All things said, the trip was going well. Gareyom had maintained his story that they were going to meet up with their parents in Ashland, and Tobrien was none the wiser to his deception. Presently, the two of them were playing patty-cake in their quarters, during a particularly rough storm.

“It’s alright, Tobrien,” He said, continuing the game, “It’s just a storm. Nothing to worry about.”

“But what if something happens? What if the boat sinks and we have to fight sharks?” He asked, the seriousness in his voice was so endearing Gareyom could only smile.

“I’ll fight them off,” He proclaimed in a gallant tone, like a marine rescuing a small child in a picture book, “Don’t worry, Gareyom will protect you!”

That earned a chuckle from the younger brother, which soon turned into a veritable fit of laughter. It was soon interrupted, however, when he heard thunder leap to the ship with a loud CRASH. Gareyom hugged his head comfortingly, resolved to protect his younger brother from any ills that came their way.

“It’s getting late, anyway,” He tucked a bit of Tobrien’s long hair (as is the custom for fairies), behind his ear and kissed him on the forehead, “Time for bed.”

“But Gareyom -” He protested.

“No ifs, ands, or buts, Tobrien.” He reserved the use of his name for only serious occasions, and bedtime was certainly one of them.

“Alright…” He reluctantly agreed, blowing out their lamp and crawling under the covers. Sleep wouldn’t find him so easily, though, as the repeated claps of thunder against the hull might as well have been the drums of war, so fearful it was.

Gareyom found sleep easily, the weather being as scary as a kitten relative to the beatings he would no doubt be receiving if he was still home. He could barely even believe he was on this ship, this ark which was delivering them from perdition to salvation as easily as one draws breath.

They were both awoken, however, by the ship’s bell ringing as rapidly as the waves beat against its hull. Gareyom went to investigate, after placating his brother, and found the deck on fire; someone had left a barrel of powder to be delivered up top, and the lightning had the uncanny aim to ignite it. In an instant, his hopes for a new life were dashed and replaced by a dread that threatened to swallow him whole, as the fire spread rapidly, the rain not abating it in the slightest.

“Gareyom!” Tukkus called out, “Get your brother, and get to a skiff!” He complied, forcing himself to enact the very promise he had made earlier.

He grabbed his little brother, only offering explanation as his breath allowed, and jumped into the first rowboat they could find. The helmsman, Mr. Croe joined them soon, as did five others, all among the lucky eight to save themselves. Crow beat against the ocean as fast as he could, as he had the only set of oars, in the direction of land.

“Tobrien,” Gareyom started, “I need to tell you something.” He looked conflicted, trying to force the words out like a vile poison, “Mother and father won’t be joining us,” It was at that moment he saw a way out, a convenient lie to ease his brother’s transition into orphandom, “They must’ve gotten caught in the same storm!”

“But wouldn’t they get on a boat like us?” He asked, spitting saltwater that had found its way into his mouth.

“Children always board first,” He conveniently omitted ‘women’ from that, “They won’t make it; I’m so sorry.” The two brothers sobbed in each other’s arms, Gareyom for having committed a horrible sin, and Tobrien because he believed his parents were dead.

It was six horrible hours before they had passed the storm and the sun had risen over the horizon. Nobody on board the rowboat had gotten any sleep, including Crow, who was on the brink of fainting from exhaustion. In response, one of the men on board the vessel took over the duties.

—

Two days later, the boat touched down on the outermost ring of Corlagnao. Immediately upon landing, Gareyom and Tobrien as well as everyone on board were accosted by insurance agents who were desperate to know what had happened to the ship. Even with a story they found suspicious, they were helpless to accuse anyone without definitive proof, and so, the family found themselves alone in a foreign land.

Gareyom had anticipated this from the beginning, however, and had a plan in mind. First, they went to a boy’s home, which was thankfully easy to get into as they had the excuse of a shipwreck killing their parents. Secondly, well there wasn’t really a second part; this was their life, for now. Once he figured out a way to make money, he’d provide a real home for them. For now, though, they were provided with a small bundle each, clothes, linens, and toiletries.

“It’ll be alright, Tobrien.” Gareyom wrapped his arms around his brother’s head again, “At least we’re together.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

“Please don’t leave me…” His younger brother cried. With any luck, he would never wonder why they didn’t return to their home.

—

It was in the first week, specifically their sixth day at the home that the first incident happened. At lunch, Tobrien, like usual, took his seat right next to his brother.

“Oi,” A larger, human child, probably around nine years old came up and looked at the two with disgust, “What are you two insects doing here?”

Insects. It was a common word used by bigots to describe fairies, on account of their wings. Of course not all humans, giants, or otherwise were like that, but enough of them were for the two brothers to instantly pick up on what he meant. Gareyom, unlike his brother, had the good sense not to fight back. He knew of their physical differences, knew he’d stand no chance in a brawl.

“We’re not insects, we’re fairies!” Tobrien, however, had not learned that lesson, shouting out in their defense, “And we’re here because our parents died!”

