Amber Waves - 2. Chapter 2

ITUMAK

Someone was about to be taken by the queen. There was no doubt about it. Rumours spread through the orphanage; the choice had already been made, the man from the palace was only looking to find another elf, the queen was dying and that was why an elf would be chosen early.

Itumak ignored all the quiet warnings through the next week. It didn’t matter if the man came back. He knew Aaron wouldn’t hesitate to tell the queen he was not leaving without Itumak. And that would be the end of that.

Poking at the dried out cranberry sauce in front of him, Aaron looked over at Itumak, the neko watching him closely.

“I know some way you could keep from being chosen,” the neko smirked. “You could pretend to be a sex fiend. They’d never let a prince soil the royal name by sleeping around. In fact, I know someone who would be more than happy to play the role of innocent victim.”

Aaron couldn’t help it; he laughed. Itumak felt a rush of warmth pass through him at the elf’s amusement. Come to think of it, he’d been feeling rather warm lately. The neko hoped he wasn’t getting sick, not when he was so close to aging out of the system. He couldn’t afford to miss Career Day, not if he wanted to become a pilot.

“I told you once was enough. You should share the wealth with some of the other elves around here,” Aaron teased, kicking the neko’s leg under the table.

“But they don’t want my juice,” Itumak pouted. “I want to do it again. It feels so good. Please?”

Aaron shook his head, the elf scooping a bit of sauce up with the bird in his other hand.

“Are you sure you don’t want to trade meals?”

“Fuck no! Masala is my favourite,” Itumak said, hovering over his plate of beans and rice. “Even if there isn’t nearly enough spice in it.”

“You’re a fucking Ythin, admit it,” the elf snorted.

“Am not. I’m Niwo. I have to be Niwo, I’m not nearly hairy enough for an Ythin.”

“Only because you shave every day,” Aaron scoffed, rolling his eyes.

They froze as Naia approached. The short neko bore a bright smile on her face, her sun kissed skin and short cream fur offerening a similar look to Itumak’s. Aaron had often joked that the neko had to be Itumak’s mother with an elven father; something that never ceased to annoy the older neko.

Seeing her smile like that… that was the adoption smile…

“No,” Aaron said as she stopped beside them. “I’m not going.”

“Itumak.”

Itumak’s jaw dropped as he was singled out. Aaron stared at the neko as Itumak forced himself to stand up.

“Hey,” the elf said suddenly, rising to his feet.

Aaron’s arms suddenly wrapped around the neko, the two holding each other tightly.

“You go out there, and you wow them. I don’t want to see you back here again,” Aaron said hoarsely, the elf’s body trembling.

“I’ll make you proud,” Itumak promised, patting Aaron’s back.

He had to be pulled away from the elf by Naia, her eyes smiling gently in understanding.

“Don’t worry, Itumak. They’ve only expressed interest. You can still say no,” she said quietly as the two left the dining hall.

The neko nodded drily, looking over his shoulder at the elf who was pretending to sneak the remnants of Itumak’s dinner. Itumak let out a weak laugh, his eyes filling with tears.

“Are you okay?” Naia asked, giving the neko a half hug.

“Blasted elf stole my beans,” the neko said.

“Oh. So he did,” Naia chuckled uncertainly.

They made their way quickly to the office as Itumak wiped furiously at his eyes. He didn’t want his new parents to think he was ungrateful. Why he was being adopted now, at just over sixteen, was a mystery. Most nekos were considered adults at seventeen, even if it took elves until nineteen to reach that distinction. He wouldn’t be living with his new family for long. Was it a way to show their friends how generous they were? Was he just going to be a prop?

Either way, Itumak fought back the nerves in his stomach. He wouldn’t let that get to him. He’d been in the orphanage since he’d been left at the doorstep at the ripe old age of two, and to have parents at all, it was a dream come true for the neko.

