2 chapters in one day! except not because it's past midnight here. im so tired. leave a review


"So, our plan is to…" Evangeline stole a glance at her companion, who was gingerly trying to wash some of the dried blood off of himself via the small, frigid stream that ran through the garden. Her gaze lingered just too long on his bare chest, and her face heated as she quickly looked away. "…stay here, in the gardens, until those chasing us have moved on?"

"Just about." Herobrine sat back, evidently fed up with the cold water. "It is too late in the year to worry about servants coming to tend to the trees, we should be safe." Evangeline shot him a suspicious look, but didn't question him further. He was hiding something, that much was obvious, but she was doubtful that any amount of interrogation would get it out of him. So, she stayed silent.

The night had passed without incident. Herobrine had slept in quite late, but that was of no consequence since they were not traveling, and she was sure that the rest would do him good. Once he had woken, he had slipped into the manor again to get them breakfast, somehow making it in and out of the kitchens, during the day, without being spotted. Perhaps he was utilizing that same… instant-travel ability that he seemed to possess.

He had implored her to trust him, and she did. So, despite her suspicions, she let him lead.

"How are you feeling?" She gestured vaguely to the bandages, not wanting him to think that she was staring. He grunted softly.

"I ache, but it is mending." He pressed gently at the bandages. "…and I am no longer bleeding, it seems."

"Good." Evangeline nodded, pleased. "How long do you think it will take to fully heal?"

"Perhaps three weeks. It depends on how much food and rest I get."

"Are we intending to stay here until then?"

"If possible, yes."

Evangeline studied his face. "What is our plan if we are caught?"

"I will handle it." Herobrine told her. "More than likely, we will have to flee. I do not think it will be any worse than at Northcrest." Pacified by this answer, Evangeline sat back and looked up at the cloudy sky.

…just in time to see a dark, winged shape dart across the sky and drop into a spiral, disappearing in the front of the manor.

"Nether." She hissed, shooting to her feet. Herobrine was already upright with one hand clamped over his wound. "You said they wouldn't look for us here!"

"Well, I was wrong." He hissed back. "Come, inside."

"How is that safer than-?!"

"There is a storage room just within, we can hide there for now." He interrupted. "Come on." Evangeline shook her head and followed.

True to his word, the side door led into a dim hallway, attached to which was a small, dark cellar. Evangeline could feel the first prickle of claustrophobia as they descended the small staircase into it, but she forced it away. They had left the door open, and she could still see the light from outside. This was bearable.

She and Herobrine settled down in the furthest corner behind a stack of crates, completely obscured from the doorway. Unless someone came in here and happened to need something from their exact location, they would be safe.

Evangeline shifted, pinning her scraggly wings tightly against her back. She and Herobrine were packed quite closely together, and her arm felt hot where it was pressed against his.

"How do you know this place so well?" She whispered, desperately hoping that it was too dark for him to see how red her face was. Herobrine hesitated.

"Before my… banishment, I visited this place several times." He whispered back. Evangeline quirked a brow at him.

"The lord is a friend of yours?" She asked. Herobrine looked down, his eyes glowing faintly.

"He was."

Distant voices had them both falling silent, and Evangeline recognized her commander almost immediately.

"…headed this way. Due to your connection, you understand why we must ask…"

"Of course." Another voice replied, and Herobrine stiffened beside her. "But you are the first valkyrie I have seen in a long time, and it has been even longer since I have seen Herobrine." The voices were coming closer, causing Evangeline's heart to beat faster. Perhaps sensing her distress, Herobrine rested a hand on her arm. This did the opposite of calming her heart rate.

"And if he should come to you for help?" This was Tekno's voice, and Evangeline breathed a sigh of relief.

"Then I will deal with him as I see fit."

"Lord Lancaster, he-"

"-is my responsibility." The voice, undoubtedly the lord, interrupted. "As long as he is on my land, he is within my jurisdiction. I'm sorry I could not be of more help." Evangeline shot Herobrine a look. What exactly was his relationship with this man?

"Thank you, my lord." Zenith said at last. "We'll see ourselves out."

"Good day, gentlemen." Footsteps retreated down the hallway again, and Evangeline made to rise, but Herobrine tugged her back down with a shake of his head. A moment later, a third set of footsteps began to approach them.

