Asa's Birthday

“Give it back!” shouted Ester, “Mom! Asa took my hairpin!”
Ariel shared a dark glance with Solomon, as if saying that Asa was his child, before sternly reprehending her son, “Asa, give it back.”
The young boy pouted before meeting his mother’s glare and audibly gulped, dropping the hairpin on the ground.
“Asa!” warned Solomon as David rested a hand on his wrist.
“Leave him, alone, it’s his birthday.”
“Forgive me, my lord, but my son will treat his sister with respect.”
It was one of the rare sunny days in Paradise and they were outside, in one of the castle gardens, David’s lavish party thrown in Asa’s honor winding down, the children buzzing with excitement and sweets. It had been a small, intimate party, but the Kants had to admit that, with Damon gone on ambassadorial business and Emmanuel handling security, it was one of their nicer parties. Abraham and Geoffrey were always excited to see the children and David was mellower without the influence of his cousin or the bastard chief of police.
“Why?” asked Asa impishly, before cowering behind his sister, who was wiping dirt off her hairpin, “It’s my birthday. King David says I get to do whatever I want during my birthday.”
“Don’t test me, Asa,” Solomon warned, “I am not as tolerant as our lord.”
“Come here, Asa,” Benedict quickly interceded as he finished his glass of wine, “Before you get yourself in deeper trouble.”
It looked like Asa wanted to argue, but, instead, he merely hmphed and hopped onto David’s lap-much to Benedict’s chagrin.
“Oh!” the king laughed, “You’re getting heavy.”
“Well, I am ten now.”
“You know what Solomon and I had to do on our tenth birthday?” said Benedict.
Asa shook his head.
“He took us hiking,” said Benedict, Solomon smiling as his brother prepared himself to tell an ‘epic’ tale, “And by hiking, I mean he woke us up at four in the morning, dragged us into the woods, and told us to find our way home.”
“It wasn’t as stark as Benedict is making it sound,” Solomon defended.
“We were wandering the woods for hours.”
“That’s because you have no sense of direction.”
“And what about the bear cub?”
“Bear cub?” said Ariel, blinking in surprise, “I never heard about the bear cub.”
“Come here, Ester,” said Geoffrey, noticing how she was struggling with pinning her hair back, “I’ll help.”
“Thank you, Uncle Geoffrey. And, Asa, when it’s my birthday, I’m going to be so mean to you.”
Asa stuck his tongue out before cowering at his parent’s glare.
“What happened with the bear cub?” Ariel pressed.
“And was there a point to losing you two in the woods?” asked Abraham.
“It was supposed to teach us…direction? Terror? I don’t know,” Benedict dismissed, “and I found the cub and Solomon found the mom and we basically spend a good four hours in a tree.”
“Self-reliance,” Solomon corrected, purposely ignoring the rest of his brother’s tale, “As we reached maturity, father liked to assign us different tasks for our birthdays. They were supposed to prepare us for maturity.”
“You never told me you were chased up a tree by a bear,” Ariel pressed.
“It slipped my mind,” Solomon painfully admitted.
“Your father was rather cruel,” said Abraham.
“Not so,” said David, shaking his head before popping a grape into his mouth, “While my father never abandoned me in the woods for my birthday, he also assigned tasks to me to help me grow.”
Ester giggled as Geoffrey used a clean plate as a mirror, so she could see how her hair looked.
“It’s so pretty,” she grinned, “Isn’t it, mother?”
“Was Fiona given similar tasks?” asked Abraham.
“Yes, although she always did it better and faster than we did,” said Benedict, furrowing his eyebrows as he thought it over.
“That’s because she didn’t have you messing everything up for her,” said Solomon.
“Yes, it is dear,” Ariel smiled as Ester pecked Geoffrey on the cheek.
“Thank you, Uncle Geoffrey.”
“I didn’t mess things up. I was creative.”
Solomon gave him judgmental stare as his twin poured himself another glass of wine.
“I’m surprised you survived all of these tasks,” said Abraham.
“I figured things out, eventually.”
