A’bbni felt his stomach clench. “I… I do not… remember… Where is he?”
“He’s dead,” Shi’chen replied firmly. “I killed him myself, and he will never hurt you again, i-sha, I promise you that.”
A’bbni let out a breath and closed his eyes, feeling his own tears, these ones of relief, sting his eyes. “Thank you,” he said softly.
Shi’chen shook his head, wrapping A’bbni in his arms again. “It was the least he deserved. If I could, I would resurrect him just to be able to kill him again, over and over.”
A’bbni laughed at that, giving his brother’s hand a squeeze. “Once is good enough for me.”
Shi’chen held his hand for a moment, then stood up. “Are you feeling up to dealing with the court today?”
A’bbni sighed. “No, but I will.”
“If you want to, I can—”
“No,” A’bbni cut him off firmly. “I know you have no desire to rule. I am not going to make you do it any longer than you have to.”
Shi’chen gave him a gentle shoulder squeeze. “Everything is going to be a mess.”
“When is it not with En’shea?” A’bbni replied.
Dressing and eating took longer than he would have liked, every part of him protesting in pain at even the littlest movement, but A’bbni just gritted his teeth and forced his way through it. He put copious amounts of hargren root in his tea, knowing it would make him drowsy, and opted for strong, black coffee to try to combat it, despite the fact that he hated the taste of it. Several servants helped him bathe and dress, and he was grateful to see that many of his personal attendants were still alive and looking as well as could be expected under the circumstances. He was going to have to do a comprehensive sweep of all the servants and guards in the palace to determine who was still alive and where they had ended up. He added that to his mental checklist of things to do that was growing longer by the second.
After eating, which at least made him feel slightly more awake and alert, Reverence Sa’ben arrived to examine his injured leg. He wrapped it tightly with bandages to immobilize it, and A’bbni sighed in frustration as that basically made his right leg useless. The pants and long formal robe he put on at least hid the wrappings, which he was grateful for.
Lai sat next to him and let Sa’ben unbandage his hands to put more medicine on them before wrapping them up again. A’bbni went pale at seeing the deep gashes and scrapes that marred his lover’s strong hands, but Sa’ben assured him that the wounds would all heal with time. Hands were very resilient when it came to surface injuries. Lai pulled his gloves on again, and A’bbni made yet another mental note to have better gloves made for him that were not weather-worn and dirty from his work on the sea.
And then it was time to face the court. Lai stayed at his side, letting A’bbni lean on him as much as he needed for support on his injured leg. The half-elf had bathed and tied his hair up in his usual high ponytail, and A’bbni had to admit that the dark green tunic the servants had provided for him suited him quite well, bringing out the gold of his hair and the brightness of his green eyes.
Shi’chen appeared next to him to walk with him to the throne room, where much of the nobility had gathered in the seats to the sides. Two long tables had been put in the center of the room. At one sat five individuals that appeared to be representing the outer city inhabitants, their “best” clothes still looking out of place against the fine fabrics of the various nobles and courtiers. Nine members of the noble houses sat at the other table, Zea’dda amongst them. The whole room was packed with people, almost entirely goblins. Kella was off to the side, looking none the worse for wear, which A’bbni was grateful for.
He felt his heart thundering in his chest as they entered and crossed up to the two chairs on the dais, the seats normally occupied by the Emperor and their spouse when court was in session. Every step he took hurt, and he felt hundreds of pairs of eyes on him as he walked, Shi’chen supporting him with his arm, Lai on his other side. He heard whispers sweep through the crowd as they noticed Lai, and he realized his lover had not braided his hair to camouflage his short ears. Lai seemed to be ignoring the whispers, at least. And he was grateful to see that someone had placed a third chair off to the side for Lai to sit next to them.
Shi’chen helped lower him into one of the chairs, going to one knee in front of him. “All right, i-sha?” he whispered.
“Yes,” A’bbni replied, giving his brother’s hand a squeeze.
Shi’chen nodded, then rose and turned to the assembled crowd. He held up his hands, and the room went mostly quiet. “Our nation has been dealt a serious blow these last few months,” he said, trying very hard to keep his voice level and calm and not let the anger he was feeling show. “The Er-Ha’sen family has been on the throne of Hanenea’a for seventeen generations, and while the opportunity to re-examine our way of governing has come with the murder of the Regent and the Imperial Senate by the former Emperor, we also acknowledge that in this time, a competent leader is needed to guide our country through whatever transition may occur.” He turned to glance over at A’bbni, and A’bbni felt his stomach clench. No going back now. This was going to happen.
“We are the elder brother, and thus the role falls to us,” Shi’chen said, turning back to the assembly. “However, we have decided to formally abdicate the throne and instead continue the line of succession to our brother, A’bbni Er-Ha’sen. If he will agree,” Shi’chen added.
A’bbni swallowed hard. Shi’chen was giving him an out if he wanted it. And he wanted it. All he wanted to do was go back to his studies and spend time with Lai and his brother and pretend that the entire country was not fucked up. But he couldn’t do that, no matter how much he wanted it. Someone had to lead the country right now, and until they were able to figure out how deep En’shea’s treachery had festered, there were very few people that could be trusted.
He pushed himself to his feet, having to rely much more on the arms of the chair than he would have liked to and hoping that it was not as obvious to the entire court as it was to him. He gave a solemn nod to his brother. “Thank you, brother. We allow your abdication and will accept the position of Emperor as the next in succession.”
Shi’chen smiled at him, reaching out to grasp his hand and stepped in close. He gave him an embrace but asked in his ear, “Are you all right?”
“Yes,” A’bbni said back. He pulled back, giving his brother a small smile. “Do you have Commander Ahea’a’s pin?”
Shi’chen nodded, pulling the pin from his pocket and handing it to him. A’bbni took it, running his thumb over the gold etched design there. Honor, Courage, and Allegiance. All of which Commander Ahea’a had had and sacrificed to save them. He lifted the pin up, touching it to his forehead respectfully to thank Commander Ahea’a, then shifted just a little to address the court. “The role of Commander of the Imperial Guard is currently unfilled with the death of Commander Hi’jan Hin-Ve’ssa.” The words felt satisfying on his tongue, at least, and A’bbni hoped he would never have to say the man’s name again. “It falls to us to appoint a new Commander, and we wish to bestow the honor upon our brother, Shi’chen Er-Ha’sen, for his years of service to the throne and his loyalty and bravery in the face of danger. Do you accept?” he asked, looking at his twin.
Shi’chen looked like he wanted to smile but just touched his fingers to his forehead and then his heart. “We do, Your Sovereignty. We swear to serve you with wisdom and fealty for as long as Your Sovereignty wishes it of us.”
A’bbni smiled softly, taking a careful step forward. Shi’chen gave him a quick glance and moved closer to him so his brother would not have to put weight on his injured leg. A’bbni gave him a grateful look as he placed the pin on Shi’chen’s left shoulder, just above his heart. He wished he could feel proud at this moment, but between everything that had happened in the last day and the pain that was lancing through his whole body like lightning, all he wanted to do was curl up and go to sleep again. But that would not happen. There was too much that needed to be done already.
He moved back to his chair, and Shi’chen gave him a light hand in support until he was settled again. He did not like all the eyes on him, everyone in the court knowing that he was injured so severely he could barely stand. That was not a great start to his reign either, and he was sure many of the nobles could read the weariness on his face.
Captain Ra’shii suddenly stepped forward, bowing their head at A’bbni. “Sovereignty, there is an urgent matter that we feel must be resolved with due haste.”
