- Sabre -

Brom waited at the edge of the forest, near a small group of elves that would lead them to the edge of the trees. Above, Sabre stood on the balcony attached to his cabin, watching with little interest. Brom was given a map with the caveat that sometimes the Graves shifted around as it wanted and that the paths may not always be true. Still, it would give them a general sense of where to go and how to get back. If they came back. They were being given four days to complete their task, for that was how long until the full moon. Apparently a full moon was a necessary component for a strong purification.

They’ll need as much help as they can take if they plan to remove that demon from him.

Sabre’s attention left Brom as Brom’s gaze rose. Varia appeared finally, wearing his leathers and his cloak. He was given weapons at some point, and the sight of Varia with a sword at his side cause a familiar pull of unease in Sabre. He rather liked Varia being at their mercy, no powers, no weapons. Only Maddox and his cock to keep him stated. But it wasn’t as if Varia was alone in his compliance. Maddox followed after Varia, a strange look in his eye that Sabre could not quite place. Varia split from Maddox, moving instead to Brom, eyes focused into the trees as his second spoke quietly to him. Maddox joined Sabre where he stood instead. Sabre shot a scowl towards his friend, noting the downward turn of his lips in expressed displeasure.

“I suppose you’re going to be a weeping maiden until he returns.”

If. If he returns.

Maddox smiled at that, tilting his head in response to Sabre’s jest, though his eyes remained focused ahead of him, on the little demon himself. “Perhaps. Though you and I will stay busy. We will need to gather what’s needed for the purification.”

Varia and Brom were leaving, being led into the forest by their elven guides. The darkness of the trees swallowed them whole, but just before Varia disappeared, he glanced over his shoulder at Maddox. Sabre curled his lip in disgust at that.

“Perhaps we can find a tavern, drink and whore until I am convinced you have not been changed.” Sabre offered. Maddox usually would not say no to a good whoring, and if he did, Sabre felt all hope was lost for him.

Maddox watched the pair disappear into the forest, and remained watching that spot for a little bit after they were out of sight. He inclined his head towards Sabre to indicate he was listening, a faint smile turning up the edge of his mouth.

He finally looked towards his friend, throwing an arm around his shoulders. “While I appreciate the sentiment, if the purification is to be successful, I need to keep myself pure. You and I both know I’m anything but, but four days should be a sufficient good faith effort.” Maddox kissed the side of Sabre’s head and ruffled his hair.

Sly as ever.

Sabre relented, holding his hands up in exasperation. Maddox did not confirm nor deny that he was changed by the time spent with his former enemy, but he would likely not confirm or deny it. It was his way, after all. Maddox pat the satchel on his side, motioning for Sabre to follow behind him, down from the railings and into the forest opposite of where their companions vanished.

“Why do you need to be pure? Shouldn’t that be his task? Though sending him off to a place where he will likely murder hundreds will not help, I imagine.” Sabre offered, sliding a hand along the rough trunk of a tree. Anytime he touched them, he felt something. Like a breath flowing through his finger-tips, or a pulse. The trees lived, he knew, with the souls of dead elves, but he was enchanted by them every day they stay.

Maddox chuckled softly, giving Sabre a shrug. “It’s not for him or me that I need to do this, Sabre. The ceremony in a few days is also to fit my sword to a new scabbard. It will resist, especially with the blood magic in the air, and in order to force it, I have to apply a counter force. In essence, I can’t give the demon anywhere to run to.”

Sabre and Maddox never spoke of Cithrel before. He should not have been so surprised Maddox knew that Sabre knew. It was his job, after all. To know things. Though while Maddox was his greatest friend, and longest, he was exceedingly private. There was cause for this, of course. He could not simply tell everyone of his purpose, or that he traveled with a demon bound within his sword.

“So no whoring and drinking for me until he is back in a scabbard. Then I might take you up on that offer. Though, between us, it’s much easier and satisfying to stick with the demon. Keeps him calm as well.” Maddox continued, much to Sabre’s dismay, but again, he would allow it.

As they spoke, Maddox often stopped, crouching to pluck a mushroom from the dirt, gathering fresh water in his water skin, a fist full of dirt from the roots of a tree. There was not much they needed to collect prior to the purification, but to start it now would save the Walkers time, hopefully, and allow them to make sure they were absolutely prepared. Sabre, while he did possess a list of needed materials, did not assist Maddox in digging through mud. He seemed to know what was needed without a list, and Sabre was fine with just accompanying him.

