FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

All his muscles tensed as another thundering roar echoed through the mountains. He bet his wings as swiftly as he could while Ary was merely flying by his side, not even giving her all since they wanted to stay together. To him, the way from the hot springs to the valley seemed way longer than it was before. Maybe that was because his mind was troubled with many thoughts, each one worse than the former.

What if it was his brother who was hurt? Who did that him? Could it be that Ulric's forces somehow found a way to maneuver an army through the highlands?

Those were all the questions and thoughts that wouldn't leave his mind. Both of them flew over the last mountain that was in their way, entering the valley. That was when the worried questions and thoughts got even worse. He watched the dragons land near the human village. Groups of people quickly swarmed out of the marketplace to see what was going on. As they got close enough to see the details on each dragon's scales Cyr's worries came true. It really was his brother who was injured, and very badly at that.

He had several cut wounds on his side and chest, but those weren't deep. A very deep cut at his flank appeared to be the reason why he couldn't fly. They have only just landed and the ground was already turning red with his blood. Cyr looked at his brother in horror, for several reasons. First of he was scared for his brother, but he has seen him wounded before, once almost as badly as he was now, after fights with other male dragons to get a dragoness to lift her tail for him.

What shocked him way more though were the kind of wounds he had. Apart from the cuts, there were also little pieces of wood sticking out of him in a few places. Those were clearly broken arrows. And all the other cuts, including the deep one, were all caused by human weaponry. He was sure of it. He had seen those kinds of wounds often enough to tell.

As he was standing there completely paralyzed he could hear some people calling out for Síona and others for their chieftain. A huge crowd had already gathered around the dragons five dragons that tried to keep his wounded brother awake. Cyrvanyx glanced over at his father who was yelling at Aki in hopes of keeping him awake. His father was probably the darkest dragon he ever saw. All his scales were as black as the night and his eyes shimmered golden, much like his own. In his father's eyes, he could see him do something that he never saw him do before. He was crying. The strong warrior that was his father was actually crying.

That pure realization alone made the situation seem all the direr. His father had always told him that tears were only for the weak and that a warrior should never show his weakness out in the open. Yet that was exactly what he was doing at the moment.

Suddenly he felt a comforting paw on his shoulder, accompanied by Ary's voice. "This... this is your brother, right?"

Cyr just answered with a silent nod and took a step forward and then another. After each step, his pace got faster and his legs less shaky. The crowd of humans made way for him as he approached. It seemed like they could figure out on their own that he was a relative to the wounded dragon. When he stepped out of the crowd he felt the eyes of the many people around him upon him.

"... father?" He said after hesitating for a while. His father took a quick glance at him but looked away almost immediately as he recognized him, blinking the tears out of his eyes as if he only had just realized that he was crying. "What happened?"

There was shame in his father's eyes alongside fear and anger. "We were attacked." He blandly stated. "By humans." A bit of anger began to shine through. "But does that matter now? Your brother is dying!" He lifted his head, looking into the crowd. "Where is that woman? We need her NOW!" The last word came out in a roar, filled with fury and fear at the same time.

Almost immediately after he said that an old woman came out of the crowd, holding bottles filled with medicine. "I'm here, alright! Your roaring won't help him!"

"It brought you here, didn't it?"

"No." Síona stated blandly. Valeria, her assistant hurried after her, carrying bandages, stitches and whatever else they needed to save his life. "A young girl from this village ran to my house and brought me here. She told me that there was a wounded dragon close to our village and as it turns out she spoke the truth, if your roaring wasn't already prove enough." She knelt down in front of Akirunax, examining his wounds, especially the gaping wound on his side. "This... this looks like it was caused by a sword, but... that would have to be an enormous blade."

As Síona continued her examination while Cyr's father and the other four dragons watched he could hear an all too familiar voice coming from the crowd that was getting louder and louder. "Make way! I said, make way!" Out of the crowd came Chieftain Seoras, accompanied by two guards. "What in hells name is going on here?"

All the dragons turned their head to face him while Síona kept trying to help Aki. "That is none of your business, human!" Cyr's father said without showing any form of respect. "Isn't it obvious that he is wounded?"

