Viva la Vida

A Child's Play

3 years. That's how long Carnim Kiznak had gone being locked up in the castle's dungeons. What had he done wrong to deserve this time? Stole a single loaf of bread to help him and his brother. The olive eyed teen should've been released ages ago, but the king was harsh, and the queen unaware of his capture. He was lucky his sibling did not receive the same fate as he, the smaller child remaining in the care of a lovely couple and their adopted daughter.

Carnim was a sneaky fellow, so him being caught was certainly a shock. He now sat quietly in the corner of his cell, awaiting a visit from a friendly guard so he might be treated to hearing the latest events of the kingdom. His fluffy brown tail swished without his control of it, the thing essentially had a mind of its own. Carnim was originally from Berolan, his tail and the wolfish ears that sat atop his head making him an obvious lycanthrope. Lycanthropy wasn't uncommon in Berolan considering the large population of mystical creatures in the first place. He had come to Alurn to attempt to prevent his younger brother from catching the disease, how well that had worked he didn't know. Markel had been only 5 when Carnim had been taken away, and he knew now that it was likely the last time he would ever see his brother. He just hoped that the small boy was being taken care of properly.

He perked up from staring aimlessly at the ground as his ears picked up the sound of metal hitting the ground in a rhythmic pattern. One of the guards. He had grown accustomed to the sound of their coming presence, the loud clanking noise only so loud to his own sensitive ears. This confused Carnim. He had learned when the guards changed, and it was not currently that time. Even more so confusing was the fact that his ears picked up the sounds of many more footprints. The wolf became weary. He had heard of the events of the ball and did his best to avoid raising his hopes that he would be released.

The footsteps came closer, and with them the sound of fighting. Fighting done by the guards. It wasn't long before all but one guard had been silenced, the lone protector walking quickly to catch up with the others. This was the traitor of the kingdom who had let them in. Carnim was so busy contemplating this event that he was shocked to hear the rattling of the lock on his cage. It fell to the floor, open, as a...person of undefinable gender with fuchsia eyes looked up at him. "Come on, we can't stay here long," they said, grabbing the lycanthrope by the arm and running off. They released a few more prisoners of which Carnim did not know the names before reuniting with a large group. He was unable to identify the original members of those who had broken in, but the second-in-command of the guard stood out most as he spoke.

"You all are being freed. Research has been done to prove you all have served heavier a sentence than deserved. However, we are not freeing you legally. You are to stay with those who have freed you so as to avoid being caught again. Welcome to the revolution, we hope you will support our cause." He said. There were quiet, hesitant nods before the German man looked to a small boy in skeletal robes. "Monico, they are in your hands now."

The small boy, apparently named Monico, nodded. "Come, follow those who you recognize. My dearest friends and family, let us lead them to their freedom," he smiled. Something about him seemed off to Carnim, but he was giving him a chance to escape, so the lycanthrope held his tongue and followed the large group of grim people, keeping his eyes focused on the fuchsia one who was carried by a tall male he could only assume had purple eyes. The tall one had chains clasped around his neck and wrists that had clearly been broken away from what had once bound them. He shuddered thinking of what this tall man could be capable of. But the fuchsia one seemed to trust him, and so Carnim followed without complaint.

They were lead away to a more abandoned area of the kingdom, one of the small towns few lived in anymore, mainly due to the purging of Arteahists. The wolf finally pieced together why the rescue group seemed so grim in appearance. They were one of the last living groups of those who still worshipped the god. He almost felt pity for them, but it was washed away as he watched them all interact with one another. They seemed happy and close.

They were family.

He smiled at their joy of success. They had made themselves a goal tonight, and he felt proud for them to have achieved it. But many questions swam through his head. Why was Aeldun Drakon of all people helping them? Who was leading this revolution? Who had killed the advisor? And most importantly of all, where was his brother and when could he see him again? Thoughts of the small boy invaded his mind constantly, and even as they arrived at where they would stay and made arrangements for living and listened to rules to follow, his thoughts lingered mainly on his sibling.

This distractedness lasted for days until Monico, who he had learned was the leader of this ordeal known as the Arteah Cult, approached him. "It has come to my attention that you have family related to crucial members of our cause. I would assume you would like to visit with them." This took Carnim off guard, but he nodded quickly. The priest nodded and motioned for the werewolf to follow him, which he did, excited.

Carnim was lead into another room inhabited only by four other people. A man he knew well named Jundig, his jade eyed, red haired wife named Alemia, his blonde, lime eyed stepdaughter Aurora, and a small Native American boy with brown, fluffy wolf ears and a tail, and olive colored eyes. For a moment, no one moved, and then the two brothers were in each others' arms, both crying in joy at finally being reunited after three years of separation. Carnim found himself upset at the presence of the ears and tail on his brother, the appendages showing lycanthropy in the child, the very thing he had been hoping to avoid the small boy catching, but he pushed this away quickly, caring more about having him here with him now more than anything. Eventually they calmed down, pulling apart just long enough for Carnim to sit down and Markle to sit in his lap. Jundig laughed at this a bit, a smile gracing his features. Carnim had known Jundig ever since he had first come to Alurn. He was glad the man had been willing to watch over his brother for him, as Jundig was one of the few people Carnim trusted with his life.

They began conversing after a while, Carnim being caught up on kingdom events and filled in entirely on the revolution. He was shocked to hear that even the queen herself was taking part in this event. He vowed to assist in any way he could.

The family of four soon had to leave, Carnim sending Markle with them after another hug and a, "See you later," rather than a goodbye. His brother, though he now also suffered lycanthropy, was alright, and in good hands as well. Carnim knew he would do anything to make sure it stayed that way.

He didn't know that his love for his brother could become such a heavy liability.