Glow

Chapter Four

Arvind couldn't sleep.

His mind was rollicking in frivolous anxiety, so many if's running across his brain. If he left, Namu could die. If he could find a cure, what would he do then? If there was a cure. He couldn't focus, and every minutes or so, he'd drift off, thinking of death and trees and graves. When his mind had finally settled, crying awoke him.

"Damn it," He muttered, going into his brother's room, lit with the bronze light of candles.

Namu was crying, but he wasn't awake. Arvind knew it was a nightmare, and remembered he had forgotten his nightly ritual. Better late than never. He sat on the chair bedside to his brother, and took a deep breath. Then, aided with an orchestra in his head, he whispered the lullaby.

 

Dreams of fire, dreams of flame.

Torches burning, arrow rain.

Elves are marching 'cross the land,

Armies, witches, intrepid men.

 

Trouble brewing, dark and deep.

Shadows watch you while you sleep.

But there isn't shadow without light,

And nightmares come another night.

 

Mountains glitter, diamond ore.

Caves are deep with dragon roar.

Flowers bloom on roofs and stones,

And witches fly across the moon.

So, my dear, do not subside.

Your dreaming makes you strong and wise.

It took a moment before he realised his brother was sleeping deeply and evenly, and Arvind sighed.

He wished someone could take the nightmares from him.

A knock on the door awoke him.

It was a sharp rattle, clear and strong. In an instant, drowsy as his mind was, he was at the door. He could feel the textures beneath his fingers, the roughness of the wood and coolness of the stones beneath his bare feet. A dozing spell had overcome him for a moment before the knock came back, right against his ear, and he jumped and fell, startled.

"Hello?"

It sounded like an older boy, purposeful and striding, tinged slightly with worry and the out-of-breath you can get with an adrenaline high.

Arvind didn't know what to do. Blanked wrapped around his waist, hair unruly, and an utter mess, he figured his best option was to wait out the caller.

"Hello?! Is anyone there? Is this the home of Arvind Trege?"

Silently he prayed for them to leave. And after a moment, it seemed like they had.

And then the door busted open on its hinges.

He shrieked once, only once, like a little girl, and fell back on his rump, legs poking in the air. Then the floor was shrouded in black shadow, and a silhouette loomed in the doorframe.

"You are Arvind Trege?" The figure sighed, disbelief painting the words.

Arvind nodded, ashamed at his fall and cry. A hand poked from the silhouette, and he took it gratefully. 

"Who are you? He asked, voice even with confidence, and positivity that they had not seen that fall.

"I'm the princess," The boy, who was now a girl, said, flicking her hair behind her ears. "And I heard you're embarking on a journey. May I join you?"

Arvind did nothing but look flabbergasted. The girl frowned.

"Is something the matter?"

He blinked. "No, no, no. Nothing is wrong. It's simply.... Well..."

The Princess waited for his answer.

"Just... How did you know I was leaving? How did you know who I was?"

She smirked, a half-laugh tracing her features. "Let me just say that we get information from the same source. But your answer. I must say, I did not expect to be coming here when I went to bed in the evening, it's simply the product of factors and changes."

"Such as?"

"Such as the fact that the Prince, my brother, has not improved in condition. On the contrary," She hesitated.

Arvind feared the worst. He felt as if the prince was his brother.

"He has not died."

He sighed.

"But he is close, on the edge of the abyss, and all he can take is one nudge. So I ask you once more. May I join you on your journey?"

Arvind thought. He wondered about the travel, the dangers, the people. He wondered about sanctity spoiled, and monsters fought. He pondered on wars and dragons and the silence of a pool at midnight. His mind, for all the world, turned to death and destruction and sickness and the life and creativity and cures that the land provided. Arvind was sure.

"But I have a brother. Younger. He will be alone."

"He will not be alone. We have an excellent governess in the castle. And the queen has always wanted to teach another boy."

Arvind blinked. "You're positive?"

"Yes."

A neigh sounded from the road, and shouts as well.

"Well," She shrugged. "Maybe I didn't run it by them. Maybe I stole a few horses?"

He looked back over his shoulder towards his brother's room. He found he was doing that a lot lately. His past had been creeping up on him, whispering in his ear each sleepless night. With his sister, his mother, his brother, his friends. Everything had been crawling up to get a bite out of him.

"I need an answer now, Arvind," The princess held out her hand. "You either shake or close the door."

He didn't know what to do. He put a hand on the knob and looked into her face. And what he saw shocked him.

Fear.

"Something big is coming, isn't it," He muttered, looking into her eyes.

"We have to go, if that's what you want to do."

"Sarojin is under attack."

"I'm not at liberty-"

"And you are looking for something, something to bring peace or destruction."

She hesitated and then nodded. "War is coming."

He looked back at the house and then at the princess's outstretched hand.

With all haste, he grabbed her hand and shook it.

"Where are the horses?"