[h1][center][color=ab274f]Wulfric[/color] & [color=00F8FE]Callum[/color][/center][/h1][right][sub][b][color=C0C0C0]Interactions:[/color][/b] [@princess] Anastasia[/sub][/right]
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The sound of rapid footsteps made the plump King sit up with a gasp. His head trembled and his eyes widened as he looked around the room until his gaze caught sight of the backside of his dark-haired, idiot son as he left the room. [color=DDB775][i]Poisoned my ass! That lying little SHIT![/i][/color]

[color=DDB775]“Caaalllummmm!”[/color] King Edin roared as he jumped to his feet and practically charged through the doorway.[color=DDB775]“Where do you think you’re going! GET BACK HERE!”[/color] He pummeled his way through the hallway after his son, knocking past staff members like a bull in a china shop. He was rambling to himself now, wasting his breath,  [color=DDB775]“He’s fucking [i]fine![/i] I can’t believe I was [i]concerned[/i] with the welfare of those two shitheads. I knew this was all his-...”[/color] He started to huff as he struggled to keep up the pace of his sprint, his knees starting to buckle.[color=DDB775] “All his fault… All of it. Somehow… I’ll find out how…”[/color]

He leaned on his knees in defeat. It was a wonder how his most pathetic child ended up being so athletic.[color=DDB775] “Oh-!”[/color] The sight of his brilliant, perfect eldest son was before him. Wulfric was peering down the hallway after Callum but had not seemed to notice him yet. Edin looked up at his son, telling him between pants,[color=DDB775] “Go.”[/color] He needed a moment to wheeze. [color=DDB775]“Get him. He’s …ESCAPING. He needs to go-”[/color] King Edin broke off in confusion for a moment and grabbed the arm of a maid walking by, [color=DDB775]“Where is my wife holding her meeting again?”[/color]

[color=d0ff14]“Um, the Entrance Hall I think.”[/color] 

[color=DDB775]“The entrance hall!”[/color] He exclaimed as he looked at Wulfric. The maid cringed at his loudness as he tossed his grip off her without much care.

Wulfric had just decided to pursue Callum (at a sedate walking pace, thank you very much) when the king himself blustered up the previously empty side of the corridor. His eyebrows rose as he turned to take in the sweaty, panting, red-faced old man. He felt amusement creep in, but ruthlessly suppressed it before the hilarity of the situation could get its grip on him. [color=ab274f][i]No, no, this is no time for laughter.[/i][/color] With some effort, he kept up an entirely neutral mask of polite curiosity as he regarded Edin.

He let the gravity of the situation exert its influence upon him. He obeyed his father, and [i]dashed.[/i]

[color=ab274f][i]What a ridiculous sight we must make.[/i][/color] Despite the sardonic thought, Wulfric ignored the servants he passed by, and paid no mind to the fact that his current attire was not the most conducive to running. While the clothing was generally light and unobstructive, he had on more layers than he’d prefer. He had to keep one hand on his sheathed sword as he sprinted, and the cloak presented a not insignificant risk of tripping.

Despite Callum’s head start, however, Wulfric was confident he would catch up soon enough. He couldn’t have got far yet, and there’d be few places to hide, if that’s what the aim was. Besides, he would [i]never[/i] lose to his youngest brother in a race.

Callum continued his mad sprint down the castle hallway. He almost stopped as he heard his name spoken by Wulfric but thought better of it. If it had been Auguste, his other brother might be willing to help him. But Wulfric, Cal expected no sympathy from the oldest, from his father’s clear favorite. He took heavy, ragged, breaths as he passed by his own bedroom, a far too obvious place to hide. Edin’s voice carried down the hallway and provided just enough extra dose of panic to keep Callum moving. He could hear more footsteps echoing in the corridor. [color=00F8FE][i]Shit. Is Wulfric now chasing me too?[/i][/color]

Cal crashed into the billiard room, not his first choice for a hiding spot but he’d make it work. In the corner of the room was an alcove that held a statue, and it was a tight squeeze that took some climbing on the statue but he managed to tuck himself behind said statue with his back to the wall of the alcove. He focused on calming his breath, leaning his back to the wall. 

