insp by @jelzorz’s HC of ezran having a network of little spy animals in katolis and well, this drabble bunny of how it got started wouldn’t leave me alone
His brother has always been clever, able to look at things from a variety of angles, and while Callum’s ideas can sometimes be extreme or exasperating, they are almost always worth considering. But this...
“An animal spy network?” Ezran says, arching a brow. “Really?”
“You can never be too safe,” Rayla adds from her new seat on the council.
“And it would save the crownguard time on patrol,” Callum says, standing in front of his more familiar chair. “Our guards are good, but they’re not infallible.”
“His Highness has a point, Your Majesty,” Marcos says quietly, shuffling uncertainly. He’s here at Callum’s request, but he’s always a little nervous when he’s around—“The castle would’ve never known of the oncoming attack if Princess—” Rayla clears her throat. “Lady Rayla hadn’t let me go.”
“The animals of the kingdom already know you and love you,” Callum says pointedly. “We might as well use it.”
Ezran scowls. “And how exactly will they know how to identify ‘threats’? “Anyone whose an elf? Anyone who looks out of place or different?”
“Anyone travelling through the Dark Grove behind the castle at night with weapons,” Callum says flatly. “You’re making it more than it is, Ez.”
“And you’re being paranoid and wasting my time—”
Opeli slides in, voice soft. “King Ezran, with all due respect, you are being a tad unfair to Prince Callum. I understand that you are hesitant and worried about the possibility of using the animals in some manner, but all rulers must consider the benefits of espionage and security, no matter how underhanded it feels.”
The truth lurks underneath — that everyone is still scared from the latest assassination attempt a month ago, an extremist from Del Bar that had made it as far as the castle before getting apprehended thanks to the enchantments Callum had wrapped around their home. Callum had wanted the man executed, in his fury.
Ezran had pointed out who he’d married, who he’d set free from coins despite Ezran’s misgivings years ago, and sent the man back to Del Bar begrudgingly in chains.
“Yes well, Callum’s very good at being that,” he mutters.
Hurt flashes across his high mage’s face for a second, but Ezran doesn’t let it deter him. Callum says jerkface things all the time. Ezran can let something slip just once.
(Later, Rayla cajoles them into talking, and Callum admits he’s scared, and Ezran agrees they can consider a network for the animals intelligent and willing enough to participate.
“I just don’t want to lose you,” Callum says.
Ezran looks at his brother, and their portrait next to their father and Viren, lined up side by side. Sometimes, he wonders if Soren sees the shadow of his father in Callum’s face — in his posture, in his ways — too, or if it’s only Ezran’s imagined ghost. Only his tangible fear, too.
Realistically, he knows that he needs this counter balance.
Someone has to be like Opeli, and consider the angles that Ezran cannot or doesn’t want to. Someone has to keep him and Rayla from constantly throwing themselves into the latest crisis. Someone has to watch their backs, keep a skeptic eye on the lookout, talk around double meanings, know what magic to use and when.
Callum is a much better man than Viren, in every way imaginable — except for one — I will do anything to protect the king; I hope you will understand — and worst of all, Ezran doesn’t even think Callum knows it.
Ezran hugs his brother. “I don’t want to lose you, either.”)
