ITL 60

[Mountie]

It was a lovely chapter relaxed almost compared to the previous ones.  Love when they all get together and relax.

“I know.  I miss Anosanim, too.”

            “Where is he?” Rini asked.

            “At work,” Talin said.

            “In his office,” Kudorin murmured, stroking Norisa.  “Sketching on the wall.  Humming to himself.  He has Talin’s new tune in his head.  He hasn’t eaten since lunch.  He’s had a rough day, and he’s frustrated that there doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day anymore, and he could just cry, he’s so upset about losing an earring on the site this afternoon.”

            “Anosanim lost an earring?” Rini asked, sitting up straight from where he’d been lounging against Selorin.  “Anosanim never loses jewelry,” he explained.  “You know how he is, so careful about nice things, so obsessed with having pretty jewels to wear.  And his pieces are expensive,” he added, frowning.  “Are you sure that it wasn’t stolen?  Or that someone didn’t see it fall and then pocket it instead of telling him?”

            “I’ll have it looked into,” Selorin said.

[CourtneyLee]

This is the VADE KICKS ASS chapter!

Anger blackened Vade’s expression in a way that Bade had never seen, and his voice hardened.  “Then I must ask when, Your Highness, you’ll be willing to listen to me.  I know more about Nosupolis, and its strengths and weaknesses, than any Anorian.  I know more about Orina Anoris than you, or Her Highness, or Tiko.  Unlike everyone else you’ve spoken with, I stand nothing to gain from this.  I have, in fact, the most to lose.  Perhaps you might want to consider why I wish to speak in support of Bade’s marriage.”

.....

Bade wanted to add more, but what more could he say?  He’d been all worked up, and his heart still pounded in his chest, but there was nothing left for him to do.  This was what he wanted, this was what he’d wanted his father to hear.  Vade had been amazing, he’d said things that Bade hadn’t even thought about.  The most advantageous marriage in Nosupolin history.  Bade couldn’t believe that he’d be part of such a thing.  He’d never expected it.  Former generations of Nosupolin students might even learn about him, the infamous prince, son of Mindo and brother of Tiko, who’d married the Anorian diplomat.

            “Vade, thank you,” their mother said gently.  She pressed his hand with a grateful smile.  “You’ve brought up a lot for us to think about.  It’s late now, and it’s been a full day.  Let’s all take some time, and we’ll talk again later.”

            “Yes, Your Highness,” Tiko said.  Vade, apparently, had run out of words.

            On his way out with their mother, their father briefly clapped Vade on the shoulder, then Bade.

            The door closed.

            “Grengar above, that was brilliant!” Tiko exclaimed, rounding on Vade, grabbing him by the shoulders and shaking him.  “Where did that come from?!”

            “I was so nervous I almost shit myself,” Vade confessed, looking weak, holding on to Tiko’s arm for support.  “I don’t even know what I was saying.  I’ve been going over this in my head for weeks, months now, the good, the bad, the pros, the cons, but no one ever cared, no one ever asked, every time I tried to get a word in I was waved away.  You know how no one listens to me.”

 

We listen to you, Vade!