>>5808185Ser Duncan finished his shouted exchange with the watchmen and the portcullis ascended & it took a moment before the column resumed its march quicker than before with the elation of the prospect of rest and warm food.
Corly’s lagged a step behind you and you realized his step was short.
<span class="mu-i">’’Are you well Brother?’’</span> you ventured but Corly waved you off <span class="mu-i">’’Merely a stitch, I’ll be well once I can rest’’</span>
You had trailed steadily further behind as the column entered the castle, Dragonstone keep you realized was at least thrice the size of Crab castle and built of solid blacks stone that made it hard to see and distant in the night sky even this close, it’s Dragon gargoyles and carvings no less foreboding to you in torchlight. The Castle was still alive with activity, you spied
Corly’s paused as you passed under the gatehouse and motioned for you to follow suit, stopping at the exit he collected himself and gave you a stony look though you saw common cause in his eyes.
<span class="mu-i">‘’I want to thank you brother’’</span> he began then corrected himself <span class="mu-i">’’Alyn’’ ‘’you said what I can no longer say, what I am no longer afforded to say’’</span> there was a hardness to his voice as he spoke and you did not know what to make of it.
You considered him with careful consideration before speaking. <span class="mu-i">’’Yes, brother’’</span>
Corly’s nodded, there was no mistake between you too, your Fathers disfavor was a concern, when he spoke you caught something in his tone that was unfamiliar, was it regret? <span class="mu-i">’’we are not close Alyn, I am not Elaena… Joy is not a friend to me, but I recognise loyalty and I thank you for it, if not to me then our house’’
That took you aback, your brother was not one for brotherly affections nor one to offer open thanks, some small part of you darkly wondered if this was the prelude to some violence if you misstepped, he seemed genuine enough though.
<span class="mu-s">An olive branch?</span>
>’’We have the Dragonblood’’ he was rightful heir and you shared blood and house, even if there was no love between you respect begets respect and you could prosper with him [Haughty]>’’They are our enemy, peace was never an option’’ you might not like your brother, even love him but whatever was between you paled in the threat of the brood that was your half-kin [Cynic]>’’Do not mention it my lord’’ he was the heir, you were the second son, your loyalty was expected but not necessarily given, he was temperamental, undisciplined and foolish, not the stuff of great lords [Taciturn]</span> 