"Of fucking course it is! But I want to know why!" He angrily pointed towards Aki's huge wound that was currently being stitched up by Síona's assistant. "This there is clearly a wound caused by a weapon that was wielded by a man! Who was that? Did you encounter Ulric's Dragonslayers? Tell me what happened?"

"I will not tell you anything." He said in the most intimating voice he could muster, looking down upon him. "You have no authority over me!"

They both exchanged angry stares. It looked like they were having a contest to see who had the grimmer expression. But suddenly Seoras broke eye contact and looked right passed him, a smile spreading across his face. "No, I don't." He pointed past him at whatever he was seeing. "But he does."

For a moment Cyr thought he was actually pointing at him and thought that he had any kind of authority over his father. What a great joke that would have been. He soon realized though that he was pointing at someone behind him. They all turned around at the same time to see a dragon walking through the human crowd, walking past Cyr and coming to a stop in front of his father. His scales overall were of a brownish color and copper on his underside. What was more interesting though were the marking on his muzzle and chest that were a deep, blood-like, red. He was one of the highclaws and the leader of the local clan that lived inside the valley.

Never before had he seen a highclaw look at his father in such a way. He was very intimating, as he should be. "Corrunth the fearless." His voice was just as intimating as his body and even Cyr's father could feel that as he was addressed by his name and title. "I thought you gained that title all those years ago because you were strong in both body and mind. And yet here you are, refusing all of us this information that could prove to be very viable for our clan. I can't help but wonder why that is. Could it be that you are... afraid?"

That question gained a growl from Corrunth but not a single word still. "Maybe your son can help me with this then. Survivor of the dragon order!" The highclaw called out for him without even turning his gaze away from Corr. "Do you know which human weapon can cause such a huge wound to a dragon?"

He was slightly startled as he was asked a question by the highclaw, looking at him in silence for a few seconds before speaking. "Eh... that... looks like it could only be caused by something with a huge blade so it was clearly a sword, a greatsword even, to get enough mass behind the swing to cause that much damage... but I have never seen Ulric's dragon slayers fight with greatswords before so-"

"I have heard that you are interested in humans and their way of living." The highclaw interrupted him. "Do you know of any human kingdom that is known to use swords that big?"

"Ehm... the empire north of here, Redoria. I have once heard that they deploy soldiers wielding enormous greatswords into battle."

"Redoria... Redoria, I see." The highclaw's glare intensified. It looked like something in his head just made click. "Did you, your son and the others attack Redorien lands? Is that where you took all this wealth you so openly brag about from?" His voice got louder with each word and also more aggressive. Corr's silence and facial expression were already answer enough for him. "So that's how it is then... you went on a raid on innocent humans for wealth without my consent!"

"We only ever attacked petty villages and caravans! I didn't think they would-"

"Defend themselves?" The highclaw finished the sentence for him. "Do you have any idea what consequences this will have for our clan, for our entire race even! You have openly declared war on these people! You have raided their lands and now they have struck back!" The old dragon spoke with such fury that it felt like his voice echoed all over the valley. "We already have Ulric and his dogs to worry about in the south! And now this! We no longer have a kingdom at our back! Do you, any of you, realize that? Albia is too busy to fight for its own survival, how will they fight for ours then?"

"Highclaw, these humans could never find a way into our-"

"That doesn't matter! Do you want to hide in these mountains forever? Do you want to get shot out of the sky if you fly too far from your home like in the old days? In all these years that we have lived in an alliance with Albia, we were under their protection. But Albia is crumbling to ruins right now and we will follow them into death if we are not careful!" He took a deep breath, taking a quick look around to see if everyone was listening. At that moment everyone else was dead silent. One could've dropped a needle and it would have been heard.

"We have managed to survive in this world for this long because of the humans of Albia. What you have done could endanger everything that we have built together with them. the people of Redoria will sooner or later establish an army to march south. They will hunt down every dragon in their way that does not hide in the safety of the highlands." He took a step forward, glaring at Corr in such a way that even the strongest warrior would get weak in the knees. "Dragons like you are the reason men like Ulric exist!"

