"What have you done?!" Yuen snapped, voice dropping at an odd angle, falling tones of annoyance and panic.
Esali shrugged, attempting to give his brother an innocent smile.
Yuens glare flew from Esali to Wyn. "And you did nothing to stop him?!"
"A mere vassal command a crown prince?" Wyn quickly replied with another question, calm as usual.
Yuen scoffed, throwing his arms in exasperation. His morning had been going wonderfully. He'd awoken more rested than usual, received word from Wyn that the pair would arrive within the hour, prepared a secret entrance for them into the city, then an "official" arrival for his brother.
Everything was perfect, suspiciously perfect. He'd been moderately stress free all morning then Esali had sauntered in for Yuen to find most of his little brother's beautiful lilac hair gone. His curls had been cropped short, winging his ears and the curling at the nape of his neck. And the double braids (an imperial symbol that had matched Lailen and Yuens with matching silver beads) were shorn off.
"Please tell me you at least kept them?" Yuens' normally deep voice cracked on the last syllable.
Esali shook his head, smiled a little too mischievous for Yuens liking. "I gave them to a pretty rain spirit."
"Oh great realms, Esali!" Yuen melted, arms flailing out in anger. "Our father is going to be livid."
"Naaaaahhh." The crown prince drawled. "I'm dads favorite."
"You are fathers legacy not his favorite. That man doesn't have a favorite anything, you and I both know that."
Esali giggled at the snarky remark and Yuen tsked. Perhaps Esali's position would save him but Yuen was sure he'd hear about it later. If it had been him who cut away his braids the emperor would probably charge him with treason. Flogged him at the least. Use it as an excuse to kill him at most. He pinched the bridge of his nose with one hand and rubbed his temple with the other. After a moment to think and calm himself he smoothed out his clothes.
He wanted Esali home to begin taking on his imperial duties. Facing the consequences of his actions was one lesson Yuen could no longer continue to spare him from. "I've arranged an entry for you into the city. I told father you were in the Eastern Court this time." He handed Esali a folder, filled with details of his trip. "Here is a debriefing packet, it's got all the details of your diplomatically beneficial visit."
Esali took the packet, already aware of its purpose. This had not been the first time his brother covered for his little escapades and absences.
"And this," Yuen gestured at Esalis hair, "you're on your own for."
Esali nodded with a grin, casually flipping through papers. "I've got it handled. I'll just tell dad I got glue in it or something."
Yuen sighed. "Why'd you cut it?"
Esali had been attached at the hip to Yuen for all of their childhood and his older brothers' distaste for their father had rubbed off on him. Esali was just as critical of the cold and distant emperor, and his night court blood sometimes had him directly acting out against the man. His title there to protect him from the whip.
He shrugged. "Because I wanted to. And because I know you couldn't."
Yuen choked out a scoff that turned into a short bout of laughter. His brother had always been mischievous and a little malicious.
"One day, I'll command that you cut yours too."
"When you're the emperor?" Yuen smiled.
Esali nodded. "Unless you want the throne?"
Yuen shook his head, his brother and his knack for making future promises, the same as usual. "You'll make a better ruler."
"Mmhmm. Sure, sure." Esali said sarcastically. His fingers glided through his hair in an obscene and lewd gesture. "I guess I would look prettier on the throne."
Yuen rolled his eyes before shooing his brother along, Wyn escorting him to the staged traveling party from the Eastern Court.
Once the door was closed and they were well on their way Esali turned to Wyn, slowing their pace to a lazy shuffle. "What is he up to this time? He's being much more secretive than usual."
"Your highness I am not privy to all the details." Was Wyns curt reply. He was back to his typical self after their time together in Kystra and it made Esali a little pouty.
Esali nodded his head from one side to the other. "Tsk. I suppose so." He was aware that his brother often kept secrets from Wyn that he did not want Esali to know. A small fear that Esali would sing Wyns name kept him from sharing too much. "What can you share with me?"
"His highness has plans to travel and wishes you here for his absence."
"Mmm. Yes, that was established in Kystra," he purred at the vassal who blushed faintly, "however he's usually not so secretive over simple travel."
"He has not shared with me his plans, but I do know that he has been working on this project for many years and wishes for your trust and cooperation during its fruition."
Esali took pause at Wyns words, pursing his lips in thought. He would not have found it odd but Yuen had hardly ever needed his cooperation before. The man was a machine on his worst day and he had never asked Esali for anything.
"You'll see him again tonight before he leaves. You can ask him more yourself then, your highness." Wyn followed up in the space of Esalis silence.
