"He can't be serious about such demands," I spoke in a hushed tone so as to not disturb Liliana who slumbered between Theo and me, "I mean, what is he thinking?!"
Theo chuckled as he placed his head on mine, "No one truly knows what Einor is truly thinking. Even when we were kids, he always managed to do the unthinkable to get his way like the time me and Zachary tied you up until he gave us his allowance."
I smiled at the memory, "He crashed through the box fort you all used as a hideout riding a wild boar dressed like a madman. The two of you pissed yourselves as you fled leaving me behind like some offering."
"Hey now," he chuckled, "you were scared yourself."
I kissed his cheek as we continued to watch Liliana slumber as her small chest rose and fell in the comforts of her parents' warmth. Past memories of long ago nights spent nestled between mother and father as they did the same like we did now. It was such moments that I enjoyed the peace that came with watching Liliana slumber untouched by the world. The feeling of holding onto something so dear to the heart unwilling to let go. Mother had often said that raising Einor and I was the greatest joy of her life, a feeling I understood ever since Liliana was born.
[(It's hard to believe Einor willingly gave her a hug. Mother always said children did hold a magic all their own.)]
Thinking of my brother, I couldn't help but wonder if his sanity had returned with him after the weeks spent wrestling with Death. Einor was always eccentric when we were young when he used the boar to plow through the wooden crates stacked on one another in a square formation. It was quite relieving to see that side of him hadn't died long ago yet the proposal he made was far more riskier than a tusked boar and the consequences were more severe if failed. Thinking about such a thing brought back the image of his lifeless corpse before my eyes with a single tear. I refused to lose him once again yet I could not offer aid without disrupting the principles of negotiations.
"You're thinking about what he said," Theo spoke as he gently pushed stray hair behind Liliana's ear and out of her mouth, "aren't you?"
I smiled getting up from the bed, "I'm going to go talk and possibly get him to reconsider the options."
Theo chuckled as I tied the sash of my robe, "You of all people know that once his mind is made, nothing can change it."
"I know," I kissed his cheek, "but I have to try."
The stone marble floor casted in the moon's embrace felt like ice against the soles of my feet with each step. Patrolling guards bowed after stepping to the side, allowing a clear path forward down the hallway that led to the balcony where Einor was last seen by the guiding maid. Silent was the kingdom that roared with life like a ferocious beast enforcing its territory to all would-be challengers. Even this beast slumbered in the waxing moon for needed rest just to continue thriving the following day. A beast that withheld the fate of two kingdoms close to its breast for the coming tide.
With each click from the maid's shoes, my mind turned to the three things Einor had required as payment for safely escorting the young princess back home and ensuring that a conference between kings happened. I will admit it was quite a surprise for most present especially since two of the three things asked were for someone other than himself. The first was for the bounties placed upon all the members of Twilight Sand to be expunged from all records allowing them to walk freely without fear. The second request was for a vessel to transport Zeke and Scarlett along with all who followed to the newly discovered lands down south where Uncle has some presence through the envoys sent. Then the last request was for Uncle to acknowledge Siegfried and the surrounding areas as its own independent kingdom free from any noble who wished to claim it.
The sounds of music penetrated my ears as it came from below where a group of both monster and human celebrated together in honor of the coming winter. From above, I saw Ulf arm wrestling Duval while Ruben seemed to be trying his luck in seducing the fiery haired vampiress Kuval. A line of large mugs of ale were quickly downed then refilled as a contest to see who could hold the most drink ensued. I even saw Solomon among the crowd as he mingled with Shz'rak and Akroq. It was a sight of a possible future where two fated enemies joined together in a form of bond.
[(If only father and mother were to see what you accomplished and the fruits of your dream.)]
The sounds of celebration died as we continued down the long hallway pierced with the moon's white rays. Clear crystals sat dimly in their crevices allowing the way to be blotted in shadows behind each pillar untouched by the shimmering light. From time to time, I thought I would see the crimson eye of my brother as he silently rose from the shadows to greet us like the spirit in the rumors. He always enjoyed such childish things like sneaking up on people just to see their reactions or getting even with Theo. Though I hated it when we were young, I am glad that side of him helped to keep him alive after so many years.
The sounds of fighting filled my ears as we were near the balcony that overlooked the northern entrance and held the moon's full attention. My heart quickened along with each step as I passed the maid who seemed too calm for the scene being played before us. I took notice of the silhouette of the ghost girl Zara as she stood watching a one-sided battle between Einor and the princess of all people. Her image shifted as her hand stopped at my chest, bidding me not to go further than here. Her wet hair glistened in the light but her eyes were smoldering coals longing for the forgotten ember.
