**This Story Contains Tcest**
Pairings: Raphael/Donatello, Leonardo/Michelangelo, Raphael/Michelangelo, Michelangelo/Donatello
Info: Alternate Universe, Royalty, Elemental Magic, Action/Adventure, Romance
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~*~ Chapter Four: Aeolus, Kingdom of Air ~*~
Four Weeks Later
...one month before the Trials of Succession are scheduled to begin...
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Snow had been falling continuously for three straight days and Donatello was beginning to wonder if it was ever going to stop. It was annoying but not completely unfamiliar, during the fall and winter in Varuna the ground was often covered with snow and ice. The difference here was that the Kingdom of Aeolus was cold, far colder than he had anticipated, and no amount of reading in his textbooks had prepared him for the biting mountain wind that cut through to his skin no matter how many layers he wrapped around himself. And this was mid spring, he couldn't imagine what this place must be like during the deepest part of winter.
The capital city was perched on a precipice in the shadows between two towering mountain tops. The royal family and nobility occupied the largest and most stable expanse of stone closest to the peaks, while the rest of the city stretched out down the cliff side. The rock itself had been carved out into large open areas packed full of homes and businesses stacked three to four stories on top of each other to fit as much into the limited spaces as was possible.
The cold was constant and sharp and if he was honest it made the city almost unlivable, he had to force himself to make the effort to find small things to like. He tried to see the people and places and architecture surrounding him as things that reminded him of his city and his people and his castle back home.
But this was not his home, and he didn't need the cold to tell him that.
The unfortunate weather was not the only thing that made this place so miserable. There was a tension in the air, thick and heavy, that permeated the atmosphere, making his skin prickle with fear. And the longer he spent in this mountain kingdom the more he came to realize that the citizens of Aeolus lived their lives in an unending state of terror.
It wasn't blatantly obvious, more like an itch on his shell that he couldn't quite scratch, and he hadn't even been certain of what he was sensing at first. It had only been a feeling, a disquiet about the place that left him uneasy whenever he had a conversation longer than five minutes with anyone.
Superficially everything appeared to be completely normal. The people of this quiet mountain city were honest and generous, they worked hard and loved their families, they took great pride in their accomplishments and never failed to help another that was in need.
But underneath all of that, hovering in the darkness just behind their eyes, was a deep unmistakable fear that kept them all shivering, huddled and exceedingly careful of not moving even a single step out of line.
With some poking around Don managed to piece a few facts together, using small tidbits of information gathered from innocent conversations. He discovered that it wasn't a fear of famine or poverty or the invisible threat of illness that made these people toe the line.
It was the inescapable and unrelenting iron fist of the emperor.
To give Apelles credit, he was subtle in the way he had brought the citizens of Aeolus to their knees in front of him. Donatello might not have even noticed anything out of the ordinary if his own upbringing hadn't made him keenly aware of the delicate relationship between a king and his people.
However, it was hard to pinpoint exactly what was wrong because the emperor wasn't overt in the way he wielded his power. There were no spectacles of public execution or torture, no soldiers marching through the streets to enforce kingdom law.
It was quiet whispers of a cousin who had a friend that was arrested for stealing a loaf of bread and never seen again. It was a damaged balustrade in the palace and a stonemason who disappeared, only to reappear a month later in a small village on the border, begging for food, conspicuously missing both of his thumbs and his tongue. It was countless other stories all centered around the same theme, little more than mysterious rumor, like ghost stories used to frighten children. But it was enough.
After three weeks Don was sick in his heart and ready to go home. It was obvious to him now why Michelangelo had insisted he come here; this was something he wouldn't have understood without seeing it with his own eyes.
But oh, how he wished it hadn't been necessary. The constant tension in the air and the small suspicious looks on the faces of everyone he met was exhausting and unpleasant and it made him desperate for his lands and the love and acceptance of his own people.
He would have already left for home but before he could depart, he felt like there was one last question he needed to find the answer too, and that was the one thing that was proving to be Aeolus's best kept secret, apparently.
