The shores of O'Khasis were always one to gawk at. White sandy beaches, beautiful lush green cliffs of perfect shining stone, and waters that resembled the blue of lapis; it was no wonder to me even at a young age as to why people traveled from even the reaches of Pikoro to see them. From my family's ancestral home, we had the perfect view from the edge of the cliffs, the gardens ending right at the edge. It was where Edmund used to take off with his wyvern, Ungruth, making the spot in the gardens terrifying to some. But to me, it was probably the most interesting spot in the entire city. My brothers and I would spend hours there, sitting at the edge, letting our feet dangle over, giving our mother a heart attack in the process of it. Today was no different.

My brothers and I, with our honorary brother Ein, decided to spend the day in the gardens while our father was out with his hunting party. As we were too young at the time to join him and our mother had her own duties to attend to, we found that time would pass quickly there in the gorgeous courtyard. And as usual, we were probably playing too close to the edge. That particular day, Ein and I wanted to try out our new wooden play swords while Vylad took to his current craving project and Zane had his nose in some book. Admittedly, Ein and I were possibly a little too close to the edge, Zane even poking his head up to scold us; "If you two fall, I'm telling mother!"

"Trust me Zane. If we fall, I think you telling mother would be the least of our concerns," I teased, though stepping to the side to ease his worry and pulling Ein along with me.

I was the eldest, not being any older than ten-and-three at that. Zane was a year younger than me. Ein and Vylad were the same age, two years younger than Zane. So no wonder why I had little caution. My young mind never could grapple with the fact that I could actually fall.

"If you fell from that height, I read in a book that the impact on the water would actually be what killed you. And if you somehow survived, you'd drown due to broken bones," Vylad said, not even picking his gaze up from his small project. For the youngest of us, only two months shy of Ein, he was always the more mature one. Claimed it was because he had to grow up quicker which I found to be truthful as I got older and wiser.

"Can you try to be ten for once?" I joked with him.

"Can you try to be thirteen, for once?" He shot back, a smirk though coming to his lips.

Ein and I returned to whatever game we were playing. I may have been the oldest of us but that didn't mean I gave any of them an easier time. Since I had to be a foot or two taller than Ein, it was an easy win and when I knocked him to the ground, he whined and cried, saying; "Not fair Garroth! You always beat me!"

"Maybe try getting better," I offered, helping him up to his feet again. "Want to go another round?"

"I want a break," He huffed, taking a seat next to Zane and Vylad under a tree. I gave a light hearted laugh, leaning on my sword the same way I would watch the knights in the training yard do. I thought I was the coolest guy there at that moment. Still, Ein looked dejected as he said; "Besides, my father isn't going to come after all. No need to practice my swordsmanship."

My pride fell, letting myself turn it off for the sake of his feelings and immediately asked; "What happened?"

Zane and Vylad had dropped what they were doing as well, looking concerned for our friend as he shrugged his shoulders sadly to say; "You know. Just could not pull himself away. He is ruling a kingdom and all."

I grunted, tossing my sword into the air and catching it as I simply put; "To the nether with him then."

"Garroth, stop!" Zane shouted once again. "You cannot be saying those types of things about other regal families! Especially as an heir!"

I gave my younger brother an exaggerated pouty look, making Vylad spurt out a laugh. A sound I always did try to strive for. I went on to say; "Do you see the old man anywhere? No. So I'll say what I'll say."

That broke a laugh from Zane and Ein, thankfully, dropping any form of anger or frustration towards me. I loved to make my brothers laugh. It was the only way to loosen them up. Each one of us was always so tense and stressed most days. So the moments when it was just the four of us, it was refreshing to say the least and I cherish them.

"But, to be serious for a moment," Zane said, calming down his laughter; "you soon can't be saying that any longer. With you reaching a mature age, many people will be looking to you to be mature and level-headed. Like an heir. You can't be making petty insults to people in power."

I took a moment to ponder about that, already knowing he was right. Still, it didn't sit right with me. It never did. Why should I try my best to appease other Kings, Queen, Lords, and Ladies when they themselves judge me for every little thing? Hell, why surround myself with them?

So, to make my point but also satisfy my younger brother, I gave a solution. "Seems to me then, I'll be needing a boat."

"A boat?" Vylad asked, tilting his head, a grin still plastered on his face that made his emerald green eyes glisten even in the foggy afternoon.

I nodded proudly. "Yes. A boat. When I'm Lord, I'll buy us a boat and every summer, the four of us will travel the coastline of Ru'an. Even Tu'la and Yggdrasil if we so please. There, we can talk all we like about how the people in court annoy us. Where no one can hear us, since we'll be out to sea."

"Oh be serious–" Zane began but, I interrupted by insisting; "I am! We'll sail the seas, eat the fattest foods, and drink the finest wines! And you know me, I never jest about food..."

The four of us joined in laughter after a moment's pause, all of us agreeing then and there that it was a deal. We'd all, each summer, sail around the seas and partake in our company. A nice break from the hells we'd probably be living. Unfortunately, it would never become a reality and I'd only see it in my dreams.

—

I stared into the eyes of my brother, Zane. The five years since I'd seen him last made me look hardened and cold. Though, it could mostly be because of the circumstances we were both in. How else was he supposed to react to me being alive, I suppose. I stood there frozen, unable to speak or move, just listening to the painful silence and the crashing of waves on the sandy beach. What made it worse is the confused gaze from Aphmau just a few feet in front of me. I couldn't tell what exactly she was thinking. Was she disgusted with me? Angry? Wanting to slap me upside the head? I have no clue but, I would not curse her out on any of them. She was valid for thinking so.

