Back at the Palace/On the Road

Cafer sat across from young Alaron in the palace library. They had found a secluded room, and Cafer had brought over many books for him to read. Unaware of the councilman's presence, Alaron's personal guard stood outside the door to prevent anyone's entry. Alaron had told the guard that he wanted to study alone.

"Are you sure we should be doing this?" Alaron asked doubtfully. "Chief Zan said he would be personally overseeing my tutoring lessons from now on. He said your ideas can be dangerous."

Cafer looked saddened. "I do not want to speak out of turn, but I do not think Chief Zan has your best interest at heart. Does he put the same restrictions on your sister?"

"Not exactly." Alaron furrowed his brow. But his sister also didn't spend as much time with Cafer.

"I believe Zan wants to stunt your learning so that your sister will be the obvious successor. I just want you to have an opportunity to rule." Cafer sounded sincere and the six-year-old believ