It was Varian's birthday. The boys had been gone for a year, and Quirin was beginning to lose hope. He wouldn't ever truly give up on his son, and he trusted his sister to not give up on the search for him, but Quirin was slowly starting to come to terms with the fact that he might never see his son again, and it hurt.
He wanted his son back. He wanted to hold his now fifteen year old son in his arms, and never let him go again. He wanted Varian to cause an explosion in that lab of his, bringing chaos and destruction to their home in the name of alchemy. Quirin would be more than happy to clean up after his son's messes, just so long as he had his boy again.
Quirin couldn't help but be reminded of when his Ulla had left. Quirin had known that she would be leaving, but he'd thought that she would come back, and then she never had. He had no confirmation that something terrible had happened to her, but after so long it was almost worse than knowing for sure that she was dead and would never come home.
Quirin had wished for several years now that he could just get word of Ulla's fate, just so he could stop hoping. With Varian though, Quirin clung to the hope. He didn't want Adira to come back with word of Varian's death. He didn't think he could handle losing his son like that. He would rather hold onto the hope that his son was alive and well somewhere, even if he never came home again. Just so long as his son was okay, that was enough for Quirin.
He sat in his son's lab, just taking in the chaos of the room. Adira had been able to break through most of the amber with her black rock sword, but there was still a lot of amber lingering. The lab had been practically abandoned for a full year, but Quirin could still see signs of his son's latest experiments.
There were all kinds of tools and beakers lying around. Quirin didn't dare to clean any of it up. These were his son's things. Quirin didn't want to accidentally mess up Varian's creative alchemical process in an attempt to clean up. No, he would leave the mess as it was. It made the lab feel like Varian had never even left.
Quirin heard Edmund clear his throat. He turned to see his brother standing there watching him sadly. Things had been tense between them all year. It had improved a bit since Horace's birthday, but it was far from perfect. Quirin was willing to talk to his brother, but he was still mad at him for keeping him confined to the kingdom.
Quirin cooperated with Edmund's command because he was still his king, and Quirin was still a knight of the Brotherhood. It was his duty to protect the moonstone, no matter how much he didn't want to. As soon as Varian was home though, or if Adira was ever called back from her search, then he would leave.
The Dark Kingdom was Quirin's home, but Varian was his life. It was clear that this place wasn't good for his boy. Quirin didn't want to leave the Dark Kingdom, but he had to put Varian's interests first. If taking Varian away from the only home either of them had ever known was what he needed to do to keep him safe, then he would.
"How are you doing?" Edmund asked quietly.
"I'm coping." Quirin said. He turned to look at Edmund, who looked like he was ready for a journey. "Are you going somewhere?"
"I thought I'd go to the Great Tree to see how Hector is doing." Edmund said. "Would you care to join me?"
Quirin raised an eyebrow at Edmund. Had he heard that right? Edmund, the one who insisted that somebody needs to be guarding the moonstone at all times, was suggesting that they both leave?
"What about the moonstone?" Quirin asked.
Edmund gave him a very small smile as he held up a small leather pouch. "I thought about that. The moonstone needs to be kept safe, but I don't see why it needs to be kept in one spot to do so."
Quirin was stunned. "The moonstone has never left the Dark Kingdom before." Not only was it really risky to even touch the moonstone, as it was volatile, but wherever they brought the moonstone destruction, death, and the black rocks would follow.
"The Great Tree is close enough to the borders of our land that the destruction of the black rocks shouldn't spread much further than it already has." Edmund looked carefully at the pouch in his hands. "The Great Tree is secure. It can keep the moonstone safe for a few weeks." Edmund almost sounded like he was trying to convince himself more than Quirin. He was nervous about bringing the moonstone out of the Dark Kingdom, which was understandable.
"Why are you doing this?" Quirin asked.
Edmund sighed. "I may be a king, but I'm still your brother. I know you, Quirin. And I know what it looks like when someone is restless and wants to leave." Edmund's expression fell as he gave Quirin a sympathetic look. "My son ran off because I held him too close. I don't want the same thing to happen to my brother."
