Cally stumbled back a step refusing to meet Maven's gaze. The small table fell over as she backed into it. She was Unable to reconcile what she knew as truth and what she was seeing staring back at her. A heart beat then the hall door opened just as the table crashed to the floor. Maven looking more amused than sorry. And the queen… She swallowed hard trying her to calm herself. It couldn't be right. It couldn't there had to be another reason any reason.

"Cally, you must try to calm down."

The queen. Mare. She wanted her to calm down. She… it was treason for her to be alive. Didn't she understand that?

Mare put her fist on her hip and glared not at Cally but at Maven, "Maven? What did you do to Cally?"

"He… I…" She held out both the picture and the mirror before landing hard in the chair that had been placed next to the bed.

"I was trying to be helpful."

Carefully Mare padded over to her while still glaring at Maven. Taking the mirror from Cally she narrowed her eyes at her husband's brother. "Just so you know if you weren't hurt I would zap you."

Doing what he could to keep himself from smiling he carefully said, "I appreciate the warning, however I only did what you or Cal should have."

With a sigh she took Cally's cold hand, "Come on you and I will go collect Gisa then we can discuss everything." When Cally didn't move she placed her arm around her shoulder, "Come on Cally. We'll go for nice walk and you can calm down. Then I can answer any questions that you might have."

Cally nodded too distraught to trust her voice. After a few short breaths and she nodded unable to trust her voice. Getting to her feet she was very thankful that Mare had placed her arm around her waist.

Before she could get Cally to the door both Cal and Gisa were there as was Annis. All three looking for answers. "Gisa and I are going to take Cally for a walk. Please discuss with your brother why he's an idiot."

Cal nodded but stood to the side so she could get Cally out the room without brushing up against anyone. Gisa already posed to join her.

Cal crossed his arms and glared at his brother, "Mind explain what happened. Preferably before Mare finds out for herself and decides it's your fault."

"Since no one told our sister anything useful. I let her figure it out for herself."

"Mare's right you're an idiot." Cal leaned on the door to his sitting room. His arms crossed as he glared at Maven, "I do recall saying that Mare and Gisa would discuss things with Cally."

"I took a more direct approach seeing she was sitting here when I woke." Maven paused, "Why was that anyhow?"

Slowly approaching the bed Cal sat at the foot. "After getting a good feel for your injuries Annis had come up with a plan to get you healed."

Oh that tone didn't sound right. Neither was the way his brother was no longer watching him "Do I dare ask how?"

"Adrianna will be here shortly to help. Now I don't understand the details but I know two things. You'll be awake and it will be painful." Neither of which he was happy about. And both points he had already argued about and was out ruled based on the fact he was not a healer nor knew about what healers actually did.

"How wonderful. Any chance of someone slipping me something…"

"Annis thinks the medicine is interfering with her abilities. But she's not sure. In any case Clare suggested letting her mother do whatever to keep you from understanding what your body is doing."

Fear flashed across his face, "Do I have a say in this?"

"Maven, every minute that this wound isn't healed the more damage it's causing and the worse the infection is getting." Which he did understand. As did Mare pointing out the grave consequences should the wound not heal properly.

Closing his eyes he nodded, "Will you be here?"

"Both Mare and myself will be here." Cal paused before whispering, "So will Gisa if you want her to be." Providing of course none thought otherwise.

With Maven laying on his good side Cal held his arm above his head. The position would be fine for stretching but right now was almost too painful for Maven to hold for very long. Of course that didn't matter. Annis needed him to lay like this for several minutes hoping the pressure would force either the infection out naturally or allow the blood to once again start to seep into the tissue. Taking a deep breath trying not to show his brother how worried he was Cal whispered as maven once again jerked his arm. "Easy Maven."

"Why do I have to keep my arm above my head?"

"The healers said you need to lay like this."

Maven closed his eyes as tight as he could and tried not to sound whinny as he said, "It hurts."

Yeah he could bet that it did. Seeing the blood already seeping through the bandages … No he wouldn't think of that right now. He couldn't think about that right now. Keeping his hand tight around his brother's wrist Cal leaned in close to his brother's ear. "Just a little longer, Maven."

"I can't."

"Yes you can. You are stronger then you think you are."

Maven nodded not really believing his brother but he wouldn't disagree with him either. Not when he needed to believe him.

A knock on the door kept him from over thinking his brother's silence. Over thinking several things that until now he hadn't allowed himself to really ponder. Or at least until the door opened and it wasn't a healer standing in the doorway, "Hector?"

"I know you are unavailable at the moment but it's important that I speak to you."

He didn't want to leave his brother but if he had to there would be no other choice. "Can Mare handle it?"

