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It was 8 months after fleeing the Dynasty that Essek worked up the courage to Send to Verin. He was doing some work in Bladegarden, trying to repair some of the damage his war had caused and seeing the soldiers and knowing Xhorhas was close by inevitably made his thoughts turn towards his brother. Verin believed in the Luxon and had spent his life working his way up the Queen’s army to command of the Bazzoxan forces. Would he even want to hear from his traitorous older brother?
Still, if he’d learned anything from the past year it was the importance of time. Verin had been the only family he cared for, in his own way and Verin cared for him. Though there was little affection in Den Thelyss from the adults around them and he and Verin were very different, he knew that much. So late one evening he sat in his inn room and Sent a message: “Verin I don’t know if you wish to hear from me, but I wanted you to know I am alive.”
The reply message used up half the words with swearing and finished with “I’m glad to hear from you always.”
Relief washed over Essek. In truth, he missed his brother and it seemed the sentiment was returned. He wondered what Caleb and the Nein would think of Verin. He could only imagine the trouble he and Beau might find themselves in. Smiling softly, Essek settled in to trance, feeling better.
**
The next time Essek Sent to Verin he was on the other side of the world and surprised to find himself feeling a bit homesick. The sun was bright here and the days hot and it would still be several weeks until he could return home to Rexxentrum. He was walking through a market as the sun set and spotted a bookstore.
He went in, thinking he could perhaps find something for Caleb, when his eyes landed on a book of poetry. He knew Verin had enjoyed poetry when they were young; perhaps he would enjoy it now. He purchased that book and one for Caleb, then headed back to his room.
Once he was secure he dropped his disguise and stretched. “I hope you’re well,” he Sent to Verin. “You’ll likely get a book in a few weeks. My work keeps me busy.”
Verin sounded tired when he responded. “There’s been some activity, nothing we can’t handle. I’ll look for the package. Be safe.”
Essek wanted to Send back and tell Verin to be safe too, but he might have woke him up. Instead he went to his desk and composed a careful note to his brother, assuring him was being safe as he could. He hesitated, then added in that he’d found someone special, he hoped one day they could meet, and they were headed north soon. When he finished he slipped the note into the book, thinking on how to send it when he returned to Wildemount.
**
The next time Essek sent, he and Caleb were packing up to leave Aeor. “Finishing up in Aeor and heading home. Hope all is well.”
The response came immediately. “I’m in Uthodorn. At the Wayward Inn. Can you come here?”
Caleb looked up as Essek nearly dropped his pack. “Can you get us to Uthodorn? I could try but I don’t have a focus.”
“I do,” answered Caleb.
Essek gave him an anxious smile. “Would you like to meet my brother?”
“I would be honored,” said Caleb sincerely. “Let him know we’ll be there within the hour.”
Essek nodded and cast Sending again. “We’ll be there within the hour. I’ll be disguised as a human but Caleb will be himself.”
“I’m disguised as an elf. Back corner facing the door. See you soon.”
“The Wayward Inn,” Essek told Caleb.
“I know it,” said Caleb as he helped him finish packing their notes and treasures. “When was the last time you saw him?”
“In person? It’s been nearly three years. We led very different lives even before my actions.”
Caleb reached over and squeezed his hand. “I’ll put up my tower so you two can be yourselves.”
“Thank you,” said Essek, taking a breath and disguising himself.
Caleb gave him another encouraging smile as they gathered everything and he cast Teleport.
It was chilly in Uthodorn, but not the bone-deep cold of Eiselcross, for which Essek was grateful. Caleb led the way with his unerring sense of direction, Essek trailing in his wake, both anxious and excited. Finally, he pushed open the door to the inn. Essek’s eyes immediately landed on the tall elf sitting in the corner. He walked over and sat across from him, sipping the tankard of ale that was waiting for him.
“Didn’t know you were an ale drinker,” he said, looking at Essek, then Caleb, then back to Essek.
“Sometimes one must keep up appearances.”
He chuckled. “Definitely sounds like someone I know. Come on, I’ve got a room upstairs.”
Essek took one more fortifying sip, then followed. The room was at the end of the hall and Verin dropped his disguise as soon as the door closed. Essek dropped his too and floated, facing Verin and studying his face.
“It’s good to see you,” smiled Verin.
“You too,” said Essek, noticing a new scar. Remembering his manners, he turned to Caleb. “Verin, this is Caleb Widogast, Caleb this is Verin Thelyss, my little brother.”
“Still taller,” said Verin, offering Caleb his hand. “Pleasure to meet you. I’ve certainly heard of you.”
