Second Prince Zentik of the Winter Nation Shezen
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It had been two weeks since Princess Zoneen came to meet with Zentik and Lonek to discuss the one called Klal. Zentik was sitting on his bed, watching the blizzard out his window.
He stared at his slightly-trembling hands.
"Are you okay?"
Tang had walked into his room. She was balancing an unlit heating lantern on a blanket in her arms.
"I'm fine."
Tang set down the lantern and blanket on Zentik's bed. She stepped forward and wiped away a tear Zentik didn't know had fallen.
"Something's wrong."
"I… Yeah, I guess."
"What is it?"
"It was a blizzard like this where I… you know."
"You hurt your hands?"
"Yeah."
"It's bringing back the memories, isn't it?"
Zentik nodded.
"Well, if you need anything, there's always a way to get a hold of someone."
Tang lit the lantern as she spoke. She hung it above Zentik's bed, then went to leave the room.
"Tang, wait," Zentik said.
Tang stopped and turned around.
"Can you stay here a little bit longer? I just… really need a friend right now."
"Okay."
Tang walked back over.
"You can sit down if you want. I don't care about rumors."
Tang sat and moved down her face covering.
Zentik stared at his left hand, then Tang's right. He almost reached over to hold her hand, but decided against it.
But then he reached over and put his hand in hers. He couldn't close his fingers around Tang's, but Tang closed hers around his.
Then Tang rested her head on Zentik's shoulder.
Zentik's heart was beating faster than Lonek's favorite horse could run.
----
When the blizzard ended, another group of people had been sent out to search for Klal and Zheirah. At the same time, Veiris was coming to get the details on the incident. Zentik and Veiris had shared letters in the past few weeks, so Zentik was relieved to actually know someone who was visiting for once.
Zentik wasn't allowed in the meetings.
The members of the Court - Vezi, mostly - decided that he had too much "emotional connection" to the situation, and that his presence would cause confusion.
So, Zentik sat in the stable with his horse - Starada.
The servant who worked there - a dark-skinned man in his twenties named Tuki - walked up, holding a covered bucket. He set it on the ground and took off the lid. He took a sponge from the side and dipped it in the bucket. As he did so, soap stored in the sponge began to bubble.
"Do you need help?" Zentik asked.
"If you would like to help," Tuki said.
"I do."
Tuki gave Zentik's hands a glance as he stood.
"Will you need a sponge holder?"
"A what?"
"It helps you hold the sponge without having to grab it."
Zentik wanted to deny the offer, but Bentum's advice echoed in his mind.
"Sure," he said.
Tuki walked out of the stall for a second, reappearing with the sponge in a holder with a strap for Zentik's hand.
Tuki took out a rag and got it wet. He held it over Starada's back and wrung out the water, then used the rag to spread out the water.
"It's like cleaning yourself," Tuki said, motioning how to clean the horse.
Zentik nodded and put the sponge to the horse. He followed Tuki's actions. After cleaning Starada's back, Tuki wrung out the rag over the horse again and wiped away the water.
A half hour later, Tuki was showing Zentik how to comb the horse's hair. All horse combs had straps on them to prevent one's fingers from getting sore from how long they had to comb to make sure the mane was properly combed.
As Tuki braided the horse's hair, a messenger walked into the stall.
"Your Highness," she said, bowing.
"Is something wrong?" Zentik asked.
"His Majesty has completed the meeting. He would like you to meet with the others now."
Zentik nodded.
"'Bye, Tuki," he said as he left.
"Goodbye, Your Highness."
Zentik followed the messenger into the castle and to the meeting room. Lonek and Veiris were the only ones there.
"Hey," Zentik said as the messenger left, closing the door.
"I just told him about your vision," Lonek said.
"Why?"
"We have really good spies here in Shezum," Veiris said. "I could help you with getting scouts to find these people."
"Really?"
Veiris nodded.
"So, there's a chance we can find Bhin?"
"With Shezum's help, it will be far easier," Lonek said.
Holding back tears, Zentik hugged Veiris.
"You have no idea how important this is," he whispered.
"Anything to help a friend."
Zentik stepped back.
"Oh, and Veiris said there's someone in Shezum who can help you with your hands," Lonek said.
"Who?"
"Her name is Aklu," Veiris said. "She taught me how to control my magic when I was young. She also helps disabled people around Shezum to get the help they need while still being able to function on their own."
"Wait, you have magic? What is it?"
"Wind magic. But that's not important. She could help you with your ice magic."
"That's amazing. Thank you."
Veiris shrugged.
"Don't worry about it."