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When Alear starts awake at the sound of stone scraping stone, the first thought that bolts through them is all too familiar.
A Corrupted, a Corrupted, a Corrupted.
The rustle of leaves on a windless day; the flicker of a shadow in a bright hallway; an unexpected footstep from behind. Those are all it takes to dredge up those old fears, sending their heart pumping and their hands quivering. It doesn’t matter that the war’s been over for a moon and a half; the sweat that claws at the back of their neck is not so easily dried by logic.
Their sword leans against the wall, the gold hilt coated in a fine layer of dust. Their fingers leave shining trails in the grey mist.
The sunrise bathes the halls of Lythos Castle – what remains of Lythos Castle, that is – in soft pinks and yellows. The ribbons of light that fall upon the floors are like bandages over a half-scabbed wound. They soften the crumbling walls, the cracked stained-glass windows, the temporary fabric roofing thrown over the holes in the ceiling.
The long grass licks at their ankles as they emerge outdoors. It’s a windy day, as days in Lythos often are, and the westward breeze carries the strange sounds across the hills. Scraping rock, heavy footsteps, and labored breathing.
It’s coming from the gardens.
Alear’s pulse spikes. They hurry down the path, tightening their grip on their sword. The gardens were already trampled and defiled by Corrupted, then buried in rubble by Sombron. What left is there to take? But in the wake of continental war – with Firene’s most significant port destroyed, Brodia left kingless, Solm’s treasury running low, and Elusia’s population cleaved in half – the bandits of the realm have only become more desperate. Perhaps desperate enough to carve up the rotting corpse of Lythos Castle and sell it for parts.
The mere idea makes Alear’s blood burn hotter than Gradlon magma.
Rounding the corner with sword unsheathed, they shout. “Who goes there? Name yourself!”
“GYAAAGH!”
A familiar shriek pierces the early-morning air.
The figure in the gardens narrowly misses breaking their toes as they drop the massive rock in their hands. In a swish of silky dark-blue hair, they fling themselves to the ground, kneecaps smashing into the cobblestones.
Alear would recognize that overzealous prostration anywhere.
“Alcryst?”
“I’M SO SORRY!” Alcryst curls into a ball like a dormouse. “I’m horrendously sorry for invading the sacred gardens of the Divine! I had no right!”
The sound of his completely unnecessary apology is like music to Alear’s ears. Baffling and slightly frustrating music, but music nonetheless.
“Alcryst, please!” They can’t help but chuckle, striding forward. “I’m the one who should be apologizing. I must have scared you half to death.”
“Oh, no, you didn’t- it’s fine! You could never frighten me, Divine One-”
The end of his sentence turns into a squeak as Alear sweeps him up into a tight hug. After several seconds of silent panic, his arms carefully snake around Alear’s torso, tenderly returning the embrace.
“I’m so happy to see you.” Alear draws back, their face starting to ache from smiling so hard. “You look well.”
Alcryst turns the same shade of pink as the sunrise. “Oh… that’s kind of you to say. You look well, too…”
“You certainly surprised me, appearing in Lythos all of a sudden! I didn’t hear any word that your ship arrived.”
“Ah, that’s because… we only reached port about an hour ago.”
“Really? Why so early in the morning?”
“We were aiming to arrive last night, but there were quite a few delays on the journey. It’s because of Gradlon, you see. Now that there’s this new land mass in the middle of the ocean, centuries’ worth of naval routes have to be changed.”
Alear frowns. “I’ve heard about that. It must be a difficult adjustment for Brodia.”
“Yes, indeed. It’s affecting trade by sea, the migratory patterns of marine life – even the tides, according to the latest research out of Solm. My heart goes out to Brodia’s sailors, not to mention our cartographers…”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Between that and next month’s peace summit with Elusia, Diamant must have his hands full.”
