The cold air breezed past open windows much like a ghost would, except Alithis was no ghost and the halls he walked down were not mossed over either. Maybe in a different life he would have been a long-forgotten story, some ancient piece of history only a bold and dumb few would remember. Except, that is in a different life.
Now as he walks down the cold hallways with their fluttering tapestries and scurrying servants, he kept his blond head raised and cocky smile ever present. Steps silent against the stone floors, he made his way past maids, servants and guards alike, sparing only them a nod of greeting. As he drew closer to the great hall, the number of people he encountered dwindle to merely passing by stone faced guards. The doors he stopped before were big and often sent newer guards into fits of anxiety, and yet before entering Alithis paused to stand in the peace of an old world, before he pushed the doors open sparing the occupants of the council meeting neither a glance nor thought.
The council men all turned, some in anger and some in shock for there were only a few people who would dare to enter without permission. Even as the old men stared, he walks forward pulling the letter from the inside of his cloak, its sharp edges hold no significance to Alithis.
Alithis held the grey letter out for the king to take, remaining unmoving even as recognition flashed through the king's eyes. King Leon seemed to pull himself together, quickly plastering a look more sinister onto his scarred face.
As the king read, Alithis strolled to hover behind the King's throne like chair. He had no reason to sit with these men even if the king had begrudgingly set a seat for him at his table. He didn't even bother trying to see over the king's shoulder as he read, for he already knew exactly what it said. It was from the lovely queen Maeve and even amongst the flowery lettering and pretty language he could see the denial of any form of peace the king was hoping to grasp for. He did not need to read over the kings shoulder he'd been there when she wrote it, his gentle encouragements and well-placed words quelling any anxiety she'd had over denying this human king; but no one needed to know that.
Wiping away any trace of satisfaction, Alithis turned to watch the council room, the king may have been barbaric, but he wasn't an idiot, and it wouldn't deal to reveal that particular string he'd made just yet.
The king's angry eyes found that of a weasel of a man; "Fetch me my youngest son."
His toxic green eyes swept seamlessly over the boy sitting to the kings left, Joshua. Joshua as Alithis had come to understand was the kings eldest and heir even if he was a rumored disapointment. Joshua was merely a boy trying to fit into a set of armor the Satetara had not gifted him.
"He's just a boy playing hero." Alithis' friend had scoffed as they'd watched the young prince training with a sword. The statement had never seemed truer than now as the boy raised his head of brown curls and stared dead set at his father.
Alithis watched the boy stared at his father with a look of something akin to foolish determination. Joshua was known for his fool headedness much like his father, and so Alithis simply leaned against one of the stone pillars which lined the hall, and watched as the boy dug his own grave.
Even if council meetings were serious affairs and arguments were oddly common often came with deathly consequences, no one could resist the temptation of watching a group of apparently noble blooded men descend into a group of fuming animals.
It was almost comical how Joshua mustered up the courage to speak up only to have it blown away by the great oak doors opening, giving way to the regal yet timid looking second prince. One could argue the soft boy was worse than his brother and yet the two were so alike in their qualities it was only their pain that defined them.
"You called for me father," The second prince, Ryan, squeaked out as he carefully walked into the room. The boy hung his head not bothering to meet anyone's eyes. His hair like his brothers was an unruly brown curly mess except his was shorter but not by much. Blame it on age Alithis supposed. Joshua's brown eyes remained fixed on his brother, trying to convey his support, yet failing to do so as Ryan refused to look up from his shoes. Apparently finding the floor even more interesting with each passing second.
"Wont you join us." The king said, gesturing to the chair on his right. An invitation to most yet to Ryan it was all but a threat to refuse. Alithis moved softly through the room, his presence no longer the center of attention and yet he found it easier this way. To come and go as he pleased with no lingering stares or annoying questions and demands.
Alithis moved with an ease Ryan's quiet steps could only dream of possessing. They both moved in sync to an imaginary dance, walking through the mine field of words and agendas, all it was, was a dangerous game. Alithis stopped slightly behind Joshua, the boy seemingly noticing his presence as he froze body going rigid. Alithis watched in amusement as the boy looked up meeting Alithis' eyes. A look of almost relief passed through Joshua's eyes before they hardened again remembering where he was.
Alithis watched as Ryan sat carefully, barely even on the chair and back tensed as if ready to run at the slightest hint of opposition. Ryan looked up appearing to meet Joshua's also brown eyes both boys refused to look anywhere else seeming to have a silent debate. Alithis simply smiled as Ryan's eyes found his, widening in shock as if he hadn't expected Alithis to be there. Even some of the council still found it unsettling how he seemed to move around unnoticed and yet it was all part of the game. A game of loyalties, trust and half-truths.
Yet Alithis wasn't here to play the kings games today, no, today he was here to ensure the king obeyed the rules of the game, mostly because this king had a nasty habit of trying to break the rules. Alithis could only hope his sons knew how to stick to the rules, because even if they were young rules are rules and no matter how young or old, Fate holds you to your decisions.