Royal Twins
Chapter IX – Life of Bryne

Sara yawns and opens her eyes to see familiar faces watching over her. Lucile, her personal servant, is busy bustling around the room. At the moment she is busy dusting with a feather. To her left is her friend Courtney sleeping in a chair. She looks down towards the foot of the bed sheets are bloodstained. She goes to gently move her leg but when she tries moves it no pain exist in her. Finally, she uses her arms to try and sit up but Lucile runs over to her and keeps her from getting up.

“Whoa, girl! Just rest for a moment.”

“Lucile? Am I in my room?”

“Yes, my lady, you passed out on the dragon coming here. But don’t worry, everything is going to be alright. We have won the war.”

“Dragon? What dragon?”

“You rode on a dragon from the wall to here.”

She looks around a little bit more and sees sunlight shining through the window. From the view of her window she can see a few ships in the bay and the sea crashing into the shoreline.

“How long have I been asleep?”

“Eight days, your friend here has been here every day.”

“Eight days?” she repeats shocked. “How is everyone?”

“I will let your brother or friend here tell you what’s going on. I am going to fetch some fresh sheets. You need rest though. You have been through a lot, my lady.”

“Thank you, Lucille.”

Lucile ushers herself out of the room and quietly shuts the door behind herself. Sara waits a moment and rips off her sheets to look at her leg and sees there is a blood stain but only a slight scar but nothing more. She puts her hand on her face to see it is no longer swollen. In fact, it is not tender at all. She slowly stands up to feel her bare feet touch the cold stone floor. Quietly, she approaches a nearby mirror. Her blonde hair is a mess, bags under eyes, and a white night gown with red blood by where her leg was broken. She can’t help but remember the battle. Bodies everywhere, blood covering the ground, and Bryne falling to near death. In the mirror she sees his yellow eyes glowing from a white wolf in the snow. It stares at her and she draws closer and closer.

“Sara!” says a voice making her jump.

Courtney’s voice echoes in the stone room and she wraps her arms around from behind. Sara looks back at the wolf but nothing but her own refection is in the mirror. She turns around to see her friend and gives her a huge hug back.

“I’m so happy to see you, Courtney.”

“I thought you would never wake up. But you’re leg? How is it healed?”

“I guess I can heal myself. But it still scars a little bit. What happened?”

“Well, what is the last thing you remember?”

“I remember Bryne getting shot multiple times and then I remember him smiling at me before falling motionless to the snow. After that, well, even that is all of a blur.”

“Well, Bryne did get shot three times with poison arrows. But before he went down, he stabbed his father in the heart with one that he ripped out of himself plus another one. So, the queen is dead and Lycus is dead and we won the war. Soon after you arrived here on the back of a dragon with a piece of eye candy, Reese.”

Sara rolls her eyes as they both go sit down.

“Come on, Courtney.”

“Yeah, he is married. I don’t know if I’m ready for that kind of drama just yet.”

“Then you should probably stop hitting on gay guys,” mocks Sara. “And things would work out better for you.”

Courtney gives her a death glare.

“That’s not funny.”

“I disagree. What else happened?”

Courtney leads Sara to two chairs near the fireplace.

“When you and the others arrived, we quickly had to get the two portals up and running, which took Reese like no time at all. We still can’t get figure out how to make it back home, so it looks like we will be stuck here for a while longer.”

“Because I was really worried about us going home.”

“Alright, give me attitude then. I just thought Tiffany might need another beat down now that you are a certified badass.”

“I think I need Alex to get me up to date.”

“No, no. I can do it. We got you, Katherine and Bryne immediately to medical. Katherine woke up first, on the way over and then officially pissed off yesterday. She lost her right eye during the battle and they were unable to save it. Besides that, she looks pretty badass with the eye patch, red hair that’s partially shaved and killer eagle armor. What do you think if I cut my hair like that?”

“I don’t think so. But maybe I can heal Katherine’s eye the same way your eye sight was fixed?”

“If she would accept it. Right now, she saw her brother in his condition and is now royally pissed off. No pun intended.”

“How is Bryne?”

Courtney remains silent and looks away slightly.

“Tell me, Courtney,” demands Sara. “I haven’t been able to get you to shut up ever since I’ve met you.”

“Fine, like I said before, you were the second one to wake up and Katherine was pissed to see him like that. Nobody knows why he doesn’t wake up though. Isabella wanted to talk to you about him. And Katherine came in here to see if you were awake last night.”

“Let me get ready then, what about the others?”

Sara pulls off her gown and starts to put on her armor that was given to her by Bryne and Katherine.

“Alex has been trying to figure out the curse on Bryne, schedule a coronation and wanting to reassemble the council, but it seems every nation is busy taking care of their own at the moment. I do believe a court is going to be in motion later this week to decide the future of the kingdoms. Most things have seemed to be taking time. The Elves are having problems since the death of Rasham. Rahm and Cali are too different of personalities to get anything accomplished and now other Elvan tribes are wanting a piece of the throne. The North was without a leader before yesterday while Katherine and Bryne recover. And I guess that pretty much brings you up to speed. Anyways, you look awesome and beautiful.”

