Wanderlust (mxm)

Chapter Twenty-Four

The next day started with a bustle of activity. They were woken up by a loud knock on the door, and a knight's voice calling through. "Lord Tanden, your presence is requested in Lord West Draulin's office."

Tanden groaned and nudged Soren's arm out of the way so he could sit up. "I know you're awake," he muttered.

"Your presence, not mine," Soren replied drowsily.

"Shut up."

"Lord Tanden?" The voice came through again.

"Yes, I'm awake!" Tanden shouted back, before flopping back down on the bed. "I hate my brother sometimes." He rolled over to face Soren. "Wake up, mate."

"I am awake," Soren grumbled. He opened his eyes a crack. "What does he want?"

"I don't know. He probably wants to plan a meeting with the King or make me give him a written copy of my travel plan for the next four years."

"Doubt it."

"I guess that would be a bit excessive, even for him," Tanden agreed. "I should go before he sends another guard. Or bursts in himself. We're sleeping in our first night at sea. I don't care if we're in the middle of a hurricane and the crew has all been washed overboard, we're not leaving my bed until noon." He sat up again, but this time actually got to his feet and rummaged around for clothes.

Soren sat up a moment later and crossed his legs under the sheets. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. The new ring glinted on his hand. "I don't sleep in your cabin."

That gave Tanden pause. He'd gotten so used to Soren being in his bed in West Draulin, he'd completely forgotten that they tried to be more subtle on the ship. "Well, maybe it's time we change that. If..." he paused. "Only if you're comfortable with that."

For a moment Tanden was afraid Soren would say no, worried that maybe he'd pushed Soren too quickly. But with everything that had been going on, it seemed the next logical step.

Then the moment passed and Soren nodded. "If I can face your brothers and their wives teasing me, I reckon I can face the crew. But I still want my cabin. Just in case."

"In case what?"

Soren shrugged. "Dunno. You get too annoying, maybe."

"That seems unlikely. I'm delightful," Tanden replied.

"Aye, right."

Tanden let the conversation fade, while pulling a clean tunic over his head. Soren agreeing to move into his cabin, at least partially, changed things. He started to go over how he'd tell the crew. It probably wouldn't come as a complete surprise, but it was important to ensure the crew knew Soren's position as first mate was a separate thing. It might be hard to convince them of that.

There was a knock on the door. "I'm sorry, my lord, but—"

"I'm coming," Tanden snapped, before grumbling to himself, "I swear, I'm going to kill Rael. Soren, you have things to take care of, right?"

Soren nodded. "I'll be in the port."

"I'll come find you later," Tanden promised. He yanked open the door and the young guard waiting in the hall flinched. "Well, we can't keep Lord West Draulin waiting." He brushed past the guard and walked down the hall. The guard trailed quietly after him the entire way to Tandrael's office. Tanden shoved the door open.

Tanden's brothers hardly reacted. Tandrael sat at his desk, and Tandar was leaning over the back of his chair. Their eyes scanned the parchment unfurled on the desk.