A shadow fell across the room as someone stepped into the doorway, blocking most of their sparse amount of daylight. Evangeline all but held her breath as he took a step onto the wooden stairs. A second, then a third. Then he was approaching their hiding place, and Evangeline's mind was whirling, as she tried to figure out how he'd known when he spoke.

"Herobrine?" Lord Lancaster's voice was low. Herobrine hesitated, then released her arm, straightening up and stepping into the light.

"Steven." He greeted him quietly. Evangeline stood up as well, peering out and catching her first glimpse of the lord as he gave Herobrine a smile.

"Hello, little brother."

Evangeline's head whipped about to stare at Herobrine in shock- though, after a moment, the resemblance was clear. They had the same mid-toned skin and dark hair, as well as glowing eyes, though Lord Lancaster had irises that glowed a vibrant blue. He was dressed in simple clothing for his rank, and he sported a neat, full beard and combed hair. His blue eyes flickered over to her as she appeared, and he gave her a nod.

"You must be Corporal Morningstar." He greeted her. Evangeline lowered her gaze.

"Yes, my lord."

"Neither of you is looking well." He observed looking from her tattered wings to Herobrine's bandages. "Come with me to my chambers, and I will get you some refreshments, if you will explain all this to me?"

"Will you turn us in?" Herobrine asked quietly before Evangeline could speak. The lord studied his face for a moment.

"Not unless you give me a good reason to."

"Very well. Evangeline, come on." Herobrine beckoned her with him, following his brother out of the cellar and into the daylight.


Herobrine lowered himself gingerly into an armchair, then looked up, finally meeting Evangeline's glare.

"What?"

"Why didn't you tell me that he was your brother?" She hissed.

"It wasn't important."

"It is very important! And you deliberately hid this information from me."

"Alright." Herobrine glanced at the door through which Lord Lancaster had disappeared, then met her eyes again. "I feared that if I told you, you would insist that we ask him for help. Help that I did not know if he would give." Evangeline pursed her lips.

"I did not know you even had a brother. If you had but told me that he was not a potential ally, I would have listened."

"My mistake."

"Furthermore, if you did not think he would help us, then why did you bring us here?"

"Because I knew the grounds, and how to stay hidden." He shifted in his seat. "…and… because I hoped he would." He added quietly. Evangeline just gazed at him for a few moments.

"Talking about me, I presume." Lord Lancaster nudged the door open with his foot, carrying a tray with both hands. Evangeline sat up straight as he neared, her mouth immediately beginning to water at the sight of cuts of cold meat, bread, and cheese. He set down the tray on the low table before them and stepped back, sinking down on the couch opposite. "Go ahead and eat," He invited them. "As long as you tell me how you got here while you do so." Evangeline was only too happy to oblige.

Between the two of them they picked the tray clean in a matter of minutes, all the while relaying their journey from Meryl's death to their arrival at Lancaster Manor. The lord listened quietly as they spoke, asking questions to clarify when necessary. He was understandably concerned at the tale of Herobrine's injury, but his brother waved him off and told him he was healing, which he seemed to be content with.

"So even though your former commander may be off your trail, you still have these… undead valkyries to contend with." Lancaster gathered when they were finished.

"Yes." Evangeline nodded. "And, if Commander Zenith was able to track us here, then they may be able to as well."

"Right." Lancaster drummed his fingers on the arm of the couch, appearing deep in thought. "I wish I could do more. As a biased party, I can do little to vouch for you."

"Of course." Herobrine stared at the covered window, one hand resting over his bandages. "We cannot linger here long."

"No," Lancaster agreed. "I cannot allow my people to be put in danger. But I encourage you to rest yourselves here, for the night, bathe if you wish to. I can provide you with clothes, food, and weapons for when you go." Evangeline's spirits lifted slightly.

"We would be most thankful, my lord."

"It's of no trouble." Lancaster stood, beckoning her with him. "Let me find you some clothes, and I'll have the maids draw a bath.


Steven looked up at the sound of a door opening, lowering his book as his younger brother quietly appeared in the doorway.

"Do they fit?" Steven asked. In response, Herobrine glanced down, tugging at the hem of his blue tunic.

"It's a little loose, but I'll manage."

"You seem to have lost some weight since last I saw you." Steven closed his book, setting it aside and going to meet his brother in the doorway. "Where is your valkyrie friend?"