The tavern where he was renting a room had a narrow but comfortable balcony attached to the front of the building where Don liked to sit during the afternoon to enjoy a warm drink. A massive stone fireplace took up half the front facade, built to provide comfortable warmth to the first and second floors both inside and outside.
The cozy perch overlooked the market square at the heart of the capital city. A half-acre carved into the mountain side filled with open stalls and tents selling everything imaginable from meats and grains to fresh produce as well as clothing and jewelry and household goods.
Small Olosfay bounced along the tops of the stalls, twittering in their high-pitched voices, their round fluffy white bodies barely distinguishable from the snow drifts they popped in and out of, the only thing that gave them away was the small black beads of their eyes. Occasionally one took a risk, tossing a ball of snow at an unaware passerby, earning a grunted curse or a peal of laughter from the target.
"Let's see... ah there!"
Don eyed the old grey lizard sitting across from him, a tailor from higher up the mountain that catered to the nobility that lived there. He came down to the market district on occasion to 'enjoy the delights of the lower class' as he so haughtily put it. Usually that meant he would drink the day away inside a cheap brothel, but on this day, he seemed content to spend his hours losing badly at chess, which was working out to Don's benefit if nothing else.
The tailor grinned as he moved his small pawn forward two spaces. Don slow-blinked, holding back a snicker as he reached forward to move his rook straight across the length of the board to capture it. "Checkmate."
"What? Oh for... again?" The lizard huffed. "That's four games now. Why am I even here if all you intend to do is rob me of my very last coin?"
"The ambiance?" Don chuckled, opening his hands to indicate the cozy balcony. "And the food."
"Well, you have me there!" The lizard agreed, plucking a small tart off a nearby tray. "They do offer some of the best bites here."
Don nodded, twisting around in his seat to grab a small bowl off a nearby table. "Have you tried these? There's some type of fish in here I'm having trouble identifying, I think they've ground it up with the vegetables, but the breading is delicious with the sauce."
The lizard sighed as he popped some of Don's offering into his mouth. "It's a crustacean from the lakes in the hills to the south, not fish. And yes, these are quite good, but not like they used to be."
"Oh? What's changed?" Don questioned, genuinely curious.
The lizard took another bite before answering, chewing around his words. "Many years ago, there was a special type of prawn that we would import directly from Varuna. It can only be found living in the bay of their capital city. Quite delicious. But... we haven't been able to get any since the king closed the borders."
Don held back a grimace, this wasn't the first time he'd heard the people complain about items they used to be able to get from Varuna that they now missed.
"But hopefully that will be remedied soon." The lizard continued. "The trials are almost upon us and I have a hefty sum riding on the prince of water."
"A... hefty sum?" Don sputtered.
"Indeed! My broker has opened a pool on the chance that Varuna's prince is a no show at the trials. Ten to one we find out he died at some point after his birth."
Don just stared at the lizard incredulously. Gambling in relation to the trials was a practice as old as the trials themselves and it shouldn't have been a surprise that the wagers were centered around him this time around... but somehow it still was.
"I mean... if the prince was dead don't you think there would have been an announcement or... something?" Don offered feebly.
"Possibly." The lizard answered with an appraising look. "That's why it's called a bet I suppose. But personally, I have twenty gold pieces down that not only will the prince show his face, but he's going to take the whole thing. He's going to win the emperor's crown back for the kingdom of water, mark my words."
"You're betting against your own prince?" Don asked in confusion.
The lizard just shrugged. "Call it a hunch."
Don didn't know what to say to that. The idea that a stranger was betting so much money on something Don himself was less than enthusiastic about participating in was making him uncomfortable.
There was also the implication in the lizard's words that was making him uneasy. Why would any citizen of Aeolus, let alone one so directly connected to the noble class like this tailor, feel the need to bet against Leonardo?
It was a question he couldn't answer because getting anyone in the kingdom of air to talk about the royal family was like pulling teeth.