Sara looks at herself in the mirror and tries to force a smile but unable to do so. She still feels coldness and darkness still deep in her heart. It is as if a part of her heart is gone. She continues to see Lycus pounding on her and her not able to do anything. She turns around from the mirror and sees Bryne’s wolf blades and bow on a table next to her.

“That boy, Eli, cleaned those up for him and figured you may want to hold them for him until he wakes up.”

She takes the blades in her hands and rubs her thumb across the handle. Sara stares at the green emerald for the wolf’s eyes on the handle. Before strapping them to her back. The bow that he gave her, she picks up and straps it on as well.

“Damn, you look so hot and dangerous. Bryne won’t be able to keep his hands to himself when he sees you again.”

“Let’s hope not,” says Sara as she gives a wink.

“Yeah, and I’m the bad one,” Courtney says shaking her head. “Well, shall we go see Isabella and the others?”

“Let’s do it.”

Courtney leads Sara out of the room and down the hallway and down the stairs to the main hall. She sees workers reorganizing some of the paintings on the walls.

“What is going on here? It is so busy.”

“Well your brother decided these walls are not just for kings but for all heroes, such as Bryne, Fromm, Isabella and many more. They will be on these walls for all to admire and to remember. Of course, the royalties will be up there as well.”

“That sounds like him. It’s amazing how different we are although we are minutes apart in age.”

“Well, that’s what makes you both unique and special. It’s also what makes you both great leaders.”

“Thanks, Court.”

“Well, here we are. Are you ready for this?”

Sara takes a deep breath, nods and walks into the medical bay to see one doctor and a few nurses bustling about. The bay is a large room with about fifty beds, all full. The sound of patients moaning and groaning in pain fill the room. The doctor sees Sara and Courtney at the door and quickly walks over. He greets them warmly with a handshake and a smile.

“My lady, how good to see you again. I am Doctor Able. Your recovery has been quite remarkable. I was worried if you would even be able to walk the same ever again. We actually discussed the possibility of amputation.”

“I am glad it didn’t come to that. Are these people all from the war?”

“I fear there is many more then we are able to care for in here. Many of the less serious injuries are outside in tents. Some are still in the care of the Elvan and up in Zeev. Edjer City is also full of patients from what I hear. Especially since your brother ordered the treatment of any enemy soldiers as well.”

“He did what?”

“He said that we should no longer be divided but look out for one another. Although it has been a little overwhelming here.”

“That’s crazy, and it’s just you?” Sara asks.

“I have a great staff that helps me out.”

“I will do what I can to get another doctor in here to assist you.”

“The help would be much appreciated. But I am sure you are here for much more pressing matters. Princess Katherine was released from here yesterday but still having issues coping with her loss of eye. Prince Bryne’s condition is quite a mystery to me unfortunately. I am unfamiliar with the dark arts. Isabella is in a private room with him right now and she may know more.”

He leads the girls across the bay to a separate room on the other side. They enter the room and the first thing that Sara sees is Bryne laying on the table. His body looks like every muscle is tensed up and every vein is now black as night and protruding from his body. The holes left by the arrows are pitch black holes. She goes to him and traces each scar with her fingers. She stops and looks at her dragon scaled ring that he had given her, and then notices he is still wearing her necklace. A tear gently rolls down her face. Isabella and Reese walk over to comfort her in her time of need.

“Why doesn’t he wake up?”

“This may be tough to hear,” says Reese.

“Just tell me what needs to be done.” S~ᴇaʀᴄh the FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Isabella and Reese look at each other and nod in agreement.

“The poison that was shot into his system was a dark magic spell,” starts Isabella. “We have a ritual planned but what happened to him is from beyond this world.”

Bryne stirs in his deep coma sleep.

“What’s happening to him?”

“His mind is stuck inside of the Death World. Dubhan is looking for something in his mind or maybe even trying to make him submit. From what I read, he must relive every painful memory in a loop until we rescue him or his mind collapses. He feels everything right now as if it was happening for the first time.”

“I remember Bryne saying something about Lycus selling his spirit to Dubhan, when they were battling. Is it possible Lycus gave up his son for his power?”

“And created the spell,” adds Reese.

“That would make sense,” agrees Isabella.

“Why would that make sense?” asks Sara.

“Sara, just like you are a descendent of Floren, Bryne is the lone descendent of Dubhan.”

“So why not just take over Lycus?”

“Lycus wasn’t the descendent, his mother Lillian was. She was the rightful heir to the throne of the North. Lycus married Lillian and basically used his power to control the kingdom. In fear of her child Bryne, she refused to ever go against him. When she finally smuggled her son and people out of the city, she relinquished her power as queen. Dubhan knew he couldn’t control her, so he needed Bryne.”

“So, what about Katherine’s mother?”