"Our Lord," her voice was like the wind dancing between blades of grass, "issued the challenge and the Lepus girl accepted."
My mind turned to the scene as I noticed Einor carried no weapon and dodged without effort, "What challenge?"
Laughter came from behind us startling me to the point I reached for my sword only to remember it was left in the given room. "Lady Udreth," bowing as I continued, "forgive my disrespect."
"Rise Lady Strom," she chuckled, "we are not in court and I don't see any well dressed charlatans trying to stay in our good graces."
Doing what was asked, Lady Udreth stood beside me and watched the I'll efforts of her daughter trying to land a clean blow on Einor. "To answer your question," the Beastqueen muttered, "Ashe must land one hit on your brother to join in tomorrow's battle."
Einor had offered to deal with the Vaniel army waiting for their orders as the third option presented to us like it was an easy task. To be honest, I knew Einor could potentially do what he said, but at what cost. The Emperor of Vaniel would most definitely retaliate after finding out his troops along with his heir had been wiped out even more so to regain his image as an indomitable ruler. If that were to happen, then it was a matter of months before the great forests burned taking all inhabitants with it. This was but one of the reasons I wished to persuade my brother from this foolish endeavor.
My other reasoning was the fear of losing Einor in the battle just as I did during the fight with the ghoul. I knew he had a very strong will and stubbornness for survival but none knew how long such things would last. During the weeks he was comatosed, his heart had stopped five times the first day and continued to increase as the bone shrapnel was pried from his body. Three days were spent pulling free the bones buried deep into his chest and several more spent keeping him under close observation by Nyxis and Breura's healers. All I could do was watch as the healers and doctors rushed to his bedside only to watch in amazement as his heart began to beat once more.
"Tell me," Zara spoke breaking the silence, "why did you and the Beastking choose my Lord as a suitor?"
Queen Udreth looked at the ghost girl with a piercing eye yet it held no coldness within its gaze as if she expected such a question to be brought up. "Truthfully," she smiled turning her gaze back on the fight as Einor appeared behind Lady Udreth, "I for one wasn't so sure about my husband's scheme knowing the stories he told. I strongly tried to make him reconsider and go over the possible suitors within our own kingdom. As you can see, he never once budge from his decision even when the three of us were in bed."
Queen Udreth looked up into the starry night sky, "Many times have we argued about what could happen if Jackal realized who my husband was and the repercussions that would follow if things ended terribly."
"What," I stuttered, "what changed?"
Queen Udreth took a sip from the wine glass she held before answering, "I saw what kind of heart beated within his chest."
"For a few years now," she continued, "I have had one of my Crows stationed to observe your brother without the king's knowledge of course though I suspect he had a feeling of my actions."
She smiled tilting her head, "Like a mother bear, I'm very protective of my children and wanted to make sure that whoever the king wished to marry her would protect her without fail."
"So," Zara spoke up as Einor was on the defensive from a flurry of strikes, "is this why the princess is trying to earn the right to join the battle? In hopes to see that her brother comes back in one piece even after all he has done."
Queen Udreth didn't say anything as Einor's fist plunged deep into Lady Udreth's gut, sending her hunched forward and spit flowing from her mouth. The two stayed in place for a moment when her body began to crumble to the floor with the removal of the support only to be gently placed on the stone slab. Einor knelt beside Lady Udreth who began to breathe normally after the many failed attempts to land one strike upon his flesh, or so it seemed. Though small, I saw the gentle trail of crimson running from a scratch just underneath his left eye as it splashed upon contact with the stone below. The two shared a laugh before riding to their feet like the duel was a long forgotten memory.
"You still need work," Einor was the first to speak as the three of us joined them, "but you have enough determination to get you through tomorrow."
He turned to Zara, "That being said, I want someone watching over her at all times during the battle. I'll leave that decision up to you and the others, Zara."
With a bow, Zara's translucent body slowly faded away as if she were never truly there leaving wet footprints behind. Einor helped Lady Udreth to her feet and the two stared into each other's eyes before separating. I still didn't understand my brother's reasoning for saying that the three of us were his. I understood the reasoning behind saying such a thing about Nyxis and I but what brought on this change of heart about marriage. It was as if something happened to change his mind about the decision made without his knowledge.
Sighing, Einor turned and made his way over to the banister. "As promised," he spoke in a calm voice though I heard a hint of frustration, "I'll allow you the chance to make your brother see reason but be aware that if you fail, his life is forfeit."
Lady Udreth tore away from her mother's support and made her way to stand behind my brother, "I will not fail. Even if he has done cruel things and sought my demise, I will not allow him to become something Vaniel wants him to be."
