KELDIN

One ten since the Mark of the Other One blossomed.

Keldin had no idea what to do, where to look, what to say. So many questions and not one bit of will to open his mouth. The sight of his brother's naked body was tainted all of a sudden. They used to take baths together when they were small!

You could hear voices from the outside of this manor, birds singing somewhere nearby, but Keldin could not say a word. This lavishly decorated, ancient bedroom was so stuffy it was impossible to breathe.

"Say something, brother. Anything, please." Seldin said in a quiet voice.

Keldin realised he hadn't breathed and let the air stuck in his lungs out in one go. "Who, when, what, why?"

"Him? One of the stable-hands in the citadel. As for when, depends on what you mean by that. The rest should be... obvious."

"When? When did you find out you're...?" Keldin let the end of the sentence die into a mumble.

"Never. I have always known. Or rather, as long as I can remember, it seemed more natural."

"Does father know?" Keldin realised he was staring wide-eyed. He could not control his face. Seldin probably saw the corners of his mouth twitch.

"No." Another silence.

"Why?" As soon as the word left Keldin's mouth he realised that was a mistake. Seldin was his brother. But to keep this from him. Did he really know Seldin?

"Why? It is who I am. The disgusting child. The queer one." Seldin said with a heavy sigh.

"Don't say that! Why did you keep this from me? We are brothers. You're the first heir!"

"How was I supposed to say it? Oh, by the way, brother, I happen to like men. I happen to be attracted to people of my sex. Just like that? Casually over breakfast, or would you have preferred dinner? Your availability leaves something to be desired. There hasn't been a time of the day you have not been on your adventures." Seldin chuckled lightly.

More important thoughts weighed on Keldin's mind. "You are the first heir, you cannot disappear like that. You can't dump those responsibilities on me without warning!"

"Better get used to it, little brother." Seldin sighed. "I will not be sitting on the Eternal Throne, ever."

"No. Do not even think about it. There is no way I am sitting on that throne. You are the first heir!" Keldin would not relent. He needed his brother to understand.

"Be realistic, the Mark of the Other One has blossomed." Keldin did not understand what that had to do with anything. Seldin continued before Keldin could get a word in. "It blossomed over Ironcourt. Wherever that flower blooms, tragedy strikes. The war with the Draig'yar in New Gaea, the Shattering of Iordur. The wars with the Alyar. Other, more ancient wars and divine punishments unknown to us."

"Just because a giant flower..." Keldin began.

"IT'S NOT JUST A GIANT FLOWER!" Seldin shrieked without warning. A ringing silence followed. "You know, at first, when father announced my marriage, I thought I could do it. I needed time to set my head straight. Strengthen this act. Then the Mark blossomed. It was impossible after that. If I sit on that throne, disaster will strike. People are already talking about the Doom of Ebonveils."

Seldin drew a shaky breath and continued. "Father does not know about me, but there are people in the Grand Council who do or suspect. If they were to abuse this situation, the Empire will finally fall. The bloodline of the pureblooded ascendants will finally end; a long time coming after human blood had thinned Ages ago. And most of all, I cannot do this. No matter how much I try, I can't be with a woman. I cannot love a woman as a man should, I cannot bed a woman as a man should. I cannot."

"People are talking about anything they can. They are talking about your coming godhood. Did you even stop to think? You dumped all those responsibilities on me. What a brilliant plan." There was mockery in Keldin's voice. This was wrong, but he couldn't stop.

"You are everything I am. You say I am the prodigy, the better of us. You're wrong. You're every bit as smart, as clever as me. Your only problem is your lack of motivation. You're too used to a simple life. But most of all, you are stronger than me. You are one of the strongest Ebonveils born in centuries. There hasn't been one like you since New Gaea fell." Keldin snorted, and Seldin had to raise his voice. "You can sense presences. If we had Akresh and Balaar..."

Keldin chuckled in response. "We stopped weighing the blood a long time ago. What was it? Maybe some time during the Age of Shattering. Two-thousand years ago now? And Akresh and Balaar are lost. The relics of the Pureblooded Emperors are gone forever. It does not matter if I am stronger; the strength of our flow has not ruled the Empire since humans warred with the Draig'yar. Besides, father wants you on the throne."