“Lycus’ love before meeting Lillian. I was told they were all friends. Some say everything was an elaborate plan to gain control. Bryne killing his mother, and the ‘attempt on his life’. It was all made up to hide the truth.”

“Why go after Bryne like this?”

“If he truly is on the rise then Bryne is the only one that can defeat Dubhan. Blood can only defeat blood. Also, Bryne would become the one to command Dubhan’s dead army.”

Sara looks blankly out of the window. She runs her hands through her golden hair as she sees green bird flying by and the blue sea crashing against the rocks.

“I know this is a lot to take in right now,” says Isabella.

“Yes, it is but what’s important is how do we bring him back?” She says as she turns back around.

“That depends.”

“Depends on what?”

“How far are you willing to go to get him back?”

“To death and back.”

“Good to know,” says Reese. “We will need to get Katherine here to perform the ritual. I will go summon her.”

Reese walks out the room with the doctor leaving Isabella, Courtney, and Sara in the room.

“You know Sara,” starts Courtney, “You are one lucky lady.”

“Why do you say that?”

“He has quite the good-looking body.”

“Oh my gosh, you little perv.”

Sara can’t help but smile at her friends’ antics.

“What? You two both have some good-looking eye candy.”

Isabella raises her eyes and is shocked by what just came out of the fifteen-year-old’s mouth. With that Courtney, pats them both on the back and leaves the room. Sara looks at Isabella with an apologetic look.

“I am so sorry about her.”

“Don’t be, she brings a ray of sun during dark times. I respect that. My people aren’t really great when it comes to bedside manner, so I am glad she is around for you. Besides, she’s right. We do have some good-looking men in our lives.”

“Yeah, I guess she is,” she says smiling at him. “So how does this ritual go or what happens?”

“With the help of Katherine, myself, Reese, and you, we will send two people into his mind and hopefully find him and bring him home.”

“How can I help?”

“It would seem you may very well be of Hishonian blood. But your spirit seems to have fallen dormant due to lack of training.”

“I have an animal spirit in me?”

“Most likely, of course, I don’t know what it is or if you can even use it.”

“Why not?”

“Hishonian’s are meant to go through their first transformation by five. At very least eight. Bryne was a late bloomer though and had his first one at eight.”

“Is that why he can’t control it?”

“I am not sure, I was honestly hoping to go with you to into his mind to have some questions of my own answered.”

“So, I will literally be in his mind?”

“Yeah, I mean I guess there won’t be many secrets between the two of you. It also means you will see everything he has feeling right now. Any torture, any kill, every loss could be seen when we go in there. It is a dark place filled with the greatest evil possible.”

Katherine and Reese enter followed by an elderly man in a grey cloak and hood. They circle around the suffering warrior.

“Everyone this is a mountain priest,” starts Reese. “He is here to assist in the ritual.”

”A mountain priest? What do we need him here for?” asks Isabella.

“What is a mountain priest?” asks Sara.

“They are a group of wise priests that spend their entire lives learning the magic of the world,” explains Reese. “He came down off of his mountain on his own because he felt the dark magic’s existence.”

“We don’t need some cult that never cared before about the troubles of our world,” replies Isabella.

“My lady Isabella,” says the man but his mouth does not move. “I know you are skeptical of my order, but no one should die of the death he is about too.”

“Did he just speak without talking?” asks Sara.

“Sara, it is a pleasure to meet the beautiful savior of the Five Kingdoms.”

“What is your name?”

“My people have no need for names I am afraid. We find the use of a title interferes with the way of knowledge.”

“Ok then. Shall we get started?” Sara asks.

“Finally, but do we really need a mountain priest here Reese?” replies Isabella. “Bryne is gonna be pissed when he finds out.”

“Shocker, Bryne is gonna be pissed,” Reese says sarcastically. “Katherine is not yet to full strength. We need him to be able to send two people.”

“Fine. But for the record, I am not happy about this.”

“Noted,” responds Reese.

“Gather around, all,” says the elderly man.

They all circle around Bryne with the lanterns dimming and silence throughout the room. They take a moment to see the warrior struggling with great pain.

“Will the future king be attending?” he asks.

“He is preoccupied trying to keep the kingdom intact at the moment,” responds Reese. “The world is without dictatorship and it suddenly goes mad with freedom.”

“Freedom can be a difficult thing to control. But if controlled is it freedom at all?”

Isabella shakes her head and rolls her eyes in irritation.

“Who will be going?”

Sara steps forward and is alone.

“I will go.”

“Good, and who else? It will have to be between Isabella or Reese. Katherine seems to not be at full strength just yet.”

“I am just fine. I can go.”

“No, Katherine,” argues Isabella. “You need to stay in case we something happens. You have to rule your kingdom. And you need your rest. I will go. Besides, I have some questions that need answering.”

“Great, now do you understand what will be happening?”

“We will be in his mind, right?’” confirms Sara.

“Theoretically, yes. You will both need to lie down next to him. Bring over those operating tables.”

