One Last Grave

Chapter 4

When I had finally returned home, I was greeted by a rare sight. Krest was sitting in my mother's old rocking chair with his hands combing through his hair in frustration. His long hair was pulled back and his glasses were placed on the desk next to him. As usual, the desk was crowded with books and papers strewn about in an unorganized matter, something him and I had in common. Though he was the more sophisticated of the both of us, he would always find the time during his studies to have the free time and act...well, free.

As I stepped into the room, he lifted his head as his green eyes settled on me.

He sighed. "And what were you doing exactly?" He then stood up and crossed his arms, his stance towering over me. "The sun has already set and when I had asked around, they told me you went to the river." He said as he raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, dear brother, I went to the river because most people need water to survive." I rolled my eyes and gave a gentle smile with which he did not return. He then walked up to me and scrunched his eyebrows together as he touched my cheek where the lovely mark of that morning's run-in remained.

"Don't worry, it wasn't as bad as you think." I shrugged away from him and started folding the clothes that were laid on the table. When I turned back to look at him, he was pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. Oh great, here we go again.

"I...I just don't understand. Why are you so dead set on always trying to get in trouble?"

I shrugged and laughed flatly. "Because I don't want them to think they can treat me like I'm nothing, Krest. I'm not one to sit back and do nothing. I don't give up so easily." I looked into his eyes and saw a flash of hurt but then returned to a cold glare.

"Fayline I don't care what you think you can do. I was left to protect you to the best of my ability, and I really do try..." He leaned against the wall as he closed his eyes and sighed in frustration. "I cannot do that if you continue to put yourself in harms way just to try and prove a point." He turned and gazed at me.

For the first time in my life, my brother looked genuinely tired. His skin was pale an he was far too skinny from lack of food. There were bags under his eyes and his shirt was wrinkled and covered with dirt. I was selfish. I had been to focused on my life and failed to notice my brother was withering away before my eyes. I bit my lip and turned to face him.

"Forgive me. I had no idea what you were going through and yet I failed to notice what was going on." I looked up at him and sighed. "You're the only family I have and the only one I have ever known. We're supposed to looking after one another and I can't even do that. I promise I'll be better."

He shook his head and walked over to me. He then ruffled my hair lightly, his regular tease. "You are you, Fayline. It is wrong that I should ask you to be anything but. And I promise to protect you no matter what the cost." He smirked and then turned back to his desk, not wanting to talk anymore. "How about we hit the sack, it's late."

I reluctantly nodded and started to blow out the lights. When I was about to put out the one at Krest's desk, he shooed me away and told me that he would put it out when he was done with a few more things. I bid him goodnight and walked into our shared room. After I had let my hair down, I nestled into the comfort of the thin sheets and shut my eyes.

~•~

I awoke later to the sound of footsteps.

I laid awake and alert, but after awhile of nothing, I had convinced myself that I had been dreaming of it and that it was my imagination.

But, of course, I heard it again.

This time, I bolted getting up and putting on my ankle high deerskin boots and my waistcoat and put my two daggers in my coat pockets. I then turned to my brothers bed to tell him I would be back. When he was not there, I walked out of our bedroom.