Chapter Eight.
 

Xahar looked across the wedding guests, looking quite well turned out in his formal outfit.  Liset was off to his right and Ballor was behind him.  The rest of the city's residents were gathered in the same part of the palace, watching as their favorite prince married his mistress.  The prince's daughters were supposedly very happy about this and they looked quite happy as her attendants.  They were chatting among themselves waiting for the main event to happen.  The bride was presently in the back fixing a rip in her dress that happened when her baby girl had tripped over her shoes.  Finally, the trademark music started and everyone stood up, staring as she entered the room.  She was smiling, she was teary, and even her baby girl was smiling happily.  She ran up and hugged her daddy around his leg, beaming up at him.  The minister coughed and she looked up at him, holding up a piece of the candy she had been given instead of being allowed to talk.  "Here, you sound like you need this more'n me," she offered with a sweet smile.

"Thank you," he said solemnly, taking a piece to suck on.  The bride finally made it up to their position and he looked at the prince, who kissed her on the cheek.  He smiled at the happy couple.  "We are here to marry these two very nice people in holy wedlock.  I trust there's no objections?"  He looked around, no one said anything but he could see one woman's mouth pressed tightly together.  "Anyone?"  She looked at the prince and he stared at her, giving her a gentle smile.  She calmed down and the minister looked at the bride. "Then I suppose we shall continue."  The woman got up and ran out crying.

Xahar watched, catching the signal from one of the guards to go after her.  He slipped out, finding her getting ill in one of the bushes.  He walked up behind her, patting her on the back.  "I knew you wanted him," he said gently.  She glared at him.  "Melodian, we all knew you wanted him.  That's why I suggested you."   Liset joined them and helped the young woman sip the water she had brought.  "How far?"

"I'm due next moon.  It's problematic.  The healers say there's a problem with him," she said quietly.  "The family curse."

"The only curse on this family has been the choice of mates and his uncle."  He stood her up and put a hand on her stomach.  "Come, there's a healer you should see.  I know one who won't try to sell you a load of smelly hay."  He and Liset walked her off, taking her to a healer they had both used in the past.  He was old, he was experienced, he was cranky, but he knew what he was doing.  He opened the door, giving them a dirty look.  "She got told it's the family curse.  I doubt she was poisoned like his last one."

"We'll soon find out," he said gruffly, letting her into his house.  He sat her down after touching her stomach.  "Open."  She opened her mouth for him to sniff her breath.  "No, I'm not smelling anything that bad on you.  No poisons.  When are you due?"

"Next moon.  Late next moon.  The stress made me get sick."

"I suggested you because I knew you'd be good for him, Melodian."

"Hush, boy," the healer ordered.  He stood her back up, holding her steady while she wobbled.  "I wouldn't be too sure about poisoning," he admitted finally, staring at her.  "Your nails are blue.  You're shaky and trembling.  When was the last time you ate?"

"Last night.  I had that pie that the prince had."

"Pie?  Bitter?"

"Yes, a meat pie.  It did have an aftertaste."  She suddenly sat down.  "Someone tried to poison me?"

"No, dear, someone did poison you," Xahar said gently.  "And possibly Frederick."  He looked at the healer.  "Should I get a guard for you?"  He nodded.  "Thank you.  I can't stand being here when I'm not sick."  He walked out, going to stop one of his guards, finding the King getting some fresh air.  "Bored?"

"In her faith there's an hour of silent contemplation.  What's going on?"

"Last night, was there a meat pie?"

"Yes, and my taster said it was bad."

"No one told her or your son," Xahar whispered in his ear.  "She's with my healer and Liset."  He pulled back.  "He thinks she's been poisoned."  The little princess walked out and tugged on his pantsleg so he looked down at her.  "Yes, Miradin?"

"Where's Melodian?"

"Being sick, dear," the king said gently.  "She's with a healer.  Xahar took her down to his."

"Oh.  Okay.  Mommy wanted to know what was wrong.  She said she agreed."

"She might have, but she's just a bit ill at the moment."

"Okay.  Can I tell mommy?"

"No, dear, I'll tell her later," Frederick said as he joined them.  "So's my wife."

"Did she eat that meat pie last night?"  He nodded.  "It was poisoned.  I sent you a page telling you that."

"I got that and I told her, so she went to get sick and toss it back up.  She's still sick."  He looked at Xahar.  "Melodian?"

"She and the possible son are at my healer's with Liset," he said gently.  "I thought it best, just in case."

"Thank you.  How goes the move?"

"I'm hoping they're doing very well in my absence.  They packed for the last two days and are doing the moving today."

"The next time I need to move, I'm hiring these guys," Frederick said dryly, walking his daughter back inside.  "There was a slight poisoning last night," he announced.  "Her lady in waiting and she are both a bit ill.  The wedding will go on in a few moments, once my bride gets back."  Everyone murmured but seemed to agree.