“I think he’s impressed with Solomon’s self-restraint,” said David, causing Benedict to make a face.
“Maybe later, I can fix your hair,” Ester grinned.
“Yes, I was thinking I needed a new hairstyle,” Geoffrey smiled.
“I didn’t want be responsible for digging his grave,” said Solomon.
“Be careful, Geoffrey,” warned Ariel, “She can get creative.”
“You said you liked what I did,” Ester frowned.
“Not everyone is as patient as I am,” said Ariel, causing her daughter’s face to fall.
“It’s ok, Ester, I’m sure I’ll love whatever you come up with,” said Geoffrey and Ester grinned.
“I think it’s time to open presents,” Asa announced, David wiping cream from his face.
“Who said we brought you presents?” smirked Benedict.
Asa’s mouth dropped opened.
“But, it’s my birthday!”
He turned to face David.
“You got me something, right?”
“Of course, I did,” David smiled, “But, it’s up to your father if it’s time to reveal it to you.”
“Father, sir?”
“You have not been well behaved,” said Solomon.
“Please! I promise I’ll be nicer to Ester from now on, sir. Please!”
Solomon glanced at Ariel, who nodded her head with an amused sigh.
“Thank you!” Asa hopped off David’s lap and hugged his parents, before glancing at David, “So? Where is it?”
“Patience, patience. Let everyone else give you their gifts first.”
“Ok! Who’s first?”
“I have to go second to last,” said Benedict, swallowing a large gulp of wine as Ariel glared at him.
“What did you get him?” she asked.
“You’ll find out,” said Benedict and Ariel shared another glance with her husband, asking why did he have to be related to Benedict.
“If my brother doesn’t mind, we would like to go first,” said Geoffrey.
“Of course,” David said, gesturing his approval.
“You can go first, Abraham, since your present isn’t as exciting as mine.”
“Thank you, Geoffrey,” said Abraham dryly as Geoffrey gave him a sheepish smile, “Happy birthday, Asa, something for a maturing young man.”
The young boy took the wrapped present and ripped it open like a squirrel cracking open its nut.
“Easy, Asa,” said Ariel.
He took off the clothes box lid and pulled out an ornate black vest.
“What do you say, Asa?” asked Ariel.
“Thank you,” said Asa, about to put it on when his mother tutted.
“You’ll wear it when you’re clean.”
“I’m clean.”
“Listen to your mother, Asa.”
The young boy pouted, and David bopped his nose.
“I’ll threw another party next week, just so you can wear it.”
“Really?”
“My lord, please, don’t do him any favors,” Solomon frowned.
“Nonsense, I enjoy throwing parties for the children,” said David as Asa handed his mother the vest.
“It is lovely, Abraham, thank you,” said Ariel, folding it back into the box.
“What’s your present, Uncle Geoffrey?”
“This, Asa, is for you,” said Geoffrey, handing him the large package, “And this, Ester, is for you.”
“Really?” squealed the young girl, “But why? It’s not my birthday.”
“I like giving you presents.”
“Thank you, Uncle Geoffrey!” said Asa, marveling at his new, metal, toy train.
“Happy birthday,” Geoffrey grinned as Ester merely played with a corner of the wrapping paper, “Open yours, Ester, it’s ok.”
“She should wait until I’ve opened all of my presents,” Asa moaned.
The young girl looked at her parents and his father nodded his head.
“Open it, Ester. It’s all right.”
“But Father.”
“Asa, you need to learn your place.”
Asa folded his arms across his chest and David chuckled and whispered something in his ear as Ester carefully ripped opened the package and her eyes lit up.
“Oh, Uncle Geoffrey, thank you!”
“What is it, Ester” asked Ariel
Ester threw her arms around his neck and pulled him into a tight hug.
“It’s a poetry book,” she said, still holding a touched Geoffrey close, his own arms wrapped around her thin frame.
“Can I open Uncle Benedict’s present now?” asked Asa, louder than needed.
“What about your parents?”
“We have our presents back at the house,” said Solomon and Benedict swallowed.
“Well, all right. Solomon, hold back your wife,” he said, sliding his present across the table.