Caleb blushed slightly as he shook his hand. “Essek has spoken of you a bit. If you’ll allow me ten minutes I can give us a more secure location to chat.”
“Of course,” said Verin, moving to give Caleb room to work. He nudged Essek with his elbow. “Your boyfriend has a tower?”
Essek opened his mouth and closed it. He took one breath, then another. “What brings you to Uthodorn?” he asked instead.
Verin grinned a little wider at Essek’s avoidance. “I had some leave and wanted to get out of the Dynasty for a bit. I was thinking of trying to find someone to Send to you, but fortunately you messaged me first.”
“Fortuitous. Let’s wait until Caleb finishes. It’s a beautiful place.”
Verin nodded and Essek felt him looking him over in return.
Caleb straightened as the door shimmered into view. “Come,” he looked back at the brothers and opened the door.
“Oh this is marvelous,” said Verin, looking around the vestibule.
“We can talk in the library,” said Essek, leading the way up.
“I’ll get some snacks and drinks,” said Caleb, leaving them alone to talk and heading towards the dining room.
Verin threw himself into one of the chairs. “Very nice.”
Essek sat more demurely on a sofa. “He has an amazing imagination.”
Verin sat up and leaned forward. “Happiness looks good on you,” he said softly.
Looking down, Essek fidgeted with his hands. “Caleb and his friends have taught me a lot and assured me that I can be a better man. I know that I cannot change what happened, but they accept me as I am.” He took a breath and forced himself to meet Verin’s gaze. “I am sorry.”
“I knew you held little reverence for the Luxon but I never expected you to take it as far as you did,” said Verin. “I lost friends in that war. But if you need to hear it, I forgive you, Essek.”
Essek scrubbed his face in his hands. Verin moved to sit next to him, not quite touching him as he spoke. “You’re my brother. You’re alive, and you’re happy. That’s what matters at the end of the day. I was afraid you’d been killed when you vanished, though I hoped you were simply hiding. It was a relief when you Sent to me.”
“It was a relief that you wanted to hear from me,” said Essek. “I expected anger.”
“I’ve never been able to stay mad at you, you know that,” answered Verin.
Essek nodded. “I know it won’t be easy but I hope it’s not another three years before I see you again.”
“We’ll figure it out. Now, tell me about your boyfriend.”
Essek blushed. “We prefer partner,” he muttered, straightening. It was easier to talk about Caleb and some of his own exploits with the Nein and that's how Caleb found them sometime later, sitting side by side on the sofa and talking animatedly in Undercommon.
Verin looked up and smiled at Caleb as he set down a tray of drinks and sandwiches. “Thank you for your hospitality,” he said, easily switching to Common.
“Of course,” said Caleb, unknowingly sitting in the chair Verin had vacated. “If there’s anything else you’d like the cats will fetch it.”
“I have to say I’ve never been served by a cat before,” said Verin. He gave Essek a mischievous smile and leaned towards Caleb. “Now what’s the most embarrassing story you have about my brother?”
Caleb laughed. “You’ll have to get a few drinks in me first.”
“I will put both of you on the ceiling,” said Essek.
“Wouldn’t be the first time,” said Verin, launching into a story about their youth.
They ended up talking late into the night. Essek couldn’t remember the last time he’d spoken so freely to his brother. Eventually though Caleb grew tired and he insisted on Verin taking the guest room instead of sleeping on a lumpy inn mattress.
The next morning they stepped back into the room. Caleb dismissed the tower and handed Verin and Essek each a sending stone. “That way you don’t have to wait for Essek to Send.”
“Thank you,” said Verin warmly. He reached into his bag and pulled out the book of poetry. “And thank you for this, Essek.”
“You’re welcome. We should head home.” Essek glanced at Caleb. “Do you want to come to Rexxentrum?”
“Not this time,” said Verin. “I’m sure you two have lots of research to go through. Another day.”
“Our home is always open to you,” said Caleb.
“I will visit,” promised Verin. “And I want to meet your other friends too.”
“We’ll figure something out,” said Essek, stepping close to Caleb and starting to cast teleport. “Be safe.”
“You too.”
Verin’s smile was the last thing Essek saw before they landed in their bedroom in Rexxentrum. Caleb reached over and hugged Essek.
Essek leaned against him and then kissed him. “Thank you,” he said.
“Anytime.” Caleb rubbed his back. “I’m glad we finally got to meet.”
“As am I. Come let’s take a look at our notes.” Essek led the way towards the study. With any luck there would be plenty of time to reconnect with Verin. Perhaps they could all meet in Nicodranus one day. Knowing where he stood with Verin eased something in his heart.
He reached for Caleb’s hand, glad once again for this second chance at life.