Dog did his best to ignore the crowds around them as they entered the Dark elf camp. Collared men crawled, and proud women sneered. Their skin varied in this region, he noted. Many a dark ash-like color, with a variety of purple, green, or blue hues that added a colorful tint to their pigment. He watched their red eyes burn into him, mops of black, gray, and white hair spattered through the audience as he approached a familiar face.

“Síocháin.” Her fae-like voice called through the crowd, white hair falling around delicate shoulders. Dog glanced up, cocking his head as he spied his youngest sister. She had changed little, save for her physical maturity. She was lithe, and beautiful, a bored and sadistic look in her eyes as she watched on with only vague curiosity, her pixie features twisted up onto a gorgeous frown, “You return early, sister. Why do you bring a man to my camp?” She turned her nose up, “Or dwarf? What is it? Is that a rat?”

“Eabhair.” Dog called, “You don’t seem to recognize your older brother. For shame. I know Mother taught you better.”

He watched as she momentarily stalled, her mind whirling. A shadow emerged from her back, a woman as tall as Victoria striding forward like a wraith, and Dog stalled. Her hair was black as night, bright eyes gleaming with excitement. Where her sister was lean, and lithe, she was well built, and curved. Her muscles flexed beneath her leather armor, a hand beneath her chin. He stared in disbelief, but the resemblance was undeniable.

“Éabón…” Dog gaped, “Peace, is that… No! Surely not? No?”

Peace laughed, “Sisters, I’ve found our wayward brother.”

“So I see, Peace.” Éabón giggled, “Hello, big brother. Surprised to see me are you?”

Dog said nothing.

Eabhair sighed, resting her head on her fist, “Unbelievable. You always show up at the worst of times, Éadrom. What brings you to my lands? I thought you’d be a corpse somewhere by now.”

“I come to collect you, sisters. Mother has requested we assemble in the human city of Korone.”

Eabhair glared, “She calls now? While I’m busy? It's not like one of us is dead.”

“I was.” Dog replied, watching as Éabón stiffened.

“So you say.” Eabhair said, “Why would I believe you? How do I know you’re not lying as all worthless uncollected men do?”

“Would you like to challenge your mother, sister?” Dog asked.

“I’m challenging you, you cur.” She sneered.

Dog held his axe aloft, the crowd gasping, “You really think I’d lie about this?”

“You’re only a man. To your credit, it’s not your fault you were born wrong. But you’ve been gone a long time, Dog! Much may have changed.” Peace stiffened, her gentle eyes hardening as her younger sister raged.

“Fine.” Dog shrugged, “I said I would bring you back the hard way.”

“You would dare challenge me, monkey?”

“Oh I wouldn’t. You’re still stronger than me.” Dog said, “But I will do much worse.”

“Oh?” She raised her eyebrow.

“I’m going to tell mother.” He smiled beneath his helm, raising the butt of his axe, “Last chance.”

She glared.

“Very well, Ivory.” Dog slammed his handle into his head, falling unconscious immediately.

Ivory laughed, “What a fucking moron-“ She screamed as the braziers around the campground exploded. Pillars of fire tore into the sky, sending onlookers screaming and scattering as the campground exploded into chaos. Peace laughed, Ruby cheered at Dog’s side, and Ivory despaired. Dozens of wraiths engulfed in flame swarmed through their campground, tents set alight.

----------------------------------------

Dog sat up quickly, the meadow around him glowing, “Eabhair isn’t listening.”

His mother laughed, “Go back, you tattletale.”

Dog awoke to an unfamiliar tent. He reached out for his axe, frowning as he found something plush, and squishy instead. He turned his head, coming face to face with Ruby’s eyes.

“Oh.” He noted.

“Dog-master…” She flushed, his hand on her ears.

“Sorry, Ruby. Usually my axe is there.” He rose, finding Peace laughing at a nearby table. The tent was large, and spacious, with an enormous ceiling to accommodate his sister, “Big tent. Like something from the circus.”

“They are all larger.” Peace admitted, “This one is mine. You caused quite a stir yesterday, big brother. Ivory is livid.”

“Good.” Dog nodded.

“I see you still enjoy antagonizing her.”

“Maybe if she was less of a bratty little sister I wouldn’t need to.” He sat up with a grunt, “She’s still so rotten.”

“She does it so you pay attention to her.” Peace smiled and shook her head, “Her precious big brother.”

“Sure.” He ignored.