The bully seized him by the collar, pulling his face inches away from his, “Oh? Are you sure they didn’t abandon you?”

While Gareyom wouldn’t have normally minded what was ultimately slander of his parents, he would under no circumstances allow someone to torment his little brother. He was about to punch the child, before realizing it would be as futile as trying to hunt a boar with a slingshot. So, he did the only thing that he thought would work and bit down on his neck.

“Agh!” The kid shouted, trying to pull him off of his neck, but failing to gain purchase on the diminutive frame of his assailant, “Get off of me, you insect!”

He eventually managed to grab Gareyom and pull him off - which only made things worse for him, as now a large chunk of flesh was missing and a waterfall of blood cascaded down his neck. An orderly rushed over, and tended to his wounds while another came over and restrained the fairy.

—

“Gareyom,” The headmaster, in a voice stern and immutable, boomed, “Why did you bite Jacob?”

“He insulted my little brother,” He replied, as confidently as he could, “And he grabbed him by the collar while you all did nothing!”

“So in response, you tore out his throat?” It seemed like a logical question, but Gareyom knew it was just an excuse to protect the human.

“I’m sorry sir,” He forced his head into a bow, all too familiar with surviving the whims of authority figures, “I’m just very protective of Tobrien, since our parents died.”

“I understand, young man,” The headmaster sighed, in a sympathetic tone, “Just don’t let it happen again.”

Gareyom, of course, told him what he wanted to hear, fully aware that should the need arise he would gladly step in to protect his little brother. Still, it seemed the need wouldn’t arise any time soon, as his display of barbarism in the mess hall had earned him something of a reputation.

“Did you hear that Gareyom bit Jacob?” “Maybe he was trying to suck his blood, like a mosquito.” “Do you think he’s diseased like one?” He withstood any rumors, or murmurs, or whispers around him, only by reminding himself of the precarious position they occupied and the frailty of their board. Besides, if they were afraid of him, all the better.

“Gareyom!” Tobrien shouted when they were reunited in the dorms, “Are you alright? I heard you met with the headmaster.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” Gareyom stroked his younger brother’s hair, “Nothing bad happened, I just have to leave Jakob alone.”

“I’m sorry,” His brother replied, “If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have had to do that.”

“Oh, don’t worry, I’ll always protect you.” Gareyom said, trying to bring some small comfort to his brother, whose life had been unceremoniously flipped on its head.

—

Gareyom, now age thirteen, was reading a paper, looking for any local jobs. Luckily, there had been no more threats or violence towards his family. He surmised that fear was the biggest reason for this, but it didn’t truthfully matter. His eyes continued perusing the classifieds, until he saw an ad for a delivery boy. The pay was horrible, but might as well have been a king’s ransom next to his pitifully nonexistent coffer.

He went to the address listed on the ad, and found a sleazy, dank warehouse was his destination. He could feel the dreadful aura pouring out and was about to turn around, before a man in a fine, velvet suit stepped out.

“Hello, young man,” His voice was calm and measured, like an actor reciting a script, “Are you here for a job?” Gareyom fought against every instinct in his body that told him this man was a threat, and nodded wordlessly, unable to muster his voice. “Alright, then.” The man in the suit abruptly handed him a small parcel, as well as a few dollars, which Gareyom recognized as his pay, “Can you take this over to the pier for me?”

He gulped, and took the package, afraid to speak back. For some reason he couldn’t explain, this man was unsettling to be around; it wasn’t anything in particular, but there was an overwhelming intensity that choked the air around him like a miasma. He held onto it for an uncomfortable amount of time, before he heard the man clear his throat and took off.

Luckily, he was made for this, as he could teleport with his gift; he delivered the package with the utmost speed, not wanting to find out what would happen if he failed.

“You’re back quickly,” The man in the suit exclaimed, “To be honest, I didn’t expect you to return at all. You looked so nervous!”

“Sorry,” His mind struggled to come up with a reason, “I’ve just never had a job before.”

“Oh that’s alright,” His tone shifted, almost paternal in a way, and he handed Gareyom a few more coins, “Consider this a reward for a job well done. Come back here, same time tomorrow, and I’ll have more work for you.”

—

The first thing Gareyom did with his money was buy a sword. All strong people, and he was going to be strong, carried a sword. He decided on a nice, affordable cutlass that he could grow into; it was far too large for him at the moment, but would surely help to bolster his intimidating image.

“Tobrien!” Gareyom greeted his little brother, who was reading a book. He’d become quite the scholar recently, much to the confusion of his older brother, who could barely be considered literate.

“Gareyom,” He hugged his brother, temporarily setting aside whatever fantasy novel had piqued his interest this week, “Where were you? And where did you get that sword?”

“Oh this?” He said, jubilantly flaunting his weapon and turning up his nose like a nobleman who was proud to see he had something none of his peers had, “I bought it; I was working.”

“Oh really? That’s nice.” Tobrien smiled softly, returning to his book.

“I told you I would get us a house!” He pointed to his chest.

A sword is a far cry from a house, but the older fairy supposed it was a start.