Avengers: Legacies

Heart Under Siege

Tait's eyes flickered open. The entire palace shuddered. Plaster crumbled from the ceiling. Shouts and soldiers running up and down the corridor could be heard outside his door. He sat up groggily and threw off his duvet. Matthias turned over in his sleep. Tait rolled his eyes. That boy could sleep through just about anything. Finding an undershirt and his breeches, he put them on and took up his spear. Another tremor. He stumbled to the door. A knock resonated through his chambers.

"Tait! Wake up! It's me, Sigyn. The castle is under attack."

He swiftly opened the door and found his little sister already dressed for battle. A breastplate made of obsidian and green leather and a matching battle skirt with golden studs. Black leather leggings and greaves protected her legs. In her hand, she clutched a blade and upon her head rested a gold headband with wings like the one their mother wore. She kept her bare shoulders covered with a shawl as if she was afraid that someone might see how she was dressed. This was very unlike her. He raised an eyebrow, a suspicious look overtaking his face. She hated battles.

"Why do you prepare for battle, little sister? You hate fighting," Tait stepped into the corridor and closed the door. He didn't want to disturb Matthias. His sister, with her sad, dark eyes, glanced up at him.

"Father has given me the task of sneaking you out of the city and escorting you to Midgard. You are being punished, Tait," she spoke softly. Her words hurt him a lot more than they should have.

"Father is banishing me? To Midgard? Why? I have done nothing wrong. He is the one to blame. I was only doing what he was too cowardly to do!" Tait's voice rose with every word. Sigyn closed her eyes and patiently waited for him to finish.

When she opened them again, they flashed with anger. "As that may be, brother," she snarled. "You have gone against the king's wishes and that is considered treason. I recommend you say your goodbyes to Matthias and be gone before the fire-breathers can burn you alive."

"Thou art happy, art thou not?" he sneered, towering over her. She jutted out her chin. "You are finally receiving what you have always wanted. A reason to be on Midgard. Only it is at your brother's expense that you may go. You played me like a fool. I told Father to not let you near the trickster, and now once again, history repeats itself."

"You are right, brother. History does repeat itself. However, when Odin the Allfather exiled our father to Midgard, he stripped him of his power and weapon, leaving him defenseless at the hands of the Midgardians. Compared to his experience, your sentence will be far more generous than what you deserve. As for Loki, I did not use his manipulation against you. I would never try to bring harm to you in any way. You are my brother, Tait, flesh and blood. What I learn from Loki is strictly magic, nothing more. Now please hurry, we really do need to leave."

She gently laid a hand on his arm, but he backed away from her and entered his room. Matthias was now awake and sitting up in bed. Tait smiled at him as he approached his bedside.

"What is the matter? Are we under attack?" Matthias murmured. He pushed back his curly hair and fixed Tait with his hazel eyes. The prince knelt beside him, taking his hand in his.

"I am afraid so, Matthias. Apparently, my father did not approve of me taking a stand for our kingdom against the Fire Demons, and now I must pay the price. I am being banished to Midgard alongside my sister who is to ensure that I will no longer get into any more trouble. Without you, I have no idea how I will fare. I am going to miss you dearly. I hope my exile is not that long so then you and I will be -"

"My dear prince," Matthias grabbed Tait's stubbly chin. The younger boy leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his lover's lips. "When will you learn? I know what has to happen. You need not explain it to me. I knew what I was getting into when I caught your eye, and it is time now for us both to move on."