Unfortunately, for me, my biggest concern was Zane who still hadn't broken his glare towards me. When the wind blew, the hair over his right eye would dance along with it, revealing the scar of a riding accident we had when we were children. If the injury was just two inches to the left, his eye would have been permanently blinded. I remember it was the first time in my life that I was genuinely terrified. Now, that seemed to be an everyday occurrence.

"Zane," I finally built up the courage to say; "please, let me explain. None of this—"

"What is there to explain? That for five years you've been here, on the other side of the realm, playing swords like a child?" Zane stopped me, sounding agitated and impatient.

Aphmau stepped forward, giving her own forceful tone as she said; " Rowan is not a child and very well—"

"I'm not speaking to you," Zane snapped, raising his hand and giving a petty look. Something he was always talented at doing. "This is a conversation between family members. One who's very much alive and well and the other I can't decide is the same or a walking ghost before my eyes, fooling everyone around him!"

"Zane, that's what I'm trying to explain to you right now. If you just take a moment to calm down, I'll tell you everything and maybe then—" I began, stepping forward to perhaps alleviate any frustrations but that only seemed to make it worse.

Once I was in arms length, he slapped away any form of contact and took a couple steps back. He sneered at me, his white teeth blaring in the moonlight under his thin, translucent mask. He shouted; "What? That I will somehow understand the insanity that you call logic? Find that your secret life here isn't some sick prank you're playing on me? Our family?"

"I-It wasn't meant to be—"

"Enough!" He yelled, silencing me and even the waves it seemed. He looked me dead in the eyes, pondering for a second as his lips twisted and turned. As if he really was deciding if this was all some joke that was being played on him. After a few moments, he turned to Aphmau, saying in a commanding voice that I've never heard from him before; "Lady Aphmau, you have till daybreak to hand over your Head Guard to my own guards to deliver him back to O'Khasis. If not, our region will have no choice but to declare war, seeing this as an act of treason."

"Zane, that's ridiculous! She hasn't done anything," I urged him.

But he ignored me, instead replying with; "Trust me brother, I think you'd rather have me tell our father that you were kidnapped or coerced into coming here rather than you having psychotic thoughts of chivalry and sacrifice."

His gaze fell back on Aphmau as he cemented; "You heard what I said. You seem to have a head on your shoulders, even if you...canoodle with your own help. Daybreak or I ride off without him and declare war. Perhaps you can make this easy and have him come with me now and—"

"No," Aphmau downright said, looking at my brother straight on. If wasn't so hesitant and petrified of what was happening in front of me, I'd be impressed.

Still, though, I stepped forward gently saying; "Aphmau, stop, it's fine. I'll just—"

"You heard me. I told you both no," She insisted, dragging me back behind her this time by the wrist. This then resulted in her shielding me, never breaking her stare from Zane. "Even if I was the Lady of this village, you wouldn't be allowed to take Rowan Withers. He made an oath to protect this place and the inhabitants here. His job isn't done yet. He belongs here."

Zane then cracked a smirk, relaxing slightly as he coolly said; "But, you see, Garroth Ro'Meave made an oath by birth to serve his duty to not only O'Khasis but the realm. Let's see, Aphmau, which one fate and the gods deem more important."

He then looked at me one last time and simply put; "I hope you make the right decision. Probably the first right one in a long time."

And with that he turned on the heels of his boots, the sand falling in around them, and was off back towards the steps. I watched as he made his way, another man approaching to meet him at the top of the steps. I was quick to identify him as Ein. I felt my conscience being ripped in two, wanting nothing more than to stay there on the sand yet, wanting to make it right with them. The look Ein casted upon me made it all the more nightmarish. The two then disappeared into the night, leaving me alone with Aphmau once again.

I felt her hand slowly fall from my wrist down to my hand, her fingers locking with mine. She remained silent, staring forward at where Zane and Ein had just gone. I stood there gazing at her, anxiously awaiting her response to the scene that just played out. When the silence remained a few moments longer, I finally spoke;

"Aphmau, he's right. I should go. It's what's right."

She closed her eyes, the grip on my hand getting tighter as she took a deep breath. When she opened her eyes again, I saw pools of tears building inside them, breaking me even deeper. But as she turned to me, a small smile grew on her face. Her eyes showed empathy and understanding, something that I had prayed that Zane would be like, and for that I knew I was eternally grateful to her. She spoke softly, as if not to frighten me to say; "I'm not allowing it."

I frowned, finding everything hard to believe at the moment but, I knew one thing was true; "I don't think we have much of a choice in this, Aph."

"We do. We're going to try," She insisted, squeezing my hand again. She then turned and began to tug me along with her as she said; "You're staying at my home tonight."

"A-Aphmau I don't think that's necessary—"

"I'm not letting you sleep alone in that guard station. Not when your safety is being threatened," She spoke firmly, side glancing at me as she continued along.

It seemed to me that any ounce of control I had in this situation was gone. That may be fair. Obviously, I had made one too many bad decisions to let something like this happen. Aphmau continued to lead me back to home where I assumed correctly that I wouldn't be getting that much sleep anyways.