Reese and Katherine reach behind and grab two tables from behind them and move them next to Bryne. Sara and Isabella lay down on each table.

“Now what will happen is your mental spirit will enter his warrior spirit mind. With any luck this will send you to the Death World that his mind is at. This is where his mind is trapped at the moment. You will see memories of his, just as he is seeing it and currently living it. In the end he will also know much about you.”

“So how do we get him back?” asks Sara.

“You will come back in only two ways. His mind dies, or you convince him to come back. To do this, you will have to figure out once you are there. Everything you will see and what will happen is still unclear. This ritual in not exactly a common thing.”

Sara and Isabella look at each other questionably.

“You know Bryne would love to see this right now,” jokes Isabella.

“Two beautiful women lying next to him or all of the attention?” asks Sara.

“Yes.”

They both laugh and even Katherine cracks a smile thinking about her brother.

“I love my brother, but you aren’t wrong.”

“Seriously guys,” says Reese. “That’s my wife.”

They all laugh at the moment and Isabella grabs Reese and brings him down for a long slow kiss.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be back to finish that.”

“I’m counting on it.”

“Alright, now go save my brother so he can save the world.”

The mountain priest stands above their heads. He holds his hands upwards and looks up at the ceiling. Katherine and Reese both do the same. He starts to speak in an ancient tongue. Only Reese and Isabella knew a few of the words spoken but none knew everything. Lastly, he continues to repeat one single phrase:

Baduku a minuma

After the third time of saying it, everybody starts to glow, and their animal spirit starts to come out of the body; Katherine’s eagle, Reese’s bear, Isabella’s white tiger, and Sara’s lion. Sara looks at it in amazement as the ghostly lion pokes out of her chest. With all animal spirits out the lanterns flicker, the wind stirs in the room, and all heat disappears. Out of Bryne releases the white wolf. Sara and Isabella lay still as their human spirit separates itself from body and enters Bryne. The wind stops, and the lanterns go back to normal. Isabella and Sara’s bodies lay motionless on the table.

“I thought Bryne didn’t have one of his wolf spirits?” questions Reese.

“No, he has all spirits, just one seems to be contaminated with darkness.”

“His wolf spirit seems to be fully intact, though.”

“I sensed something much more powerful in his blood. Something that Dubhan wants control of or to destroy.”

“Like a third spirit?” asks Katherine.

“Exactly.”

“A Hishonian with a third spirit?” asks Reese. “That is impossible.”

“You are a scholar, are you not Reese?”

“Yes, a bit.”

“Then you know as well as I that it is not impossible but perhaps a bit of jealousy swarms you.”

“Are you kidding? Jealous of him?” scoffs Reese.

“Anyway, what do we do now?” Katherine says sternly.

“We wait.”

Sara opens her eyes to see Isabella beside her. They are both standing up in a strange world. Nothing looks quite real in this world. The only visible thing around is a faint path. The rest of this world is complete darkness. A howl echoes throughout and a giant white wolf appears next to Sara. The wolf stands easily five feet tall on all fours and couple hundred pounds. It nudges Sara’s face with its snout.

“Is that-,” she starts.

“Bryne.”

“I thought he was the black wolf.”

“His father was the black wolf and now without his influence Bryne is free to be who he really is. Alright Bryne, where do we go?”

The wolf howls and starts to run down the path. They follow him to a room to see a young boy chained to a wall, covered in whip marks across his back. They walk up to him and notice is eyes are blindfolded. Tear marks stain his cheeks.

“What is this?”

“That’s Bryne as a boy. This must be a memory of his.”

“He looks like he is just a kid. Maybe eight.”

“Something like that. Come on, Bryne, next memory.”

The wolf refuses to move.

“Alright, jackass, is there more to this?”

The wolf growls at Isabella. Suddenly the cell door opens to show a man that resembles a much younger Lycus. He walks up to the boy, completely ignoring the two girls.

“Hey Lycus!” yells Isabella.

He doesn’t change his focus at all from the boy.

“He must not be able to hear us,” says Sara. “These, are his memories, I guess.”

“Are those tears?” asks Lycus.

“No, sir,” responds Bryne.

“Do not lie to me, boy,” he hits Bryne in the face with his huge fist.

The boy crumbles and starts to swing from the chains.

“A warrior does not cry, a warrior does not feel, and a warrior does not think about failure. They look forward to a noble death in place of their king.”

The wolf starts to go through the door and into another room. This time it is Bryne as a little bit older. He holds up both of his dual wielding swords with the wolf handle. He charges at his father and they clash back and forth. Lycus grabs the sword that is in Bryne’s hand breaks his arm. The young Bryne collapses in in pain grabbing his arm.

“Do you think you are ready to lead our people? Then kill me.”

Bryne starts to get up but then starts to get beaten nearly to death, until a woman in a black hooded dress steps in.

“That’s enough, Lycus.”

“The boy makes an attempt at my life and you defend him? I am your husband.”

“And he is my son. Release him.”

