Averin Soltrid was used to sitting through meetings that bored him to tears. Being only twenty-two, he hated politics. Even if he would have to get used to it, seeing that it would be in his life for a long time.He'd taken to blocking out the droning words of his uncle, Arthret, King of Adrid.

Averin glowered at the council members seated around him. His thoughts were on Selene, his queen and great-aunt. Once his father resigned, Averin would be the highest ranking lord in all of Terrin's Royal Council, and possibly an heir to the throne, considering the fact that Selene's husband was killed in battle when they were only twenty, and she had never remarried, nor had she had any children. The woman had always favored her nephew Andrew, Averin's father. And now that the man was beginning to step down from his position, she'd taken to favoring Averin.

The young lord turned in his chair so that he could face his nineteen year-old cousin, Casen. Casen was the Crown Prince of Adrid, though he wasn't a haughty ass like every other man in the court. The prince smiled, and Averin smiled back. They both turned their attention back to the king, before he officially ended the meeting.

"This meeting is now adjourned." The lords and ladies nodded their heads and bustled out the door, chatting with each other about the meeting. "Stay here Averin. I need to speak with you."

Averin stifled a groan as he stood from his chair and walked over to his uncle. The past few days that he'd been in Riftbay were hell. Every day, ladies would bump into him in the gardens after he's finished his morning run. He guessed that it was his extra self-defense training that made him a site for women to ogle at.

He took a deep breath and walked over to his uncle, a fake smile tilting the corners of his mouth up. He'd taken to avoiding eye-contact with the king, and it always made him less nervous. The large man cleared his throat and began speaking.

"Catherine was speaking with me about how many people in Andia have been saying that you would one day be richer than I, because of both of your families' wealth and power. It is true?" Averin stared at his uncle, contemplating whether or not to answer. He grinned smugly and replied,

"I believe you are correct, uncle. Both sides of my family have power and are rich as hell. I'd have more money then you, one day." The king knit his brows together and wrinkled his nose in a way that had always made the young lord laugh. Averin began grinning and chuckling as his uncle continued to make the strange face. I'm such a child at times, he thought to himself.

Arthret clapped him on the shoulder and gestured toward the door.

"Casen would like to see you in his rooms. Please, don't antagonize him. Marla ran off with another man. You remember the girl, don't you?" Averin nodded. He remembered the girl all too well.

"How could I not? She was the prettiest girl in court. I always knew she'd become quite a harlot." The king flashed a grin that was short-lived and barely reached his eyes. The man nodded goodbye and walked out of the council room, leaving his nephew alone.

Averin sighed and walked down the hall, turning left, right, then stopping at the first door. He didn't knock. He never had to, and Casen always seemed to know when he'd be at the door. He ran a hand through his short black hair and walked into the foyer, his golden eyes darting around the room. A voice called from his left.

"In the gaming room." Averin smiled and stalked into the room. It had billiards, chess, a pianoforte, and several book cases that were nearly overflowing with volumes that he was sure the prince had read at least five times. Casen looked up from a book he was reading. The Prince of Hearts. Averin grimaced at the leather-bound volume. His cousin read romance novels? It didn't surprise him, given the fact that he was a very romantic boy, and great with women of any age. He crossed the room and sat down beside the blond boy.

Casen's hazel eyes glittered as he looked up and saw his cousin scowling at the book.

"Don't you do anything other than read," Averin asked, plucking the book from the prince's hands and tossing it on the pianoforte bench. Casen glared at him before bursting out in a wide grin. He clasped the lord's forearms and looked into his molten eyes.

"Honestly, I'm surprised that you don't have a woman in your life. I've heard many court ladies talking about how your eyes make them melt." Averin blushed, barely, and began to survey the room. If he wasn't in a court meeting, he was guarding the Crown Prince of Adrid. Ever since he had replaced Selene's Captain of the Guard, Arthret had commanded that he protect his son. Of course, it only meant that the two would become inseparable. Averin glanced at the billiards cues and imagined hitting Casen on the head with it. But he pushed the tempting thought away as his cousin got up and walked into the bedroom.

Averin, after three years of guarding his cousin, instinctively followed. They stopped at the fire place as Casen plopped down in a wooden chair and stared at the dancing flames. Averin watched too, suddenly aware of the dagger that was tucked in his boot. He pulled it out and inspected the blade.

It was lightweight and had swirling lines carved into the silver and the pommel. He loved it as much as he loved making his cousin flirt with older women. Those were some of the best times he remembered having with his cousin. The prince looked at him and glowered.

"Must you always carry weapons around? I highly doubt someone would attack me in my rooms when a man who could tare them apart with his bare hands was present." Averin tipped his head back and released a bellowing laugh. Oh, how he loved annoying his cousin.

"I simply enjoy pissing you off," he said to the prince. Casen scrunched his nosed and went back to staring at the fire. Averin sat there, shining his blade. He turned to his left and looked out the window. Leaves were floating in the autumn winds, and he knew winter would be fast approaching. He studied the Avery River that wound it's way through the city. Averin grinned and silently made plans to shirk his duties the next day and walk along the other side of the river, just so he could get away from the haughty asses that made up the royal court.

The man stared at the river, at how it flowed smoothly. Sometimes while he was visiting his family in the castle, he thought of crossing the river, riding West, toward Wald forest. and back North, toward Terrin. He smiled and laid a foot on one knee. He would definitely leave sooner than expected.