Aleci pulled open the tent flap. He bounded towards Aleci, “Praefect, praefect,” he signed, “sweets? Please? Now?”

There was a makeshift cradle in the corner, and Ethain was probably asleep in it. Aleci smiled down at Ediann, “Did you eat dinner?” he signed.

Ediann nodded enthusiastically, “Yes,” he signed, for emphasis.

Finne looked relieved, “You found him,” he said to Aleci, “Thank you.” he looked at Edon, and before he could say anything, Edon took Finne’s hand.

"’m sorry.” said Edon in a rush, not looking at Finne, "'m just mad! You promised…”

“He wants you to spend time with him,” said Aleci, deciding to step in.

“Oh,” said Finne, softly, looking crestfallen, as he pulled Edon into a hug. “I’m sorry Edon.”

Edon gave Aleci an astonished look over Finne’s shoulder. Aleci winked, then gestured for Ediann to follow him to Aleci’s trunk. Ediann’s eyes widened when Aleci pulled out the small wooden box with the dried fruit. He gestured for Ediann to take his pick. At Ediann’s hesitation Aleci took a small piece and popped it into his mouth. Emboldened, Ediann reached in, and picked the biggest slice of dried fruit, and he clumsily snapped it in two before walking hesitantly towards Edon.

“Edon want?” said Ediann, holding out the fruit to Edon, clutched in his tiny fist, “Edon want?”

Edon blinked, “Thank you,” he said, taking the offering.

Aleci caught Edon’s eye and signed the words. Edon’s imitation was clumsy and rushed, but Ediann smiled and clapped his hands in delight.

“There’s some food for you,” said Finne, “it’s cold but-”

“It’s fine, mamaí,” said Edon, “it tastes the same anyway, cold or hot.”

The apricot went horribly down his throat as Aleci choked back a laugh. Ethain woke up later that night, and as Aleci expected, Finne was up and soothing him, humming softly under his breath.

“I didn’t wake you up did I?” said Finne hesitantly, coming from behind the screen.

“No,” said Aleci, looking up from a map of Imruk, Domerc was right, there was a lake nearby. He moved to one side of the bed and gestured for Finne to sit down, “would you like to sit with me?”

“You don’t have to…” Finne began, smiled softly, then came to sit down next to Aleci. “How did you convince Edon to apologize? He’s never-”

“Apologize?” Aleci blurted out, shocked, “Why?”

There were dark circles under Finne’s eyes, his mouth perpetually set into a resigned frown. Finne bit his lip, looking uncomfortable as he gently rocked Ethain, “His father never did it, and I suppose…”

“Ah,” said Aleci, “so he is that type of man hm?” he tapped the map on the table. “It won’t do Edon any favors acting such, the only ones that get away with it in the Empire are the Caesar and his Magisters, and even then only some Magisters,” he glanced at Ethain, who had fallen asleep again.

They were horrible selfish men, and Aleci would attend every one of their funerals with relish. Or more likely, from a safe distance, no one wants to be there for the bloodbath when a man crowns himself Caesar.... but enough of his treasonous thoughts. Aleci gave Ethain a curious glance. Finne hadn’t swaddled him tonight, and Aleci could see that Iachos had begun binding and bracing Ethain’s feet.

“Did he not like that?” said Aleci, indicating to the bandages.

“No,” said Finne, “but Iachos was quick. He said it had to be gradual, so it’s not too bad today,” he gently touch Ethain’s right foot, “I’m very grate-”

“You needn’t thank me so much,” said Aleci, “I’m not those priests at their fancy temples.”

“Oh?” said Finne, raising an eyebrow.

There was a hint of a smile on Finne’s face and Aleci thought softly, that he’d like Finne to genuinely smile again.

“The priests are paid in coins and supplication,” said Aleci smirking, “what am I to do with coin and fawning praise?”

“You don’t want either?” said Finne, his head tilted to one side.

Ah, now that was definitely amusement, “No,” said Aleci, “if one gets enough coin then one goes around questioning the motives of everyone around them,” the Magisters, thought Aleci, “does their wife really love them or the coin? Would their guards slip a knife through their ribs later so as to rob their corpse? Would their children attempt to haste them to the grave so as to claim their inheritance-”

Here Finne laughed, and quickly stopped himself before he jostled Ethain, “You have thought so deeply about this.”

“It’s my observations,” said Aleci.

Normally, he’d add a wink, but he doubted Finne would appreciate flirtation.

“Edon said you trained with him before? Would you like to do it again? We’re taking a quick stop at the lake,” Aleci gestured to the map, “here, and I’m sure Iachos wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on Ethain for a morning. I’m sure I’ll find something for Ediann to do.”

Finne opened his mouth, took in a breath and said, “I don’t…”

“Was Edon lying?” said Aleci, raising an eyebrow, “He didn’t sound like he was lying. And he said he wanted to spend time with you.”

“I’m… out of practice,” said Finne evasively.

“Really?” said Aleci, and unable to stop himself, “Do you want to spar with me when we get to the lake?”

Finne looked stunned at the offer, “What?” he said, sounding baffled, “What?” he repeated.

“I have no archery skills,” said Aleci, then remembering what Maera told him. “I’m told the women carried swords in Imruk, or knives, is that what you’re good at?” he tried to keep the excitement from his voice, Maera had been less than enthusiastic when he asked her to show him her knife skills and none of the women had taken his offer seriously, “Please? I’d like to see.”

“You first wanted me to play the fiddle for you and now you want to spar with me?” said Finne, a note of disbelief in his voice, “Pick one.”

Aleci blinked, “I’m-” he began apologizing before he saw Finne’s grin.

“Why do you want to see my subpar skills?” Finne insisted, “It’s not very good…”

Sometimes it was best to repeat Kaeso’s explanation, “I have a curiosity,” said Aleci, in a less than perfect mimic of Kaeso’s dulcet voice, “I’ve asked the Imrukian women to see their swordplay and they refused me, and now I have the opportunity to see such a thing.”

“Your flattery leaves much to be desired,” Finne said, straight face. “Did anyone tell you that, Praefect?” a pause, and a sly smile, “Aleci?”

Whoever Finne's husband was, he was a fool to not appreciate Finne's charm, thought Aleci.

“I suppose the bards can sing of your modesty as well, Finne,” said Aleci.

Finne’s eyes widened at that, he glanced at the sleeping Ethain in his lap before saying quietly, "A modest wife adds grace upon grace, and there is no scale that can weigh the full value of her-"

"So it would be," Aleci interrupted, "but you've left your husband. Is that a thing a modest wife would do?"

Finne looked away from him, his finger tracing the curve of Ethain's cheek. "No," he admitted quietly, "no it isn't."