The Choices We Make

Dreams

Mer rested uneasily, as he slept the one place one never has a dream of ones own. He had no wishes to dream walk within a strangers subconsciousness that night, instead his mind reached out to his twin and found her. He expected to find her in her dream scape as so often before, but she was awake. He still slipped inside her. Had it been anyone else, he would not have been able to, but they were in many ways one essence in two bodies, and the magic in the room in which he slept was old and strong.

He found Elyse naked and restrained, and the bruises on her wrist, in different shades all around tells him more than he would want to know about this not being the first time. The empty calm he sensed in her told him this has happened often enough for her to stop fighting it.

-So, are you just going to stand there tonight?

Elyses voice was mocking, dripping with contempt for whomever she was talking to. He could not see then, for looking through here eyes all he could see was her left hand and the wall she was facing. But even without seeing him, he knew it had to be Bor. And the voice that replied was familiar enough.

-I am admiring the view, beloved. These...

Elyse winced as he touched her back, and Mer could feel, through her, how Bor was running his fingers over welts and wounds on her skin.

-These becomes you. I am sure some more would suit you even better, but I am not without mercy. Give me your brother, and I'll let your skin rest and heal.

-As I tell you every night, and will continue telling you every night for eternity; You know very well where my brother is, he is chained in the darkest dungeon. You saw to it yourself.

A sharp noise filled the room, white pain filled his sister. But she did not move, did not acknowledge the pain with as much as a silent moan.

-And every time you give me this line, I will be forced to punish you. You know very well that is not the brother of whom I'm speaking.

-Mer is long dead, my lord. Have I not heard you claim so yourself, as you placed his crown upon your head and named yourself our king? You seem so sure of this truth during the day, and then you punish me at night for agreeing?

-But where is his body?

Another sting, but this was weaker than the last.

-Is this wearing you out, dearest king? Are you getting weaker? Put your back into it! Make me hurt!

And inside her mind, a quiet whisper. Make me hurt, so I know I'm still alive. Give me agony to lose myself in, and pain to drown my worries. Make it unbearable so I can faint and disappear.

-Your wish is my command, my future queen. You are bringing this on yourself!

And now the strokes became hard and fast, one for every spoken word.

-Until. I. Have. His. Body. Burning. On... A... Funeral... Pyre... Right... Before... My... Eyes... I... Will... Make... You... Hurt... Every... Night!

And then there was only silence, except for the whip that still was ripping Elyses back apart. But it had gone numb now, as she fell into the unconsciousness she craved.

Mer fled, emotions passing through him so fast he could hardly name them. There were fury, love, pride and worry. There were sadness and resolve as well. And through it all there was this picture of El, strong and silent, never even giving an inch.

He hoped he would find Raim or Joy sleeping, as he could never access them awake. He needed to comfort them, to touch them, and to find out if they had any knowledge that could help him further along as well. His heart ached with brotherly love, an instinct that said >!