Hours later, Seth found himself in fresh robes climbing the tall stairs of a proud stone castle near the cathedral. He wiped off a streak of sweat flowing down his brow, and raising a hand to protect his eyes, glared at the sun.

He hated the Sun.

Brightmont was to the south of the continent, where it was sunny nearly all year. It was great in the winter because of how cold it got, but it felt like someone had cast a Holy Ray rune at the height of Summer. He never would have postponed the trip if the alternative hadn’t been far worse: shopping with Ellie and Atar.

After their spar at the park and lunch at the Inn, Ellie invited him to shop with them. They needed grey robes for Judgement. She also wanted to pick out a few training fatigues, suits, and robes.

A lot about his new life appealed to Seth, but clothes shopping wasn’t one of those things.

He’d declined immediately, insisting he’d needed to see Brick and Sera. That had been enough to dissuade her from pressing further, and hours later, he found himself walking to the Seno estate, wading through the melting heat.

It’d be nice if they had an Air funneling rune or something for the heat.

Though his boiling skin would argue with him, Seth thought the trip was worth it. He genuinely wondered how far Brick had actually gotten with any of Sera’s cousins.

Seth whistled when he finally scaled the last of the stairs and got a full view of the front doors and surrounding gardens.

Marble fountains with sparking water flowing into a vast pound that irrigated into smaller channels and watered different species of herbs and exotic plants. Gardeners, guards, and minders walked back and forth. He saw several floating metal constructed etched deeply with runes hovering alongside the minders. Some even shone with the Light element.

“If I knew Sera was this rich, I would have teased her more.”

“You are on private property,” a female guard said, nearly startling him. “State your name and house affiliation and what business you have here.”

Seth blinked and noticed four guards standing in front of him, their hands tightly clasped around their spears and sword, each wearing runed armor, though with an…Endurance and air circulation rune? He tilted his head to the side to observe it more and when he saw the speaker make to draw her blade, he raised both hands.

“Easy. I am a friend. I am Seth Ryall, no clear lord affiliation, and I am here to see Sera. We serve at the borderlands together.”

“You served with the mistress?”

The woman’s grip on her sword relaxed, and the tense guards followed her lead. She observed him briefly, her yellow irises roaming. “I heard from the Lady herself that Seth Ryall was in a coma.”

“Well, I am here,” he said with a nervous laugh, then whispered. “I promise I am not impersonating someone or trying to steal you magical herbs.” The woman’s eyes flashed, and he quickly added.

“I’m joking. I promise I really am who I say I am.”

The woman didn’t look amused and her right hand wandered to her sheathe. Her guards seemed to acknowledge that as a silent cue and were also shifting into a battle stance. More sweat gathered on his forehead.

“Look I know Brick is also here, and tell I was impressed by your armor and gardens, and thought Air circulation was strange rune of choice.”

The woman held a stare for a moment too long, before she barked at her guards. “Keep him here. I will call the Mistress here.” She turned around and left for the mansion, and in a blink, the waiting guards zipped forward in a dizzying formation and surrounded him, their spear points trained on his neck.

“I’ll wait.” he gulped.

After thirty minutes, Seth was cooking in his robes. With both his hand raised and four spears to his throat, shopping all afternoon with his Sister’s employer/boyfriend didn’t seem as bad. The guards had no drop of sweat on them, despite standing still and holding onto their spears or so long. Seth couldn’t help but wonder how the Air circulation runes kept burning for so long. Did they power it with their own mana, or do the runes gather ambient mana themselves? The first seemed unlikely considering they were not blessed ones, and the second option seemed more fantastical than the first. They made the armor they used on the last mission seem like wet parchment. The things I’d do for one of those armors.

Just as he was about to ask for a glass of water or something, he spied a burly man walking over. His body was draped in customary Seno Green, and his styled salt and pepper hair caught the light, no doubt slathered the gels and oils.

“Gods damn, Brick. You look almost regal,” he laughed and Brick grinned.

‘I feel like it too.”

The guardswoman accompanying him gave a wave, and all the soldiers lowered their weapons. Brick took his hand and nearly crushed him with a bear hug.

“I’m glad you finally up on your feet, he said with a big affectionate smile.

“It’s great to be awake too, buddy. I missed you so much,” Seth managed to say between gasps. The giant noting what he was doing dropped him.

“How’s the wound healing?” Seth asked.

Brick face tensed for a moment, and he reached for his chest. “The vampire did most of the heavy lifting, and after sometime with the healers, I’m more or less healed up.”

“Where’s Sera?” Seth asked, looking toward the castle behind them. It was larger than most with white stone walls, towers, and battlements.

“She… is in a meeting with her Brother. She asked me to come and receive you. We should head inside and wait for her,” Brick said.

As they both made their way in, through the gardens and up to the castle gates, Seth got a closer look the floating constructs and found himself, more than ever, hungering for more knowledge about them. He had the slightest idea how they worked, and he felt his heart flutter at thought of learning from someone who did. Although he was reluctant to, he found himself considering Atar’s offer.

“So, what have you been doing since you woke up?” Brick asked.

