The Other King

Crow- T's Nightmares

I woke up to Tharama screaming and Pylah slammed the door open with the others rushing in as well. Autumn reached over me and rubbed his arm. When he woke he looked around and apologized before returning to his curled up ball. I pulled him closer and Autumn pulled up the blanket to keep him warm. “It’s alright Tharama. Go back to sleep.” I whispered and Angelica closed the door behind them after making sure he was okay.
* * *
Tharama faces me with his sleeping head in my chest while Autumn’s is against my back. I don’t move though, not wanting to wake them. I think about calling a meeting when everyones awake so we can discuss what to do with all ten objects. Deep breathing belonged to the dark scales of the dragon sleeping outside of the hut. I need to find a name for him instead of just calling him ‘the dragon’ all the time.
I felt Autumn pull me against him so I let go of Tharama and slowly turned over. I placed my hand on the side of his cheek and brushed my fingers against his scalp as his face grew into a smile. I smiled back before kissing his pointed elf ears and closing my tired eyes. It was hard to fall asleep after Tharama screamed, I had nightmares myself. Imagining the fear of the people I’ve killed. I shook it off after I realized my mouth started to frown. Autumn puts his hand to my ass and gives it a squeeze, I almost jump from the surprise. He quietly giggles in a whisper.
I shush him with a smile and he opens his icy orbed eyes. I adore him too much to handle. I noticed his sleeping bags and how tired he looked. “Couldn’t sleep either?” He shook his head with a small sigh.
“Wanna get up?” He asked. I uncover ourselves slowly so I don’t wake up still sleeping, Tharama. He looks deep into his slumber. I tip-toe to the door and crack it open so Autumn and I can get out. It creaked slightly but that was all until I closed the door behind us. I yawn finally and go to wake up the others. I knock on Angelica’s room.
“Meeting.” I say and close the door again. I moved to Devanar and now Pylah’s room to see her naked back turned to me with Devanar’s arm around her. He was awake and I mouthed ‘meeting right now.’ He nodded and I closed the door. I go to Autumn at the end of the hallway and he slides his hand from the side of my neck to the back. His fingers are cold. I take his hand and lead him to the meeting room. All the objects are on the table. Now that we know they're harmless they’re out of their boxes and spread out.
“What do you think?” I asked Autumn.
“I still wonder how Krowel seemed to have claimed the five he had. How the coin seeped and melted into him as if they were one. What does the symbol mean, and what are they for?” He sighs with confusion and curiosity alike. I used to hate his thinking and how he always tried to figure things out but now I find it cute. I smile away my blush and take my seat with my back to the far wall. I look at the map and all the objects are marked to be here.
The others walk in, Tharama still sleeping, and I wait for them to seat themselves before speaking. “Since Devanar and Autumn took to this curiosity and inspired the mission to get them, I will leave them in their hands. Outside these walls there will be talk about the new group so leave the decorated items here and only leave with the original attire or the undecorated clothing we brought you guys. Any thoughts or objections to the object’s assignment?” No one speaks so I take that as a no.
“Then any name suggestions for the clipped dragon beside the house?” I look around and Angelica signs a name. “Kedek?” She then said the name belonged to a childhood friend of hers before he was killed by the same people that took her. “Kedek it is.” I smiled reassuringly.  “That’s all then.” Pylah leads Devanar away and Autumn starts to gather the objects together. “Don’t take them out of the house.”
“Hm?” He says half listening.
“It’s too dangerous to take them out of the protection barrier so try to keep them here. If you do take them out, go to Deadman Forest only. It’s too risky to have people around them who can sense it’s magic. Got it?” I say sternly.
“Got it.” But he’s not even looking at me. Only at the object’s he’s now picking up one at a time. I sigh and leave the room to go back to mine. I rub Tharama’s hair. He looks so peaceful. That was until his eyes snapped open and his mouth looked like he’s about to scream again. I clamp it shut with my hand and his eyes go to mine. He’s sweating and he looks like he’s panicking. I hug him against me. “Shh.. it’s okay. It’s only me. It’s only me.” I repeated.
“I thought I saw her.. Saw the snake woman staring at me from the shadows.” I feel his shaky breath on my neck. He flinches when I hear a female shout outside. I hear the huff of Kedek and he starts to move. “I’ll be right back before Kedek murders the woman outside.”