"Will Auntie be all right?"

"Yes, Miradin, your auntie will be just fine," the King agreed, following them after smiling at Xahar and making a shooing motion so he could escape.

Xahar grinned and went to go play in the sunshine.  Liset was occupied being a nursemaid.  Ballor was sitting with the lady who liked him enough to have her husband declared legally dead and invisible for the way he treated her according to their faith's guidelines.  That left her free for him.  So that left him free for the morning.  He nearly skipped down to the market, where the normal people were hanging around and waiting on the procession to show up.  "It'll be later than expected," he called.  "The bride's a bit ill."  The shopkeepers grabbed him to pull him closer, getting the official story from him.  It would spread through the town within minutes from their lips.   Xahar went to look in the furniture section, just browsing for now.  He definitely needed some new furniture.  His old house had only had four bedrooms.  This new one had seven.  Plus a study bigger than his old one and two sitting rooms more than he used to have.  Plus the conservatory which would need benches. He browsed in the windows, smiling at the guys moving his stuff when they waved.  "How many more trips?"

"Six," one of the guys called.  "Wedding?"

"A bit delayed due to illness."

"Oh, good.  We'll be patient the last trip."

Xahar grinned and went back to his window shopping.  He hadn't had to buy furniture in a very long time but it was kind of nice to see all the styles he wasn't sure about. He found a wardrobe he liked in one shop and made note of the shop for coming back the next day.  A bit further on he found a comfortable looking couch and made note of that one too, nodding when someone came out to stare at him.  "Hi."

"Xahar.  You're Xahar."  Xahar smiled and nodded.  "You're moving, right?  Need more furniture?"

"Yes, but I'm just browsing today.  I saw the couch and I was going to come back tomorrow.  I know no one's supposed to do business today who's not dealing in food."

"True, but I hate weddings.  Everyone cries at them.  Worse than executions."  He shrugged and let him in.  "Go ahead and sit, try it out."  The man sounded friendly, watching as Xahar sat and then laid down, wiggling a bit.  "Very comfortable, huh?"

"Quite.  Im looking for things for my study at the moment.  A few benches, some bedroom stuff.  The usual."  He stood up and wandered around the shop, running a hand over a few pieces.  He stopped and pointed at some of the ones he liked.  "These, this set, that couch, and this one," he said, pulling out one of the bags.  "How much?"

"A thousand ten, sir."

"Good.  My counter weighed it, let's see how accurate he was."  He tossed over that bag and pulled outa second one.  The furniture guy walked over to something that had a funnel and a few spots, watching as he poured the coins into the funnel.  Then he opened it to show it contained slots.  Xahar tapped on one spot where a coin had landed on its edge, letting it fall and more were added to fill the empty spot.  "Interesting device."

"Some of the money counters do it this way instead of weight.  Looks like he was three coins short."  Xahar handed those and the other ten over.  "Thank you.  When can you pick it up."

"Delivery's not included?"

"That would cost you another hundred, sir."

"Fine," he said, handing over more of the gold coins.  They were counted out then the man filled out the slip, handing him a copy of it. "Thank you.  The other man with the interesting wardrobe?"

"Will be in tomorrow.  He's got a cousin working up at the palace."

"That's fine, I'll come back then.  Tomorrow for delivery?"

"Next day probably.  My guys are the ones moving you."

"Fine."  He shook his hand and walked off, going to get something to nibble.  He heard the bells ringing and smiled, lining up to cheer the new bride and groom on as they rode through the town.  It wasn't a royal wedding without the parade and showing off the bride and groom. Plus the cute little princess who was smiling and waving at everyone like it was her wedding.  Xahar smiled and waved back at her, then disappeared into the crowd.  He went back to the other shop, finding a woman opening the door.  "When would be a good time to come back tomorrow?"  She jumped and turned to stare at him.  "Sorry.  I saw the wardrobe and I wanted to look at other things.  When's a good time to talk to the craftsman?"

"I'm him," she said, staring at him.  "You like that old thing?"

"It looks loved," he admitted.  "Like countless people have hung their pants there and hidden a few lovers as well."  She smiled at that.  "I know you can't do business today."

She snorted, then shook her head.  "The wedding's over, it's fair game.  Just don't let anyone know."  She let him look at the wardrobe.  "What do you still need, sir?"

"I'm Xahar."  He pulled out the other slip.  "Let's see."  She took the slip and moaned, shaking her head.  "Not good?"

"Eeeh, not bad, not my style.  Any other things besides the wardrobe suit you?"