Stepping into the office, Itumak froze in confusion, taking in the tall man in a neatly pressed shirt and pants. He stood with a guard’s stance, his hands clasped behind his back. A tight tie held back black hair, a face full of wrinkles making it impossible to judge the man’s age. He both inspired and intimidated the neko before him.

“Captain Darren, this is Itumak Nareen,” Naia introduced. “Itumak, this is the man who wishes to be your father.”

“Guardian,” Darren corrected quietly.

Itumak’s heart plummeted at the words. He was supposed to get a family, not someone who looked like they were going to beat him as soon as he made a mistake.

“I… I’m not sure…” the neko blanched, backing up toward the door.

“Now now, let’s not be hasty,” Naia said comfortingly. “Does the Captain intimidate you?”

Itumak nodded silently, startled by a soft chuckle.

“My apologies,” Darren said, the briefest glimpse of amusement on his face. “Let me explain a few things. You wish to have a career in the Guard some day, correct?”

Itumak nodded slowly.

“But I’m not supposed to be adopted into the City Guard…”

“No no, you misunderstand. You are friends with Aaron Etaro. The queen is under the impression he would not accept the responsibility of being the prince unless you were there with him. So, you will be trained as a guard. You will be under my guardianship until such time as you may live in the barracks with the other palace guard.”

“Palace guard?”

Itumak shivered at the words. To work at the palace was the dream of nearly any city guard. He had considered that far beyond his capabilities; to become a palace guard meant he had to either be the best of the very best, or know someone within the guard.

Now, given that opportunity…

“But that means… you’re taking Aaron too, right?”

“Not today. Queen Amber is hoping she can meet him tomorrow and get a feel for him,” Darren said carefully.

“But you’re taking me either way?”

“Assuming you agree to it,” the human replied.

“What if he doesn’t want to come to the palace?”

“Honestly, Queen Amber and I are hoping that by having you in the Guard, he’ll have the incentive to come live in the palace,” Darren admitted. “It’s what is best for Astara. More than that, it’s what is best for Aaron. And for you.”

Itumak frowned, looking back at Naia. The older neko seemed a little troubled, but she put on another one of her smiles for Itumak.

“Can I think about this?” the younger neko asked.

“Itumak, please understand. You could be the key to keeping the entire world together peacefully,” Darren said quietly. “There are things happening in the palace that will not permit us to take our time. I need you to come with me today, and we need Aaron to come tomorrow.”

The man slid a sheet of paper toward Itumak, already filled out by hand. Itumak took a deep breath, looking the paper over. A standard legal agreement of adoption met his gaze, stating that he would leave with Darren and live as his ward until he became of age, and that if anything went wrong, he would be accepted back at the orphanage, no questions asked.

“And this will help Aaron,” he said, staring at the human guard.

“Absolutely,” Darren promised.

Picking up a pen, Itumak hesitated briefly, before signing his name at the bottom.

AMBER

The queen sat in a warm bath, taking deep breaths as steam filled the room. Water sloshed over her skin as she poured a bit of lavender soap into the tub. The scent soothed her, settling the aches and pains of working in the office, and of breathing.

She had to be fast with her bath; the orphanage would be closed in an hour, and Amber wanted to be there to meet Aaron for the first time. It wasn’t right for Darren to collect the young prince, though she knew he would have no issues fulfilling that role.

Slowly the steam filled her lungs, and the queen let herself pretend that it would help, that it would cure what was wrong inside her. It was a false hope, but at the moment, Amber would gladly believe it. She had five years at most if her medicine didn’t work, and the queen did not wish to leave Aaron to rule the world so soon.

A knock came at the door. Amber startled slightly, her breath catching and causing a series of coughs.

“Who is it?” she called, trying to recover from the sudden fright.

“Captain Darren, your Majesty. You asked me to get you thirty minutes before the orphanage closed.”

