TAHKI FOUND Rye at the bottom of the wide steps as Dyraien made his way toward them from upstairs.
“You clean up nicely,” Dyraien said, looking as princely as he had the night before. It was amazing to think he took care of himself, of the entire country, all without servants to dress him or cook for him.
“Thank you again for the bath,” Tahki said.
“Did you sleep well?”
Tahki thought of the dark thing in his room. “Perfectly. And I’m very eager to learn more about this castle.”
Dyraien raised an arm and threw it over his shoulder, like they’d known each other a long time. “Of course you are. We’re all terribly excited to have you join our team.” Tahki should have felt flattered, but there was something about Dyraien’s doting that felt purposeful.
Tahki had met a merchant once who’d convinced him to buy a dress for a girlfriend he didn’t have. He had no idea how he’d gotten talked into it, and all he remembered was a man who spoke very fast and fluently, and the next thing Tahki knew, he was handing the man a silver coin in exchange for a hideous dress. His father had found it quite amusing and explained to Tahki about manipulation. That’s what it felt like with Dyraien. Like Tahki was being pushed toward something, though he didn’t know what.
“I’d like to personally show you around the castle,” Dyraien said. “And then we’ll talk about the project.”
Tahki found himself being swept away up the stairs. Rye followed.
“Rye doesn’t seem to think you’re a good fit here,” Dyraien said. “I think it will be fun proving him wrong, don’t you?”
Tahki glanced at Rye. Rye had made it clear he didn’t think Tahki was right for the job but never said why. He couldn’t just hold a grudge against him for what he’d said about the lower cities. How was he supposed to know Rye had grown up in the slums?
Tahki pulled away from Dyraien. “Actually, I’d like to know why he doesn’t think I’m any good.”
“I told you before,” Rye said, his eyes never wavering. “Your designs aren’t practical. They’re more like something you’d read about in a Juliani Vornask novel. Interesting in concept, but not functional for the real world.”
“What gives you authority to judge my work? You only saw a few concept sketches at the fair. You have no idea what I’m capable of,” Tahki said. He knew he was being rude, but Rye wasn’t a prince. He wasn’t sure what Rye was.
“Careful, Rye,” Dyraien said. “When a cat gets its back in the air, claws are soon to follow.”
Rye shook his head. “He doesn’t have claws. He has entitlement issues and no idea what’s expected of him here.” Rye scuffed his feet and walked back down the stairway, leaving Tahki and Dyraien alone.
“I’ve never seen anyone get under Rye’s skin like that,” Dyraien said. “Well done.” He clapped Tahki on the back.
Tahki composed himself. “I was out of line.”
“Please, I found it entertaining.” Dyraien continued up the stairs. “Rye said more words to you in the last few minutes than he said to me in the first few months we met.”
Tahki rubbed his left wrist. He hadn’t meant to get under anyone’s skin. “I just don’t understand where he gets off telling me I’m no good.”
Dyraien ran a hand through his hair. “Tahki, I typically take Rye’s word on everything. Though I’m happy to have you here, and I know you’ll make us all proud, I am cautious about you.”
Tahki frowned. “Is Rye your advisor or something?” Noble advisors were old women or men who knew how the system worked. But maybe, in this modern world, Dyraien wanted someone younger. He still had no idea what Dyraien and Rye’s relationship was, or how someone from the lower cities managed to land a position in a prince’s court.
“No,” Dyraien said, amused. “He’s nothing like that, but don’t dismiss his skepticism. He’s the one who built this castle, so he has some credibility when it comes to architecture. That’s why I asked him to attend the fair with Gale.”
Tahki gaped.
“He didn’t build the castle by himself, mind,” Dyraien said. “And not from scratch, but he’s made all the modifications. This castle looked quite different just a few years ago. He oversaw the renovations and worked as lead constructor. He has a real gift. He can build anything and build it well.”
Tahki’s stomach tightened. Rye knew what he was talking about after all. It would take someone with great skill and vision to build a castle like this, even if he hadn’t designed it himself.
“Don’t think too hard on it.” Dyraien winked. “I’m sure you’ll be impressing us all in no time. From what Gale told me earlier this morning, you have a very unique eye. Now, I’d like you to pay very close attention. You’ll need to know the castle’s structure as well as you know your favorite pencil.”
Dyraien led him from room to room. Most of the rooms were empty, save for a scattering of loose obsidian or pile of marble dust. There wasn’t anything of great interest about how it had been built, but the way Dyraien spoke captivated him. Dyraien talked about the castle like it was a person. Not just a person, a loved one. It touched Tahki to think someone else had such a deep respect for architecture. Or maybe it wasn’t even architecture. Maybe the castle held some sentimental meaning to him.
He asked about why most of the rooms were empty, and Dyraien replied that there was no need for furniture. He asked why they used obsidian as a foundation. Dyraien hesitated and then said because it looked nice. The answer didn’t satisfy Tahki, but he didn’t press.
Seeming to sense Tahki’s eagerness, Dyraien talked about his life before the castle. He said he and his mother lived
