Taking over the Abyss

67- For Whom The Bell Tolls

A strong sense of pride came with the promotion to Captain of a special unit of knights within Khaenri'ah. Though by now he had been told such a thing was beneath him, both pride and a love for his people that drove Dainsleif to resume his nightly patrols. Usually, they were quiet and uneventful, only the odd citizen watching him a moment, before looking away. They were, essentially, a glorified nightly walk.

Dainsleif maintained the same sense of professionalism tonight as he did every other night, walking steadfast down the road leading back to the palace. His pace only faltered at the sight of familiar blond hair like his own. Stopping at the sight, Dainsleif watched as his elder brother conversed with a man he'd never seen before. It was strange to Dainsleif to see his brother- who did not have many friends- speaking so casually with another.

Dainsleif's eyes narrowed. Actually, they didn't appear to be speaking casually, rather almost hushed and hurriedly. A concerned frown crossing his face, Dainsleif approached in hopes of overhearing. Perhaps, if he did not focus his gaze on the two, they wouldn't notice him. Unfortunately for him, Vedrfolnir had always been the perceptive sort, even after being blinded. Long blond hair flowed over his shoulder as Vedrfolnir turned to face his younger brother.

As the two brothers' eyes met, Dainsleif felt that something was off with his elder brother. He had always seemed discontent with the limits of what one person could accomplish in a reasonable timeframe, always starving for more. But it was the torture he'd endured, the loss of his eyes that had changed him from a kind elder brother into someone more distant. The man he'd been speaking with had fallen silent, watching Dainsleif with a cautious, regal stare.

Before Dainsleif could greet his brother, Vedrfolnir interrupted him, "... We'll speak more later, Freki."

Freki opened his mouth to argue, but closed it fast enough for his teeth to audibly clink. The man scoffed before sharply turning away and stomping off. Dainsleif stared at the man's back, realizing from a sigil sewn onto the back of his robes that he'd belonged to the Alberich family.

"Dain," Vedrfolnir greeted him with a patient, calculated nod. "You're grown up now. You should know it's bad manners to interrupt somebody's private conversation."

Though unfazed by his brother's scolding, Dainsleif failed to suppress the slight frustration that came with being talked down to, "I saw you standing around and decided to greet you. I didn't realize your conversation was so private."

"No matter," Vedrfolnir sighed forlornly, deciding he no longer wished to discuss this, "we were finished anyway. Your intrusion gave me the opportunity to end it faster, I suppose."

"It wouldn't have bothered me if you said goodbye," Dainsleif said, feeling oddly defensive. He had always yearned for the approval of his older brother, something Vedrfolnir once had indulged and given freely before losing his eyes. "I didn't realize you were friendly with the Alberich family."

"I am not," Vedrfolnir denied as he began to walk, trusting that his younger brother would follow, "He and I are collaborating."

Dainsleif waited a moment for his elder brother to elaborate, unsurprised when nothing happened. Despite the questions burning in his mind, Dainsleif was fine with leaving it alone, walking alongside Vedrfolnir on the road back to the palace. Seeing his brother slowly fall behind after ascending the steps to head across the palace's main bridge, Dainsleif glanced over.

Vedrfolnir had all but stopped, head turned towards the palace gardens. Having known his brother used to admire the flowers that grew here, Dainsleif spared a moment of his time to observe them in his place. Although they were usually empty this time of day, it seemed that others had stopped to enjoy the flowers. He spotted one of the palace's aspiring Sages walking alongside a woman. Based on her uniform, she seemed to be one of the alchemists employed by the royal palace.