Don had already pressed for information about the elusive prince as much as he dared without venturing too close to the royal palace, this place was dangerous, and he couldn't risk being seen as anything more than a simple traveler. He had been as indirect as he could be, but every time he mentioned Leonardo's name whoever he was talking to would quickly change the subject or make an excuse to leave. It was disheartening and frustrating and he had to admit he was getting nowhere.
In both Agni and Sucellus the people had been eager to gossip about the royals, like it was a game or a sport, but here even a whisper about them could clear a room. And Don didn't like what that was suggesting about Leonardo's character.
If the emperor were truly as ruthless and uncaring as rumor implied, then wouldn't that suggest that he would have raised his son to be of the same mind?
Mikey had mentioned Leonardo's name with ease, like they were close friends, but that had only been during their brief moment in the garden. Would he have warned Don if there was something he should have been warned about? Would Mikey have even bothered to tell him if Leonardo was as aloof and unfeeling as his father appeared to be?
Donatello didn't want to believe it, but so far, he had seen no evidence that Leonardo was anything more than the son of his father. The people never spoke of him, not even in whispers.
His companion tossed Don's winnings from the game across the board and downed the last of the wine in his cup before reaching for a jug to pour himself more. 'This is a good opportunity.' Don thought. If the wine kept flowing, then he might be able to start asking questions that the old lizard wouldn't run away from. It was worth the attempt at least, so he leaned forward and began resetting the game pieces for another match.
The market square was quiet for the time of day, the snow muffling most of the usual sounds, but there was still the soft rumble of murmured conversation broken by the occasional yell from one merchant or another trying to pull the attention of the crowd to his or her goods.
It was a soothing sound to Don, similar to the rushing swish of a flowing river, and reminded him of late nights deep in the wilds behind his castle, with only himself and the water and the sounds of the forest.
It was a lovely memory and for a moment he was so distracted by it that he barely noticed when the murmur of voices stopped, and a heavy silence fell over the market. The steady dripping splash of wine hitting the wooden floor under the table was the sound that finally brought his head up.
The lizard was frozen, his gaze locked on the street below them, pouring what was left in the jug into his overflowing cup.
With a frown Don turned his head to find everyone in the square looking off in the same direction, back toward the high stone archway that straddled the main road and marked the entrance to the market. When he finally saw what had caught their attention his eyes widened, a chill passing through him that had nothing to do with the frigid air.
Emperor Apelles strode up the cobblestone street, dressed in rich furs and heavy velvets, escorting an important looking noble that was hanging on the emperor's every word as they walked. The air grew thick with silent panic, citizens in front of the two men rushing to clear the street, bowing low as they passed. The emperor and his guest were flanked by the elite palace guard and followed by an entourage that could only have been the nobles traveling party.
The balcony railing creaked under Don's firm grip. Three weeks trying to glean any sliver of information he could from the leery populace and there he was, the emperor, just walking down the street like he did it every day.
He sucked in a quiet gasp and went completely still when the advancing group came closer to the tavern. Leonardo came into view walking behind his father, hands clasped behind his back. He was a full head shorter, which was why Don hadn't seen him at first, but that did nothing to diminish his commanding stature.
Don could immediately sense the prince's quiet confidence and was pleasantly surprised by how handsome he was. 'He must take after his mother', Don thought because he looked very little like his taller darker father. The pale blue embroidered band of cloth tied around his face perfectly complemented his leaf green skin and gentle hazel eyes.
Close behind Leonardo came the shuffling figure of a wizened old rat using a short piece of wood carved into the shape of a twisted funnel cloud to support him as he walked. Rats were an even rarer sight within the empire than humans were and without thinking Don sat forward, leaning just a little over the railing to get a better look. At his movement, the rat slowed almost imperceptibly and turned his head, looking directly up at Don with a steady, somewhat puzzled look. With a start, Don quickly shrunk down, turning his face so he couldn't be seen.
Before he could decide if he should leave the balcony and find a more discreet viewing place, the sound of a slight commotion within the crowd directly below brought his head back above the railing. A visible wave rippled through the unmoving sea of people gathered, before separating at the street, releasing a small turtle youngling no more than three or four. She was chasing after a tiny bouncing rubber ball, her mother desperately swiping at the air behind her to stop her daughter from moving any further into the street.
