Chapter 12

CHAPTER12

They didn’t reach Naran until the next evening, and by the time they collapsed into the bed at the inn, Elric was sure his feet were going to fall off. He didn’t even care that the mattress was made of straw, not after sleeping under the tree with rain pattering around them.

At least it had been warm, and he certainly wasn’t going to complain after Athan had taken a knife and an arrow for him. Those men had been intent upon killing him. Larkin wanted him dead or alive, or so Callan had said, but it was clear Armand and the others had had no intention of bringing him in still breathing.

They’d been loyal to him once, and it was all because of his damnable idiot of a younger brother that he had been in danger.

Of course, it was because of Larkin he was having to do all of this anyway. He should’ve been in Kithage, sitting comfortably on the throne and conducting business as usual. But no. Here they were.

Elric waited outside the inn, watching the morning rays highlight the street, while Athan negotiated with the innkeeper for another night’s stay. He’d let his guard down in a way he never did, and he was more than a little afraid the phoenix would think poorly of him. He’d been a slattern, and he’d been a fool, and the previous days all felt like a dream.

Elric watched the streets, taking in the sounds and the people. Naran wasn’t that different from Alzaria, although the architecture was just off enough as to feel foreign. Merchants and traders and common workers bustled about, ready to start their day.

He spotted two boys, too, one older than the other, off to the side of the main road. The younger one was crying while the older attempted to soothe him.

Brothers, most likely.

Elric snorted. The older one would do well to remember that his younger brother wouldn’t appreciate any of his care in just a few years’ time. No matter how coddled the younger brother was, he’d forget everything his older brother had done for him. He’d suck up everyone’s attention with his crying and helplessness, until the rest of the world forgot…

Elric looked down at his feet, fists clenched.

The shadow of the inn’s roof twisted strangely on the cobblestone. Elric stared at it, trying to figure out what could be casting that kind of shadow, and startled when a cold hand landed on the back of his neck. He spun around to see the shade standing before him. He shrugged the hand off, glowering at Callan.

“Good morning,” Callan said, that ever-amused tone in his voice. “You’ve had quite the journey, it seems.”

“And where have you been for it?” Elric demanded, answering that amusement with rage. “We could have used your help, and gods know you’d like to steal more memories from me.” Which was… something he was increasingly uncomfortable about. The thought that he’d almost lost the one of his father was unnerving, and the process of getting it back had been horrible, to put it lightly. Without Athan, he didn’t know what would’ve happened to him.

But Elric had almost died, and surely that was worse than losing some memory. He would have gladly traded a memory for Callan’s help in preserving his life.

“I didn’t want to intrude. You and Athan appeared to be having so much fun together.” Callan used one slender finger to tip Elric’s head up. “If you’d asked, I would have saved you the trip.”

Elric shuddered. “I will never travel that way again,” he declared. “No matter how quick it might make a journey.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the two brothers again. This time, the younger was being carried by the older one, tears long gone.

It reminded him of carrying Larkin in his own arms. Larkin had been prone to tripping while chasing after Elric, and sometimes it was simply easier to carry him than wait for him to catch up.

Callan followed Elric’s gaze and smiled. “Ah. Brotherly love. Truly one of the purest forms of affection humans display.”

Elric snorted, but if it was half-hearted. Part of him was wistful about the days he’d spent with his brother. They were seven years apart, and he’d…

He remembered how it had felt to welcome the tiny baby into the world. He’d been jealous at first, but it hadn’t taken long for him to become fascinated by those tiny toes and fingers. Larkin had liked it when Elric had held him…

“Brotherly love is foolish,” Elric snapped. “It doesn’t last. Everyone has their own agenda, and they rarely align.”

“How very true,” Callan said, placing a spindly finger on Elric’s temple. “Your brother’s been redecorating the palace, by the way. There’s an entire room dedicated to historical texts. He’s hired several archivists, as well.”

Elric grabbed Callan’s wrist and shoved his finger away. “You’ve done nothing to steal a memory over,” he said. “And let him, then. Historical texts… a waste of time, but at least he isn’t actively destroying the kingdom.” He narrowed his eyes. “Or is he?”

