The Broken Longbow

"That would be terrifying!" Luke Yates exclaimed suddenly. 

The cucumber slipped from his hand as he gasped, "A hundred..."

"Shut up!" Braydon Neal cut him off sharply.

Luke immediately lowered his head, falling silent. 

Growing up as brothers, they knew what went unsaid.

Heather Sage poured tea quietly, saying nothing.

"You're rarely in the capital, Northern King. Should we ask His Highness Syrus to return and guard it?" Dominic Lowe probed.

"Discuss it with Xinghe," Braydon replied, unwilling to decide for Syrus Yanagi.

Dominic's face soured. "We tried. His Highness Syrus told me off. Said if I bother him again, he'll knock me out with one punch!"

Braydon couldn't help but chuckle. 

He dismissed Dominic and turned to Heather.

"Don't worry. I'm here in the capital. I won't let things spiral out of control," Heather reassured him, handing over a teacup.