He hadn’t even bothered to wrap it, and everyone was surprised when they saw what it was.
“Benedict!” snapped Ariel as Asa grabbed the ornamental knife and unsheathed it, David mildly alarmed considering the young boy was still in his lap.
“It’s amazing, Uncle Benedict,” said Asa, about to slice the air when David grabbed his wrist.
“Be careful,” said David.
“Sorry. Thank you so much, Uncle Benedict!”
“It’s ceremonial, Asa, so it-shouldn’t- cut anyone,” said Benedict, David staring at him, hardly convinced, “It’s given to all boys when they’re ten in the Sundara.”
“What is its purpose?” asked Solomon, taking the knife from a reluctant Asa and studying the decorative blade and handle.
“It’s a symbol of manhood,” said Benedict, “It is a sign that the boy is ready for the next step in manhood, which occurs when they turn thirteen, and that is the great hunt.”
“The great hunt?” asked David.
“When the boys go out and capture an arachnid to sacrifice to Tharot, their great serpent god.”
“How many boys go out at once?” asked Solomon.
“All the boys in the village who turned thirteen, so maybe thirty to fifty kids.”
“And how many come back?”
“Not that many,” said Benedict, shaking his head.
Solomon sheathed the knife and gave it to a furious Ariel.
“We’ll take care of it for you, Asa.”
“But, father.”
“Until I can teach you how to properly wield a knife,” said Solomon and Asa knew that was the final word.
Solomon made a silent promise to Ariel that he would put that lesson off as long as possible.
Asa briefly pouted, before turning to face David, “You’re the only one left, my lord.”
“Yes, I suppose that’s true. But we need to take a walk to see my present.”
Asa’s face lit up with excitement.
“And maybe your father would be kind enough to join us on this walk?”
“Of course, my lord,” said Solomon, sharing a reassuring glance with his wife before rising.

The three men walked through the vast garden, towards the stables, Asa pulling David’s hand, so they would walk faster, and David taking slow, measured steps, enjoying the young boy’s excitement and agony. Solomon, however, was vaguely annoyed at his lord, knowing that Ariel would be furious once he told her.
“All right,” said David once they reached the stables, “Close your eyes.”
Asa closed his eyes, but David tutted.
“Hands over your eyes too. I don’t trust you.”
Asa did as he was told with a giggle and David called for his Minotaur servant to pull out the birthday present. Solomon forced a gratefully smile as David glanced at him in unusual excitement. It was hard to be angry when their lord, who was normally stressed or irritable, was actually smiling and laughing. Solomon cared more for their lord than Ariel did, and it was good to see him relax. He had the weight of the world on his shoulders and he deserved a moment of peace. Yet, these gifts and his tolerance of Asa’s outbursts were getting on Solomon’s nerves. He was not as stern as his father, but he believed in his children knowing their place and understanding that everything had to be earned, even for the honorable Kant family-something the Farins never understood.
“All right, Asa, open your eyes.”
The young boy gasped and pulled David into a painful hug as the Minotaur pulled out a grey and white stallion. The horse snorted as it stood before them, patting the ground.
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”
“He is name is Stardust. Would you like to ride him?”
“Yes!”
“My lord.”
“Don’t worry, Solomon. I would never dare hurt you son,” said David, the Minotaur already helping Asa onto the horse.
“The stir ups will need to be adjusted,” noted David.
“Can I gallop?”
“No,” said David, “but Lee will take you around the pen.”
The Minotaur nodded his head and slowly pulled Asa’s horse, the young boy grinning like a fool.
“My lord, you shouldn’t have done this,” said Solomon.
“Nonsense,” grinned David, “He loves it.”
“My lord, we do not have a stable.”
“The horse can stay here.”
“My lord.”
“It’s fine, Solomon, it’s fine.”
“No, my lord, if he is to have an animal like this, he must care for it himself.”
“And he can do that while it stays here,” David said, and Solomon understood.
“I wish you had asked me, first.”
“And ruin the surprise?”
Solomon met David’s glance.