Esali stretched then, suddenly tossing his arms into the air, taking up space with his presence like only a prince could. "Uuuuggghhh." He groaned. " I have been here thirty minutes and I already want to leave again."
He dropped his arms across Wyns shoulders and leaned heavily into the man, picking up their pace simultaneously and is an odd saunter. "Let's find a bottle of Nectar. I don't want to be sober when I meet with my father."
Wyn spared his liege a momentary glance. The last time Esali had been sober while meeting with the emperor had been in his teens. Nectars, sweetleafs, potions and liquors had flavored much of the crown prince's life through adolescence and young adulthood. Even now he had been taking tiny hits of a gaseous potion here and there, so secretively and swiftly that Yuen hadn't noticed.
It was an addiction that reminded him of Delta who always seemed to have a glass in hand. He dared not tell Esali that though. Wyn had not spent much time with Misemi but had heard of the woman's love for high quality nectars and the bill she racked up monthly. He had heard that night fae were more often than not heavy indulgers. Wyn was practically infantile, being in his first incarnation, and he still had much to learn of other courts and cultures.
The men pulled heavy hoods over their heads before entering the service halls, heading for the hedge tunnels that would lead away from Yuens wing and towards the eastern gate.
Just outside its entrance, out of sight, was Esalis faux traveling party. A small envoy of five guards, a chancellor; which caught him off guard being that the man was previously- to his knowledge-one of his fathers men, and Yuen's favorite foreign affairs advisor, Liina. The fae was the fifth princess to the Court of Silver Moons, the northernmost court, known for their villages and cities that hugged icy cliffs. Plants that only existed in the coldest environments found home there and being so its fae population was limited.
Liina was the third incarnation of a small flowering annual species that grew in patches on rocky slopes of an arctic desert. This particular incantation was the color of milk and cream edged with soft pink, a chilling air clung to her. Despite it, tiny flowers sprouted randomly about her.
She was, well educated, of high social status, beautiful and charming. There had been talks of her being Esalis first wife, though it was atypical for a fae to start considering marriage prospects before their hundredth year. It was something Esali had adamantly refused to discuss and, though they were quite good friends, Liina had not seemed keen on the proposal either.
For now she lived inside Yuens pocket.
"Princess Liina!" Esali swooped in grabbing her by the waist and kissing her cheeks.
"Good morning, your highness!" She laughed, returning his kisses and stepped away. "I was just admiring your new hair!"
"The most beautiful little rain spirit asked for it so I said he could cut it." Esali gave Liina a sultry look as she led him to a horse. " You would have loved him."
"Mm, I'm sure I would have. So are you going to show it to me or what?" Liina cocked an eyebrow.
Esali giggled playfully "Show you what?"
"Oh come on," the princess slapped his shoulder. "Spirits always trade when they're the ones making requests. He definitely gave you something, show me." She finished forcefully.
He wore a cheeky grin as he pulled out a small bag made of a navy crushed velvet. Undoing its ties he grabbed a corner and emptied its contents into his palm. Liina let out a gasp and a little grunt sounded from the chancellor as a glowing orb floated in his palm. It danced in place, a beautiful soft blue swirling and glimmering.
"Your highness." Wyn interjected. "I do not think you should so openly flaunt such a precious item."
"He gave you a spirit orb!?" Lina squealed. "For some lousy hair?!"
"Hey-" Esali said defensively, laying a hand on his now short hair.
"In myths of old, the hair of a high imperial fae was said to possess the power of a thousand armies, young princess." Interjected the chancellor.
"Really?" The prince and princess said at the same time, both wearing shocked expressions.
"Indeed." The chancellor said with a nod and a judging eye on Esali. "The myths are only myths but the hair has remained sacred. That is why men of the line have always worn it long and preserved it in braids and locks."
Esali bit his lip, gnawing away a devious smile. He knew the hair was important to the royal family, yet no one had ever shared with him the reason why, or perhaps some droning tutor had but he hadn't listened. When he got older he had also never cared enough to ask, and Yuen definitely didn't give a shit. Esali had just assumed it was some random style an emperor had adopted thousands of years ago and made everyone after him adopt it too. Indeed his father was sure to be pissed. How pissed was anyone's guess though. "So that's why Yuen was so mad." He mumbled mostly to himself.
Wyn stepped forward, "Your Highness, please." He reaffirmed, gently cupping Esalis hand around the orb, concealing its shimmer in their fists.
"Alright, Wyn." He obliged, delicately dropping the orb back into the bag. It was then neatly tucked away, hidden in his robes. Esali mounted his horse, drawing it up to formation, riding up to flank the chancellor.
