From THE CROSS OF TARLIS

He knew Erik heard his footsteps, yet he refused to acknowledge his presence. Who could blame him? He didn't know what he would say himself, but he had to offer his brother hope.

"It is not the end, Erik. The Druid is an old man who would not know one end of a wand from the other. We will find someone else."

The tiger dropped to the ground and lay his head on his paws. "No. Ohma speaks the truth. There is no hope for me."

His words were followed by the chirping of cicadas and the trickling of the brook. Kaden was at a loss for words.

"You know Kaden, for all the times I have looked toward the future, it was never to see myself living as a tiger." Erik's tone was bitter. "Perhaps you can purchase a female tiger, and I could sire the royal pets. At least then I would be of some worth."

Kaden's fists crashed onto the bridge railing. "No more of that! Never did I take you as a quitter. You are my King. I will see you crowned, and your kingdom restored. I promised on our father's memory."

"Look at me, Kaden." The tiger raised his head and let out a roar, filling the night. "I am an animal. I look like one. I have the instincts of one. What sort of King am I? The King of beasts?" He leapt to his feet and began to pace back and forth. "Who would take orders from one such as me? The army of Glen Dorrach? The village Elders? The Temple Priests?" He growled low in his throat. "I think not."

Kaden ran a hand over his eyes and stared down into the dark flowing water over the side of the bridge. What could he say? He could not lie and say Erik's words were false for they held a grain of truth and Erik would see through his words. He always did.

"You must rule Glen-Dorrach in my stead."

Kaden swung to look at his brother. He opened his mouth then shut it again. Had Erik lost all reason? Of all the words his brother could have said these were the least expected. He shook his head. "You cannot expect it. You have been trained since birth to rule. I have been trained as a warrior. Never once had I thought--I cannot accept. It would be a mockery."

"A mockery to whom? It is I who am the mockery." Erik's eyes blazed topaz gold in the moonlight. "I command you to do it. You must for Glen Dorrach, our people and the memory of our parents."

It was Kaden's turn to pace. "I am a soldier. I never understood the lessons in statesmanship that father insisted I sit through. I would lead our people to ruin within days."

"You underestimate yourself, brother. Leading a country is no different than leading an army. And I will be by your side. I shall advise you."

Kaden looked up at the diamond-like points of light in the velvet sky and heaved a rugged sigh. He chose his words carefully. "I know it has taken great courage for you to suggest this, Erik, and I am moved by your offer, but until it comes the time when I have no other choice, you remain my brother and my King. We have many leagues to cover. It is unknown what will befall us on this journey, and I once heard you tell a certain young Fayrie anything is possible if you believe hard enough. This is a land of enchantment. There is magic in the trees, the sky, the mountains and the water, and I will not allow you to give up." He crouched beside Erik, took his massive head in his hands and stared him in the eye. "Because brother, I will not. You will sit on the throne of Glen-Dorrach or I shall die putting you there."

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