The ball bounced with force directly toward the emperor, hitting his robes somewhere around his thigh before rolling off under a nearby stall table. A quiet gasp sounded in the frozen air as the girl balked before the ruler and he stopped swinging his head to look down at the child, an expression on his face that would cause anyone's blood to run cold.
The girl's mother dashed forward, sweeping her daughter up off the ground, bowing as low as the heavy bundle in her arms would allow. "Your Majesty... please forgive us... my daughter meant no harm... please..."
She spoke in a whisper that echoed in the silence. Don could feel her fear, could see it in the shaking of her arms and legs.
In a blink all trace of emotion disappeared from the emperor's face. He looked down his snout at the woman and child, considering them carefully. "My dear woman, you and your child look dreadfully chilled, I see not a scrap of fur to warm your shoulders. Please allow me to improve that. Escort them to the palace." He finished with a low growl, waving his hand toward the guard at his side.
Three things happened all at once. The guard moved instantly to comply, bearing down on the woman and child with a terrifyingly fast step. At that same moment a tall male turtle, only a few steps farther down the street, gave a desperate grunt and lunged forward, pushing against the bodies in front of him to make them move.
But before either of those two things came to their completion a strong, assertive voice rose above the gasping murmurs of the crowd, bringing all parties to a standstill.
"Father!" Leonardo stepped forward; determination set in his eyes. "After his long journey I am sure the marquis is eager to experience nothing more than warmth of our hearth and a tall glass of whiskey. Do not concern yourself with this, allow me to... take care of them."
Donatello couldn't help but think that Leonardo almost sounded bored as he said it. The emperor turned to his son with a raised eye ridge, staring at him with an appraising look for a long moment before addressing the marquis.
"You see, Lord Coren. My son has always shown such eagerness to care for our citizens in my name. It is a skill that will serve him well in the future."
The marquis nodded agreeably with a hungry gleam in his eye, never removing his adoring gaze from the emperor's face. "Yes Majesty, you have raised him well."
Leonardo stood, unmoving under his father's heavy glare, waiting in an almost unconcerned way.
"Very well. Come Marquis, we have important matters to attend to." The emperor leaned forward to place a hand on his son's shoulder. "I expect a full report, Leonardo."
"As you say, father." Leonardo said, proudly holding his father's eyes, before giving a small bow of his head.
The emperor turned and stalked away without hesitation, the marquis at his heels. Leonardo stood his ground in the center of the street as the rest of the nobleman's party moved around him, quick to keep up with their departing liege. After a moment only the prince, the old rat and a few members of Leonardo's personal guard were left. The silence in the square was deafening, broken only by the whistle of the wind.
Leonardo waited until his father was out of sight before turning to the young mother and her child, both now firmly wrapped in the strong arms of the tall turtle that had been trying so desperately to reach them before.
Donatello's gaze shot back and forth between them, nervous about what the prince was about to do. He had a fleeting thought that he would step in to save the young family, his cover be damned, if the prince's intentions turned insidious. But Leonardo only looked at the small family for a moment with an unreadable expression on his face before turning to the guard standing at his shoulder.
"Take them to the tower." He ordered.
The guard nodded and motioned for the family to move. They followed without further complaint and passed through the crowd that quickly parted for them. The citizens gathered remained silent as Leonardo leaned over to listen to something the old rat was whispering in his ear.
A small frown drew down the prince's brow as he looked toward the stall table where the small rubber ball had rolled to a stop. He brought his hand up, waving it through the air, calling a twisting funnel of wind to lift the ball from the ground and bring it gently into his fingers.
Quickly pocketing the toy, he left, striding after his guard and the family that had caused so much trouble.
Without a word to his lizard companion or even a thought for what he might think, Don shot out of his chair and dashed inside the tavern, descending the stairs two at a time before almost crashing through a side door.
The tower could only be one place. There was a large storage warehouse near one end of the main road on this level of the city, and attached to it was a massive guard tower, used to watch the ascending road and process paperwork for incoming traders and merchants.