"So tell me, Chancellor Avin, what brings you to my brother's aid?" Esali leaned in whispering low, Liina and Wyn ordering about guards, placing everyone in proper order.
The chancellor had served his father for the last three millennia and his father before him for two and half prior. He was of a line of incarnations of towering coniferous trees whose lifespans lasted tens of thousands of years. He had been loyal to the Imperial court and its Patriarchs up until now, and Esali was suspicious.
"And does Advisor Skom know of your current whereabouts?" Esali continued, voice carrying a dangerous harmony. "You are his most treasured youngest brother after all."
Chancellor Avin adjusted himself, straightened his shoulder and met the young prince's accusatory gaze, amethyst eyes smoldering under a furrowed brow. The crown princes' fierce loyalty to his half brother was well known among the members of the court. Most would wonder as to where this loyalty had come from. For the most part the emperor had tried to keep the two separate from one another. Loading his eldest down with tasks and tutors and placing the crown prince on the opposite end of the palace grounds, surrounded by guards and nurse maids. However Esali always seemed to manage to find his brother.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
It started in Esali's fourth year, in a beautiful garden often used by visitors and guests who were waiting for meetings with the Emperor. Empress Consort Yuna, the first prince's mother, as well as Yuen had been accompanying the Chancellor when the three were met by Empress Consort Misemi and the young prince Esali. It was in a beautiful garden often used by visitors and guests who were waiting for meetings with the Emperor.
The young mother and her toddler son had been playing in a grassy nook when they strolled by. Yuna immediately stepped forward, eyes scanning from left to right, checking her surroundings. "Empress Consort Misemi, what a surprise."
Misemi flinched before gaining composure and dusting off her skirts. "Oh hello, Empress Consort Yuna." Misemi bowed gracefully. "What brings you here today?"
"That is a question I should be asking you." Yuna's voice was kind yet held an edge forged from years of the use of authority. For a moment the chancellor thought that he would see a spat between feuding consorts and their royal sons, but what he witnessed was quite the opposite.
"Oh, well Esali just loves to play here. He wouldn't stop screaming about the guest garden."
Misemi was the youngest of the emperor's consorts at a mere thirty three. Skom had come home with stories of Yuna destroying the throne room when the emperor decided to take the night fae as a consort. Who, by fae standards, was much too young for a male already a couple millennia old.
And when the chancellor saw her in the garden it became glaringly obvious just how young Misemi was. She was ethereal like the moon but exhaustion hung about her heavily. Hair in tones of lilac and lavender, similar to her sons, was pinned up in chaos, curls springing this way and that. Her complexion was splotchy and dark spots stained her eyes. She looked overwhelmed and underprepared for the responsibility and young fae.
"It isn't safe for you or the prince to be in such an easily accessible area of the palace."
"I'm sorry." Misemi looked away bashfully. "He just wouldn't stop screaming."
The chancellor stood off to the side, but could hear Yuna quietly click her tongue before taking Mesemi hand gently into her own. "Motherhood is extremely difficult, especially those first few years. Their little wants and desires can take aggressive priority in both their realities and ours. But we have to find perseverance in protecting them." Yuna looked back toward the stationary Yuen and the chancellor caught sight of a look he could identify the origin of. Knew the glint of fear for the life of her child.
"Who are you?" A question followed the point of a chubby fingered Esali, the toddler interrupting from behind Misemis' skirts. With dirty elbows and grass stained knees, his attention directed at Yuen, another child of which the young prince had not seen many.
Misemi, eyes widened. "Esali!" She explained quickly, pushing his hand to his side. "We mustn't point. It's very rude."
"But moooommm." Esali whined, stomping his foot in a spoiled pout.
Haggard and unsure, she looked to the elder consort for guidance.
Yunas gaze carried to the Chancellor, who she scrutinized for a moment then gave a nod to Yuen. "Introduce yourself darling."
The young fae, at a sproutling age of ten, was already straight spined and politely mannered. Tutored to perform all the duties and actions necessary of young royalty. He gave the crown prince a formal bow. "It is an honor to meet you, your highness. My name is Yuen." He offered his younger brother the greater title without complaint and did not hint at his own title. Opting to give his name, unsung, instead.
"Yoon, you lwook jus' like my dad."
Ashamedly the chancellor choked on his spit. Yuna could not help the brief frown that she hid from her son and in a panic Misemi could only shriek, "ESALI!"
"WHAT!!!" The mouthy toddler immediately mirrored his mothers tone, and returned it with sass. "He lwooks da same!"
"Let's quiet down Esali." Spoke the rational and collected voice of Yuen. His tone was soft, just barely on the verge of song he only clumsily knew how to use. "He is my dad too. And I look more like him, just like you look more like your mom."
