Free Land of Night by Kirby Crow

question when it comes to royal politics. The barons know Vladei and most dislike him, but they don't know Cestimir at all. They don't know what to expect of him, and he's still very young. Vladei is a grown man. All these currents are why Prince Nazheradei is here."
    "So he can convince them to support Cestimir."
    Jochi nodded approval. “Very astute. An endorsement by Prince Nazheradei, along with his promise of support and guidance as Regent, would go very far in securing Prince Cestimir's future."
    "What happens if he can't convince them?"
    "Then I think, ser, you will be getting your wish to see sunsets again very quickly."
    And what would that mean for Cestimir? The affairs of princes and kings were above his head, but Scarlet knew that few rulers would tolerate having another candidate for the throne alive and well. Would Cestimir have to leave? What would Liall say to that?
    "But,” Scarlet said, struggling to put all these kings and princes together in his head “If the queen is Liall's mother the same as Cestimir, why isn't Liall next in line? Was his father unacceptable in some way?"
    "I am sorry I cannot tell you more,” Jochi said softly, rising from his chair. “Is there truly nothing else I can do for you?"
    Scarlet sank back into the deep cushions, looking up at Jochi coldly. “No, thank you."
    Jochi bowed. “Then I will bid you a good night. Do try and rest. I am certain the prince will return soon."
    Scarlet nodded. He stared into the hearth and scowled, again feeling that even the fires seemed to watch him here, like everyone else. Glare at me all you want, eyes. You can't fright a pedlar, no matter how far he is from home.
    The night closed in on him after that, and in the wee hours of the morning the fire died down and the room grew chilly. Scarlet rose and poked at the fire, but he had neglected it too long and the coals were scarce. Piling more wood on it would just put it out, and calling for Nenos did not appeal to him. He looked around the room, making sure all the outer doors were closed, and then placed several logs from the neat stack in the iron bin on top of the guttering coals.
    Scarlet closed his eyes and held his hand over the cold wood, his lips moving in a silent invocation of Deva, summoning a fire withy. The withy spell flowed from his hands like warm water, a small stream of flame that slid into the coals. The coals flared and the seasoned wood hissed as the supernatural fire kindled the hearth into a neat blaze in seconds. Satisfied, Scarlet wrapped his robe tighter around him and returned to the couch.
    He did finally sleep, dozing in the chair until Liall shook him awake enough to stumble back to the bed. He was too tired to mention nightmares and vague fears to Liall, so he just curled up around the prince and closed his eyes.
    Scarlet slept late that day, and when he was awake and dressed he walked into the common room and stopped in his tracks, surprised to see that Liall was still there, seated at the table with a large breakfast laid out in front of him.
    "You are awake,” Liall called out, smiling and motioning for Scarlet to come forward. “Join me."
    Scarlet had dressed in brown breeches and a plain red hapcoat and shirt that closed in the front rather than the sides, so he needed no help with the endless laces. He suspected that Liall had provided it, knowing how he hated to ask Nenos or one of the servants to help him dress.
    Liall began heaping dishes in front of Scarlet as soon as he sat down. There were pastries served with preserves, a spiced porridge, thick slabs of meat, cooked only until it was no longer bloody but still pink, smoked fish, and some kind of eggs served with a sauce.
    "Try some of this,” Liall said, piling more on.
    "I can't eat all that,” Scarlet protested, staring at it.
    "You should,” he said critically. “You have lost more weight, I think. It is very cold here. You must eat more than you are accustomed to."
    "I haven't been doing any