"Thank you," Miran says, already planning his letter in his mind. Dearest cousin, I require your assistance to usurp my father. Please house this army for us in the meantime. Yes. Sella will certainly love that. With a sigh, Miran stands as well. He dislikes it when somebody stands and he isn't. It makes him feel small. It makes him feel like an easy target. "I'm assuming you'll hold us here for those days." He clears his throat and looks around the tent. It's small and Miran doesn't like sharing close sleeping spaces with others. "Will we be staying here?"
Bel slightly shifts, only now realizing that he's in Nico's tent. The knick knacks and the modest decoration–comfortable and well-used chairs. Nico's bedroom is behind him. Bel's in Nico's home and the reality is just hitting him. He has to hide his smile behind his free hand, the other still holding his younger sister's.
"You're to walk around the camp as you please but you're not allowed to leave." Nico may trust that Miran hated his father but he didn't trust the prince or his sisters. Not yet anyway. "There's probably a tent lying around somewhere I can get set up for the three of you. You will have to share it and I don't know how many rooms it will have but it is only temporary. Or if you want to crash with anyone here that's always an option too." Nico certainly did not mean with him though. The last thing he wanted was an audience at night with Bel, and certainly not his siblings.
Nico saw Bel's little smile, no matter how hard he tried to hide. That contagious smile. Nico was smiling too now. He just couldn't help it. He knew if he went into his bedroom he would find Nico's things they had bought from his friend's shop. The rest of their things were unfortunately gone. Nico didn't have a strong desire to go back to the town where he had been caught. He could always send someone back to get them but that would be wasting resources and time. Better to just replace the items and move on.
Treya resurfaces from where she had disappeared. "We can walk around?" She asks, blinking her very wide and very doe-like eyes. She finishes wiping at her nose, crumpling the bloodied handkerchief and dropping it into Miran's hand. He stares at the handkerchief, and then unimpressively looks at his sister. With a sigh, he pockets it.
Miran looks to Nicandros, and then his brother. Their relationship makes him nauseous, but he isn't sure if that's the politics of it or just his brother instincts. Regardless, he knows that Bel is safe and that whatever happened between him and the king is somewhat healed. Miran trusts his brother enough to make good decisions–well, good enough decisions. Miran has no place to tell Bel who he should or should not love. He won't be that person. He'll give them space as long as he knows Bel isn't in any danger.
"Yes, we can Treya. Let's head out." He looks to his sisters and tips his head out the tent. Val slowly rises, moving her hand from Bel's to his shoulder–squeezing softly before finding Miran's side.
(Bahaha the handkerchief)
Nico looked at the girl, giving her a small smile. "Of course, you can. You're not my prisoners. Don't go past the perimeter, especially not at night. We're not the worst things that live in these woods." It was riddled with beasts and monsters. They stayed clear of the camp, knowing it was too much trouble than it was worth. But a couple of stragglers were prime for the picking. The beasts were why he chose this place. Not many people would be sane enough to try and find them through the woods with the threat of being eaten alive.
Ambrose had moved to the flap of the tent, holding it open for the royal siblings. He had much to do and so little time. Nothing ever seemed to be made very easy for him. He needed to tell everyone to start packing. In three days they moved. They needed to round up their livestock and deal with that. Pack up what they could. He would need to send a rider ahead to be there when they teleported most of their things to the next location. It was how they were able to move so much stuff around without needing wagons. Magic. It made things fairly easy.
Nico was just looking at Bel with a happy look on his face. "Would you like to go with your siblings? If you want some time to catch up with them I won't mind." He did mind actually. He would hog Bel to himself if he could. But as selfish as he was, he knew he needed to let his prince spend time with his family. He could find other ways to occupy himself until Bel came back to him. There was plenty he needed to do, letters to write.
Treya's the first one out the flap, not even giving Ambrose a second look. Her sister and her brother follow before the flap closes, separating Nico and Bel from the rest of the group. "I will go with them," Bel says, quickly standing and approaching Nico. "I'll be back before nightfall. I promise." No lies. "It's been far too long since we've all been together." Bel's family, Bel and Nico, everyone Bel's grown to care about through his short life. Bel leans down to quickly kiss Nico before backing away. With a smile, he ducks through the flap.
Throughout the rest of the day, Bel's sandwiched between his siblings as they move in tandem throughout the area. For the most part, everyone avoids them, not even daring to look at the cruel king's spawn. The braver ones send them seething looks, and even one manages to get far too close before choosing the correct option and backing away. Unlike the villages they had all stayed in before, there's no true shops and markets, only a few trading stands for their goods.
