King Shrewd addressed Verity instead. “Is there a reason that you wished Prince Regal excluded from this discussion?”
“I did not see that it concerned him.” He paused. “And I wished to be sure the decision reached was exclusively your own.” Verity, faithful to his name.
Regal hackled, his nostrils pinching white, but Shrewd held up a hand to quell him. Again he spoke only to Verity. “Does not concern him? But on whom would fall the mantle of authority while you were gone?”
Verity’s eyes went icy. “My queen-in-waiting would represent my reign, of course. You wear the mantle of authority still, my king.”
“But if you did not return … ?”
“I am sure my brother could adapt to that situation at a moment’s notice.” Verity did not bother to mask the dislike in his voice. I knew then how deep the poison of Regal’s treacheries had worked into him. Whatever bond they had ever shared as brothers was eaten away by it. Solely rivals, now. Shrewd heard it, too, I did not doubt. I wondered if he was surprised at all by it. If he was, he covered it well.
As for Regal, his ears had pricked up at the mention of Verity leaving. He now stood as avariciously alert as a dog begging at table. He spoke just a moment too soon to have any ring of sincerity to his voice. “If someone would explain to me where Verity is going, perhaps I could speak for myself as to what I might be ready to assume.”
Verity kept his tongue. Clear-browed and silent, he looked at his father.
“Your brother”-the phrase sounded a bit heavy to my ears-”wishes me to grant him leave for a quest. He wishes to go, and soon, to the Rain Wilds beyond the Mountain Kingdom. To seek out the Elderlings and obtain from them the help once promised us.”