Updating on a Monday? Me? What trickery is this?

Trigger warnings: mentions of bruises, etc., mild self-deprecation

Varian ducked as Hector's foot swished over his head. He stumbled back and quickly regained his footing. "Not fair."

"Everything's fair in war," Hector reminded him.

"We're using daggers!"

"Expect the unexpected. And relax. If I'd wanted to hit you, I would've. Now show me your starting position again. Watch your posture."

Varian had to admit: Hector's teaching methods were odd but effective. Just in the three months since he had been allowed to start training, in the few hours each morning, afternoon, and night while they traveled on, his reflexes were sharper, his balance was steadier, and he was more confident. He wasn't sure how his training under Hector compared to what normal knights or soldiers did—after all, the Brotherhood were not only the best of the best but had had the best training available—but he had noticed a significant difference in himself since he had begun.

He had changed physically as well. The seven months of malnutrition and abuse had left him weak and small—well, smaller than normal. But under Hector's care, he was regaining his health. His ribs, which at one point had pressed crookedly against his skin due to healing improperly in prison, no longer stood out like the black keys on a piano. Muscle mass gave his arms definition. His hair had been cut, and his long bangs were pinned up out of his face so he could see. The outfits Hector had picked up for his fifteenth birthday—as disastrous as that had been—fit perfectly and were well-suited to the type of work he was doing. Looking at his reflection, Varian hardly recognized himself.

The training itself was agonizing, but Varian didn't complain once. He was afraid that if he did, Hector would change his mind and decide that it was too much for him. It had taken long enough to convince the warrior not to hold back, to treat Varian like a proper trainee instead of like a piece of glassware. So he took every hit, every fall, in stride. He ignored the screaming of his muscles. He crawled into bed every night, bruised and sore, and didn't make a sound.

He could see Hector watching him, waiting for any sign that Varian couldn't take it. Waiting to bundle him up in a blanket of overprotectiveness and shelter him from the world. And Varian was flattered, truly, but he was not used to being protected. At least, not since his dad. He had been on his own for a while, then he had been in prison. Being… cared for was still new to him. He was adjusting okay, but he needed Hector to see that combat training was the least worrisome thing he had been through.

That night, as he watched the rabbits cooking over the fire (he'd hunted them himself; that was another thing he'd been learning from his uncle), he caught Hector watching him with that concerned look he got more and more these days. "Is there a problem?"

"No, no problem. Why?"

Varian sighed. "I'm not going to fall apart if you take your eyes off me. I'm fine."

"Well, excuuuuuse me for being concerned. You took some bad falls today."

"And I'm fine. Really. If I wasn't, I'd tell you."

"Would you?"

Varian started to answer. Then he stopped.

"That's what I thought. Look, I'll respect you not wanting me to baby you. But… every time you get hurt, I keep seeing what you were like back then. And I know you're not bad off like you were, but I'm going to worry. It's in my blood."

Varian smiled sadly. "I get that. But you're right; I'm not like I was. I'm being careful, but I need to learn."

"I know, I know. Just—are you sure you're okay with this? I've left you covered in bruises over and over again."

"Yeah, but it's not a big deal. I'm used to it."

"Kid!"

"Sorry!" He held up his hands placatingly. Then he sighed. "I get it, okay? What I went through was horrible, but it's been four months, and I've been doing fine. Getting bruised up during training isn't the same as getting bruised up out of malicious intent. You're teaching me to fight back, to defend myself. I asked you to. And don't think I don't notice you pulling your punches." He crossed his arms.

"It's not right. I'm family. I shouldn't hurt you, even for training."

"Who else is going to train me?" Varian raised an eyebrow. "It's fine. You're not abusing me. You're just teaching me self-defense. There's a difference. And I'm getting a few hits in here and there, too."

Hector grinned. "Don't I know it. You nearly busted my brains out with that staff yesterday." He sighed and massaged his forehead. "I'm trying to remember you're not helpless. Just—let me know if we need to slow down, 'kay? This sort of pace isn't for everyone, especially kids who got abused for seven months."