I open the door as Kedek starts to open his mouth and sparking dark magic strikes the ground around her ready to hit the dragon. “Easy, Kedek.” I aim my comment toward him and Seevon looks up at me. Her sparks retract and Kedek returns to laying down beside the house inside the fencing barrier.
I see the transparent dome from the ground and connecting above the house. Something I know no other but my kind can see. I shake off the thought and guide the barrier to create an opening so Seevon can get through. I bring her inside and she says, “I was going to ask how you were but looks to me you're sleep deprived.”
“I’ll show you why.” I say and lead her to my room where Tharama was laying with the cover over his head.
“Tharama? What a pussy. Is he always crying and trembling like a little kid when I’m not around?” She grimaces and I shoot her a glare before slamming the door shut to cut off our voices from his ears.
“He killed someone! His first kill. Of course he’s going to be this way.” I whisper-yelled at her.
“Too bad. What did he expect living in a hell-hole like this? Why come here if he wasn’t ready to be a killer or be killed? It's the way to survive, he should know that the moment he stepped foot here. People die all the time, you have to live with their blood on your hands. That’s how life goes. Didn’t you prepare him for this? You’re the leader.” She crosses her arms, shooting me a glare this time. “What kind of leader doesn’t teach their followers how to be strong enough to defend themselves and instead scare them when forced to do it?”
“Do you have time?” I asked but it was a stupid question. She’s come all this way. “Come on.” I lead her to the dining area and take a seat, she follows and takes one across from me.
“If this is a sad past story, I’m leaving.” She mutters.
I ignored her and started talking. “From the beginning it was just me and Devanar. We grew up together in houses neighboring each other. Our parents worked and grew to become best friends before I was born after my sweet mother, Avory, got banned from the Kingdom. She was a servant there. Rumors spread that she seduced a royal and they almost killed her. I almost killed someone who called my own mother a whore. She worked in a village, lower than even lower class because she was a natural born, with Devanar’s mother until the rumors got so bad she forced me to pack my stuff and leave with her out of the Kingdom. I warned her it was dangerous and against the King but she didn’t listen. She convinced me he told her personally to leave and get away from his rule to a place behind. A place for refugees and freedom. The Dark Other Kingdom. The only Dark Kingdom in Arkan.
“I believed her. Followed her out without telling Devanar and stayed in a little hut buried with trees not far from the walls. But not far enough. We saw the lights of the torches of The Guard on horseback. It was too late to leave, so I hid under a panel in the floor and let the guards spill my mother’s blood. I killed them. My own first kill using my ability. It was illegal to use elemental magic against beings but they killed her. Blood was to be spilled.
“Crows guided the way back, helping me before more of The Guard arrived. The same way they helped my mom when she was pregnant to find De’s mom just when she was banned. A kind woman who shared her whole heart with the world. Devanar was already two by the time I was born.
“When I got back, I immediately searched for Devanar. His mother was sleeping and I told him everything. We made a promise that night to leave here one day and find that Kingdom. The next morning I realized reality. Living in a house I can’t afford, nothing to eat or drink. Devanar’s mother offered to let me to live with her but I refused many times. I need to find my own way to survive and live.
“I had magic at a young age, unusual for most kids, and grew my own food and searched through the ground for buried coins until there wasn't any more. Soon I became exhausted from using my ability so much at such an early age I started stealing food from neighboring farms and coins from higher ranked individuals only using my ability when needed. I didn’t get exhausted as fast and I learned how to be quick with my hands. One day Devanar was coming over and his mom. I couldn’t hide all the coins, jewels, diamonds and food I stole. I couldn’t hold back at the high priced currency. I got better at pick-pocketing to the point I could do it with my eyes closed. His mom yelled at me, accused me of breaking the law, I never saw her filled with so much rage before. She told me she could’ve helped me when she offered but instead I chose to be a criminal.
“Once she left to enforce The Guard, I remember looking at Devanar and seeing he was so scared for some reason. It turned out he wasn’t scared of me but he wanted to get out of there that night to The Other where my mom and I tried to go. I shook my head, I don’t want him to get taken and killed like my mother was. The next morning he and his mother were gone and from the alley from which I slept that night I saw The Guard breaking into my home. All because I chose to live on my own and chose independence over help.
