As they walk, Ramiel grows more and more confident of his decision to come here. He’s glad he’s moved passed the once-firm line he’d drawn for himself - to not approach his brother until his mother had healed from whatever rift formed between the two. He’s wanted to, of course. So many times as a boy he had thought about finding Tiphon’s lost son. Joscelin would be up for the challenge, he had told himself, surely their parents wouldn’t protest too loudly if they went off together to find him. But his resolve had weakened over the years, crumbled like Talulah’s once brave face.
Now, everything is different.
The further they progress into the kingdom, the more comfortable Ramiel grows in the shadow of his kin. The sunlight catches on both of their golden badges, giving the air a warm, gilded quality around them. It’s as if the world itself is grateful for this one, small reconciliation, this step towards setting things right again. In that moment, the Dalean king realizes he doesn’t regret not seeking Tiberios out sooner. Understanding why he doesn’t comes with the other’s comment. Both princes, now kings. He smiles back at the burnt man. Pride swells in his chest like the return of a friend, but this time, it’s not only for him or his home. They’ve done okay for themselves.
Ramiel’s thoughts turn to their father, briefly, and his smile falters. He’s surprised when Tiberios doesn’t ask after the angel. It must be several years since he’s seen Tiphon; perhaps he’s not ready to resolve everything just yet. Their porcelain sire has only recently returned, anyway. And though it had been jarring to simultaneously gain the throne and lose his father all at once, Ram thinks he’s more or less managed. Certainly he’d rather have his father at his back, but maybe he’d needed time to recuperate after his own time as leader of the mountain-land. Whatever the case may be, he’s overwhelmingly happy to have him again. And now, he thinks maybe Tiberios will have him, too. “You are welcome back to the Dale anytime, of course. I’m sure your company would be in great demand.” He grins easily, knowing how flippantly he’s regarded a somewhat delicate situation. Ah well. Time to move forward, right?
But their talk becomes less sentimental and more business-like at his behest. The grey is confident there will be talks at later dates reserved for their unshared past, but for now, the Dale is his primary concern. Tiberios seems to understand at least, and he delves into his own intentions for his kingdom. Ramiel doesn’t hide his surprise at the confession that spills from his brother’s mouth. The Chamber has stolen the Falls prince? My nephew, he realizes, his pride mixing with a new horror that floods his stomach. He knows what the Chamber has recently accomplished. Their burning of the Gates and stealing of its queen is all the talk of the common lands these days. What will they do to a little boy?
Nothing is ever as easy as it should be, and this alliance seems to fit that unfortunate truth. He’d thought this would be a simple transaction, an expected relationship, as Tiberios had said. But he sees now that he’d been wrong to assume. It takes him a while to respond, his mind weighing his options, before he turns back to the sabino. “I think we need somewhere more private to talk.” Ramiel steps alongside the stallion so that their shoulders touch. He’s never tried this from somewhere other than the beach and those rising, granite cliffs. But he closes his eyes and concentrates, and he feels the land of the living relinquish them.
The now-familiar smell of the salt air hits him first as they emerge onto the shores of the afterlife. No longer overwhelmed by the sights and smells of the alien place, he turns instantly to his brother. Already, Tiberios looks older than he had just seconds before, back in the Falls. Ramiel looks different, too. He’s opaque; his edges are blurred, as if he is in motion even when he is still. “Did I mention I was a ghost?” He grins his see-through mouth at Tiberios, rather enjoying himself despite the serious reason he’d brought the man here. “Sorry for the surprise, but you can’t be too careful these days,” he says, sobering up when he remembers the missing prince. With as many magicians and new abilities that they encounter seemingly daily these days, he wanted to take no chances. The future of their kingdoms counts on it, after all. “As long as our representative need only visit rather than live in the Falls, we accept a seat on your council and an alliance between our kingdoms.” His golden eyes narrow when he thinks of the next part, if there should be an issue. “And should the Chamber try anything, you will have our backs and the Amazons, most likely. Our sister is there assuring our alliance with the Sisterhood.” The weight of his words is heavy on his tongue and consciousness. He realizes that in making these decisions, he’s potentially influencing history itself. More importantly, though, he’s possibly changing the lives of his people.
Ramiel
ghost king of the dale