6 A Caring Brother

The desk at which my father was sitting was at the end of the great room. It was filled with rows of libraries of brown marble and the number of books was astounding to my eyes. I didn't dare to look out of my hiding place as I feared that my father's senses would immediately notice me despite the distance separating us. As he was scribbling and focusing on the columns of paper in front of him, the only sounds that could be heard in the rooms were three, each almost being a symbol of the scene that was about to unfold: the steps of my brother toward my father's desk, the sound of paper being flipped and the heartbeat of my heart which were so loud to my ears in that moment of otherwise deafening silence.

" Father." Said Alar slightly bowing his head as a form of respect.

"Alar," answered my father "what bring you here." Then continued without raising his eyes frm the paper.

" I have come to discuss of the coming Ba'sar test. I do not think Leaf should undergo the ceremony"

My father murmured, then continued to look at his paper not raising his eyes, almost as if ignoring my brother, who on his part stood there for quite a few minutes without flinching. If I didn't know he was there I wouldn't have guessed his presence in the room from just the sounds.

my father then raised his eyes, took a slight breath and placed the round glasses his was wearing on the desk. If you ask how I could guess so much details then the answer is simple, I did not. Remembering those times and those sounds now with in my current states helps me guess what happened more in detail, and for that perhaps I should thank you Chronicler.

"Haven't we already discussed this?" asked my father "we cannot refuse the order of the emperor, nor is there any reason to do so. Leaf has not yet shown any sign of activating his Ba'sar, as you would expect from a ten-year-old child."

"I would like to avoid taking chances. You know that mother must have went there today to try to dissuade the emperor." Said Alar slightly frowning.

"If she did, then she has done something foolish," the continued my father standing from his chair "and if she did, she must have been dissuaded by your foolishness. I have influence Alar, but I cannot stop any rumor and trust me when I tell you that I've been hearing some very bizarre ones recently. I've even heard that the next dean is thinking of rejecting his role, can you believe such nonsense?" Said my father ironically, sharply and coldly, like a spear of ice piercing cotton.

"I..."Alar was soon interrupted.

"If it's for Leaf then don't worry, I already checked him with my Ba'sar. He doesn't have a single drop of Ba'sar in him," said my father, and at that I admit it almost hurt. Well, compared to Alar - who showed his first Ba'sar signs when he was five - I was really late. "I will monitor him until the date of the ceremony, and don't you think I have any intention of letting the emperor harm my family. But," said Elegon after a brief pause to make sure that every word would be clearly understood by Alar "you need to think it through. Why is it that you seem to always lose your logic when it comes to him?" At that I admit I felt elated and my lips almost involuntarily went upward "you know better than anyone that we can't afford to make any mistake."

"Father, I would not like to take any chance. Mother trusts me, I can sense something. Since he was born, I felt something. This will be his first ceremony and I really fear that something might go wrong." Said Alar taking a step forward, the long black air he inherited from my father slightly covering his face because of the movement.

"No." commanded the dean, his voice deep and powerful like his Ba'sar.

My brother answered to my father's Ba'sar pressure with his own, it was like two dragons fighting a battle my little self could not understand. The only thing I felt back then was the pressure increasing and dizziness. The two were staring at each other while the pressure kept increasing, this kept on for five minutes while my dizziness increased. I felt the blood that started to run from my nose before hearing my brother making the sound he usually makes when he worries about me when I fall and injure my knees chasing Elemir and Shimun.

"Fine." Said Alar "but give me permission to train him. He will start his lessons in a few weeks, but I think I can be more helpful than the academy's evaluators in guiding him."

"Fine." Said my father with a more relaxed tone "but he will have to attend the classes like his brothers."

My brother slightly bowed his head and turned his back to my father going toward the door. His steps were approaching, and I thought of moving a bit more toward the inner libraries, but the dizziness prevented me from doing so. I knew he was going to see me but then the unexpected happened. When he reached my row of libraries, he stealthily turned his face toward me and with his index on his lips signaled me to not make a sound. He knew I was there, then he said to my father

"you should have this placed cleaned once in a while, father" said Alar with a voice loud enough to distract my father, who by that moment had already engrossed himself with his papers and murmured as if trying to answer. As he said this, Alar motioned with his hand signaling that I should take that moment of distraction to leave the room. I did, stealthily and silent like a breeze. As I went out, I saw his gentle smiling face trying to reassure me that everything was ok. I believed him at that moment. I was a fool.