"I... highclaw, I have done nothing that could-"

"Enough!" The highclaw roared out as loud as he could, thumping his tail on the ground, causing all the dragons around him to lower their ears in submission. "You have said more than enough Corrunth! One more word and you will end just like your youngest son!"

That last part got Cyrvanyx' ears to perk up. "What... highclaw, what was that about... his youngest son?"

For the first time, the highclaw glanced towards him before looking back at Corr. "He doesn't know? Had none of you the stomach to tell him?" As Corr opened his maw to answer just the glare of the highclaw shut it again. "Your little brother was exiled." He said in a cold and calm voice, turning his head towards Cyr. "That was a few years ago. But that isn't even thanks to me. That is all thanks to your loving father."

Cyrvanyx' gaze wandered towards Corrunth. He wasn't sure if he was supposed to be shocked, angry or both. Hearing that all of a sudden was not all expected. That would explain why Aki always changed the subject immediately when he asked about their little brother. Still, he never expected that. He never thought highly of his father and knew very well what he was capable of, but banishing his own son? That was something he thought not even he could do. It appears that he was wrong.

"I only did it for the better of our family." His father said as he met his gaze. "He was weak, and you know it! Aki was a strong warrior I never had to worry about him. You were not the best fighter but you proved to be brave, even brave enough to become part of the order. But Vrahlonyx? He was always weak! He only survived his youth because you always protected him. With you gone he had no place here anymore!"

He listened to his father's every word, but they held no meaning for him. He loved his little brother, Vrahl, even more than he loved Aki. Of course, he loved them both, but there was something about him in particular that he liked. Protecting him was one of the duties that he put upon himself in his youth. Hearing all those things from his father made him really angry. "And in the end banishing him was the right choice in your mind?" He slowly shook his head, a single tear building in one of his eyes. "What did mother have to say about that, hm? I know that she is not as heartless as you!"

That got his blood boiling. "Don't you dare drag your mother in this! She realized just like me that this was for the better of our family! you are just-"

"Shut it now! Both of you!" the highclaw called out. "Your son is already in a bad condition and he already heard enough roaring from me earlier." He tilted his head slightly to the side, narrowing his eyes. "You know, I thought that maybe it would a good punishment for your deeds to just let your son die right here and now, but since your other son already lost one brother today I won't let him lose another." He looked around, seeing the other four dragons standing around the wounded dragon still. "And now see yourselves out of here, all five of you, go home! I don't want your roaring and arguing to make this day even more unnerving than it already is."

Corrunth no longer had any words of protest. He just looked at his injured son, laying there half conscious with a flank full of stitches. He had to be lifted off the ground by one of the other dragons in order to wrap the bandage around him, but it worked in the end. Corr looked over at the other four dragons and nodded once. Together they then walked out of the crowd until they had enough room to take to the skies.

As they flew away the highclaw ordered the crowd to scatter and everyone complied without any hesitation. Cyr watched his brother being nursed by Síona and Valeria for a while before turning away. He knew very well that she would take good care of him and that he wouldn't need to have fear for his life, not when he was in her hands. Once he turned his back to his brother he looked into Ary's worried eyes. With all this trouble surrounding his family, he almost forgot that she was there too.

"Cyr I... sorry about your brother." She said with real concern in her voice as he approached her.

"Which one? The pillager or the weakling?" He snorted, looking at the ground, eyes filled with anger and sadness.

"Cyr... I'm sorry, alright? I... I'm sure Aki will be ok. You know that Síona's healing abilities can be like magic." She sighed, putting a paw on his shoulder. "And... I'll miss Vraal too. He was always very sweet and nice. Maybe a little shy, but that made him all the cuter."

When he didn't respond she closed in even further and hugged him tightly, causing Cyr to suck in a sharp breath. "I promise that I'll be there for you should you need someone to comfort you."

With a shaking paw, he hugged her too, resting his head on her shoulder. They both stayed that way for a while, just enjoying each other's warmth after being fed those pieces of information that filled him with cold dread. His thoughts wandered off towards that fear again. He was afraid for their wellbeing more than ever.

It was true that he loved his brother, but what he and his father had done could have truly devastating consequences.