“The coin thief they called me. Deep description of me was everywhere. I had nowhere to go until I met Tharama, he had such a pure heart he took me in and showed me he had the same ability as me. At that point I chose to get help, The Guard would’ve put me down right then. There’s a no crime tolerance in Darkwood, they have a high policy on that. Tharama lived alone in a small house on the other side of where we lived. Not long after people suspected he was helping me and they branded him on the left of his back next to his spine, small and clear but I barely noticed it and the others know not to talk about it. He was whipped for helping crime. If I could get away with it many more could also and it would lead to a much bigger problem.
“Before they could take him away, I killed The Guard who tried to take him, my second time using my ability for fatal reasons. I protected him from his fear and escaped with him after stealing horses from a stable by the gates. My ability kept getting stronger and stronger on the way to The Other. Being surrounded by pure forest with dark magic helped my strength levels but didn’t seem to affect Tharama at all. Now we know why.
“I made it a goal to meet Devanar at the other kingdom. I knew he didn’t die neither did his mother. I just didn’t know where they went that night. We were far into the End Zone when Tharama and I were hunting and we were jumped by two Skullers, Autumn and Pylah. I’ve never met such terrifying creatures in my life and they were predatory and their instinct was to go after the smaller and weak. Autumn, the smaller one, nearly ripped Tharama to shreds. His teeth were a hair off of Tharama’s face until my instinct was to spear him in the side. I was used to killing at this point, a murderous sixteen year old protecting a frightened eleven year old. The bigger skuller, Pylah, came after me and before I could do the same I was too exhausted from my attack on Autumn. She pinned me but she didn’t bite or attack. Instead she tilted her head, got off and shifted.
“I was too shocked to speak, she ran to her brother and helped the spear out of him and he shifted too right after. He was raged and his face was like a killer. I could tell he wanted to kill me right where I sat on the dirt floor as he healed himself. She introduced herself and when I asked why she didn’t kill me, she said she felt a weird instinct to protect me and show loyalty. Also that I looked to attack from defense and it wasn’t right to kill me. I told her Tharama and I were looking for the Kingdom. She forced Autumn to be nice but I could tell he hated me just as I started to hate him back.
“I barely knew Tharama at the time but he held me close, scared to be attacked again. He saw how strong I was even though I felt like passing out. I brought the two horses and tried to come into the Kingdom but Pylah said it would be safer to leave them. Once we cross there will be evil people who aren’t afraid to kill you and take everything you are and have on, she said. I was ready to live in a world of criminals but I felt the guilt of dragging Tharama in for helping me. I found Devanar, months of not knowing he was there. He was getting his ass kicked but then a bright light mist, I’ve only heard stories of, shot out of his palms into his enemy, burning them to dust. After making sure it was him, I asked how he has an Elf’s magic. He told me he learned but didn’t give details. I was too distracted by seeing him after all these years. I brought him to this hut we found abandoned for shelter. The shifters decided to stay and Tharama was stuck here too scared to leave.
“Devanar and I caught up, seeing the deep nearly fresh cuts on his back he shared his story of being a slave after being taken. That night his mother was gone, he believes she went to get food from the farm they always go to, and guards showed up taking him into carriage on their way to Lylerkry who lacked slaves. He said he escaped after finding his Spirit. The connection was too strong to ignore and once they sensed each other he was burned with a mark. Mykren took him here, sharing their thoughts with each other.
“I protected Tharama as much as I could from pain and panic. Living with two of the main characteristics of his trauma probably didn’t help but that’s why he’s weak with his ability. I wanted him to be the same pure hearted boy I found that helped me. I was the problem to his life and I take full blame for not preparing him for this moment. I knew it would happen but I shut the possibilities out.” I take a deep breath. That was a lot of memories coming back all of a sudden. I watch as Seevon looks away.
Her words are quiet and I could feel the small hint of pity behind her voice. “I didn’t know.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to. Dark magic can’t see through memories.” I say and lean against the wall as I face her. “I don’t need your pity, I just wanted you to know the whole story before you start making assumptions.”
