Beginnings

Khai watched his brother talk to the commanders from his window above the courtyard, feeling like he could see their respect increase even without knowing their conversation. Beon was a charming speaker, and could easily converse with anyone from their father to the commoners. Negotiating a peace treaty with the neighboring kingdom would be an easy feat for him, if both sides decided to rest. That was unlikely though Khai thought, remembering the news from a few days ago. Meiri, the second son, had led the armies at Jero to a stunning victory after weeks of a tense stalemate. Planning a peace treaty was far from anyone's minds here, not until other battles were lost. And public opinion believed that Meiri would never allow them to taste defeat.

Khai turned away from the window, finding himself once again dwelling on his brothers' achievements. Well, it didn't matter. With everyone's eyes focused on the great orator and the military genius, it left him free to do whatever he wanted. His goal was obvious, if you looked at the number of books and scraps of paper piled neatly around his room, alongside a plush chair by the fireplace. He wanted to read every book, collection and poem the palace had, on topics from folklore to medicine. And once the war was over and funds could be directed elsewhere, he would request for some literature from far-flung places too. Even better would be to travel to those distant lands in an unassuming wagon and plain robes, so that he could compile great books with all knowledge of history, animals, or herbal plants. He wanted to be there as a scholar, not as a prince, and to discuss philosophy, not politics. Though, Khai thought sadly, he wondered how many empires even knew they had a third prince.

Khai shook himself, wondering when he would stop thinking so negatively, and dropped his hand which had been playing with his hair without his awareness. He stood and left his room, planning to see the priestess. It was a bit early for his noon visit, but he didn't mind using that extra time to talk to her.

The castle was a bustle of activity, obvious to Khai even though his path did not lead him anywhere close to the kitchen or servant's quarters. Where there might be the occasional sighted maid, there were none, and the guards by important entrances had an extra vigor to them. Meiri would be returning in two days, and Khai's birthday was the day after. It was unquestionable that a feast must be held for both, and for occasions like this the staff could participate too, although they ate elsewhere.

Khai smiled at the thought of his brother returning, already wishing for two days to pass. It was presumptuous and arrogant of him to think that Meiri would hurry back so that he didn't miss his little brother's birthday, that he would rush a vital battle just for something that happened every year. But Khai thought of it regardless. He was on good grounds with Beon, but he wouldn't hesitate to say that Meiri was his closest friend. And he would hope his brother thought the same way.

He arrived at the elegant shrine, knocking briefly before pushing open the door and entering. He jerked back slightly in surprise when he saw the priestess standing before him, rather than sitting in her chair as she always did. Her usual calm expression was gone too, replaced with a vibrant smile.

"The prophecy's chosen has been selected." She said the moment she saw him. "On your birthday, it would be announced."

Khai processed her words for a moment, before echoing her excitement. "Truly?"

"Yes." She almost skipped up the steps to her chair, falling heavily into it and spinning to face him. "I do not know who it will be, but I know when I will announce it. Prince Beon already knows for he visits in the morning, and the King and Queen will know soon after you. The prophecy's chosen has been selected." She repeated, as if those words were her lifeline. And in a way, it was. Khai walked and stood before the steps in his customary position, looking up at the woman in her seat, though his focus was more on her recent words.

The priestess had delivered this prophecy before even Beon was born, twenty-two years ago. It spoke of how the gods knew of the royal family's reverence, and also foresaw a great battle in their future. To assist them, they would bless a son of the family, and he would play a vital role in the battle and the kingdom's future. In time, three sons were born: Beon, Meiri, and Khai. And ten years after Khai's birth, the predestined war began when their neighbor attacked the southern farmlands. The first part of the prophecy had arrived.

It has been eight years now since the beginning of the conflict, though there had been no word since on who this blessed son will be. Not until now. Khai personally hoped it was Meiri, and the rest of the kingdom was divided as to who they want to be the chosen. Beon would lead the nation into a peaceful resolution, and he's skilled enough at negotiating that any deal made would be in their favor. Blessing Meiri would be the birth of an undefeated general, where the neighbor would be crushed, and perhaps they would even expand into other lands. No one considered Khai to be an option, and he could agree. A scholar had no role in war. Perhaps this prophecy made the others judge him too harshly against his elder brothers, especially when the war began and he did not contribute, but he did not mind so much. It was a recluse against a speech-maker and a commander, and in this case, he was happy to be the recluse. Happy.

Khai blinked, suddenly aware he had been standing there without speaking for a lengthy period of time. He looked to the priestess, and she smiled back understandingly. "Prince Beon was the same, and I'm sure His Majesty will be too. Prince Meiri will be informed when he returns, though I don't doubt the news would reach him before then."

Khai paused, before dipping his head in a small bow. "I will take my leave then. I have much to consider."

"I am sure of that." She stood and curtsied, and with that Khai left, whatever thought or question he had wanted to say to the priestess gone. Someone being finally blessed...he wondered what their guidance would be like, if it was the enhancement of some physical ability or the provision of a power no human has. Regardless of the power, he had no doubt his brothers were brilliant enough to utilize their new talents to the fullest.

For it to be on his birthday though... Well he didn't mind. One more day to celebrate a brother of his, and having three feasts in a row would kill the castle staff.

***

Today is the day. That was the first thought in Khai's mind when he woke up, and the thought in his mind as he dressed and prepared for the day ahead. It was the thought he had yesterday too as he waited by the castle gates for Meiri, and the first thing he told his elder brother. With the prophecy fulfilled in all parts, the war can end, and their kingdom will prosper. Khai couldn't imagine how the mood would be outside the castle. The priestess only told the royal family, but good news has a way of spreading, and Beon at the very least would not be so silent about it.

