3Disclaimer: i don't own the book series
A/N: originally posted on my tumblr: indigo- night- wisp . tumblr . com (take out spaces)
quintessence of dust
The Eddisian minister of war finds himself wondering where his youngest son has disappeared to. This is hardly unusual, as Gen vanishes and reappears quite frequently, but it has been nearly two days since the minister has seen the boy, and usually Gen's stomach will have brought him home by now.
The reappearing part apparently hasn't happened yet.
The minister sticks his head inside the library. Gen has been spending increasing amounts of time in the library lately, reading everything he can get his hands on. Nothing. It's as though Gen has simply evaporated, leaving nothing, not even outraged screeching in his wake.
None of Gen's cousins have complained of missing jewelry or other grievances, his brothers have not seen him in days, and his sisters in twice that time. She who is Eddis has not sent him on an errand. Gen is just… missing.
The minister of war is not panicking. He is not.
"Have you seen my son?" he asks the minister of ceremony as they pass each other in the hallway.
"Not since this morning," she says. They had breakfast together, with the other family members of Eddis' court. It's a tradition that is upheld cheerfully, until it isn't.
The minister of ceremony is his aunt, and the minister of war allows just a small amount of his frustration to show on his face. "Not that one," he says. "I know where Stenides is. I am looking for Gen."
The minister of ceremony's lips tighten in disapproval. "I haven't seen that brat since he stole my sapphire earrings two days ago!" she snaps. "I've half a mind to give him a good thrashing when I do see him again."
The minister of war bows stiffly. "I will have him return your earrings when he is found," he says coolly.
She sniffs. "Don't bother. He put them on the altar.
Ah, safely out of reach then, if one does not wish to offend the gods. The minister of war feels a brief vindictive triumph. Gen might be a brat, but he is his brat. The aunt can keep her threats to herself.
He stalks away and silently entreats Gen to come home, right now.
Gen comes home at dusk with scrapes covering his entire body and one arm bent at a truly horrific angle. He's covered in dirt. There are leaves and twigs in his hair.
"What on earth have you been doing?" his father asks, aghast.
Gen's eyes gleam beneath bedraggled and filthy hair. "Under," he says.
Six years later, Eugenides presents Eddis with Hamiathes Gift and winks at the minister of war.