He walked around, stopping at a few things to look them over.  "This bookcase is very nice.  I need a few more of these.  Our scrolls are cramped badly and we have the room now."  He continued on.  "Oooh, I like this," he admitted, sitting down on a small lounge.  "For the room where I can dance or practice, for against the walls."

"For that, I'd suggest something less single person and more two person," she offered, leading him into the back room.  She pointed at something she was working on.  "That'll end up being lightly stuffed, low backed, and fairly comfortable.  The seat's wide so you can sit comfortably for a long time.  It'll be comfortable to lay on, lounge on, or sit on, but it won't take up that much space.  I had plans of making some for corners too since this is garden party season.  Maybe for conservatories and the like."

"I have one of those now," he said proudly.  "How long before you get one done?"

"Probably not for a week or so."  Someone knocked and she handed back the paper, going to let the guard in.  "He's browsing.  We're talking about conservatory furniture."

"Which is wonderful.  I'm assuming he'll be doing some private showings at his house.  For right now, the prince wants him."

"Give me ten?" he asked sweetly.  The guy nodded.  He looked at the craftswoman.  "Save that wardrobe for me.  I'll be back tomorrow for it.   I'd like to see that couch when you do get it done.  I'll wait to do anything with that room until then."  She smiled and shook his hand.  "Also, those bookcases?"

"Of course, Xahar.  Have a happy meeting."  She smiled and waved as they walked up the street together.  "Sounds like someone got caught."

Xahar smiled at the prince when he walked in, bowing to him and his mother.  "How can I be of help?"

"Pay the fine for shopping today?" Thirin suggested boldly, smirking at him.

He grinned.  "Did I?  The slip was dated tomorrow."  He walked over to kiss her on the cheek.  "I hear congratulations are in order?"

"I hope not!  I just had one," she complained, rubbing her stomach.  She smiled at Melodian, who nodded.  "Hers actually."

"Good.  Then I'm very happy for you.  Is the new son all right?"

"Quite," the queen agreed, smiling at him.  "You're quite the scamp, Xahar."

"I try," he agreed, smirking at her too.  "It's been a good day.  People are moving me, I found a new wardrobe, my last one was cracked where I had to hide someone suddenly a few years ago after he tried to break in while I was napping."  The queen snickered at that.  "He did.  It made me rather cranky.  Cracking my wardrobe made it worse.  So, why else did you call me up here?" he asked.  "Besides to help you celebrate and make sure I'm dancing next week I believe it is?"  The queen nodded.  "What other problems have arisen?"

"Miradin would like you to teach her how to dance."

"I can't teach," he said immediately.  "I've never taken on a student and I can't really teach her what she needs to know.  Besides, mine is a fighting style in disguise."

"Which would be good for her," Thirin noted calmly.

"I'd be honored, but again, I can't teach.  It's not a skill I possess.  There's a teacher I know locally.  He's a few kingdoms over.  He's working with two of the princesses there."  He shrugged. "I can write to him if it'd please you."

"It would," Frederick agreed.  "You weren't my first choice anyway, Xahar.  Frankly, your carefree lifestyle is something Miradin doesn't need to copy."

Xahar blew a kiss.  "I love you too, my prince.  Just think, now I have a bigger house to hide the bodies of those who keep trying to steal me."

The queen chuckled, coming over to hug him.  "Don't worry, he'll behave.  Please write to this teacher, Xahar. Now, about this princess shortage.  We have heard a few went missing when we checked."

"She had a lot more crowns than a few," he said dryly.  "Unless they were wearing multiple ones or she stole the extra ones, I doubt there's only a few."

"Who hurt some princesses?" Melodian asked.

"The dragon who tried to kidnap me.  She had a great number of crowns and seemed to want to be the only princess in the world."

"Ah.  Well, it's wedding season and we should know if we don't get many announcements," she offered.  "The number of weddings should drop alarmingly, my queen."

"Yes, that's what I was thinking as well," she agreed.  "For that matter, we're already at a loss this summer.  Usually we'd have seven or eight and we've only received three I believe since the year started."  She gave Xahar's shoulders a squeeze.  "How goes your move?"

"The workers are doing quite well.  They did pause during the procession.  They're probably about to break for lunch.  The guards are moving the contents of my safe instead of one of the loads.  Broct is making me a new one soon."

"That's wonderful," the queen agreed, smiling at him.  "Doing some furniture shopping?"

"Browsing since someone was in," he said with a sweet smile.  "After all, I might consent to give private showings at the new house and that one where you found me has a wonderful idea for my conservatory."

"I would like to see that," Thirin offered.  "How soon will she have those done?"

"She's not sure.  It's still being framed.  She described it and it sounded comfortable but I'm waiting until she has a full one done before making any decisions.  I still have a few rooms I've got to deal with before then.  Bedrooms and the like.  I'm trying to decide if I want a new bed or not."

