Page 58 of The Goblin Twins
“I am afraid so, Your Reverence,” Nen said. “It will only be for a few hours, at least.”
A’bbni nodded, spending a few moments talking to Nen and Ba’shea as Lai pulled Shi’chen aside and suddenly pulled one of his daggers from the small of his back, handing it to him. “Keep this with you, just in case.”
Shi’chen looked up into his friend’s eyes. “Are you concerned about something?”
“Not yet,” Lai replied.
Shi’chen slipped the dagger into his boot. “Be careful.”
“You be careful,” Lai replied with a bright smile.
Shi’chen moved back over toward the cart. A’bbni held out his hand, and Shi’chen could see a slight tremble in it. “I-sha?” he asked softly, taking his hand and pulling him in close. “Are you all right?”
A’bbni nodded slowly, but his ears had dropped as he wrapped his arms around Shi’chen. Shi’chen held him tightly, stroking the back of his hair gently with his fingers. “I will be right by your side the whole time. Nothing will happen to you, I promise. And Lai will be nearby, too.”
A’bbni cast his eyes up at the half-elf standing nearby, watching them with concern. Shi’chen gave his brother a nudge toward Lai and watched the sailor wrap his arms lovingly around A’bbni to hold him close. It hurt a little that he was having to share his twin with Lai and that Lai could provide comfort when Shi’chen couldn’t. But, he realized, it was unfair of him to be jealous. A’bbni was hurting, and Lai was able to help him through that. And while A’bbni’s words not so long ago had stung, he was right in that he had never asked Shi’chen to defend him or protect him.
He watched Lai drop a soft kiss on A’bbni’s lips and his brother almost melt into the half-elf’s arms, and he forced himself to look away. That was just the way it was going to be, and he would have to accept that.
A’bbni moved back over to Shi’chen, taking his hand and giving it a squeeze, and Shi’chen gave him an encouraging smile. “Come on, i-sha,” he said, giving him a light tug up into the cart. A’bbni followed him up and stepped down into the hidden compartment. Shi’chen took a deep breath of fresh air before sliding in next to A’bbni and curling against him. The top closed over them, followed by something that blocked out the light, and once again, they were alone in the muffled darkness that smelled of hay and horse. At least this time he could not smell dried blood on his brother’s skin, and for that he was profoundly grateful.
He heard some words exchanged between Lai, Nen, and Ba’shea, then heard a creak as Nen stepped onto the front of the cart to drive the horses. Ba’shea said something to Lai that Shi’chen could not make out, and Lai responded with a cheerful-sounding reply. Then there was the familiar sound of Lai’s worn, leather boots on the wood above them, and Ba’shea’s tread as well. Next to him, A’bbni curled close and pressed his cheek to Shi’chen’s shoulder.
The cart began to move, and Shi’chen felt a sudden jolt of anxiety go through him at how familiar that felt. He groaned and draped his arm over his eyes. “I-sha?” A’bbni whispered softly in his ear.
“I’m all right,” he said softly back. “Just… I do not like this.”
A’bbni’s fingers brushed gently over his cheek, and Shi’chen moved his arm to look at his twin in the darkness. A’bbni gave him a soft smile. “Close your eyes. I am here.”
Shi’chen blinked, then gave his brother a small nod. He closed his eyes, and A’bbni’s fingers tangled with his, holding his hand close so he could feel the beat of A’bbni’s heart against his palm, and that reassured him until the sounds and smells of the imperial city once again reached them.
The wagon bumped and clattered along the cobblestone paths, and Shi’chen was very, very glad when the wagon finally came to a stop and the trap door of the cart was pulled open. They were in a stable of some kind, with multiple horses in the stalls. Everything was clean and well cared for, and they had ridden for some time within the confines of the city. He assumed they were likely at the home of a noble family, though he did not see anything familiar enough to place whom it might be.
He stretched as he climbed down from the wagon, then helped A’bbni down. Nen had them put up the hoods of their cloaks for the short cross from the stables to the back door of the long, single-story house. It was definitely a noble family’s home, with bright stained-glass windows in colorful patterns and a maintained exterior and roof.
The back door opened, and Nen ushered them all quickly inside. Once the door closed behind them, Shi’chen turned to see another familiar face. He gave her a bright smile and grasped her hand. “Var Rell,” he greeted. “It is nice to see you again.” He was actually quite relieved to see her. That meant En’shea had not gotten his hands on her.
The woman smiled softly at them. “Your Highnesses,” she greeted. “I am so glad to see you are both well.”
“As we are to see you,” A’bbni said, giving her a grateful smile.
Rell motioned for them to hang up their cloaks and then pointed to a nearby room with a long dining table. “Please, sit, you must be starving. I will have the servants bring some food.”
“Servants?” Shi’chen asked curiously.
The woman laughed at the implied question, her ears flicking, the gold rings in them making a tinkling sound. “Ah, yes, I forgot to actually introduce myself. My name is Zea’dda. Zea’dda An-Hila’ra.”
Shi’chen gave a small start at that. “As in, Captain Ra’shii An-Hila’ra of Allegiance Garrison?”
“Captain Ra’shii is my sibling,” Zea’dda said. “I am their older sister.” That explained why she had seemed familiar to him. He suspected that “Nen” might be Zea’dda and Ra’shii’s father; they all had the same shape to their face and eyes, and that would explain a lot.
“Is Captain An-Hila’ra all right?” Shi’chen asked, remembering the ominous rumors about Honor Garrison.
Zea’dda nodded. “Yes. Let us sit, there is much to say about it.”
Mii’ra and Lord Kella were already seated at the low table in the dining room, and Kella gave them a small smile as they entered. “I am glad to see you arrived safely, Your Highnesses.”
“Thank you, Lord Kella, Var An-Sha’kri,” A’bbni said as he sat down on one of the cushions, pulling Shi’chen down next to him.