Khai began brushing his hair, gently smoothing out tangles as he went. The feast would be held in the afternoon, and the priestess would be in attendance, for what might be the first time in decades. The head of every noble family would be present too, alongside their families. It was the largest gathering he had ever seen, all within three days of notice. Everyone wanted to witness history.

He tied up his ponytail and began wrapping his bangs into tassels, taking more care than usual. Even if eyes would not be on him, he was still there as the brother of the blessed.

With still some time until noon, Khai walked towards Meiri's room, wondering if his brother was nervous. As he neared the door, he saw Beon approaching from the other end of the hallway, perhaps thinking of doing the same thing. "Brother." Khai greeted, stopping in front of Meiri's door.

"Happy birthday Ka. Looks like we both wanted to check in on Mei?" The crown prince stood next to Khai and ruffled his ponytail, earning a shocked glare in return. He laughed, waving away the stare and knocking on the door. "Sorry Ka, but long hair is currently favored by noblewomen, and I can't have your hair outshining mine."

As Khai combed his hair flat, still frowning at Beon, the door opened. Meiri looked unsurprised to see them, perhaps overhearing their conversation through the door. He invited his siblings in, and they sprawled around the table in his room, uncaring of how ungracious they appeared. It reminded Khai of the days when they were younger, where he would raid Beon's room with Meiri and they would play games and refuse to leave until their father or mother came knocking sternly. "I'm not a kid for you to 'check in on'," Meiri began, attempting a scowl even as a smile danced around his lips. "And we had a lengthy conversation yesterday. Starting another one now would make us miss the celebration."

"We'll have a short one then. Everyone would be trying to find us and give congratulations, and I would prefer speaking to my wonderful siblings than deal with that. We've got the rest of our lives for good wishes." Beon huffed, picking at a sleeve. "If the gods gave a power, what would you want?"

Khai glanced to Meiri, knowing the question was directed at him, and tried to guess what the second prince would want. The power to foresee the future, so he could create a counter-strategy to it? "I want to crush mountains." Meiri replied without hesitating, receiving a surprised chuckle from both. "Planning a path through them is the bane of my existence."

"The bane of your existence is mountains, not enemy troops?"

"I can predict what they would do. I can't predict nature. Some of these mountains have never been traveled before, or at least not by any of the locals, so I'm always going in blind. I hate that."

They entered a long debate as to which power was better for Meiri's problem, and unsurprisingly forgot the time until a maid knocked on the door and informed them that the ceremony would begin very soon.

The feast was in the main hall rather than the dining hall, purely due to the number of attendees. The trio filed into their seats at the front of the room, facing the numerous tables surrounded by barons, dukes and the like, alongside the small table close to them on the right, where the priestess sat. A respectful hush fell over the room as the royal family entered, and the King made a brief speech about the occasion. Khai paid little attention, more focused on the priestess, and soon everyone followed suit as the King gestured for the woman to continue.

The priestess dipped her head in acknowledgement, before closing her eyes, her mouth moving wordlessly as she began to converse with the heavens. Khai could feel the tense atmosphere in the air, as if it were a physical thing. As her hands dropped to her lap, everyone leaned forward in unison, afraid to miss a word.

Her eyes opened, and she looked directly at Khai. He felt a sudden dread chill his body, and before he consciously realised his fear, it was spoken for him.

"The gods have blessed... Prince Khai."

He heard the most deafening silence following her declaration, as every eye turned to him. He wasn't sure who was more shocked: the priestess who just spoke, the nobles, himself or his family. The confused eyes that stared into his being shifted into judgement, then scorn. He could feel their burning glare, even as his gaze still rested on the priestess. He could almost hear their thoughts, as it likely echoed his own. Why him, he who stayed in the shadows, he who achieved nothing, he who had brothers more deserving?

Khai wanted to check his family's expression, but he was too afraid to move. Maybe if he stayed still enough, if everyone stayed still enough, it would be like the moment never happened and they could reverse time, back to the announcement where the gods would reconsider their choice.

But the spell was broken by the squeak of a chair, and movement in the corner of his eye finally prompted Khai to turn his head and look. Beon had stood and, in cold silence, left the hall without a glance backward. His turned back spoke volumes, volumes of his anger and disdain at him. It felt like someone had punched the air out of Khai's lungs. He moved his eyes now to look at Meiri's reaction, afraid of what he would see in his best friend's eyes.

Blank shock. Betrayal. Disappointment. Those emotions swirled in Meiri as he stared at his younger brother, and they locked gazes for a moment before the second prince broke away, pushing himself to stand and follow the eldest out the room. Murmurs and whispers snaked around the nobles' tables, all white noise to Khai as he watched his most precious relationships break away. It felt like land was crumbling all around him, until he stood on an island, on a lone pillar. Could he ever visit his brothers in their room again? Could he ever talk to them again? Khai turned his gaze to the table, already knowing his parents' reactions would be like everyone else's, and stood too, leaving the hall in a hurry. The stares, the atmosphere, it was all too much.

As Khai rushed to his room, he noticed something and laughed bitterly, uncaring of who might hear. It appeared his granted ability was to read thoughts. Observation had always been a strength of his, but after the announcement he could truly see into each person's mind, as if their emotions were floating above their face like words on paper. A fantastic talent for him to sense the disappointment behind the most stoic of faces, Khai thought harshly, jerking open the door and slamming it shut behind him. Being childish. That would be something new for the people to criticize him about. Being ungrateful. That was another. Be grateful you were chosen over your brothers, some would say. Mind-reading is an awe-inspiring ability, others would comment. It was a power best suited for a negotiator, or a tactician. Not him. Never him.

Khai crumpled to the ground, and wished the gods weren't so cruel.