He stands up and releases the boy. She walks toward Bryne when Lycus back hands her and she falls to the ground next to the boy choking on blood. She generously rolls him over to his side to tend to him. Soon everything goes black.

“What happened?” asks Sara.

“I guess Bryne blacked out from the beating. I can’t believe he has to relive all of this all over again.”

“We need to find him now. I feel like we are wasting too much time.”

“I agree. Time in here is much slower than in the real world. We have to get to him now. Come on, next painful dark memory.”

The wolf runs to the next door and shows Bryne as a teenager, sneaking into the castle. He is watching as his mother is chained up and brought before a court. Lycus steps forward to the chained woman.

“Where is he?”

“I don’t know. I came alone to make peace with you. Besides this is my kingdom.”

He back hands her. Just as he does Bryne appears visible by jumping and stabbing a guard. He takes down a few soldiers but keeps looking back at the door as if waiting for something or someone.

“This must be when he was betrayed by the Order.”

“I’m guessing this was something you wanted to see.”

“I wanted to make sure he didn’t really kill her the way legends say he did.”

Soon Bryne is overrun by enemy soldiers and is beaten and stabbed over and over again. His immortality keeps him alive but soon everything goes black again.

“How many times is he going to get knocked the hell out?” asks Sara.

“Are you sure you want to marry him? All of these blows to the head are starting to make things a little more clearly.”

“What is next?”

“I think I know. Can we skip this?” Isabella asks the wolf.

The wolf just stares then growls and walks off.

“Asshole.”

They follow the wolf once more to a room where he his chained up to a wall. His face bruised, his body bloody and his spirit clearly broken. Lycus uses a whip continuously whipping him and making him angry. After what must’ve been hours based on the marks covering his body, his body begins to change.

“Release him and bring in the woman!” Lycus orders.

Lycus leaves the cell and two guards enter release Bryne, who is trying to fight the transformation and two more bring his mother in and lock them up together. Lycus looks through the bars and smiles.

“Now, listen up Lillian, you have two choices. Release your beast and kill him or let him kill you. I can work with either.”

She runs up to the bars trying to grab Lycus, but he is just out of reach.

“You are a sick monster.”

“Exactly why I know what will happen soon.”

“Bryne, you must fight it. You must control it.”

The large black wolf steps up against Lillian and stares her down. He remains starring but refuses to attack. Lycus gives a nod at one of his men and the man goes over and stabs Bryne in the side causing him to snap out of reaction. His jaw ends up snapping shut on his mother’s neck, killing her instantly. Noticing what he has done he drops the lifeless body and starts to whimper next to his mother’s body. The guards start to beat him together until the memory goes black.

Sara and Isabella stand in silence for a moment.

“I can’t believe what just happened,” says Sara.

“He always said he blamed himself because he couldn’t control it. It wasn’t that at all.”

“She wouldn’t have been there if it wasn’t for me,” says a loud voice.

“Bryne? Where are you?” asks Sara.

“You’re in my head, remember? I now have a memory of you in my head. Plus, who do you think the wolf is guiding you? Now, you need to find my spirit. You are close, but you need to hurry. He sees everything.”

“We’re coming.”

“I don’t ever want to do this with anyone ever again,” responds Isabella.

“I agree. I feel like we are becoming memories. I am having a hard time separating memory versus reality.”

“Come on, pup. Let’s go,” Isabella says patronizing.

The wolf growls at Isabella but eventually moves to another room. They enter it wondering what other painful memory they can find.

“Why can’t we find any good memories?”

“The Death World is no place for happiness. But there must be a way to counter the bad with the good though. That must be how we must release him.”

“Looks like we are in the snow.”

Bryne is at the battle field facing his father. Soon after he defeats him, he blocks the arrow shot at Sara. The girls watch as the first arrow shoots into his flesh. They flinch as the second one hits and the third one and he drops to his knees.

“Isabella, I feel cold,” says Sara.

“Same, we are feeling what he felt at this point. Near death.”

They watch as Bryne quickly grabs the arrow from the bow and thrusts both arrows deep into his father’s heart. Isabella smiles with glee to get to watch him die. Bryne takes a last look at Sara with a tear in his eye and collapses to the ground. The world goes black and a cold breeze blows over their faces.

“Finally, the Black Prince is mine,” says a dark voice.

“Where am I? I don’t feel … dead,” questions Bryne.

“You are not dead. You are my servant in the afterlife and you will lead my armies to defeat the Five Kingdoms or you will die.”

“Follow his voice,” says Sara running towards it.

“Sara, wait up,” Isabella chases after.

“Then I guess I will die, Dubhan,” he says.

“Then you will die a slow painful death. It is really a shame that someone as skilled as yourself should not even be known as a king. You will be remembered for a murderer, a thief and a traitor to your own people.”

“I don’t need to be a king to be happy. You will be defeated again, Lord of Darkness.”

“We all are defeated at some point. I was once defeated by Floren, Lycus was killed by you, but you were defeated by some girl.”

“What are you talking about? Lycus shot me.”