Nightfall eventually comes, the siblings spending their time swapping stories and tales of their time apart. Treya's working one establishing a lab in Lumiere. Valera is working on an act to allow young girls to enter self-defense training in Cobrass. Miran tells the less gruesome parts of his crusade. Bel's quiet, but he listens and smiles to everything his family says.
Nico placed his hands on Bel's hips as he approached the sitting man. He craned his head up to look at him, nodding. He returned the kiss happily but released him as he backed away. "Have fun, don't get into any trouble. Come get me if you have any problems." He had no doubt in his mind that something would happen. No one there was a lover of the king. Many held prejudices against the king and his family. He was worried someone might start something with them. Turning to Cassian, he murmured, "Put Kaillas on them. Tell him to be discrete."
Kaillas knew how to stay hidden. He knew how to keep to the shadows and stay out of sight. No one would think twice they were being followed until they were dead, with his blades being the cause. Now this wasn't to kill them no, this was to keep the four siblings safe. Kaillas knew how to step in if something happened. His very presence would have people backing down if he needed to step in. Kaillas was there for protection and that was it. No spying or anything. Cassian nodded his head at the request and left to get the man. Kaillas likely wasn't far from there, likely keeping an eye on Nico even if he hadn't asked for it.
Ambrose waited until Nico joined him outside. It took Nico a little longer than he would have liked to get up. He was exhausted, mentally and physically. Everything hurt, like when you were sick and your whole body was sore. He could go to a healer if he really needed to but all he wanted was to crash into bed and go to sleep. Unfortunately, there were things to do. He spoke to some of his more trusted soldiers, telling them to spread the word about their moving. He would hold a meeting at dinner when everyone was gathered at their mess hall tent. That was the easiest place to tell them everything he was able to. Nico wrote letters until his hand was cramping and gave them to Ambrose to send out. Next was to check on their weapons and supplies. They needed enough to get them across the border. A week's journey of rations. Everyone needed to have the proper shoes and clothing. Not everyone would be able to ride. They didn't have enough horses and mules for that. So they would have to walk.
Even though they're catching up, the conversation flowing naturally between them in a multitude of different languages, Bel can't help but have his mind wander. They're leaving in three days–not just Bel and his siblings, but also Nico and his entire kingdom of people. They're heading for the Empire of Waterfalls–the beautiful country Bel promised to show Nico all those nights ago. It's beautiful. The flowers are blue and white, the skies always marbled with clouds, the stretching and jagged mountains interrupting crystal streams–Bel can't wait to return. It's been well over a decade since he's visited his favorite spots.
The siblings finish their night as the stars begin to appear. They break off, Miran, Val, and Treya finding the tent that was set up for them, still in the center of the settlement but a good distance away from Nico's tent. Bel can already smell the dinner brewing from the large mess hall set up a half mile away. Bel looks over his shoulder and ducks through the flap and into Nico's home. "I'm back," he calls softly, searching for the blond.
Nico was exhausted by the time he made it back to his tent and the day still wasn't over yet. He still needed to call the meeting and speak to his people in the mess tent. Even here he could smell the cook being cooked, dinner running a little late due to the circumstances of everything. He had a little bit more time to kill until then and was laying on his couch. He had meant to make it to the bed but he didn't think his feet could carry him that far so the couch it had been.
He popped his head up as Bel entered and called out. he dug his palms into his eyes, trying to will the sleep away. He looked at the prince, smiling softly. In the time they had been apart, Nico only looked worse. His body was sagging with exhaustion. His hair was a mess and somehow the bags under his eyes had gotten worse. He needed a good night's sleep but there was too much to do and too little time to do it.
Bel finds Nico already half asleep on the couch. How long has it been since he's had a good rest. With a small pout, Bel makes his way to the edge of the couch and sits where Nico's head had been before he raised it. "You look exhausted," Bel notes, reaching forward to swipe his hands through Nico's hair. He finds the bare remnants of the braid Bel had twisted in a few days prior, back before everything went wrong.
Bel carefully eases Nico's head into his lap. "We'll sleep hard tonight," he promises. They both need it. Bel isn't sure about the route from there to Blakkast, but there should be at least a village or two along the way. Blakkast hosts far more rural villages than Araniel. Bel continues to slide his fingers through Nico's hair, pulling it bag into some loose resemblance of a braid.
Nico let out a quiet sigh as Bel placed his head on his lap. He shifted, readjusting himself, before closing his eyes. Feeling Bel's hands in his hair was just the icing on the cake. He wanted to go sleep right here, just like this. Unfortunately, there were things for them to do. Well, for Nico to do. Bel just needed to stand there and look pretty. And eat, definitely eat. Even if it had only been a couple of days, he could tell the clothes on Bel's body were hanging a little looser. Nico couldn't judge all too much, he hadn't eaten in three days either. But he had a better excuse than Bel did.
