"I fear so," his comrade said. "So it does seem that our great hope, comrade, is the flickering of a small candle. Or perhaps better, a small fla. So barely lit tinder. It could blow out at any second. And one can see him struggling. He uses who he once was, in an attempt to solve the problems of who he now is. But in doing so, he goes against Claudia, and falls into the realm of corruption."
The knight felt sick. So burdens, he realized he did not want. "Ought we that understand, then, not to help?"
"You are of the sa mind as , Edward. I knew you would be. An honourable man you are. Now you understand why it is that I called you here," his comrade said. "I would have you go to him, and give him counsel."
"? Why not you? You’re far better placed."
"I am not," his comrade said sadly. "Trust brother, I would if I could."
"...Very well. You have always kept your word to . But why , why not soone else?"
"Because you have suffered brother."
A startled twitch from the knight, as his comrade finally turned to him. An understanding in his pale blue eyes, an imnse understanding. "I know of the comrades you lost in your battling, yet you have endured all this ti. You have suffered imnsely, brother, and I know not how you still stand."
Tears welled up in the corner of the man’s eyes. "Jed, brother, say it not. If you point it out, I will not be able to keep a handle on it."
"You need not to, brother," his comrade said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "You need not to."
He pulled him into an embrace, and the knight was unable to help the tears that ca pouring down onto the surcoat and armour of his brother, or the wracks of pain that ran through his body, as his spirit rembered all the tensions of the past years, and all the many tis he’d had to drag himself back from the very brink of despair.
The understanding in his brother’s embrace told the knight all he needed to know. His comrade too had endured. He looked the sa man, but he was not. There was a maturity there, and a jadedness that went along with his hope.
"Apologies, brother," Edward said, after a ti, when he had gathered himself. "The years, it would seem, were tougher than I realized."
"You did well, brother," Jed said. "Warm yourself by the fire, and see yourself recovered. Look upon Oliver Patrick, and see him guided, and he in turn will help you, as the watching of him has helped . He is consud by the pressure of his position, but we will see him supported. We will ensure the flickering candle fla that he presents does not die out."
"Where will I find him?"
"Ernest," Jed said with certainty. "King Erson could have told you that. The man wanted to march with him, to see King Patrick slain, but I refused."
"What? I had thought they were allies now – was that not what you said in your letter?"
"They were."
"A betrayal, then?"
"Indeed. King Patrick made a request for troops, but King Erson saw a weakened man. He doubted the young man’s ability to find success in the Capital. He thought it to be a surer bet to see him killed. Perhaps there is wisdom in that. But what he sees is an Oliver Patrick flickering as a candle fla, as he desperately holds on to all that he was, and allows corruption in his heart for it. Once he learns, brother, and has the courage to adapt... King Erson’s bet will seem one of the most foolish choices in Stormfront history."
"King Patrick will prevail," Edward said. He that knew Claudia so well could be certain of it, even if the others were still full of doubts. His heart spoke the truth of it. "What of you, though, brother? How fair you, in going against King Erson – the very man who only just recently made you a Lord?"
"Poorly, I am afraid. He has sat in prison," Jed said with a wry smile, as if it were a joke.
Edward laughed at it, not understanding. "Surely not, brother. You’re here with ."
"The part of that matters is. I had a promise to keep, didn’t I? I told you I would et with you, no matter what, even if I could only do it for a short ti. Though, I did leave a good deal behind in that cell."
"What do you an to say..?" Edward said, suddenly frightened. "Don’t tell you an to go again, brother?"
"The Gods force it of , I’m afraid," Jed said, without a trace of fright. "Forgive , brother. I made this promise, and I had to ensure that it was kept, no matter the cost. I had to be sure that I would see you once more."
He put a hand on Edward’s shoulder and squeezed it. "Be strong, comrade," he said, as he stood up. "Forgive for the fact that I could not do more for you. You have suffered, in the sa way that Oliver Patrick has – and like he, the large brunt of it will be borne in silent darkness, with none to praise it. But know that I see it, brother, and I love you for it. You have a strength beyond the Boundaries, and I have the most imnse of beliefs in you."
As he stood there, Edward could have sworn that his presence almost felt like it was growing dim. It was likely just the tears in his eyes, but he could have sworn that he was growing transparent too.
"Brother... please... after all these years, after all these years, what did we have together? A re thirty minutes?" Edward said. "Brother, I can’t bear it. What was my struggle worth, if there is rely this? Please, brother, do not leave ."
"I am sorry, brother," Jed said. "Truly. If I were stronger, I would have done more... You deserve more, far better. But I will keep watch on you brother, from that realm where we can watch for all eternity. I will greet your parents that left before you on your behalf."
Reviews
All reviews (0)