---

Darkness had already spread over the landscape as the lone knight made his way to an Inn on the side of the road. It would be the last stop for Henry before he would reach the small town of Caernavon. If he arrived in time he could find the heirs of Albia far earlier than he anticipated. Of course, there was still the fear in the back of his mind that Ulric's men were already searching every part of the country for them. He and his lords probably knew that the prince and the princess were currently on land that was owned by them.

Although Caernavon was still part of the kingdom of Albia not long ago the local leaders surrendered to one of Ulric's lords after a very short siege. The town was not only uncomfortably close to Moudeir Castle, they also controlled a lot of the grain since Caernavon had one of the biggest grain storages in all of Albia. It was a very important strategic position and it would surely have to be conquered in order to regain all the food to supply the armies when the winter came.

He shook his head, putting these thoughts aside for now. The war could be discussed later, for now, he had to rest and in the morning he had to save the future of Albia. A sigh left his throat as soon as those words crossed his mind. Yes, that was what he was doing. He was saving Albia. If he managed to bring the two of them into friendly territory he would be a hero. He would have served his purpose.

No, then his true purpose would begin. He would have to protect the king of Albia and show him the right way. He was still a boy for all he knew and he knew how to raise a boy. King Aerdur might have teached his son how to be a king, but in order for Aethur to survive, he would have to learn how to be a warrior as well. And that would be on him.

Once more he shoved his thoughts aside and instead focused on the task at hand, which was to rest. He approached the Inn that was brightening up the dark night with the light that shined through the creaks in the closed shutters of the windows. The building was quite large in size and had two stories in total. The white paint on the walls made them one of the few parts of the Inn that he could make out in the dark. All walls were framed with wood, little vines crawling up some of those frames, giving the house a hue of nature that he quite liked. Symbols that looked similar to the ones he saw in his home castle were engraved in the door frame.

The door itself, on the other hand, looked rather simple and also appeared to have been damaged a few times, probably by drunkards during brawls. Not that he really cared, but he sometimes liked to think about the history of certain places and objects. Apparently, that went down all the way to doors. Or maybe it was his mind wandering all over the place because he needed some sleep. Yeah, that seemed more reasonable.

After getting off his horse he bound it at a pole inside a small stable next to the Inn. A few other horses also stood underneath the small and simple wooden roof that may just be enough to shield them from rain in stormy nights. He took his saddlebags off and hid them in a very convenient niece between the Inn and the stables where no one would find them so easily. With one of his hands remaining a firm grip around his sword he walked towards the Inn's main entrance. Already he could hear a few muffled voices from the inside as he got closer.

The doors were pushed open with ease. What he found as he took the first step inside was that the Inn was almost empty. Only a few people sat on long benches here and there, slamming their mugs down on the tables, laughing and cheering. Most looked like common folk who tried to drink away their problems and worries in these hard times. Just three figures stuck out of the rest. Two of which were noblemen who appeared to have a very serious conversation judging by their facial expressions.

The other one was a lonely man wearing a hooded cloak, sitting in the corner of the Inn with his back to the rest of the people. That man reeked of crime, but that was not his concern at the moment. Henry took a quick glance around the place. It looked very welcoming and kept in good shape. Two wooden pillars stood in the middle of the room, between the door and the bar, looked more decorative than actually being there to hold up the upper floor. The ceiling was framed in a similar way to that of the walls on the outside only that it was painted in a wine red color, as were all the inner walls.

It looked really cozy, he had to give whoever designed this building that. On the right side of the building, he found what he was actually looking for, the stairs to the upper floor. That must've been where all the beds were and he was more than eager to finally get some rest.

He stepped further inside and got a few glances from the drinking peasants before they returned to their drinking. He went straight to the Innkeeper who was currently busy cleaning mugs. He was so busy in fact that he didn't even hear or saw him coming until Henry leaned against the bar. The Innkeeper quickly set down the mug he had been cleaning and threw a welcoming smile at him. The huge man looked like he drank an ale or two too much in the past due to his beer belly, but still, he looked well groomed. A big mustache that could have very well had a dagger hidden inside was the only hair he had on his otherwise bald head.

"Ah, forgive me, good sir. I was too busy to even realize I had a new customer." The chubby man gave a hearty belly laugh. "Well, what is it you desire? Food, drink? Or a bed for the night perhaps?"

