Towards the end of the joyful summer the king died. As the funeral was being arranged the son would occasionally see his father's dead body. Every time, he was shocked by its lifelessness; the body and face so peaceful—so deafeningly quiet and still. It felt to him like looking at a painting, or a statue made out of stone or clay; something slightly other than human. The son had seen dead bodies before — but to see his father's felt so foreign. It did not seem like his father — yet he knew it was him.
The son cried. He cried so frequently that the muscles in his eyebrows and face ached, and his skull and temples throbbed with a dull headache throughout the day. When he would cry in the past it felt more like a choice, but this tragedy had crippled his fortitude—he could not control his emotions. Every time he thought of his father's goodness and the weight of this loss hit him, whether by himself or with others, he could not help but weep.
When the prince cried he would avoid looking at other people's faces, for some reason it was hard to cry and look at them at the same time. Instead, with blurred vision he would stare at the floor, their clothes, or some object past them.
His eyes became hot with tears, and though wet, they also felt dry like parchment—they wanted to close and hide in darkness. When he closed his eyes there was a slight sting, as more salty tears washed over them and tried to repair the stress they had been under. His eyes felt puffy, his cheeks tight, his nose dry and cold—even though he had to clean his raw upper lip and nostrils frequently using his sleeve or some other kind of fabric. Sometimes when he was alone he sobbed so hard, a lump would rise in his throat; something he only remembered feeling as a child.
With intense fear and sadness—the son ascended the throne and donned the name king.
THE NEWS QUICKLY SPREAD throughout the land, and eventually met the ears of the rebellious royal — the new king’s older brother Emortuus. The rebellious royal filled with ancient hate launched a premeditated battle strategy. He had been wary of attacking while father still lived.
The sight of thousands of flaming arrows launched from the forest line into the crops and orchards of the kingdom, was seared into the memory of those who witnessed it. The horrifying images remained with them for as long as they lived. Walls of fire consumed the kingdom’s food, and the houses and farming families. Following the fiery destruction the rebellious royal began attacking the southern settlements.
THE FURTHERMOST SETTLEMENT SUFFERED. Being the least developed and so close to the open southern wilderness — it was prone to attack.
The king routinely heard reports of attacks and deprivation in this settlement. He would grant food and men, but rarely as much as they requested. They had a limited supply of food, and he did not know how long this war would be. The kingdom had to go throughout the upcoming winter without that year’s yield. The king also did not want to leave the other settlements without sufficient defense.
Weeks went by and attacks kept being reported. Messengers pleaded for retreat on behalf of the southernmost settlement. The king was shocked, he had stationed his best men under the direction of his finest captain and trusted friend, Ancora. Ancora had been a captain for years now and had remained the royals most trusted confidant — it wasn’t like him to run from a fight.
The king decided that he himself needed to go and assist these people. He did not want to call a retreat; he did not want to lose anything to his brother Emortuus.
The king traveled to the furthermost settlement. When he arrived at the battered settlement he could clearly see that though he had sent food and many men, they were suffering from severe neglect.
Hearing reports was different from seeing the wounded dying—the children dirty and hungry—the soldiers and men exhausted emotionally and physically from fighting. The sights caused his heart to sink into his stomach.
As he walked past the settlers he could feel their hateful and desperate glares focus on him. The king in return felt twinges of fear and anger. He was already insecure of his position in light of his father's death; he felt consumed by the great and noble shadow his father’s reign cast over him. As graves were being dug and the smell of death hung in the air, he felt more alone than ever.
THE KING MET WITH captain Ancora and his men. Ancora had built a resentment deep in his heart for the many lives that could have been spared had they retreated to other settlements or back to the castle. He felt the king was wrong to deny his requests. The captain was tired yet respectful, and he was grateful for the king's presence on the battlefield.
The king simply explained to Ancora that the suffering here kept the kingdom safe. He explained that he would not leave the other settlements or castle exposed — and that provisions had to last throughout the war and winter.
The king felt the suffering was an unfortunate but necessary price; by maintaining this settlement the kingdom was kept safe, and the bandits were kept from advancing forward. Attacks were still happening on other settlements, but not as frequently as the attacks on the southernmost settlement.
The king hurt for these people, and seeing their state he knew they were being broken. The Bandits would strike every few days and the settlement was barely able to hold them back, if it had not been for the many soldiers that the king had already sent down—this settlement surely would have perished.
Speaking as much for himself as he was for his captain, the king simply stated, "This is war, and that means suffering. I'm not going to let my emotions cloud my judgment, and neither should you.”
For a moment he considered with the captain, moving the wounded, the women, the old, and the children from the settlement. However, the king was hesitant, he felt it might provide greater incentive to have the weak with the strong.
After the king shared this thought, captain Ancora stared at the king aghast. In reply the king snapped back, "Our best men are here, and I am relying on you to do what needs to be done! I understand that you and these people have suffered, but we must contain as much of the battle as we can to this settlement, and that means the suffering as well. We don't need this desperation and fear spreading throughout the kingdom — as soon as it does, we will fall!"