"Not," Ballor said as he walked in.  "You always complain about inn beds, boss, whining that they're not yours at home.  You'd hate replacing yours."  He looked at him.  "Should I go watch the movers?"

"They're hopefully doing just fine.  You could go see if your room's been moved and get settled in," he offered.  "I know the horses got settled in this morning."

"You're going to have to hire a gate guard," the prince noted.  "Plus probably a stablehand for when you're not around."

"We'll definitely need one part time," Ballor agreed.  "His stallion wouldn't stay away from Liset's mare.  That's why we have a spare horse."  He grinned at the new Princess Royal, the prince, the queen, and the prince's favorite concubine.  "The baby's fine?"  Melodian nodded.  "You're sure?"

"He said so.  We'll have to wait for more until his birth.  Hopefully he'll be fine and skip the family's problems with sons."

"Most of the family's problems with sons have been other people," the queen assured her.  "We'll make sure those problems do not befall this son any further."  Melodian nodded, bowing her head to the queen.  "He was right, I like you.  You're very strong.  Nearly as stubborn as Thirin.  I can see now why my son had a hard time between you two."  She looked at Thirin.  "You don't mind?"

"Of course not.  It's the best solution really. Melodian is scared of being out in public and I'm not, but she's the better mother.  I'm sure other princes have had these sort of things happen and I do happen to adore Melodian in my own way."  She smiled at Xahar.  "You're dancing tonight."

"I am?"

"You are," she agreed dryly.  "In punishment for leaving the wedding that way."

"You'd rather I let her suffer?"

"No, but you amuse us so therefore you'll dance tonight," Frederick told him.

"All my clothes and music are packed," he complained.

"So?  Find something!" Thirin complained, waving a hand.  "I'm sure you can find something to wear and listen to tonight."  He sighed and rolled his eyes but nodded.  "Thank you, Xahar.  It can be your fine for shopping too."  She smiled at him.  "Can't wait to see the new place."

"Give it a few weeks until I've decorated and the like.   Then you can come over and wander."

"Thank you, dear," the queen said grandly, smiling at him.  "Where would you like to dance tonight?"

"Wherever suits you, my queen.  I'm not that picky.  Just make it a smooth floor this time."

"In the garden?"

"Um, I'd rather not.  It'll be messy after the reception.  Food and the like you understand.  The main audience chamber has that uneven floor that needed sanding the last I knew."  The queen and prince both nodded at that.  "Hmm.  The dining hall?  But the tables would be in the way."

"They're mostly outside at the moment," the prince offered. "All but that stone table that's too heavy to be moved and is around that weak spot in the floor.  Most of that's pretty smooth."

"You've danced in there before," Ballor reminded him.  Xahar nodded, accepting that.  "Which outfit?"

"I can find my own," he assured him dryly.  "I know where they packed my things.  I'm not that much a fop, dear."  He looked at the queen, who was still squeezing him.  "Won't your husband be upset?"

"He's rather drunk and taken with a young thing at the moment," she said grimly.  "Got any ideas?"  He whispered in her ear, making her cackle and walk off.  "Thank you, dear.  See you after dinner.  We'll feed you afterwards of course, if anyone's not rutting."

"Of course."  He waved, looking at the prince, who made a 'go away' motion.  So he took Ballor and left them to their honeymoon in peace.  They walked down the road, going to the house they now lived in together, finding the workers had moved most everything, but Cook and his wife, and the library was being unpacked.  "You're unpacking too?"

"The guards said to pretend for another hour, they couldn't fit the safe in two loads," one of them offered.  "It won't cost you extra."

"What about Cook?"

"The other guys took a cart down to them to help, but she said she could do it.  Got very stubborn so we're helping behind her back while she rests and nags her man."  He grinned.  "I'm sure you know how that is."

"Oh, very well," he admitted.  "They're moving into the guest house?"  The guy nodded.  "Good.  I've got a performance tonight for the queen.  Let's hope none of my special music got scratched."

"You packed that one," he reminded him, watching him going up to his new suite.

He found everything in there unpacked but his dance clothes and his music bags.  He sat down to unpack those, finding the outfit he wanted for tonight and the music as well.  He laid down to rest, he was a bit tired.  He hated to shop. He really hated to shop.  Someone tapped on the door.  "What?"

"Food, boss," Liset called, walking in a plate.  "Anything good happen today?"

"I'm dancing tonight as a fine for buying furniture tomorrow."

"Ah."  She patted him on the stomach.  "I understand.  Where?"

"Dining hall at the palace."  He opened his eyes to look at her.  "No new friends?"