He opened his mouth to answer but stopped for a moment to reconsider. Maybe he should settle down for a drink or two first and go to sleep afterward? Yes, that sounded good to him. He had more than enough time to sleep. "A bed for the night it is! And also one bottle of your best ale!"

The Innkeeper nodded with the same smile from before. "Of course good sir. A bottle of our best ale and a room for the night." He leaned down to grab a bottle from underneath the counter. "Here you are." He set the bottle down in front of Henry, holding out his other hand. "You'll pay in advance for both, the ale and the room. Together that would be 30 coins then."

Henry slightly raised his eyebrows at the price but reached into his purse anyway to pay the price. 30 gold coins? That man surely had some balls to demand so much for one bottle of ale and a bed. Sure, he took the best ale he had to offer but in other Inns, it was only 5 coins for a bed and ale. Well, never mind. He was too tired to discuss prices at the moment. With the bottle in hand, he sat down at an empty table of which there were many at the current time. He even sat down near that suspicious man. He wasn't afraid of him, but he would keep an eye open should he try anything, just in case.

There were still worries swimming through his mind, but he quickly put them aside. He wanted to enjoy this one night before he would have to focus the next day when he would reach the town. Most importantly he had to remember what Owen had told him where his brother even lived. He said something about a shop that's the only one of its kind, but that was all he could recall. What kind of shop was it? Come on, think!

He sighed, massaging his forehead while closing his eyes. Although he told himself to not worry too much he was doing it again without even noticing. No matter what he tried those thoughts just wouldn't leave his head. He hoped that he'd get any kind of sleep at that point. Another sigh escaped his throat as he opened the bottle with his teeth, spitting the cork in the middle of the room. Not something he would usually do, but at the moment he was too lost in his thoughts to even care. Just as he was about to take a sip from the bottle he was something at the corner of his eye. Something moved, but he saw it too late.

Before he could even react he felt something cold and metallic at his throat, clearly a dagger. Behind him stood the hooded man he had told himself to keep an eye out on, but of course in all his worries he had forgotten that already. "Sir Henry of the dragon order?"

His eyes went wide. What? How does this man know his name? And above all even that he was a knight of the order? And why did his voice seem so familiar? All this question swirled through his head in mere seconds before the man behind him leaned forward to reveal his face. Once he saw the man's face his eyes got even wider than before. He had the same hairstyle and the same brown color as him and very similar facial features. Apart from this man's slightly longer beard, they looked almost alike. Above all those traits his eyes were what made his breath get stuck in his throat. They were a golden yellow, just like his own. That could only mean one thing...

"B-brother?" The entire Inn would've heard him yelling out that question, were they not singing and yelling on their own. "How is this- I mean you said you would never- I mean-"

"Hey, calm yourself, Henry!" A chuckle accompanied his warm smile as he took the dagger away from his throat, putting it somewhere behind his back. "I just saw someone wander in and immediately knew that it was you. I thought it would be funny to scare you a little, you know."

Henry, still kind of baffled, watched as his brother, Gawain was his name, sat down on the bench on the opposite side of the table. His entire body was covered in a black coat, but it was clear that he was wearing some kind of armor underneath since he was making a lot of noise as he moved. In one hand he was holding a mug filled with another kind of ale, or maybe it wasn't ale at all. Alcohol wasn't his specialty. Gawain took a gulp from his mug before glaring at him, putting the mug back down. "I know what kind of questions you want to ask, Henry." All of a sudden his tone became a lot more serious than it was just a few seconds ago, same for his facial expression. "Where was I all these years? What really happened? And why am I here now even though I swore to never return? I bet these are all questions that you are asking yourself right now, right?"

For a moment he sat there with an open mouth, just shaking his head a little until he finally found his tongue again. "I mean... yes, those are all questions I lack the answers for... but I..." There was no other question in his mind that his brother hasn't already mentioned. He hit the nail directly on the head.

