The Mage Wars

Korbin's Fate

23 Astris of the year 13004

Avalon's Pov

"Father!" Everest calls out. I pause and allow her to catch up to me.

Dark bags sit under her eyes. Dear gods her nightmares must be getting worse. Kaelen told me she's up at odd hours and doesn't sleep much. He also told me, in great detail, about their journey. Nothing happened that could be causing nightmares. Unless someone is plaguing her thoughts.

"Yes, my child."

"What's going to happen to Korbin?" I knew she was going to ask one of these days. She's caring like that. She almost always asks, when people are in the dungeon, what will happen to them? Sigh. She doesn't need this to burden her.

"Kaelen is taking Liron to see your Aunt Adriel and cousins," I place my hands on her shoulders and turn her around. My long arms wrap around her shoulders. I lean my head on top of hers. I used to do this when she was small. Not that she is much bigger now, but sadly she's too big to sit on my lap while I talk to advisers.

"It's been two days and you're still having nightmares, of what I know not. Now, go find General Galen, he has a surprise for you."

"Father."

I squeeze her shoulders before walking off. Korbin has some explaining to do.
_____

In the dungeon, Korbin sits in the dark corner. The shackles on his wrists and ankles have runes that blaze a hue of red. The exact colour of my marks. When Korbin came too, two days ago, he tried to escape. To his dismay, he found his magic was rendered useless. The most he can do is set his hand ablaze.

I gave Bryren, my High Mage, my gratitude for creating them. He believes they are strong enough to contain a Spirit Mage. We have yet to test his theory. I'm not too keen on being the guinea pig. Sadly Korbin had his marks removed by Everest. Otherwise, he'd be our test subject.

I wait for him to acknowledge me. After all, I am his superior. Whether from birth or kingship. Nothing. Such a stubborn male. If I didn't know better I'd dub Korbin the stubborn one, not Aveyard. Yet I do know better and Korbin was always the most immoral.

Aveyard, Hadriel, Ignatius and Carys are meeting me here but I came early. In hopes, he will speak to me freely without our overbearing brothers. I reckon my hopes are squashed. Too bad.

"What do you want Avalon?"

"So you do speak."

"I ask again, what do you want?" Korbin growls.

"I want to know why you started a war. Why kill Elysia? Why aim for Vanora?" I wrap my hands around the cool metal bars. Korbin doesn't even flinch at my tone. What happened to him? He used to be so...nice.

"You and every other person on this continent. Get in line Avalon." Korbin sneers. He stands and lunges at the bars. If he'd hoped to make me jump he succeeded. Any poor soul would.

"Do you have a death wish?"

"No more than you." A sickening smile crawls onto his face. How did he become so corrupted?

"What are you hiding? You have no one left to protect." I stand my ground. Korbin shoves an arm through the bars. His smile only grows. "I thought family didn't have secrets Korbin."

"Ours does."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means what it means." Korbin looks past me. His eyes trained on our brothers standing in the doorway. I heard them before they opened the door. It wasn't hard. Aveyard made the most noise.