“Shouldn’t keeping your demon sword close to Varia trigger something in it? Keeping him around becomes an increasingly terrible idea. Though I do not expect him to return. If he does not die, then he will run, which I would prefer to him snapping and murdering us all.”

Maddox hummed to himself as Sabre spoke, stopping to crouch between two trees to dig up a pair of blue and white flowers. “The sword would alert me if the demon was taking over. Unless Varia took hold of it while under the demon’s power, it would not adversely affect it. “

Maddox carefully pulled four more bushels of flowers from the ground and slid them gently into his satchel, before rising. “You do not like him. That’s fair. He is horrible and the things he has done for Arcturus are unforgivable.” Sabre scowled at Maddox’s words, knowing he had some stupid point to prove.

Maddox smiled at his expression, stepping onto a tall root and dropping onto the other side. “We have also done some awful things in the names of Er Rai and Nihal.” Before Sabre could protest, Maddox continued. “He won’t run. He does not have any other option. His best chances are with us, and he knows it. Dying, though, could be a valid concern, but if I could not kill him all this time, and believe me, I tried, I doubt he’d die so easily.”

Sabre followed Maddox, stepping around the root rather than vaulting it. “That sounds fine when you say it, but how do you know he has no other options? He has been murdering and destroying Nihal for nearly twenty years, and has never been caught. And then he was caught so suddenly, by standard soldiers, none the less. You’ve laid with him, and I know he’s seen the mark you carry. Arcturus is foolish for casting him aside so easily. Who is to say that he isn’t here, right now, sleeping with you, tearing down your guard, forcing you to act like a love stricken princess in order to do something more?” Sabre gestured around them, as if proving his point, though the only thing there were trees and Maddox’s gaze, which had turned to ice and leveled on him even as he spoke.

“He’s committed many atrocities, and destroying the last of the Aesir line would barely phase him, no matter how many times the heir sticks his cock in him. Think about how easily Varia conceded to us, how easily he turned on Arcturus, how easily he spread his legs for you.” Sabre pointed out, though he was no longer speaking the common tongue, instead speaking in low Nihalian. Maddox likely did not know Sabre knew his secret, though if one really considered things, it only made sense. He could see the surprise, then the anger.

Maddox stared at him, eyes hardened in a way that seemed so unlike him, yet so familiar. Maddox would kill him now, bury him and no one would ever know, Sabre knew that. He only hoped he was considered useful to Maddox. Everything that he has done, since he was placed in Maddox’s corner, was done with a common goal. To restore the throne of the Aesirs and end the war. Maddox’s gaze was concerning, the way his hand flexed, his feet planted firmly. He truly thought, for a moment, that Maddox would kill him.

“You’re right. I don’t like him. He’s taken much from me and you, and yet here you are. If he slid a blade in you, you wouldn’t noticed. You’re so enamored with him. I can see it, this is beyond sexual attraction. You want him. All of him.” Sabre spoke, his voice softer this time.

A long, calculated breath was drawn from his friend, eyes closing briefly. “You know, that perception and casual way you talk is what I like about you, Sabre. But sometimes you’re too smart for your own good. I hope for everyone’s sake you kept your revelation to yourself. I need Nihal as an ally, but if the royal house knows too much too soon, they will quickly become an enemy. No one, and I mean no one, Sabre, is to know what you know. Varia doesn’t know, neither does my brother, and that is to remain true. For either of them to know, especially if either of them know, the plans goes to ruin and I have no reason to be loyal to anyone. I hope I have made myself clear.”

Explicitly.

Sabre had expected anger, maybe a brief moment of violence, but he hadn't expected the creepy calm that Maddox displayed just then. For the first time in their time together, all those many years, he feared Maddox. He knew he was capable of great and horrible things, but that did not make him fear Maddox. Maddox turned on Sabre, turned on Nihal, was dangerous.

Especially with Varia by his side. He was the Hero of Er Rai, equal to Varia in every way. He had done things, murdered scores of people. His actions were no different from Varia’s, he was just on a different side. The reminder Sabre just received was like a slap in the face. Maddox was a dangerous man, and he'd do well not to forget it.

The worst part, the most terrifying part, was that Maddox was not Varia. Varia's intentions were always bad, he wasn't able to hide his disgust with humans so easily, but Maddox could. Maddox had control over himself, he had a grip on his power, and he knew what he wanted. He was highly driven by his own quest, and that made him so much more dangerous than Varia. What drove Maddox was not a need to impress his masters, or out of fear of being left behind. He wasn't driven by anyone or anything, but his own goals. No one influenced him, and that was beginning to concern Sabre.

