The Strings in the Shadows

Chapter Four- In which two days have passed

"As you wish, your majesty," Edward said, trying not to grit his teeth. He hated it when his father talked to him like he was an idiot. The King didn't treat his other child like she was stupid, just him. He always got frustrated in these conversations, and if he ever blew his cool, as the commoners say, the consequences would be most severe.

"Our audience is concluded. Farewell, Prince Edward," dismissed the King. Edward, relieved it was over, bowed quickly and left before his father could think of something else to critize him on. He needed some fresh air.

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Luke Wellington was not like his year younger sister. She did not feel the urge to be constantly in motion, as he did (this was why he paced up and down for ten minutes after Edward had left his rooms). The maids would never find Kaira hanging upside down from a chandeleir fifty feet up in the air (that was on a dare from a passing palace guard last week). Kaira was better with knives and staves, Luke was better with swords or duel wield axes. She took after their father, he took after their mother. Kaira couldn't dance or hold a tune but could do a spinning backflip with perfect ease, Luke had had his fair share of kisses from the younger ladies in court after a soft love ballad or a splendid dance but he couldn't translate his gracefulness on the ballroom floor to a battle. Luke had a more cheerful manner and got along better with people while Kaira was ussually composed in public but had no interest in people.

However their differences, there was an important simularity in the youngest Wellington siblings: when either was bored, it was best to stay out of their way and hope they didn't destroy something expensive with their antics. They would do anything to stop being bored.

Luke was restless, which in his mind was one step away from boredom. He couldn't wait to leave the Castle with his two favorite people in the world, but never had Wednesday seemed so far away. AND the King had decided on a private audience with the Prince, again. Luke hated it when the King made him sound like a lonely puppy without his master. The King wasn't wrong about one thing, Luke thought with a sideways grin, He was a bad influence.

The young Shadow puffed one of his longer bangs out of his face. He looked outside his window in his bedroom, which was right next to Ed's rooms. Luke could see right over the top of the castle wall enought to see the edges of Galaxy River, the river that ran in a messy circle around the castle, like a natural moat 200 feet from the walls. And about one mile below them, he knew but couldn't see, was the Star Circuitt City.

"Lord Wellington?" called a voice Luke recognized as one of Kaira's ladies in waiting.

Jumping up from his window, Luke dashed out of his bedroom to the door that connected his rooms to the hallway, passing his sitting room and walk-in-closet (which was filled to the brim with weapons amd various peices of armor). He threw open the door with such eagerness the lady in waiting jumped. Maybe Kaira has something intersting to do. He could always count on her for knowing when he was bored.

"Lord Wellington," the maid stammered out , "Lady Kaira has asked for your assisstance in the Library, please. She said it was important."

"Just Luke's fine. Lord Wellington is my father," said Luke, mind-racing. The Library? What's so important about the Library? "I'll head over there right now," he said outloud, and turned around and went back into his room. The maid followed.

"Lord Luke, your sister said to make sure you get to the library," she insisted. "Please come with me immediantly."

"Oh, I'm going. I just don't think you'll want to come with me,... What is your name?" Asked Luke as he made his way to his balcony.