"Six months."

"Seven. I'm counting the house arrest."

"Fair enough. But I'm fine. Really. Speaking of how long it's been, when are we getting to the Tree?"

Hector shrugged. "Not long at all. We've made good time. We probably passed the princess a month or so ago. Crap, sorry!"

Varian laughed at Hector's dismayed expression. "I'm not going to have a panic attack if you mention her. I can't stand her, but I do need to be mentally prepared for when she shows up."

"I think the crap not. I don't plan for you to get anywhere near her. Being prepared is good, but with any luck, I'll take care of it, and you'll hide until it's over."

"'Kay." He was better off now, but that was one area in which he'd allow Hector to shelter him. The last thing he needed was to see her and have a mental breakdown. That wouldn't do at all.

O‴O‴O‴

"Kid, wake up."

Varian's eyes shot open and darted around in fear. Danger! his mind screamed. But no, all he saw was Hector, his sharp teeth shining in the dim light.

"C'mon, kid, we'll miss it!"

"Wha…" He yawned and stretched. "Miss what?"

"You'll see. Come on." He pulled Varian to his feet. Behind them, Ruddiger grumbled at being awoken so and clambered up onto Varian's shoulders. It was still dark, so the boy clung to Hector's arm as he led him through the woods.

"What are we doing?"

"You'll see." Hector didn't slow his pace at all as he navigated through the woods to wherever he was taking them. His night vision must be excellent, Varian thought as he stubbed his toe on a root. He hissed in pain.

"Could we at least slow down? I just woke up, it's dark, and I'm barefoot."

"Oops. Hang on." Hector extricated his arm from Varian's grasp. Before he could ask what he was doing, Varian found himself perched on Hector's shoulders. He yelped in surprise and wrapped his arms around the man's head.

"I kinda need my eyes, kiddo."

"Sorry." He readjusted his arms. "Better?"

"Yep." His uncle took off at a faster pace. Soon the woods opened up in front of them. Hector sat Varian back on his feet and guided him forward.

"Seriously, what's going on?"

"Just watch. Here, come sit."

The child found himself at the top of a hill. The stars cast light over a wide-open plain below them. He could see the glimmer of a river winding its way through the hills and cliffs, and trees dotted the landscape here and there. In the distance, a dark shadow blotted out part of the sky.

"What is that?" he asked as he pointed.

"Just watch."

"Watch what?" His answer came a few moments later, as a soft gray light started to tint the horizon. As the minutes crept on, the stars began to fade, and the first beams of sunlight peeked their hesitant way into view. The shadow never faltered, though, as the rays parted around it and left a dark silhouette standing out sharply against the rapidly-brightening sky.

Varian's breath caught in his throat as the shape started to become more defined. "Is that…" He didn't finish the thought, as his breath was stolen from his lungs.

"May I present…" Hector's voice was tinged with a bit of smugness. "The Great Tree."

He could only stare in amazement. It was the biggest thing he had ever seen; bigger than the castle of Corona, even. The sunlight shone through its twisted and gnarled branches and stung his eyes, but he couldn't tear his gaze away. Tiny specks that might have been birds rose from the shelter of its leaves and took flight.

"It's… it's beautiful," he whispered.

Hector nodded. "I like to come up here sometimes, just to see it like this. You should see a sunrise from the top of its branches. It's like you can see all the way to the Dark Kingdom. Just miles and miles of space."

Varian scootched closer to Hector and curled into his side. Hector wrapped his arm around him. Ruddiger snuggled between them. They sat and watched the sunrise in silence, cuddled up in their little pile, while the stars disappeared and the faint flickers of a sense of homecoming sprang up in Varian's heart.

And it felt right. The hurt that lurked in the corners of his heart at the thought of leaving Old Corona behind had not faded, but now, looking towards the tree and sitting with his family, it occurred to him that perhaps finding a new home would be a good thing, after all.