“You just don’t get it.” She said, “They’re probably arguing over you right now. I don’t know how you don’t see it. You’re our amazing big brother.”

“I’ve never been amazing. The twins are only ever interested in themselves. They’ve been unusual since we were young.”

“Maybe when we were very young, but they’ve grown, they’ve learned. Do you not remember?”

“Remember what? Everyone hates me.” He shrugged.

“Not everyone. Cici and I like you, Uasal likes you. Well… I think. He still doesn’t talk much.”

“The ones I don’t dislike then. Cici agreed with me.”

“The twins adore you, Light. You always came to their rescue. You always have. Cici wouldn’t know she was too stuck in her books.”

“Not how I remember it.”

Peace scoffed, “You don’t remember lots of things correctly.” She frowned, “You don’t. Why would you… Wait- Light, have you ever spoken to mother or your mage about your mind? I don’t understand how you don’t remember.”

“I don’t…” His head throbbed, “I don’t know. Maybe I will next time I see them. Either way, where are they?”

----------------------------------------

“Dog.” Ivory glared as he sat opposite to her, the war table between them full of figures and landscapes, some he noted he recognized.

“Ivory.”

“Lady Ivory.”

“I’ll tell mom again.”

“You rotten rat pig!”

Dog snorted, “You look good. Pretty, even. It’s good to see you alive sister.”

“You set half my camp on fire.”

“Mom did that. Are you going to insult her again?”

“You are such a child! Crying to mother over everything!”

“You’re the one who didn’t believe me. I told you I was warning you.”

Her eyes were slit.

“Quit being a brat.”

“You do not get to make demands and declarations like this out of the blue! We thought you were dead! We mourned for you!”

“I was, technically. All on my own too.”

“Is this a joke to you?”

“What else should I do about it? Admit I drowned myself in a moat full of bodies and human shit? How about we talk about the woman I called mistress taking my eye because I couldn’t communicate properly? Or her lying to me after she swore an oath? The betrayal of the woman I-“ He paused, his voice raised, “Sorry.” He said quietly again, “It has been a trying few months. I have done my best, but I was not the best for this task. The sooner I find someone stronger like Bród, the sooner I can leave you all be and go back to being a mercenary.”

Her eyes cut him, his heart wounded and bleeding, “You’re as dumb as the day we lost you! How can you be so stupid?”

“What?” He glared, “What am I supposed to do? I’m no leader, I’m not strong, I’m not smart or gifted. The only thing I’ve ever been good at is swinging this axe. You all have done just fine without me. I have no purpose. All you’ve done since I’ve gotten here is insult me. What do you want from me? Hmm? What?”

“I can’t believe you’d say something so pathetic.” She scoffed, “You deal with the idiot, Ebony. I’m going to stab him if I’m in this tent with him any longer.”

Dog glared as she passed, turning his head towards her shadow.

“Hello, Light.” She smiled.

“Ebony. Are the two of you returning?”

“Straight to business?”

“Indeed.”

“Very well. We are, but Ivory needs to win this campaign first. It’s more of a skirmish really, but still. Then we shall make for Korone with the entire conclave. The badlands are out of food this far north, honestly a safe haven is exactly what we needed. Our caverns were flooded during a skirmish with the stunted. It will take some adjustment, and I’m sure slavery will need to fade away, but that’s neither here nor there.”

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

“Understood.” He hesitated.

“Yes, Light?”

“You look well, sister. You’ve grown. I am proud of you both.”

She blinked, “It appears we’ve all grown some.”

“It does.”

“Who’s the Murid.”

“My friend.”

“How like you, to befriend something so reviled.” She giggled, “She’s well kept for one of their kind. Pretty, even. Are you joined?”

“No. Just my companion.”

She smirked, “Understood, elder brother. What bothers you? You’re so expressive now.”

“Much, sister. Much.”

“Tell me of it. I’ve missed you, I can admit that.”

He blinked.

“Is that so strange?”

“I’m just used to you all hating me.”

She blinked, “Hate you? Brother I love you. You’re someone dear to me. You’ve always been dear to me. To the both of us. Why would I hate you?”

“I-“ He rubbed at his head as it throbbed, “I don’t know. I don’t get along with the others well, other than Uasal. Eldest sister despises my weakness. I didn’t come back because-“ He grunted, “Sorry, sister. My head aches.”

“While I do admit, some of our older siblings are difficult, the vast majority of us adore you. Eldest sister doesn’t hate you at all. Where did you get that idea?”

