"You okay there, Vypec?" Belrix's voice sounded concerned. They had been walked silently for the entirety of His fight with Vypal and the Akalak had noticed something amiss as well. Before answering him Vypec made a plea with his brother, but he would not answer.
"Yes, sorry. I was just thinking about... The future." Vypec fumbled, trying to find a way to divert his mind from the stinging truths his brother had brought to the surface. Belrix nodded as if he understood what Vypec meant. The man smiled a rueful grin before spinning the spear onto the other shoulder. He began to speak just as they stepped out onto the creaking pier.
"Ah, I know what you mean, friend." Belrix's boisterous voice drew Vypec's mind away from the fight. "I sometimes wonder if they will ever see me as worthy. The Kuvay'Nas squad leaders." Belrix pointed a thumb over his shoulder, in the general direction of the Lodge.
"What branch do you hope to be brought into?" Vypec asked, smiling his empathy at the man. It was a comfort to know he was not the only one who felt in limbo.
Belrix rubbed a massive hand through his dark hair, staring out over the far end of the pier and into the sea beyond. It was dark and the waves were lost in the night only a few meters into the bay, but the far coasts of Falyndar could almost be imagined. "I hope the Cavalry. I have been riding since I was a boy. My mother was a Konti who had traveled to
Riverfall by way of the Sea of Grass, with some Emerald Drykas. She brought with her Drykas bred horses." Belrix told him, smiling at the memory. Before Vypec could exclaim at the awesome prospect of riding a Drykas mount Belrix raised a hand. "I don't mean their Striders, the ones that travel like an angry wind. Just normal horses, but they were a magnificent pair. My father bred them and we have had horses ever since. I hope to take some with me in my service to the city, and perhaps visit the Drykas my mother speaks so highly of." Belrix finished as they reached the end of the pier.
They both stood, staring out into the black ocean. Laviku was causing his domain to toss and turn restlessly in the Winter's night. Vypec sighed and tightened his hood around his face. He felt the chill numbing his ears and he hated it. "My grandfather wants me to go into the intelligence branch. I was looking at the infantry though." Vypec said. His thoughts were still on Vypal and the dangerous depth in which they had been. It was a dark place that they only went to rarely. He was worried about his brother and he felt both ashamed and anger for the darker half of himself. Vypec did not know why he was lying to Belrix. Perhaps it was for practice? Perhaps it was to create a sense of safety in response to the vulnerability that Vypal had caused with his cutting words. Either way, Vypec slipped the lie in as naturally as someone would comment on the weather. He made it believable with the faint hint of truth mixed in. It was vital, with all lies, to add an element of truth.
"Oh indeed, your grandfather sounds like he must be quite a respectable elder, Vypec. Give him my respect." Belrix said in a light tone, falsely noting the tension in the lie. "He probably just wants the best for you, and old men let go of traditions slowly. I would not think much of it, friend." The Akalak slapped Vypec gamely on the shoulder.
Vypec smiled and nodded as if Belrixes words had gave him some uplifting emotions and nodded. "Right, well let's get back to this damn patrol before we freeze over." Vypec joked, wanting to change the subject from the lie. Belrix was a good man and seemed to be allowing a trust to foster between them and Vypec felt an ugly guilt rising up inside him for telling the Akalak the needless lie.
He knew why he did it, really. Vypec knew the reason behind all the small lies and diversions. He was afraid of being vulnerable to those in his life. It was the same reason Vypal got under his skin so well. Vypal was alone in the world in knowing the real Vypec and being impervious to his subtle deflections. And Vypec was alone in the world in being subject to Vypal's most intimate honesty. They were forever tied together by their knowledge of the other's weakness, their fatal flaw. It was a bond that was stronger than iron, stronger than any other. Vypec let out another heavy sigh, his mind struggling with those heavy thoughts. It was rare that either of them ever faced their faults head on. They both like to keep them hidden, brushed beneath the shallow fallbacks and the practiced falsehoods. But on rare occasions their emotions rose enough to pull the willful wool from their eyes. What both saw was ugly.
It's fine, Vy. Vypal's voice finally said, quiet in his mind. You don;t have to feel bad about lying to Belrix. Of course Vypal had known. This was an uncharacteristic moment of tenderness from the dark brother. Vypec knew he meant it though. It was no attempt to repair their relations, Vypal would never do that. It was part of his weakness. He is foolish to so willingly trust the competition.
He's a good man. Honest and truthful. Vypec retorted. The words held a spite in their taste. It was not meant for Vypal though, but a self-criticism on Vypec's part. There was a moment of silence before Vypal answered just as quietly as before.
Secrets are our trade, Vypec. The words rang with meaning, conjuring up the memory of that night nearly ten years ago. The purest hearts are those untested, strength comes in the loss. Vypal quoted Dremandos, their grandfather. It was very rare that Vypal would show signs that he ever paid attention to anything either Vyandos or Dremandos said. Vypec thought he must really be regretting their fight as well.
You are right. Vypec finally conceded.Thank you, brother.
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by Vypec on February 17th, 2016, 9:10 am 
