Marked

Chapter 132: The Boy Who Would be King

That night was filled with nightmares like every other.

When he awoke, he plodded along to training. Medea and Janda were missing because the Ruby Dyress was visiting.

Luckley and Elian were sat on the bench during a break, watching Medly and Sifron spar whilst Pargron shouted abuse from on crutches, when they saw the group come around the corner.

Adira and Medea walked in front, chatting casually. Medea looked over to where Luckley and Elian were sat, but she was too far away for Elian to see her reaction.

Behind them, the Ruby Dyress and Janda walked.

"What is with her and Janda?" Elian asked, still slightly breathless from training. He was still the worst, and could barely keep up with the others.

Luckley took a swig of water. "She doesn't have kids." He said, swallowing. "Me and Medea reckon that's why she treats Janda a bit like a son."

"Isn't she meant to produce heirs? Is her husband still alive?" Elian questioned, both boys still staring at the group.

"No, she's like Adira, husband died a while ago. And she did produce heirs, but they died." At that point, Elian turned his head to Luckley.

"How?"

"Freak accident. Both fell into the ocean near the Ruby court, apparently. Was a bit shady though."

"What, you think they murdered their kids?" Elian laughed at him.

"No." Luckley chuckled. "Everyone just thought it was a bit weird at the time, though." Luckley paused in thought. "Same way they thought the Sapphire Dyren's death was weird I suppose." He said, mainly to himself.

They watched the group walk accross the gardens, seeing their wild gestures and moving mouths but hearing none of the words.

"Really messed her up. People say that's why she's so ruthless now."

"There's someone more ruthless than Adira?" Elian scoffed. Luckley gave him a warning look.

"Yes, there are lots of people more ruthless than Adira. Count yourself lucky you weren't the long lost son of some Ruby Lord." Elian shuddered at Luckley's words, struggling to imagine anywhere more corrupt than the Sapphire court.

"What happens when she dies then?" Elian asked after a small silence.

"The crown goes to someone outside the blood line. Hasn't happened for centuries. Her ancestors ruled when the courts were created. People are pretty pissed." Luckley said, straight faced. Elian laughed at the way he talked about politics.

"Who outside the bloodline?" Elian asked, and instantly saw the hesitation on Luckley's face. He didn't want to say.

"Me, probably."

Elian's eyes just widened and he sat in silence, waiting for more.

"I mean, it's not certain, there are a few other eligibles. But my parents were born in the Ruby court, sure they were transferred here but they spend most of their time over there with the Dyress." Luckley said, avoiding looking at Elian in any way possible. Elian, however, was fully turned towards him and stared at him as he spoke.

"So you're like the Ruby equivalent of Janda?" Elian asked, and Luckley laughed awkwardly.

"More like Medly, my tie to the throne isn't that strong." He looked down, blushing slightly.

"So what land would you get to control?" Elian asked eagerly.

"Only the space in the East, between the Diamond court and Ruby court." Luckley said reluctantly.

The North and South areas of Alensia had long been empty. The climate up North was too harsh for inhabitants, and the South was a war torn shell from the civil war.

"Can't believe you never told me you're the bloody future Ruby Dyren!" Elian exclaimed, shaking his head with a smile.

"I told you, it's not definite." Luckley mumbled.

"Should I be referring to you as your highness?" Elian asked, a mischievous smile on his lips.

This time Luckley looked at him, but only to thwack a hand round the back of Elian's head before getting up.

Elian rubbed the back of his head, chuckling while he stood to follow Janda back to training. Then a voice stopped him.

"Elian?" It was Rune's, he knew that instantly. He turned to see the man standing on the patio in front of the glass doors, only a few feet away.

He could hear the clashing of swords behind him. Then Rune gently said,

"Adira requests your presence."