Callan slid around to Elric’s other side, draping his arm around Elric’s shoulders. “Is he? I don’t know what counts as destroying a kingdom. You aren’t ruling. Isn’t that enough?”

“Stop touching me,” Elric said. He hated the way Callan felt, so cold in comparison to Athan’s warmth. It hadn’t bothered him before, had it? But now… It felt horrible. “I’ll be ruling soon enough. We should be able to reach the king tomorrow. I’ll get an audience, and he’ll help me. Between his aid and Athan’s, I’ll reclaim the throne, and it’ll be as though nothing ever happened.”

Except he’d remember.

Maybe those were memories he’d ask Callan to take.

“Of course.” Callan ignored Elric’s directive and trailed one finger up his jaw, up to his ear—and there was a sudden spike of coldness, ice rushing through his veins, pulling him under, drowning him—

He gasped, nearly doubling over from the sensation.

Callan stepped away from Elric, into the sunlight. “I’ll be around. Don’t forget why you’re here!”

How could he possibly?

Elric coughed, and something black spilled into his hand. “What did you—”

But Callan was gone, only seconds before Athan emerged from the inn. The phoenix looked content, as he normally did, radiating warmth in more ways than simple heat. He exuded kindness, something Elric wasn’t used to. No wonder people were drawn to him.

He glanced back at where Callan had stood, but he had to shrug it off. What could he do about the stolen memory?

Nothing.

“Did negotiations go well? We should really go clothes shopping,” Elric said, looking down at his tattered and burnt clothing. He quickly wiped his hand off on the coat. Nobody would notice an extra stain there anyway.

“Yes,” Athan responded, smiling. “I…” he trailed off, looking past Elric, at the two brothers.

“What? Is something wrong with them?” Elric asked, but he couldn’t see whatever it was that Athan noticed.

“No. The younger one simply has a scraped knee. Nothing I’d be useful for.” Athan smiled softly. “I simply thought it was a cute sight. The older brother dotes on the younger. For all the terrible people in the world, there are those who genuinely care, too.”

Elric’s lips thinned into a line. “It’s all a farce. When they’re older, they’ll have their own lives, and they’ll forget what things were like. Or it won’t matter.”

What had he forgotten, just then, when Callan had reached into him and pulled something else free of him? Had it mattered?

Athan turned his attention to Elric properly, and the nature of his smile changed. “Not everyone is like that, Elric. Love can be unconditional.”

Elric laughed, the sound low and bitter even to his own ears. “Until circumstances change. Even your own parents—” He cut himself off, not wanting to think about how his mother had gone from loving him—even if she had always favored Larkin—to hating the mere sight of him. “Regardless. Clothing, and something to eat? I wish we could seek audience with the king today, but these things must be done.”

“Yes. I owe you a new wardrobe, after what I did to yours.” Athan ducked his head in a strange show of embarrassment. “I usually don’t lose control like that.”

“My wardrobe was already ruined before then,” Elric said. “But I do appreciate the aid.” He didn’t want to ask Callan for more help, and he had so few coins left to spend. “Do you know your way around Naran?”

“More or less.” Athan took Elric’s hand in his, the one that had been stained. Athan was warm, driving out the last of the ice Callan had poured into him. “Come on. The main market is just along this road, and we’ll find the very aptly named Tailor Street just off of it. There’s bound to be something suitable for you there.”

“I don’t wish to take too much of your funds, but I’m afraid I must dress to my station,” Elric said, suddenly feeling awkward, a little shy, even, as he began to follow Athan toward the market. “And you must as well.”

“Me?” Athan tilted his head with a slight smile. “I’m sure my clothes won’t make a difference.”

“Clothing always makes a difference,” Elric insisted, though he had a feeling Athan was right. No king in their right mind would turn away a phoenix—something he was counting on, because King Eoghan might well turn Elric away.

No. He couldn’t think like that. The man had worked with him in the past. He’d see Elric. He’d help.

