A Court of Thunder and Mighty

Chapter 4

Cynane Pomoc

I feel the warm wind in my face welcoming me home at least. It has been two months since I last saw my court. My dad asked me to go to the winter court to bind old ties that were destroyed during the Dark Time.

I spent the last weeks there bounding with the young ones. Nicholas and Morana. Son and daughter of Vivianne and high lord Kallias. They were okay. But the nights were absolutely freezing. Each night was a torture that I had to endure.

Standing tall at the front of my house, I walked through the main door. Unsurprisingly, there was one one waiting for my return. Do not show, do not feel. Do not fear. My dads voice rings inside my head loudly.

Walking through the hall seemed like a dream. A dream long awaited. The halls seemed a little small. There was a little part of me that wanted to jump in my brother's bed and sleep there for an eternity. But the night would be long.

As soon as I knocked on the door of the office, I heard my dads voice letting me know he was there. My dad sat in his chair as usual, not looking at me. He was probably too busy. He was the High Lord of the spring court for a reason.

"Dad," I said, bowing as low as I could. My knees dropped to the floor. And yet he didn't look at me. He never looked. Do not feel. And I stayed in that position until he said my name, acknowledging my presence at least.

"I hope you have good news for me?" My dad said calmly.

"Of course father. I wouldnt come back otherwise. You said it yourself"

"I'm glad you're home. Your brother was going crazy, expecting a letter from you." He paused and took a breath. "And, what happened?"

"I gave Lord Kallias the letter you wrote, and as you predicted he invited me to stay with them for a little while. I know it wasn't what you asked me to do, but I made two powerful allies while I was there. The heir and his little sister."

Tamlin stopped breathing for a second. Then he smiled.

"That 's good. Very good. Did Kallias accept my invitation to come to the Spring court?"

"Yes, my father. The whole family will be here in a month," As I predicted, he kept me in his office for three more hours, planning and discussing our future visitors.

...

I threw myself into the bed with the clothes I traveled with. I was too tired to take them off. My bedroom stayed the same way, nothing appeared to be missing or destroyed. Hearing footsteps, I just faked that I was sleeping. I knew who it was, but I was too tired.

My door opened and closed in a matter of seconds. And all I heard was a cry of joy before someone jumped on me.

"Yes. I missed you too John" I spoke low but he heard me anyway.

"You don't understand, I was going crazy without you here."

'Yeah I know, father told me"

"Did you miss your favorite older brother?" He hugged me.

"Do I really have a choice?"

"Nah'" He paused, then continued "Anyways, how was it?" Not letting me go for anything.

"Boring. But now I'm happy that I'm home"

"Aren't you going to tell me about your adventure in that strange place?" I could feel he was anxious

"Tomorrow I can tell you every single detail. But now I just want to sleep."

Silence. And then...

"Do you know when you will be needed again?" He asked softly.

"Two weeks. I'm off to see the Autumn High Lord. They are doing a trade, but that cannot go personally."

"What? But you just came back" I could feel he was pissed.

"Yeah, I just heard now. He said something about black ribbons. I didn't pay much attention. But that's okay, I'm going to buy something for you there." And as I said, I took a small object from my pocket, and gave it to him.

"Oh..." He said looking at the yellow bracelet.

"If you are in any trouble, I will know. I have an Identical one that will burn, if you need to call for help. I will be there.

He didn't say anything, as he put his bracelet on his left hand. It didn't matter that he was older, or bigger. I would do anything for him, as I knew he would do anything for me.