by Day Leitao
He barely raised his eyes. “Enjoyed the walk?”
“Very much. I feel a lot better.”
“The doctor should be here soon.”
The doctor looked at Darian’s arm in disbelief.
“How was this cured?”
Darian shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe it wasn’t as bad as we thought.”
The man looked at him with an air of understanding. “Few people can cure that type of poison.” He then whispered in Darian’s ear. “Please help us make sure they don’t all get killed.”
The doctor’s name was Jonathan. He became one more person to add to Darian’s list of contacts—people who were resisting the king and fighting for freedom however they could.
A private lift landed near the encampment. Sarris went to greet the newcomer with such a fuss one would think he was going to greet the king himself. It wasn’t the king. It was only Sian. Despite being only sixteen, he walked side by side with Sarris, smiling and charming the commander, who acted with a deference that would be odd if it wasn’t for the way Sian ported himself. He did act like a king.
Darian then remembered his dream, delirious visions, or memories from when he was cured. “He’s a whisperer. A spell speaker.” He had no idea what a whisperer or spell speaker was, but he remembered his mother speaking with a hypnotic voice, and remembered how his brother had done the same in Darian’s audience. While the women might have suspected Darian was one, he was sure his brother was the one with the real power there. He wished his brother could use it for good, but wasn’t so sure, as he watched Sian and Sarris walking side by side and tapping each other’s shoulders like very old friends, with satisfied smiles at seeing each other.
Sian saw Darian, but didn’t pay him much attention and took his time talking to the old commander before walking over to him. with extended arms and an air of surprise. “Back from the dead again! I can’t believe I have such an immortal brother.”
“Upset?”
“Don’t be weird, little brother. I came as fast as I could, didn’t I? Let’s walk a little.”
The two brothers started walking away from the encampment.
Darian said, “You seemed more interested in talking to Sarris.”
He laughed. “Are you jealous? I’m flattered. But consider that I didn’t risk my life to save him.”
Darian remembered the duel, the audience, and how his brother had stepped up for him. He also remembered his brother’s warnings and the feeling that he had been involved in the accusations brought against him. Still, he didn’t want to argue about it. “Well, thanks.”
Sian stopped and put his hands on his heart as if he was about to have an attack. “Wait, wait, wait. What did you say?”
His brother was weird sometimes. Still, Darian repeated it. “Thanks.”
Sian made an exaggerated expression of disbelief. “No, that can’t be real. My ears are playing tricks on me. Are you sure you want to thank me for something? Are you feeling well? Maybe the poison has affected your sanity.”
Darian rolled his eyes. “Yeah, maybe that’s it.”
“Most definitely. Cause my normal brother Darian would find something to complain about.”
“Well, you did extend the fight too much. You even got hurt. Why didn’t you just finish Lalus sooner?”
“Of course. Killing is so easy, isn’t it?” Sian looked down. “But I had no choice. Either way, the thing is, when you’re good at something, you don’t want your enemies to know it. And the king wanted a spectacle.” His voice lowered. “I gave him one.”
“How is your shoulder?”
“Cured. How is your arm?”
Darian shrugged. “It’s cured as well. I think Sarris made a mistake when he thought I was poisoned.”
“We get a lot of training in first aid, poison symptoms, and how to cure the most common wounds. You would have known if you’d stayed in the academy. I don’t think Sarris would make such a mistake.”
“What are you suggesting?”
“There’s something you’re hiding, little brother.” Sian looked at him. “I know it, but I won’t tell anyone. You’re free to complain about it, as always, of course.”
Darian shook his head. He didn’t want to argue with Sian. In fact, what he most wanted was for his brother to help him. He knew that if he and his brother united forces, they could defeat the king and their father quickly and easily, but he wasn’t sure where his brother’s loyalties stood. He tried to find out.
“Have you heard about the uprising movement?”