For a moment Hector was too silent. "I would prefer speaking to you rather than her."

There was a message there. And it translated to trouble. "Is Lucas in the Hallway?"

A breath Later Lucas slipped in, "I'll stay with Maven until the healers are ready."

"Don't let him move his arm."

Lucas glared down at Maven, "He won't even if I have to restrain him to the bed."

They didn't go far just a few rooms away. An empty room that Mare had yet to decide what it was going to be used for. But it had a desk and a few high back chairs so it would do for the moment. "Alright what is so important that I need to handle it?"

Closing the door behind him Hector took a calm steady breath then nervously said, "Heard something. Now I can't confirm it but…either way you need to hear it."

Mare trusted this guard so he would listen to him. Then do his own investigation. "Start at the beginning. What did you hear?"

"Only a handful of the guards that where here in the infirmary reported to their assignments. And the ones that did are barely able to be at their post. And I know for a fact nothing was wrong with them when they left here."

Shit. This could mean two things and neither good. "Alright here are my orders. You hear anything I want to know, and first sign of trouble get the Queen's parents here."

Hector gave him an odd look then very quietly said, "You don't have to worry about them. At least not as long as they live in Stilts."

"Explain."

"Mr. Barrow has the ear of every red that lives in the city. Right now he is the calming voice of reason. Any who live in the city will defend him with their last breath. However you should also be aware that the silvers will stop at nothing to see that you unborn child is never born. The reds on the other hand will see you dead if anything happens to their queen."

So Hector was hearing more than he was saying. Or at least what he was willing to tell his king. Didn't mean he hadn't informed someone else. And it was a good bet that someone else would be the queen. "Cal?" Gisa shuffled in the room, "Oh, I didn't know you were in a meeting."

"It's fine, Gisa. Hector and I were just finishing up." Cal Paused, "Is something wrong?"

"Oh, No. The healers and Adrianna are with Maven. In the intern Cally would like to speak to you. I was told neither of us are to be anywhere near your sitting room. Apparently it's too many minds and your aunt needs to concentrate." She paused before adding, "Mare is currently having a light meal with Shade and Cally and will be working on the plans for the apartment."

Cal nodded with understanding. Adrianna wanted the room cleared form anyone who wasn't there to help Maven. And Mare working on the apartments meant she would be doing something quite and safe for the short term. "So Cally sent you to request an audience?"

"Well, she would have sent Mare but the two of them are getting along fabulously. I do recommend that Cally officially be an advisor or something to the queen."

"Do I ask why?"

"Well Cally seems to have a better understanding of certain things then Mare has. And the end result should be that the high houses don't become target practice for one or both of them. But that's just my opinion."

Making his way to his temporary throne room Cal waited. He wasn't needed to help with Maven at least not right this moment. And Cally wanted a formal meeting not an informal one that he thought would be better. After all he wanted to talk to a member of his family and not talk to her like she was just some citizen.

The door creaked open just enough for her to poke her head in, "Um…"

He saw her standing the door way unsure how to address him. Unsure of anything at the moment. "Come in Cally. The cameras are deactivated so this room is secure for the moment."

Closing the door behind her she slid into the room, "That isn't very comforting."

He could understand that. Hell now that Mare had pointed out every room that had cameras he didn't find it at all comforting. "We could have spoken in a parlor somewhere. Or in Gisa's sitting room"

"According to the laws I should be dead." She hadn't meant to say it like that but…

Cal took a deep breath and patted the seat next to his throne. "Come sit with me."

"I don't …"

"Cally, Sit." He waited until she took what should have been Mare's seat then took a breath. "The law that would require your death has been removed from our laws for years. In fact those who knew about the law are mostly dead." Another breath and he squeezed the bridge of his nose trying to relive the headache that was beginning to form just form trying to have this conversation. "In all reality only those of the royal house know the law was even still enacted at the time of your birth. However the line of succession still stands that the first born son is to be crown king. At least until I have a proper counsel that can overturn that. "

She let out a breath that she hadn't realized that she had been holding. She wasn't going to be thrown into playing the part of Queen. But she would say how relived she was to hear that. But she would confirm, "So you're not going to kill me."

"I have no intention of killing anyone who is family."

She melted into the chair, "Oh good. Mare said the same thing but..."

"But you were worried." With her nod he continued, "Now as I have never had a sister before I suddenly find myself with two."

"Most silvers don't admit to having anyone in their family unless they are accomplished."

She was mumbling so he could take that as she didn't want and answer or…"Yes well being King has its advantages. One I don't have to play by any rules other than the ones I deem fit."

"Does this mean I'm going to be married off for some treaty or something?"

