The World of Rhune

“Look who decided to—ow! I mean, hello dearest brother Charlemagne,” Mackenzie rubbed his newly bruised rib, courtesy of Augustine. “Hello Charlemagne,” Augustine smiled his slow, scholarly smile. Sharely nodded happily enough, his features a little brighter. He did love his older brother, as annoying as Augustine could be, since Augustine had practically shaped half of who Sharely was today. “Charlemagne why are you late? It’s not proper to be late when you know tonight’s topic shall be a bigger one than usual, and especially to keep the rest of us waiting,” Sharely’s father frowned upon his youngest son, distaste coloring his face. “I am truly sorry, time, it just got away from me. I hadn’t glanced at a dial for a while and before I knew it I was late.” Sharely’s excuse was poorer, but it sounded like one of his better excuses since he’d been working on puny excuses for years. He bent his head under the weight of his father’s gaze for a moment, before sitting besides Augustine and away from his annoying twin brothers. The king sighed at what he thought was a disappointment, but returned to the topic. “Now gentlemen, dear Virigiania. Under circumstances, the prince and crown princess of Cancri have deigned to go about on a tour of the world, and I have agreed to show them our magnificent country. On the other hand, they are still to be escorted nearly everywhere I want one of you to be by their sides. Augustine, Amir is around your age so you are to have him stay in one of your guest chambers. Mackenzie, Montgomery, and Charlemagne, where Crown Princess Hannah stays is to be debated among yourselves an—” “Charlemagne can have her,” Montgomery’s and Mackenzie’s words were spoken at the same time. They grinned at each other, but looked away under their father’s disapproving eye. “Boys, learn to be princes. Or I’ll punish you by having you called Princess Mackenzie and Princess Montgomery for as long as I see fit. On everything,” The set of twins looked at him, mouths slack, as the possibility of the real threat. They snapped their jaws shut and glared. “Charlemagne, since I can’t seem to trust my two boys with the task of upholding the princess while she is here, I charge you with the task of housing and showing her the city. You two are around the same age, it would be a good time to maybe even make a ghost of a alliance between our two nations.” Sharely’s eyes closed in embarrassment and hate. Why did he have to end up with the princess? He was really hoping the royal siblings would divide his father’s attention so he could just slip off to his home, and arrange for things to be done in his two-week absence. Now he practically had to baby-sit the girl, make sure she didn’t get into trouble or stray too far. He really almost wanted to lock her rooms, glue the windows, and isolate her. But he’d probably get in trouble for that. “Yes, father,” Sharely sighed, and glanced at the windows. Of course he would get the petty princess who just had to ruin, “Now, events and places to show the princess. They are leaving the day before the gift to Triton, so they are not to spend a daylonger. If they do, I will charge one of you to take them far away, most likely to the Sacii islands. It’s only half a day’s journey, and they may stay in the palace upon the island. Back to places though. I would like you to show them the temple, the town surrounding it. A ride through the forest to the clearing and waterfall would be nice, our astrologers predict it will be a hotter week. The beach and pier for them maybe more than once. Augustine I’d like you to take them to our observatory, it is also to be very clear nights with Venus and Mars in the sky. I have heard the princess is more of a warrior, Charlemagne, Mackenzie, and Montgomery you shall take them on a tour to your private rings.” The king stopped to rest his voice, the queen handing him a goblet of water, and he returned to his lecture based upon his planning, “A banquet when they come, and banquet when they leave, and a seating with them every night with at least three of us. If they wish to be left alone, they are to be left alone without much more prompting. See to it they know where our servants are and anything else they may need. Our garden, for instance. My sons, understood?” the king ended his speech to them, and Sharely knew it wasn’t really over. They’d get it again more than once before the prince and princess arrived. “Now, my dear Virigiania…” his father started to bore all his sons into a lapse of dreams. Sharely started thinking about what kind of job he would ‘take’ and have to be missing for two weeks. He thought about taking a boat trip. It paid better money than most, so he could bring more back. Fritz and Murphy knew how to hunt and Kat knew how to barter well enough with the money and items they had at home. Cress could occupy himself by throwing rocks at Chachi, and Izzy would probably be Izzy…“Charlemagne did you catch that?” Sharely’s head snapped up, “Hmm…?” “You will also have to pack for Crown Princess Isabella Maria’s wedding. We are leaving the day of Triton’s gift.” Sharely’s head turned back to his annoying princely duties. “Yes, of course. It takes no more than a day and a half to sail to the Ralean capital. But thank you for pointing out the date, Father,” “Oh, Charlemagne. Go to bed son, you’re not thinking right, or your half asleep as you attempt. The rest of you go, too. I have nothing more to say,” The king pinched his nose and the Queen started soothingly rubbing his hand, murmuring to him. Sharely was thankful, but he was shot, and his mattress was always a nice change instead of a dirt floor.