04-11-2018, 09:54 AM
Belgaer
The air around them was warm and Belgaer felt himself slowly begin to calm. With his thoughts finally revealed, he could feel the weight of his ambition slowly rising off his shoulders. In some ways, he suspected that Brennen could have guessed the thoughts that had tormented the ever so slightly taller chestnut. Although different by means of their chosen paths, they were alike in terms of their dedication. Once they’d committed themselves to something, they threw their whole selves into it.
Stone still beside him, Brennen allowed for Bel’s confession to simmer. For a terrifying moment, the chestnut feared that he might not say anything. Since he was young, he’d always admired his father’s ability to remain absolutely calm in moments that may have otherwise been deemed stressful. He took everything in his stride and hardly blinked an eye. After what felt like an eternity, the bay finally broke the quiet between them. Brennen angled himself towards his son, a knowing smile upon the soft of his lips. Effortlessly he presented his encouragement and Belgaer heaved a giant sigh of relief. As always, the studs greatest fear was to see any of his children grow lazy.
“I will make you proud, papa,” he promised as he puffed his chest with the force of his determination. “I will serve the kingdom and the family to the best of my abilities.” As a mark of his loyalty he touched the soft of his nose to his father’s shoulders. “Thank you.” There was so much more he wanted to say to Brennen but his words failed him.
Belgaer was certain that he would not have been the stallion he was had it not been for his father’s role in his life. He’d taught him to be brave and strong and loyal – everything he could possibly need to be successful in life. No matter his own ambition, Belgaer had witnessed Brennen selflessly set them aside for the betterment of his family. They always came first. No matter what. In time, however, Belgaer hoped that his father would see Mosrael worthy enough to take her place beside him. For a moment, the chestnut’s body tenses as he contemplates breeching the subject of his sister’s behalf. He knew her well and suspected that she was simply too stubborn or proud to admit to their father that what she wanted, above anything else in the world, was to join the brotherhood. To fight beside Brennen and to make him proud to call her his daughter – pride that reached beyond that of what every father felt in regards to their offspring.
Just as he is about to speak, the conversation shifts and Belgaer listens intently to his father’s admission of his own need to speak. As an offering of respect, Bel doesn’t speak, even as the stallion pauses to collect his thoughts.
“…they aren’t here for Krone.” Brennen concludes and Belgaer is speechless.
If what he suspected his father was saying was true, that would mean war. That would mean loyalties would be tested and the course of history would be changed. All his life, Belgaer had been loyal to Krone. He thought he would serve her for a lifetime, at least, before another rose to power in her place. Kingdoms changed all the time, he was not ignorant of that and Taiga stood as a burnt example to that truth.
But would Ischia fall to that same fate? Drowned in the torrent of their ambition?
Brennen was his father – but Krone was his queen. He’d never felt so conflicted.
“Father,” he began cautiously. “I, - you know that I will support you no matter the course you take, but…are you sure this is wise?”
He was not afraid for Krone, Belgaer quickly realized as his words fell from his lips broken and disjointed. He was afraid for his family. For what would become of them should Brennen fail.
The Prodigal Son
@[Brennen] ...and this is why I shouldn't go near caffeine. Wordsplosion!