Edmund walked into the lab, admiring all of Varian's things, but not touching any of them, which Quirin appreciated. "You need to have someone you can talk to, and since that someone isn't me, I hoped that perhaps Hector could be." Quirin and Hector didn't actually talk that often, especially not about their feelings, but it would be really nice to see him after so long.
Especially since, Quirin realized with a pang, Hector had left on bad terms. Quirin hadn't ever truly blamed Hector for Horace and Varian leaving, he'd just been terrified and Hector had been a convenient person to blame. Quirin hoped that Hector knew that he hadn't truly meant it. He would hate it if his brother went a year thinking that he was mad at him.
Quirin still didn't know how safe it was to take the moonstone out of the Dark Kingdom, but he needed to get out of this castle. Maybe there were clues that Hector had missed in the Great Tree about Varian and Horace's whereabouts. And it would be really nice to be near his brother again.
"I would love to visit the Great Tree." Quirin said. Edmund breathed a sigh of relief.
"The full moon is tonight." Edmund said, making Quirin jolt. It was considered good luck in the Dark Kingdom for one's birthday to be on the night of a full moon. Quirin wasn't a superstitious person, but maybe this was a good sign about his son's well-being. "We'll leave at midnight, and stay at the Great Tree at least until the next full moon."
A whole month away from the Dark Kingdom, with company other than Edmund. Maybe it would help Quirin to relax a little. He tried not to get his hopes up too much about finding information about Varian, or that his boy would come home while they were gone, but he thought it would be okay to have just a little bit of optimism for this next month.
"I'll be ready to leave by tonight." Quirin said. Edmund nodded and stood awkwardly in the lab for a long moment before he walked out the door, leaving without another word. Edmund wasn't good at small talk. None of the Brotherhood were. Quirin had no idea whether the Brotherhood attracted people who were bad at small talk in the first place, or if the tough environment and training took away their social skills.
Quirin had been awake all day. While Edmund had wanted to do nothing but stay in bed all day on his son's birthday, Quirin couldn't bring himself to even try to sleep. He spent the next few hours sitting in Varian's lab, just looking at his notes. One of these days he would understand what they said.
Eventually Quirin was able to drag himself away from the lab to go back down to his room to pack, though not before grabbing Varian's spare pair of goggles that he'd left behind. Quirin stared at the goggles for a long moment before he loosened the leather straps as much as they could and slipped them over his head so they were sitting around his neck. If Quirin was going to be leaving the Dark Kingdom, even if just temporarily, then he wanted to have something of his son's with him. It made him feel better, even if just marginally.
Quirin returned to his room to pack for the trip and stay in the Great Tree. He didn't need to pack much, as they kept the necessities at the Great Tree at all times. Quirin kept himself busy until near midnight, at which point he made his way to the throne room to meet up with Edmund.
Very little talking happened between the two of them. They said hello, made sure that the other was ready, and set out. The two of them took turns riding Domino and walking. They walked through the night, rested in the morning, and then continued on their way.
The next few days followed this same pattern. They barely exchanged words. There was even a slight distance between them as they travelled, as Edmund was carrying the moonstone and he didn't want Quirin to be in the line of fire if something went wrong and the opal lashed out.
Quirin had been aware of the distance between him and his brother for the past year, but it felt worse now. Quirin could actually see his brother at all times, and travelling was the perfect time to talk, but nothing was said between them. Quirin didn't know about Edmund, but he didn't know just what he should say. All Quirin was thinking about was his son, but talking about Varian would eventually lead to talking about Horace, and Quirin really didn't want to talk to his brother about the prince.
After several long days of travel they were finally approaching the Great Tree. Hector's rhino was patrolling the outside, but when it saw them it stopped its tracks for a long moment before dashing towards them. Quirin was worried that the rhino didn't recognize them and saw them as enemies. Not only was a charging rhino not someone that Quirin wanted to be on the wrong side of, but the thought that his brother's animals didn't recognize him was painful.