Thirty minutes? No, she was supposed to have an hour to soak. It wasn’t fair, she’d had time…

And yet she saw the clock on her phone flick to a half past the hour. She was out of time. Amber sighed, reaching for the metal bar on the bath wall. The queen pulled herself up and unplugged the bathtub, getting one final whiff of the lavender soap that had brought some relief, if not as much as she’d hoped.

Another fit of coughing struck her, and Amber grabbed the bar, barely holding herself up as mucus flew into the tub. The door opened, and a towel fell around her a moment later, strong hands supporting her as she stepped out of the bath.

“Forgive me, my queen. It sounded as though you could use my aid,” Darren said quietly.

Amber nodded, taking a deep breath. She forced back another cough, leaning into the guard’s body for support.

“Thank you Captain,” the queen whispered, reaching for another towel.

“Of course. If you wish, I could have a servant dry you.”

“No… no, that won’t be necessary. I can do it myself.”

“As you wish, your Majesty.”

Amber closed her eyes, slumping against Darren’s chest in exhaustion. She had to make it to the orphanage… but there was no way she could. It wasn’t even about the exhaustion. If anyone saw her cough like that, the whole world would realize how sick she was. There would be no coming back from that.

“Captain, I need you to get Aaron,” she sighed quietly. “I cannot go myself.”

“Not until you are cared for, my queen,” Darren said quietly, gently drying Amber off.

“How am I supposed to teach him? I can’t even get across the street to meet him…”

“It’s going to be okay. You’re a strong woman, Queen Amber. You can rest when you’re tired; it’s not against the law,” Darren said softly. “I’ll be right outside the room while you dress, and then I’ll help you to bed. You can meet Aaron in the morning.”

Helping the queen onto a seat installed for her less than a month prior, the guard saluted, before leaving the room and closing the door quietly behind him. As soon as the door clicked shut, Amber allowed herself to break, the tears streaming down a face already heated from the bath. No one would know that the queen cried alone in the bath. All they would see was what she chose to show them. A woman strong enough to lead the world.

But that would wait. For now, she let her emotions pour, safe from the judgement of the world.

AARON

“I don’t understand.”

Aaron stared at the man who came for him. The same man the elves hovered around, the man with the badge of a palace guard.

“Why me? There are so many who would be happy to be the prince.”

Captain Darren sighed quietly, turning toward Naia.

“May I have time to speak with Aaron in private?”

“Of course, Captain,” Naia said, that smile never leaving her face.

To be the head of the Prince’s orphanage was a huge honour. Aaron already knew he had no choice. If he declined the Queen’s offer, he would be forced to wear that shame forever. Remaining with Itumak would have dampened that shame; of course he wouldn’t want to leave his best friend. But Itumak was gone, and Aaron was stuck with a choice that was no choice at all. His life would be miserable were he to deny Naia the honour of running an orphanage blessed by royalty.

“Aaron, I will be in the waiting room, if you need me,” Naia said.

The neko turned and left the room, closing the office door behind her. Captain Darren crossed the room a moment later, listening quietly.

When he was satisfied Naia had distanced herself properly, the man returned to Aaron, setting a small device on the desk.

“Aaron, it is because of your friendship with Itumak that you were chosen to become prince.”

“You know where Itumak is?!” Aaron demanded.

“I took him in as my ward yesterday. He is safe, and is anxiously awaiting your arrival at the palace,” Darren said, motioning for the elf to take a seat. “This has been a while in coming. I’ve been travelling through Astara for the last two years, searching for the next prince-”

“Why you? Isn’t the queen supposed to do that herself?”

“No, that is my responsibility,” Darren said. “The queen’s responsibility is to adopt the prince and teach him to rule responsibly himself. You have been our choice for a little over two weeks now, after learning about your connection with Itumak.”

“Because of the riots.”

“Because of the riots,” Darren agreed.

“So you took Itumak… to convince me to come with you? Why? Why didn’t you just ask me?”