“I must thank you, Solomon, for you allowing me to participate in your children’s lives. They bring me unknown joy.”
“It is an honor that you care so much. However, I am afraid you spoil them too much.”
“Someone has. You are too hard on them, especially young Asa.”
“I’m afraid I disagree. I am not hard enough on him. And I am too hard on Ester.”
“She is growing into a wonderful woman, so much like her mother.”
“Yes, I am lucky in that way. Unfortunately, Asa is too much like his uncle,” said Solomon, waving back at Asa.
“He needs attention, that’s all.”
“Too much of the wrong kind of attention will ruin him.”
David met his glance and smiled.
“I must apologize again for my request. It was not my place.”
“My wife and I are honored, but are also relieved you understand the importance of family.”
“I am still serious about my request. I would like to name Asa as my successor.”
Solomon frowned as David’s old nature returned and he was glad that Ariel had stayed behind.
“And we are honored, but there is still time for you to have a family off your own.”
David sniffed contemptuously.
“Is it Ariel who is resistant?”
“My lord-”
“I understand, but I will remain persistent.”
“My lord, it is not the offer, itself, that we are resistant to,” said Solomon, firmly, but kindly, in a manner only he could achieve, “He is my son and a Kant. He should be raised as a Kant would be raised.”
“What are you implying?” David frowned.
“You have my devotion and appreciation, my lord, but a Farin is not a Kant. If, when he is eighteen and I have talk him all I can, you want to name him your successor and prepare him for the future, you may, but until then, he will stay with me and his mother.”
They both forced a smile as Asa’s horse was brought back to them and Asa hopped off with glee.

While her brother and father followed their king, Ester noticed that there were still a number of pastries left over and absentmindedly chewed her hair as she thought thinks through.
“Ester, hair.”
She dropped her hair and glanced at Geoffrey before motioning for him to come closer. He leant in with a smile and she whispered, “Uncle Geoffrey, could you help me?”
“Of course.”
“I want to take the pastries to the guards, to thank them.”
“That is very kind of you,” Geoffrey smiled, about to rise when he noticed Ariel and Benedict snipping at each other, “but I think you should ask Benedict. Save him from your mother.”
He winked, and Ester nodded her head with a guilty smile.
“Uncle Benedict, can you help me?” she asked, and he immediately sprang from his chair.
“I’m always at your service.”
Ester grabbed the tray with a grin and handed it to Benedict.
“You want me to eat all of these treats?” he smirked.
“No,” she giggled, “I want to give them to the guards, as a thank you.”
“Ester,” frowned Ariel.
“Don’t worry, I’ll protect her,” Benedict smiled.
Ester led them towards the first guard that was stationed a few feet away, hovering just close enough to catch a whiff of the food, but not close enough to visibly see the food himself.
“We’re not taking this to every guard, are we?”
“As many as we can,” she grinned.
“Maybe I should have stayed behind to be skewered by your mother,” Benedict muttered.
The guard was surprised by Ester’s offer, but greedily took two with a serious thank you. Ester skipped to the next guard, posted near a sentry box, Benedict following with great amusement, wondering how anything as bright and kind as Ester could have been born in Paradise. After feeding the second guard, they walked towards the third one which was further away, the corner of the garden, Ester slowly done to match Benedict’s pace and glancing at him now and then.
“Everything all right, little star?”
“Yes, I was just wondering.”
“Hm?”
“Is Aunt Zahra ok?”
“Wh-oh! Yeah, she’s all right. She wasn’t feeling well.”
“Oh?”
“She’s been throwing up lately. I don’t know why.”
“Oh!”
“I’m sure she’s fine. A doctor is seeing her today.”
She nodded her head and hopped over a fallen branch.
“Father says Mother threw up a lot when she was pregnant with Asa.”
“Yeah?”
“Do you like the desert?”
“I do. I feel at home there.”
“Why?”
“Paradise can be…confining for people who don’t follow the rules and you know me. I hate rules.”
“What do you do in the desert?”
“Whatever David asks me to.”
Ester always found it amusing that her parents called David their king or lord, but Uncle Benedict always called him by his first name.
