The Worker Prince – Chapter Five (part one)

by Bryan Thomas Schmidt

Before he’d finished reading the report, Xalivar’s head already throbbed. Manaen had tactfully disappeared. The little rat reads my dispatches, he noted with displeasure. I should have known. Maybe it’s time to find a new major domo.

After all he had done for Davi, this is how his nephew repaid him—betrayal. It hadn’t been easy to get the Council to ignore the murder of a soldier. Xalivar had explained the circumstances to the members a few at a time in private, and all agreed it was bad for both the Royal Family and the Alliance to proceed with the charges. The few who were reluctant had been convinced with careful reminders of their own families’ secrets. Now, here Davi was, trying to undo everything with one fell swoop!

What is the boy thinking, taking a leave without my permission? I am not just his uncle! I am High Lord Councilor! I should have never allowed Miri to raise the boy herself. I should have stepped in the moment I settled on Davi as my heir. This would not be happening if the boy had a proper sense of his responsibility to the Alliance and his place in it. Continue reading →

The Worker Prince – Chapter Four (part two)

by Bryan Thomas Schmidt

“You come here to my quarters unannounced—” Miri said, standing to confront Xalivar. Despite knowing his penchant for spying on people, she felt betrayed, disrespected.

“It’s my palace. I go where I please, when I please,” Xalivar said. “A worker boy raised in my own house!” He’d heard it all. “You had no right to keep this from me. To make this decision—”

“It’s the Borali Alliance’s palace, and I am your sister, not your subject,” Miri snapped.

“Stop acting as if you are the one who should feel betrayed,” Xalivar said. “He does not belong here!” She saw his fists clench and unclench at his side, something he always did when he was angry. Davi winced at his uncle’s every word.

“He’s an outsider! In my palace, Miri! Have you no loyalty to your family?” Continue reading →

The Worker Prince – Chapter Four (part one)

by Bryan Thomas Schmidt

Manaen’s red eyes moved back and forth as he finished reading the report aloud off the datapad.

“If he wants our help, why is he running away?” Xalivar asked, his anger growing.

“Bordox is his rival from the Academy. They have a long history. Maybe if someone else had come after him—”

Xalivar cut Miri off. “I can’t control which LSP officers answer such warrants. I didn’t even know about it until this morning. How can we help him if we don’t know where he is?”

Xalivar fumed when he learned his own nephew was assisting workers, no matter what the circumstances. They were the Lord’s ancient enemies and deserved no mercy. He cursed Miri for making Davi soft. Xalivar had done his best to harden the boy, but there hadn’t been enough time. Besides, it had been clear to Xalivar his nephew was far too sensitive to handle the reality of certain types of situations and decisions. He had always protected the boy from exposure, hoping he would come around in time. Now he wondered if Miri had succeeded in ruining her son for the throne. Continue reading →