The experienced captain stared at the king. The king knew he was thinking about his father. He quietly uttered to captain Ancora — "You don't know my father. You don't know what he would do." The king wouldn't have his men turning on him.
Captain Ancora bristled then cooled; like a wounded dog, he submitted to the king. Captain Ancora simply stated that they needed more food and men if this was to be done.
The king granted the request, his stomach churned with guilt at underestimating their neglect earlier. He acknowledged within his heart his fault, but he would not have others lose confidence in his judgment. He would not have the captain or any other person undermining his authority — this was a sure way to destroy the kingdom.
Captain Ancora and his men turned to walk out. Captain Ancora stopped at the door, and without turning he expressed, "I may not have known your father as well as you, but ..." — "Leave me!" the king quickly spat.
The captain and his men left the small house without a word. The king stared at the closed door; he thought of his brothers and his father.
THE PEOPLE LIVED IN constant fear of another attack. In preparation, the king had the villagers and soldiers concentrated in a certain area of the settlement. He had the outer walls fortified and barricades erected in certain parts of the settlement. Guards stood from watchtowers, constantly scanning the forest line in every direction both day and night.
When the king was not pouring over strategy on how he could move this battle into the offensive, he wandered the streets trying to assist the wounded — but was repeatedly met by slammed doors and cold shoulders. The king was disturbed by such rampant impudence. He simply reminded himself that these people were hungry, sad and afraid.
Conversing further with Captain Ancora, the king heard more requests for retreat from the people, and eventually learned that some had dared to leave to other settlements in the night.
It was apparent the captain had known about these deserters for some time and was keeping this knowledge from the king. The king was furious. He contemplated for a flash sending guards to find these few families, but quickly dismissed the idea at the thought of an uproar in this and other settlements.
The king angrily stripped Captain Ancora of his command, sent him back to the castle with guards he knew would fulfill his commands — and had him flogged privately.
A man named Malum was requested as replacement by the king. Malum was in training, but had been restrained from positions of command due to his brash decision making and aggressive tendencies. The king gave this man command over this settlement trusting that he would be able to make necessary decisions — without sympathy clouding his judgment.
The king's first order to Captain Malum was that if anyone be found leaving the settlement, that they were to be stopped and brought before himself.
Weeks passed and the king was surprised that the bandits had not pressed an attack, their sudden disappearance was eerie and worried him. There hadn't been an interval of peace this long since the fields shortly after the death of his father. The king considered retreat now more so than ever.
LATE ONE NIGHT THE king was awoken by one of his guards. A family had been caught trying to escape. The king rushed out to the middle of the town where this family was stopped.
When he approached the scene he saw the young family distressed and huddled by the town well, under the watch of a few guards holding torches. Captain Malum was holding the father captive. The father was a fairly large and hairy man. The king recognized him as the blacksmith and was filled with discomfort when he saw how rough captain Malum was being with the blacksmith. Though conflicted, he thought that perhaps it was necessary.
The king ordered captain Malum to release him — so, he did. The few soldiers present awaited his command.
The king paused for a moment, unsure what to do — captain Malum shot condemning eyes from the family to the king, "They should be flogged, sire." At hearing this the blacksmith and his wife were floored, their eyes widened, their faces blenched, and they began to beg.
The king froze and stared at the terrified family — he was utterly repulsed at the thought of such a harsh punishment and was shocked at his captain's brutality and impertinence. The captain straightened and stepped forward towards the king. The king confidently met the fiery gaze of the captain.
Without giving the king an opportunity to speak captain Malum boldly ejected, "Sire, if this family doesn't learn, they and others will do this again ... for the kingdom, they must be flogged."
The mother began to cry and the children became distressed. The king's mind was clouded, he felt a twinge of fear and was hit with overwhelming regret at placing this man in a position of power. He could not believe what he was hearing and was still shaking sleep from his eyes. The king stood there, considering what he could say without provoking captain Malum.
The large blacksmith and father of this small family mistook the king's pause as consideration of such a punishment. Something suddenly broke inside this man and he began to lash out in anger at the king. He spoke loudly, rash and cruel words. He criticized the king's leadership, "...you are not half the man your father was!" he bellowed.
THE KING STOOD IN silence, shock, and confusion as this man tore open the most tender part of his heart — his breathing became heavy. The guards stood there in equal stupor as they contemplated captain Malum’s request, and watched the blacksmith speak aloud what the village and they themselves had also been feeling.
Other villagers had awoken from the noise and began to watch the scene from their homes. Faint light from the east began to spread across the cold and cloudy sky.
The blacksmith and father burned on. His blood boiled even more, and he began moving closer to the king. Tears of anger filled his eyes, and as he ripped into the grievances of his family and other families — he couldn't help but grab the king and shove him backwards.