Don moved as quickly as he could through the stalls and shops, trying not to draw attention to himself in his haste, managing to reach the tower just as the young family was being escorted into the adjoining warehouse by the guard.
Unseen, he slipped around the back and found a small service door that led into an office. By pure luck there was no one inside and he stood silent in the dark for a moment to get his bearings. The room had four walls but no ceiling, it was open above him all the way up to the roof of the warehouse overhead. In one corner there was a ladder that scaled the wall, leading up to a loft of some sort that looked to be filled with large boxes.
Don climbed it quickly, making sure to stay behind the largest crates. He could see the entire length of the warehouse from this perch. The long space half filled with shipped containers and crates and trunks of all sizes, all marked with various painted symbols and slips of parchment.
A maze of paths led through the boxes toward the front of the building where the clutter cleared out and formed an open space where Don could see Leonardo's guard standing near the main doors with the young family huddled near him, the husband whispering frantically to his wife.
A short second later the main door slid open, Leonardo and the rest of his guard stepping inside. Two of the soldiers wasted no time moving through the warehouse to check behind boxes and crates. Don held his breath, completely frozen in place, counting on just a bit more of that luck to keep them from looking in the loft.
Don could only just hear the prince speaking to his guard, their voices soft and muffled, but it would have to do, he didn't dare move any closer. The roving guards would see him and there was the very real risk of Leonardo sensing his magic. He was safest staying where he was hidden. Michelangelo hadn't felt his power until they were separated by only a thin screen door, so it was unlikely Leonardo would know he was there if he kept his distance and stayed perfectly still.
The guards sweeping the warehouse returned and Leonardo tensed, his fists clenching at his sides. "Were we followed?"
Confidently the guards shook their heads and the prince's shoulders visibly relaxed, his features softening like he had removed a mask.
He turned and gave the young mother an encouraging smile before approaching with his gaze on the youngling still held tightly in her arms. The child looked at him with wide eyes filled with more wonder than fear.
"You need to be more careful, little one. The emperor does not play games." Leonardo said it sternly, but Don could see the hint of a smile on his face as he extended his hand, waiting as the little girl carefully took the ball from his fingers.
"Thank you, Pwince Leonardo." She said quietly, before burying her face in her mother's neck.
"Thank you... thank you." The mother gasped, a tear rolling down her cheek.
Deepest regret filled Leonardo's eyes as he looked at the frightened woman. "There is no need to thank me, it shouldn't have to be this way."
The husband clutched his wife and child to him, like he was afraid they would disappear if he let go. He looked at the prince with relieved tears in his eyes. "Your Highness... we can never repay your kindness..."
Leonardo grimaced and turned to the guard at his side, who placed a small coin pouch into the prince's waiting hand. He then firmly deposited the gift into the husbands trembling fingers. "There is nothing to repay. But you cannot remain here, my father does not forget the faces of those that wrong him, and it would be best if he did not see yours again. This should be enough to help you find your way."
The husband looked at the coin pouch in shock, understanding coming slowly to him. He nodded with a shaky breath and a bow, uncertainty shining in his eyes.
The prince made a silent order to his guard and they moved to the side, toward a large, dusty, weather-stained crate. It took three of them pushing it to move its weight, revealing a small hidden door, built into the floor underneath it.
"My captain will escort you out of the city and provide as many supplies as we can spare." Leonardo said regretfully. "I am sorry that I can't allow you to return to your home. Are there any messages you would like to leave for family or friends?
The young mother sniffed through her tears. "My father. He lives alone... my mother passed last winter. He can't walk as easily as he used to..."
She broke down crying, unable to continue speaking, and Leonardo stepped in, laying a comforting hand on her shell while passing a small piece of parchment to her husband. "Give me his name, I will make sure he is looked after. And please know, it is my sincere hope that you will be able to return before the end of the summer... if things go well."
"Thank you, Your Highness. We understand."
The husband stared at the parchment in his hand with an empty look before scribbling a name, then he gently took his wife by her shoulders and steered her toward the opening in the floor, following the captain down into the gloom. Once they were gone, the remaining soldiers moved the crate back into its original place, carefully erasing any signs that it had been disturbed at all.
