Chapter 4: The Brother

Sileese, Outside Zaxon, 764

Mjolnir did not cut through the forces of Sileese as easily as those of Munster. Their pegasi and wind mages were far better suited to dealing with Bloom's thunder magic. Alvis and Danann were by his side, however. No force, no matter how strong, could stand a chance against three holy weapons.

A young pegasus rider endured an attack from Mjolnir. Bloom was so surprised, he didn't even react when she rushed and jabbed at him with her spear. The attack bounced off him and for the first time he was thankful for the bulky armour. The pegasus knight scowled with frustration as she circled round again for another strike. Before she could reach him again, he blasted her with a second strike of Mjolnir. This time she was sent flying off her mount. She fell ten feet and landed in the snow.

Bloom approached her with caution. She lay on the ground, with a look of fury on her face. She was clearly using every bit of will power to move, however she was too injured to do anything but shake feeble. For a long moment Bloom stared at her, stared into those eyes, filled with so much hate. All around him pegasi fell from the sky and bursts of magic tore through human and armour alike. This girl was like the rest of them, just another soldier, yet Bloom knew, even before he ended it, that this kill would be more personal than any before, even more so than the prisoners of Melgen. "I'm sorry," he whispered. In the last instant, the girl's eyes widened, the hatred vanished, leaving only shock and fear. Mjolnir utterly destroyed her, leaving a corpse no one would recognise.

Sileese, Castle Sileese, 764

It had been late summer when Alvis disclosed the location of Bloom's sister. They both agreed that an invasion of Sileese was necessary, but neither relished the idea of launching an attack before winter. Sileese had never been invaded before. With their high mountains and air support, it made for a very difficult country to move through for a foreign army. Grannvale attacked in late spring, just as the snows were melting, prepared for a long, protracted war. They hoped to seize castle Sileese before autumn, ready to weather the winter there if the royal family retreated northwards. For months they planned supply routes and ways to cut off the enemy's escape. It all turned out to be a waste. King Lewyn called for surrender after a single battle.

He asked for Danann, Alvis and Bloom to come to Sileese castle with only a single squadron to negotiate the terms of the surrender. Danann was adamant that it was a trap. He urged Alvis to ignore the summons and move their entire army into position. Alvis was uncertain and asked Bloom for advice. With the death of the pegasus knight still fresh in his mind, Bloom voiced his opinion that they should do as King Lewyn advised. "It took almost five years to conquer Isaach," Bloom reminded them. "Munster, less than one. I think if we do as they ask, we could control Sileese in a month. If we ignore them, continue this fight, then the conflict could end up even longer than Isaach. We've done the projections, there's little way we can take the northern territories from them." Alvis agreed and they set out.

The throne room of Castle Sileese was cold. Great big windows adorned each side of it, showing the full length and breadth of the countryside outside. Although they were rather high up, there was no wind. It was as if the cold seeped in without a current of air to carry it. King Lewyn's appearance was strange. He leaned on the side of his throne, with one hand grasping his face. It was only when they stopped approaching, did he seem to realize they were there. He used his hand to brush away a lock of dark green hair and looked at them. He was approximately the same age as Bloom, but, like Alvis, there was a strange depth to his eyes, a maturity that seemed at odds with his youthful appearance.

The look of a king? Bloom wondered. Will I look like that when I take my position as King of Munster? No. His eyes aren't quite the same as Alvis'. He seems even older, almost ancient.

"Welcome, descendants of the crusaders," Lewyn said.

Alvis stepped forward. "I was glad to receive your summons," he said. "I hope we can put this ugly mess behind us, for the sake of both Grannvale and Sileese."

"Oh?" said Lewyn. "Were you not afraid it was a trap? After all, the trap you laid for me is still very fresh in mind."

"What?" Alvis said, clearly startled.

"The Battle of Barhara," Lewyn said. "Or should I say the Massacre of Barhara?"

Alvis lowered his head so his eyes looked up at Lewyn from below his furrowed brow. "You were there?"

"I was." He gestured to the throne room. "As you can see, I was more fortunate than most. I managed to escape, though I doubt I'll ever forget the smell of burning flesh."