“Yes, which you would’ve had his head long before if Sara hadn’t of been there.”

Sara and Isabella run toward the voices until Sara stops in her tracks.

“Sara, what’s up?”

“He is right.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Dubhan is right. Bryne was ready to kill him and instead he came to check on me. Then he had to save me and that is when-,”

“Stop,” interrupts Isabella. “He would’ve never have fought in the first place if you hadn’t shown up in his world. He saved you because you saved him from a life full of misery. He wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.”

Sara nods and continues on until they see Bryne sitting on the ground in meditation. His eyes are blindfolded as he sits quietly cross-legged. His sheaths in his back are empty. They approach him carefully and quietly. Isabella reaches out to touch him.

“Please, don’t touch me, Isabella.”

“Sorry, I didn’t know you were real.”

“About as real as you are.”

“Let’s get out of here, Bryne,” says Sara.

“Leave? We cannot leave. Not yet.”

“Your mind is clearly collapsing,” says Isabella.

“You always know how to stress me out, even in meditation. Do not fret, my mind is clear. I also see everything in your mind. I can sense your current fear of this place and of me.”

“What are you talking about?” asks Sara.

“You need to leave this place.”

“No, I have been shown the truth of my life. We always worry about darkness coming and taking over the world but what if I am the darkness. I am Dubhan’s heir and his blood runs through my veins. I could be the commander to his armies.”

“Bryne, snap out of it. You are not him. You have even changed your wolf spirit. That proves the good is in you.” Sara tries to convince him.

“My wolf was always good. It’s the human side of me that is the darkness that infects the world. Speaking of which, I appreciate the swords you have brought back to me.”

Bryne stands up and the swords float back into his hands. Sara’s eyes start to water as she starts to see how far gone, he really is.

“You are coming back, Black Prince of the North,” warns Isabella. “Or I will drag you out of here.”

“Why could you possibly want me to come back? You need me to kill Dubhan because only blood can destroy blood. We read the same scroll Isabella. The world always needs me but what do I need of it. You have been in my head and know everything about me. You know what wasn’t there in those memories? You Isabella, the so-called Protectors, or anyone. When I make a decision and mess up, I am considered an outlaw, and nobody comes to my aid. I have always been alone.”

“You stubborn son of a bitch,” says Sara walking over to him and slaps him. “How could you say you are alone? Part of me died when you collapsed to your death on the battlefield. And you are right, we do need you, but we also want you.”

She surprises him by planting her lips on him in a hard, passionate kiss. Bryne goes stiff for a moment before sheathing his swords and cupping her face and returning the passion. They lose themselves in each other as Isabella awkwardly tries to look away before making a fake cough. The two pull apart and remember where they are. Sara looks at Isabella and blushes.

“Sorry, Isabella.”

“No, don’t worry about me. However, if we are going to leave, we need to do it now. Bryne how do we leave this hell.”

He pauses for a moment, even with eyes blindfolded it is clear he is still pondering whether or not to leave.

“I am not yet strong enough to defeat him.”

“Maybe not but you will become strong enough,” says Isabella. “You are not alone anymore. I am sorry about us in the past but it’s in the past. If not for me, do this for Sara or Katherine who is still recovering, or your mother that sacrificed her life for you on more than one occasion.”

He thinks about it a moment longer. He puts his hands behind his head and starts to untie his blindfold.

“You ready?”

“Just do it.”

He finishes untying it and the place goes white. And then Sara and Isabella find themselves standing in a meadow full of grass and trees. Flowers are blooming in the bushes and a young boy appears with two young girls.

“Where are we?” asks Sara.

“Hey, that’s me. He must have released his good memories as well. This will balance the good and evil in him and should awaken up him and us.”

The three kids look to be running around playing with each other.

“Are you guys playing tag?”

“Yeah. We look to be like five years old and Bryne is probably two or three.”

“I’m guessing that is little Katherine?”

“Yep, we all grew up as childhood friends. I can’t believe he remembers this.”

The whole room flashes white again and they are looking at Bryne and Isabella as young teens. They are sitting perched on a stone wall, looking beyond at the beautiful sunset. They are about an arm’s length away from each other. Isabella keeps looking over longing but Bryne doesn’t notice.

“Is he shy?”

“He was terrible. We sat on that wall forever before he finally said something.”

“So, you two, were a thing?” asks Sara.

“It was a long time, you have nothing to worry about,” Isabella assures.

“So, Isabella,” says teenage Bryne. “Do anything fun today?”

“Well, I got ready for today,” she giggles.

“Oh, right. Well-,” finally he is interrupted with a kiss by Isabella who surprises him with his first.

She pulls away from him and smiles before jumping back off of the wall and landing on her feet. He looks down at her and smiles slightly.

“Good night, Prince.”

“Good night, Isabella.”

Isabella stands there watching the memory unfold right before her and can’t help but smile.

“So, what happened with you two?” asks Sara as they follow the wolf.

“The next day is when he tried to take on Lycus, using his mother as bate.”

