Chapter Text
To say Callum was surprised to see Rayla would be an understatement. For a moment he didn’t know if this was real or not.
“Callum? Are you okay?” she asked as she gently cupped his face.
That snapped him out of it, as he quickly took a couple of steps back. Rayla tried to not show the hurt she felt when he pulled away from her.
“What are you doing here Rayla?” he asked finding his voice.
“I came back,” she said, the hurt she felt before amplifying. She thought he would be over the moon to see her, but he seemed almost indifferent.
“I can see that,” he replied.
Despite his simple response, Callum was a raging storm of emotions. He felt unimaginable joy from seeing her again, but he also felt anger and bitterness. He hadn’t felt so confused since he used Dark Magic all those years ago.
“You look nice Callum,” she said and meant it. Since the last she saw him, he had grown and his new haircut makes him more mature.
“Thanks,” he said as he returned to his book, his response almost flippant. His raging emotions had calmed down and he settled on being angry. Angry that she left, angry about her decision to continue her search for Viren despite no evidence if he was even alive, angry for making him worry. She kept going about how she was nervous about approaching him and he felt his spine tingle, but not because he was happy to hear that. It was because he prepared himself to spring forth, like a snake attacking his pray.
“Funny, I was on edge too. I’ve been on edge for some time. I kept thinking about how you might have gotten hurt or run into a dangerous creature when you were there all alone. But I guess, I was worried for nothing.”
“Well, you know I was an assassin after all,” she said and despite the brag she felt happy that he was thinking about her. That happiness evaporated when she saw his unamused face.
“You know what? I’m tired and I have a big day tomorrow, so if you don’t mind?” he said and didn’t even wait for a response as he moved towards the door.
“What?” Rayla asked incredulously.
“You know where the window is, please close it after you leave,” he said without looking back.
In an instant Rayla crossed the room and grab his arm. “Wait. We haven’t seen each other in almost seven months. Don’t think it’s worth staying up a little past your bedtime?”
“No,” he responded with a blank face.
Such a simple response shatter Rayla. Her knees were buckling, her vision was spinning and blurry from the tears that were welding up in her eyes, but she didn’t pay any mind to that. All she could think about was Callum’s rejection and indifference towards her very existence.
Callum on the other hand took in the heartbroken look on Rayla’s face, almost relishing in it. And when he wanted to leave her in her misery a small part of him cried out that this was Rayla he was hurting. Despite how small this part of him was, he had trouble crushing it and it was even winning. After two more seconds, the small part he thought to be insignificant won.
He let out a sigh. “So, what did you want to talk about?” he asked as he went to his mirror.
Rayla felt relief wash over her. I haven’t lost him, not yet.
“Anything. I just…It’s been so long since I’ve seen you. I missed you like you couldn’t believe.”
He scoffed but said nothing about. “So, did you find Viren?” he asked, already knowing the answer.
“No,” she said, tiredness and resignation filled her tone.
“Shocking, I didn’t expect that at all,” his tone dripping with sarcasm.
“Callum, believe me, I know he’s out there,” Rayla pleaded.
The stare Callum gave was hard as rock. “I don’t believe you,” he said, and Rayla felt the air leave her lungs. “But let’s pretend that I do. Do you really think he wouldn’t cover his tracks so that no one would find him. All you’ve done, Rayla, is waste your time.”
Callum was about to say more when he felt a sharp pain in his hand. He let out a yelp and brought his hand up and saw the little creature Rayla came with sinking his teeth into him.
“Stella, no! Bad cuddle-monkey!” scolded the former assassin.
Eventually, Callum was able to free his hands from the jaws of adorableness. “That thing bit me!” he cried out.
“It’s not a thing, it’s a cuddle-monkey. And she didn’t draw any blood, still she shouldn’t have. Her name is Stella. I’ve found her during my travels. And Stella, Callum is a friend, we don’t bite friends remember,” then she turned to her boyfriend her expression apologetic. “Callum, I know my leaving hurt you.”
Callum didn’t meet her gaze. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
He was about to tell her to go, but the pleading look from Bait made him reconsider.
And if I’m being honest, I don’t want her to go either.
“Fine, you can stay, but I need my rest. Tomorrow will be a busy day; the Queen of the Dragons is coming.”
Rayla beamed and Callum ignored how his heart rate increased when he saw her face. The two of them said nothing as they said on the sofa and before long, Callum fell into a dreamless slumber. When Callum woke in the morning Rayla was nowhere to be found. He briefly wondered if last night was a dream before dismissing the thought, it felt way too real. Even after he used Dark Magic, he knew he was dreaming. Pushing the thoughts of Rayla at the back of his head, the High Mage looked at his calendar before realization and panic set it. Today was the day Zubeia was visiting the kingdom, and he was late. He quickly grabbed his tools and Bait and darted towards the festivities. Despite his tardiness, the show he put on still delighted everyone.
“High Mage Callum,” Opeli called. “That was a most impressive display.”
The mage chuckled. “I don’t think the baker would agree.”
“Maybe not, but it was impressive nonetheless,” she responded with a smile before her expression turned serious. “Are you aware of the itinerary of today’s festivities?”
“Uhm,” he took a moment to remember. “I know Ezran plans to unveil a painting about the friendship between Katolis and Xadia.”
“And do you know where the unveiling will take place?”
“It’s not here?”
“At the Valley of Kings.”