The king fell backwards over his cloak and hit his head hard on the covering of the well. Colliding with the stones — the king snapped out of consciousness and laid lifeless and crumpled on the ground. Guards rushed to the king.
Fear flashed across the blacksmith's face as he realized his treason — the blacksmith was immediately seized by two of the king's guards. Protocol took over and this man's arms were strapped to the well, his shirt was torn, and a guard began to beat his back with a rod.
With each sickening thud, in the light of the torches and the cool light from the horizon, they saw large red welts appear. Blood vessels burst under the man's skin and dark hues spread across his back. The man writhed and groaned under the excruciating pain. Skin began to split across his shoulder blades and ribs. On the fifth blow a few ribs suddenly cracked — his legs gave out and he lost consciousness.
Villagers watched on in agony and anger. The wife of this man screaming and absent of all reason, ran to the guard and tried to seize the rod. Before the guard could react, the captain seized the woman and threw her to the floor. The children let out blood curdling screams.
THE KING, RISING FROM his spell, hand on the back of his bleeding head — quickly observed the scene and yelled loudly, "STOP! PLEASE, STOP!"
The guard dropped the rod, and captain Malum snapped his head from the woman to the king.
The king stood there with all eyes on him. The king’s head was whirling and felt full of air — his eyes flashed and he felt that he would fall. He looked again to the man strapped lifeless to the well, and the woman on the floor surrounded by her children. He looked to the villagers whose faces were wrought with horror and rage. He saw groups of villagers returning to their doors and porches having grabbed their swords.
The soldiers' attention turned to these villagers. The king focused his eyes on his soldiers — some of his men looked as if they were about to weep, others ready to defend the king. He was terrified to see only hatred and traces of pleasure on the faces of captain Malum and the men who had beaten the blacksmith.
Hearing a rushing noise behind him the king turned and was tackled to the floor by an enraged villager — the brother of the blacksmith. Smashing into the floor the king felt his shoulder dislocate again. The man was thrown off the king. Scrambling, the attacker, eyes full of fury and hatred, drew a concealed dagger and scurried to the king. A guard with his sword drawn quickly smacked the hand holding the dagger. Fingers and blood flew from the brother’s hand and he fell back screaming in pain.
Captain Malum, looking at the other men holding their swords, drew his long slender sword — then held it to the neck of the woman kneeling on the floor. A guard standing close by the captain, incensed by the sight, drew his sword and swung it at the captain. Captain Malum parried the rash move with ease and whacked his sword across the guard's face. The king and many others let out cries. The guard gurgled in agony — his cheek was gaping open and his mouth and nose severely damaged. He fell to the floor holding his face, writhing and moaning in pain.
Men went to rush to the guard and the blacksmith’s brother — but captain Malum flicked his sword in their direction. The captain’s eyes were wide open, his jaw was tight, and his body poised — like a snake ready to strike.
PALE LIGHT CONTINUED TO fill the cloudy sky, and chill rain began to fall. The king rose and spoke calmly to captain Malum. He asked him to put his sword down.
The captain kept his eyes fixed on the enraged villagers and guards. Some of the soldiers closest to the captain formed to him. They drew their swords and made their allegiance known. The king was filled with dread.
Armed villagers charged at the captain and his group of men. Captain Malum quickly snipped the woman's neck with his sword — she fell to the floor and bled profusely. The children's screeches rang over the charging villagers' cries of fury and woe as they launched into the captain and his men.
The king let out a horrified yell — "NO!" The clashes of steel and flesh mixed into a cacophony of bone shattering yells and groans. Chaos ensued. In the brawl villagers and soldiers scrambled as mud mixed with blood. Some of the guards tried to quickly extricate the children from the fray. People flew in and out of the bloodbath.
Looking into the terror, the king briefly saw captain Malum swing a horn to his mouth and blow. The squall bellowed throughout the square, over the wall, and into the forest. ‘Who was he calling for?’ the king thought. Bewildered and unarmed, the king flew from the scene with a few of his closest men.
RUNNING PAST THE BARRICADES and holding his shoulder, the king's gaze turned to the watchtowers and found no one standing guard. He alerted his guards to this detail. The guards stopped and looked at eachother. Suspect of some wicked plot, the king and his men flew up one of the watchtowers.
To their dread they saw bandits racing through the forest and over the walls of the city. Captain Malum and some of his other soldiers had combined with the enemy — and when the time was right the captain had called the bandits to seize the city.
Lighting froze the sky, a few seconds later thunder cracked the air. As the guards rang the warning bells, the king quickly scanned the oncoming terror for prominent figures in command. He was searching for his older brother but could not see him.
The king watched as the bloodbath at the well was met by a wave of bandits — he felt his soul die within.
He descended the tower as quickly as his shoulder would permit — calling, “Retreat!” Villagers and guards flew to the stables, but many were hewn down as they strove to flee. Everyone fought for themselves. The king leapt onto a horse and driving past the battle he saw captain Malum working with the bandits to cut down his people.
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