Elder Born

2. Regent-2

When the phantom screams filling William’s head finally ceased, he sank to his knees, whimpering in relief at the blessed silence. A familiar voice spoke to him out of the grey fog that surrounded him.

It’s all right William, I’m sorry we left you. You burnt off Aaron’s sleeping draught faster than expected.

Arms pulled him into an embrace and William felt himself tremble as relief washed over him; he rested his head, unresisting, on his brother’s shoulder, accepting the shelter and comfort for what it was. He laughed suddenly, remembering all the times he’d comforted Alex when he had been a boy. Now it seemed the tables had turned. He opened his eyes and watched in awe as the bleak nothingness that had surrounded him was replaced in a wave rippling out from Alex. His nightmare—the giant birds of prey, the blood and the spectres of those who’d fallen to protect him—banished, being replaced by a peaceful glade. Tall trees, rushing water from a river, the sweet songs of birds, dappled light filtering through the trees and a soft warm breeze wafting through.

Where are we?

William was perplexed. As lovely as this place was he didn’t recognise it at all.

You transported yourself into the veil. It brought your nightmare to life around you. We’re still in the veil but I thought you might find this place a little better. It’s a recreation of a glade in the deep forest near that inn that you tracked me to.

William felt himself relax, he pulled away from Alex and found he was suddenly leaning against a log that he could’ve sworn hadn’t been there a moment before. He shrugged, guessing that if Alex could spin this whole glade from the veil, he could create a convenient log to lean on. They sat in silence. William took a deep breath and felt muscles he hadn’t realised were tense slowly relax.

Is it wrong to wish I could stay forever? Hide from the duty birth compels?

William heard the almost wistful tone in his voice and smiled at himself.

Alex turned to look at him.

No. You won’t though, you just need time to heal. Your survival instinct kicked in, ripping a part of your mind that you didn’t use wide open all at once. It’s a lot to take in as suddenly as this has all happened.

William grimaced.

You seemed to cope through all of this.

Alex chuckled. Oh, don’t worry, I wallowed in self-pity enough for the both of us growing up.

You had reason to rebel, Alex.

William tilted his head to one side, looking at his little brother who seemed to have grown up, leaving behind his youthful reckless behaviour. He appeared calmer, more self-assured, the image of the man he was always destined to be shining through—the man William had never doubted Alex would be.

Alex snorted. I’ve been an arse.

Perhaps just a little. William couldn’t help but laugh at Alex’s newfound self-deprecation.

Honestly, William, you are doing well. Unlike you I don’t remember a time when I couldn’t hear everyone talking in my head. Alex looked at him soberly.

William felt his eyes widen with the implication of Alex’s calm statement. He closed his eyes, remembering Alex screaming in terror as a child, awake or asleep, night or day. He’d thought… They all had thought that it was due to witnessing their mother’s death. It had never occurred to him or anyone that Alex heard the tormented cries of the others with the Taint, the Sundered Ones. William shuddered; he was an adult and knew what was happening, yet it was enough to drive him to madness. To imagine a child having to face this... William felt horror wash over him. He’d thought he knew what his brother had been going through. Now he realised that he’d had no idea at all.

I’m sorry, Alex. I didn’t understand.

Mother used to maintain a shield on me, before she died. Or left. I think I learned to block them out instinctively after that for self-preservation. Alex shuddered, a pained expression flicking across his face. Aaron also did his best, but I think I broke through his efforts even as a kid.

William closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then pushed himself up, looking around.

I never wanted to be this. I still don’t.

Alex looked at him apologetically and stood up, slapping him on the back. Then you’ll be relieved to know, you’re still not. You have all the pain and confusion, with few of the benefits.

William turned his gaze back to Alex, looking for any sign he was lying to him.

I won’t turn into you?

William nearly held his breath as he realised how rude and petulant that had sounded even in his own head. He relaxed, ducking his head and grinning sheepishly as Alex laughed.

No William, Aaron says you have a little more power than you did; you’ll heal a little better, enough to make you Kin but not that much more. I’m surprised you had enough power to even get into the veil. Please don’t do this again.

William grinned, then looked around, perplexed. Don’t worry, I don’t know how I got here in the first place. I should probably get back.

Your dramatic disappearance caused a major stir. Horns were blowing, guards were slamming through the palace room by room and thundering out the gates. Kyle and Jess have convinced them all you are fine for now, but I think you are right. It is best you get back before we try their patience too far.

William felt Alex’s power envelop him, and he shuddered at the sudden cold as they moved through the veil, nothing but a grey blur of motion before they appeared back in his room. He realised in that stillness that Alex was shielding his mind, yet upon stepping out of the veil he found he was the focus of many outraged eyes glaring at him.

The commotion that ensued wasn’t the type of voices that Alex could block from his mind, however, and he had to endure it patiently. William traded a rueful glance with Alex and contemplated asking his brother to take him back to the sanctuary before deciding against it. The others would only get more agitated and at least two of them were quite capable of tracking them down in the veil. He would have to face the music sometime, and it might as well be now.