Dragonblood Castle, Training Field.
The setting sun bathed the entire castle in gold. Linley hovered in midair, looking down at scenery both familiar and strange, a tangle of emotions stirring in his heart.
Wharton was the first to rush out, moving so fast that he left a fiery afterimage in the air. He stopped before Linley and looked his brother up and down, after four thousand years apart. His lips moved, but in the end he said nothing. He simply spread his arms and hugged Linley fiercely.
"Brother." Just one word, but his voice had gone hoarse.
Linley patted his younger brother's back, feeling the slight tremor in his shoulders. Four thousand years was merely a stretch of a long life for those at or above the Saint Realm, but for family, every day was spent missing one another.
"Wharton," Linley said.
Linley looked past Wharton at the crowd pouring out behind him. Taylor, Sasha, Barker, Gates, Haeru, Cesler-one familiar face after another. Some were excited, some were crying, and some simply stood there, smiling at him.
Then he saw Reynolds.
Reynolds stood at the very back of the crowd in gray robes, a smile on his face, but his eyes were red. He had not rushed forward like the others. He simply stood there, quietly watching Linley.
Linley descended and walked over to him.
"Fourth Brother," Linley said.
"Third Brother," Reynolds said.
Then they both reached out and clasped hands tightly. After four thousand years, no more words were needed.
"Where are First Brother and Second Brother?" Linley asked.
He had wanted to ask that from the moment he entered Dragonblood Castle. Yale and George were nowhere in the crowd. Both had already reached the Saint Realm when he left.
Reynolds's smile froze.
Wharton's expression changed as well.
Linley's