O‴O‴O‴

They raced across the miles towards the tree, the bearcats' paws tearing up the earth like a child tore wrapping paper. With every step closer, Varian's heart thudded against his ribcage harder and harder. This was it. They were here. After four months, they were finally home. He could stop running.

They came to a fork in the path. One road led up to a wide cliff trail. The other led down towards a wood thicket. Hector turned the group to the right and led them into the woods and onto a narrow trail that looked almost nonexistent. He gave a sly smirk to Varian. "The mountain path leads to a drop-off. That's why it looks easier."

"Nice."

"There's about four paths to and from the Tree. I'll teach you all of them. We keep them guarded, and we keep them hidden. Most people take the mountain path since it's the only one they see."

"So if the mountain pass drops off, does that mean there's only three?"

"Okay, there's four actual paths. Smartmouth."

They continued down the path, not stopping at the bank of the river crossing in front of the tree. The bearcats charged in, their feet finding a set of stones to cross with. The cold water splashed up and sprayed Varian across the face, causing him to gasp and Hector to laugh. Then they were charging up the path on the other side.

Before he knew it, they were standing at the base of the Great Tree, next to the archway mounted among the sprawling roots. As he hopped off Kiki's back, he stared up, up, up, until he thought he'd fall over. The Tree was much more imposing up close. Standing here in its shadow, he felt impossibly small.

Naturally, though, his curious side took over. "What sort of tree is it? How tall is it? Who built the arch? How old is it? The arch, not the tree. Although, how old is the tree, anyway?"

"Slow down, kiddo." Hector motioned him inside. "How about a tour?"

Varian was practically bouncing from the excitement. He followed Hector through the arch and into the hollow tree. The inside yawned open and spacious in front of them, with smaller trees and bushes and flowers clustered here and there. Pathways climbed the sloping inside, leading up into the body of the Tree. Off to the left, a waterfall coursed down to a stream that sparkled in the sunlight pouring in from somewhere high above. Vines ran over the arch, up the walls, over the floor, anywhere Varian laid his eyes. The grass underfoot was lush and soft, and he had to fight the urge to fall into it. A few birds chirped on a nearby tree, a rabbit herded her kits out of the middle of the path, and from off to the left came charging a giant—

Varian gave an undignified scream and darted underneath Hector's cloak to hide behind his back as a giant gray thing came charging straight at them. Hector didn't flinch, and the beast skidded to a stop inches from him and snorted in his face.

"Shame on you, Kubwa," he chided as he stared down the creature, which Varian recognized as a rhino as he peeked out from behind his uncle. "You did that just to scare him. Is that any way to welcome a member of the family? Unless it's Adira, in which case I don't expect you to let her get this far."

The rhino huffed amusedly. Hector held out his hand to Varian, who hesitantly took it and crept out from behind him. "Varian, meet Kubwa. Kubwa, my nephew Varian."

"Hi." He waved shyly. On his shoulders, Ruddiger was shaking. Kubwa towered over the child and his raccoon, looking them over skeptically.

"Kubwa's been watching the Tree while I was away. If you hadn't been with me, he'd've run you down miles before you got here. How's it been, big guy? Any nasty invaders try to sneak in while I was out?"

Kubwa huffed again, the air blowing through their hair (or fur). Hector reached up and scratched the rhino under the chin. "No, no one gets past Kubwa, do they? No sir."

The bearcats jumped up on Kubwa's back. He snorted and shook himself to attempt to dislodge them. Riki flew off but jumped straight back up.

"Easy, boys. Come on, Varian." The boy followed Hector, still staring around, his eyes refusing to believe what they were seeing.

So busy was he in looking around that he failed to watch his step. The ground suddenly disappeared out from under him. Before he could fall, Hector grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him away from the edge of the pit he had nearly stumbled into. Varian yelped and clung to his uncle.

"Careful," Hector warned. "Gotta watch where you're going."

Varian looked down into the pit, not loosening his grip on Hector. A strange sense of foreboding washed over him, along with a sudden chill. Despite the ominous aura, something about it drew him, called him. He leaned closer.