Varia aside, Maddox is a fucking psychopath in his own right.

He knew Maddox's lineage, but what he planned to do if they ever sat him on the icy throne was now a question Sabre wanted answered. He was so adamant on having Varia bring the military around, who's to say he wouldn't turn and declare war? With Maddox on the throne and Varia leading the black army once more, no one would be able to stand up to them.

But regardless of the motives behind either man, Varia was winning. He had never seen Maddox look at someone the way he looked at Varia. Even if Varia wasn't using him, even if Varia truly wanted to help, Sabre could see Maddox descending down a road he couldn't come back from. Varia's influence over Maddox was profound, and Sabre could see the obsession within Maddox. It scared him, scared him more than anything else did.

Putting Maddox on the throne was Sabre's goal, but if Varia chose to walk away, what would prevent Maddox from following? Some ancient purpose, some blood right to a throne that hasn't been sat upon in centuries? It was beyond a desire to watch Varia and to keep him from harming others. It was beginning to look like a desire to just be with him, no matter where he was, no matter what he was doing. Maddox's obsession was being fueled by the Demon of Arcturus, and it could easily destroy everything they had worked for. Whether Varia believed it, or whether Varia had malicious intentions, he appeared to be winning.

But despite harsh words, Maddox turned from him, content with sufficiently frightening Sabre.

“I don’t think Varia is faking it, but I can’t rule out ulterior motives either. So long as I use him before he gets to me, it won’t be a problem, right?” Maddox said as he inspected a nearby tree. He stroked the bark and whispered something in Elvish, causing the leaves above to shake in seeming reply. Maddox took his dagger and embedded it in the tree, wiggling it until he made a small hole and silver sap flowed free. He took only a few teaspoons worth before the hole closed. “If Varia can forget his purpose before I forget mine, all the better. For better or worse, he is Legion. I can’t take control of it without him.” Maddox reminded.

"Perhaps he isn't tricking you. He may just feel like he has no other options. You've acknowledged his powers and his abilities, and you've done so genuinely. His intentions could truly be what he says they are." Sabre’s voice was calm, despite being shaken by Maddox. His hand wiped at a small building of sweat on his brow. "But once we reach Arcturus, what then? He has intimate knowledge of us now, he has an in with us. Arcturus failed to kill him, but they won't make another mistake like that. If they don't try to kill him, they'd be wise to try and get him back. I'm not sure he's strong enough to deny them."

Varia was notoriously unstable. If Arcturus attempted to take him back, the abuse he suffered would likely move him right back into their clutches, with all the information and sway he had now. Sabre spent time thinking of this, and, as much as he hated it, he felt as if he had found a solution.

"If you want to keep him with us and out of Arcturus’ clutches, you cannot treat him the way they have. You cannot treat him as a weapon or as a means to an end. Without him, you don't have the Legion, and they'll be standing between you and your goal. Don’t use him how Arcturus did. Love him, secure him to our side, or kill him. I won't follow you if you start to become like them, and I want to follow you to the very end.” He drew a deep breath, golden eyes focused on Maddox who had turned his attention to Sabre once again.

“You must not treat him as they have. You must love him, secure him to our side… and then you must kill him. There is no future for the two of you, and I know you want there to be. He's too risky to keep around after we finish our quest, if he turns on you, so does the military. There's no place for him at your side, he'll need to be removed."

Sabre could not only see Maddox spiraling into a love fueled obsession with Varia, he could see Varia was just as affected. He had likely no idea what any of it meant or how to act. It probably never happened to him before, ever, and yet here they were. It was like a story from some fantastical romance novel, two people, sworn enemies, falling deeply for each other. But it would end tragically for one, or both of them.

If it has to end for someone, let it be Varia.

Maddox put the sap in his satchel as Sabre continued to speak, before looking to Sabre with a cocked eyebrow. “You think I am falling for him? That I might love him?” Maddox asked rhetorically with a smile, coming over to sit near Sabre on the root. “Maybe you’re right, but there is nothing to be done. It is necessary.” Maddox looked over at his friend with a genuine smile, wrapping an arm around him and kissing the side of his face jovially. “Arcturus is a problem, but Varia, I think I can handle. Once I am on the ice, it will be fine. Whether he is playing me or not. Get me to the ice, Sabre, and you need not be concerned about Varia.”

“Are you going to kill him once we get to Arcturus?” Sabre asked, allowing Maddox to embrace him as they normally did, but not allowing him to dance around his solution.

