Two Brothers

[Dapper Dog]

Two Brothers

Two days before the start of the Festival of Flowers, circa the Present

Unther groaned as the communicator shrieked loudly. He rolled over and tried to see if his wife would take care of the matter but even in her groggy state she still had that glare that promised murder so he sighed and rose, grabbing a robe as he entered the adjacent chambers where the secure holo-terminal resided.

He took a seat and wiped the sleep from his eyes, it was early so this had to be urgent. He checked the cypher ID and then frowned as he realized who was calling him. He tapped the button as the seated form became visible and said, “Do you realize what time it is here?”

His older brother, Gaul, smiled and said, “Of course I do, you’re looking wellish.”

“I look and feel like bantha poodoo, why are you calling me?” Unther replied.

Gaul’s right gestured toward his brother and said, “I can’t just call and speak to my little brother after all this time, you wound me brother. It’s like you don’t enjoy my company, you don’t call or write… have I hurt you?”

“No more than you hurt the family, and last I checked you’re the one that does not write or call; I send you reports weekly,” Unther replied with annoyance. “If you need something just ask, this would not be the first time I had to clean up a situation you started.”

Gaul tsked and then said, “I have decided I want to spend the Festival with my family, figured you might like a chance to redeem yourself after the last time we went hunting.”

“One, you cheated, and two, you’re technically banished; mother would have you put on house arrest and then have me carry it out,” Unther responded harshly.

“Mother will try but in this situation I think it is better to ask for forgiveness than permission,” Gaul said.

“Her mercy has limits, even for you,” he said and then added, “Kriff, you’re already on your way?”

“I will be on Alderaan in a few days, the exact timing will be a surprise so you can feign ignorance. I want to make sure I help the twins make the best choice for the family,” Gaul said sincerely.

Unther shot to his feet and said sternly, “A choice they shouldn’t be making because you shirked your duties and put them in that situation! But no, you had to… You put yourself before the family like you always do and now all of Alderaan is on the brink of war!”

“Yula was not the woman for me, you know that, and I need to see him and make things right,” Gaul said after a heavy sigh.

“Again, not to say I told you so… which I did, but you broke his heart which I knew you would and I advised you not to and then you decide to throw fifteen years of preparation into the proverbial hole for what? A broken heart? The Ulgos want blood and Joran will be eaten alive by Yula we both know that,” Unther countered.

“Maybe mother will decide Jameela is the better choice,” Gaul responded.

“Are you daft, Jameela is smarter than all of us but knows nothing of court or politics, she can barely make it through a dinner party without excusing herself. She isn’t ready to be queen or even the heir, this was your burden,” Unther said angrily.

“Then it’s obvious,” Gaul said chuckling.

“I don’t… no, don’t you dare say it,” Unther said narrowing his eyes.

“Mother should choose you,” Gaul replied with a devious smile.

“Are you insane, I am not of the sacred blood of Panteer, I know my place in the House!”

“You’re Panteer as any of us, you bleed it and more importantly you know what it would take to keep this together. House Rist would leave Ulgo if the future queen was of their House and you have an heir, sounds perfect to me. Think about it, see you in a few days,” Gaul replied and then ended the call.

“Gaul!” Unther said futilely and then sat back down and frowned. Gaul was right though, he wouldn’t tell mother which meant he had to start working on looking shocked when Gaul arrived. The things he did for the family.