One more round of arrows. Then he would stop for the night.
A heavy pair of arms wrapped around Ian from behind, squeezing him tightly and lifting his feet off the ground.
Ian threw his head back against his attacker as his feet kicked frantically, searching for purchase on the missing ground.
“Peace, brother,” a deep voice said from behind him.
Ian felt the rumble of laughter bubble up in his attacker’s chest as the man let him go.
His feet still dancing even after they landed safely back on the ground, Ian spun around, catching his balance. “Aden!” Ian grabbed the taller man by the shoulders, shaking him soundly before launching himself at Aden for a real hug. “Is Isa with you?” Ian asked.
“You mean my wife?” Aden answered with a question, lifting an eyebrow as a grin spread over his face.
Ian grabbed his younger brother’s shoulders, shaking him again to express his happiness. “Your wife?” he repeated.
Aden stood there, his grinning face flopping back and forth as Ian shook him. “I am sorry not to tell you in advance.”
Ian stepped back, looking at his brother with pride. Aden and Isa had spent most of the last three seasons in Allys, binding books and restoring scrolls to preserve knowledge. Given Aden’s penchant for spending time in a library, Isa seemed to be the perfect partner for him.
“When we heard about father...” Aden’s smile dimmed. “We wanted to come immediately, but we waited a few days so that we could have a small wedding with her family. There was not enough time to invite you all.”
“I understand,” Ian said. “The castle is not safe for any of us right now.”
“It was fortunate that we did wait,” Aden continued, “as we got your letter before we left.”
“You brought food supplies with you?” Ian asked. “I did not request that you bring it personally. It is too dangerous to travel right now.”
Aden nodded. “That is what Onric wrote, too. But you are glad that I did bring it personally.” His grin returned.
“I am glad that you did.” Ian looked behind Aden to the manor house in the distance. “Is your wife with you?” he asked, repeating the question that Aden had never answered.
“She is inside with Sol and Meena,” Aden replied, turning back toward the house as well and starting to walk toward it.
Ian picked up his bow, not wanting to leave it strung and unattended. “Have you...grown taller?” Ian asked as he followed Aden toward the house.
Aden shrugged. “So you know about Robin now?” he asked over his shoulder, the question more of a statement.
“About that...” Ian moved at a double pace to catch up to his brother’s long strides.
“Who told you?” Aden asked, grinning down at him.
“Erich,” Ian replied, tucking the bow safely under his arm.
“Please tell me he is still among the living?” Aden’s grin once again faded, as though he realized his question, although meant in jest, might have real implications due to the dangerous situation they were all in.
“I let him live,” Ian replied, trying to keep his voice light, though he felt the unspoken weight between them. “Though I was sorely tempted otherwise.”
Aden nodded, the jesting gone from his eyes. “How is Father?” he asked.
“The same,” Ian replied. “We received word yesterday.”
“I will return to the castle tomorrow,” Aden said.
“No.” Ian grabbed his brother’s arm, forcing him to stop walking so they could face each other. “It is too dangerous forany of us. I already lost you once...” He looked up into Aden’s deep-set eyes, trying to find the words to convey what he felt.
He had thanked Aden, many times, for jumping in front of him that day, but he had never been able to express the complete horror and helplessness he had experienced the night of that first false Majis attack. When he had turned around to see not Aden lying prone on the dais at his feet, but a massive beast in the shape of a man.
It had been Aden. When the beast had awoken, he’d still had Aden’s mind and voice, even if his words were shaped differently by the beastly fangs in his brother’s mouth.