Einor didn't say anything as both the queen and princess gave a slight nod before returning to the sheltered hallway free from the cold night air leaving us two siblings alone. Pulling my robe closer to keep the air free of my body, I made my way to stand next to Einor as he gazed up at the dazzling jewel that was the moon like he often did. Neither of us spoke as we stared in silence at the beauty of the crimson moon shrouded in a history all its own. The Watcher's Moon that marked the changing seasons once every fifty years and the birth of our mother. Today would have been her two hundredth winter and celebrated with the raising of glasses filled with her favorite red wine.
"I believe her voice guided me," Einor placed his hand on the railing, "back to the waking world when I was close to Death's doorstep."
I saw the slight tremble in his wrist as the ballad knuckles turned a much paler shade than its natural complexion. "I was so relieved," he whispered as a single tear ran the length of his cheek, "that even in death she still watched over me after being able to do nothing but watch them die. I felt so powerless, Veronica."
"It's quite alright," I whispered wrapping my arms around him, "mother and father willingly gave their lives to protect yours. A life ruined by our stupid decision to drive you into the pits of insanity. For that, I apologize."
Einor didn't say anything as we held onto one another for what felt like an eternity as the crimson moon rose to its peak. "Tell me," he whispered in a muffled tone tucked under the roars of celebration, "do you wish to know why?"
I smiled and released my brother before leaning back first against the railing so I could gaze into his mismatched eyes. Looking to the fluttering flag above, "I was curious about several things and wanted to try to talk you out of fighting tomorrow."
Einor just gave a sideways snicker as he hunched over the railing in a more relaxed posture than moments before. "Still trying to make up for lost time," he shook his head, "personally if our roles were reversed, I couldn't say what I would do but the effort is appreciated. After all, mother and father would make us hold onto one another until everything was alright once more."
"Aye," I chuckled at those times spent trying to figure out how to sneakily avoid mother's gaze and continue to play with the wooden dollhouse I was fawned of.
Shaking the memory, "Earlier when you said they are mine, were you including Lady Udreth as well?"
Einor smirked, "If you're asking if I reconsidered taking the little fox as a bride then yes; however, she is only a means to gain a strong ally."
I gave Einor a surprised glance and was about to say something when he pressed on, "That being said, I have no intention to treat her as simply a tool to achieve my goal but in a way more suited to her title of being my wife. We will not share a bed together before you even ask because there is no affection towards her though I will admit that I do enjoy her annoying demeanor."
Sighing, "I'm glad you don't see her as such. Even more so, I'm glad you're allowing such affection to bloom."
Einor didn't say anything as a large raven perched on his shoulder and began to nuzzle home like some stray dog looking for shelter. Orion had bursted through the glass window of the conference hall just to reach Einor after finding him moving around once more without hiderances. He had immediately shifted into the large dire wolf form frightening those unaware of such ability in the process. I had to calm Liliana a little after witnessing her uncle being pounced upon by a monster. She became calmer when Einor placed her on Orion's back and allowed her a pony ride.
"Tell me brother," I mustered the courage to ask for his reasoning, "why did you willingly offer your aid in helping Breura see more moons? Why willingly place your life on the line once more after almost losing it?"
At my words, Orion turned his amber eyes toward me with a carnivorous gaze as if contemplating gouging my eyes from their sockets. Einor patted his head as he spoke in a subtle tone, "Easy Orion, it's quite alright for her to ask such a thing."
Orion gave a quick glance before jumping from Einor's shoulder and changed into his human form. "Very well Father," Orion bowed to my brother like a servant would to their master, "if you'll excuse me, I'll go join the others. Maybe even find Akroq and Shz'rak for a fun duel."
Without looking back, Orion vaulted over the banister only to land feet first on a moving wagon headed towards the festivities. Whistling, "He's a free spirit underneath all that seriousness. Isn't he?"
Einor let out booming laughter before answering, "You should see him drinking people out of their gold."
We siblings shared a laugh like long ago before our paths diverged from one another only to be reunited once more. I went to both the Magic and Knights Academy in order to gain the strength and knowledge to bring him home. Countless pieces of gold left my person on all possible leads to find him out in the world. Many of which were merely traps laid by rouges seeking easy gold or a new toy for the night. Others were simply tall tales told around the campfire about a traveling spirit that slaughtered countless people all for the sake of revenge for those harmed.
[(It took several months just to triangulate the center of each story.)]
"Let me ask you a question this round," Einor's voice brought me from those days as his eyes gazed into mine, "how long has it been since the Beastmen truly celebrated being who they are? How long has it been since they last considered themselves something more than someone's property?"