He needed Varia, he needed Varia’s military and his influence among all people. Maddox was heir, that was fact, and Arcturus believed in their blood rights. But the Aesir family was overthrown long ago, and all mention of the good they had done had been erased from Arcturian history in an attempt to keep any others from claiming the throne. If Varia threw his support behind Maddox, the people would follow. Not out of love for Maddox, but out of respect for the man they largely considered their leader already. But if Varia did turn on them, with or without the current government, it would be the end of Maddoxs quest. Without Varia, he only had his blood. The people knew him as an enemy, the rival to their own hero. The one that couldn’t be beaten. Maddox was as much a stranger to those lands and people as Sabre was.

Yet, if Varia did turn cloak on them, would Maddox even be able to kill him? They needed him, but he could be extremely problematic. It was a thin line, a dangerous one, and while Maddox seemed to find humor in Sabre’s observation, he wasn’t wrong. Sabre was keen to these things, and he had seen Maddox lust over many people. He had seen the need to dominate and conquer many as well, but while this may have started that way, the demon had a grasp on Maddox Sabre had never seen. If there was a chance Varia would return to him, would Maddox risk killing him? It seemed likely now, but every breath the man drew pushed him closer to the point he couldn’t come back from.

“Not unless he gives me reason to. I intend to keep my word to him.”

Sabre sighed, unhappy with the answer, but expecting it. It was partly his fault. He pushed so many options on Maddox then, though they did all end with the death of the little psycho. No matter, Maddox would not try to kill him. Typical.

Maddox looked down at his mending hand, flexing it slightly. “Besides, I have you to keep me on task. You say you want to follow me to the end, then you have stake is seeing that I get there, by whatever means.”

A heavy sigh left Sabres lips, and he sunk to sit next to Maddox on the root, defeated. “I will see your task done. I’ve been here this whole time, knowing this whole time as well. If I hadn’t wanted you to succeed, I wouldn’t have stayed. You’re what this world needs, despite how much of a fuck head you are. And as much as I hate it, as if now, we need the little psycho.” Sabre spoke with exhaustion clearly sounding in his voice. “Joke as you may, you are falling for him. I recognize the look in your eye whenever you speak of him. I’ve never seen you look that way before. If he does not agree with your mission, he could utterly destroy it. You will have to destroy him first. If you continue on this way, you may not be able to make that choice. He won't stay with you, even if he sees your mission through to the end. The Demon of Arcturus would never settle down with anyone, even the golden Hero of Er Rai. He'll leave you once this is over, no matter how you feel for him, or how he feels for you. His place is not next to you, it is opposing you.”

Sabre was quiet after that for a moment, considering his own words. He was almost certain of what he said. Almost. Even he had begun to doubt it though. As much as he was keen on how Maddox was feeling, he could see it in Varia too. Varia was harder to read for him, years of abuse and torment had caused the man to bury his emotions deep, but not as deep as he had originally thought.

He had seen the humanity in Varia right away, and even now he was surprised. The image of Varia turning to look back at Maddox as he disappeared into the graves was burned into his mind. That alone told him all he needed to know. Varia felt the same for Maddox. And Sabre wasn’t sure if he would leave after all. He may very well stay at Maddox’s side, a shadow behind the throne. Not just as a weapon, but as his lover. Those two could last eternity, but he didn’t want to feed into Maddox’s obsession anymore. He wanted it to end. He needed it to end. Varia had done too much, killed too many. He wanted him dead for no reasons other than that.

“If I do this right, as you suggest, he will fall just as well. If this is new for me, it is certainly new for him. It would not be the mission, I think, that would tip him. As you said, it would be me, how I react to him. Our relationship, even as enemies, was one of mutual, if not begrudging, respect.” Maddox was right. On and off the battlefield, they understood each other’s struggles, their determination. More recently, they had grown to see a measure of each other’s darkness, their limitations, and needs as humans. “His humanity might surprise you.”

Sabre snorted at that, his thick brow deepening into a scowl. “It wouldn’t. Not after the things he has done.” A silence drew around them for a moment, but Sabre was not certain if it was out of respect for the dead, or just an uneasiness with each other’s presence.

“But you never listen to me anyway. You’ll do what you always do, and if that’s falling in love with that psycho ass little man with his psycho ass demon living inside of him, so be it. Just don’t count on me to bail you out when he breaks your cold, dead heart.” Sabre said suddenly, shoving Maddox off of him and standing up. “Your antics are going to age me far faster than I need, and then you’ll have to lend the little demon to me. I won’t be able to get ass anywhere else, and he seems more than willing to spread his legs for his enemies.” Sabre said, his usual humor returning to his tone. “And too bad if you aren’t keen on sharing. You owe me.”