Tired, nauseous, lightheaded, and confused he tried again to remember what was going on. Why had he woken up in the medical ward? He had a terrible hangover, that was clear, but that was nothing new. Neither did it make sense for Edin to have been there waiting for him, surely today was not the day the old man decided to start caring how much he drank. [color=00F8FE]

[i]What happened last night?[/i][/color] Callum couldn’t even remember how he’d gotten home and thinking about it only made his head feel worse.

The sound of a door opening then slamming shut somewhere ahead of him brought Wulfric to a stop. [color=ab274f][i]So, hide and seek it is. But which room?[/i][/color] He stalked the corridor, considering where to begin his search…but then, a much more expedient solution came to his attention. A nearby maid, doing her best not to be noticed as she polished something or other. Wulfric stepped up to her, and inquired cooly, [color=ab274f]“Did you see where Callum went?”[/color]

A nervous expression was directed his way underneath her lashes. She mumbled a greeting of, [color=98817b]“Your Highness,”[/color] and nodded timidly.

[color=ab274f]“Where,”[/color] he demanded. This question seemed to distress the maid; she bit her lip, and wrung her hands. A small corner of his mind automatically listed the possible reasons for her hesitancy; conflicting loyalty, a desire not to get involved, fear that she was the subject of his attention. A much larger part of him was pitilessly dismissive of her feelings - not only were they completely irrelevant, they were actively [i]hindering[/i] him.

[color=ab274f]“I will not ask a third time,”[/color] he warned, thumb sliding his sabre out of its scabbard a bare few millimeters with a noticeable metallic clink. [color=ab274f][i]“Where?”[/i][/color]

The young woman paled and staggered back with a gasp, but got the idea. A trembling arm rose to point out a direction. [color=98817b]“T-the bi-billiard room,”[/color] a faint voice whispered.

Wulfric nodded, and fully resheathed the sword. [color=ab274f]“Very good,”[/color] he praised dispassionately, but wasn’t looking at her anymore. He left the servant behind as quickly as he’d approached her, sure steps taking him towards Callum’s chosen hiding place.

He opened the door to the billiard room ever-so casually, and calmly, quietly closed it behind him. He leaned his back on it, however, blocking off the only exit. He did not bother looking for his youngest brother, and tilted his head back, staring at the ceiling. [color=ab274f]“We are much too old for these sorts of games, wouldn’t you say, Callum?”[/color] His tone was nonchalant, expression placid, but he crossed his arms over his chest. Two fingers tapped in a light but impatient rhythm against his upper arm.

[color=00F8FE][i]We are much too old for these games.[/i][/color] Callum silently mimicked Wulfric's words and rolled his eyes. [color=00F8FE][i]Then why the chase, Wulfy?[/i][/color] Surely the oldest golden child had better things to do than start the morning off harassing him for their father’s benefit. But Wulfric didn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon and he was blocking off the door. So Callum climbed onto the statue, resting his head atop it, and draped his arms around the statue to keep his balance. At least it was just Wulfric, he could probably handle that. 

[color=00F8FE]“Morning, Wulf, just starting the day with some exercise. So, what’s uh going on?”[/color] Callum did his best to sound as innocent as he could manage, and even though it wasn’t a total lie, he knew full well Wulfric wouldn’t buy it. [color=00F8FE]“Got any idea what crawled up Edin’s ass and bit him? Cause I’m drawing a blank here.”[/color] He gave a nervous laugh.

Wulfric’s head craned in Callum’s direction when the latter chose to reveal himself. [color=ab274f][i]“What is going on,”[/i][/color] he repeated derisively. [color=ab274f]“So, you neither remember anything, nor have you been informed yet,”[/color] he concluded. He briefly closed his eyes, and a grim, tight-lipped smile formed. [color=ab274f]“Let me enlighten you then,”[/color] he said darkly.

[color=ab274f]“You lot were retrieved from your nightly escapade by mother and a group of knights,”[/color] he recounted. [color=ab274f]“And what a sorry state you were all in…[i]You[/i] were largely comatose, and completely unaware during your brief periods of consciousness. It wasn’t even certain you’d wake by morning,”[/color] Wulfric bared his teeth in anger. 

[color=ab274f]“[i]Anastasia[/i] was [i]hacking up blood.[/i] The possibility of poison was mentioned - it wouldn’t have been strange if she [i]had died[/i].”[/color] After a moment of staring down Callum, Wulfric turned away, chest heaving as he tried to regain a modicum of calm.

