Chapter 21

Cailin/Silence

I let the guards carry me away without any trouble. Really though, what would have been the point since there was absolutely no way I could escape them anyway. Besides, at least now I would be able to see my brother, granted I wished the circumstances could have been a little better.

I admit that my eyes were stinging, holding back tears brought on by Varien's manner. I guess I should have anticipated that he would have been angry when he learned who I really was, but then again I sort of hoped he never would. It was far easier being Silence. I could be carefree, and without worry of my social status, or acting upper-class since I was free to do whatever I pleased. In some ways I felt as if I was more acceptable as a nurse maid then I was as a Princess now. Ever since I came to Trevallyn and saw how brave and strong Leyrn was I realized that I could hardly compare myself to her. I was vain and spoiled and didn't really do anything to help my people, at least not in a tangible way. Yes, it was true that they loved me, but I had never really done anything to earn it.

Laughing I realized that I would probably never have the chance to. It was funny how the world worked.

When we reached the dungeon I was tossed inside by a guard I had never seen before. Undoubtedly all of those guards whom Leyrn trusted the most were not put in charge of me, Tsadran was far too paranoid for that. He knew that I could incriminate him, that we all could. My survival was not part of the plan. Neither, I supposed, was Raleigh's, but at least in the end my brother was only one, extremely biased voice. But us together, and my scars, were a much more formidable enemy. He probably also hadn't counted on Leyrn's opinion either, and to top it off, he didn't even know about Kell's existence. If he did find out though there was sure to be trouble.

I only hoped that Leyrn was going to be alright, since when I had left her brother didn't seem entirely pleased with her. But compared to my impending execution her fate didn't concern me as much. I knew Varien would never harm her, even as angry as he probably was.

Raleigh was asleep when I reached his cell. Seeing him again made me glow with happiness, despite my upsetting circumstances. I wanted to wake him up, but since I doubted he managed to get much sleep in the prison I hated to deny him what little sleep he managed to steal.

Since there was only the one cot in the cell we were being held in I curled up in a ball in a corner and tried to sleep myself, though I just ended up staring off into the dark space for a while as I listened to my brother breathing. After a while he woke up, and so as to not startle him I kept quite for a minute, until he noticed my shape in the corner of his cell. I suppose he was so used to every stone in it that anything amiss would be simple for him to spot.

"Who's there?" He asked, as surprised as I thought he'd be. The sound of his voice made me want to cry with happiness I had missed him so much. I was afraid to speak. He thought I was dead, and I wasn't sure what to even say to him.

"Raleigh..." I whispered softly, uncurling from the ball I was in.

"...It can't be...Cailin..." He murmured, standing up so fast he could have been lightning.

"Brother I'm so relieved you're alright." I said with a smile and got up to greet him. Now that my eyes had adjusted to the light level I could see him clearly and as glad as I was to see him, I almost wished I hadn't at all. The look on his face made me sad, it was like he didn't recognize me despite the fact that he knew my voice. I knew he couldn't possibly be proud of how I looked anymore, and my vanity did not like that idea very much. Nevertheless he was my brother, and after a moment he was certain at who I was. I saw the light glistening of tears on his face as he embraced me so hard I could barely breathe.

"Oh Raleigh it's alright...I'm alright." I muttered into his ear. We stayed there like that for a while. There was so much that we could have said, but none of it was really necessary – not anymore.

"I had such hope Cailin, I knew you were singing." He said after releasing me with a smile.

"Well I couldn't very well just let you be all alone down here now could I? But then again I hear tell you haven't been alone anyway." I teased, reaching up to ruffle his dark hair. He winced.

"Just where exactly have you been getting your information from?" He laughed.

"I have my ways. You didn't honestly think you could hide anything from me did you?" He hugged me tightly again. He never asked what I had been doing with myself for the past while. Now wasn't really the time, and frankly I don't think that he even wanted to know. I did, however, ensure to mention that it was Leyrn who rescued me from death, and who kept me safe. I left Varien completely out of all discussion. He was the last person I really wanted to think about at the moment.

