Ghosts of the Past
The theatre during the early afternoon light seemed much less mysterious and grand than it had the last time the two brothers had entered it. It was easy to see the dust and slightly faded brocade of the hangings and the scarring on wooden floors. What they saw on entering the actual stage area was anything but ordinary though.
Their baby sister was standing in the middle of the stage, surrounded by a cold blue light that pulsed sickly. Faith was above her, climbing the ladder to the rafters where the lights and sandbags were hung. "Asrai!" Andreas shouted and rushed forward, his brother on his heels. The two of them grabbed the edge of the stage and pulled themselves up onto it. Something cold seemed to touch their hands and blow over their faces. Andreas blinked.
His younger brother was hurrying towards Asrai, his hands moving in mystical gestures that seemed to cut through the haze. A surge of bitter fear swept over Andreas, coupled with the resigned knowledge that he may as well have stayed in the palace. His little brother knew everything he needed to vanquish the ghost and save their baby sister.
Andreas heard the thing give a terrible howl and begin to fight his brother, leaving Asrai to slump to the stage floor. Pushing himself forward the Crown Prince moved numbly to his sister. He might be useless to Sebastian, but maybe he could get Asrai out of harms way. He felt a bolt of something freezing cold strike him and knew the ghost had attacked him.
Sebastian gave a shout of anger and Andreas watched as something struck the ghost with a burst of golden light. The cold left him and Andreas was able to breathe again, aware that he hadn't even noticed that he couldn't before. He crawled slowly towards his sister seeing her stir to life again in Sebastian's arms. 'Sebastian?' He heard her ask. 'Where's Andreas?'
'Oh, he's all right. He got in the way, but I kept the ghost from killing him.' Sebastian replied carelessly. The sapphire blue eyes flickered over his brother to someone behind Andreas.
'Again?' Andreas heard his father's voice. 'Good grief Andreas, what good are you if you can't even stay out of the way during a battle? You don't think that fiasco at Candlekeep proves that you're any good to Cormyr do you? Why don't you just stay out of the way for the next decade or so? We'll see how your brother does as the Heir to the Throne.'
"Andreas!" The Crown Prince heard Sebastian screaming his name frantically, terror in his voice and shook his head. Sebastian never sounded frightened by anything. He was always calm, like their mother. Something was wrong. He shook his head again trying to clear it. Why would his father say that? Just the other day he'd told his oldest son how proud he was, how good a king he would make. Andreas felt a pounding in his head and the cold breeze on his face and then heard his little brother scream in terror. Even if he got in the way, he had to try and help Sebastian, he had to do his best. Andreas decided, even if it turned out to be wrong, he had to at least try. Frowning with determination he opened his eyes and looked around for his brother.
Sebastian felt the breeze over his face and shook his head frantically. Andreas was rushing forward, straight at the ghost, faster than Sebastian could move to prevent him. The younger prince hurried towards Asrai and his brother. "Andreas, are you all right?" He shouted.
"Fine. Get Faith." Andreas called back and Sebastian hurried to obey. Andreas usually was right in situations like these. Sebastian could depend that if he did what Andreas told him, as long as he himself didn't foul it up, things would go all right. The future spymaster ran for the ladder and started after Faith.
Sebastian cried out as he touched the ladder, it was icy cold and seemed to burn his skin. Grimly he climbed upward calling for the Watcher. 'Faith!' He cried desperately. 'Don't!' She was balanced on the rafter above him, her position so precarious it was obvious that she was about to jump. 'Noooo!' He screamed as she let herself fall forward, past him, down to the stage, her body landing with a terrible impact. He could see a slow seep of blood creeping forward from her dark hair over the boards.
Frantically he looked at his brother and saw that Andreas had managed to wake Asrai up at least. His sister was groggy but her eyes had life in them. Sebastian started down the ladder again, keeping his gaze on his brother. He didn't know how he was going to live with his failure to save Faith but at least Andreas had saved Asrai. 'Oh no.' He whispered in horror. A terrible monstrous cold blue form was coalescing behind Andreas. Its hands were curved into claws like daggers. One of them thrust into Andreas' back, the back that Sebastian had left unguarded, and warm red blood spurted from the Crown prince's mouth.