Leonardo watched the young family go, and Donatello watched him. The prince had saved them from the wrath of his father, at great risk to himself Don was sure, yet he had done it so swiftly and easily with hardly any effort, like this was something he did all the time, and from what Don already knew of Aeolus he shuddered to think that it likely was.
But the heartache of that unfortunate reality was not the only thing that captured Don's attention. He had watched the young family carefully, and beneath their fear and confusion he saw something else burning brightly in their eyes. Love and adoration and hope... yes, above it all was bright, shining hope.
They expected Leonardo to save them all.
The faces of the crowd gathered in front of the tavern told the same story, Don realized. Every soul present had remained quiet as the young family was led away, there was no murmured conversation, no one stepping forward to beg for leniency on their behalf. They had known what Leonardo's intentions were and had remained completely subservient to not raise the emperor's suspicions. They were protecting Leonardo, just as much as he was protecting them.
The prince stared at the weathered crate for a long moment before he sighed and motioned for his remaining guard to follow him, disappearing through a side door that led into the adjacent tower.
It was a testament to his skill that his father seemed completely unaware of Leonardo's efforts and what just happened had given Don a lot to think about. The already dire situation laying heavy atop the kingdom of Aeolus just became immensely more complicated and Don wasn't sure what, if anything, could be done about it.
Don waited a few moments longer, listening carefully until he was completely sure he was alone in the warehouse, then he climbed down from the loft back into the dark office, releasing his held breath as he turned and stopped dead in his tracks.
A hunched, dark shadow, backlit by the late afternoon light from outside blocked the doorway. Don felt his heart stutter in his chest as he froze. He should have been expecting this, and on some level, he realized he wasn't actually all that surprised, his track record being what it was, but he still tensed defensively.
The features of his face were masked by the shadows, but even so it was easy to recognize the wizened old rat that had been following Leonardo so closely. He said nothing and made no movement, watching Don take stock of the situation with shrewdly glittering eyes.
Don considered his options carefully. He could scurry back up to the loft and try to find his escape by retreating through the main warehouse, but this rat might yell for the guard before he took two steps and fighting for his freedom was the last thing he needed right now. It seemed that his only real option was to try and talk his way out.
"Let me pass." Don said with as much confidence as he could muster. But the rat only blinked at him with a small smile, his whiskers twitching like he was holding back a laugh, so after a moment Don tried again. "I'm not looking for trouble..."
"What are you looking for then?" The rat asked quietly.
"Nothing... information." Don answered simply.
"The prince may believe otherwise I fear." His grey fur was vibrating as he chuckled.
"I mean him no harm."
"I know. That is why I have not yet alerted him to your presence."
The rat considered him with an unconcerned air, staring at him so pointedly it made Don uncomfortable, like his dark eyes were boring straight into the center of his soul.
"You look so much like your father when he was your age." The old rat finally offered. "Tell me, how is Archus? It has been too many long years."
Donatello felt his blood turn to ice as he tried not to let his surprise show on his face. This rat had known his father and recognized him because of it. That was unexpected but in truth almost irrelevant now and he didn't have time for distractions. The longer he stayed in one place here, the more the risk grew that Leonardo would feel his presence and search him out.
"Please," Don pleaded, dodging the question. "Just let me pass. I'll leave quietly, but I need to go before the prince senses my..."
"He will not." The rat cut him off. "I am blocking his perception of you."
"Blocking his...? You can... do that?"
"Your awareness of each other is unique within each generation. Isolating the magical frequency that identifies each of you and masking it is a skill I have spent my life mastering. Did you not wonder why you cannot sense your father in the same way you can Leonardo, or young Michelangelo?"
"I... yes I had wondered that, actually." Don conceded. "It's something I've planned to look into when I... find the time."
"I imagine there is much information that you have been denied. Many things that would have made your journey far easier. Or perhaps entirely unnecessary." The rat smiled sympathetically, his gaze knowing as he gave Donatello an appraising look.
