Encounters With a Mythic: Three Degrees of Obsession

Chapter 5:

"I'm just saying Valmond, maybe we should give up tracking those witches and finally start hunting down the clues father left behind for us. You know, the ones that would get us back into the Court of Night and potentially put you back in your rightful seat?" Malaquis asked as he and Valmond continued to pluck the feathers off of their dinner. 

"We've talked about this already Malaquis."

"No, I've talked about this. You have continued to say the same things. 'Once our work here is done we will see what trinkets that ass of a father has left behind for us Malaquis. It isn't a pressing concern as of right now Malaquis. Stop trying to follow in our fathers footsteps less they get us killed Malaquis.' Honestly brother, it's beginning to feel like you are just jealous of my name."

"Malaquis?" Valmond said with warning in his tone.

"See what I mean? Just look around brother. We are in the middle of a damp forest without a fire to start because all the twigs have been soaked through. I'm cold, you're cold, and all we have is chickens to eat and drink from. How in the Courts name are the witches a more pressing concern? Just because they managed to take mother from us-"

"Bite your tongue brother, else I'll do it for you!" 

"Yes sir." Malaquis said in a rush as silence carried after. Deep down Valmond knew he was right. They were getting no where and the years of having no allies were taking their toll. Across the countries and through the states this particular coven of witches continued to elude them. At times Valmond feared that he was on a fools errand. His vow of revenge just naive ramblings of a child. But that vow is what carried him through his training with his fathers trusted guardsmen. It's what kept him alive to see his brother once more after years apart. And even more, he kept feeling as if they were close. 

"Look Quis, we will give this one last try. If those witches aren't here then-"

"Then we can begin our hunt for fathers crest?" There was so much hope in the boys eyes that Valmond almost said they were done with the witches right then. But he didn't. Instead he sighed and looked at his brother.

"Yes, Quis. If they aren't here we can track the crest."

"Good! Maybe then you will find your resonant. Maybe I as well. But you need your woman even more so."

Valmonds head snapped back in surprise. "What's that supposed to mean Malaquis?"

"I'm just speaking in earnest Val. Your fated woman is out there some where waiting for you to claim her. She's probably a quick witted, feisty, and driven vampirette. With hair that looks of silk when touched by the moon, and curves that would exhaust a horse." He chuckled until he saw the expression on Valmonds face. "What? you don't like curves?"

"No. I don't like vampires. I hate them as much as I do the witches and hunters."

"Surely you don't blame them for mothers death as well?"

"I blame them for what could have been our deaths! Where were they when we had no place to turn, hmm? Locked inside there little castle with the court. Holding judgement on us as if we were their lesser. And for what? Because we didn't have some damn seal to prove we belonged?"

"But brother, there are rules!"

"Fuck the rules Malaquis!"

"Then change the damn rules Valmond!" They both grew silent. Only their heavy exhalations making a sound. Taking a drink from the chicken to break the awkwardness of the moment, neither brother lifted their heads till their dinner was drained. 

"You're always like this Quis. Why do you want me in that court so badly?"

"Because it belongs to you brother. And I will see no other in your place. And maybe your resonant won't be a vampirette. Fathers wasn't. But you are soo focused on death that you haven't taken a moment to smile at the life you have Val. Or the life you could have! Think of it brother. Maybe you'll have a lusty Argonian as your own."