At the notion that Varia should be shared, Maddox barked out a laugh. “He would kill us both in a heartbeat for even suggesting it. Don’t let him hear you say that shit.” Maddox rose to his feet, clasping a hand to Sabres shoulder, beginning to walk them back towards the village. “I know you find yourself charming, but I’m afraid Varia finds you lacking.” Sabre wacked the hand on his shoulder, barking a sarcastic laugh to the sky. “Me?! Lacking?! I am lacking no-where, and I will show the little beast!”

A chorus of cackles and hoots drifted beyond the trees as they returned home. It was almost as if nothing changed, even though everything had.

- Brom -

The elves led Varia and Brom deeper into the Graves, a hush falling over them as they did so. But the hush was not oppressive. A little tense, but otherwise comforting. They had been walking for several hours and the sun was beginning to dip below the tree line before Brom spoke to Varia.

“Are you alright?” It was an open ended question, inquiring about more than just Varia’s physical health.

Varia was silent for the trip thus far. Their guards were also quiet. It was noticeable, though not uncomfortable. Brom was no longer used to being alone with Varia. They were friends, weren’t they? But when wintery eyes shifted to flicker over him from the corner of his eyes, he felt a bit bashful, as if Varia could see things no one else could.

Varia regarded him for a long moment, before eyes shifted forward once more. "I'm fine. Everything is quiet, nothing feels amiss." He replied in Arcturian.

It was reassuring to hear that Varia felt as he should, though Brom doubted that was completely true. Varia’s words promised only that the demons that usually plagued Varia, and perhaps the new demon as well, were quiet. That, in and of itself, was unusual. Varia had not had issues with his personal demons in a while, even before they got into the forest. Whether that was because Varia had bigger problems, or because of whatever he had going on with Maddox, Brom was unsure. Both were not comforting.

On the one hand, if it was because of the demon, then this quest might test that and bring both Varia’s personal and external demons to the fore. On the other, if it was because of Maddox, then the further they moved from him and his influence, the more likely Varia was to relapse. Brom could not do for Varia what Maddox was, and if Brom’s method no longer worked because of Maddox’s interference, then they were screwed.

“Did Maddox give you any advice or idea what we are walking into?” Brom asked in the same language, deciding to avoid the question of Varia and Maddox for now. It was pretty obvious what was going on, the question was really how Varia felt about it. Brom didn’t really want to ask around the elves, but whether they would have any time alone before they were in enemy territory was unclear. He also wasn’t sure if he wanted to hear what Varia had to say. If he said he had feelings for Maddox, though Maddox was his brother, Brom couldn’t say he trusted that Varia’s feelings would be returned. At the same time, he wasn’t sure that both weren’t playing each other.

Varia sighed, giving a half-hearted shrug to Brom as they walked. His eyes were focused on the trees around them, focused on their surroundings. Birds and other critters chirped near them, the leaves of the massive trees brushed against each other in a cool breeze. Small pockets of light filtered down through the canopy, leaving a golden trail where ever the sun could reach, golden as the sun set. "Dark elves are using blood magic to assault the graves. We're meant to bring them back for justice... though it would be safe to assume they'll want to keep me and use the demon that dwells inside of me."

It was a constant game it seemed. Always someone, somewhere sought to use Varia for their own means. Brom was angered by that. Varia never got to properly mourn the loss of Arcturus before Maddox had begun pursuing him in their stead. And now the elves. The wood elves were using him to track their foe. The foe they tracked would likely try to persuade him into staying with them, or attempt to force him. Nothing could stop him right now. There were two guards on them, two guides. It would be easy to kill them, and run. He could just run, never look back. Leave behind whatever Maddox wanted him for, leave the elves, leave the entire war behind.

“Whatever you would like to do, I will follow you.” Brom said softly. Varias gaze darkened as Brom spoke, but he did not reply to him. He knew Varia was thinking of running as well, and he didn’t blame him. Now was the perfect time as they had limited guard detail. At the same time, getting out of the Graves would be difficult. They had a map, but had been told the Graves shift often as it wanted. No doubt if they spilled Elven blood the forest would not approve and would thwart their efforts to escape. The elves were also much more adept at fighting among the trees. It was not as if the trees were widely spaced, alternating between being closely packed and evenly spread.

