Nora watched the leaves as they fluttered upon the branches of the great trees that made up Krauth Forrest. It was said that the Gaidec raised the forest as a gift to the Daegra thousands of years ago, long before The Kyaga conquered the land and chased the spirit people off to Jagged Stone Cliff on the other side of Eagle Falls. Soon after, the Gaidec secluded themselves on their island and shut themselves off from everyone else, choosing to focus on their gardens and elemental unity instead of adding their strength to the constant war that plagued Aeradil.
Some of Krauth's trees were as big as houses, and shot up so high into the sky that they almost seemed to touch the clouds. Wildflowers and soft moss spread across the floor between the earthy giants and their thick roots that were oftentimes as wide as the smaller trees surrounding them. The bright rays of the sun illuminated the ominously dark scene playing out before the forest's edge, and Nora couldn't help but grimace at the irony of it. How could something so ugly take place in a setting this beautiful?
She stood stiffly, watching with stormy eyes as her twin brother stood before the Overlord, their father, and a crowd of people awaiting the ruling. A power suppressing bracelet was clasped over the pale skin of Trysten's left wrist, and he stood with his head held high. His fierce blue eyes blazed a trail of wrath over the expressions on every face before him. His eyes rested a little longer on their step brother standing beside her before he turned his gaze to her. His lips were drawn into a tight line as his crimes were read out loud.
Crimes he did not commit.
"Trysten Gallindo, you are hereby banished from the lands of The Dominion for acts of treachery and treason. The murder of Leon Hartwell with the use of spirit fire, and," Overlord Rhyn looked up from his scroll to study Trysten as he spoke, "The attempted theft of The Pendant of Draku, one of the six relics of great power. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"
"I was framed," Trysten countered defiantly. "Do what you must, but know there is a traitor in your kingdom, in your very castle, who wishes the downfall of your only heir. Remember that when your castle walls are crashing down around you,"
Rhyn fought to keep his composure as he glared at his only son. They stood that way a while, locked in each others gazes while Nora looked on in dismay. The two were mirror images of each other, it was as if Trysten was standing before his older self. They both stood tall and proud, assessing each other with contempt as they did most of their lives. The two never got along, and if Nora didn't know better, she would think that it was Rhyn's plan to rid himself of Trysten from the beginning.
She hated whoever did this, and she wished she could find out who it was so she could rip their bloody head from their shoulders. How dare they betray their own people this way? A hand moved to clutch hers and she looked up to see Serenad, her step brother and recently betrothed looking down on her with a guarded expression. It was announced earlier that day that she was promised to him, after the need for a new heir arose.
It was fitting, he had always been nothing but kind to her, but she wasn't sure if she was ready for that kind of commitment yet. Not to mention it was still illegal for Kyaga to marry and breed outside of their own race, so the decision to name a Naugu as heir would be widely unaccepted. Yasir, Serenad's mother, had dealt with resentment of her station by the people up until her recent death only five months ago. The union was veiled as a political decision meant to further unite the brotherhood with the Dominion, and it was true that there was little passion between Rhyn and Yasir, but it still caused a rift between the overlord and the people he was governing. Even with her barren womb, the citizens found in unseemly for the Overlord to marry out of his own race when it was still illegal to cross breed within the Dominion. Now, with her marriage to Serenad, she wondered how long those laws would last before an uprising occurred. Maybe it was her father's intention to change those laws, but she couldn't be sure. She turned back to see her father break away and roll up the scroll.
"Get him out of my sight," Rhyn snapped as he turned around. The guards snatched Trysten by his arms and started dragging him toward the border. Nora shook her head and bristled on the inside. He was a Prince only moments ago, yet they treated him like scum. So disrespectful.
"Wait!" she called, running to catch up with the men. "I will escort him. Go back to your posts."
"Lady Nora-"
"It was not a request, it was an
order
," she growled, and then turned to Serenad. "I will catch up with you later."
She watched in barely concealed rage as the guards returned to the gate, and then turned back around to continue at a leisurely pace with her brother. The trees stood tightly together, leaving little room to stray from the main path, but the twins had grown up playing in the canopy of earthy towers, and they knew every gopher trail, memorized every swaying branch and sprouting flower, and could arguably navigate the twisted paths while blindfolded. Once out of eyesight, the two dipped off into the cover of the forest, giving themselves time and privacy to share their final words before they parted ways.
"I have no words..." Nora began angrily. "This is unspeakable! Leon was an ally! I know you would never kill him."
"Nora, listen to me," he said, grabbing her by her shoulders and turning her to face him. "I think I know who did this, and I plan to make it right,"
"Who? Who would do such a thing?"
"I
cannot
tell you."
"Why?"
"Because you have terrible control of your emotions, and you don't have me to protect you anymore."
Tears welled in her eyes as she looked up at her brother. He was really leaving. She didn't want to imagine a life without Trysten in it. He had always been there for her, and now what would she do without him?
"Nora," Trysten began, pulling her into a tight embrace. "we will meet again. I will find a way."
'You always do."
"Yes, I do," he murmured into her shoulder. "just be patient and trust me,"
He began to walk again, and Nora followed closely behind him. She caught his wrist and held the cursed power suppressing bracelet in her hands. She wished she could destroy it, but it would take a collective effort to reverse the lock without a key. She slid her fingers between his and closed her eyes, allowing his momentum to guide her as she thought about what to do. But there was nothing. It was hopeless.
"I miss you already..." she whispered softly, squeezing his hand as she continued down the path.
"Don't fret, little sister. Everything will be alright."
Trysten's sudden stop caused her to bump right into him, and she opened her eyes to find they were at the edge of the forest Trysten turned to look at her and gave her a reassuring smile. It did not reach his eyes.
"I have some gold. It isn't much but..." Nora trailed off, untying the bag from her belt and placing it into his hand, "It will keep you afloat for a few days. Hopefully you can find work by then."
"Thank you."
Moments slid by, and an eternity of thoughts and feelings passed between them as they studied each other. They had never been apart, and the thought of it tore Nora to pieces. She held back her tears and smiled.
She would rather take a deathblow from a filthy Tourik, than have to watch Trysten walk out of her life.
"Oh, and one more thing," he began as if he had forgotten something very important, "I need a favor of you. A last request of sorts."
"Anything for you, Trysten."
