A Dangerous Inheritance

Chapter Four

"Tomorrow? What's going on tomorrow?"

"The... the funeral, son. Cecelia will be buried tomorrow," says Laendel.

"Oh... right," I say before hopping off the bed.

Wait... now that I think about it, am I even wearing clothes?

Looking down, I'm relieved to see that I'm wearing some trousers but unfortunately, no shirt.

Well, at least I have some clothes on.

Where am I anyways? The place looks familiar.

Palace. Your room.

Hey there, buddy. What's with, uh... hiding your emotions and all? Are you that happy to hear from me again?

... Maybe. You being unconscious reminded me of the good old days.

A little bit of Celenoral's emotions leak into my mind before vanishing just as quickly. The emotion, even though I for only got a small taste, is unmistakably riddled with longing and loneliness.

No wonder he is hiding them. They come from a time in which he was alone. As such, he probably feels that this is something that he, himself, has to bare. After all, it's what I would do if I was in that situation.

If our time together has taught me anything, anything at all, it would be that our connected minds have become similar. As such, I've absorbed a bit of Celenoral's behavior and he, mine.

In any case, I shouldn't keep the others waiting.

Walking over to the cabinet, I pull out a shirt and take a second to take a look at it. It's clear that the shirt is a size too small, so I enchant the shirt and all of my other clothes to allow them to change size depending on the wearer.

Putting on the shirt, I wait for Laendel and Eridel to leave the room. Following them, I'm surprised to see Laendel standing in front of the window, looking out.

"You know, when her father passed away, I promised myself. I promised to take care of his family, to see that they die of normal causes. And I have broken that," says Laendel before facing me, tears in his eyes.

"I have been close friends with every member of Cecelia's family that have sat on the throne for the past six hundred years. And while some were good people, some were bad. None of them, however, reached the level of greatness that Cecelia had ascended to. Just who would kill someone who has done nothing but aid others?"

"Whoever they are, they will pay for it," I say.

"Yes, they will. In one way or another, people like them get what's coming to them. It may take some time, but it will happen. Now... I think you should go and find the others. They have been anxious ever since that day and will be relieved to see you awake."

"Yes, of course. Bye."

As Laendel turns back to the window, I turn around. I'm surprised to see that Eridel is not there. Then again, there is no point for her to be there. There is only one place where everyone will be as that is where we always are. The living room, library or whatever name that the person wants to call it. Not only that, but I'm also able to walk on my own now.

Before I'm even able to travel five metres, Laendel calls out and says, "Brandon? Do not follow the path of vengeance. Not only is it lonely and long, but there is nothing at the end of the path but your own, personal, satisfaction."

How did he... no. It's obvious what I'm feeling and thinking, especially for those that knows of my relationship with Cecilia.

In any case, I should meet up with the others. Eridel would've notified them of my status the moment she got there and delaying my arrival would only cause them to worry.