As the rhino came closer Edmund's expression darkened. He reached for his ax, preparing to defend himself if it was necessary. They both hoped that he wouldn't have to use it. Hector had had his rhino since he was young. He would be devastated if anything happened to it. To their relief it didn't come to that. The rhino ran until it was far too close to them before it stopped right in front of Quirin and started to nudge against him in an aggressive show of affection. Quirin chuckled and gave the rhino a small rub as he tried to push it away.
"Alright, alright, I missed you too." Quirin said, and he was surprised to find that wasn't even a lie. The rhino could be a lot to handle sometimes, but it reminded Quirin so much of his brother. "Is Hector around?" He couldn't imagine why he wouldn't be in the Great Tree, but Quirin had to ask anyway. His son had already gone missing. He was paranoid about the same happening to the rest of his family.
The rhino nodded, or maybe it was just trying to nudge him again in an attempt to knock him over. Quirin chuckled and made his way inside the Great Tree. Behind him Edmund climbed off of Domino and told the horse to assist the rhino in patrolling the tree.
Quirin looked around the Great Tree. It felt so lifeless and odd, not at all like the second home he'd gotten used to. He'd already been concerned about his brother, but not that he was in the Great Tree that concern increased. It was one thing for Hector to live in isolation for a year, but for him to be in isolation in a place that looked just like home but felt completely different, that was even worse.
"Hector!" Quirin called out. He waited for a minute, growing tense when he heard a slight shift above him. Quirin looked up just in time to see Hector jump down from a ledge, right towards him. Unlike with the rhino, Quirin didn't think for a moment that Hector was trying to attack him. This was just his brother's way of saying hello.
Quirin tried to brace himself, but when Hector landed on him he was knocked to the ground. Quirin grunted. He tried to sit up, but Hector pinned him down as he nuzzled against him. Quirin knew that Hector had been on his own for far too long, and this animalistic nuzzling was just evidence of that.
"I see you've found Hector." Edmund said in amusement as he entered the tree. Quirin scowled as he tilted his head back to glare at the king.
"I'll cut you if you tell Adira about this." Hector growled. "She'll never shut up about it."
"I won't." Quirin said. He was able to shift Hector just enough to be able to sit up, though his brother refused to let go of him.
"You'd better not." Hector said. He was quiet for a long moment. "You…what are you doing here? Is something wrong? Hector pulled away from him and gave them a panicked look. "Did something happen to the moonstone?"
"No, no, we have it right here." Edmund held up the pouch. Hector blinked as he stared at the pouch.
"You brought the moonstone here?" Hector shouted.
"After careful consideration." Edmund assured him. "Between the three of us we can keep the moonstone safe. And the Great Tree is a great natural protection on its own."
Hector grimaced and finally climbed off of Quirin. He crouched on the ground, looking ready for an attack. "I'm not so sure about that anymore. The tree isn't a natural predator of magic. It's just, well, a tree." Hector glanced deeper into the tree. "The vines and flowers don't move around and attack. They're just…still. The whole place feels almost dead."
"And you've been here on your own for a year?" Quirin frowned as he sat up.
"A year?" Hector tilted his head. "Is that how long it's been?"
Quirin and Edmund exchanged concerned glances. Hector should have at least a vague idea of how long it had been, just by tracking the full moons. If he was completely oblivious to how long it had been then he'd been far too invested in guarding the tree.
"I wasn't on my own the whole time." Hector said. "Adira stayed with me for the first month or two before she left to go after the others."
Edmund's expression darkened. He took a looming step towards Hector, who narrowed his eyes at him and slowly straightened. Hector wasn't as tall as Edmund was, but he wasn't letting himself be intimidated.
"She was supposed to go after the boys." Edmund scowled.
"I didn't ask her to stay." Hector scowled. "She refused to leave, and you know as well as I do that she can't be forced to do anything." Hector grew tense as he gave Quirin a side glance before he quickly looked back towards Edmund. "It wasn't my fault! I-it wasn't…it wasn't-"
Quirin stood up and approached his brother. He put a hand on Hector's shoulder. His brother quickly turned around and pressed himself against Quirin's chest, giving his version of an anxious and exhausted hug. Quirin put his arms around Hector and held him close.