“How old was he when he swore an oath to the Order?”

“Well, remember, his mom smuggled him out of the city at twelve or thirteen. He went searching for them right away. As you can see our first kiss memory was not in Zeev because there was no snow.”

They follow the wolf until white light flashes and they are in a tavern with Bryne around a table as an assassin with Samuel and the larger assassin. They are sitting around with their hoods off and masks down, spinning tales about different adventures and who is the better warrior.

“Bryne and his fearsome crew. I think to call them assassins is almost an insult to who they really were,” says Sara.

“Wait for that thought. If I know Bryne and I like to think I do, something is about to come up.”

Almost on cue comes two women and they drape themselves on Bryne’s shoulders.

“Hey assassin, a big strong warrior like you is sure to take good care of two ladies like us?”

“Oh, I could take care of you alright,” he responds with a smirk

He pulls out his coin purse and Sara starts to get a pissed off look upon her face.

“Oh, what the hell, Bryne?”

“However, I am not available tonight. How much for my big friend?”

“Twenty-five silver each.”

“Here is two gold. Give him the time of his life, ladies. Another round barkeep!”

The women’s eyes get huge seeing the gold. They grab the money and grab the half giant assassin by the hand and lead him upstairs and out of sight. Samuel and Bryne each order another pint.

“What are you looking for in life, kid?”

“I’ve got everything I could ever want right here.”

As he says that a drunk patron of the tavern throws up right on him. The man smiles with throw up on his beard looking at Bryne.

“Sorry, miss. Can I buy you a drink?”

“Uh oh,” says the girls almost together.

Bryne grabs the man by the back of the head and smashes his head into the table, knocking him out cold.

“Sleep it off, mate,” says Bryne as the man falls to the wooden floor. “See, everything I could ever want.”

“One day you will have to face your destiny.”

“One day, maybe I will.”

“Do you remember when I found you in the snow? Without any life in you at all.”

“Yeah, bits and pieces.”

“Your body may have lived but your soul died. I saw that when you wiped out the Order. You showed no mercy and now you kill each person with the same mentality.”

“But I win. What did you have in mind?”

“What do you mean?”

“Whenever you try to be old and wise with me, it means you are trying to convince me of a job that you want to do. What is the gig?”

“No slipping anything pass you. This is not a job that I want but in fact a job that you need. The future high royalty and the leaders of the resistance are requesting someone to break into the castle in Zeev.”

Bryne rubs his chin and ponders for a moment.

“Face my destiny, huh? Fine. You are the boss, boss.”

The room goes bright white again.

“Was that supposed to be a happy memory?” asks Sara.

“I don’t know if he has many to choose from to be honest.”

The next memory shows up is in the castle of Berthold just outside of the throne room. The three assassins walk to the close doors and kick them in. Isabella and Sara watch the three audition for the job to rescue Courtney. They even watch as Bryne puts his blade against the Red Hand leader’s throat and hold it there as close as possible without drawing blood.

“What a brute?” says Isabella in shock.

“I was as shocked as anybody that nobody died that day in the throne room.”

“This is who you love? I am starting to question your standards in men. You need to stop hanging out with Katherine so much. I mean he is completely out of control, why don’t you just order his death right then. How many laws has he just broken in this memory?”

“I guess I just like his bad boy attitude. I just knew we were destined for something. To be completely honest, I saw him in a vision before I went through the portal.”

“Well, I guess this memory definitely proves he fell in love with you at first sight. But seriously, how many red flags did you need. He kicks a door open, he took out the guards guarding the door, puts a blade to the throat of a mercenary, and you are told not to look at his glowing eyes. None of this is a red flag for you?”

The ground begins to quake, and they begin to glow. They’re animals start to show again as they did before out of their chest. All three sit up catching their breath in the medical room. Katherine, Reese, Alex, Fromm and the priest all stand up next to them assisting them back to reality. They all look around in confusion trying to still separate reality from memory. Bryne holds his hands up trying to grab the closest person.

“Hello?” he says grabbing Isabella’s face. “Isabella is that you?”

“Yes?” she questions.

“Kiss my ass. Sara, where are you?”

“Right here,” she says putting her hands in his.

“What did I do?” asks Isabella. “And what the hell is wrong with you?”

“I can hear what you said about me. You were in my head, remember?”

“Oh, you heard all of that.”

“Every word. How many names did you call me? And ‘why don’t you order this death?’”

“Sorry?” she says questionably.

“Anyway, I can’t see. Is there possibly a professional un-darkener of eyes in here?”

“Just relax,” says the priest as he touches his forehead. “The blindness should go away eventually.”

“Wait we really have one of those?”

“I am a Mountain Priest.”

“Nope. I’ve heard enough,” he goes to stand up but falls to the ground.

Alex goes to help him up and everyone circles around. He feels everyone’s eyes upon him and his face soon goes red with embarrassment.

“Easy buddy,” says Alex. “Why don’t you just sit down for a moment and drink some water?”