"Yuen." Yuna whispered, static in her words.
"It's okay mother. I'll tell his Majesty that it was me who told him." Yuen gave her a small reassuring smile.
Esali had been processing this new information, and he stood, curious, one hand posed cutely on his tiny chin. "Sooo, wur bruvers." He finally said and his eyes rolled to his mother for confirmation.
Misemi nodded with a nervous smile, eyes darting around.
"Lwike Waath and Weel?" Esali referenced to his cousins.
"Yes, kind of like Rath and Riel." She said with another nod.
"WOaH!" The boy shrieked hands flailing around in excitement as he ran in place. The toddler then proceeded to grab hold of Yuen robes and attempted to drag the other boy off. "Lwet's go plway!" He begged voice ringing over flowers and leaves. "C'mon bruver." He continued to shout and attempt to pull Yuen along. "Lwet's go plway! Lwet's go plway!" He chanted.
A cool crack like lightning cut through the ruckus as Yuna snapped, "Easali. This is not very becoming behavior for a crown prince."
The scolding from the stern appearing first consort had him struck in his spot, looking at the ground, a tear in his eye and a snivel on his lip. The behavior was starkly different from that he had with his mother or nurse maids. "I jus wuanted to pway wifv my bruver," he whispered.
Yuna sighed. Esali was admittedly adorable and if he hadn't only been a child his behavior would have been down right exploitative because she found herself folding to his will. "Very well then. Let's go to my private garden. You can play with your brother there while your mother and I have some tea."
"YAY!" The boy shouted before catching another stern eye from Yuna. "Yay" This time he whispered dragging Yuen with him as he plowed his was to his mom. "C'mon mom." He continued to whisper, grabbing her skirts as well, eager to get to this garden where they were allowed to play.
Misemi gave Yuna a gratuitous smile.
"Go along. I'll be right behind you." Yuna remained behind as Misemi, Yuen, a guard, as well as a nurse maid attempted to guide the ecstatic Esali.
"I'm sorry for having to cut our walk short Chancellor. I will leave my other guard with you until his majesty is ready to see you."
The chancellor cleared his throat and nodded. "It is no problem, Empress Consort."
Yuna paused, eye contact held for a moment between her and him. "And if you wouldn't mind leaving out the later portion of our garden visit, I would be very grateful and consider myself indebted to you."
She was offering him a favor in exchange for his secrecy. "Ah yes. I highly doubt such topics will come up in todays meeting. But even so I shall let the Emperor find out through his own means." He gave a polite bow and the Empress consort, pleased enough with his reply, turned away, skirts fanning behind her, and hurried after the rest.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Avin did not know when or how the emperor had found out about his son's meeting. He had kept his secret to Yuna. The chancellor had witnessed the beginning of a profound and well known friendship between the mothers of the two imperial princes. The two consorts were often seen together at social gatherings. It wasn't too strange for consorts in the Emperor's harem to form friendships and cliques, but the only two who bore him sons having such a close relationship created even more envy amongst the women. So much so that at one point the emperor separated the two from the group, no longer allowing them to interact with other consorts.
And with their bond, the bonds of their sons grew as well. Yuen more often than not a doting and dedicated older brother to Esali who stayed stuck to his hip. The Emperor was always seemingly sour about the success of his happy little family, a close knit net of people who he ruled over in name only.
He could boast of the talents of his children and the beauty and grace of their mothers all day, but Avin noticed the little tick in his jaw, the glint in his eye that always gave him away. Lailen was a ruler, a fae possessed of power and his liege were a direct threat to that. Avin had watched his brother and the emperor operate in greed all their lives. And it only became more and more clear as the years passed, that at some point his Majesty's own family would either yield or fall to his desires.
Something Yuen seemed to be born aware of, the offspring of a lineage of carnivores eager to devour their young.
The chancellor smiled. Esali was grown but still forthcoming and strong willed. His stony glare was a trait so obviously adopted from Yuna. "I think we younger brothers can be quite rebellious," the chancellor finally said, words also whispered, "when we want to be. And we can also keep our secrets. Skom is in the best place for him."
"And that would be?" Esali cocked and eyebrow, voice still level and cool.
"In the dark." Avin quipped with a stern nod. "The great ide is upon us, I feel it deep in the roots of the trees. Sooner or later we are all going to have to choose where we stand. I have chosen my place."
Esali leaned back, righting himself, eyes still squinting in judgment and suspicion towards the chancellor. Hidden from his exterior, the old fae's words caused the little knot of anxiety to form in the pit of his stomach.