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. Though he and Vedrfolnir hadn't been close the past decade, it wasn't as though they'd stopped speaking with each other. It was strange to Dainsleif to see his brother- who did not have 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 frown blooming on 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, Vedrfolnir had always been the perceptive sort, as if he had eyes on the back of his head. 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 distant, discontent with the limits of what one person could accomplish in a reasonable timeframe, always starving for more. 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 when Vedrfolnir glared at him. 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.

"Brother," Vedrfolnir hissed, not bothering with pleasantries, "have you not yet been taught basic manners? It is rude to force yourself into another's private conversation."

Dainsleif, unfazed by his brother's anger, boldly met the older man's eyes, "I merely saw you standing around and decided to greet you. I didn't realize your conversation was so private."

"No matter," Vedrfolnir huffed, deciding he no longer wished to discuss this, "we were finished. Your intrusion merely cut us short."

"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 had always known and would purposefully take advantage of to make Dainsleif downplay himself. "I didn't realize you were friendly with the Alberich family."

"I am not," Vedrfolnir denied as he began to walk, uncaring of whether or not his brother followed, "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 as he observed the palace gardens. Having not known his brother to be interested in flowers, Dainsleif joined his brother in looking down at the lush garden. A man he recognized as one of the aspiring Sages walking alongside a woman he didn't recognize. Based on her uniform, she seemed to be one of the alchemists employed by the royal palace. There were too many of them, and they were replaced too fast for Dainsleif to really remember any of their names- exceptions made for those who had dark intentions in mind.