Unanswered Questions

The rage was instantly built up inside him; Brayden felt his insides begin to shake. How could this be? He never heard Harper mention anything of any family let alone a brother! Sensing his anger, Christian immediately closed his eyes and with a slight turn of his hand Brayden became frozen in his seat.
“What have you done to me, Warlock? Release whatever spell you have on me now!” Christian knew that he must ensure Brayden remained immobile so he could explain what was happening; no matter how angry the warrior got, moving was not going to be an option for him.
“Brayden, you must listen to me now. I understand your confusion and anger but I have done this for your own good. I have heard your thoughts, your heart, and you have indeed been betrayed but your anger is misplaced,” Christian walked to the table and sat in a chair across from him; he needed to make him understand, for his own sake.
“You speak nonsense! My anger is placed correctly on the person it needs to be. What do you know of my heart? How do I even know you are speaking facts? Harper never mentioned you; what does that say about what you know, warlock?” Brayden had no idea what was happening; nor did he know how he was going to get out of the predicament he was in. Harper was a Scarlet Witch, her powers were limitless; so manipulating a warlock would be easy. Did she send him to do mind tricks on him? Whatever her plan was with this so-called brother, Brayden was not falling for it.
“We are a very private coven; we keep ourselves well hidden and very private. Harper did not want to endanger me or anyone else; she knew of the dangers that were coming.” His eyes bore into Brayden’s; he didn’t flinch nor did he blink as he spoke. Even if this was true it made no matter to Brayden; Harper betrayed him and now her brother was trying to manipulate his mind. Taking a deep breath, Brayden said, “Finish your words so I may leave; it will change nothing. Even a Scarlet Witch has weaknesses and as God as my witness I will find them and use them to kill her. She will rue the day she betrayed me.”
“Yes, everyone has weaknesses; hers is you,” Christian sighed as he stood from the table. Walking toward the fireplace on the other side of the room he continued, “when she found you in the forest she watched you lay unconscious; she could’ve easily walked away and left you for dead, but she didn’t did she? She saw your aura, Brayden, and she knew she was meant to find you there,” he bent down and placed some wood in the fireplace grate and with another swish of his hand a blaze of fire shot up.
He returned to the table and again sat across from him, “you never questioned the reason you ended up where you did? Of all places, you never thought what brought you here?” Brayden could feel his anger begin to subside; there was no use in fighting it, he couldn’t move. “Nae, I did not,” was all he said.
“Your destiny was written long ago, your path was chosen for you by forces beyond your control. It is time for you to take your place Brayden, your journey is just beginning.” His head was spinning, what journey did this warlock speak of? He was a fierce warrior, that was his destiny; his journey was to defeat all those that stood against him, to continue his father’s quest of conquering the Kingdom of Abyss. Nae, he spat lies; manipulation is what they were good at and Brayden would be damned if he let this one do just that.
“Heed me well, Warlock, I will reign a fire upon all that you love if you do not let me leave here now. This nonsense you speak of will not save your sister nor deter me from my goal. No amount of trickery will stop me.” His eyes were dark with rage, his soul was engulfed with hatred and his goal was not to be subsided by any amount of spells and potions Christian or Harper would render on him.
Christian stared at him across the table; unsure if he had done more damage but knowing he did what he had to do and he will continue to do what he needs. Harper will be furious when she finds out; he was not supposed to interfere, but how could he not? They were both seeking a wrongfully appointed revenge, neither would allow their spirits to see truth; if he did not do what he could to make them both see then the war of the kingdoms would be far greater and deadlier than either could imagine.
“We both know you will not survive the night alone in the forest. Rest tonight and I will help you find your way out in the morning,” Christian could see why she loved him so; she was right, his aura shone through like the brightest of stars on a pitch black night. His anger darkened his soul and clouded his judgment; but Christian was determined to make him see, even if it angered the Scarlet Witch.
“Why should I trust you?” Brayden said as he again felt his anger begin to settle, “because if you just took a deep breath and try to think clearly you will see that some things I have said match the things you can never make sense of; and also because I already released you earlier,” Christian smirked, he had ease the frozen spell from him when he started the fire but Brayden was so angry he never even noticed his body was moving freely.
Looking at his hands as he raised his arms, noting he was indeed able to move freely, Brayden stood slowly. His mind and body were exhausted; all he needed and wanted was to rest, this was all too much for him to take in. Questions swarmed his mind searching for answers. Christian was right; there were many things that did not make sense to him but he conceded to the fact that not all questions needed answers, until now.
“The answers you seek are within the questions you ask; until you learn to release your rage you will never understand.” “Stop reading my thoughts, Warlock, I just wish to rest,” Brayden stood solemnly for a moment, lost in emotions, then turned and walked towards the room. Stopping at the doorway, intent on collapsing in the bed, he spoke in a low ruffled voice, “leave me to rest, my ‘journey’ continues in the morning.”
The sun shone brightly through the window; Brayden’s eyes fluttered as the light began to wake him. Stretching, he winced at the sharp pain that shot through his head; sore from the battle and still groggy from the Witch’s spell that cast him from his war and into the forest. A brother? Why had she not ever mentioned him before? It couldn’t just be because she wished to protect him; he was a Warlock after all, and why would Christian try to help him? Was he not his sister’s enemy now?
None of it mattered right now; he had to return home and regroup, he would make no mention of yesterday's happenings. Until he figured out what was really going on Brayden would keep his findings to himself; Christian was right about one very important thing, too many things did not make sense. Sitting up slowly on the side of the bed Brayden gathered his wits before making his way down the small hall to where he found Christian; already up and mixing what seemed to be herbs and vegetables.
“Mixing potions already?” Brayden said as he entered the room, “Isn’t that what we witches and warlocks do, warrior?” Christian chuckled as he continued to mix the soup he made for Brayden to eat before he left. The forest could be brutal, especially for someone that was not accustomed to it. Putting the soup into a bowl and setting it on the table he continued, “eat, you need your strength today.” It did smell delicious and Brayden was famoushed. “I will guide you to the opening, after that you are on your own.”
They walked in silence for some way; Brayden was taking mental notes of his surroundings just in case he got lost and ended up back here. Trees were lush with green leaves, rock boulders were spread throughout and he could hear the water flowing from a stream nearby.
“Keep your eyes in front of you and you will be fine,” again Christian answered questions Brayden didn’t even ask; it was annoying Brayden thought. As they came to the opening Christian stopped and handed Brayden a leather pouch filled with bread, herbs and a jar of stream water. “Here, take this. Your walk will be long, stay straight and do not veer off the beaten path. You will come upon a small village just a bit further down; they can afford you a horse for the rest of your way.”
Accepting the pouch, Brayden put his shoulder and head under the holster attached to the pouch allowing it to hang on his side. He remained silent as Christian continued, “Your truth will arise once your soul eases; be wary of everyone around you, Brayden, for not only is your anger misplaced but your loyalty. Seek the answers in the questions you ask.”
Only nodding, Brayden turned and began walking into the opening. His focus was on his trek home, not on some confusing sentiments from a warlock, especially the brother of Harper. Christian tilted his head slightly to the side as he watched him walk away. Stubborn he was, this warrior, but destiny will not be bothered by the ruliness of a head strong man intent on evading it. Nae, Brayden, you will soon see; and your truth will ignite the warrior you truly are.