brothers

Avery and Alyn were brothers; twins. Avery was bold, brave and the elder of the two; always looking out for little Alyn. Alyn on the other hand was gentle and smart and scared of everything. He refused to sleep alone even when they were both in their early teens.

One day they both went hunting. Alyn was reluctant but Avery was so enthusiastic that he was drawn along in the excitement. They soon caught the scent of a boar and the chase was on. They galloped along with horns blowing and hounds baying. Suddenly the tragedy occurred.

The boar being cornered suddenly turned and ran into the midst of the hunters. Avian’s horse reared in fright throwing the youth from his back. Terrified he screamed for hi brother, too scared to think rationally. He had never been afraid of anything before.

“Alyn,” he screamed as the boar came closer, “Alyn!”

In the confused rush to save him Alyn rode forward through the other hunters. He threw his spear even as he was dismounting. It stuck in the boar’s shoulder serving only to enrage him. But he turned from Avery to the younger brother.

In the brief struggle that was followed Alyn was wounded but he seized the spear again and this time his throw did not miss. Avery stood unhurt and looked at his twin in amazement. Alyn smiled at him, his eyes glowing in excitement, scarcely noticing that Avery had been afraid.

“You saved my life,” he said shakily, “Alyn, you are my hero.”

That night there was a great party of which Alyn was the hero. After it was over Avery made a suggestion he had not dared to make before.

“Alyn,” he said, “You’re a hero now. You were very brave.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re not afraid of anything are you? Even of the dark?”

Alyn only looked at him uncertainly.

“I mean, if you’re brave enough to be a hero surely you can sleep alone in your own room.”

“I-I guess so.”

But when he was alone in the dark, any remnants of bravery vanished. Alyn had always been afraid of the dark and tonight was no exception. The sounds of the guards on patrol terrified him. He saw shadows in every corner, monsters and villains in every flicker of light. Sleep was impossible.

“Avy?” he called softly, sitting up in bed, “Avy?” he called a little louder when no one came. There was a strange clunk in the corridor and he jumped up screaming, “Avy!”

There were running steps and Avery ran into the room.

“What is wrong Alyn?” he asked looking at his white face, “You aren’t afraid are you?”

Alyn started to protest and then shut his mouth and merely nodded.

As the years went by and the two brothers grew up they began to have very different pursuits and interests. Their father was a great lord in the service of the king and as the elder brother Avery knew he would succeed him in his estate. He therefore spent more and more time learning the way of a ruler. Alyn on the other hand was studious and devout, shying from cruelty or war of any kind and virtually ignorant of politics. His brother teased him about become a priest and indeed, that was what he inclined towards.

But it never happened for he fell into bad company while they were both still youths. Seditioners they were, rebels against the lords and the king. Alyn, being ignorant and gentle completely believed their tales of oppression and brutality and threw in his lot with them.

Then it came to pass that their father died and Avery became a great lord. One day Alyn spoke to him on behalf of the serfs and as a result of the quarrel that followed Alyn left his brother’s domains. He left in anger, vowing never to be seen there again.

Some time later there was an attempted revolt by the peasants in the nearby lands. Warrants were sent out for the capture and arrest of the leaders who had seemingly escaped. Avery promised to have condemned and hanged any Seditioners seen on his lands. It had been four years since anyone had seen or heard from Alyn.

Then one day a young priest was arrested in the village having been heard urging the peasants to overthrow their rulers and become masters of themselves. He was brought before Avery who came in great anger to condemn such a rebel as he had promised.

The priest had been beaten by the soldiers and was brought into the courtroom in chains. His head hung dejectedly and his cowl was pulled up concealing his face.

“How dare you come covered into my presence!” Avery shouted, the guards reached out to strike their prisoner. Slowly he brought his manacled hands up and pushed back the hood. Avery could scarcely keep from crying out. It was Alyn.

He recovered his equilibrium and stared into his brothers stony eyes.

“You are accused of treasonous talk against the king and of riling the people.” He said, continuing with the trial, “How do you plead?”

“Guilty.”

Avery swallowed hard. “Have you any defense?”

“No.”

“You- have no excuse for your conduct?”

“My excuse comes from a higher power than yours.” His voice rang out against the stone walls; his manner was bolder than anything Avery remembered in him. “My power is from heaven and God will be my defense. I can only condemn the evil done on this earth; evil done by you and the king.”

“How dare you speak so!” Avery stood in anger, “By the order of this court and by the power of his royal majesty I do condemn you to die by hanging tomorrow at dawn. Condemned by your own mouth for treason and murder.”

Now Alyn looked pale. “Murder?”

“Men were killed at Lancastshire.” Avery said, naming the place of the revolt the preceding month.

The guards assembled around their prisoner and escorted him out. As they reached the door Avery called out. “Wait!”

The guards paused briefly. “One moment,” he said, coming down to them, “alone.” They left with out protest for this manner was such that brooked no contradiction. When the room was empty the prisoner turned to his judge.

“Avy?”

“Alyn.”

They only looked at each other in silence.

“In my eyes you are a murderer.” Avery said finally.

“In my eyes you are a robber.” Alyn countered,

“By my beliefs you are going to hell.”

“By my beliefs you are a son of the devil.”

“You had no right to rise up against me!” Avery shouted, slamming one fist into the other, “I am your brother!”

“Avy,” Alyn spoke very softly, “Don’t send me to my death still angry with me.”

“Your death…”

“I’m sorry it had to be this way. I only wish you could have seen the way I do.”

“Tell me this isn’t happening Alyn. Tell me this is only a nightmare. Tell me I didn’t just sentence you to death.”

“Don’t weep for me Avy, weep for yourself. For you must yet face what lies ahead.”

“Aren’t you afraid?” he whispered,

“No.” Alyn shook his head. Avery smiled wistfully. “My little brother, afraid of the dark.”

“It’s been too long since we’ve seen each other.”

“Stay with me.” Avery said suddenly, “If it will be as terrible as you say then I cannot face it alone.”

“No Avy, it’s no use.”

Then the guards reentered the room.

“Who summoned you?” Avery snapped; his captain shrugged.

“We feared for your safety my lord.” He said,

“There is not fear for my safety at the hands of my brother!” then he recovered himself and turned away.

“Take him away.” He commanded. But before they left the room he turned back again.

“Alyn?” he caught his brother’s eyes. “I would pardon you if I could.”

“I know.” He said gently. Then Avery gestured them on and he was gone.

III

At dawn the next day the execution took place. Avery was there on a fine steed. Crowds surrounded the scaffold. Alyn was led up its steps and a rope was placed around his neck.

Drums rolled. Avery spoke in defense of the king holding up the condemned as an example not to be followed. He asked if there were any last words. Alyn spoke out against the evil done by the king and his henchmen, indirectly accusing the lord who had sentenced him. He bid all take courage at his death and throw off the yoke of oppression for once and for all.

Men went home that day with their own ideas as to who was right and who was wrong. Some thought it was too risky to rebel as the priest had suggested. Some feared to die. Some were content in their lot. No one knew that the two adversaries who had accused each other were brothers. Avery went home and carried on as though nothing had happened. Only the angels in heaven wept for the evil in their hearts that was so much greater than their love for each other.