The Changeling

6

Zeger stood across from his father. Behind him, the horses were patient while waiting to be mounted. The problem wasn't Zeger's presence, but his abysmal appearance. His features were tight as he greeted them and he looked hung over. Ezren returned Zeger's lack of composure with as much dedication to his indifference. Cetlali remained silent.

"I am most elated to see you journey to Epoubodaz for such a glorious appointment, dear father," Zeger's words and tone were dubious. Cetlali frowned at the clench in his jaw and the stiffness in his shoulders. He refused to look at her since the night before at the celebration.

Her gaze dropped to stare at his boots with a heavy swallow. She wished she had just a moment to let herself cry, expelling all this horrific tension. Sometimes it was all that helped when her body felt like it wanted to shake itself to bits.

"I am delighted to leave you behind —,"

Ezren paused, not even looking at his son while he spoke with veiled revulsion, "— with the safety of the Cazar and the realm in your capable hands."

Zeger's chuckle was bitter. He shook his head and glanced back at Ezren with a wicked grin, holding the stare for less than a blink.

Zeger then turned to face Cetlali with a wide smile laden with his devastating charm, despite the despondency in his gaze. "I will miss you the most, dearest Cetlali. Your safety is of utmost importance to me." He forced out the words out with a garbled anguish, "And if my father can do anything right, he can hire the right man for the right work." The tone was too pointed and not quite directed at his father. She watched as Zeger glanced at something over her shoulder. She didn't dare look with the way Ezren was glaring between the two of them.

"I —," Zeger began, giving a halting look to his father before he continued with rapid determination. "I only regret that I could not repay all the debts I owed to you before your

journey." He gave her a meaningful look. There was an intent behind his words she wasn't quite catching.

Sad eyes watered, spilling over, and he continued, always so devastating with his cleverness. "I will see you soon. You can consider that a promise that I very well intend to keep." He smiled at her tight. She hadn't seen him cry since they were children. The lack of his genuine lop-sided grin hit her like a dagger to her chest. He went on, his pointed tone laced with sarcasm, regret, and rage, "Despite the apparent restrictions in keeping other long standing, much more important promi —,"

"Enough," Ezren snapped. He yanked Cetlali away from Zeger, who gazed after them, angry and shocked, as if he expected something more.

Cetlali's eyes fixated on Zeger. Neck and head contorted over her wrenched shoulder so as not to suffer the loss of remembering him staring back at her. His face morphed in a despondent rage as the tears fell, unrestricted.

Cetlali's eyes went wide with the slow recollection threading into her mind. It was unfortunate the memories were of the same night she tried so hard to forget.

When Zeger found out about his siblings'

fates and learned he was the new heir to Cazar Schomou, Ezren demanded he find a spouse prior to his appointment as Vassal. His father expected him to perform his obligatory visits to surrounding noble clans, now intent on finding someone decent enough to marry. Of course, Zeger threw a party instead of making immediate travel plans.

She woke up to the sound of stone scraping against stone, and Zeger's giggling. Such an arrival meant his mood must have improved.

Intent on having one last hurrah, he'd doubtless drugged his father at dinner with an ill-gotten sleeping elixir. Ezren wouldn't have needed much extra help passing out. He'd been deep in his cups that evening. He started imbibing right after he received a missive from the Citadel that got chucked in the fire before Cetlali had seen it.