"Hardly." He took her hands in his and gave her a soft smile, "I have two requests for you. One being you stay here a month like we already discussed. I would like the chance to get to know my sister. And I'm sure in his own way so would Maven." Cal paused, "However you may find him acting more like a very young child testing boundaries until someone reminds him that he's more or less an adult."

A twinkle of mischief lit her eyes. "If he does he may find a bucket of cold water being dumped on him."

Ok fine. He had a brother who had a reason to test boundaries and now a sister who never had any. If anything having both living in the palace was going to be interesting. "Fair enough. And while you're here I would appreciate if you help Kyle with the laws. As of this moment I don't have time to review everything that I should. And until things settle down I don't see having any time to read anything other than daily reports."

"Fine I will help the little troll work out the laws so he doesn't start another war." She took a deep breath then asked, "And the second request?"

"If you marry do so for love not because you think it will help the crown. If you want to marry a silver or a red I don't care. But do it for yourself not because of some castle politics."

"So you won't pawn me off on one of the queen's brothers?"

"Absolutely not. Maven needed to marry Gisa to save his life. And All things considered I'm glad he did. She is very good for him. Their brothers on the other hand… Bree needs a nice red that can kick his ass time to time. Tamry? I don't know nor do I want to."

Cally nodded. She had so much to think about. Things that she had been told "Should we go check on Maven or wait till someone comes and finds us?"

He wanted to check on Maven but he needed to look into the matter that Hector had brought to him. "How are you with building plans?"

And abrupt change of topics. "The library had some books on the subject but hardly my favorite. Why do you ask?"

"I recently gave Mare a blue print of the third floor without any of the current walls or rooms. I would like for the project to be complete sometime within the near future."

Cally sat back in her chair and closed her eyes. "Has the person in charge of your army spoke to you yet?"

Damn. "Not yet. Why?"

"Mare and Gisa were trying to figure out the best place to create a stunning apartment but also have it close to I assume this room or where ever you are to hold court. But also have it so it could be easily defended. I assume it's because either the reds are looking to rebel or the silvers are."

"Actually both. But I don't want to worry the queen just yet."

Getting to her feet Cally smiled. "In that case I should go find the troll. I don't know much about what the queen needs but laws on the other hand…"

It was nearing night when Cal slipped into where his brother should be resting. Only Saw Clare watching him. "Clare?"

"Maven is resting."

Yes he could see that. But looking closer he could see the mixture of sweat and fried tears. Could see bandages on both of his wrist. And could see a whole lot of things that meant his brother was in more pain then what anyone had been prepared for. Taking a slow deep breath he came and sat beside the princess of Montfort. "I need a favor of Montfort but I'm not sure if I should request that from the king or you."

She turned slightly to see his eyes. "Tell me the problem then we will decide if my father should be told or if it is something that I can handle then tell him about later."

"I need to request an asset that currently attached to your military."

"Intriguing. More so that you are extremely nervous about making this request."

Shit. Mare had hinted that Clare could pick up on feelings. Guess she was right. "I need Shade and I don't think he would help if I ask him outright."

"But you think if it is decided by the royals of both Norta and Montfort he might yield."

Put like that it sounded silly. Shade would do whatever he pleased. "I recently confirmed that several reds with various talents have gone missing. I was also able to confirm that they were taken by military transport to the assigned locations before disappearing. After looking at the records of where Shade as previously been before going to the Choke I think he would have a better chance of scouting at least two of the areas while My army scouts the others."

"And what would you have him do if he found the missing silvers?"

A dangerous question. He could see that in her eyes. "Report back to me and whatever high ranking guard that is there. I don't want a fight to break out but if I can trust what I found out today. These men didn't just go missing."

She took his hand in hers. "I'm not good with treaties but I know military. So from one military brat to another what's really going on?"

"One of the men were found. His family was for lack of better term torturing him for the disgrace that he caused them by being caught. Not because they disagreed that he sided with a commanding officer or that they didn't. But because he was caught then whipped like a common red."

Clare swallowed hard. "Shade will help you. I will have him bring a couple um… reds… they are close to being panther but not. Similar to what his father is. The one is quick. Not like Shade but can cover several miles min minutes."

"Thank you."

She touched his shoulder before she was ready to leave, "Maven will be sedated tonight. In the morning the red doctor will see if he needs be kept under for another day or if he's comfortable to be mostly awake." A deep breath and she added, "Mother found something within Maven's mind."

"Clare?"

I tell you because you love your brother not because he's a threat."

"But?"

"When he worried about something listen to him. He had good instincts. Also he would do well with a job or something where his opinion matters. He needs to feel valued and not like a burden."

Cal smiled. "I know the perfect job for him… After he's done being the helpful husband."