Another silence filled the space between them, Don locked in place by his kind, venerable gaze. He was still confused but the tension in his shoulders was beginning to lessen and as the seconds passed, he found that he didn't feel the need to question why this rat had decided to share his thoughts so openly with him, the answer was obvious within the dark pools that held him.
Perhaps he should have felt fear for himself and his perilous position in this strange land where he was an outsider, but it was clear that there was only warm acceptance and understanding being offered and somehow Don simply knew that he had nothing to fear from this gentle master.
Don cleared his throat with an apologetic smile. "Well, if you're not going to turn me in then I suppose I owe you my thanks, um... what should I call you?"
"You may call me Splinter." The rat replied, turning to look back over his shoulder as he stepped outside. "Please, come with me."
Donatello followed obediently; his lack of hesitation only mildly surprising as his feet moved before he even had a chance to think about it. He trailed behind the rat shuffling toward the front of the warehouse, watching his long brown tail swish across the snow.
When they reached the front of the building Splinter stopped and invited Don to stand next to him as he stared out at the open square beyond, leaning heavily on his walking stick.
Looking out past the corner of the building Don's eyes immediately fell on Leonardo only a dozen feet away and his heart almost skipped a beat. Perhaps it was true that the rat was blocking Leonardo's ability to sense Don, but obviously the old master was not doing the same for him. He held his breath as he observed the prince of air, feeling the pull of his magic, pulsing and warm, and it filled Don with an urgent longing so suddenly that he needed to grip the brick wall beside him to stop his feet from carrying him into the square.
The setting sun cast a glow over the crowd gathered but the prince of air stood out from all of them, his head held high with a confident smile, welcoming the citizens of Aeolus gathering close as he stepped out among them.
They moved around him with smiles and murmured thanks, soft touches to his hands and his arms. And he moved with them, listening to each person that spoke to him, showing concern for their troubles and happiness for their excitements. He engaged with them in every way that a seasoned ruler should, and with a start Don realized that his life and Leonardo's were in some ways so very similar and that perhaps the two of them were really not all that different after all.
"They believe he will release them from their suffering, when he ascends to the throne." Splinter spoke quietly almost directly into his ear, drawing Don's attention back to him.
The rat smiled without turning his head, watching Leonardo walk away. "He has given so much of himself carefully shielding them from the emperor's whims whenever and wherever he can. They see him as their salvation and will protect him with their very lives."
Following the rat's gaze Don's eyes softened with understanding. "He is nothing like his father."
"No." Splinter said proudly raising his chin. "But Apelles is formidable and cunning and is quite happy where he sits. Leonardo... all of you... face a battle far more dire than I think any of you are prepared for."
Donatello let the implication of that statement sink in. The very idea of what this old rat was inferring was almost too fantastical to even consider and, if it should become a reality, would shake the foundations of their society to its very core.
Splinter was watching him closely, making sure he understood. The Trials of Succession were more than just a test, they were also a rite of passage, allowing the current kings to step aside gracefully while passing on their rule to their first-born heirs. It was a system that each of the royal families had proudly honored ever since their ancient ancestors were gifted the powers over the elements by the elemental spirits centuries ago.
It was the way it had always been.
This was something far larger than himself, the four of them, or even the trials themselves, and Don frowned, unsure what exactly it was this old rat expected them to do. If the emperor dared to attempt what Splinter was suggesting he might, would the four of them coming together as a united force even be enough to stop him?
Four complete strangers, standing together as one. He shivered, realizing that finding common ground with them was more important now than it had ever been before. He couldn't fail, not now that he was aware of what exactly was at stake.
Frigid air filled his lungs as he sucked in a deep breath and nodded.
The rat graced him with a relieved smile. "You should return home, Prince of Water. It is not safe for you here and I am sure your kingdom needs you far more than this one does. Please give your father my warmest regards."
Splinter walked away without waiting for an answer, leaving Don to stare after him with the weight of the world resting on his shoulders.
Yes, it was definitely time for him to go home.
~*~ EotW ~*~
