The Veil - Chapter 10 Part 2

The guard at the door studied Obi. "The king sent for you."

Obi straightened his robes, untying and retying a few bright colored bows that were too crooked. "Really?" he asked as he straightened his sleeves and brushed wrinkles out of the front. "I just thought I'd stroll up here at this ungodly hour and wake him up. It's very chic these days, you know." Glaring at the guard, he waited until the doors were open and strode through quickly. He hoped snapping at the guard would make it so that he could smile easily at Rofulo. He opened the throne room doors with little ceremony. There would have been a time once where they would have met in a cozy parlor or sitting room. No longer.

Obi bowed stiffly. "You sent for me, your Highness?"

Rofulo stood in front of the throne that stood high above the floor. He was looking up at it, his back to Obi. "I've heard some rumors."

Ignoring the cold prickle of panic, Obi moved into the relaxed position of a soldier which wasn't relaxed in the eyes of a civilian. "What can I do for you?" He forced his shoulders to relax, trying to ignore the stiffness in his neck.

Rofulo turned to him. "It's more what are you doing." Still in sleep clothes far too extravagant for their purposes, he didn't quite strike the noble pose a king was supposed to. He looked frumpy, fat, and paranoid with bloodshot eyes of a sleepless night. Obi supposed everyone could look human sometimes.

"Trying to gather my family together?" he asked softly, unable to smooth the acerbic edge.

"I had to set an example."

Obi felt his muscles tensing again as anger pulsed through him to thaw the panic. "I wasn't questioning your decision."

Scoffing, Rofulo shrugged. "Whether you were or not, I didn't bring you hear for that. I heard several noblemen met today, and you were in their ranks."

Stillness was imperative for Obi now. If he moved, he would surely shatter, and Rofulo would know, and it would be over. He smiled slowly, trying to force the expression to be kind, a tad coddling. "Friends can't meet without suspicion now?"

"Why weren't you with your nephew? I think he could use all the advice he could get."

Lips freezing in a smile that had almost reached genuine condescension, he didn't know how to cover the anger contorting his face or how not to react to the smirk rolling across Rofulo's. "Lekan will be just fine without seeing me every day until he leaves. He's a smart boy."

Unaffected by Obi's obvious wrath, Rofulo chuckled. "Oh yes. I've heard about how smart he is."

Hard earned control snapped. Moving very little, Obi leaned forward, his face ugly with anger. "You pompous bastard. When they take your rule away from you, I'll dance about it. I know your game, and I see what you're doing with Lekan. Don't think I don't, and I'm a dangerous enemy to have made." He glared before the implications of what he had said sunk in.

Rofulo's eyebrows rose slowly, his face smug. "If your punishment wasn't already in place, I would throw you in the dungeons for that, but I think I've made enough of a statement with your family so far. Now…" His voice was smooth and quiet. It was easy to hear Obi's ragged breathing over it. "Who is this they that's going to take my rule?"

"I don't know any names. I've been staying out of that." He looked down as if ashamed. "I've taken the warning."

Crossing his arms, Rofulo studied him. "That’s not like you, Obi. I know I'll never be able to prove it, but you were a part of the debacle in the east. You're always stirring things up. Kamaria things I should get rid of you. She doesn't know you like I do though. You've still got some value as long as I know what to take from you to make you jump."

His face completely still, Obi shrugged. Such an outburst wouldn't happen again. "I don't know anything about the east, I've told you, and I know nothing about this. From what I've heard, it's mainly commoners against you. Maybe it's just wishful thinking to say they'll make a change."

Rofulo threw his head back and laughed. "If those insects make a change for me it'll also be a change for you. I want your help." He said it like a man who was used to asking for things. There was no embarrassment, no humility. One thing that was admirable about Rofulo was his straightforwardness.

"My help?" He hated how easily Rofulo had let that go. The king either knew more than he was letting on or had a reason not to be afraid. Neither appealed to Obi.

Nodding, Rofulo came towards him. He smiled stiffly as Obi recoiled when he put his arm around his shoulders. “I want you to let me know if someone invites you to a certain group or… Maybe you’ve already been invited.”

Chuckling so he wouldn’t seem too afraid, he turned his head to look at Rofulo who looked quite smug. “I don’t agree with the way they’re doing things,” he murmured softly.

“Then you’ll help me.”

He refused to look away from the eyes with pupils that were too large and whites that were streaked with red. “I’m not sure how I can,” he said with a coy smile. “You know I’d do anything to serve your Highness.”

“You,” he tapped on Obi’s chest, “are going to tell me what they’re planning.”

His face frozen, Obi nodded. “I suppose I don’t have a choice.”

Rofulo suddenly walked away from him, prowling. “Everyone has choices. By the by, old friend, I heard you’ve gotten quite close to the poor widow.”

Obi put his hands behind his back, his mind screaming at him to protect Conya. “I’ll meet you at this time the morning after every meeting,” he offered sharply.

“Good.”

“And you won’t even look at her.”

Rofulo laughed. “In love with your brother’s wife. How long has that been going on?”

Obi stared straight forward. “Is that all you wanted?”

Stopping before him, Rofulo nodded. “You’re dismissed.”

“Thank you, your Highess.” Obi bowed and turned, fleeing.