"Concealed"

MGL Story for Aamon Paxley

Aamon gently cradled the symbol of the Paxley household in his palm for a long time before his cold, shaking hand reach out to retrieve his third cup of coffee. The hot, bitter, liquid on his lips was the only comfort he could have as dozens of eyes looked at him with anticipation. He stood up and took a deep breath, breaking the suffocating silence. "Call off the search. Duke and Duchess Paxley are no longer with us."

The young man held his chin high and waited for protests from his siblings or objections from their retinues. There was none, and exhaustion was evident in their faces. Denial had helped them cope with the pain for far too long. They had held hope even when the Paxley carriage was found abandoned and bodyguards laid lifeless. Even if there was no demand for ransom, they wished the Duke and Duchess were only held captive - that was until the family crest was found auctioned in the black market. A Paxley would never willingly depart with the symbol.

"Thank you for your hard work and dedication. Your tireless search gave us the answers we needed. Please inform my uncles, aunts, the rest of the castle, and send a letter to the Emperor." Aamon said the words slowly, and clearly, carefully prepared weeks beforehand. "For now, I would like to request that you leave us as we mourn our mother and father."

Finally alone in their father's office, the daughters of Paxley finally poured their grief, sobbing and wailing as they held each other. Aamon could see his brothers held back as much as they could at first, but soon their lips quivered and tears spilled on their boyish cheeks. He approached each of them and gave them a reassuring touch on their shoulders, kissing his sisters' brows as they held onto him.

Aamon showed them no tears. He's no longer a teenager but the man of the family, and thus he had to be stronger than ever. In his arms were the family he had to protect from now on - all but one was here.

"Duke Paxley, we join you in mourning."

News traveled fast and soon the knights, the lords, ladies and all the staff residing in Castle Aberdeen went to the main hall to extend their condolences. High born or low born, it made no difference - Aamon acknowledged everyone, thanking them for their support. In turn, they praised him for his leadership and strength in the darkest hour, affirming their loyalties.

"Apologies, Duke Paxley, we still haven't found the young Lord Gusion."

"If he doesn't want to be found, you will not find him." Aamon gave the knight a weary smile. "Let me take care of my brother."

Tonight they should rest, and tomorrow they will make funeral arrangements.

He walked through the halls, gazing at the history of their family shown by works of art - sculptures, paintings, medals, and trophies throughout many generations spanning hundreds of years. At last, he arrived at the painting of his father and mother. "Duke Paxley was no more, and then he is here," Aamon whispered to himself, seeing his own reflection.

A scuttle of light footsteps alerted Aamon. As suspected, his little brother had retreated into the more secluded portions of the castle to avoid family meetings. "Gusion, come out. We need to talk."

Gusion peered at the end of the hallway but didn't approach Aamon. Instead, the child sprinted away, laughing.

Aamon sighed and chanted his spells. Soon, he was one with the shadows, silent and fast like the wind as he chased after his brother. "Gusion, this is important," he called out but the child ignored him, giggling as he disappeared and re-appeared in a flash at the end of the corridor. The other castle residents could not see the brothers as they sped through hallways and staircases. Some of the guards with better senses were alerted by the use of magic, turning their heads and clutching their weapons as they looked for the source - but they were not fast enough. Soon, new ghost stories would spread in Castle Aberdeen.

Speed was what Gusion loved, and Aamon had always played along. When both of them reached the courtyard and the gardens, Aamon slowed down. Let Gusion laugh a little more, let him have his innocence a little longer. Gusion toyed with Aamon, using his magic to zoom past his brother, appearing in a flash in different places. When Aamon decided it was time, he grabbed Gusion mid-air and held him off from the ground. "Game over," Aamon smiled as the child kicked and struggled to break free.

"I'm faster now, aren't I?" Gusion said as his feet returned to the earth, eyes were glowing with happiness. "Took you so long to catch me!"

"Indeed, you're faster than anyone in the castle. Or maybe even the entire Moniyan Empire." Aamon bent down to fix Gusion's hair, brushing the brown strands away from his eyes.

"Mother will never catch me for lessons," Gusion snickered.

Aamon's heart sank and he was unable to speak, his lips tightly sealed until his jaw began to hurt. His chest shuddered as he embraced the small child before him. Gusion did not resist. "Aamon?" The boy looked up but Aamon looked away from the moonlight, concealing his face. "Aamon, is there someone wrong?"

"Gusion, you should know… that I love you very much." Aamon voice cracked and soon hot tears spilled on his face. He desperately wiped his cheeks and his nose with the edge of his sleeve, biting his lip to hold back.

"Don't worry Aamon, I love you too," Gusion said without any fear of what's to come, inhibitions, or any judgment towards his older brother. The boy just lifted his arms and embraced back.

"Thank you, Gusion," Aamon whispered and wiped his tears the final time.