Unfortunately he didn't feel the same way. Obviously the crown prince was thinking about me, and they must not have been very good thoughts.

I was sitting on the cot next to Raleigh, my head on his shoulder, when Varien walked in, a stoic expression on his face.

"I suppose you had a touching reunion?" He drawled emotionlessly from outside the cell. I couldn't help but notice he refused to look at me while he was speaking.

"Indeed." I replied, standing up so he would have no choice. "It would be a whole lot better with a few scented pillows though. Such a shame you haven't furnished the rooms that way."

"Very funny." He retorted. From behind me I heard Raleigh scoff in disbelief. I doubted he would have expected such behaviour from me, and to be honest, I didn't expect it from myself.

"I am here, under my father's legislation, to listen to any last wishes you may have before your execution date." He said. Raleigh wasn't as amused by that comment. I had neglected to tell him about the little bargain I had made with Tsadran.

"You want to know what my wish is? Well I suppose first of all it would be not to die, but since you are far too stubborn to acknowledge what you know is the truth I guess that wish cannot be carried out. All I ask is that you think about all of the lies Shae is telling you – Tsadran too. They are poisoning you Varien, and they will continue to backstab you throughout your marriage, if they even let you live long enough."

"Are you suggesting it was them that poisoned my father?" He asked, his eyebrow raised.

"No! Your father was old and very sick, and as much as it pains me to suggest it, perhaps it was just his time to go. Nightshade poisoning? It would take far more then one dose of it to do any damage, and the symptoms would have been visible weeks ago. Your father has been ill for a long time. You knew his death was coming, you told me so. It is just convenient for Shae to lie to you about it in order to get her way."

"And what makes you any different?" He demanded angrily now. His cool demeanour was ebbing away.

"You lied to get what you wanted from me. You're no better then her."

"And what was it you think I wanted?"

"You didn't care about me! I don't know what your goal was, I'm just glad I wasn't fool enough to fall into your trap any further!" His words stung, and it took a great effort for me not to cry. I could tell Raleigh was confused but it wasn't as if I could stop and explain things to him at the moment.

"If you want to believe that go ahead. I won't tell you my motive since you won't listen to me anyway. Now if there is nothing else Your Highness, please leave and give me my last day in peace."

"As you wish." He spat, and left without another word. When I heard him leave completely I rushed to the cot and buried my head in the pillow to mask my crying. Raleigh didn't say anything, he just stroked my back for a minute like he used to when we were children. When I had decided I couldn't cry anymore I got up and wiped off my eyes.

"I only wanted to be his friend." I said. "He looked so angry all of the time. I just wanted to help."

"As much as I don't want to hear it, I think you should tell me what happened Cailin." He answered firmly. He wasn't really giving me a choice in the matter, and so I explained everything that had happened to me since the attack of our home, I didn't leave out anything but some of the more personal moments in the tower with Varien. He didn't need to hear that.

"That jerk! How can he treat you like that?" Raleigh demanded, his hackles raised on my account."

"Don't call him that. He's just suffering right now, and not just because of me. He has to marry Shae Golgern."

Raleigh shuddered. "I'd be suffering too."

I laughed a little, easing the tension that had built up in the room.

"Cailin, you realize I won't let you die for me don't you?"He asked quietly.

"I'm not dying for you Raleigh. Tsadran would have me killed either way, but at least now you won't be killed as well. You're the heir to the throne of Wyldt. Not me. You need to live, get out of here, and rebuild our country. You have to promise me that you will."

"Aren't you afraid?" He asked, hugging me for the thousandth time that day.

"Terrified. But there's no use in showing it. I won't dishonour you so."

"You could never dishonour me sister. I'm more proud of you then I can say. You've been very brave, braver even then I would have given you credit for back home." He said.

"Why don't you get some rest? Take the cot." He said softly, leading me over to it. As I laid down, he sat next to me, and I fell asleep holding his hand.