Leaving his brother would provide more freedom in terms of possible futures, but ones that were fraught with much more uncertainty. Betraying his brother, on the one hand, felt wrong. His brother had done everything in his power to protect him and make this plan work. Betraying him felt like slapping Maddox in the face and spitting on everything he had done to avenge their family. On the other hand, it had been the risk Maddox ran, putting him at Varia’s side for so long. He was loyal to Varia and did not want to do anything that would bring harm to the other. It was also the case that Maddox was doing something else behind the scenes. Perhaps it was part of the original plan, but Brom had known nothing about the other’s sword until they arrived here and still knew little.

The rest of their journey was silent. The tree line broke after several more hours, after the sun had set. The town on the outskirts was a human town, small, a mining town it seemed. It was nestled into a steep ridge, surrounded by mountains and the trees. Old wooden buildings, a donkey or two, and the cave. The cave lay to the side of the town, its mouth wipe and gaping. It was dark, much darker than the one where the demon took Varia. Several standing torches, unlit the closer they drew, lined a dirt path from the village to the maw.

The two men moved through the small, quiet town, securing a room at the inn. Many eyes were on them, likely because they were outsiders, clearly warriors, and came from the trees. But despite their stares, no one said a word. The two of them sat at a table in the inn, minding their position to the door and away from prying ears and eyes. A bar wench set horns of ale down for them, as well as plates of steaming lamp chops and vegetables. Brom felt his stomach gurgle at the smell, not realizing how hungry he was. Varia did not look to the food, instead leaning back in his seat, resting his foot against his opposite knee.

“I’m sure you have things to ask me. May as well get it over with.” Varia murmured, snatching the horn of ale from where it sat.

“What is my brother’s influence over you?” Brom began, not thinking twice when he was given permission to speak freely, tearing a small piece of meat from the bone and sniffing it before popping it into his mouth. “You’ve been getting closer to him, even sleeping with him. Why? For what purpose? It won’t assure his promises to you any more than if you remained as you were.”

Brom generally considered his brother an honest man and did not think that Varia sweetening the pot with sex would influence Maddox’s choice. If Maddox had decided to let the other live then he would do so, even if Varia never gave him more reasons to think it was a good idea.

Already Varia’s expression was one of annoyance, and Brom hid his face in his food instead of facing that fire. "I expect nothing from your brother. Sleeping with him won’t change his mind about anything he’s decided, I know that. There is no ploy, no ulterior motive, I'm just...." Varias words faltered, his brow furrowing.

Brom paused mid-chew, lifting his gaze to regard his commander briefly in surprise. "I just.... I generally enjoy him. Even though he’s awful. He makes the whispers quiet, he keeps my mind here." Varia said, before he slowly trailed off once more. He finally slid his plate closer to him, though he picked at it more than eating it, but it was better than sitting there awkwardly."I know that isn’t what you wanted to hear. I wish I had some plan behind my actions, but I don’t."

Brom was emboldened by Varia’s sudden nervousness, and felt that he may truly get an answer. Varia was quiet, did not give much about himself away, especially things that made him feel weak. This was certainly something that made him feel weak, and Brom would capitalize on that.

“Why him?” Brom asked next, pushing the potatoes around his plate. His eyes briefly moved around the room, keeping track of who looked their way and where everyone was moving. “Why now? Why did you choose now, to be tired of it?” Brom asked, believing that Varia perhaps had no motive, but also finding the timing strange. He supposed there was no algorithm for when someone snapped and tired of their life, of war. But even though there was none, Brom still felt it should show some sign, should give some warning.

“Of all the wars, the battles and opponents. Of all the bed partners, many better in every way than him, why now? And don’t say it was because of me. There were many chances to stop it well before this and you never gave sign that you wanted to stop, that you needed it to stop. So why are you choosing now? Now, when arguably we are best positioned to continue, to take the Legion…” Brom stopped.

His voice hadn’t risen but his tone had. He was pissed, beyond belief, and he hadn’t realized it until he had begun speaking. He was angry that Varia had never told him when it was too much. He was angry that Maddox, of all fucking people, was convincing Varia to quit. He was pissed that it seemed more and more he was becoming unnecessary to Varia. He didn’t want to sound like a brat but it felt so foreign and unfair. “Why are you choosing to leave me behind without a word?”

Varia reacted in kind, his gaze flashing in brief anger at Broms tone. But, to his credit, his voice was calm. "I do not intend to leave you behind, no matter the lies you've fed me over the years. I do not know what to do with myself, you're the only familiar thing I have left, despite how I now know I never truly knew you. Arcturus has left me behind, I have nothing left, and I'm lost. I've never had a chance at freedom, and now that I've escape them, someone else has now come to claim my abilities as their own."