"Varian? Varian, snap out of it." He blinked rapidly as Hector shook him.

"Hm?" He quickly regained his balance, though he was still hesitant to let go. "What's down there?"

"The Heart," Hector murmured. At Varian's questioning look, he explained, "It's the Heart of the Tree. Years ago, the Great Tree was sentient. It was good. Then it got corrupted by Zhan Tiri. The sorcerer twisted this place and turned it into a beacon of evil and darkness. It was Lord Demanitus who put a stop to it. He crafted a spear of magic and impaled the Tree's Heart. That brought an end to the dark magic, but it also made the Tree dormant. The Tree now is only a shadow of its former magnificence. But the darkness still lurks within the Heart, and only the spear embedded within it keeps it from emerging."

Varian stared in shock. "Wow," he finally said. "That—that's intense."

Hector rolled his eyes. "C'mon. There's more interesting things to look at than a stormin' hole in the ground. Don't touch anything. About forty percent of the plants in here will kill you, so pay attention."

As they walked, Varian committed to memory everything Hector said—especially the "don't touch that, it'll kill you; or that, unless you want to turn green; or that, it puts you to sleep." Away from the pit, he no longer felt the dark influences of the Heart, and he was desperately curious about this place and all it contained. Questions spilled from his lips like lies from a politician. "Did Demanitus construct the building portion of this? How does it hold up under the Tree's growth? What do these carvings mean? When did you come here for the first time?"

Hector's answers were mostly "Yes, I don't know, I don't know, forever ago," etc. Eventually, they came out into a circular room with an alcove set into the wall covered in blankets and pillows, a wardrobe shoved in the corner, a pile where apparently the bearcats slept, judging by the fur, and a waterfall spilling down the wall opposite the alcove and joining a stream running along the side of the room. Hector took the bags from Riki and Kiki's backs and threw them on the bed.

"This is my room. Not much to look at, but it works. Yours will be just down the hall. We can get you some bookshelves or whatever you want to decorate with." He led him to a second room, similar to the first, except it had an actual bed. "The mattress is probably trash. I'll head out tomorrow morning and get a new one." He motioned to the window, a small gap in the tree. "I'll grab some curtains, too. Anything else you want me to get?"

Varian looked around the room. It was probably the size of his old house. This room had a waterfall too, spilling out into a basin that overflowed through the wall. Vines and flowers grew across the floor and walls. To his amazement, the ceiling was studded in crystals that gleamed in the early afternoon light.

"It's amazing," he whispered. "This… I love it."

Hector tried to hide his grin. "Still needs some work. We'll get it fixed up with anything you need. I'll bring the pallet in here tonight so you don't have to sleep on that piece of junk."

"'Kay." Varian ran his hand through the waterfall. Then he grinned and splashed Hector.

The warrior froze. A strange look crossed his face, and Varian wondered if he had made a mistake. Ruddiger, who was sniffing around the bed skeptically, froze and looked to his boy nervously. Then Hector stuck his hand in the stream and splashed Varian back.

He gasped as the cold water sank into his clothes. Hector grinned maniacally. "Nice try, kiddo. You think you got what it takes?"

"I think so."

"Then prove it."

O‴O‴O‴

Ten minutes later, the boys were curled up on Hector's bed, cocooned in blankets. Varian's teeth were chattering. The brick fireplace nearby crackled cheerily, warming the room and the freezing boys.

"I'm just sayin', if you didn't want to get soaked, you shouldn't have started a splash war with a professional." Hector wrapped another blanket around his shivering nephew.

"The purpose of a splash war is to splash. Nothing in the rules says anything about dropping your opponent in the water."

"I told you yesterday. All's fair in war. Want hot cocoa?"

Varian's eyes lit up. "Please!"

"'Kay. Wait here. I'll get some."

When he had left, Varian looked around the room. It was very Hector-ish, with minimal decorations aside from the handmade crafts he had scattered around the shelves set into the walls. A pile of scrolls and papers lay on a desk near the bed. He reached a hand out of his cocoon and grabbed one of said scrolls.