He nodded. “I also came to warn you about it.” He looked around, probably to make sure they were not being overheard. “This movement, it’s not a movement. It’s a bunch of different people and groups with various ideologies. They’ll never be completely united. If by chance they rise to power, Whyland will plunge into chaos. So please pay attention to that, my brother.”
“So you think we should support the army? Do you have any idea what they’ve been doing?”
“We need to take control of the army. Once it’s done, we can change it. It’s possible. Look at Siphoria. I’m in control of the city. Go there and see. But you need to take control first. You need to move within the established power, not topple it. You can’t predict what will happen if the power changes hands too suddenly.”
“And what’s your idea?”
“Gaining power and influence over the army. That’s what I’ve been doing. Now, I’ll be honest here. I know what you are planning on doing. If you support these rebels, this uprising, you’ll get a knife on your back. And I’ll tell you more: I’ll protect you as much as I can, but eventually we’ll be on opposite sides.”
“So you want to fight the uprising?”
“Not necessarily. In life, we must be strategic. But please be aware that at the end of the day, it’s about power, not freedom or any other noble ideologies.”
“For you, maybe.”
“I won’t insist on it. But come and talk to me when you’re ready to support me.”
“And you’re going to be supported by people like Sarris?”
Sian shrugged. “I’m not picky about my friends, you see?”
“If your stomach doesn’t curl, then you have a problem.”
“Maybe I do. It’s pretty to be noble and idealistic, but you cannot do anything without power. That’s the fact.”
“The world has more power than a few men commanding weapons.”
“Of course. I never said I was picky. We’re not going to agree, are we?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“You want to support rebels, support them. But I won’t save you this time.”
Darian wasn’t sure if it was a warning or a threat. He had to be cautious. “I’m not supporting anybody. I’m just trying to survive.”
Sian smiled. “Of course. Survive your way. I’ll survive mine. I had something else to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“Cayla.” Sian’s worried expression knotted Darian’s stomach. “Do you know that the prince of Arlenia has been courting her?”
Darian didn’t know why his brother was bringing it up. “I heard something about it—why?”
“Well, at the last ball, they danced all night, and she gave him a lot of attention. Then they both disappeared.”
“What are you suggesting?”
“I’m not suggesting anything. I’m telling what I saw. I assumed you’d want to know what she does when you’re not around.”
Darian wasn’t sure what his brother wanted, but it couldn’t be anything good. He shook his head. “Just do me a favor, will you? Don’t follow Cayla, and don’t make assumptions about what she is or isn’t doing. I’m sure she’ll let me know if she’s fallen in love with someone else.”
Sian laughed. “With someone else. Look at your confidence.”
“Jealous you can’t trust anyone’s love?”
“Love is poison, brother, but if you’re so sure about Cayla’s love,
I won’t worry about it. But don’t complain if she makes a fool out of you.”
“If you came here to offend her, I’m going to ask you to leave.”
“I was leaving anyways.” Sian turned around, then stopped and looked back at his brother. “Traitor.”
Darian watched as his brother walked away. Darian felt sad that they were parting ways and going in different directions. His brother lusted for power. He wasn’t a bad person, but he was proud and ambitious. Maybe he’d see Darian’s side one day.
Darian then pulled his necklace from under his shirt. It shone. He knew Cayla wouldn’t contact him anytime soon, and it was for the best. He’d stopped thinking about her, but not because he liked her any less, but because he was focused now.
He would help the rebels and the king would be deposed. As much as he knew Cayla would feel hurt and even betrayed, Darian knew it was for the best. For Cayla, for the memory of the brave young boy who tried to kill him, for the memory of the unknown women who had saved him, for the villagers who had lost everything, for his mother, Darian would dedicate each and every second of his life to the uprising. He would work from within the army to establish alliances. He would use his father’s influence to take charge of the communication center. He knew they would win. He could taste victory and envisioned a new era in Whyland.
About the Author
Day Leitao was born and raised in Brazil. She loves to tell stories. Visit her at dayleitao.com for more information.