[color=ab274f]“Need I mention that our [i]guests[/i] were similarly compromised?”[/color] he asked with quiet fierceness. [color=ab274f]“The Sultan’s son was in full hysterics, the [i]Vizier’s[/i] son was a quietly raving mess…”[/color] he trailed off, shaking his head slowly.

[color=ab274f]“Now, [i]every party of interest[/i] is to meet in the Entrance Hall, where we will be having a [i]discussion.[/i]”[/color] He laughed emptily. [color=ab274f]“[i]In other words,[/i] we will be doing our best to save your thankless hides [i]and[/i] trying to prevent a war.”[/color]

Callum vaguely followed along with what Wulfric said. He had gone to a party with Ana, a few of the sultan’s kids, and a handful of others. Poisoned, well that sounded ridiculous. Marek was a good guy, he wouldn’t have done anything to hurt them, and surely Marek wouldn’t let them all get poisoned at one of his parties. Callum was sure of that. It sounded like they all drank too much and maybe took some drugs? Opium? That did sound like something he would do. Had he given that to Ana? Gods, he didn’t think he would be able to live with himself at all if something truly bad had happened to his sister. 

[color=00F8FE]“Oh.”[/color] Callum now only stared at the ground. [color=00F8FE]“But Ana’s okay now, right? I think I heard her this morning.”[/color] He’d mostly stopped listening after Wulfric had said Ana could’ve died. He climbed and crawled his way back out of the hiding spot and sank to the ground. [color=00F8FE][i]Did I give Ana opium? Stupid. Why did I do that?[/i][/color] Everything started tasting like bile again and he struggled to not start heaving.

[color=00F8FE]“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get Ana hurt. I think, I think it must’ve been opium.”[/color] Callum said in a quiet voice as he hid his face in his hands. This was definitely his fault. He pressed his palms against his closed eyes to make sure he wouldn’t start crying in front of Wulfric. Once he was sure he wouldn’t, Callum slowly stood back up with a tired sigh. [color=00F8FE]“Okay, I’m going. Where am I going?”[/color] He didn’t look up at Wulfric, his head still hung low but he headed towards the door. For once he really believed he deserved whatever terrible punishment Edin had in mind. 

Wulfric watched silently as Callum finally seemed to realize the full severity of the situation. [color=ab274f][i]Good.[/i][/color] However, the dark satisfaction seemed to be tinged by pity - or was it worry? He shook off the feeling, disregarding it.

[color=ab274f]“I don’t know how Anastasia is,”[/color] he admitted. Hopefully, they would be seeing her shortly.

When Callum admitted he might have fed them both opium, his eyes narrowed, and harsh lines etched across his features. [color=ab274f]“Do not suggest so lightly that this might have been your fault when we are in front of the others,”[/color] he warned.

Wulfric took a moment to think, sighing. [color=ab274f]“I am no expert on drugs, but I doubt it was just opium. For one, the doctors would have identified it, and for another, it should not have produced the wide range of effects that were seen,”[/color] he reasoned calmly. Whether Callum was actually one of the culprits of peddling drugs or not wasn’t as important. What [i]was[/i] was finding the one far likelier to have had a hand in this; the party’s host.

[color=ab274f]“I believe you all were slipped something - or perhaps, you thought you were taking one thing, and were given another,”[/color] he speculated. [color=ab274f]“The key issue is finding the one responsible,”[/color] he emphasized.

[color=ab274f]“So, if you know anything at all about the organizer, I suggest you speak up.”[/color] At that, Wulfric approached Callum, grasped his chin firmly, and tilted his head up. He met his brother’s eyes with serious intent. [color=ab274f]“[i]Someone[/i] needs to be blamed for this, and I would [i]prefer[/i] if that were not you [i]nor[/i] Anastasia,”[/color] he stated.

Callum was still shaken to hear Ana had been so close to death, more so to still have no confirmation that she was alright, and that was all his fault. There was no one to hate but himself and he couldn’t blame Wulfric for hating him either. He didn’t even move as Wulfric grabbed his chin and forced their eyes to meet. He knew his brother would be able to tell if he was lying, there was no point to try.

[color=00F8FE]“We received invitations from people wearing masks, I have no idea who they were, it just sounded like a good time. If anyone’s to blame for a simple party getting out of hand, it is me. Not Ana, no one else, just me. Blame me.”[/color] Callum was careful to only say things that were true and to make no mention of knowing the party's organizer. Marek was no royal, he had no protection from the crown’s wrath and Callum would send none if it his way. 

