WINDWEEPER by Charlotte Boyett-Compo

dangerously potent this morn."
    "His bite is worse!" Conar mumbled.
    Legion held out his arm. "Care to chomp off a little piece?"
    Conar let out an annoyed breath. "Careful what you say to me, A'Lex. 'Tis not a good time to play your asinine games."
    Something in Conar's face made his brother realize that some accursed thing had disrupted the joyous reunion. Conar was back to acting as he had before going to Oceania and his breath smelled heavily of ale.
    "What happened?" Legion sighed.
    "Leave me alone. Please. It's too complex to explain. I'm waiting to speak with Papa."
    "I suspected as much," Legion answered, folding his arms across his chest. "He won't appreciate you smelling like an ale house. You've been warned about how much liquor you drink."
    "That's none of your business. Or his!"
    Legion shrugged. "I wouldn't say that. I'm concerned for you."
    "Don't be."
    "Can't help it. Comes with the territory." Legion glanced up at the closed door leading into their father's suite of rooms. "Locked you out?"
    "He's angry at me."
    "He's always angry at you. The trouble is the pair of you are too much alike."
    Conar snorted. "He wouldn't agree with you."
    Legion was about to answer the cryptic remark when Sadie MacCorkingdale came waddling toward them, two mugs of hot buttered rum on a silver tray.
    "Thought you could use some refreshment." The old woman giggled and turned the tray so Legion would be forced to take the mug nearest her right hand.
    "I don't want any," Legion said, frowning at her, "and I don't think he needs…" He didn't get to finish, for Conar grabbed the other mug and brought it to his lips, taking a long draft, then wiped the back of his hand across his mouth. Legion's frown deepened. This early in the day? That wasn't a good sign. "Go easy on that, will you?"
    "I need it."
    "Why?"
    "He says he's going to disinherit me."
    Whistling softly, Legion stared at his brother. All too aware of Sadie's keen interest in the prince's words, he turned to her with reproach. "Is there something else?"
    The old woman grinned as she watched Conar drain the mug of rum. "I did what I came to do." She waddled back to the kitchen doorway.
    "What the hell did you do, now, Coni?" Legion asked as Sadie closed the door behind her.
    Squeezing his eyes shut, Conar leaned his head against the wall beside him. "In his eyes I have shamed him. I did what I thought best for my wife's welfare. He doesn't see it that way or else he does not want to see it. By the gods, Legion, I didn't think there was any other way."
    "But he damned well should have sought one nevertheless!" came a harsh voice. The King stood at the top of the stairs, staring down at his sons. His fists were clenched tightly at his sides. His face was mottled with anger, his eyes red-rimmed and swollen from what could only have been the result of hard crying.
    "Papa," Conar said, "let me try to explain—"
    "Legion, tell your brother I have heard more than enough to last me a lifetime!"
    Conar opened his mouth to speak, but Legion hushed him. "I have no idea what's happening here, but I'll speak with Papa. This can all be worked out. Go to your room and—"
    "That man is not welcome in my presence, Legion! You will see that his things are removed from this keep. Where he goes, I don't care, but I want him gone before the sun sets!"
    Legion shot to his feet, his mouth open in shock. "Papa!"
    "Do you disobey me as well?" the King shouted. "If you do, then you may join that man in exile." He came down the stairs at a hard pace and shoved Legion to the side. "Do as I say. Remove this foul son-of-a-bitch!"
    "You will regret this, Papa," Conar said so softly Legion had to strain to hear the words.
    King Gerren didn't look at Conar. "Legion, inform him that the only thing I regret is that I ever sired him!" Continuing on, the King waited for Hern Arbra to open the big double doors leading into the courtyard.
    The Master-at-Arms had only just come in through the oak portals and