It was infuriating as much as it made sense. Varia wanted to return home, to return to Mal’ Dyr and to take what he felt was owed. Arcturus betrayed him. They abused him, beat him, ruined him for anyone who even attempted to fix him, and they cast him out like he was nothing. After all he had done for them, after all they had done to him, he didn't matter to them. It would be their undoing, that much Brom knew. For a country so hell bent on gaining power, they had cast their most powerful player aside so easily. They should have made sure he was dead, because he would come for them.

"I still need you. I just want to go home, whether to die or to kill everyone there, I just want to go back to the ice. It doesn't matter what Maddox wants with me, none of that matters. Nowhere else will have me, I don't have the luxury of family or friends like Sabre. You're my only friend, and I need your help. I need to play his game, I need to do it so we can go home." It was rare, Varia speaking so openly about things like this, and Brom was afraid to stop him.

"Your brother is using me. He's no different from Arcturus in that aspect. You protected me from them, and it's unfair to assume you would protect me from him. I didn't know freedom before, I didn't know I wanted it. Arcturus had their claws in me so deep, I never thought there would be something else for me out there. If I had known I wanted out, if I understood Arcturus wasn't my only option, I would have told you. Eventually I'll be able to thank you for freeing me, though in doing so you drove me right into the clutches of Maddox. He's still a better option than Arcturus, and in freeing me from them, you saved me. I haven't stopped needing you, Brom. We'll be returning to the ice soon, and I'm not so certain I'll allow your brother to murder me once he's finished with me." Varia's eyes finally lowered from Broms, gazing down at the peeling wood of the table.

Hearing Varia’s words left a bitter taste in Broms mouth. A sinking knot in his stomach. His chest hurt, and he could feel his heart hammering into his ribs. He knew his face would not reveal how he felt, but he knew Varia could read him as much as Brom could read Varia.

“He’s in my head. He’s in my fucking dreams. He’s all I think about, and I hate it. I never wanted this, I still don’t want it, but I don’t know how to stop.” Varia’s voice dropped to a whisper. He was afraid, Brom could tell. Varia was never afraid, he would charge head first into whatever horrors they faced, but he feared Maddox and how he felt about him.

“Arcturus has damaged me beyond relief, and he couldn't save me if he tried. But he doesn't want to. Arcturus molded me for him. I'm the weapon he wants and needs, but that's all I am. If he even knows how I feel about him, he'll use it to secure me to whatever purpose he has, and I don't know if I'll be able to resist it. I need you still. Maddox helps, but he's ruining me. The freedom you gave me he already took from me, and I'm scared, because I don't care about my freedom as much, so long as I'm still near him." It was completely unfounded for Varia to be speaking like this. His words didn't sound like they belonged to him. Varia was the Demon of Arcturus. He had ripped babies from the breasts of their mothers, he had slaughtered women and children, soldiers and lovers. He was not the type of person to fall for anyone, yet here he was, spiraling down into the hole Maddox had made for him.

Brom sat and listened, no longer hungry. Seeing Varia, his commander, the Demon of Arcturus, so vulnerable, so scared… it unsettled him to his very core. He needed to stop this, in any way he could. He knew Varia well, much better than his brother, but he did not know how to save Varia from him. He did not know if any words could sway Varia from the cold grasp of Maddox’s arms, but he had to try.

“When I was younger, it was just me and my brother. I told you I don’t remember our parents, not their names or faces, so it was always just Maddox. To most he is as you see him: generally upright, kind, a bit of a shit but everything a hero of Er Rai should be. But that’s not the real him. Underneath everything you see, there is another Maddox, the real one. I’ve only seen it once but that was all I needed to see. He was talking to an ally. Someone from Ubrax. It must have been someone important, for soon after this they fell quickly and were absorbed by another empire. We were on the outskirts of Er Rai, I don’t recall the city. The bookcase had a hidden nook in it that Maddox must not have known about. The man from Ubrax was arguing with him, something about Arcturus and wiping it off the planet, the usual Er Rai rhetoric. But at some point he called my brother by another name, one I have never heard before nor heard anywhere since. I would think I imagined it except for the look that came over Maddox’s face.” Brom paused, staring into the condensation trailing down his horn, wishing it was full again, before looking up into Varia’s eyes.