"No one I wanted to talk to that badly," she said dryly, smirking at him.  "It's the same people all the time.  How many times can you turn down some twit without a brain?"  She sat down beside him, picking up a piece of fruit.  "Eat."  He opened his mouth and she dropped the piece in, choking him.  "So sit up and eat like a big boy," she taunted, smirking at him once he quit coughing.  He sat up and dug into his lunch, eating heartily.  "Need a nap?"

"I probably should," he agreed.  "I'm a bit tired.  We may have furniture for the conservatory."

"Good!  Some private showings will do your reputation good.  I've got to admit, one of the mages came up and asked how much you'd charge for a private showing. He heard how you inspired those other ones and wanted some of his own for dealing with some students."

"Have him show up tonight if he's in favor."

"Point."  She patted him on the arm and laid down beside him.  "Here, you nap, I'll be here until you nap, then I'll go unpack my loads of crap before checking on the safe.  How's that?"

"Ballor's back."

"I saw.  I fed him already.  Cook and Elevan are here too.  Their cart of stuff just pulled up.  They'll have another one later today.  Some furniture mostly."  She let him snuggle in, smiling over his shoulder when he curled up around her.  "You sleep, boss.  I'll let you rest."  He nodded, falling asleep in her arms.  She looked over as Ballor peeked in, waving him off.  He nodded, going to check on things for her and start her unpacking.  He had a death grip on her waist and wasn't about to let go.

***
 

Xahar came out of his final spin and felt someone grab him so he flipped them onto the ground, staring down at the king.  "Oh, I'm so sorry, highness.  You must have been trying to keep me from falling.  Here, let me help you up," he offered, reaching down to help him off the ground.  "I'm so sorry, please forgive me?"

"Of course, Xahar.  You know I adore your dancing.  I didn't want you to crash into me."  He let the nice young man dust him off then walk him back to his wife, where he bowed.  "Thank you, Xahar."

"You're welcome, my king.  Again, please forgive me.  I didn't want to hurt you."

"You didn't.  Can you do another one?"

"If I can rest for a few moments and get a drink."  He smiled as a servant brought a drink over, sipping the wine delicately to make sure it wasn't drugged first.  He had no illusions about people who wanted to steal him.  There were some in the palace as well.  He looked at the king, who rolled his eyes and nodded to one of his councilors.  The queen groaned.  Xahar finished his wine and tossed the cup back to the servant, dancing off again with a leap, a land, and a spin.  Someone tried to grab him and this time he knew it wasn't the king or anyone royal.  Nor had there been anyone against that wall.  This one he threw and stomped on the chest of, looking down at them.  "Enjoying yourself?"

"Guards, arrest him," the councilor wheezed.

"No, don't.  Grabbing him is very bad, as I just found out," the king noted. "Go ahead, Xahar.  Dance over him."

"I can't, he's too big of a lump," he complained, grabbing a foot and dragging him off to a dark corner, then he came back and started over, dancing gaily around the room.  He laughed as someone else tried to grab him, dancing back and taunting them to follow him into the room.  The warriors coming in tried and he leapt, kicking one of them in the chin, getting the other in the stomach as he came down.  Then he grabbed a sword off one of the fallen ones and went back to what he had been doing, which was a sword dance anyway.  He got the last few people, making one of them try to follow the arcs of his blade.  He finally stabbed him, ending his confused look.  He moved on to dance around the last one, who was bothering the queen.  He got him by hamstringing him and smiling down at him, wiggling his fingers.  "Did you want to join in?  Good partners are always welcome."

"Try me," one man said gruffly.

Xahar pulled one of his hair pins, spun, and threw it at his throat, making his target.  "I need more work with those.  I wanted that higher up."  He stamped a foot.  "I need more practice.  I've got to make Ballor make me."  He walked over to take back his hairpin, wiping it off on the choking man's tunic before putting it back in his hair.  He shrugged and danced off again, making the queen stare at him.  "It is the style of dance, my queen," he said smugly.

"Enough, Xahar.  Please.  You're giving me a headache trying to follow all that spinning," the king complained.

He stopped and bowed deeply, then grabbed his towel and trotted out, heading home.  Someone else could deal with the small invasion force.  He was tired now.  He walked into the house.  "Ballor, I need more practice with my hairpins.  Make sure I get some?" he yelled as he headed for the kitchen.  Cook had some cold juice and a plate of dinner for him.  "Thank you, Cook.  There was a small invasion, again."  He headed up to his suite, where he still had to finish putting things up.  He was walking past the door when someone knocked on it.  "We're closed," he called smartly.  "No visitors allowed until tomorrow at a decent hour."  He continued up the stairs, ignoring when Cook's wife got tired of the knocking and came to answer it.  By then, his door was locked, he was eating his dinner, and had his music on.  He hadn't remembered his CD player when he went to the palace, he had been doing it all in his head.  Now he could listen to his new music and get used to it.  Someone knocked on the door.  "Naked."

