A nephew (SPOILER WARNING)

Another story about Artham and Esben before the war. (I'll probably put most of these in spoiler because I don't want to accidentally spoil it for anyone!)

Artham sat with his legs hanging over the edge of the balcony. He looked out across the sea, reminiscing about everything he had done so far. Being a part of the Durgan Guild had been amazing! Sailing with his brother across the ocean had also been pretty great. But what was about to happen would be even better than anything combined. He heard footsteps behind him and looked up to see Esben with tears in his eyes.

"Come on." He held out his hand to his brother. It struck Artham how much he had changed since the days of stealing pastries. His hair was now lighter somehow, nearly blonde. His eyes had the weight of kingship reflecting in them and he stood with all the grace and strength that their father had. Artham took his brothers hand and followed him into the castle. His stomach knotted up in anticipation. They came to a large door. "You ready?" Es asked, hand on the door.

"Yes."

The door opened and Artham saw, in his mother's arms, his nephew. It had been some days since his birth. And the entire time Artham had been nearly beside himself, unable to do anything to help. Nia beckoned him closer. He knelt by the rocker where she was holding him. Artham sat like a child; his eyes wide.

"What's his name?"

"His name, is Janner." Nia held out the sleeping child to Artham. Artham's hands shook as he took his nephew and held him tightly. He felt ears come to his eyes and spill down his cheeks. "I will protect you forever sweet Janner. I promise you; I will never let any harm come to you." He whispered gently into the child's ear. Janner snuggled closer into his uncle and sighed happily in his sleep. "You will be the most amazing Throne Warden ever. I will teach everything I know, and you will protect your family with all the ferocity and strength of every Throne Warden combined." He gently handed the child back to Nia and sat for a moment longer, watching him sleep. Then Nia got up and put him in the little crib nearby. Artham backed up out of the room as Esben stood next to his wife, watching the child sleep. He walked in silence back out to the balcony. He was overwhelmed with a feeling of foreboding but at the same time a deep and feirce duty to protect this child. All of a sudden, he knew that his nephew's life would be harsh. From then on out all their lives would be. "I will protect them all. I will keep them safe until my last breath." He whispered into the now star filled sky. Something was growing beyond the ocean. A darkness was starting to creep from its lair. But the shining isle was still a bright light, holding it back.