“When people call you the demon of Arcturus, they are referring primarily to your military prowess, how you slaughter on the killing fields, your ruthlessness in battle. I always thought that just made you a good soldier, never a demon. But I think also because, even though you were standoffish and cold, you were never ice. You opened up to me, and I felt I could do so with you. However small, there was warmth behind the cold. But Maddox….” Brom paused again, looking away from Varia’s eyes. “There was no warmth there, only ice. You know the mountains near the hold? The Wall of the Sun? That lake on the other side with ice that’s been frozen for centuries, do you remember it? That’s what his eyes reminded me of. There was no warmth there, and he didn’t flinch as he slid a knife into the man’s back. The man was his ally, a high ranking one I’m told. But he killed him and made it just...disappear. Ever since, no matter how much he laughs, no matter how kind he seems to be, I can’t unsee that ice.” Brom took a swig of the liquor before him, spearing a potato but putting it back on the plate without eating it.

“Because of that, before you, I was also alone. You may not believe me, but you were my first and only friend as well. The first year or two, you were just a target, I admit, but for most of it...for all that you are a demon, you are the most honest person I know. I suggested you to Maddox because I didn’t want him to kill you, and at the time I felt there was a good chance he would. I did this, to save you. For whatever it’s worth, I truly believe that.” Brom went quiet as the waitress came to refill their drinks and brought more bread. She lingered for a moment until it was clear they wanted nothing else.

Brom mulled over the rest of what Varia had told him. His friend had fallen for his brother, fallen for the warm shell the monster projected. He had never heard Varia talk this way, about anyone or anything. When Varia had been speaking, Brom could see the uncertainty, how lost the other was in this new environment. “You don’t have to play his game, if the ice is all you want. Most of the military loves you, all you have to do is say the word. You don’t need him to get there. As for falling for him….” Brom sighed. “If it is ice that you want, Varia, that is all Maddox is, at his core. As you are darkness, he is ice. He won’t give you what you’ve read about, but he does feel something for you. I don’t know what it is, if it’s genuine or not...if I can protect you from it, even though I want to. I will follow you to the end, Varia, wherever you want that to be. If you choose Maddox, complete this quest, or if you choose to walk away and disappear back to the ice. I will follow you. You just have to choose.”

Please. Please do not choose him.

Varia’s gaze lowered from Broms once again. Brom knew Varia had seen it as well. Perhaps Varia could just see darkness in others, or perhaps Maddox had allowed him a glimpse. But the gaze revealed that Varia knew. Varia himself was capable of a great many, horrifying and heinous things, but he did not hide it. Arcturus desired those traits, encouraged them. Rewarded them. The things Varia did haunted him, but the things Maddox did did not haunt him, or he was not tormented by their lingering memory like Varia was.

“Your brother is using me. I will not be a victim to Arcturus, and I will not replace them with Maddox.” Varia spoke finally, after a long moment. “We will continue on with this quest. Once we reach Arcturus, I will make a decision on what we should do. You may follow me then.”

Few understood darkness and ice like Varia. Perhaps the two were more compatible than he originally thought. Even so, a happy ending was not something Brom could foresee for them. Then again, a happy ending had never been a thought for any of them that he knew. Perhaps that was what was so scary about all of this. Maddox and Varia were reaching for an unknown, something they had not been given permission to desire or reach for. The risk if it was a lie was too great. Perhaps that was the fear that Brom shared with Sabre and why watching his friend made him uneasy. Varia’s words were comforting, but Brom knew that it was nothing so simple. Ridding oneself of feelings was something people struggled with and most never achieved. Brom also wasn’t entirely sure he was wholeheartedly rooting for the other to divest himself of such feelings.

He allowed Varia to dive into his ale, and dropped the subject. The rest of dinner was silent, both absorbed by their own thoughts. They were told that the best time to enter the antre was when the moon was high, if one wanted to catch the dark elves awake. Since they were at least initially coming to investigate rather than cleanse, it would be best to approach them while awake and not at a disadvantage.

They took a brief nap, reviewed the sketchy map they were given of the interior of the system, and as the moon rose high, they headed to the mouth of the cave, torches in hand.

Brom looked to Varia, his eyes drifting down his arm and lingering on the piece of fabric tied around his wrist. He felt a flash of anger, wondering why Maddox parted in such a way. To bring him back, no doubt. How pathetic. But the flash of the ribbon he saw was soon hidden once more as Varia stepped into the darkness of the cave, unafraid of the abyss before them. He truly only feared Maddox, as he should.

Brom lingered for a moment, before a heavy sigh left him. “Into the dragons, maw, I guess...” he muttered, before moving forward into the dark.