The moon cast no light on the gatehouse. He was in darkness, and he would not light his torch for many miles yet. It was a thing unheard of: to steal away as a thief in the night, unannounced, on an errand not from his father, but forbidden by his father. It was a strange doom, perhaps, that moved him from this fair city, where he had lived his life, the younger son of the king. A hero to his people. No living soul would see the departure of the man whose departures were so long announced to all. No living soul save one, his elder brother.

"You will still depart, then?"

"I will."

"Then take this." The elder removed from his finger his signet ring, and pressed it into the palm of his brother. "My heart grieves at your departure, but if it must be so, it must. Wear this and remember me."

The younger removed his own signet and silently gave it into his brother's hands. As one they slipped each other's rings on their own fingers. "I swear, I shall return."

"Until that day I hold myself an exile in spirit."

"And I, a traitor to my blood. Yet these are desperate times. Our strength fails in the very hour our lands have the greatest need of it. Father must see that this is an hour of great need."

"You go out of duty, not of treason. He will see this." Suddenly he paused. Some gift of foresight, perhaps, struck him, but his tone was suddenly somewhat urgent. "Yet I will give you a word of advice, if I may."

The younger looked at his brother carefully, seeming to detect the strange note in his brother's voice, but speaking no word of it. "I would have asked it had you not offered."

"Stay! Send an errand-rider in your place, one that is worthy of our trust and to represent our great kingdom. The shadow grows on my mind that if you depart, we shall not meet again." A fey light entered into his eyes as he spoke, but faded as his last words fell into the still night's air.

"I would be happier if your advice was aught but this. I cannot stay. Is there no other word you could give to advise my journey?"

"There is not."

The younger sighed heavily. "Then remember me not as a fool, but as a man who loves his country." At that he turned and departed, leaving his brother standing on the paved streets, watching as his brother's form leaped onto the waiting horse outside and listening as the beat of its hooves faded into silence.

"Farewell," he whispered. "Until we meet again." At that he turned and walked back to his father's halls, heavy of heart. He returned to his chambers and fell into a restless, dream-haunted sleep. Images of war, treachery and ruin came frequently to his mind, and (though he did not know it) to his brother's as well. The storm was brewing over his father's kingdom; it was only a matter of time ere it burst.