Seth blinked then answered. “Fixed a match against and got tons of silver messing around with two posers trying to scam us,”

Brick roared and slapped his friend on the back.

“This is what I am talking about. Being around the Seno’s is no fun. All uptight about money, appearances, and power.” He sighed. “No one wants to have a bit of fun.”

“I take it your conquests of the fair ladies of the Seno house is not going as well as you planned?” Seth said with a mirthful smile.

“They’re all insufferably nice and prim. Nothing like Sera,” he huffed.

“What about Sera?” Seth asked. “I can’t imagine she still drinks and dirty talks with all of the Seno around?”

“Oh, she still does,” Bricks said with a lop-sided grin, “but when it’s just the two of us.”T

They crossed the large wooden gates of the castle, and Brick led him through a lavish wing that Seth thought almost put Atar’s inn to shame. Throngs of colorful emerald green curtains, sashes, tapestries, intermingled with golden lines that seemed to almost glow with power.

“Fancy, isn’t it?” Brick asked as he passed a suit of armor with rows and rows of segmented plates so small they looked like scales.

“Hmm hmm,” Seth nodded numbly, his eyes rooted on the armor. He could already see himself posing and joshing around in something like that one day. Of course, his would he covered in runes-- every inch of it.

After some time, they arrived at a small room with a large bed at the edge, and a gatehring of hand-carved wood furnite facing a hearth. There was some cakes, wine, and a half-empty jug of wine. Already living the life I see, he thought with a small smile.

Brick offered him a seat and Seth sat and asked, “so, which of the Seno girls is on your mind?”

Brick waved him off and chuckled, “If I am being honest, all of them. Only Sera, Candace, and Grandma Annie are in Brightmont at the moment, but I’ve been working extra hard to win them all over. ”

Seth gave his friend an impish grin, “Not bad, not bad at all, my giant friend.”

“I try,” Brick shrugged. “I think Candace is really warming up to me, and Granny Annie thinks I am a sweet heart. Sera is the one I’ve made the most progress with, though.”

Seth’s eyes went wide at that but he schooled his face and focused on something far more interesting and urgent. Something pertaining to Atar.

“Candace. I’ve heard about her from the Inn owner at the golden geese, apparently they are to be betrothed?”

Brick slowly nodded. “Brandon, Candace’s Dad wants to marry up, and he thinks Atar Varos is perfect. Everything he touches turns to gold, the ladies love him, and he is funny, or so I’ve heard.”

Seth’s face revealed nothing. “You sound like you hate the guy. Can’t imagine how that makes you feel? Candace has to be your top pick?”

“What?” Brick waved. “No. She is one of them, but Sera has sisters, cousins and aunts, distant relatives... I’ll wait till I am even more famous before I start courting anyone seriously.”

Seth flashed him a grin, “You dog.”

Their conversation went on for hours and at some point, a maid stopped by with a fresh plate of wine and cakes, but Seth hardly noticed. Conversation with Brick was fast and thrilling. They talked about everything from wine, to how much better rich people food was. Just before nightfall, after they’d both gorged themselves near stupor, Seth opened up to Brick about his dreams.

“I get these vivid dreams,” he began, staring at the hearth in the far corner of the room that had come alight.

“Of the vampire?” Brick whispered the question.

“No, no,” Seth said. “It’s something else entirely. It… is of myself. Or at least some version of myself.”

Brick narrowed his eyes and took a sip from his wine cup.

“I find myself in a tower, dark and endless, and I climb and climb, and… then I come to a room.” Seth then spent the next hour or so covering everything he experienced in excruciating detail. By the end of it, Brick’s face had lost most of its color.

“Have you tried using the rune,” he asked. “I mean in the real world?”

“Of course I haven’t!” Seth shot the gaint a look. “You’re the first person I’ve told.”

“You didn’t tell Ellie?”

“I couldn’t tell her,” he said, deflating into the chair he sat in. “She’s up to something with Atar, our host, and…I just get the feeling that--”

“You can’t trust her?” Brick offered, and at first Seth flashed him an incredulous look, but his face eventually eased. He’d gien the excuse that he hadn’t been ready, but now that he dwelled upon the decision, the excuse felt shallow.

“You’re right. It didn’t feel right opening up to her about it. He emptied the goblet that sat in his palm with a long drink.

“Most of you think I don’t notice things but I do. What she did almost got us killed. I don’t think I can ever forgive her for taking that mission without consulting us.”

Seth scrunched his brow. “What—No. The situation is not as cut and dry as you make it out to be Brick.” He sat up properly in his chair. “We were supposed to have gotten more help. When Ellie went to the General she thought he’d call in the Calvary and have a half-dozen knights accompany us. If those ghouls--”

“You knew!” Brick’s voice thundered, his face twisted into a rage. The glass in his hand shattered under his steel grip, and bits dug into his palm but he never took his eyes off Seth.

A sharp piercing smell, heavy and rich with emotion, twinged Seth’s nose. It was thick wiht anger, so much of it, but also hurt. It took some effort to string together a reply after the sensory overload.