"Henry, listen..." Henry couldn't remember to have ever heard his brother speak in such a way. He could only guess that whatever happened to his body or his mind in the last years has gotten to him. "I will answer you all the questions you have if you answer me just one single question first." There was genuine worry in his voice and the look on his voice was pure terror as if he had just lost someone very dear to him. "Do you know if Sythorix is alive?"

the moment that question passed Gawain's lips he wanted to ask 'which one' as a cheeky joke since there were two dragons at the order with that name, but because of the seriousness of his brother's request he didn't do it. Having two dragons with the same name was always kind of confusing and a very strange coincidence. Thanks to the very differencing colors of their scales almost all knights and soldiers at the order just called them 'Red' and 'Blue'. The blue-scaled one was his brother's companion and very close friend of his. "Blue-eh, I mean Sythorix has left the order right after you were expelled, but I have no idea where he is now."

Immediately after he answered his question his face eased up and he leaned his head back, sighing in relief. "So he did not die in the battle..." A smile built up slowly on his face and with it, his chuckling got louder. "I... I had hoped that this would be your answer, but I had doubts." He shook his head, chuckling still. "Oh, you have no idea how much this has been plaguing me since I found out about the orders destruction." He leaned forward, supporting his weight with his arms on the table. "Ah, this already answered one of your questions, didn't it? I came back to Albia because I heard of the orders destruction and I wanted to know what happened to Sythorix... and you." He smiled at Henry, taking another sip from his mug. "I heard a young lad talking about a man with the eyes of a dragon who killed all his companies on his own as they tried to capture a dragon. He said that it was near the road from Dragonstone Castle to our home so I immediately knew that that could only be my little brother." The usual the cheerfulness that he knew his brother for returned to his voice. "I'm proud of you, you know? What you did could've been my doing, Ha! Killing them all and leaving one behind to tell the tale in order for others to be afraid of you. We really do think similar, don't we? Haha!"

Although he appreciated the company of his brother there were all these questions still roaming his head, coming up to the surface after all these years in which he was unable to ask his brother. "When... you say that could've been your doing... does that mean... is that what you have been doing then all these years? Killing Dragonslayers?"

"Well, not just that, but yes that was what I was doing a lot in these past years. You know how much hatred I have for men who think themselves above others, especially for people who just kill a dragon because he is, well, a dragon." Once again there was a slight chance in the way he spoke. It sounded like there was a hint of anger creeping into his voice. No big surprise to Henry, his brother has always had a temper and was easy to anger sometimes. "I have not just killed though. I also made allies and friends, one very good friend in particular." His anger was once again replaced by happiness. "Ah, you wouldn't believe if I told you about the things we did together, what he showed me... I still can't quite believe it myself."

"Pff, try me." Henry chuckled, taking a sip directly from the bottle next to him on the table.

"No, Henry, I will not. You will probably think of me as insane if I told you so I'm going to keep that between me and my friend." In Gawain's eyes, he could see that a part of him was dwelling in some happy memories of his. He was kind of curious what his brother kept in the shadows, but he knew how stubborn he could be so he didn't ask about that topic any further. "I'm sure there are other questions you want to be answered, right?"

There surely were. One of them was more important to him than any of the others. There obviously was a reason Gawain had been expelled from the order years back. there had been a trial where he had to confess or prove the accusations wrong, but at that moment Henry was still wounded from a battle that took place not long before the trial so he couldn't be there. He and his dragon were said to have a forbidden relationship. Henry never believed any of it so he wanted to hear the truth from Gawain himself. "Brother... it is true what they all said about you and Sythorix? Did you two really... love each other, I mean... like that?"

All of a sudden Gawain's expression once more changed from cheerful to serious in a split second. It was clear that he knew that that question would come up eventually. "Well, brother, what am I supposed to say..." He stared inside his already empty mug, wading in silence for a moment. "I heard the rumors with my own ears and the way they portray it is not correct, as it often is with gossip and rumors. We didn't love each other like a man and wife would, but neither were we like brothers or friends. We were... something in between." He chuckled, tapping his finger on the wooden table. "But... we did the kind of things when we were alone that not even close friends would do. So I guess... I can roughly answer your question with a yes."

There was silence between them for quite a while. Henry stared at his brother in disbelieve. He would have never even considered that his brother would do something so illegal and immoral such as that. He no longer knew how to feel. He loved his brother, but at the same time he was deeply disappointed and even disgusted by his actions. Of course, he didn't know what exactly he and Sythorix have done, and he wasn't keen to find out, but he heard stories. Those stories were enough for him.

