The Four Swords

Chapter 30: Consequence

I picked up Liliana to set her in my lap, situating myself between Alina and Cali. Although I knew the palace had more guards than the rest of the city, it comforted me to know that Cali was in the room with Alina and my family after the day I had. I know she would protect them.

My mother took center stage. Abrin had taken over the seat that he and my mother were sharing last time I saw them. Queen Valerie sat next to him learning on her armrest nearest to him. She glowed with joy. I'm so glad she's adopted my family.

My mother flapped her arms and pretended to fly. Her neck was outstretched and her motions seemed graceful.

"A chicken?" Abrin squealed with giggles at his obviously joking guess. My mother smiled and shook her head.

"Well I know that Abrin is a silly goose!" My uncle picked up my brother and stole the chair. Abrin giggled even more as he scurried back into Uncle John's lap.

"Oh. A goose?" Alina guessed. My mother eyed her at the suggestion. A more mischievous grin snuck across my mother's face before she pointedly shook her head twice. Alina was close to the answer.

"A swan." My father suggested from the back row.

"Yes, Mama is a swan!" Liliana cheered.

"Oh! You got me! It's not fair when you have help from one of the brightest men in the room." My mother's eyes danced with affection for my father. She always took an opportunity to compliment her husband.

"My dear, you do not give yourself enough credit. You make a lovely swan." My father has been full of surprises lately. I can only recall a handful of times I heard him so sentimental. Maybe I was used to seeing my father as a warrior. He was so much more.

Glancing around the cozy room, my father smiled. "We should probably head home and let Princess Alina and Queen Valerie resume their days."

"Right you are! Come on sweethearts." My mother motioned for my siblings to stand. "Thank you so much for your gracious hospitality, Your Majesty. We hope we did not impose too much."

"I cannot remember the last time I had a reason to laugh this much as I have with your family. The pleasure is all mine." Queen Valerie stood and motioned for someone at the door. The servant left to I assume go to attend to the carriage. " I also took the liberty in assigning a small detail of the palace guards to accompany you home. If they are cumbersome in any way, please send them back. I just want everyone to be safe."

"Guards! At our home! In armor!" Abrin was living his best dream. His grin spanned from one ear to the other.

"Thank you,Your Majesty. Any measure of safety is greatly appreciated," My father responded.

My family, including Uncle John, headed toward the door for the carriage. Somehow I felt torn between following and staying with Alina and Cali.

"Father, is it alright if I meet you at home?" My expression gave away my thoughts.

My father looked from Cali to Alina. "Of course. See you soon."

"I will show you the way to your carriage. Follow me." Queen Valerie could have assigned a servant, but instead led the way for my family. Leading meant not always delegating. She was a perfect example.

The door closed behind them, leaving me alone with Cali and Alina. I turned to Cali. "I'm so glad you're safe! I saw how close you were to that archer."

Since I entered the room, Cali was in a jovial mood. I unwittingly destroyed it. "Not close enough! I almost got him with my sword." Cali frowned in frustration.

"You can't be perfect everyday," I added.

"I suppose not." Cali was calmer than yesterday. Probably wore herself out. I decided to press my luck.

"Cali, did I see you leaving the stables this morning? Were you there to wish us luck, and I missed it?" What had these two been talking about before I arrived?

"Not exactly. I just needed to talk to Alina." Cali cut in before Alina could open her mouth.

"Oh. About what?" I hope I was not pushing too much.

"It honestly does not matter anymore. I don't even recall what all I said." The sincerity in Cali's tone was like nothing I had heard from her before. Her voice teetered on the edge of emotion. "I'm just glad you're both safe and both still here with me."

In an unexpected display of affection, Cali threw her arms around Alina and me. Alina and I shared a glance behind Cali's back. Both of us seemed caught off guard. Cali was not one for physical affection. Today must have really rattled her.

"I'm glad we are all still here too." I tried to break the awkward tension as we released the embrace.

"I appreciate that you almost stabbed our attacker. I've never been so scared in my life!" Alina chimed in.

"Me too" I admitted safely to my friends.

"Really? You seemed so calm under pressure." Alina looked surprised.

"I'm not the one that cracked a joke about having nothing else to do on the carriage floor," I admitted.

Alina's face pinched with concern. "We really should go check on Gavin."

Cali's mouth hung open for a moment. "What does Gavin have to do with the carriage floor?" She paused for barely a breath. "Nevermind. I think that was a joke you had to experience firsthand."

Alina led the way to the infirmary. Finding the door wide open, we saw Lord Garrison and his wife huddled over a cot near a corner of the room. As a group, we hovered near the door, attempting to give the family an ounce of privacy with their injured son. Hushed conversation was audible, but indecipherable until Lord Garrison's face turned red.

"Balor did what?" Lord Garrison's voice could be heard throughout the room. A cot in the opposite corner creaked in protest giving away Balor's location as he slumped his shoulders and shifted his weight. Someone was in trouble.