Bloom leaned closer to Alvis and whispered in his ear. "What did he mean about a trap?"

"Did he not tell you?" Lewyn asked, somehow hearing the whisper from several feet away. "They told us the war was over, that the conspirators were killed." Lewyn laughed. "We were such fools. We believed every word. It felt so good to think our fighting was done. And then your precious Emperor turned on us, without warning. We stood no chance. We weren't prepared."

Bloom moved his gaze between Alvis and Lewyn. "Is this true?"

"It was the only way," Alvis said. Bloom had never seen him look more serious. "It was the only way to end the fighting. I couldn't best Sigurd's army in combat. I had to use strategy."

"And why couldn't the lie be truth?" Lewyn asked, a sad smile on his face. "Why couldn't you have just welcomed us back with open arms like you said?"

"Sigurd was a traitor," Alvis said. "He was coming to conquer the kingdom. Or would you claim it a lie that he was sheltering prince Shannon of Isaach?"

"He was sheltering a child," Lewyn whispered.

"Enough of this," said Danann. "Have you come here to voice your grievances, or to negotiate your surrender?" Danann's palm rested lightly on Helswath at his side.

"You have a beautiful holy weapon," Lewyn said. "I do too." He thrust his cape aside and revealed the book of Forseti in his hand. Bloom took this as a threat and grabbed hold of Mjolnir, beside him, Alvis was similarly reaching for Valflame.

"None of you attack until he does," Alvis hissed.

"Oh I won't attack, Lewyn said. "I could kill one, maybe two of you, but that wouldn't be enough."

"Then put your weapon down," Alvis ordered, his voice filled with power and authority.

Lewyn suddenly let out a gasp and clutched at his face. Forset dropped out of his hand and fell to the floor. One of the king's aids quickly picked it up and placed it back in his hand. This display of weakness caused Bloom and Danann to relax, but Alvis still stood battle ready.

"Unlike you," Lewyn muttered, after he had regained his composure, "it saddens me when humans die. I do not wish for this conflict to continue. Allow Sileese to become a vassal state, similar to Thracia. That is all I ask."

"And what would that entail?" Alvis asked.

"You leave me in power. Send some representatives from Grannvale to oversee my actions and ensure they do not threaten your empire."

"Ha!" said Danann. "He just wants to maintain his own position."

"And," Lewyn continued, "amnesty for all the so called rebels who fought against you in the past."

"We cannot grant amnesty to those who wish to destroy us," Alvis said.

"We've lost," Lewyn said. "We know we've lost. None of us wish your country any harm. We only desire our lives."

"You might not, but there are plenty of escaped rebels that are not in Sileese, I'm sure. Unless you happen to be hiding Prince Shannon of Isaach here."

"You're harbouring my sister," Bloom said. "I want her back."

"To do what with her?" Lewyn asked. "Hang her? Set her on fire?"

"I just want her to return to her family."

"She doesn't want to go back."

"She's a child. She doesn't know what she wants."

Lewyn laughed. "It's been a long time since you've seen Tailtyu, hasn't it? She's no more a child than you or I."

"This is ridiculous," Danann said. "You want us to simply forgive the ones who tried to conquer our kingdom. No deal. Alvis, let's go. We can crush this insect on the battlefield and seize the rebels ourselves."

Lewyn massaged his forehead with his free hand. "I might not be able to defeat you in combat, but I can make this war very difficult for you. Refuse my terms, and the next time you see your children, they'll be adults."

"Amnesty," Alvis said, "for all the rebels in Sileese, except Tailtyu."

Lewyn's eyes narrowed. "Why her?"

"Because my dear friend Bloom here misses his sister very much."

"I refuse," said Lewyn.

Alvis smiled. "Alright then, if not her, then your wife."

Lewyn almost stood out of his chair. His eyes widened with anger, for the first time they seemed to match his face. "You bastard."

"Your wife was a rebel too. Did you think I didn't know?"

"You didn't know I was at the Massacre," Lewyn growled.

"No, I didn't know you were at the Battle of Barhara. But I did know you were one of Sigurd's rebels. Was she there too? Does the stench of burning flesh still haunt her?"

"Shut up!"