"Andreas!" Sebastian screamed. "No!" Frantically he tried to climb down and found he couldn't. His fear had kept him in one place too long and now the flesh of his hands was frozen to the ladder. With a cry of pain he managed to free one hand and flung a dagger at the evil blue thing. To his horror it flew completely through the ghost to strike with deadly accuracy and embed itself in his baby sisters breast. 'Sebastian…' she whispered in shock and slumped to the ground.
Sebastian screamed again in rage and grief over what he'd inadvertently done and somehow managed to free his other hand. He fell with sickening pain to the ground conscious of the ghost laughing in satisfaction.
'You've managed to kill your brother.' It whispered evilly. 'Now you can be king, just as you've wanted.'
Sebastian frowned even in his grief. He'd never wanted to be king. No one in his right mind really did. He pushed a hand to his head, trying to think. 'No…' He shook his head. 'My brother will be king…he's better at it.' The younger prince argued.
'But you killed him, you failed him, he's gone.' The ghost laughed.
'No.' Sebastian shook his head again. 'No.' He pushed his hands into his hair. 'You killed him.' Tears were streaking his face, he could feel them on his skin and hands.
'No, your failure killed him, and he will always blame you for it.' The insidious whisper informed him.
'That doesn't make sense.' Sebastian countered. Something wasn't right. He groaned and felt the pounding in his head increase. He had to get to Andreas. Maybe the ghosts taunting meant that his big brother was alive. Maybe he could save him. He forced open eyes he didn't know he'd closed. He had to at least try in spite of his fear that he'd fail.
Andreas looked around in momentary confusion and saw that both he and Sebastian were still at the edge of the stage. His younger brother's face was streaked with tears and his eyes a bit wild with the remains of whatever terrible thing he'd seen. Their father was nowhere in sight and Asrai was still held in thrall.
Sebastian took a deep breath and steadied himself as he saw his brother was alive. There was no time for explanations though as he looked up and saw Faith. The girl was nearly at the top of the ladder, almost at the landing where one of the stage crew stood to handle the lights. "Well shit." He swore violently and pushed himself up running for the ladder.
Andreas shook his head and stood, moving towards his sister with fearful urgency. Thrusting his hands into the light surround her, he held her by the shoulders and shook her. "Asrai wake up!" He commanded. "This son of a bitch is trying to kill you! Wake up and fight him!"
Asrai shook her head weakly. "Nooo…he loves me." She murmured and took a shallow breath that didn't seem enough to even partially fill her lungs.
"He doesn't love you, he wants to possess you!" Andreas shook her more violently, trying to force her awake. "That's not love you little fool! Faith and Sebastian and I love you… and I'm damned if I'm going to lose you too!" He shook her again, and frantic tears crept into his voice. "Asrai wake up, or I swear I'll paddle your bottom until you can't sit down."
"Andreas…" Asrai whispered her eyelids fluttering. "He loves me, he wants to be one with me." She resisted. "He's my angel."
"He's not your angel!" Andreas argued frantically. "He's a malevolent spirit who can't let go of the past so he's trying to live again in your body!" He shook her praying that he wasn't rattling her brain. "Wake up! Asrai, so help me gods…I'm going to beat some sense into you one of these days."
Her eyelids fluttered open and she groaned. "Andreas you're hurting me." She muttered. "Geez, will you just let me sleep?"
"No I won't you little idiot!" Andreas shouted. "Now you wake up, and stay awake." It was working he realized thankfully. She was waking up. "Wake up Asrai, we need you to help us. It's trying to take over your body and it's trying to kill Faith." That seemed to get her attention more than anything else he'd done besides shaking her.
Asrai looked up at him groggily. "Andreas why am I at the theatre when there's no rehearsal here?" She asked in confusion.
Andreas shook his head. "I'll explain later I promise." His gaze rose to the rafters searching for Sebastian. When he found his brother Andreas' jaw fell open. "Sebastian…" He breathed and then swore loudly, "Shit!" And began to run for the ladder. "Stay awake Asrai!" He admonished her over his shoulder as he began to climb.
