What Is Done

Chapter 15 - Fodder for the Elder Gods

A few more days passed and an annual celebration for Elven Guard came to pass, one that required the blood of the High King, similar to how I made a blood oath to the country the day of my coronation. We royals were dressed up regally by our chambermaids and picked up in a gilded carriage. My hair was pulled into an uptight bun that supported the crown. I wore pale green robes with embroidery of pink flowers and bright green leaves along the hem. My younger siblings had been dressed similarly, both wearing flowing clothes and gold circlets. The chambermaids always had a difficult time preparing Khaleesi for such events because Father had once said she was fickle when it came to deciding what to wear. 

Khaleesi sat on the same bench as me. Jericho sat opposite, staying close to the window at his right. A handful of guards moved with the carriage outside, including Sellion. It was a rare event for all three of us to venture out of the castle. Such an event called for high levels of security. I never worried, though. Sellion always has these things under control. His coordination was a bit scary. 

Jericho put a finger through one of the braids in his hair as if he were going to pull it out. He kept his eyes off of Khaleesi and me. Khaleesi swung her legs back and forth like she routinely did when bored. Her being hyperactive, it was extremely hard to get her to stay still.

I decided to pose a question after noticing my younger brother's discontent. "Is something wrong, Jericho?" 

Jericho said nothing. His eyes darted to me then back out to the city.

"Is there something wrong, Jericho?" I repeated with, implying more that I was going to force him to answer me.

Finally, Jericho sighed. "No," he huffed.

"You are clearly upset." Jericho had never been good at hiding it. I placed my palms in a crossed position on my lap, keeping my cool.

"I'm not upset!"

"Jerry's upset!" Khaleesi sang. Jericho looked at her in anguish and possibly disgust.

"Like I said, I am not upset!" Jericho huffed again, rage boiled up inside him. He crossed his arms and sunk into his seat. Now, both Khaleesi and I had our eyes locked on him. "It's just that...I thought you would have left by now."

"I would have if it were not nearing time for Fodder for the Elder Gods. I have no choice but to stay until it is finished. It will be at least another week. The celebration within the castle marks the end of the annual holiday. Even then, I doubt we are leaving before the snow melts," I closed my eyes to imagine calming things and to block out Jericho's menacing aura.

"You told me you were leaving days from then."

"Then be angry at me, younger brother. I do not have the time nor the energy to squabble with you right now." I could feel Khaleesi watching us in anticipation.

Jericho stood inside the carriage, his head barely hitting the ceiling. He held up his index finger, ready to wag it at me. "Why do you think you're so much better than me?!" The carriage jerked as it passed the statue of Valka in the town square, knocking Jericho back onto his bottom. He writhed. I neglected his words.

I had never thought I was better than him. I dare not say those words out loud. I knew exactly how Jericho would react. It would cause a chain reaction that would cause a temporary tear in our relationship.

When we were children, we often fought. Our parents said it was because we had insanely similar personalities, just different opinions. I always thought Jericho was just looking for every little chance he got to remind me that he disliked me. His constant picking fights with me didn't make me like him anymore than he liked me. Often Father would have to pull us apart, especially when we got violent with each other. He would tell us to act civilized and we'd spend the next couple of days silently glaring at each other like we were contemplating slicing each other's throats during the night. Then we would let it go and act as if we were best friends. That was the cycle of our relationship.