Athan shook his head, his long ponytail swishing. “Probably. But if they don’t want to see me when I’m like this, that says a lot about them to me. I know it isn’t the same for humans, though. You can’t see the real person, so you have to rely on the exterior.”

“Then perhaps they ought to keep a phoenix as a retainer to determine who should see the king.” Though from all Athan had said—that Elric was rusting, that he was damaged—he might not have earned the right to speak to Eoghan.

He didn’t like that idea at all.

The market itself was crowded, everybody doing their morning purchases. Elric had never been in proximity to this many people at once. Even at his failed coronation, he’d been standing apart from the crowd, with no chance for anyone to jostle him.

But now they walked past him, completely ignoring his station, bumping into him, getting too close. A few times he ended up pressed against Athan’s side.

It was strange. Elric would have expected everybody to make way for Athan, at least, but they ignored him. A few people saw him and stared, but for everybody else, it continued to be a regular market day.

Elric glanced at a few of the stalls, but the clothing he saw was subpar, meant for peasants and those who couldn’t afford finer garments—like Elric himself, but he chose not to think like that. He was almost dismayed, seeing what the stalls themselves held, but Athan led him down one street with proper stores—each one advertising tailors.

It wasn’t half as crowded here as out on the market square, and Elric breathed a bit easier as he browsed the goods on display in the windows.

“Here,” he told Athan, opening the door for them when he saw one that looked appropriate.

The little bell above the door jingled as they entered. The store was blessedly free of other customers, with just one person by the far counter. The merchant looked at him with a slight sneer, but his expression changed quickly enough when he noticed the phoenix standing next to Elric. It was annoying, to say the least; Elric was used to being the one who commanded attention and respect.

And he would, once he was dressed to his station again.

“I need clothing befitting a—” He almost said prince, but he didn’t know if word had spread this far about a traitor prince who had a bounty on his head. “Someone who will be attending an audience with a king.”

The man’s eyes swept over him, but Elric held himself as true to his station.

“It has been a difficult journey,” Elric said tersely, not liking the way the merchant was acting with him. “I do not have time to waste, so I will need to have a garment fitted to me.”

Athan pursed his lips and let go of Elric’s hand to approach the tailor. “Ignore his… brusqueness, sir. But as you can see, my companion is indeed in dire need of new clothes. Have you anything that might fit him? I can help with the tailoring, if necessary.”

The tailor looked between them, as though unsure of what to make of the pair. “I have a few things that might suffice,” he said slowly, with an accent showing he was native to Naran. “Give me a moment.”

At least Elric had had time to bathe and put on a clean set of clothing Athan had had on him. It didn’t fit well, but it was still better than what he had as alternatives. “Of course,” he said, trying to sound more pleasant. But his head was pounding from what Callan had done, and all he wanted to do was step close to Athan and revel in his warmth.

The tailor pushed aside a curtain and stepped into the back, and Elric gave in to the temptation.

He pressed close to Athan, inhaling deeply and smelling the soap they’d used in the baths that morning. “I am trying to be polite, you know,” Elric told Athan.

“If you say so,” Athan answered, but he sounded amused. “People are more likely to comply if you’re nice to them, you know.”

“So your kindness is just a way of manipulating them?” Elric shot back. “That sounds underhanded.”

Athan laughed and pressed a kiss to Elric’s temple, right where Callan had touched Elric. “No. I like being helpful. I don’t see the point in being rude to somebody who’s done nothing to earn it. And we’re really not in a position to be making demands.” He reached into his bag and pulled out a small purse… Elric’s purse, which he’d handed off at the last town. “Here, you can pay him.”

Elric grimaced, knowing there was too little in it, but when he took it, there was a weight to it that hadn’t been there before. He peered inside, finding that his mind was not tricking him. It was a lot fuller now than it had been before. “Thank you,” Elric said quietly—a bit awkwardly, really, because he still wasn’t used to this. “I’ll pay you back upon return to… home,” he said, narrowly avoiding saying Kithage, though his accent likely gave him away.