"Not like I haven't seen it before, boss," Ballor called, popping the lock before walking in.  "There was an attack?"

"Yes, and not even of me.  Aren't you impressed?" he asked dryly, smirking at him.

"Very.  So are the guards who wanted to know if you knew them."

He snorted.  "They were wearing the scent of the Chopee and dressed like King Han's former guards.  Why would I know them?"

"Point," the guard admitted, peeking in.  "I thought you were naked."

"He says that to keep Liset out when he's in an odd mood," Ballor explained.  "Did everything get moved?"

"I'd hope so."  He ate another bite of his noodle and vegetable dish.  "What do you think didn't?"

"The money we have in the cart."

"Ah.  Go ahead then," he said, taking another bite.  "The king tried to grab me," he said once the guard was gone.  "He forgave me for throwing him onto the ground."

"He should know better than to do that while you're dancing," Ballor noted patiently.  He looked at the plate.  "Eat it all.  I'll take the plate back down."

"I'm not helpless and you're not a servant, Ballor.  I can carry it down later or tomorrow.  Go, shoo, do something fun.  Be the guard you are, not the servant you're pretending to be."  Ballor gave him a funny look so Xahar gave him a stern look in return. "I mean it.  Being nice is fine, but you're clearly bored.  I just bought thirty new scrolls."  Ballor grinned at that.  "Go find them."  He shooed him out and closed the door again, locking it against his guards.  They must be really bored.  "Maybe I should go out on the town like this," he noted dryly, going back to his bed.

"Boss, I'll beg, please don't go out tonight," Ballor called from the hallway.  "Which bookcase has the new one?"

"They're the ones with the blue rollers."

"Thank you!"  He walked off, going to tell Liset on him.  "He thinks we're bored, he said he should go out tonight.  He accused me of trying to be a servant."

"Well, you said you were bored," she offered.  She jogged up the stairs, pounding on their boss's door before popping the lock and walking in, tipping his chin up.  "I'm not bored, boss, I promise.  Please don't go out tonight."

"Only if you fix the lock so I can lock you both out."

"Fat chance, boss.  We need in here so we can save you again. The next time they might be coming for you instead of the prince."  She kissed him on the cheek.  "Behave, we'll be getting more problems soon.  Remember, everyone's going to be coming soon with presents.  That means more trouble from people like King Hans, who still want you."

"Out or I'm heading out like this," he warned.  She let his chin go and walked out.  "Thank you, dear, but I am careful when I go out to have fun," he called after her. "Don't make me prove it."  She came back and closed his door, making sure it was shut.  "Thank you."  He shook his head and finished his dinner, then decided he was bored too.  He looked at all the stuff he still had to put up, deciding to do that first.  He ran into a favorite older outfit and tried it on.  "Still looking good," he told his mirror image.  He winked at it.  "Yeah, you used to make quite an impression on the people at the taverns in this outfit."  He turned to look at his other side, deciding to let down his hair.  It fell in gentle waves down his back, he had put it up wet again, and outlined the gentle swell of his rear.  He considered it, then glanced at the door before grabbing his boots.  He opened the door, blinking at his guards.  "I was going out for a walk."

"Fat..." Ballor said sarcastically.

"Chance," Liset finished blandly.  She picked him up and walked him back to the bed, sticking him on it.  "Prince Keivghn is in town.  We just heard."

"I'm not going anywhere he'd go.  I'll go to the local's taverns," he offered.

"He's got people all around town looking for you, Xahar.  You're not going around without us," she said patiently.  "Besides, I still owe him a good kick in the groin for the last time we ran into each other."

"I'll be fine!  I'm going down to the Painted Horse and have a mug of ale and listen to the rumors.  There's no way Keivghn will be down there."

"Well, he is.  He's got all his guards and his new toy in town to escort his very ugly, yet fancy and jewel encrusted vase.  If you step foot outside this house, they're going to snatch you.  The guards said he was trying the old house.  You're not going anywhere," she said firmly.

"I'm not helpless."

"Boss, if you go out, we can't fight all of them," Ballor told him.   "Please, be reasonable?  Come be bored with us tonight?"  Someone pounded on the door and he groaned, going down to answer it.  "Xahar's not accepting visitors," he said as he opened it.  He blinked at the tall man on the other side with the guard.  "What do you want?" he demanded.

"My money back."  He pushed his way inside but Ballor shoved him back out.  "I know he stole my money.  I've seen it moved all day."

"Xahar does a lot of performances every year for quite a lot of money, not to mention reparation that some of his kidnapers give him, like the dragon that recently stole him.  So guard, please remove Prince Keivghn from our residence, before I smite him merrily."

