“I… don’t get what you want me to do… Can you explain it again?”
This was the fourth time Elkay had tried to explain everything to his younger brother. Arkay had always been a much sharper Rethan, but these days, it was as if he’d taken stupid pills or something. Slow, awkward, inarticulate and easily distracted. Although to be fair to him, Elkay’s plan wasn’t exactly obvious.
“Fine,” Elkay rolled his eyes. Really, his patience was wearing thin. “I’m making you stay with Kayel for a while. You two are going to keep out of sight until people start asking where you are, at which point I will introduce you both and you will follow the rest of us along our campaign trail. Understand?”
Arkay nodded, but only a little. “Why aren’t we just… following you the same way the others are?”
“Because,” Elkay found himself explaining this part for the third time, “You and Kayel are a little bit too… outspoken. You say what you think and that is the last damn thing I want. Every word that comes out of the mouth of anyvok vaguely related to me is going to be scrutinized, and the last thing I want happening is you going off on some insane ramble about how you’ve been treated like shit and how you hate everyone and everything. Got it?”
“I guess…” Arkay still seemed unsure, but Elkay was confident that he’d gotten his point across. “But why am I staying with Kayel? Why can’t I stay with Retvik and Elksia?”
Elkay sighed. He’d explained this earlier as well. “Originally, yes, I wanted you to stay with Retvik. But Retvik will be accompanying us for parts of our campaign as well.”
“So wait!” Arkay exclaimed, an accusatory tone in his voice. “You’re taking Retvik but you won’t take me? I’m a Dessaron AND your brother!”
Another sigh. Elkay didn’t really want to tell Arkay the truth, but now he had to. “Arkay, listen. You’re ill right now. You seem pretty awake and perky right now, but this isn’t the norm for you… How do I put this without insulting you…”
“You’ve already insulted me,” Arkay tutted. “Might as well go one further.”
“The reason I’m not taking you with me is because you’re mentally unstable and I can’t risk you having any sort of meltdown while on the campaign trail.”
Arkay wanted to say something but didn’t, keeping his mouth shut.
“I’m sorry, Arkay. I really am. But we’re going up against someone who is almost literally made of PTFE. Nothing negative sticks to him. I can’t have anything negative sticking to me. But also… I don’t want you getting stressed and worried about me, I don’t want you getting ill and upset and making your own life hard. We’ll be moving around a lot, and you NEED some stability in your life.”
A nod. Arkay was beginning to understand.
“You… think Kayel can give that to me?”
“I do. He told me what he does normally. Spends his days mostly studying and meditating. I think that would do a lot of good for you.”
“I guess…”
Elkay smiled. “I’m glad you understand. When all this is over and out of the way, you can rejoin us. But for now, I want what’s best for both of us. Alright?”
“Alright.”
Elkay stood up and patted Arkay on the shoulder. “Good. Now, go pack your stuff. Kayel will be here soon…”