Heavy is the Head that Wears the Solemn Crown

Seven - A Forest of Shadows

Tommy

Tommy collapsed onto the ground, his tired body staggering after tripping over a tree branch. Instead of righting himself, he laid against the dirt and grass. He could hear Kristin sigh when she turned around, but she didn't call out to him. She lowered herself down right beside him with more control but just as little grace as he did. Tommy's bones felt like solid rock that was dragging him down closer to its fellow earthenware. There was a burning ache in all his muscles, and he knew that if he looked at his bare feet, blood would drip down with many bruises and blisters. His stomach growled painfully, contorting inwards to nibble at the air that was barely managing to heave into and out of his lungs. His fear of dying was a persistent thought that faltered in the face of his unprocessed grief.

He knew that his best friends were dead, but that thought had not registered in his mind. He had witnessed the event. He still had blood on his hands and clothes. He knew that the heaviness in his soul was partially because the people that he cared about had disappeared from his life like grains of sand in a storm. He couldn't save them. He almost refused to accept the truth. He wanted to fabricate a reality around him where his friends were alive, the blood wasn't there, and he was adventuring with Kristin instead of running for his life. Those thoughts were stolen from him when Kristen leaned against him for support, her body shuddering with sobs. Tommy knew that if he mentally broke, Kristin would only suffer more. As far as reasons went for staying sane, it was pathetic, but it was the strongest thought driving him forward.

Kristin had lost her friends, too. She lost the people she trusted, and she had even learned that one of them was a traitor all along. She had lost her people, the villagers she had spent her life protecting and governing. Kristin had led the effort to unite Business Bay under one banner, and it was all gone in one swift attack that was brought to their shores. It was by some stroke of luck, by a consciousness grown in a second, that Tommy was saved. The blonde knew that if his life had been taken by an arrow, Kristin would not have the strength to persevere. She would have allowed her life to be taken instead of escaping. The fact that Tommy was the one reason Kristin was alive was not lost on him, mainly because the same applied for him when their positions were reversed.

Tommy sluggishly forced himself to sit up. He wrapped his arms around Kristin's shoulders. It was not the first time they had broken down in front of one another. In a world where she was a leader and he was a military commander, they were supposed to be the images of indomitable spirits and unshakeable strength. It was only in each other's company that the facade was allowed to drop to reveal two children trying their hardest to be what they thought they were born to be. Tommy wondered if it was all a lie. For as much good as they had done, their metaphorically empire had crumbled like it was made from glass instead of abiding stone. Kristin should have commanded utmost respect from her people, and she was betrayed by someone she had put the most trust in. Were they truly strong enough for the positions they had fought and suffered for when it had been taken from them like an adult taking a toy from a child?

Kristin breathed out before pushing away from him, leaning against a tree trunk to look at him. Her hand came up, brushing against his cheek with a worried look alighting her eyes. Tommy opened his mouth to reassure her, to say something that would convince her that he was still himself, but the words became dust on his tongue that choked him. Kristin's features softened with understanding, and Tommy leaned down to bury his head in his hands. Kristin grabbed onto his hand, pulling him forwards. Tommy tucked his head against her neck. She held the back of his head like he was a baby that needed to be supported or else he would fall. That comparison should have felt patronizing, but Tommy was allowed this respite. He had witnessed all his friends die and his people get recaptured. He was allowed these weaknesses in his sister's warm embrace.