The guard nodded.  "Gladly, sir, but the King is coming and wanted him here for a minute so he could prove Xahar didn't have his money.  He's fairly happy but not about this."

"That's fine, you can come in but he can rot outside," Liset said from the stairs.  "By the way, if he comes in, I get first kick."

"Oooh, I'm scared of the girl with the sword," Keivghn said snidely.

"And I have a crossbow," Xahar noted as he walked down the stairs, pointing it at him.  "I suggest you back out of my gate.  This is my house.  I bought it with money I earned dancing.  I do make a lot that way, even when all I do is pass through little farming villages.  It seems I have that magic touch that makes people want to get married and have more kids."  He nodded as the king walked in.  "You can come in, that moron stays outside or I'm killing him then letting Liset at his body."

"Oh, come on, boss, you promised I could kick him once first."

"Fine, go take a running kick at him and then I'll kill him," he said coolly.

"Xahar, Liset, please calm down," the king soothed, raising a hand.  "I do not know what this is about, but let's be reasonable."

"That man tried to torture me into agreeing to be his," Xahar said coldly.  "There's no reasonable to that.  You wondered how I got those scars on my hip once, they came from his toys."  The king shuddered.  "I want him dead.  I want him dead and gone.  I especially want him out of my house."

"Your house that you bought with the money you stole off me," Keivghn said from the doorway.

"Really?  Then why haven't you mentioned this in the last six times we've unfortunately run into you," Ballor asked, glaring at him.  "Before it was always 'oh, my precious, I'll be better to you this time' and other sweet things."

"Last month, someone got into my personal vaults and stole seven hundred thousand gold coins," Keivghn said cooly.  "They left a note alluding back to Xahar."

"Unfortunately, last month, we were first being the inspiration for a group of mages, then kidnaped by a dragon princess, then brought to the horse bazaar where I got my stallion, then riding back to the village by the creator mage school to gather Liset and Ballor and perform there. Then we rode back through the horse bazaar where we ran into Kozur and spent two nights with her before coming back here," Xahar said coldly. "You could ask Goldenflight.  He's the king of the dragons up there.  You should know that he's Rivetna's king," he noted in Keivghn's direction. He looked at his king again.  "Yeah, I had more than I thought, but not that much more.  I thought I had about seventy thousand, it turns out in had closer to three hundred."  He shrugged.

"Six hundred estimated by the report the money changer gave us," the guard said helpfully.  "That's counting jewelry though."

"See, that's another thing.  I put a beautiful claiming bracelet on his wrist."

"It was a manacle," Xahar said coldly.  "I've long since sold it.  Sorry but I'm not ownable that way."

The king nodded.  "I can see how that might be," he admitted.  "May I look at your safe, Xahar?"

"Sure.  Go ahead and show him," he told the guard.  "I'm assuming you were helping move it earlier."  He nodded, leading the way down there.  "Not you," he told Keivghn.  "You're not stepping foot in my house."

"I'll break you," he hissed.

"I doubt it," the king called from up the hallway.  "It's in bags, Xahar."

"I let the moneychanger count it and bag it, my king.  It was easier to figure out how to do that.  He did it by weight, which apparently isn't always perfectly correct as I found out earlier."

"Some of the earlier coins did weigh a few flakes more," the king admitted as he came back.  "It was a money saving gesture in my father's reign."  He sighed and looked at Keivghn.  "Which country's gold was it in?"

"Yours."

"You had seven hundred thousand in our gold coins?" the king asked blandly.  "Why?  Were you planning on moving here?"

"No, sire, it was for my future diplomat's use.  He's coming next year if you remember."

"I hadn't heard of this actually," he admitted.  Keivghn's face fell.  "Sorry.  One of my councilors does that."  He looked at Xahar.  "More than you thought?" he teased.

"Much more.  I thought I only had around seventy.  Then again, I usually just shove things into my safe and leave it there.  I don't spend much of it usually."

"Except in our pay and for his alchemist," Liset offered.  "Can we kill Prince Keivghn now, sire?"

"Well, I probably shouldn't say yes," he admitted. "But he did pull me away from the festivities and my wife, plus this does seem to be based on his obsession of Xahar."  They looked at the door but the prince was gone.  "Happy tracking, dear.  I know you enjoy the hunt."

"Oh, I'm going to enjoy this hunt," Xahar promised coolly, heading out to check the street.  "There you are!" he shouted, shooting at the running body.  He ran after him, shooting another bolt once he had it knocked back.  This one hit and he squealed in triumph, running after the now limping body.  "Get back here you bastard!"

"I'll never let you have me, you may be mine but I'm the one on top!" he called back, ducking into an alley.