[color=00F8FE]“And we should go see if Ana’s alright.”[/color] He added, glancing towards the door. He didn’t want more questions from Wulfric, didn’t feel like testing how well he could stand up to an interrogation because the not knowing was making it near impossible to think about anything else. 

Wulfric tightened his grip on Callum in frustration, then forced himself to let go. [color=ab274f]“Weren’t you [i]listening[/i] when I said I don’t want you blamed?”[/color] He exhaled harshly, momentarily looking past Callum. Of all the times for his brother to become destructively self-flagellating…

Yet it was clear that Callum either could not or [i]would not[/i] name someone else. Perhaps if he knew Anastasia faced as much risk as himself, if not more…Wulfric did not find the idea of manipulating his siblings in such a way tasteful, but if it had a chance of working, he was willing to do it. 

He laid a palm on Callum’s shoulder. [color=ab274f]“I am afraid it is known that [i]Anastasia[/i] was the one to have led you all to the party. If you wish to aid in her protection, I will need more information.”[/color] He walked behind his brother, trailing his hand along Callum’s back. [color=ab274f]“So, yes, let us go find her, but [i]think very carefully.[/i] Remember what you can,”[/color] he whispered insidiously. If he could not trust that Callum was clever enough to blame someone else - anyone else - all he could think to do was wait until he was desperate enough to do so.

Because all had been said, Wulfric opened the door for them, and led Callum out, pushing him gently from behind, palm still on his back. Rather than retracing the path he’d taken to get here and risk meeting Edin, Wulfric guided them the other way around.

[color=00F8FE]“Would you like me to make up a name to give you? Or just shift the blame to the first person who pops into my head? Very well, I think Count Damien is behind all this. No wait, maybe it’s the Sultan I saw hosting the party. Or, hmm, I think it was a very old fat man with a long white beard, called himself Clause. Would one of those do, Wulfric? Who should I condemn in my place? Whose head should roll because we all drank too much or dabbled in forbidden substances? I told you all I can remember, we received invitations to a secret party in a warehouse, one that promised no titles and a good time, we all chose to go.”[/color] Cal spoke as they walked, his brother leading the way. He found himself only agitated as Wulfric continued to pry for details. The anger at what he’d let happen to Ana was understandable but however she ended up in such a sorry state was his failure. But wanting someone’s head for simply throwing a party was something he’d play no part in. 

Fury mixed with devastated disappointment as Wulfric’s fingers dug into Callum’s shoulder. He issued a long, shuddering exhale, then steeled himself. He continued forward resolutely, lips thinning, gaze scorching as he stared far into the distance. [color=ab274f][i]“On your own heads be it, then,”[/i][/color] he snarled quietly. Finally, he let his hand drop from where he’d been keeping a point of contact with his brother. The warmth of another’s presence was quick to dissipate, and Wulfric’s fingers clenched into a fist as he thought that it may be an omen of things to come.

The two proceeded onwards. Wulfric stopped one of the servants they passed, and informed him simply, [color=ab274f]“Find my father and tell him I have successfully secured Callum and am escorting him to the meeting.”[/color]

Otherwise, the rest of the way to the Entrance Hall was spent in a tense silence. Thankfully, their mother and sister were both there. [color=ab274f]“Your Majesty,”[/color] Wulfric greeted, alerting the queen to their presence. Next, he took in his sister, carefully assessing her state. [color=ab274f]“Anastasia. It is good that you are up,”[/color] his expression minutely relaxed. While he was beyond pleased to see her comparatively better, however, he restrained his relief until barely any warmth leaked into his otherwise perfunctory tone. This was, after all, hardly a celebratory occasion.

Callum let out an immediate sigh of relief as he saw Ana alive and looking well enough. He followed Wulfric to the pair, offering only a nod and a half-hearted bow towards his mother. He didn’t say anything to the queen, not exactly sure how angry his mother was, and knowing his mouth would only make it worse. All of his warmth was saved for Anastasia, and to her, he offered his most sincere smile. [color=00F8FE]“I’m so glad you're alright.”[/color] He said, continuing towards her and wrapping his arms around her. [color=00F8FE]“And so sorry for whatever I did.”[/color] He whispered as he gave her a hug. Out of his whole family, he wasn’t sure he could stand it if Ana began to hate him too.