She nodded. “He’s been through so much and never learned how to control his fear. You’re a good man, a good brother and leader. But being his friend, you must’ve protected him from this. If you want him to survive in this world of cruelty you have to do it right. And obviously you trained him poorly so I will.” She turned and I grabbed her arm but pain shot through my head, my ears popped and I felt liquid pouring out of my eardrums. I let go of her and lost my footing.
“I’m helping you and him. Don’t try to stop him, he’s not the same boy you met. This world is changing him and you can’t protect him from reality.” She opens the door and it slams on its own.
Devanar comes over and looks at me with a face I can’t register. “You told her about our story?” I nodded and he sighed. “It’s been awhile since I thought about our past. My mother was gone, abandoned me. I want to hate her for leaving me but I just can’t. I miss her, Crow.”
“I know, Devanar.” But I can’t help but think about the words on the letter. Thinking about someone he hates, but it’s the only way.
The door opens to Seevon holding Tharama’s hand. She glares at me and I feel a slight pain on the back of my mind, she’s threatening me. I let them walk past. “I’m not letting him come back until he can be independent on his own. You guys can’t protect him forever and the way of shoving him into a fight didn’t help anyone.”
“Try not to die while you’re at it. And definitely don’t come home having a breakdown, that won’t help anyone.” Autumn said, walking inside from the front door. He goes into our bedroom and drops all ten objects on the bed. I asked if he found anything, silently, but he shook his head and mouthed ‘no’ back.
I looked at the objects when he turned his back to me, my fingers started to twitch so I looked away at Seevon leading Tharama away. I take a deep breath.
Tonight.
Hours passed by slowly, I watched the others train. Devanar tried recharging his purple and red crystals but with no use. I then showed Angelica how to cook more properly after Devanar heated up the meat from the deer Autumn brought back from training in the woods with the objects. Tharama still hasn't come back but no one seems to care but me. I’m not sure if they’re convinced he’s better with Seevon or they don’t even know he’s gone. Taking a deep breath, this will make things easier. This is a good sign.
I left the table early, packing the bag I always carry. I go to my drawer and find the letter I kept hidden, it looks just like how I left it. I took the long cylinder roll and placed it into my bag as my eyes studied the objects on the bed. They're big, they might not all fit.
I keep that thought silent for later and go into the meeting room for the map. After rolling it I shove it into my bag and return back to my room. I place the bag in the corner with my cloak and vest laid on top of it. I need to be quick when I leave.
I walk to the bed as Autumn comes in through the door. I sit down and face the objects. He closes it and comes up behind me, hugging my neck as his face buries. I let out a laugh and push him against me with my arms behind me.
“Are you okay?” He asked silently. I let out a breath, looking up at him. I shake my head and he nods, leaning in to kiss me. I follow his lips when he leaves mine cold. “Tharama leaving with Seevon has made you silent. I’m not used to this.”
I nod and look away. “I know. I’m sorry you have to see me like this.”
And I truly am sorry that it’s not just Tharama who’s leaving.
I let out another shaky breath and Autumn turns my face again, cupping my cheeks and pressing his soft lips harder against mine. He doesn’t take any more time before he’s already starting to climb onto my lap. I lean back and let him leave my wetted lips to go to my neck. I could feel myself start to hold guilt, an unpleasant feeling started to make its way into my stomach.
I want to tell him I’ll miss him, I want to hold him until I can’t anymore, I want to make his body mine, and no one else’s but all mine, one more time. But I’m running out of time.
I stop him from going any lower as his tongue swirls across my abbed skin. He gently bite’s me with a disappointed huff when I place my hand behind his neck and bring him back to my lips. I can feel the weight of his hands on my thighs as he gets up in a trance. His black hair is cold against mine, he lazily opens his eyes as he opens his mouth for my tongue. I smirk against him and pull his head back to go for the spot next to his adam’s apple. He laughs gently and pulls my hair with a fist.
“I need to sleep, you little bitch.” I say but he tries to grind against me once more.
“I don’t.” He replies slyly. He arches his back as I hold it under his shirt. He breathes slowly with closed eyes. My mouth attacks his collarbone and across his chest. “So much for sleep.” He smirks when I flip him onto his back. I ignore him and press my hand against his throat. I can feel his legs start to spread for me