“No—she didn’t tell me until before the fight. I had no idea…”

“She betrayed us, Seth!” he spat. “She put you in a coma, and nearly crippled me. I still feel my heart stop every time I pick up my axe.” His face was suddenly turned queasy, his eyes red and unfocused. He reached for his chest, almost out of instinct, but he caught himself before he touched it and let his hand fall.

“I-I didn’t know that,” Seth said, his eyes fixed on the bleeding palm. It was so much red. “But, she didn’t mean for any of it to happen.”

“It doesn’t matter what she meant,” Brick snorted. “What matters is what happened? She went behind our backs. WE are all lucky to be alive.”

Seth hadn’t expected so much hostility from the giant. He got up to his feet and stared him down. “She did what she did for all of us. She took a risk and it paid off. Don’t be so quick to dismiss everything we have achieved because she took a risk. We are all bloody heroes because of her, and if I remember correctly, you were on board with the mission.”

“Of course, I was. There was hardly any choice. Have you forgotten that?” Brick spoke in a low, simmering voice. “What is wrong with you, Seth? I thought you of all people would understand.”

His crystal blue eyes blazed as the hearth fire poured into them. “She set us up to face that thing with the hammer. She’s the reason I have a scar that covers half my chest. She’s the reason Sera is trapped in the General’s service, and she’s the reason why you have those fucking dreams!”

Seth opened his mouth and closed it again. He’s right. The dream could be a real problem if anyone found out, and how would he explain himself. Worse still, he was afraid of what he experienced in the room. The memory of the runes, the power he felt burning at the back of his mind when he used them—they’d grown stronger. The markings were coming easier and the wounds closed quicker. Even now, he felt the sanguine energies crackling at the corners of his mind. Whenever he called upon them—they felt intoxicating almost. He feared, no dreaded, that he was changing somehow. What if the runes from the dreams actually worked?

“Everything you’ve said is true,” Seth said. The burning wood crackled and popped, hearth light pouring over the marble floors, walls, and seats.

“She did betray us and she’s sorry for it. Everything will be different now. She’s thinking about buying us a fucking house, Brick. By this time tomorrow, we’ll be different. She’ll be different. I know we never talked about the Raven staying together after Judgement, and I just met with the General. I think we could keep this going.”

Brick, finally noticing the blood streaming down from his gushing palm, plucked a handkerchief from his suit pocket and staunched the bleeding. Seth watched the napkin soak red with a deeper fascination he couldn’t still place.

“I’m sorry, but I and Sera won’t be part of that team,” Brick said. “We are done. Her family is working out a deal with the General to leave us permanently stationed with the Senos. The knights here will be in charge of our education and instruction.” His harsh blue eyes fixed on Seth. “I would suggest you join us.”

“Brick…” Seth stared at his friend, his stomach twisting into nervous knots. He hadn’t known, nor had he ever seen this side of Brick. “Is this why you have only come to see me once while I was in a coma?”

Brick applied pressure on the wound without breaking eye contact. “It was one of the reason, but don’t dodge the question, Seth. I know I’ve only known you for a short time, but you’re like a brother to me.” He grabbed Seth by the shoulder with his unwounded arm.

“I appreciate you, value you, and I don’t want to see you get hurt again. I know you love your sister… but she will get you killed.”

Seth’s eyes narrowed at that, and he shoved away his hand. “I’ve heard enough.”

“Don’t pretend like is not about getting rid of her as much as it is about helping me. I choose my sister, Brick. That is my choice.” His tone was harsh, harsher than he’d ever been with Brick, but he shouldn’t have asked that of him. Brick knew him better than that. He knew he would always choose his family.

“I told you not to bother with him,” he heard a soft voice say behind him say.

He knew it was Sera’s before he flipped around. She stood there, her face glowing with makeup, her blond hair bunched up, surrounded by looping plaits. She wore a long green dress that revealed nothing and her neck was adorned in gems that twinkled even in the dull light.

“You’re finally here,” he said.

“So, I am,” she gave him a thin, shallow smile, and turned to Brick. “It was unfair to ask that of him. You knew he’d always choose Ellie.”

“How long have you been standing there?” Seth asked.

“Long enough.” She walked into the room, passed by Seth, and came up beside Brick.

His gaze swept from Brick to Sera, both eyes were as hard as marble. There was no reasoning with them. Brick, he hadn’t expected but somehow understood, and Sera’s dislike for his Sister had always been hidden under playful rivalry, but it was clear now.

“I came here to see you both, but I see how things are. I hope to see you both at the Cathedral tomorrow. I should take my leave.”

Sera spoke up as he opened the door. “We love you, Seth. We really do, and you can always come to us for anything, but as long as you’re with her… we won’t be seeing much of each other.”

Seth didn’t look back.

---

The walk back to the Golden Geese was long and quiet. Seth replayed their conversation over and over in his mind. There was nothing to it. They were right and they needed time to reconsider, forgive. He knew they wouldn’t just throw four years of friendship out the window because of what happened.

Sometime before midnight, he got back into his room and tucked in for the night, but he didn’t find much sleep. It was a mix of nerves, questions, and fear. Fear for his future. He’d gotten everything he’d ever wanted, yet he had never felt more uncertain and afraid. Eventually, he tired himself out and drifted off to sleep a few hours before the sun came up.