He turned his head to kiss Bel's belly. It was soft and sweet. Just to show appreciation. He opened his eyes to look up at Bel. The next couple of days were going to be a mess of packing. On the third day, they would rise at dawn and set off. He hoped the journey would go smoothly. And quickly. He was tired of traveling. He was ready to find a place and just stay put. Even if it was for three months that was batter than this. He wondered what it would be like to live someplace with four walls and a proper room. He hasn't had one of those since he went undercover two years ago. As long as he shared it with bel he would be happy.
It's night, he's warm. If Bel wasn't hungry and awaiting an impending dinner, he wouldn't hesitate to drag Nico to the bed. Sadly, there would be no risque activities, but they're both exhausted and just relieved to be together. Maybe tomorrow night, maybe after they've had the time to sleep and enjoy each other's presence. Bel smiles when Nico presses the kiss to his abdomen. The prince scratches at the blond's head, purposefully unraveling his loose braid only to begin on it again.
In three days they'll be off. In three days they'll be on the road once more. It will only take them a week to arrive in Blakkast, which is only a twelve day's journey on the main road to Araniel. They have at least until the Solstice until their father grows suspicious, and maybe perhaps time after that. "Miran sent for my cousin. Hopefully she'll be able to write back before we leave." Still brushing through Nico's hair, Bel wonders what their stay at the Blakian Palace would look like. A suite, a large bed, a thick wall and ceiling and maybe a balcony if they're lucky. In all it's silver and powder blue, Blakkast is an industrial kingdom with ores and factories–reflecting well in their diamond-encrusted palace. That is, if it hasn't been defiled since the last time Bel visited.
Nico could sleep just like this. His head in Bel's lap, having his head scratched and hair brushed. It was relaxing, heavenly. He never wanted to leave. Unfortunately, he couldn't stay there. He would have nodded his head but he didn't want to disrupt Bel's braiding. "Our hawks know how to find us. If she replies and used our hawk, we will receive it." He didn't want to talk about that anymore. He didn't want to talk about leaving or war or anything else. He just wanted to exist in this room.
But then the horn sounded, signaling dinner. He sighed, cracking his eyes back open. When the braid was finished he sat back up, taking a moment before standing. He held out his hand for Bel to take. "Come, let's get you fed." And watch Nico have to make a speech that will surely upset most of them. Something he wasn't quite prepared for but didn't have any other choice. "Don't think I don't know you haven't been eating. Don't do that again." He gave Bel a look. "From now you eat all three meals unless there is a situation that prevents you from it." Hopefully that would never happen.
"That's good," Bel responds, undoing the last bit of his braid just so he can redo it. He doesn't want to leave–and he can tell Nico doesn't either. They should just stay like this. Forever. And then maybe a little longer. Bel almost whines when Nico sits up. He's not hungry, Bel hasn't been hungry for days. Even now, the sound of food is slightly nauseating. "And I'm fine, Nico. I just don't eat." And that's the truth. Ever since he was a boy, Bel had been quick to eat his small portions and go without anything until the next meal, or even sometimes the next day.
Bel takes Nico's hand and allows him to pull him to his feel. Instead of letting go, Bel just entwines their fingers and swings their hands between them. To be honest, Bel's dreading dinner. He's dreading being sat up beside their leader and hearing of how his bloodline is a false one. The looks he received today would be just the beginning of it. Hopefully with Nico at his side, he won't have to deal with too much backlash, but he also wonders if this will somehow tarnish Nico's image. A look crosses his face as he thinks of it, but he shakes it away. "Dinner?"
Nico sighed softly. He could tell Bel was nervous. And the not eating thing was an issue. One they would have to slowly work on. It wasn't healthy for him. He knew dinner was calling to them but it would have to wait. Bel was more important here, no matter how hungry he was. He grabbed him with his free had by the back of Bel's neck and pulled him to him. Nico pressed a kiss to his forehead before dipping his head so they were eye level. "One, you're eating. This isn't healthy for you. It doesn't have to be a lot but I need you to eat something okay? I want you to eat something for every meal, even if it's not a lot. It will get better in time." At least he hoped it did. Start off small and hopefully Bel's appetite would grow and he would feel comfortable eating more.