"Sleeping." Herobrine told him. "It has been a grueling couple of weeks for her." Steven nodded in understanding. Though it was not yet evening, he had easily observed Evangeline's sluggish movements and delayed responses when he brought her new clothes for after her bath.

"For you as well, I imagine." He added quietly. Herobrine's hand drifted to rest over the site of his wound.

"It is nothing more than I deserve." He stated. Steven pursed his lips, but didn't argue, instead taking a step back and beckoning his brother with him.

"Come sit with me."

Herobrine was stiff when he sat down beside him, hands clasped in his lap as he started at the far wall. Steven couldn't blame him for being on edge, but he still made an effort to lighten the mood. "So, who is she to you?"

"Evangeline?" Brine gave him an odd look. "She… is my charge, I suppose."

"Is that all?" Steven raised a brow. "You have been traveling together for… how long, now?"

"Nearing two weeks."

"And you have no attachment to her?"

"No, not that it matters. All that matters is that I keep her safe." Brine's tone was resolute, and Steven sighed.

"Why, then? If you do not care for her?" He asked. Brine's gaze returned to the far wall.

"To… make up for it all." He said slowly. "At least, to begin." Steven fell silent for a long moment.

"What happened back then?" He finally asked. Herobrine didn't look at him.

"You know what happened."

"I know what sparked it." Steven turned to face him fully. "What I don't know is why you let that change you." Brine's jaw tightened visibly, and Steven wondered if he had said too much.

"Because I was weak." He finally bit out. "I was weak, and frightened, and I thought the only way to protect myself was to be far more cruel than they- than they ever were to me." He shut his eyes, and Steven was silent. "I know you're disappointed in me."

"I was." Steven told him. "When I saw what you had become." Brine said nothing, and he continued. "Now, when I see you helping someone with no one to turn to, simply for the sake of justice… I think you haven't changed a bit from the boy I once knew. Down to the never wanting to marry."

"Hey-" Brine scoffed, face coloring slightly at the reminder. "I don't see you with a woman on your arm either."

"It can be difficult to find a good woman who is also immortal." Steven pointed out. "Though you seem to have found yourself one."

"Evangeline?" Brine gave a firm shake of his head. "No. She does not deserve to be tethered to me."

"Hmm." Steven decided to leave it at that. Neither one of them spoke for a moment, then Herobrine tentatively asked,

"How long have you known I was here?"

"I felt your presence as soon as you arrived." Steven told him. "Though I did not know at first that you brought a guest." Herobrine nodded quietly.

"Why did you not… call me out, right away?"

"I wanted to see what you would do, first." Steven shifted a bit. "I did not know if you were still angry at me."

Herobrine chuckled mirthlessly. "I stopped being angry a long time ago. You did what any good leader should do, for the sake of the people I was oppressing."

"Yes, but I did it for you, too." Steven rested a hand on his brother's arm. "It was not good for you any more than it was for them." Brine hummed quietly but didn't answer.

After a moment, Steven stood. "You should rest," he said. "I will see to it that you are not disturbed." Herobrine nodded in thanks as he got up.

"Evangeline and I will leave in the morning."

"Wait until next evening," Steven suggested. "So you may travel under cover of night."

"Very well." Herobrine started to turn, but paused when Steven held out his arms towards him. He hesitated, then asked, "What is this for?"

"It's been over 300 years since I last saw your face." Steven said. "And you're my brother. Isn't that reason enough?" Herobrine lingered for a moment longer before relenting, taking a step towards Steven and allowing his brother to wrap him in his embrace.

"Did you ever think about me?" He mumbled into his older brother's shoulder. Steven adjusted his hold, careful not to put pressure on his healing ribs.

"Every day." He cupped the back of Brine's head, sighing into his hair. "Wondering if you were safe… if you were hurting, or hurting others." Brine's hands rested gingerly on his back as he hesitantly leaned into him.

"I was bitter when I was first chased out, but…" He gave a small shrug. "I… realized that I was the one at fault before long."

"That's good." Steven murmured. "And you were able to take care of yourself?"

"I survived."

"I know. You're here now, aren't you?"

"Mm."

Steven held him until his brother pulled away, at which point he led him out to the room beside the one that the valkyrie woman had claimed. Herobrine seemed a little awkward in the grand space, but he was more than happy to fall into bed, and Steven bid him a final goodbye before leaving his little brother to sleep.