The tailor returned before Athan could reply, several garments lying over his arm. They were made of sumptuous fabrics in gorgeous colors, exactly what Elric would have commissioned had he had time to do as much.

Elric nodded in approval, and the tailor set the clothing down on the counter.

“We can adjust any of these, for a fee,” the tailor said. “I selected items for the two of you. They should be in your general size.”

“I won’t need anything,” Athan said, taking a few steps away. “Elric, just get several outfits.”

Elric winced a little when Athan said his name, but the tailor didn’t seem to recognize it. Relieved at the lack of reaction, he focused back on the tailor’s wares. “No,” he said firmly. “You will absolutely wear something befitting your station as well. Phoenix or not, it is important to be dressed well. It shows the person you are visiting that you respect them.”

Athan’s eyes widened, and his lips pressed together like he was suppressing a laugh. “I’m not one for fancy dress.”

“Well, just this once, you will be.” Elric turned back to the tailor, selecting items with a critical eye. “I’ll take this blue coat for myself, and the golden vest. These pants. For him…” He looked over to Athan, considering. “The red hair makes it a little difficult, but I think he’d look good in black. We want his features to stand out.”

The tailor nodded. Now that they seemed to be making actual selections, he seemed more at ease with Elric and Athan. “Agreed. Hold on, I have a black coat in the back.”

Elric inclined his head in a nod. “Thank you.”

The man disappeared into the back again.

Elric looked back at Athan. “You aren’t going to give me trouble, are you?” he asked with a bit of a smile on his lips.

Athan raised his arms in surrender, smiling brightly. “No, no. It’s a waste, but I suppose if it makes you happy, I can give in.”

“It isn’t a waste,” Elric grumbled, but he couldn’t help the warmth that blossomed inside of him at the sight of that sunny smile. “And good. Because I will have to insist.”

The tailor returned more quickly that time, returning with a black coat with silver trim. “Here we are,” he said. “This looks about the right size for you as well, sir.”

Even though the tailor held it out to Athan, Elric took it from him, examining the fine coat. “This will do,” he decided. “Good. Now…”

He picked out a few more garments, praying to the gods that Athan had put enough in the purse to cover all of these clothes. But the phoenix had been the one to suggest several outfits, so he had to assume there was ample gold inside the heavy purse.

When it came time to pay, Elric had to fight not to let his hands tremble as he paid the surprisingly reasonable sum for the clothing. “A few of these will need to be hemmed,” he said, pointing out the trousers and robes. He paid the extra fee for that, too, relieved that he had plenty of gold to cover the transaction and more.

He could’ve kissed Athan in that moment for granting him the gift of normalcy.

When they exited the tailor’s establishment several hours later, they looked like a pair of nobles.

Elric sighed in satisfaction. This was how he was meant to look. The only thing he still needed to take care of was the scraggly beginnings of a beard, but he would shave it all off once they returned to the inn.

Athan pulled at the sleeve of his coat. “This is so constricting. Do you mind if I take the coat off for now? I’ll keep the good shirt on, and I’ll wear everything tomorrow, but if we’re just going to be walking around town…”

“But you look so wonderful,” Elric protested, pausing to critically examine Athan all over again. He couldn’t get enough of the sight of him, no matter how hard he tried. He sighed, though, waving a hand. “I suppose.” He paused, then glanced at the bag Athan carried. “Do you have shaving supplies in there? I need a proper grooming before we present ourselves at the castle.”

Athan pulled the coat off and stuffed it into his bag. Somehow it fit, the bag not even bulging, although the coat was large. “Shaving…” Athan’s hand went up to his face. “You know, I’ve never had to shave myself. We can return to the market. Do a little more shopping.” He smiled at Elric again. “Let’s just enjoy the day together. We can relax and have fun a bit, right?”

Elric couldn’t help himself. He kissed those smiling lips, agreeing, “Yes. We can make a day of it.”

And somehow, he couldn’t even bring himself to worry that it meant his brother would be king for one more day.