The writing on it looked familiar. He studied it curiously. Even the handwriting struck a chord in his mind. Where had he seen this before? Perhaps in a book? Something from before his arrest—

The graphtyc! Like lightning striking, it hit him. This was the same writing on the scroll piece in his dad's graphtyc! He scanned the scroll eagerly, recognizing some of the words he had already translated. Flower, healing, darkness, falling.

When Hector returned, Varian turned to him excitedly. "This scroll! Where did you get it? Are there more like it?"

"Yeah, a whole blasted room. I'll show you later. Here." He handed him a mug.

"Thank you." Varian sipped the drink experimentally. "That's amazing!"

"Thanks. The secret's in the chocolate. Dark, and a lot of it. Makes it nice and thick."

"So can you read the scroll?"

"Bits and pieces." Hector sat on the edge of the bed. "I'm not a linguist. I recognized a few words. Why? Can you?"

Varian nodded. "Parts of it. I translated part of a scroll my dad had a while back. I think this was written by the same man."

"Then it was probably Demanitus."

"What!?"

"Yeah, this was all his research, I think."

"Whoa." His eyes grew wide. "How did my dad get ahold of a scroll from Demanitus?"

"Who knows? He certainly didn't tell me." He flopped on his back. "So what so you think so far? Like the place?" His voice was just casual enough to pretend he didn't care what Varian thought and was just asking out of curiosity, but the boy knew better. He wanted Varian to like it here.

"I love it." He took another sip of his cocoa. "Thank you."

"It was nothing."

"It wasn't nothing."

Hector held out a hand, which Varian took with little hesitation. "It was nothing you didn't deserve. You needed a home, a family. You deserved that much."

"Not just that. You gave me a second chance. I thought I'd die down there. I never expected to get out, much less come somewhere as amazing as this." His brow furrowed. "I want to prove I deserve this. That I'm not a waste of space. A lost cause. What if I can't be good enough?"

"Varian." Hector sat up. "You don't ever have to worry about that. You're not a bad kid; you just made bad choices."

"I hardly think attempted murder can be called a 'bad choice.'"

"Fine. Horrible choices. But you were traumatized, treated like a criminal, and left without any adult guidance and support. We'll call that extenuating circumstances. And the queen forgave you, remember?"

"She didn't say that." Varian let go of Hector's hand and crossed his arms. "She just helped me get away."

"She wouldn't have done that if she hated you."

Varian groaned and put his head in his hands. "You can't excuse my behavior."

"I won't. I just think you're being too hard on yourself. You know what you did and that it was wrong. You're trying to do good now. That's proof you're not who you were. All you needed was a second chance. They weren't going to give that to you, so I did. What you do with it is up to you."

Varian sighed and curled up further in his cocoon. "I'm sorry I'm such a wreck. It can't be easy having to deal with my problems."

"What?" Hector crossed his legs and turned to face Varian. "Kiddo, it's not a problem. It's not your fault you're messed up in the head. Sorry, that was the wrong choice of words. Not what I meant. I just meant they kinda got to you in prison. Made you think you were too far gone. You're not, 'kay? You just need to see that."

He nodded slowly. "I believe you. Just… if I'm ever bothering you, or if I'm ever too much to deal with, let me know."

"I'll do that." He stood. "Let's get lunch. Want to see the kitchen?"

"Uh, is Ruddiger an apple thief?"

"I'll take that as a yes. Come on, V. I'll teach you how to make my signature butternut squash bread."

"Okay. Just one question: what the crap?"

"Don't knock it till you've tried it. Come on." He pulled his nephew to his feet. Varian laughed and followed him to the kitchen. He'd been with Hector for four months and hadn't died from his cooking yet, so he'd have to trust his judgment.

A chapter that's 99% fluff? In this economy? Enjoy it, 'cause it's probably not happening again. Sorry.

Also! Kubwa means "great" in Swahili, one of the languages spoken in Tanzania, where black rhinos can be found.

As always, constructive criticism is greatly appreciated. Thank you and God bless!