Sebastian reached the lighting platform just as Faith was stepping out onto the beams above the stage. It was like being in the middle of a spider's web of robe with hanging sandbags seeming eerily like dead flies. The Watcher walked forward without any fear at all and began to shift her weight obviously preparing to leap off.
Sebastian cursed under his breath and grabbed a rope testing its hold. Sliding as far as he could onto the beam he latched onto Faith's wrist and pulled her back. She stumbled, nearly toppling them both off the beam and falling heavily against him onto the platform. "Faith!" Sebastian felt her squirming on top of him and guessed her intent. If his mother was right and this ghost had power over women then she would just try to kill herself all over again.
"Sorry sweetheart." He apologized and rolled so she was beneath him on the platform. Her squirm and angry kick nearly caught him by surprise and she managed to get out from under him. "Damnit Faith!" Sebastian swore and grabbed her by the waist, pulling her back from the edge of the platform. Swinging her around so she was facing him he pulled his fist back and landed a solid punch to her jaw. Woozily she swayed forward and nearly pitched off the platform again. "Oh no you don't." The prince pulled her by the wrist and swung her towards the opposite side where there was plenty of room. She stumbled and he heard her skull connect with one the heavy metal lanterns above the platform right before she crumbled to the floor. "Oh no." Sebastian breathed and knelt beside her feeling for a heartbeat. Slow and steady it pounded beneath his hand and he smiled.
'Interloper!' An angry voice hissed. 'I won't tolerate this interference any longer.' Cold and evil the spirit cackled in his mind. 'Your beautiful sister makes me strong…I don't need a mortal tool to take care of you. I can do it myself, and then after I've dealt with your annoying brother, I will have your sister all to myself.'
Sebastian shuddered at the cold touch on his mind and only the faint chilling breeze gave him warning for what was about to happen. In concern he stepped away from Faith's unconscious form, worried the spirit would do more harm to her as it tried to injure him. The cold sensation was almost as much of a shock as the wickedly strong push that sent him flying over the edge of the platform, into the tangle of ropes and sandbags. Involuntarily Sebastian gave a shout of alarm as he fell and then grabbed onto one of the ropes.
As he hung there, clinging for dear life, he saw Andreas hurrying to the ladder and then Dragon entering the theatre from the rear doors. With him was a diminutive female with long mithral silver hair. With a sickened feeling in his stomach he felt himself drop slightly and looked up. The ghost was slowly and maliciously untying Sebastian's supporting ropes. Soon there would be only the one he had wrapped around his wrists and when the ghost untied it, he would fall.
Taking a deep breath he watched as the ropes fell one by one, bracing himself. From below he was aware of Dragon intoning powerful words, his voice rising and falling in cadence with the spell. A golden net he carried shimmered and gleamed in the dusty light and it seemed to glow slightly with its own radiance as well.
He saw his brother reach the top of the platform and looked up to watch the rope he clung to slowly being loosened. "Sebastian!" Andreas called frantically. He lay on his stomach on the platform and reached for the younger prince. Sebastian stretched and strained as far as he was able and felt his muscles rip sickeningly and the rope giving. Just as he felt himself beginning to fall Andreas' hand gripped his wrist and Sebastian felt himself swing down and then with blinding pain his head hit the underside of the lighting platform. Vaguely he felt his brother pulling him up and cradling him. "I've got you Sebastian, I've got you." Andreas said, carefully holding his little brother's head.
Sebastian opened his eyes and looked up at his brother. A smile curved his mouth weakly and tugged it into an outright grin. "I never doubted you big brother." He felt his eyelids sliding shut again and struggled to stay awake but the urge to sleep was stronger than his will.
Andreas watched as Dragon completed his spell and unfurled the golden net. He heard the scream of terror the ghost gave and saw his baby sister jerk in reaction. The silver haired girl restrained the princess and somehow calmed her as Dragon shouted in command and a cold blue form was captured within the net. The warrior mage's face was stern but didn't seem at all fazed or strained by what he was doing. He gave the net an admonishing little shake and bowed to the girl.
The song she began was wordless but like Dragon's spell it vibrated with power and as she moved her hands the spirit seemed to shrink within the net. The music rose to a wordless peak and rang with finality and the spirit was gone.