Callum felt like someone slapped him. “What?”
“I’ve advised him against it, but he was adamant. I wanted to know what your opinion on the matter is, and it looks like you agree with me.”
“Where is he?” he asked with narrowed eyes.
Opeli pointed to a secluded spot where Ezran was chatting with Rayla and Soren. He marched towards them his focus only on his little brother. When the king saw his big brother approaching, he smiled happily. “Callum, look Rayla’s back!”
“Opeli told me of your plan,” he said ignoring his early statement.
“Uh, yeah. I thought it would help bridge the gap between Xadia and Katolis. What do you think?” he asked sheepishly.
“I think it’s a bad idea. Ezran, the Valley of Kings is the place where our dad is buried. He was murdered by elves from Xadia, remember?”
“I know, I haven’t forgotten, but if we show that we’re welling to put the past behind us, we can bring dragons, elves and human together!”
“But that doesn’t mean we should let them trample over our sacred grounds. There has to be boundaries. Why not just hand them the kingdom?”
“Callum you’re being ridiculous. This will work, you’ll see. Why don’t you trust me?” his little brother asked, hurt blending into his tone.
Callum was unrelenting. “And why won’t you listen to my council? What’s the point of me being here to guide if you won’t listen to me? Am I your jester, here to perform party tricks?”
“Of course. You’re my big brother and I value your opinion, but I have to make my own decisions and stand by them.”
Callum let out a sigh of resignation. “I see,” he said and for a moment Ezran thought he convinced him. “Then you’ll have to stand without me on this,” and with that he turned and left.
Ezran watched in absolute shock as Callum turned his back and left. He reached out for his brother, trying to call out to him, but no words came out.
“Dude, you can’t just walk away!” called Soren angrily. “He’s your king!”
The High Mage turned and looked over his shoulder. “He’s not my king,” he said coldly before leaving.
Another remark that cut deep into Ezran. Soren was so enraged that he was about to drag Callum back before his king ordered him to stand down. With a heavy heart he left to prepare for the unveiling of the painting. Rayla watched in complete disbelief at the scene that just took place. She saw Callum and Ezran argue before, but never like this. How far had things fallen since she’s been away? Once again, she cursed herself for leaving. It was so stupid and selfish of her.
I’ll fix this. I’ll make things the way they were before. I swear!
A couple of hours later Ezran was prepared to unveil the other surprise for Zubeia. His face never betraying the hurt he felt at his brother’s refusal to stand with him, a skill he had learned from Queen Aanya, Katolis’s closes ally. After a quick speech, he unveiled the surprise, which had to opposite effect of what he was hopping for. Zubeia was understandably angry at the disrespect of her late mate. Soren demanded the one responsible to show themselves, even brandishing his sword. Panic and doubt consumed him, and it began sinking in that he wasn’t meant to be a ruler. He isn’t wise like his later father. If he were he would have listened to Callum and Opeli, maybe then he could have achieved what he hoped. But now that fragile trust he worked so hard to get was destroyed completely. He felt angry, angry at himself for not listening when everyone around him told this was a bad idea. Angry at himself for not measuring up to his father. And that it was the moment he finally realized why this happened. He ordered Soren to stand down before addressing everyone. The king began an incredible speech about empathizing with the pain his people feel, how his parents were taken away from him. He talked about how everyone wants peace and love, but the desire for revenge tests them, twisting them to its will. He shared with his people the hope of breaking the cycle of pain and violence and acknowledged that it will not be easy or simple.
“Because people are still hurting, and they are still angry. We can’t ignore that or pretend it will go away. Somehow, we have to hold it all in our hearts at the same time. We have to acknowledge the weight of the pain and loss but open our eyes and allow ourselves to hope and maybe forgive and love again. We have to give today’s children a chance to inherit a future filled with peace. To give them that, we have to hold pain and love in our hearts at the same time,” the king ended his speech solemnly.
Corvus took this opportunity to sing a song on his cello, to cement the wonderful speech his king gave in the people’s hearts. After the song, Zubeia and everyone is the king’s group congratulated him on his brilliant speech. That’s when Callum made his approach. Everyone was silent, watching in anticipation how this talk between brothers will play out.
“Congratulations on an excellent speech. You’ve successfully managed to empathize and placate the people,” the High Mage began in a professional tone.
“Thank you,” the king said in the same tone, meeting his stare before dropping it a few moments later. “You were right, I should have listened and chose a different spot for the unveiling,” he spoke in his normal voice.
“I’m sorry too. I should have been better brother and supported.” Callum responded
“That’s not true!” Ezran immediately rebutted. “You are the best big brother I could ever hope for!”
Callum smiled, but his smile didn’t reach his ears.
“Excuse me, my king, but it’s time for the next part of the program,” Ophelli said
“You all go ahead. I need some time alone,” Callum said looking at the statue of Harrow.
Ezran nodded in understanding and lead the group away. Rayla spared the young mage a look. She wanted to comfort him, but she understood that this is something he needed to do alone.
Once everyone was gone, Callum lit a candle for his father. “I’m sorry for letting you down dad. I promised to be there for Ezran always and I’ve done something unforgivable,” he whispered hoarsely, finally letting the guilt he had been hiding for hours free. The source of his guilt is a torn piece of painting that rested in his pocket. “I’m sorry…,” he said, the guilt consuming him whole, bowing his head as his eyes burned.