CH 93: Preparations

After Maeve left to inspect the living situation, Toni continued his stretching routine. His mother idly watched as she thought about the situation they were in. She didn’t require as much prep work for a show as Toni did. She just needed to make sure their instruments were tuned and working properly. But her thoughts wouldn’t let her rest.

“Is this really what She wants?” Alice asked herself. While she grew to dislike Anka for her flippant nature over the years, she knew the goddess had a good heart. She wouldn’t intentionally put Toni in danger. So why bring him here? To a place like this?

“You know how She can be,” Toni responded while stretching his hips with a dynamic stretch. “She has a reason for this being our first stop.”

Alice rolled her eyes. “I don’t doubt that… Took nearly two months to get here, and for what? There’s nothing special about this city. If it were influence She wanted, we passed through half a dozen more powerful domains.”

“Right! That’s why I recognized Lady Lloyd’s clothing. She must have gotten them from Fyre! Can we stop there?” Toni said, perking up. He had heard and seen the fashion from Fyre, the city exporting all sorts of interesting clothing.

“Maybe… we’ll see,” Alice said, lying back on the bed. She stared up at the ceiling, trying to wrap her head around the Goddess’s plan for this visit. Myrtle wasn’t the most influential noblewoman or even one with a vast amount of wealth. They passed through one Lady’s land that was the left hand of the Queen. Why wouldn’t Anka want Toni to visit there?

What would a lower-status noble even do for Toni? Was it to open his eyes to the horrors that men go through? But then why did she say the opposite for so long? Or was something going to happen here?

Toni began humming a tune while he finished his stretching. Alice was frowning as she listened to the tune. It calmed her mood to listen to his voice. It lulled her away from the turmoil within her. She could feel her shoulders relax as she listened to his calming voice.

A knock came from the door.

Alice shot up. Maeve shouldn’t be back so soon. The knock was also far too gentle for any of the knights. Her calm mood was shattered, and the nerves quickly replaced it. She waved to Toni to move behind her. “Yes? Who is it?”

“Milady’s butler… I have a message for you, Lady Alice.” His gentle, professional voice penetrated the door. Alice moved to the door while Toni moved towards the balcony. “May I come in?”

Alice signaled Toni to prepare himself before cautiously cracking the door open. Just enough for her to see their visitor. It was the boy from before. The one with green eyes from the courtroom. They seemed so empty looking up at her. For a moment, they looked vaguely familiar. He moved back slightly as Alice opened the door more. She looked around for anyone else.

“Yes?” Alice asked quietly.

“My Lady wishes to know how much longer.” The boy said before bowing before Alice. “And if I can help in any way.”

Alice studied the boy, his head down as he bowed. She looked around once more before moving to the side to let him in. “It shouldn’t take long, we have to apply our makeup and move our instruments. Do you mind helping with those?”

“Not at all.” He said, stepping into the room.

Toni eyed him from across the room, wary of the emptiness in his expression. "What’s your name?” Toni asked.

The boy paused and hesitated. Only for a moment, he cleared his throat and spoke. “Casseus. The name given to me by My Lady.” He said, fixing his blazer.

Alice nearly flinched. So many questions popped up in her head after hearing him. Her stomach churned just thinking about the premise. Stripping him of his family and name. She glanced at her son, who tilted his head slightly before putting on a wide smile.

“Nice to meet you, Casseus,” Toni said, approaching the boy. He held his hand out to shake the butler’s hand. Casseus nodded and took his hand.

Casseus shook his hand politely, with grace and professionalism. “Likewise. Are these the instruments you’d like moved?”

Toni nodded, his expression unreadable now. He moved back to the bedside, where Alice had already begun arranging the makeup.

“Yes. If you see any of our knights, could you ask for Maeve? We’ll need her help, too.” Toni said with a smile.

“Certainly,” Casseus said with a bow. The two watched as the boy grabbed the case for the lute and guitar before exiting the room. Toni took a moment to let him get further away before speaking.

“His wrists have scars on them.” He said, losing all enthusiasm from before.

“So that’s what that was…” Alice said, rubbing her chin. She’d have to commend her son for such a smart maneuver. “Smart move distracting him with a handshake...” “I caught a glimpse of them when he adjusted his coat…” Toni said, moving his face close to his mother. He closed his eyes and waited patiently for her to start. “Though… I wish I could have hugged him.”

“When did you get so perceptive?” Alice asked in jest. She knew Toni was smarter than he seemed. She dipped the brush into the foundation and smiled at her boy.

“Had to be… kept a lot from me…” He said, between his mother’s passes with a brush. He forced back a smile.

Alice paused and let out a sigh. “I tried really hard to keep the horrors of the world from you. Grandma and I wished to keep you the joyful boy-”

“I know. But it’s time I learn,” Toni said, cutting her off. He’s heard the explanation plenty of times. “Maybe that’s why She wants us here.”

Alice took a deep breath and continued. “It’s possible, but there are far worse women than Myrtle.” She gently applied the foundation to his face. She giggled as he squirmed under her brush. It never got old seeing him that way.

“Then why?” Toni asked.

“I don’t know…” Alice said, fixing the coating she applied. “Goddesses are hard to understand. They see things we could never comprehend. I’ve learned to stop applying human logic to them.”

Toni scrunched his face in annoyance, causing her to laugh. She moved on from the foundation and started on his eyeliner. She adjusted him so she could get a better angle. She held him down as he fought the urge to squirm.

“Do you think she talks with Claire’s Goddess?” Toni asked, shifting slightly. He was fighting the urge to pull away.

“Maybe. Wouldn’t surprise me.” Alice said, smiling at her son’s reaction to the brush. “Lady Anka seemed to know of her.”

“Is that why we’re here?” Toni asked.

Alice tilted her head as she finished one of his eyes. She thought for a moment as she gently applied the mascara. “Could be… Jasmine said her brother was taken here…”

“Then it has to be because of him!” Toni nearly shouted. He blinked his eye rapidly as Alice moved back.

She laughed gently. “Could be… but like I said, don’t apply logic to the actions of Goddesses.”

She quickly got his left eye done, letting him squirm as much as he wanted to for a minute. She pulled the lipstick from the carrier and readied it for him. “Enough of that… we should focus on your performance for tonight.”

Toni grabbed the lipstick from his mother. He took a deep breath, his mind racing with questions. “Fine. But that must be why we’re here.”

“But for what purpose? Smuggle him out?” Alice asked, humoring him for a moment. “There’s not much we can do if we do find him.”

Toni pursed his lips, staring into his reflection. His mom was right. What would they be able to do? He applied the blue lipstick to his lips, thinking deeply about all of it.

“Now… what songs would you like to play?” Alice asked, flipping through their catalogue. Alice flipped through the pages of music sheets filled with stories and adventures. She stopped on a hymn about a warrior’s quest to return her brother.

As if reading her mind, Toni replied with the hymn’s name. “Penelope’s Brother.”