Dragon and the lady looked at each other and she turned to help Asrai. Dragon called with a note of concern in his macabre voice. "Andreas! We've found Asrai, now tell me where you are so I don't have to tear this place apart." The older man pushed a hand through his dark hair, mussing the locks and shook his head. "Your parents will kill me if something has happened to you." He half pleaded half muttered.
"Up here." Andreas called back. "Sebastian and Faith are hurt. So you might want to hurry."
Dragon mounted the ladder and with a grace the prince found himself envying slightly pulled himself up onto the platform. "What in the world happened?" The older man inquired as he gently turned Faith and felt for the large lump on her head.
Andreas shook his head. "With Faith, I can only guess, most likely Sebastian had to knock her out in order to keep her from getting killed." He frowned fiercely. "The ghost tried to kill my brother." He said in outraged tones. "It pushed him off the platform and then untied the ropes Sebastian grabbed to keep from falling."
Dragon nodded. "It was an extremely strong, malevolent ghost." He said quietly his fingers checking Sebastian's head. "I was a bit worried we wouldn't be able to contain it. That's what took me so long, I had to teleport to my mother's home in the Cormanthor and get the spellnet."
Andreas blinked and said in a soft voice. "Teleport? That great a distance? And you still managed to bind the ghost?" He narrowed his eyes at Dragon. "Exactly how 'talented' are you at magic Dragon?"
The warrior mage grinned at him mischievously. "A bit better than I am with a sword." He shrugged. He carefully lifted Sebastian and laid him over one broad shoulder. "If you'll take Faith we can do this in one trip." He suggested.
Andreas nodded and waited until Dragon had made his descent before mimicking his actions. His little sister rushed up to him and it was obvious she wanted to hug both he and Faith but the Watcher's injuries prevented it. "Will she be all right?" The princess sounded like a very young child, her voice trembling with tears.
"We'll see in a day or so, how she takes healing." A serene soft voice told her. Andreas blinked as he was able to see the diminutive female clearly. "Andreas, it is good to see you." She smiled gently.
"Deirdriu, what are you doing here?" Andreas asked in shock. "I thought you were in Waterdeep."
"I was." The priestess of Eilistraee nodded. "Dragon contacted me and told me what was going on. He told me to bring my Circlet and to be prepared for a very nasty spirit." Her sweet smile tilted her lips. "Agnoman brought me, and he'll take me home again once I've helped these two to mending."
"The wedding is only a few weeks away, you won't stay until then?" Andreas asked hopefully.
"Andreas, I will be here for the wedding." She soothed him absently as she picked up a small satchel. "But I must return to Waterdeep. I have a goddess to serve, an inn to run, and Caer to reassure that I am well." She held a hand up to forestall further pleas. "We'd better get these two back to the palace as quickly as possible. I'll feel better about their potential recovery when we aren't moving them around so much."
Sebastian woke to see his brother on one side of the bed and Briar on the other. "What's this?" He joked weakly. "You don't think my head's hard enough to survive a little crack like that? He studied his betrothed's worried face and Andreas' rumpled clothing. "How long has it been?" He asked more seriously.
"You've been unconscious for a day and a half." Briar said tearfully. "We've been worried to death." She gently took Sebastian's hand and held it to her cheek.
"I'm sorry love, had I known, I would have woken sooner." He smiled up at her. Looking at his brother he pulled a wry face. "You know it's bad enough being known as the young fool of the Obarskyr's." He told his brother. "Without my older brother always being the hero. What am I supposed to do? I'll never catch up to all of your glorious deeds."
Andreas rolled his eyes. "Next time I'll get hit in the head and you can save my life." He told his brother dryly. "You can do the worrying too."
Sebastian smiled. "Thanks." He said quietly. "I knew I could count on you to catch me before the ghost untied the last rope." He reached for his brother's hand and clasped it with a surprisingly firm grip. "You know, its not easy being your brother Andreas. You are the hero of our family. I know I chose the role I play freely, and my future responsibilities are the ones I can serve well, but there are times I wish I could be recognized for what I do. I never will be, I know it, and I accept it. But I do envy you sometimes the admiration of our people."