"Two, we'll wait for speeches until after dinner." That way, Bel and his siblings would hopefully feel more comfortable eating. "All I'm going to say is that we have joined in alliance, you and me." And his siblings but that wasn't prevalent right now. "I'm going to tell them we are allies and an attack on you is an attack on me. I do not put up with disrespect or fighting. If they try anything, they will be held responsible. I'll tell them we're going to Blakkast to your cousin. I'll tell them we're going there to strategize and plan. And then we go to war." Obviously, he was going to say it prettier and more inspirational, as a leader should, but that was the gist of it. "It's going to be okay." Then he kissed his lips.
Bel swallows and nods at Nico's words. He can't quite meet his eyes–instead staring somewhere at the floor. Bel never thought that the topic of food and eating would be such a sore one. Bel's always loved to make food, but he always gifted his hard-earned meals to the kitchen servants. He always thought they should get better treatment from his father. It's only now hitting him how overworked and underpaid all of the help had been. That's another thing he'll have to fix now that his rose-colored glasses of Araniel have been shattered.
"Okay," is all he really says, unsure of really what to say. Closing his eyes, he accepts Nico's kiss. He knows Nico will protect him, he knows that Nico will ensure that he and his siblings will remain unharmed. However, it's still scary. It's still scary to be sitting beside the king of a people who hate him. He's been lucky with Elora and Ambrose–willing to listen and understand, but Bel knows that the luck won't last for an entire population. "Let's get going," he mutters, resting his forehead on Nico's collarbone.
Nico rubbed the back of Bel's neck gently. He pressed one last kiss to his forehead. "I love you," he murmured. He didn't think he would ever get tired of saying that. It felt so right coming out of his mouth. It felt right to say to Bel. He loved him. He didn't think he would ever stop loving him. He only hoped that one day they could have a future together. After all of this was over. Although if he did become king, children were going to be an issue. He could find some solution. Perhaps have a surrogate. Would Bel even want to have children? No, not right now. He needed to think about the present. About keeping them alive. That conversation could come later.
"Let's go get dinner." Nico, still holding his hand, took him out of the tent. The mess tent was nearby. They had wanted to keep it close to the center of the camp as well. It was easier to get to rather than having to walk all the way across the camp to get food. People were lining up, sitting down at tables, eating food, and talking. Ambrose had already gone to collect the other siblings. He didn't want any of them without an escort. More for their safety than his people.
Bel allows himself to be led outside the tent. The airs a little cold and he wishes he had a cloak. Something with a high collar that could cover his scratches and bruises. He bites his tongue though. They're approaching the mess tent and Bel's heart is in his throat. Nervous, Bel squeezes Nico's hand before letting it go. He doesn't know how Nico's people will perceive their relationship. Bel's siblings are already seated, chattering quietly among themselves in an old language rarely spoken. Bel knows what they're talking about: the people around them.
Bel takes his seat, Miran on one side and Nico on the other. The food isn't out yet, only a few appetizer bread rolls in baskets on every table. He swallows, already feeling the eyes on him. They know who he is. Everyone knows who the children of the man who wronged them are. And they're all sitting perfectly in a row. Bel's breath slightly quickens, his neck cold.
Nico looked to Bel as the man suddenly ket go of his hand. Nico had no intent of hiding their relationship. He had done enough hiding in his life. He had done enough hiding around Bel. He wasn't going to hide this. But if this was what Bel preferred he would let him for now. Not that it wouldn't get out of their relationship soon, if they didn't know already. He took his seat at the head table in the center. Bel was sitting next to him, just how he liked it. There were a couple guards stationed behind him. Normally there never was. This must have been Cassian's doing to make sure he was protected from the siblings. Nico didn't need it as long as Bel had affections for him.
He placed his hand gently on his thigh, giving it a small squeeze. He leaned in, whispering in his ear. "Would you like to share a piece of bread with me? A whole piece will fill me up before dinner but if we share I'll still be able to eat." He hoped Bel wouldn't catch on to Nico trying ti trick him into to eating more. An innocent thing. But he needed Bel to eat.
"I don't like this," Miran leans into Bel's ear, speaking in Blakian in case prying ears would happen to listen. Bel raises an eyebrow, the sentence odd coming from Miran granted he usually loves banquets held in his honor. "They're planning something, Bel."
Bel sighs and sips at the glass of water provided. "Nico promised nothing bad would happen to us while we're here." His words heavily contradict his gut feeling. He doesn't like this any more than Miran. Bel leans forward to catch glimpses of his sisters. Valera looks incredibly uncomfortable, itching for dinner to start so she can excuse herself as soon as possible. Treya has the zoned-out look in her eyes. There's something else on her brain that's completely detached her from reality. "We'll be fine."
