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Martin should have known better than to rush into the fray like he did, ahead of Lucien. He should have known something like this would happen; he wasn't as skilled in the art of the blade as his brothers.
He lay on the ground now, the grass tickling the back of his neck and hand, the smell of wet dirt from a rain not long ago perforated by the thick tinge of fresh blood wafting through the air. He lifted the hand that was resting on his stomach, and spied the crimson liquid that stained it, dripping down onto his body. The warmth of his blood seeped into his clothing, making the skin underneath his robes sticky as it dried against him. He let his hand drop back down onto his chest, the strength in him seeping out of the would beneath his ribs just like his blood did. He glanced to the side, where the Altmer bandit's lifeless body lay, a pool of blood growing slowly beneath him, slowly reaching out to join with Martin's--at least he was dead. At least, that's what his brothers would say.
He wanted to call out for his brother, but the small amount of energy that was within him was keeping his lungs heaving and his heart beating, which was going to kill him sooner or later. He felt his eyes start to drift as he heard muffled voices call out his name, sounding like it originated a million miles away, but he wasn't sure if that was because of the adrenaline that was still coursing through his veins or the bloodloss.
They'd only been out in the forest because Martin felt like he was suffocating inside the stone walls of Cloud Ruler Temple, surrounded by those that called him Emperor and Sire and Septim. It was all too much, and so Lucien suggested they go on a journey for a day, while Korbin dealt with the Grandmaster. Martin had jumped on the idea, and as soon as he stepped foot out of the large gate, staring out over the city of Bruma, he instantly felt better.
Obviously, he wasn't anymore.
Fingers pressed into his wound, causing his eyes to fly open and a hiss catch on his tongue. Lucien was kneeling above him, his ponytail having fallen over his shoulder, and there was an expression on his face as he shouted, the words sounding like a bunch of random sounds. A few words pierced through the place between consciousness and unconsciousness he lingered in, and he realised Lucien was begging; begging whichever god was listening, begging Martin to stay with him.
In a moment of clarity, everything around him suddenly sharp and crisp, Martin heard his brother shout, "After everything we've been through together, I won't lose you now! I can't! Just stay with me Martin, please, don't you dare leave me!"
He moved his mouth to say something, but his voice was lost on him. And with the pain dulling in his side, the blackness that had been creeping in on the edge of his vision finally overtaking him, and he fell ino unconsciousness.
When Martin came back to the world of the wakened, he found both of his brothers asleep on two chairs that had been pulled up beside his bed. Somehow, they were back in Cloud Ruler Temple; more specifically, in Martin's quarters. It moved to hurt, sharp pains shooting up and down his entire body as he tried to shift into a sitting position. Looking down at himself as the quilt fell to his waist, he saw that he was shirtless, with a large bandage wrapped around his chest and shoulders. There was a small amount of blood seeping through it, right where he had been stabbed.
Lucien stirred, sensing there was something happening to his brother. Bleary eyed and sleepy, he looked at where Martin was sitting upright, and sighed deeply.
"You shouldn't be doing that."
"My joints felt stiff. How long was I out?"
"Just a day. Korbin and I haven't left your side since I brought you back here. The Temple Healers have done their best for the moment, but you can't do any strenuous activities."
Martin chuckled at that. "Don't worry, I won't be leaving Cloud Ruler for the foreseeable future, Lachance."
He smiled genuinely, nodding. "Good. You worried me. Why did you go up ahead?"
Martin shrugged, then winced at the action. "I'm not entirely sure. I heard some noise and I thought... I thought if I could handle whatever it was, I'd be more like you and Korbin. That I'd share the same type of bond you two do."
"My dear Light Brother, you shouldn't worry yourself with things like that. Of course we don't have the same bond."
It felt like Martin had been punched in the gut, all his breath escaping him and struggling to suck in more. We don't share the same bond. How could I think we could? They're both assassins, and until recently I've only been a priest.
"We don't?" he asked, unable to keep the hopelessness from his voice, unable to say it as strong as he wanted to.
"Of course not. We have our own bond. One that Korbin and I will never have. Because it is unique to us. You shouldn't want the bond Korbin and I share, because that is not one that would suit us. And guess what," he said, a smile creeping onto his face. "Korbin and I will never have what you and I have. So don't ever wish that. Because you are my brother, and I love you just like you are."
Martin felt his tears well up in his eyes, obscuring his vision of his brothers, Korbin still asleep in his chair. "I love you too, Brother."
It took a month for Martin's wound to heal fully, most of it being confined to his bed at the insistence of his brothers and the Grandmaster. He was able to work on the Mysterium Xarxes though, and spent many of his waking hours reading through the demonic book with a quill in one hand and inkstains covering his bedsheets. He had actually figured out one of the things needed to open the portal to Mankar Camoran's Paradise, Korbin and Lucien getting ready downstairs to leave to get it.
Lucien came into his quarters, clad in his assassin leathers, a small smile on his face. "Everything alright in here?" he asked, stepping into the room, closing the sliding door behind him.
Martin nodded, sighing heavily and placing the Mysterium Xarxes on his bedside table. "Yes, just tired. And restless. When are you two to leave?"
"In the morning." He sat down on the edge of the bed, swinging his legs up as Martin scooched over to give him room. "How's the wound?"
"Great. I get to stand up tomorrow."
Lucien's smile grew. Martin had been insufferable the past month, always wanted to wander around Cloud Ruler Temple, just so he could stretch his legs, when it hurt him to sit up. The healers had been strict with him, especially since he was the future Emperor of Tamriel. Lucien pondered that maybe that was why he wanted to walk around, so that he could hide from those that called him that.
"Can I ask you something?" Martin asked after a brief period of silence.
"You just did." Martin swatted his arm, and Lucien chuckled. "Of course."
"May I lay my head on your lap?"
Lucien stared at him for a moment, not expecting that. But his face morphed into a sincere smile, and he said, "Of course you can."
Martin moved in the bed, so he was lying down next to Lucien so their bodies formed a 'T'. Gingerly, Martin laid his head upon his lap, and his entire body relaxed, the tension of bedrest and worry finally leaving him after building up for a month. Absentmindedly, Lucien started stroking his hair, his fingers tracing along his temple and forehead.
In the silence that ensued, Lucien felt his brother's breathing slow, until he was in a deep sleep. Lucien stared out the window at the snowy mountains, content.