06-14. House Divided

Bunter thought all the confessions were over that night until Caprice whispered in his ear.

Caprice: Marvin, I have to tell you something. It's only a small thing, but if Emad tells you first, you may get the wrong idea.
Bunter: What is it? What are you talking about?
Caprice: Emad kissed me. No, wait! I didn't kiss him back. He kissed ME. He tried to get me to run off with him. Of course I didn't. I never would have.

Something in Bunter's chest clinched. Caprice could have fallen for Emad's charismatic act. She might have left him! All because of the lies, his and Emad's. ... But Caprice had given Bunter a chance. She was still with him. And now that they'd talked things through, it was time--again--to deal with his brother.

_____
Bunter had a pretty good idea where to find Emad. There were only so many wealthy families in Rinn Fada. Larry Walsh, High Elder of the Brethren, was the most likely choice. He was old and he had an unmarried adult daughter. Besides, Bunter needed to talk to Walsh anyway.

Bunter: Mr Walsh, sir. I wanted to report that the rat situation has been taken care of. Turns out, there were no rats. They were undisciplined ugly dogs, sir, if you can believe it. I talked to the owner, and he told me he had just rescued the creatures from the shelter. He's trying to get them trained and assures me they won't be causing any more trouble, as long as people stay off his property.

Walsh: How strange. Well, thank you for checking it out. I'm never sure what to believe about some of these reports I get. ... So! Are you ready to receive your Amulet at the ceremony?

Bunter: Sir, that's the other thing I wanted to discuss with you. I've decided that I'm not Woeful Brethren material. The vows, as you know, have been somewhat difficult for me to--embrace, as it were. I'm sorry to disappoint you.
Walsh: Now son, you're not worried about that celibacy thing, are you? Because we talked about that. We're willing to bend the rules for someone of knight status.

Bunter: No, sir. That's not entirely it. My presence is required here at the manor now. His Lordship's research is progressing to the point where he'll be needing more of my assistance.
Walsh: That's a shame. But I suppose Lord Wimsel has first claim on your time.

Bunter: There is something else I have to speak with you about. Has Emad Faraz been by your place?
Walsh: He certainly has! Been spending the last two days here actually. He told me he was your brother?
Bunter: Half-brother.

Walsh: Yes, that's what he said. At first, I wasn't too impressed with Emad, to tell you the truth. Some kind of circus person, I think. But he and my Bebhinn got on like a house on fire. I was happy to see it. Not my first choice for her, you understand, but she'd been running around with a married ... well, never mind about that. Bebhinn only has eyes for your brother now.
Bunter (gritting his teeth): I see. Mr Walsh, may I drop by and speak to you for a bit?

_____
Walsh: Bunter, my boy, I'm sorry the Brethren are losing you. I sure wanted to see you wearing your own Golden Amulet, but I have something else for you here.

... This is a special medallion worn by the last knight we hired to watch over our little community. I'd like to say the stone will bring you good luck, but I'm afraid the poor man who last wore it died in a freak ice storm. Fell off a cliff, he did. Not the medallion's fault though. It's a valuable item and ... well, anyway, it belongs to you now. A reward for your service.
Bunter: Thank you, sir. I wasn't expecting anything like this.
Walsh: Not at all, son, not at all.

Bunter: High Elder, I don't know how to broach this subject, but I feel I must say something. It's about my brother Emad. You see, he can be something of a troublemaker. He has aspirations that, at times, drive him to compromise on principles. Emad schemes and takes risks and he, well, doesn't always care who he hurts in his rush to the top.

Walsh: Now lad, I appreciate what you're trying to tell me here. But no need for this kind of concern. Truth be told, I was beginning to recognize these traits in Emad myself. ... And I was very glad to see them!
Bunter: What?

Walsh: You know I do not suffer fools gladly. I respect a man with ambition and the gumption to make his way in life! A man needs to have a bit of meanness about him. Why, even my Bebhinn, as beautiful and talented as she is, has a vicious streak in her. How do you think she's managed to rise in her career so quickly? Just wish my son Bo had that kind of grit.

Bunter: But sir, Emad has powers that make him quite dangerous! He's not just ambitious, he's ruthless! He devises master plots that would make your head spin!

Walsh: Brother Bunter, if I may still call you that, I don't think you're getting the point here. Emad sounds very much like myself when I was younger. You can't let sentimentality get in the way of success! Never. I'm relieved that Emad is more than just an acrobat and entertainer. My god! Why would I need another temperamental artist type around here? Bo's inventing is enough to plague me! 

... If Bebhinn and your brother end up together, well, good! I can be confident in leaving the control of my estate in their hands. I won't live forever. Those two will be worthy successors when I pass on.

Bunter (mumbling to himself): Which might be sooner than you expect.

_____

Getting nowhere with Walsh, Bunter decided to leave the man to his Mean Spirited blindness. That family and Emad were a perfect fit. If Miss Walsh was as Evil as her father described, she deserved someone like Emad!

His brother had already entrenched himself in Rinn Fada. It would take a full blown war to force him out. Not a good option for anyone, especially innocent bystanders. But that didn't mean Bunter was just going to let Emad take over. He would have to be devious though--much more devious than his evil-minded brother.

Bunter tracked Emad down to an old warehouse. Rumors had it that he was hanging around there a lot lately.

Emad: You're trespassing, little brother. This is my turf. What the hell are you doing here?

Bunter: I've come to talk, Emad. Propose a truce.
Emad: Don't give me that bullshit! Look at you. You haven't come here to TALK!

Emad: I owe you for what you did to me, you bastard! You won't be catching me off guard again! I have people watching my back now, Majid, so don't go kicking up one of your fire storms around here. Someone might get hurt, and it won't be me!

Bunter: All right, brother! No fire this time. I'll just claim a little of your blood. How's that?

Emad: Dammit, Majid! Get the hell off me!

Emad: Back off!

Emad: ENOUGH!!

Emad: Majid, you really need to find a new act. This routine is getting predictable.
Bunter: You should never have involved Caprice in any of this. Don't ever touch her again.

Emad: You damn hypocrite! Arrogant, selfish bastard! Don't try to intimidate me! I taught you how to piss standing like a man! I taught you how to ...
Bunter: Ok, ok. We're even. Can we talk now?

Emad: Why does it have to be like this, Majid? We use to work together. Play together. I came looking for you hoping we could be partners again.
Bunter: Emad, forget it! The first time I saw you here, you tried to drown me.
Emad: Never! I was a little rough maybe, but you could take it. We always use to challenge each other, remember?

Bunter: I can't trust you anymore, Emad. We don't see life the same way now. I'm not your adoring little brother. You're not the older brother I followed. That world is gone. Somewhere along the line, I became the brother you resented and you became the brother I doubted.

Emad: Very touching, Majid. So where does that leave us? Surely you don't think you can run me off?
Bunter: What do you want, Emad?

Emad: Come now, little brother. Haven't you figured that out yet? I want this town. Nothing less. ... Still want to negotiate a truce?
Bunter: You can have the town---for all the good it will do you. Just don't come near my family.
Emad: Another threat, Majid? Not much of a peacemaker, are you? You're not even a good negotiator.

Bunter: You're digging your own grave, brother. You don't need my help. Plenty of others will be cheering you on. After all those years twisting the wishes you granted others, Emad, didn't you learn? ... Be careful what you wish.