Molepire: The Serpent's Silver Tongue

Beg like no-one's watching - [13]

[13]

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I pulled myself out of the boat, quickly placing it into my inventory. I took in my surroundings, the bitter sea breeze causing my eyes to water. A big oak tree stood proudly but it didn't compare to the iron and diamond beacon that shot a blinding beam of light into the sky. I was amazed. Brushing off my surprise, I noticed the small hatch dropping straight down into the ocean. As I peered carefully over the edge, I saw an old ladder. I hurried down, trying to calm my nerves.

As my feet hit the floor, I felt the mossy squish of a lush cave beneath me. A door to my right went into the rock face and another ladder shot down into the depths of the vast ocean. The warm winds of the overgrown caverns below crept up the downward passage, sending tiny shivers of goose-bumps up my arms. I dragged my gaze over to the door and I tentatively wrapped my fingers around the doorknob, I pushed it open with more force than I intended.

Inside lay ornate wooden structures, each shelf and arch carved, placed and decorated with absolute precision. A thick, yellow and white carpet sat comfortably on top of the wooden planks, ivy hung low in each doorway as vines were sewn into the walls. I was in awe, who knew my brother had such an artistic flair? I saw a workbench, laden with sentimental relics - a handful of multi-coloured feathers were shoved lopsidedly into picture frames, regular lanterns were placed on crown-shaped place-mats. I could barely make out the incomprehensible scribbles of my brother's writing on the signs below - I backed up quickly, realising that is wasn't a decorative touch, but instead, a memorial to his dead pets. Gagging slightly at the thought, I turned around, only to be met with the furious face of my brother.

Well, shit.

"What the fuck are you doing here?!" He demanded, fury dripping from his words like honey. He looked awful, his dirty clothes and disgustingly messy hair would make one assume he hadn't been coping well. I bit back a stubborn retort, not wanting to make this situation worse than it already was.

"I was just coming to check on you," I replied, trying to sound as genuine as possible - it didn't work. He scoffed loudly, crossing his arms across his graphic band t-shirt. The front of the tee had a guy and a cat on it, the words 'SPIRIT PHONE' were written across it. 

"Yeah right, and I can't fly," He retorted. I raised an eyebrow, confused but as he sighed, I realised he was being sarcastic. 

"Seriously, I just wanted to check on you after the throne incident!" I tried to explain, but the golden crown hanging from a chain on his belt caught my eye, "What's that?"

Casper's eyes shot to where mine were fixed, hurriedly shoving the golden trinket into a nearby barrel. "Nothing that concerns you!" He hissed, though I could feel the desperation radiating off his winged form. I eyed his enamel pins on his jacket.

"Yeah, yeah, just spill it Casper!" I exclaimed, tugging on his sleeve in a childish manner. 

He ripped his arm from my grip, scowling at me, "Fuck off Alistair, it doesn't concern you." The fire's already burning, so why not add to it?

"You'll never be king, get that into your head." I said calmly as I lowered my voice, though my pulse began to race - what good would I get from picking a fight with my own brother? 

His eyes darkened as he spat out a simple reply, "Shut up." His voice trembled, it sounded weak, but he tried to make up for it as he stood over me - he'd always been taller, but as much as he hated it, I was stronger. I raised an eyebrow, again, daring him to continue. I sighed dramatically, pacing around him in circles as he watched me warily.

The atmosphere was so tense you could slice through it with a knife.

Silence filled the cramped chamber, the quiet tapping of my shoes against the floorboards occasionally disrupting the tense atmosphere. "You have a god complex, just admit it!" I said teasingly, but I was abruptly taken back as he whipped around to face me.