ă ¤á Always Somewhere.
"You are in no position to criticize the way I perform my duties," Alistair snapped, his tone harsher than he had intended. Whether Freyr had been twisted by some outside force or had never been suited to the Cantorix name in the first place, he was a failure. And being near his failure of a cousin made Alistair⌠irritated. Almost angry, perhaps. Freyr moving closer to him did not help.
His own reaction to the man was shameful. Nothing should cause him to have an emotional response, not even Freyrâs repeated attempts at convincing him to turn against his own family. Freyrâs words meant nothing, after all. Alistair would never listen to them, would never fall this far. He would never betray the familyâs mission.
"Donât insult our methods. I am teaching him not to break. Were he to break from training that you and I endured as children far younger than he, he would not be worthy of the crown at all. I am âputting him throughâ this for his own benefit, and for the benefit of the kingdom.
You may have betrayed us, but surely you should still understand that this is necessary to create a king strong enough to rule. Or did you forget everything we were taught as children? Perhaps youâve forgotten that it made me stronger, even if you were incapable of learning properly.â
He took a deep breath, forcing his annoyance away. He was above this. He was certainly above the kind of emotional outbursts that Freyr had succumbed to.
"We were never brothers," he said, his voice steady and cold again, "Just as you were never truly one of us. I do not understand why you persist in speaking to me like this."
- "...Our methods?Your methods, Alistair. You are putting him through that for your own benefit. Anyone can see it.
That somehow, even through the hellish treatment we both went through... he looks at you always.Â
He looks at you as if he'd seen God.
It's not hard to assume things from there. You might not consider me a brother, but I grew up with you. I know better than anyone what you are capable of. I do not know your motivations, but... do you think manipulating his heart and his body is also necessary? Or are you doing this because it satisfies you?
It is my business. I can talk about it. He is my King, the same way he is your King. You have no right to do these things to him, much less under the excuse of 'teaching' him.Â
I might not be your 'brother' in your eyes, but it does not change how I feel at all. And this does not make me any less loyal than you or any other Cantorix."
He continued, now completely serious. It was not something he could tolerate. The Cantorixes were completely beyond salvation, but to extent this treatment to that child? Hell, he saw the first time Kaleb had to give orders for himself. He was confident,but it was empty. And when it came to killing, he was terrified. He could remember Alistair giving orders for him. It was obvious that he'd always participate and protect his King... but that was something else.
And if only he could make Alistair understand...