“I can’t-“ He grunted again, “It’s hard to remember. Hard to think.”

She nodded, her eyes deep with worry, “Perhaps you need more rest. You did hit yourself rather hard.”

“Sorry.”

She laughed, “Now you apologize? I’ve seen it all, Light. Come, rest with me?”

“I can’t. Ruby would be upset.”

She smirked, “Why is that?”

“We’re a warren. We sleep at each other’s side. It’s a Murid thing.”

“She follows your every step.”

“She is loyal.”

“I see that. Are you close?”

“She is my most loyal friend.”

“Adorable. You were never one for friends with the other children.”

“I don’t remember.”

“What do you remember?”

He hummed, “Thinking you were a boy, once.”

“Oho? Do I not look like a boy to you anymore?” She laughed, pushing out her chest, “Trust me brother, it was a surprise for me too. It’s caused our dear Ivory no small amount of grief.”

“Knowing her, it’s not surprising.”

“You hurt her feelings, you know.”

He winced, “Clear.”

“Do you understand why?”

“Only kind of.” He admitted, “I’m trying. Even I recognize when someone gives me a hint.”

“Peace? Your little shadow? Or,” She laughed, “Big shadow?”

“Yes. She said Ivory enjoys my attention.”

“What little sister doesn’t look up to their heroic big brother?”

“Heroic?”

“Heroic.” She confirmed, “You were always there to stand up for us. Especially her. You were quick to discipline in private, and faster to protect in public. Prionsa may be our eldest brother, but you were never afraid of standing up to him or Bród. Do you remember?”

“I remember cracking Prionsa’s tooth with my head. But not the rest.” He admitted.

“Hmm. Maybe you’ve hit your head too often then.”

“It would make a great deal of sense.”

“It hurts us to know you think of yourself so poorly. You are her hero, Éadrom. She may be… Moderately influenceable due to her ego, and so she may appear more cruel. But she must lead a den of cutthroats and thieves. In a place like this, weakness is a death sentence. She has had to turn that spite inside her on many she considered friends, and loyalty is rare among these people. She is hurt, confused. Go to her tonight.”

Dog grunted.

“What will you do?”

“Go to her, I suppose. Then fight in your little skirmish.”

Ebony smiled, black hair swaying, “Ever dependable, big brother.”

----------------------------------------

Dog tracked Ivory’s scent out of camp, and up a nearby plateau. She sat alone amidst a small fire, a tiny pot set above it as she watched the moon rise over the rocky landscape. She smiled to herself as she cooked.

He approached loudly, hoping to avoid startling her, “It’s been made clear to me that I’ve angered you, sister.” He called.

She jumped, cheeks flushed, anger on her face, “What’re you doing here, pig!”

“I’m coming to make amends. I haven’t seen my baby sister in many years, I’ve missed my family even if I doubt they missed me.”

“Whatever.” She glared, turning and sitting over the ledge.

“May I sit?”

“You’re just going to do whatever you want anyway!”

“Not if you ask me not to.” He admitted, plopping down next to her, “Talk to me. Tell me what I do not understand.”

“Why? Not smart enough to figure it out yourself?”

“No. I’m an idiot. But at least I know there’s something to figure out.”

“You are not an idiot!” She growled, “Stop it! If you’re just going to degrade yourself then you shouldn’t have come at all!”

“Sorry. Old habits die hard. Besides, you do it too.”

“Hmph!” She turned her nose up, “At least you’re starting to listen to your betters.”

“My little bratty sister?”

“I’m not a brat! I’m a grown woman!”

“You sure? You’re not much taller than me now, are you shrinking?”

“Fuck off! Why’d you have to stay so annoying?”

He laughed, “Someone has to keep your ego in check, little sister. Tell me what I’ve done.”

She was silent.

“Tell me. I’ll listen, I promise.”

“What’s the promise of a man worth?”

“I’m your brother, it’s whatever you want.” He shrugged.

“Playing on our family ties to manipulate me?”

“We both know I’m not clever enough for that. That’s not an attempt at degrading myself, I'm just not as smart as you.”

She giggled, cheeks burning with realization, she glared, coughing to steady herself, “Maybe you’re right! Fine, I’ll consider it!”

“So…” He paused, “How long will that take?”

“You’re hopeless.”

“So you can be mean to me but I can’t?”

“Exactly! And only me! Nobody else ever gets to be mean to you! Got it?”

He laughed, “Fine, fine. Are you done considering?”

