He wasn’t certain what the two could possibly have to talk about after what had just happened, but he didn’t much care. He had loved the old king as much as anyone, and he wanted time to grieve.
The only way he was going to get that tonight would be to make his escape. Slowly, he scraped himself off the ground and backed away towards the entryway.
“Oh, Adam!” Christopher called out. Evidently, the conversation between Talon and the prince hadn’t lasted as long as Adam had hoped.
Blast it all! I was hoping to be faster than that, hoping I might escape the inevitable for one night. I must work on that in the future.
Adam turned sharply on his heels and glowered at Christopher, letting his annoyance, which was more at himself than anything, be known. “Yes, sire? What the dimgate do you want this time?! You call on me all day, make me go to this banquet, and then want something else?! Well, what is it?”
At least, that’s what he intended to say. In reality, he only spoke the first sentence out loud, though there was still a tone of defiance in his words.
“I’m sorry, Adam, I didn’t mean to get you mad,” Christopher replied in a half-whimper, a tear in his eye. “Maybe I shouldn’t have called on you tonight, after all. It has been too emotional for all of us. I’m sorry.”
“No, no, no, my liege. It is I who am the sorry one,” Adam insisted. “For me to yell at you in such a tone after you lose your father, and that stare I gave you, uncalled for. Please, my liege, find a way to forgive me.”
“There you go, apologizing again. What is it with you people?” The prince shook his head. “Why must you always be the one to apologize? I mean, really, it’s not like I’m your master or anything. You don’t need to bow down to me and cower in fear of reprisal. Come on, guys, tell me. Why must you apologize so much?”
“May I remind His Highness that now that the old king is dead, meaning you have ascended to the throne, hence making you king, hence giving you control over all the kingdom of Coontan and her subjects, hence making you our master?” Talon told Christopher.
Adam shot the big man a dirty look.
Christopher’s face lit up in a way that boasted of evil intentions and his tears stopped flowing. He mindlessly wiped at his cheek. “Oh. I guess I am king, aren’t I? Huh. I guess I just hadn’t thought of that, my mind being so consumed with my father’s death and all.”
If the child was lying, Adam couldn’t tell.
The price waved a hand at them dismissively. “Adam, I just was hoping you could do a small task for me, is all,” he said. His look made it clear it was not a request.
Adam swallowed hard and nodded.
“I want you to investigate the murder of my father, starting tomorrow. I guess I’ll let you have a full night’s rest tonight since I’m feeling so nice, but I want you here at six o’clock sharp. I will not stand for any delays. I do so love promptness, after all.”
“Thank you so much for your extreme kindness, Christopher,” Adam said, muttering insults under his breath.
“Oh, and Adam? You really should call me ‘my liege,’ or ‘Sire,’ or something like that. It’s only proper,” Christopher insisted.
Adam only got angrier that Christopher chose to make that insistence now, after he had worked so hard on not doing so, but he knew better than to show that here. “Yes, of course, sire. How could I have been so foolish? I will be here promptly at six in the morning to work on the investigation. You can count on me.”
“Yes, well, if you get here and I am not present, go ahead and start without me. I like to sleep in on Etansday,” Christopher said, waving Adam away with his hand.
“Yes, of course, my liege,” Adam said, bowing deeply before turning around and leaving the ballroom to soak up as much sleep as he could. He didn’t like that look of Christopher’s that warned of the consequences for disobedience.
Kindness? Why did I have to use that word? Adam wondered, heat rushing to his face. He was upset about the whole night.
That wasn’t kindness I was shown, that was more like blackmail! What has gotten into our young boy, anyway? Please tell me this is just a phase brought on by his father’s death. The poor child.
Suddenly he felt bad for the young king once again.
“Oh, and Adam?” Christopher called out.
“Yes, Your Highness, what is it?” Adam replied calmly.
“Have a good night’s rest. Fare thee well until tomorrow.”
“Yes, fare thee well, Majesty.” He turned around and stormed out the door as fast as he could, being careful not to slam it on the way.
* * * * * * * * * *
Talon listened to Adam and Christopher exchange words for a moment before realizing that this might be his chance to escape whatever assignment Christopher was sure to give him for the night.
He had watched Adam try to walk away stealthily before, trying to remain out of view, and quickly decided that his method was too slow. Instead, he took off at a brisk pace, making a beeline to the doorway, all the while staying in plain sight.
All that mattered was speed, he knew, for Christopher could find anything in this room with those beady eyes of his. The whole kingdom knew his vision was excellent. Except, perhaps, for poor Adam. Talon had almost made it through the door when Adam came up behind him, almost running into him on his way out.
He knew he was stuck now and turned to face the inevitable.
“Talon, my good friend and protector,” Christopher started saying in his old, pouting voice that Talon had heard far too