Bel turns back to Nico, hiding a smile from his reassuring squeeze. He looks to the bread roll offered. Just half. Bel won't eat most of it, but he can accept to be polite. He nods and offers a close-lipped smile. He only eats a bite of it, staring off into the crowds of people swarming into the mess hall.
Nico noticed the exchange between Bel and Miran but didn't say anything. He didn't know what they were saying. He only spoke the language of his home, something he would likely have to rectify. He would likely ask Bel to teach him another time when they got to Blakkast. They would have the time to do it there. Three months. He could at least learn the basics. He grabbed the bread roll and split it in half, handing one of them to Bel.
He nibbled on his own half, trying not to frown as Bel only took a bite of it before staring off into space. He squeezed his thigh, trying to get his attention. "Hey, don't look at them, look at me. Focus on me." He didn't like making Bel uncomfortable. He wished it didn't have to be this way. It would take time for the others to warm up to him and his siblings. But it would happen. Nico would make sure of it.
The squeeze from Nico slightly jolts Bel out of his temporary stupor. "I'm sorry," he says into Nico's ear. "It's been a while since I've been in front of a large group." And the last group he had been in front of was his father's hoard of bootlickers. They only stared at Bel with a slight jealousy and an ogling gleam. The prince has to suppress a shiver at some of the memories. There are some meetings with certain diplomats he'd like to dispel from his mind permanently.
The last groups of people begin to filter in, everybody taking their seats. Bel swallows. There's too many people and too many are looking right at him. He feels Miran tense beside him, which only causes Bel's nerves to flare even higher. "Can we get this over with?" He asks quietly, finding Nico's knee below the table to squeeze.
Nico had enough of this. He wanted to wait until everyone had time to eat before addressing the elephant in the room. He hadn't wanted Bel to feel too uncomfortable to eat or say something to upset Bel or any of his siblings. But he was tired of the looks they were getting, the whispers that was being said. He was done. He wasn't putting up with it anymore. He gave Bel's leg one last squeeze before standing up.
"Alright that is enough!" His voice echoed through the tent, silencing each and everyone inside. "I will not listen to this blasphemy anymore." Nicandros scanned the crowd, looking at each and everyone of them. This was Nicandros speaking now, king and warrior, not Nico. "The Ristokirin children are here as our allies, not our enemies. They have seen the cruelties of their father and they do not align themselves with him. They stand against him. They stand with us. We will be accompanying them to Blakkast where will prepare for war. It's time to take back what was taken from us but we cannot do it alone. Now you will treat them with respect or you will answer to me. Is that clear?" There were murmurs through the crowd of agreement. No one looked at him and no one disagreed. "Good, now eat." He sat back down, jaw clenched, as dinner was served.
"Bel, Miran leans over, still talking in Blakian. "Don't ever get kidnapped again. This is entirely unnecessary.: Miran's tone is humorless, but Bel still finds the joking tone layered beneath his gravelly voice. Bel at least smiles at that, shaking his head as Nico finishes his small speech and sits back down. Bel won't lie, the authority in Nico's voice did something to his poor heart.
Bel knows Nico's address won't solve all their problems, but he at least hopes it silences many of them. He prays that the citizens have enough faith in their leader to trust his judgment in allies. Still refusing to look at the crowd head-on, Bel awaits patiently for the food to come. He already knows he wont eat all of it and it will be a miracle if he manages even half. He'll try. He'll at least try to make Nico happy.
Nicandros flopped down in his chair, raising a hand to rub at his temple. His head was starting to throb. All of this mess was giving him a headache. He just wanted to go to bed. Chatter picked up among the crowd but they chose any all subjects other than the people sitting next to him. Had he not been sitting with Bel, he would have a large glass of wine by now. But Bel didn't like drinking and he would respect that.
Plates were brought out and placed in front of them. Chicken legs or breasts, with half of a corn cobb. Nico ate the same thing as everyone else. When they went on rations, so did he. Thankfully, they were good on food for the time being. He looked over at Bel, barely mustering to lift the corner of his lips. "Eat what you can and we'll save the rest." It coukd be eaten as leftover later or Nico might eat it himself depending on how hungry he was.
At his apparent headache, Bel slides Nico's water glass a little closer to him. The four siblings eat in absolute silence, Miran the first to be done with nearly all of his meal still on the plate. Bel only manages half of the chicken before he begins to feel queasy. Large events and large audiences always restrict his stomach. Valera pokes at her corn, nibbles at some of it. At least back home they were saved the embarrassment of a lack of appetite. Their maids always knew their reasoning behind the minimal eating.
"You need sleep," Bel eventually says after watching Nico droop a few times during their meal. The bags beneath his eyes are heavy and his movements are sluggish.