"She'll smell it again if you force me to go to war. Even if it takes a century, I'll see your country-"

"Enough!" Lewyn slammed his fist against the throne. "Very well then, take Tailtyu if it'll satisfy you."

Alvis smiled and bowed. "I hope you don't mind if I have one of my men write up the terms of your surrender. I trust they will satisfy you."

Lewyn waved his hand. "Be gone, before I change my mind!"

Alvis turned on his heel and began walking out. "Danann, you're in charge of things here," he said. "Bloom, go find your sister."

"And what will you be doing while we're running things?" Danann asked.

"I'm going on a trip. Don't ask me where, it's none of your concern. I'll meet you back at the capital when I'm done."

Sileese, Mountain Village, 764

Spring was not coming to the world as quickly in the place where Tailtyu had chosen to hide. Fields of bright green grass were still covered in large patches of snow. Bloom saw her, even before he entered the village. She was playing with a young child on the hill side, encouraging it to walk. The child's hair was silvery grey, just like Tailtyu's, and just like his own.

She looks happy, he noted. What am I even doing? Do I have the right to tear her away from this place? Lewyn was right, she's an adult now.

She's a noble of Friege, another part of him said. She should not live in a shack on a mountainside. Her child should not be forced to grow up without their due heritage.

Bloom had only brought a small retinue of soldiers. Tailtyu didn't notice them approach until they were nearly upon her. When she looked up, there was a moment's pause. Shock plastered her face as she realised who Bloom was. He wasn't sure what she would do, she didn't seem certain either, but then she picked up the child and started running.

He had not come here in his armour, but he always had Mjolnir on hand. He shot a bolt of lightning. It missed Tailtyu by several meters, but it still clearly sent the message he had intended. She stopped running.

"Father is dead," he said to her, after closing the distance between them. He wasn't sure what else to day.

"I know," she whispered. "I was there when it happened."

"You made it happen." He had not intended it, but his words were an accusation.

"He was…" Tailtyu started to speak, but her voice trailed off. "He killed the prince."

This was new information to Bloom, but it didn't faze him. Deep down, he had suspected it all along. "You think that matters? You think any of that matters?" He spread his arms out wide. "This is what matters. Family. It doesn't matter if he was a traitor. He was our father." Bloom knocked on his own chest. "He was our blood, the blood of Tordo."

"What are you going to do to me?" Tailtyu asked quietly.

"You're coming back to Friege with me. We'll figure out what happens after that."

Tailtyu shook her head. "No Bloom, please. I'm happy here, I have a life. I help them milk the goats and feed-"

"You are no milk maid," Bloom interrupted her. "Having children with commoners."

Tailtyu held the toddler close to her. "He wasn't a commoner." The beginnings of tears were forming in her eyes.

"So you had a child with a rebel then."

"We weren't rebels! Sigurd was innocent."

"Sigurd is dead. Everything he did or didn't stand for died with him. History has declared him a rebel, and so he is."

"How can you say that?"

"Because the Empire is at peace!" Bloom tried to calm himself. "Things are good and right and just now. If you and Sigurd must be seen as rebels for that to happen, then so be it. We can't change the past, all we can do is make a better future, for our children." Bloom offered his hand out to her. "Come with me, dear sister. Let us not make the mistakes our father made. Return with me to Friege, Ethnia misses you."

"Don't pretend I have a choice," Tailtyu cried. "How can you say all those things? This village isn't as quiet as it seems. Peace! I've heard about the wars you've fought. You call that peace?"

"That's all behind us," he told her. "There's no one left to fight. Alvis and I have united the continent. The whole world belongs to us. We've done what father couldn't. The people in the streets of Grannvale praise our name."

"You think you're any better than father? You're exactly like him. All he cared about was his own power too. How he could shape the world to suit him."

"I'm nothing like him," Bloom whispered. "I care about family. That's what I've tried to prove by coming here."

"Well you shouldn't have. I don't want you, Bloom. I don't ever want to see you again."

Bloom still had his hand offered to her. He lowered it now and closed it into a fist. "Well that's too bad. Because you're right. You don't have a choice. Seize her. And make sure you don't hurt the child."