The Veil - Chapter 17

Obi smiled as Lekan cursed, leaning against the wall as he watched his nephew pace angrily. “You’ll get it.” He’d been attempting to teach Lekan a fencing technique for the past half hour, and he was impressed with how seriously the boy was taking it.

Glaring at him, Lekan scrubbed his hand through his hair. “It’s not like I have that much time, you know. I mean-” He stopped himself at the sound of the door scraping open and voices ringing off the walls.

“My good man, you need to stop this ridiculousness. I have known Obi for most of his life and have visited the Eshe shrine often enough.”

Grinning, Obi looked up the stairs at Sefu’s voice and laughed outright at his butler’s dry voice.

“Regrettably, I remember you very well, my lord, and I know that Mr. Eshe always accompanied you when you were down here.”

“I’m trying to be in his company right now!” A clatter of steps could be heard as Sefu hurried down the stairs. “Oy, Obi. You make it hard for anyone to come visit you.” Sefu beamed as he stepped onto the floor, nodding at Lekan who was staring at him like he was insane.

“Mr. Fughi and I have an understanding. Because of him, I’m assured that my company is only the best.” Waving his fuming butler away, he put his foil away, looking at Lekan. “You can practice by yourself. I would suggest you do so. Sefu and I have things to discuss.” He watched Lekan as the boy fidgeted and wasn’t sure what to do. He wanted to reassure him and wipe those fearful shadows in his eyes away, but Obi didn’t know what was too much. What would push the boy into apathy again? “I expect you’ll have improved by tomorrow.” He ignored the sharp glare that Lekan shot him and hurried up the stairs with Sefu.

Humming, Sefu led the way to Obi’s office which should have set Obi on edge, but he shook his head instead. Something about Lekan and how he had finally admitted that he needed to be helped before he left made Obi more relaxed than he had been in a long time. He kicked the door shut behind him and raised his eyebrows at Sefu. “Perhaps you’re just here for a regular conversation like the old days?”

Laughing, Sefu blinked when he realized his friend was serious. “I’m afraid not. Maybe in a few months.”

“If you’re referring to the rebellion, expect a larger time frame than that.” He leaned against his desk and glanced down to see a note with a woman’s unmistakable handwriting. Folding it, he slid it under another stack of papers and returned his attention to Sefu who seemed too worked up to notice the distraction. “I’d be surprised if any fighting happened at that point. Remember, we still don’t have enough men to do anything.” He rubbed his face, still calm but a little more serious now and pushed himself up to the window to make sure it was closed and no one was sulking near it.

“We’re having a meeting next Thursday. Supposedly one of the men has found several more people to get involved.” Sefu wrung his hands. “You still don’t think this is a good idea?”

Shrugging, Obi studied his nails. “I don’t approve of the philosophy of the men who will be taking charge when and if we manage to overthrow Rofulo. Nothing will change except their own prosperity, and I never have high hopes for a rebellion that doesn’t have a large following, and thirty noblemen isn’t truly that many, Sefu, as much as we like to believe we are most important.” He sighed, feeling a weight come upon him again as he was reminded of other problems. “Not to mention…” He rubbed a hand down his face. “Rofulo summoned me today.” It didn’t truly feel like it had just been this morning. It felt like it had been two weeks since then. He grimaced. Not that he wanted the days to go by any faster than they were. “He threatened Conya, and he has assigned me as a spy.” He smiled blandly at Sefu’s shocked face. “While I don’t intend on helping him anymore than I have to, Conya is my responsibility as my brother’s widow.” He shook his head at Sefu’s dubious look, knowing his friend was dying to bring up the affection that Obi was having trouble denying at this point. “I will protect the rebellion as much as I can, but my family comes first.”

Sefu nodded sympathetically. “Of course, Obi. Anyone could understand that. If the bastard threatened my family, I would give everything away.” He cleared his throat several times as he moved his mouth, obviously trying to formulate exactly what he was going to say. “I think this situation can be made for the best however and-” He broke off at a knock at the door and crossly moved to the door, muttering to himself, “Can’t ever have a moment of uninterrupted peace…”

Shaking his head, Obi thought of the lesson he’d be in the midst of with Lekan as Mr. Fughi stood stiffly at the door.

“Mr. Eshe, my lord, sorry to interrupt.” He nodded to both of them. “Someone gave me something to give to you,” he told Obi and held out a formal coat. “It seems to be yours. Perhaps you forgot it somewhere?”

Obi crossed the floor quickly, his movements sharp as he took it from Mr. Fughi. He checked the pockets hurriedly just in case, ignoring Sefu and Mr. Fughi. He found a slip of paper and there were two sentences scrawled across it: Something happened. Need help now.

He closed his eyes. Oh damn.