“He’s been working himself to the bone as of late. I don’t think he’d be getting any sleep if it weren’t for Jade and Amber.” Alcryst fidgets in place. “But despite that, he insisted I go to Lythos Castle to aid its restoration. We’re never too busy for the Divine One – those were his words.”
“Well, now I’m even more grateful that you’re here. But I’m still curious what you’re doing in the gardens at the crack of dawn.”
“Oh, um…” Alcryst shuffles his boots on the derelict cobblestones. “I slept very well on the boat – the rocking waves were so relaxing – so I wasn’t tired at all when we arrived. So I helped Citrinne and Lapis and the others get settled in the guest rooms, and then I thought… I thought I should get a head start on clearing the rubble. I know I’m the most useless volunteer by far, but if I can at least clear this small area by breakfast, I’ll have justified my loathsome presence among your ranks.”
Alear listens to his self-deprecating explanation with a knowing smile. Of course that was the reason. They’ve never met anyone in their life as eager to please as Alcryst – and mixed with the affection that surges in their chest is a pang of irony.
If only they could make Alcryst understand just how little he has to do to bring a smile to their lips.
“What is it?” Alcryst’s crimson eyes dart across their face. “Did I say something funny?”
“Not at all.” Alear places their hand on his shoulder. “I’m just thinking about how much I missed you.”
Like a blossoming rose, red blooms across Alcryst’s face. “Really? M… Me?”
“Really, you.”
“Oh…” Alcryst shyly ducks his head. “Thank goodness. I, um, I thought it might be silly to say, since it’s only been a handful of weeks, but…”
His sentence trails off into nothing, so Alear finishes it for him. “You missed me, too?”
Alcryst nods, eyes squeezed shut.
Alear’s heart feels full to bursting. They’re half-convinced if they look down, they’ll see themselves floating like one of the Emblems. They clasp Alcryst’s other shoulder as well, leaning in to rest their forehead against his.
They feel his warm breath against their cheek. “Divine One?”
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
Alcryst shifts beneath their hands, standing on his tiptoes to press more firmly against them. “For being so selfish.”
“Oh? I’m not sure I follow.”
“I really did come here because I wanted to help restore Lythos Castle. But, truthfully, when I agreed to go, the castle wasn’t on my mind at all. All I could think about was…” Alcryst swallows. “How badly I wanted to see you.”
Alear doesn’t want to make light of his admission, but they can’t help but softly laugh. “Oh, Alcryst. It’s not selfish to want to spend time with someone you love.”
“It’s selfish if you’re a royal,” Alcryst murmurs.
“Because your life belongs to the people, you mean?”
“Mm-hm.”
Alear draws back just far enough to look into his eyes. “Isn’t a Divine Dragon a people?”
Alcryst snorts, more out of surprise than anything. He covers his mouth with his hand. “No, I mean- you know what I mean-”
“I do. And as Divine Dragon Monarch, I hereby decree that you have the right to love and be loved, same as everyone else. Understood?”
“Understood…” Alcryst lowers his hand, revealing the rare sight of a proper smile. “Thank you, Divine One.”
Alear smiles back. “Then if that’s settled, let’s work on reaching your goal of clearing this area before breakfast.”
“You want to help me? But it’s so early– you deserve a few more hours of sleep, surely-”
“I’ve spent more than enough of my life asleep, thank you very much.” Alear stretches out their arms, lightly shaking the last of the sleep from their muscles. “Nothing like an early-morning workout, as Alfred says.”
“Well, if you’re sure…” Alcryst crouches, getting a good hold on the large slab of marble he’d dropped earlier. “Be careful, Divine One. The rocks are quite heavy, and some of the rubble has sharp edges…”
“Thank you for the warning. But I’m sure we’ll be fine.” Alear positions themselves across from Alcryst with an encouraging grin. “The weight won’t be so bad if we’re carrying it together. Right?”
Alcryst grasps the stone with steady, confident hands. “Right.”
“Together on three?”
“Okay. Three… two…”
They lift the first stone as one.