The Worker Prince – Chapter Five (part two)

by Bryan Thomas Schmidt

Emotion exploded off Calla’s face. Her eyes lit up and her smile was blinding. She hugged Lura again and swung her around like they were dancing. “Davi? After all these years?”

Lura nodded as Davi extended his hand. Calla laughed and embraced him with passion. “If you think your Aunt Calla will settle for a handshake after twenty-one years, you are quite mistaken.”

“Is Aron in?” Lura asked as she watched them, amused.

Calla released Davi and motioned with her head toward the corridor. “Of course. He’s in the study. Come.” She led them into the house and down a long corridor, which seemed endless—not at all what Davi had expected from a worker’s home. Continue reading →

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 →