“I know that,” she said, “but what does he ask you to do?”
She looked up as Benedict paused.
“Uncle Benedict?”
“I help the Indariums. They need protecting from the Shivians and Druids and Ferdarians, and I help them.”
“Could I help them?”
“If you wanted.”
“Could I go to the desert, with you?”
“With me?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t think your mother would like that.”
Ester frowned, and Benedict patted her shoulder.
“Focus on helping people here, first, and when you get older-if you still want to-I can take you to the desert with me.”
“Thank you,” Ester grinned, as they approached the third guard on their tour.
He was eating his third pastry when they heard a sharp command and the poor guard dropped it immediately.
“Shit,” Benedict muttered and pointed warningly at Ester who put a hand over her own mouth, as if she had slipped.
“What’s the matter, Benny, too drunk for your family to tolerate you, so you have to bother my men?” snapped Emmanuel, ready to tear him a new one, when he noticed Ester, “Does Ariel know you kidnapped her child?”
“Yes, Ariel knows,” snapped Benedict and Emmanuel stared at him, wondering when he would translate the rest of the sentence.
“Do you want a pastry?”
Emmanuel took a double glance and let out an aaah.
“You’re the pastry giver.”
“Yes, I wanted to say thank you for watching over us. Take one.”
Emmanuel took the tray, shoved it into Benedict’s stomach, causing him to oaf, and bent down so he was eye to eye with Ester.
“That is admirable, but you should never distract a guard from his duty.”
He threw a dark glance at the guard.
“What if he missed an assassin because he was eating a pastry, and something happened to your family?”
“Oh, no!” said Ester, her face falling, “I didn’t mean to distract. I just wanted to thank them.”
“I know, but next time, you should leave your gift in the guard room, where everyone can see it.”
“Oh! Why didn’t we think of that, Uncle Benedict?”
“Your uncle doesn’t always think things through, especially when he’s had wine,” said Emmanuel with a wink.
“Careful, Caine,” growled Benedict.
“Can you take us to the guard room?” asked Ester and Emmanuel faintly smile, patting her cheek as he rose, “Sure.”
Ester shared a happy glance with Benedict who muttered a few choice curse words under his breath as they followed the dandy police inspector towards the castle.
“Will you be guarding my birthday party, too?” asked Ester, Emmanuel surprised she was standing next to him, and not behind with her uncle.
“If the king requests it.”
“I’m thinking of having a big party, bigger than Asa’s.”
Emmanuel smirked.
“Uncle Benedict, will you be able to attend my birthday party?”
“Uh, when is it?”
“On my birthday,” she laughed.
“Right…when is that?”
“Uncle Benedict, don’t tease me.”
“He’s not teasing,” said Emmanuel and Ester’s smile dampened.
“I am!” he snapped, poking the police inspector in the back with the tray.
“If you got any crème on the back of my jacket, I’ll break your entire hand, Benny,” said Emmanuel, trying to see.
“You’re ok,” said Ester, checking for him.
“Thank you, and, Benny, when is it?”
“Tell him, Ester.”
“No, Benny, I asked you,” said Emmanuel with a scorpion’s grin.
Benedict swallowed and glanced at Ester, adoring, trusting Ester and he licked his lips.
“It’s a winter month.”
“Which one?”
“November?”
Ester’s grinned grew.
“Is that a question or an answer?”
“November,” Benedict said, firmly.
“Which day?”
“Te-no-se-no,” he said, watching Ester’s reaction, “Ninth. November Ninth.”
Emmanuel glanced at him, hardly impressed.
“So, will you be able to attend, Uncle Benedict?”
“Um…maybe.”
Ester nodded her head with understanding resignation before glancing at Emmanuel.
“And you, Inspector Caine? Would you be able to attend, if you’re not providing security?”
“Ester!” snapped Benedict as Emmanuel stared at her in shock.
“It’d be rude not to invite him,” said Ester, “Inspector Caine?”
He met her earnest stare and smiled.
“If your mother promises not to shoot me the moment she sees me.”