"You're wrong. You think you know, but you couldn't be more wrong about any of this. They had planned the marriage with the princess years back. When she reclaimed and wielded a relic of her bloodline. You were supposed to marry her!" Perhaps Keldin imagined it, but for a moment an angry look passed over Seldin's face. And his brother would not stop. Seldin had a lot to say. He always spoke more than Keldin, but not like this. He sounded desperate.

"That is why father is so angry with you, because you are the better heir, but you show no interest in the throne. Because of simple inheritance rights, I am first in line. You are the perfect heir in these times, the strongest person to lead the Empire. The nation that has always ruled Tavran with arcane might. The Pureblooded Emperor and his Empress, both heirs to ascendant blood."

Seldin sighed. "Ascendance is about the one who has the will and strength to step forward and claim the throne. I had no choice but to be the older brother. Pretend, I was the stronger."

For a moment Keldin was so taken aback he had forgotten what had just happened in this room. Then he laughed, walked over to a pile of clothes and threw them towards Seldin.

"Put some damned clothes on. It's a shame that what you are talking of will never happen. The Blades of the Pureblooded are lost to us." For a moment, Keldin's fantasies had gotten the better of him.

"Father thinks otherwise."

Keldin interrupted Seldin. "It doesn't matter!"

This must have been the first time Keldin properly caught his brother's gaze during this entire exchange. It had gotten dark outside. Illuminated by soul gems and candles, a soft warmth had settled in the room. Like his brother's eyes. Soft and warm. What did Seldin see in his eyes, Keldin thought.

His brother turned away and dressed. "So you hide and run until she gets here, and then what? Because I already took all the responsibilities of the first heir, I might as well marry her and become Emperor. Even if there is ability, the newborn bird will not fly without a will." Keldin crossed his arms.

"We are not birds, you dolt. And hardly newborn. You are awful at proverbs. What makes you think I want that throne so bad? Think on these words, brother. There has always been a king and his queen, an emperor and his empress. Two kings only ever rule over a shattered country. I would have to pretend that I am someone I am not, give up on myself, to take this damned throne. I cannot see it happening. I never want to see the Empire fall, and I can't become something I am not. I needed time to think of my next move. I would not dump it all on you. I am still here. I am still your brother, I would be your closest adviser."

The true first heir, now dressed, stood opposite Keldin. As tall as he was, nearly a reflection of Keldin, with his curled black hair, amber skin and green eyes, the façade was complete now. No one would ever suspect that Seldin was queer.

Are you? Are you still my brother? Keeping this act in front of me for years. How can I trust you now, Keldin thought suddenly. "I do not want the throne either. I couldn't care less about ruling our Empire!"

"So, you will make sure the Doom of Ebonveils will come true then. Because of you, the Empire will..."

"Because of me?" It was wrong, but there was anger festering inside Keldin. "Because you can't act like a grown-up. Because you can't act like a normal person and are caught in desire!"

"How is that any different from you? Every night, a new adventure, a new woman to keep you warm." Seldin asked in a merciless voice.

"The difference is that I am doing this for fun, my actions are of little consequence. You are the first heir. And you sleep with men! You will return to your place at father's side and let me be. You will marry the Pelesi princess!" Keldin felt his expression grow grim. He could not stop the flow of bitter thoughts.

"My marriage has not been announced yet. It doesn't matter what the Grand Council thinks. Everything could as well be as they have set it up to be. A bride will be brought here to see us and to choose a husband. All I need to do is announce that my health is declining. That I am sick."

"You are not sick, I will..." Keldin began, but his brother interrupted him.

"You will do what?" Seldin paused for a moment. "I love you, brother." Those four simple words, now with a deep shadow etched behind them, struck Keldin without warning. "But your words made it clear what you really think of me. A sick person. So my lie of poor health would not be far from the truth in your eyes." Seldin intentionally bumped into Keldin and stormed out of the room.

Keldin felt sick. Seldin was his brother, but he had no will to follow him now. Keldin knew he would not betray Seldin, but this was wrong. What Seldin was was not right. After all, Keldin did not fancy men. So why was Seldin like this? Why did Seldin keep all of this from him?

Most of all, Keldin felt betrayed. Seldin had always been there to take the attention away from him, let him live the life he wanted. Keldin was not suited to be the Emperor of the Eternal Empire!