"Oh, yeah, go into my territory," he sneered.  He walked into the tavern's front door.  "Where's Prince Keivghn?" he demanded in the sudden silence.  "I know he's here and bleeding.  The man just accused me of stealing after he keeps taking me and trying to torture me into loving him.  I want him here now so I can finish him off!"

A few of the guards jumped up and moved closer, trying to look soothing in their semi- drunken state.  "Let us handle him, Xahar. Are you hurt this time?"

"Just pissed."

"Which way did he go?" the other guard asked.

"Into the alley."  He pointed at it.  "It deadends and only leads in here."

"We'll check the back door," the barkeeper offered, going to do that.  You didn't make men like Xahar angry enough to kill you.  It upset others who liked him just as much as the obsessed ones did but knew they couldn't afford him.  He found the prince hiding among the barrels of ale and drug him out, blatantly handing him to the guards.  "Here, let them take him back to the courthouse, let him be tried," he soothed, taking the crossbow from the dancer's hand.  He winced as Xahar hit the man, then kicked him in a rude place.  "Ewww, ow," he moaned, clutching his own.  "Okay.  Boys?  Go ahead and take him away and we'll forgive your tab tonight."

"We've been paying as we go," one of them complained.  Xahar got the man again, getting away from the people trying to keep them apart.

Liset walked in and moved around the crowd, taking a running kick to send the man's balls up into his ribcage.  She smirked.  "There, now I feel better for when you tried to do that to me," she said sweetly, her smirk merging into a smile.  "Isn't that so much better?" she cooed.  She punched him, knocking him out, then looked at her boss and neck pinched him, knocking him out. "Someone remove this filth from his sight.  You guys wondered about those scars on his thigh, it was this one who did those."  Every man in the room who wanted Xahar glared at the man on the floor.  "So I'd get him into custody."  The guards nodded, dragging him out by his arms.  Fortunately more guards had seen Xahar and Liset running and were following, just in case it was something really bad.  Liset looked at Xahar, then at the big, strong guys around there.  "Can someone carry him home for me?  I'm not quite that strong."

"Makes you wish you weren't a warrior and a bodyguard, huh?" one man taunted.

"No, dear, I get to have *fun* with men who annoy me about being female when I'm working.  He'll struggle if I try.  You know how he is about women."  A few of the guys in the back walked up and picked him up, following her back to the house.  She gave them both a gold piece and a kiss on the cheek once he was back in his bed, then they left and she took Xahar's boots off him so she could tuck him in.  "You cause me so much trouble.  I wanted him first, boss."  She looked over as the king came to the door.  "Your guards have him.  He's injured."

"Good.  Very good."  He looked around.  "I always liked how Pegnis decorated in here."  He smiled and closed the door, heading back down the stairs.  "Ballor, they're back and Xahar's in bed.  She just tucked him in like a mother would."

"Sometimes we have to," he admitted, handing over a cup of wine.  "He's dead?"

"With my guards.  I'll be sending a mage message to his father when I get back."  He drained the cup of wine.  "Thank you for helping me settle this, Ballor.  Tell the others I said to rest.  I'll see them in a few days and send a messenger if something odd should happen.  Have a better night."

"You too, my king.  Have a happy celebration."

"Oh, I'm sure it will be.  Melodian started into labor and we're fairly sure it's a boy," he said proudly.  He walked out, taking the remaining guard with him.  The gate was locked behind him by Ballor.  "Hire someone to do that, son.  It's not your job.  The same as she's not his laundry girl."

"We know, but we don't have much else to do when we're in residence, sire.   I like to read but I can only do so for so many hours a day."

"You need a new wife, son.  Find yourself one.  It'll make you happier.  Make Liset start dating too, just not my son or grandson, please," he added with a small smile.  He walked off, heading back to the palace. Up the street he heard a neigh and watched as a white stallion mounted his mare, sighing in defeat. "Ballor, your stallion is out," he called quietly.

"Not again!" he complained, unlocking the gate and stomping up there to try to break them up.  "That's not nice! His mare is a purebred!"  Once he was done he pulled the horse off by his halter.  "Sorry, sire."

"Not a problem.  It needed some new bloodlines anyway."  He shook his head, going to walk his mare home.  Someone could hopefully stop him from sullying the bloodlines.  He walked her into the stables, walking his stablemaster.  "Xahar's monster stallion got mine too," he said, handing her over.  "Make sure he doesn't sully the bloodlines."

"Yes, sire, I'll make sure she doesn't conceive tonight."  He looked at the mare once their king was gone.  "Was it good?" he asked her. She gave him a dirty look so he walked her into the special back room where he could mix up things to clean her out and hopefully prevent a little half Chopee/half Imartin foal.  It'd be pretty but the bloodline wasn't going to be allowed to happen.
 

To Index

To Chapter Nine