Page 94 of What Fury Brings
Ydra shot Olerra anIsn’t he impossible?look.
“Stop helping,” Olerra whisper-shouted to her friend.
“Fine,” Ydra said back.
The only sounds were that of the young boys’ chewing and utensils clacking on plates.
Olerra chose to break it. “Will you tell me about your brothers?”
Andrastus considered the question before looking at Ydra with concern.
Olerra assured him, “She’s not really going to take one. Ydra’s not ready for a husband. Isn’t that right?”
“I suppose,” Ydra said before taking a sip of wine.
Andrastus said, “Canus is third-born. He is… difficult at times. Definitely the hardest for me to get along with. Father won’t allow him to join the fighting against the Ephennans, so he’s been known to visit the smithies to learn more about weaponry. He trains quite a bit with the guards stationed in the barracks. He’s desperate to prove himself.”
“Maybe I’d like him if you don’t get along with him,” Ydra pointed out.
Olerra shot her a warning look.
“Trantos is fourth-born,” Andrastus went on, ignoring Ydra’s comment, “and he’s a bit wild. Always missing. Always late for everything. I genuinely don’t know what he gets up to, but he’s a peacemaker atheart. Not that he hasn’t been trained like the rest of us; he just would prefer not to fight.
“Ikanos is the youngest, and he recites the most gods-awful poetry when he’s drunk. He still works with tutors and doesn’t know what he wants to do with his life yet. Not that any of us have much say in the matter. Father lets us know exactly what is expected of us.”
Andrastus took another bite of food.
“What of the crown prince?” Olerra asked. “You said nothing of Sanos.”
Andrastus met her eyes and said, “You wouldn’t like Sanos.”
The words didn’t match his tone. “Why is that?”
“He’s contentious. Calculating. A fighter.”
“I actually like the sound of that,” Ydra said. “Too bad taking the crown prince would start a war.”
“He wouldn’t like you,” Andrastus said with certainty.
“Guess we won’t know until he comes to visit,” Ydra replied.
The prince glared at Olerra’s friend.
“There,” Ydra whispered to Olerra as she dabbed her face with a napkin. “Now he’s angry with me and not you. You’re welcome. Get him ready for the party.”
20
The night before the party, Andrastus approached Olerra. He’d been silent during drills and the breaks in between them. If she didn’t know any better, she’d say he was nervous.
“Be honest, how many other men are likely to perform recitations?” he asked.
It took her a moment to realize what he was talking about. “At the party you mean? A few. Why?”
“It doesn’t seem likely that I will gain you much favor by performing a feat several others are already doing. It doesn’t attract attention, and it doesn’t elevate you in any way.”
“We must work with what we have.”
He ran his fingers through his white-blond hair. “I have an idea. It’s… a bit reckless and involves you allowing me to have sharp objects.”