"And I envy you the admiration of your lady." Andreas said with painful honesty. "I miss knowing I can look into a woman's eyes and see such love and trust in me." He looked down. "I want to apologize to you…" He began.
"Don't." Sebastian squeezed his hand. "You had the right to be angry. I should have told you. I just didn't know how. As for everything else…I have an inkling of what you were going through, and if the explosion helped you to get past it, then I'll tolerate the lingering ache in my ribs."
Andreas smiled though it was tremulous with emotions beside joy. "Thank you little brother."
"Don't mention it." Sebastian retorted teasingly. "Ever." He grinned up at his brother and then sobered. "How is Faith? She hit her head pretty hard."
"She was starting to come around just as I came in to see you. We've all been going back and forth between bedrooms." Andreas explained. "Asrai and Briar have been relying on Lorelei and I for reports since she refuses to leave Faith's side and Briar wouldn't leave yours."
"I'm glad she's all right." Sebastian smiled and the last of the shadows left his eyes.
Asrai smiled down at Faith as her friend opened her eyes. "It's about time you woke up." The princess wiped away her tears. "You've had me worried to death."
"What?" Faith blinked at her. "Why?"
"Because you've been unconscious since Andreas carried you out of the theatre you goof!" Asrai told her. "That was nearly a day and a half ago."
"Andreas carried me?" Faith nearly purred. "Too bad I wasn't awake to enjoy it." She grinned at the look on Asrai's face.
"You were carried because you weren't awake." Asrai informed her sarcastically. "So there."
Faith rolled her eyes and tugged at Asrai's hand. "So why aren't you at rehearsals baby?" She asked softly. "Tredorian's new play has a part for you, right?"
Asrai looked at her as if the other girl was insane. "I was worried about you. I don't care a bit about rehearsals in comparison to you. Why do you think it took so long for that darn ghost to nearly completely possess me. I love you just as much as I love acting." Tears started to stream down her cheeks again.
"Hey babe, don't get upset." Faith stroked her hand. "I'm all right." She carefully pulled the girl towards her and cradled the curly golden head against her breasts. "I'm not going to leave you Asrai." She whispered softly. "No one's going to make me."
"It was my fault that you got hurt." Asrai sobbed. "If I hadn't thought I was in love with that damn ghost…"
"No it's not your fault." Faith whispered. "It's nobody's fault except the ghosts. And he's gone now." She stroked Asrai's hair. "C'mon baby, stop your crying. We're both fine, and he's gone for good."
Asrai sniffled and her hands, which had been clutching at Faith's arms relaxed as she fell into an exhausted sleep. Faith sighed and leaned her head back, wincing a little and regarded the corner. "You know, I can see you." She said dryly. "Either you're slipping or you wanted me to."
"You'll have to guess." The rich elegant voice that came from the corner had the same ironic quality as Faith's. A tall blue-eyed dark haired half elf emerged from the shadows and sat in the chair Asrai had recently vacated. "She's been awake ever since you were brought back." He explained. "That's why she fell asleep so easily."
Faith nodded her understanding. "That figures. The girl needs a keeper."
"And here I thought that was why I sent you to be her Watcher." Raden smiled. "I was worried about you daughter." His icy blue eyes were warm with affection as he gazed at the lovely and dangerous creature he'd sired. "Are you feeling better or does the aching linger?"
"It's still sore, but bearable." Faith admitted. "I'll be fit for duty tomorrow, if wishing I wasn't by tomorrow night."
"I'll send one of the Night priests by to complete the healing." The Spymaster said quietly and rose from the chair.
"So that I have no distractions or because you are concerned?" Faith asked in her customary drawl.
"Both daughter." He bent to touch her cheek and press a soft kiss to her forehead. "I never thought to love a person as I love my country, but then, I never expected a child like you." He smiled down at her, a warm expression rarely seen on his cold face. "Be well child." He glanced at the princess and the protective way Faith held her. "And be happy in your position."
"I am." She smiled up at him, a genuine smile, not the usual taunting tug of her lips. "I am indeed."
"Good." Raden smoothed her hair from her face and disappeared into the shadows again.
TBC