“Because you would have said no, unless Itumak came with you. And because the queen could not adopt a neko and an elf. It would go against tradition and make many people upset. We did what we could.”

“You used Itumak, just as you plan to use me-”

“To help Astara,” Darren nodded.

“And what, Itumak is just an unwilling pawn for you?” Aaron demanded.

“Not at all. Itumak seems very happy so far. He never held aspirations of being a palace guard, but it is a position that is close to you, and that is all he ever wanted.”

“So… so he went willingly?”

Darren nodded.

“Please, Aaron. The world needs your friendship. You can do so much for the elves and the nekos, together. I will not deny that this is politically motivated. But all royal adoptions are motivated by politics.”

“I have no choice,” Aaron said. “Especially if Itumak’s waiting to see me. I can’t disappoint him.”

Darren nodded in understanding.

“Then allow me to be the first to congratulate you, Prince Aaron. May you know nothing but peace in your time.”

The guard stood up, bowing low, and a blush crept into Aaron’s cheeks.

“You don’t have to bow…”

“Forgive me, your Highness, but I do. It is a requirement of the job,” Darren said, a slight smile on his lips.

“Oh gods… Itumak is going to make that such a problem…” Aaron winced.

“I will make sure Itumak is a model guard, your Highness,” Darren promised. “Shall we finalize your adoption?”

The human straightened up, picking up the device from the table before opening the office door. A moment later, Naia entered the room with a duffle bag filled with Aaron’s belongings. The neko bowed uncertainly, letting out a startled gasp as Aaron wrapped his arms around her.

“Thank you Naia,” he whispered. “For everything.”

“Of course, your Highness,” the neko replied.

Aaron turned back to the desk as Naia stepped around it. The neko pulled out two copies of Aaron’s adoption agreement, and provided a pen. The elf took a deep breath, before signing his name across both sheets that were provided.

“The crown thanks you for your assistance, Miss Naia,” Darren said.

“Oh, it was my pleasure,” Naia beamed.

Aaron bent down to collect his bag, only to find it already in Darren’s hands.

“Let’s get to the car, your Highness. The palace gates will be closing soon and the night watch never really enjoys reopening them,” the human said.

Aaron nodded, following his new guard out of the office. The crown prince of Astara paused at the entrance of the orphanage, taking one last look at the only home he’d had in his life. Then he followed Darren out to a van, the guard setting his bag in the back seat.

Opening the passenger door for Aaron, Darren waited for the elf to buckle himself in before heading around to the driver’s seat.

“When we get to the palace, I will have a bath drawn for you. Itumak has already had a tour of the grounds, and I promised him he could show you to your rooms. He cannot be your personal guard yet, and the two of you will have very different schedules for a while as you finish school,” Darren warned as the car started. “He’s already asked me about a neko at the orphanage, an Askani named Renshin. Do you know him?”

“Yes, he was… something of a loner. But he hung out with Itumak often enough,” Aaron nodded.

“Well, Itumak asked me to put feelers out for him. If you can vouch for him, we’ll see about getting him in the guard as well. It would be good to have guards you know and trust around you.”

“I trust Itumak,” Aaron said honestly. “If he believes Renshin would be a good guard, then he would be a good guard.”

The elf startled as the car pulled to a stop around the side of the palace. They were there already? He could see Itumak waiting in a blue uniform, the neko bouncing on his heels as he watched the car, and Aaron let out a relieved chuckle.

“Please wait a moment, your Highness,” Darren said, stepping out of the car.

The man approached Itumak, the neko nodding emphatically at something he said. Itumak pointed toward a bush, and Darren pulled out a phone. A minute later, an elf raced out of the bushes as a pair of uniformed guards approached. A large camera hung from his neck, and Aaron gulped as he realized he was going to be on TV sooner or later.

The car door opened suddenly, arms pulling the prince out. Itumak embraced his friend, Aaron offering a tight hug in return.

“Welcome home Aaron…”