"It's not your fault." Quirin said. He knew that Adira had stayed to keep an eye on Hector, and he appreciated it, even if he didn't like that Adira staying behind for a month or two had put her just that much further behind Varian and Horace's trail. "I never should have blamed you."
Hector stiffened even more before he slowly relaxed in Quirin's hold. "...I missed you." Hector said. "It's been a rough year."
"For me too." Quirin said. He looked at Edmund, who was just watching them, looking uncomfortable and regretful. "I think we've all had a hard year."
"I thought we could make it a little easier if we were with each other." Edmund said. "The Brotherhood has always been stronger together."
Hector stayed in Quirin's hold for a long moment before he pulled away brushing his hair away from his face. "I guess you guys are going to be here for a while?"
"At least until the next full moon." Edmund said.
"A month." Quirin clarified. "Maybe more." If Hector needed him, and if Quirin himself really needed his brother's company more than he thought, then he would come up with any reason he could to persuade Edmund to allow him to stay.
"You want the grand tour of the Great Tree?" Hector asked. He gave Quirin a very small smirk, though there was sadness hidden behind it. "I can actually map out this place now. The paths don't change anymore."
Quirin had seen many odd things in his life, but somehow he thought that a real map of the Great Tree was up there as one of the oddest things.
"Of course." Edmund said. "Lead on, brother."
Hector's smirk broadened and looked more genuine. "Try to keep up." He dashed over to some vines and scampered up them with no effort, cackling the whole way.
Edmund sighed. "Well, it seems like he's doing well."
Quirin gave Edmund a tired look. He didn't want to fight with him, not anymore, but he couldn't stop feeling angry with him. "He will be doing well now that he has someone here to make sure he's alright." Quirin put a hand on Edmund's shoulder. "Thank you, brother, for this." Quirin imagined it would be good for him to have a brother at his side again, and good for Hector to have another pair of eyes around to help him, should he need it.
Edmund looked pained. "I know I'm not the best brother, but I'm trying."
"That's all any of us are doing." Quirin said.
Edmund nodded as he gently nudged Quirin's hand away. "Go catch up with Hector. I shall check in on the heart."
Quirin frowned. "Hector probably knows how to get there."
"I'd rather find it on my own." Edmund said quietly. "I have a lot to think about." Edmund looked uncomfortable for a long moment before he continued. "All I ask is that you don't run off. I know you want to go after Varian, but-"
"I'll stay." Quirin said tensely. "For now."
"Thank you." Edmund said. He turned to try to find his way deep into the tree. Quirin hesitated for a moment before he spoke up.
"Make sure to join me and Hector for our midnight meal." Quirin said. "It's been too long since we've all eaten together, and half of us is better than nothing."
Edmund paused before he turned his head to give him a small smile. "I shall do my best." He left. Quirin watched him for a moment before he turned his attention to the vines that Hector had scurried up. Quirin sighed and shook his head. He was getting too old for this. Still, he didn't want to let Hector down.
Quirin grabbed the vines and began to climb up them, already cursing himself for not being as dedicated to physical training like this as Hector and Adira had been as the years passed. Quirin was still an incredible warrior, but climbing and making his way across rough terrain was not his strong suit.
Quirin would just have to push himself and do his best to keep up with Hector. He would never hear the end of it if he got winded and fell behind too far.
Quirin was still desperate to see his son, and he wanted to go out right now and track him down, but he knew he would only get lost. He'd never been able to pick up on tracking the way that Adira and Hector had. He would just get lost if he left on his own now. Unfortunately, Quirin knew that his best chance at seeing his son again was by staying here and waiting for him to return.
He just had to trust Adira. In the meantime, Quirin needed to make sure that he didn't give Hector any reason to accuse him of slacking on his training. He was, but his brother didn't need to know that.
Quirin climbed up the Great Tree, and while he felt far from fine, Quirin thought that this was the closest he'd felt to alright in the past year. Being near his brother would do him some good.