“Ugh!”

He laughed as she punched him, feigning pain and rolling along the ledge. He taunted and mocked her, suffering her assaults each time with more laughter and smiles as her frowns began to shift upwards, and her hisses turned to laughter.

He waited till a laughing fit subsided, her cheeks flushed, breathing heavy as she fought to catch her breath, “So will you tell me or what?”

She stilled, turning away for a moment.

“Very well!” She said, her voice arrogant once more, “Do you… Do you truly promise to listen?”

He nodded, “I do. Tell me.”

“Fine… I… It hurt when you said you were leaving so soon. I expected… I don’t know what I expected. You’re a man now. It’s surreal. I have so much weighing on me, and now mother as well. I am not good with my feelings, brother.”

“Neither of us are.”

“I do not want you to put yourself down any further. To humiliate yourself as he used to do to you. I want you to be like tonight. Your clownish, pigheaded self. My reliable big brother. I want you to be you.”

“I’m doing my best to be anyone. I honestly don’t even know why I acted the way I did tonight. It is difficult to move past being told you are garbage for so long, sister. Harder still to be considerate and consistent. I have changed.”

“You have. But you’re still my brother.”

“I try. I have been given much to think on.”

“I have heard. I feel the same recently.”

“I am sorry for giving you the impression that I feel so flippantly about myself. I am learning to put greater care into my life.”

“Sounds like you did listen.”

“Of course. What brother doesn’t pay attention to his bratty little sister?” He chuckled, “I was not even able to laugh like this a few days ago. It’s good to have a family.”

“You’ve really been alone all this time?”

“Mostly. There were some.”

“Who?”

“A lover who lied to me and was with another, a mistress who I maybe had feelings for who promised she’d be worthy of standing at my side and then began seeing a man I do not like. I am close with the queen of the human country Korone. Merlin of the Lake, I think he’s a friend. There are other elves-“

“What kind? Plural?” She said, an intensity in her eyes.

“Woodland folk. Maestra and Ariel, sisters like yourselves.”

She sat back, watching him like a cat.

“They soulbound to me. I told them I could not be with them. I have not seen them in some time.”

She sighed, and the sounds implied to him that for some reason she knew more than she would say, “That’s not how it works, brother.”

“They need someone who’s capable of truly being their partner. I’m not. I’m not ready for anything like that again.”

“I understand. You’ve felt betrayal, heartbreak. Women should be better. Most are, but your luck is poor. But elves bond deep. Our lives are long. You are likely doing them more harm than good.”

“I just don’t know if I feel about them the same way they feel about myself.”

“You have only a handful of friends after so many years?”

“I have my teacher, Siegfried.”

She laughed, “Everyone counts I suppose. I’m not one to talk, I only have our family. My kind are a rotten sort. A bucket of crabs drowning each other instead of escaping their misery.”

“I have encountered them before. Graceful fighters, but disciplined and cruel. Have you gotten better?”

“Much. I’ve learned the dances of my people on the battlefield and without. We should duel, I can see you’ve gotten better.”

“You’d win.”

“Obviously. Your sister is the strongest, the both of us. Never forget it.”

“I haven’t ever.” He laughed, his hands raised in defense.

“I’m going to have to be mean to you tomorrow.” She whispered.

“I know.”

“They don’t respect men. I honestly don’t either. But you’re different. You’ve always been different. You’re like a father in some ways to me, Éadrom. To both of us.”

“I will try to be a good example. But I don't know why you think so highly of me. ”

“You always do.” She sighed, “You can’t tell anyone about this. Not even Ebony. I’ll tell her myself.”

“Clear, ma’am.” He nodded.

“Save that for tomorrow.”

“Clear!” He saluted.

“Asshole.”

He laughed, “Sorry.”

“Can I… Hug you? Please?”

“As long as you don’t crush me like, Peace.”

She lunged at him, tackling him to the ground and digging her face into his neck. She hid the greedy way she devoured his scent, the stress from her body fading immediately as she relaxed atop him.

“I don’t remember you being this touchy.” He noted.

“Things change.”

“I understand.”

“Can we be like this? When nobody is near to see?”

“Sure.” He conceded.

“Thanks, Light.”

“Anything you need, Ivory.”

“Don’t say it like that!” She growled, punching his chest, “What’d you decide, asshole?”

“You are fighting. All I know how to do is fight. I will help you before we return.”

She nuzzled into him further, mumbling into his body.

“Hmm?”

“Thanks.”