"How... how could you have done such a thing?" Henry asked, still shocked and baffled by his brother honest but disappointing answer. "I-I mean... how could you-"

"I thought you were the one who always defended uncommon relationships!" Gawain spoke loudly but didn't yell quite yet. "13 years ago when it came out that a stable boy was in love with one of our hunters you defended those two from the judgment of our father by saying that we shouldn't dictate who to love! That isn't what the gods have teached us, that is simply cruel. Those were your words Henry, your own words!"

"That was entirely different from your relationship, brother, and you know it."

"How is it different?"

"HE IS A-" He stopped mid-sentence as a couple of people in the Inn looked over to them. Quickly he lowered his voice, but still spoke as loud as his brother did before. "He is a dragon, Gawain, that is the difference! He is not human! Do you not understand what I'm trying to say?"

"Of course I understand." His voice nor his face expressed no emotion whatsoever. No anger, no sadness, no happiness, just nothing. If anything he was looking disappointed. "I understand the way you think... but maybe we do not think so similar after all." Having said that he got up from the bench and took a glance outside. "The Inn will close soon I should get going. I haven't bought a room like you and I have places to be." Suddenly his eyed lid up. "Oh, also. You are probably wondering by what coincidence I am here, right? Well, I was looking for you. And what better place to look for the man who seeks the royal family than the only Inn on the way down from Moudeir Castle to Caernavon."

"Wait!" Henry got up from his seat as well, frowning at his brother. "How do you know of my search and... and their location?"

"Their location is public by now, brother. You would have known if you had only listened to the drunkards in this very inn. It is known by now that they are in Caernavon, but no one knows where." Henry stared at him with wide eyes. That couldn't be. If they found out that they were in Caernavon he didn't have much time left. He would have to hurry. "Oh, and I didn't really know that you were looking for them. I just knew that you survived the attack on the order and I knew that you certainly went home afterward. I know that our dear uncle had and still has spies in all parts of the kingdom and I had no doubts that he would hire some spies to find out more about the survivors of the royal family. Last but not least I knew about your sense of duty and that should it come out where they are hiding you would be the first to raise his hand and volunteer. Of course this was all just based on assumptions, but in the end the day I spent waiting here paid out."

Henry was barely listening to any of his brother's explanation since he was too busy worrying about what he had said before. His brother and his strange relationship were completely forgotten. His mind was focused on duty, and duty alone. He knew that when morning came he would have to put as much distance in the least time behind him as possible. He could not be allowed to fail, or all of Albia fails as well.

"Oh, and... brother?" Gawain's voice ripped him out of his thoughts. When he looked into his eyes he saw something strange. All of a sudden he looked sad and filled with sorrow for unknown reasons. "I'm... very sorry for your loss, Henry." What did he just say? What did he mean by- "I barely knew Elise and... William, I only knew him as he was just learning to walk and speak, but still... I'm mourning your loss if that means something to you."

Once more Henry was totally taken aback by his words. How could he possibly know of this? It wasn't like there was any way for him to know that they were at the order's castle at the moment.

"Anyway, it is time for me to leave." His brother took a step towards the exit but turned around again to face him. "Good luck on your search, brother. Meanwhile, I will go and find out what happened to Sythorix. Thanks to your information I can now safely say that he didn't die with the order, much like you." He smiled at Henry one last time, giving him a slight bow. "Well, I hope that I will one day see you again, but until then, farewell, brother."

With that said he turned around and left the Inn, leaving him standing there all on his own, completely baffled. His head was swimming with too many worries and new information. It would become even more difficult to sleep than it would have been before the conversation with his brother. Despite what his morals and the laws said he still loved his brother even after the crime he has committed. With all these worries inside his head, he put the bottle aside and went straight to the stairs that lead up to the rooms. He didn't need to ask for directions, he knew well enough that Inns were all built in a similar way.

As he made his way upstairs he found that no matter how hard he tried he couldn't put his mind to rest. It didn't matter. Somehow he would manage to fall asleep, he had to.

For the next day would decide the future of Albia.