“Fine but keep that priest away from me.”

“Just calm down,” says the priest.

“Isabella, you allowed them to use a Mountain Priest? And Katherine, you are supposed to be my sister.”

“I told you guys,” responds Isabella.

“Bryne, there was no other option,” explains Katherine.

Alex guides Bryne down to a nearby chair and hands him his canteen. Bryne catches his breath and takes a drink. Embarrassment starts to fade but he still feels the eyes looking at him.

“Priest? Why can’t I walk?”

“You died. Your legs are probably still asleep. Just try to wiggle your toes and feet.”

Bryne does so.

“See? Just give it a few minutes. You don’t have to be worried about me.”

“Then why are you here?”

“Because you are needed in the world right now and I live in the world. Dubhan will rise again. That is not up for dispute. Only a member of his bloodline can defeat him. Plus, nobody deserves to die the way you would have.”

“Guys, how long was I in my state?”

“We came in on the eighth day,” says Isabella. “How long were we in that place?”

“Two days,” answers Reese.

“So, I was basically dead for ten days. Great. Now what?”

“Well, my job is done, but be assured we will be watching. Wait a while and rest. Spend some quality time with love ones.”

“What about my sight? When will it come back?”

“I am afraid I cannot answer that. It could be minutes, or it could be years. I do not know at this moment.”

“How am I supposed to fight Dubhan when I can’t see?”

“Do you fight with your eyes, master Bryne? Learn to rely on other senses and as a warrior you cannot be beaten. Now, I must go for I have some research to do. Alex, may I have word with you?”

Alex pats Bryne on the shoulder and walks behind the priest out of the door. He shuts it behind and the priest turns around, so they are facing each other closely. The old man looks at Alex with a serious and stern look.

“What is going on?”

“Quietly.”

“Sorry.”

“Now, what is happening has already been put in motion. It is inevitable. However, you can stop it and must stop it.”

“Ok? Why are you telling me this in secret?”

“Because the prince in there,” he says pointing to the door. “Is something more. There is something in his blood that Dubhan wants and was unable to find because Bryne doesn’t even know about it.”

“I thought you said Dubhan was after wolf and warrior spirit.”

“I thought he was after his wolf, but it seems to be of no concern of his because it was fully intact during the ritual. That is what worries me. What is hidden in him?”

“So, is that the research you will be conducting?”

“Precisely.”

And with that the priest walks off leaving Alex to ponder for a moment before going back in the room.

“All I see is Bryne and Reese riding the back of dragons,” Fromm is in the middle of telling the group a story. “Of course, it’s not enough to just shoot the elephant, the show off decides to stand up on the back and fire an arrow. Well, of course then, Reese and the other follow up the shot.”

“I don’t think I stood up. That doesn’t sound like something like I would do.”

“You’re kidding me, right?” asks Katherine. “My brother decides at eleven years old that he was so incredible that he would try and take on a full-grown bear with just a dagger.”

“Oh my gosh, did he?” asks Sara.

“He was doing good until he decided he was going to once again show off too far and threw his dagger on the ground and fist fight it. Poor Reese had to talk to the bear and calm it down.”

Everyone sits around laughing at the thought.

“I think we should probably let you get some rest and I know a certain person might want some, one on one time with a certain individual,” says Isabella.

Everyone moans at the thought.

“Come on Isabella, it’s still weird to think of my sister with anyone,” says Alex.

“I was talking about me and my husband,” Isabella fails to convince everyone but continues to go along with it anyways.

Isabella and Reese are the first to leave the room.

“Hey, Bryne,” says Fromm. “I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye, but I always have you’re back. After what you did in the war and in that battle in particular, I have no reason to question your loyalty.”

“We’re good, Protector. We’re good. Maybe we will have to train with each other some time.”

“I look forward to it.”

Fromm leave the room with a smile on his face. He almost looks at peace.

“Well, welcome back, brother,” says Alex. “You were definitely missed in our lives.”

Katherine approaches Bryne soon after Alex leaves the room.

“It would seem we are two of a kind. Four eyes in total but only one works.”

“What happened to your eye?”’

“I no longer have one of my eyes, but you don’t worry about that right now. Just recover. Together we will be greatest kingdom in the realm.”

She smiles and exits leaving Bryne and Sara alone in the room. She carefully straddles him, and he smiles as he feels her lips against his. He follows the priest’s advice and uses his other senses. The scent of sweet lavender in her hair fills his nostrils, the touch of her silky soft skin, and the taste of her lips on his. He slides his hand up her back feeling her bare skin, sending chills up her spine. He moves his lips to her neck and she moans at the touch of his hands and lips all over her body. With his adrenalin pumping he stands up with her thighs wrapped around him his waist. He pushes her against the wall knocking over vases and files onto the ground. They fill the next few hours in each other’s embrace.

When they are finished, he lays on the bed holding her from behind. Nothing besides a fur blanket, covers them from the world.

“Bryne Wolfcrier,” she says holding his hand. “I love you.”

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