by P D Atkerson
Enrick went the long way back to his chamber. He wanted as few people as possible to know he'd been out early in the morning.
His door groaned, as he shoved the key into the lock and pushed it open. He kicked off his boots and went over to the wall where he rang for his breakfast and then he started to change his clothing.
Enrick was just unhooking his cloak, when someone knocked on his door. He glanced towards the door. Who would be visiting him this early in the morning? "Come in!" He yelled.
"I heard you wished to see me," Dasety said, entering Enrick's chamber.
"Man! I just got back. How the heck did you hear that already?" Enrick asked, tossing his cloak onto one of his chairs. He moved over to his wardrobe and began to dig around.
Dasety smiled. "I have eyes and ears everywhere," he said, with a wink.
Enrick nodded, as he finally found his jacket. He hated it when his servants put his clothing away wrong. "I went to visit my mother's grave this morning..."
"Good for you, sire," Dasety said, cutting in.
"I'm not done!" Enrick growled. "When I returned through the valley, I found tracks and blood all over the snow. The tracks lead back to the castle. "Do you know anything about it?" He asked, pulling on his leather morning jacket, turning back towards Dasety.
"Well, my lord. What is there to say?" Dasety asked, shrugging. "I didn't see the tracks, why should I know what they mean?"
"Dasety, you know something and you're not telling me," Enrick said, sitting down at his table. "I order you to tell me what's going on."
"Alright my lord, all I know..." Dasety stopped short, as one of the servants hurried in with Enrick's breakfast. The second the servant left, he continued, "Your father sent out a few of the Loyal Warriors late last night to take care of a problem we had nearby."
"But he never sends his Loyal Warriors out that close to the castle," Enrick said, "If he continues, people will soon realize they're coming from here. He knows that! So why did he do it?"
"Why should I try to understand the king's mind?" Dasety asked.
Enrick rolled his eyes. "I don't know, but you do. So why did he do it?" Enrick asked, before biting into a piece of his toast.
Dasety sighed and sat down across from Enrick. "May I?" He asked, motioning to a piece of meat. Enrick shrugged, as he continued to eat. "The Rebels are growing and the king fears what they might do if they get too close to us," Dasety said, before tossing the meat into his mouth.
They're already close to us. Enrick thought to himself. His father just didn't know it. He hadn't even told Dasety what the Rebels had wanted from him. What would happen if they had found a weakness?
"If he's so nervous about them, why doesn't he use the Heart? It's supposed to be some great and powerful weapon, isn't it?" Enrick asked, crossing his arms. Talking about what he'd seen had caused him to lose his appetite.
"Have you seen the Heart, my lord?" Dasety asked.
"Of course not!" Enrick snapped. "My father likes to keep his secrets."
"Let me show it to you then," Dasety said, rising to his feet.
"Are you sure my father will allow that?"
"If you wish to see it, you'd better come with me," Dasety said, turning towards the door. Enrick hesitated for only a second, then quickly got up and hurried after him.
Chapter 25
The Heart of the Sea
Dasety took Enrick to a part of the castle he'd never been to before.
No torches burned in this part of the castle. The only light came from the windows far down the hallway.
Cobwebs hung thickly from the roof, like curtains. Why did his father not have anyone clean this part of the castle? Surely it would look bad if someone else ever saw it! He was just about to ask Dasety if he was sure they were headed in the right direction, when the sound of guards reached their ears, even before they saw them
Swiftly, Dasety pulled Enrick back into the shadows of the curtains hanging over a picture on the wall. He drew the curtain closed in front of them and shoved Enrick back against the wall.
"I thought you didn't care if father didn't want me to see it or not?" Enrick whispered, as soon as the guards had passed on.
"I don't fear your father," Dasety mumbled, slowly pulling the curtains back to check for guards. "But I'd rather he didn't know I brought you here. He might not take it very well. This way," Dasety said, leading him down another hallway, with only one door at the end.
Dasety fished a strange looking key out of his pocket and shoved it into the lock.
Enrick stepped past Dasety and entered the old room. He gritted his teeth and fought back the anger rising inside of him, as he looked around him.
The room was filled with gold, gems and other valuables Enrick had never seen before in his life.
"A treasure chamber, and the king doesn't even trust me enough to tell me about it!" Enrick said, running his hand through a chest of old looking coins. He tossed the coins back down and turned to look at the rest of the valuables.
"I'm sure it doesn't have anything to do with trust," Dasety said, following Enrick. "He might have forgotten to tell you about it."
Enrick laughed. "Oh, yes! I'm sure he just completely forgot about all this gold and gems! Please! Dasety, I am not a goon." He sighed. "Alright, where is this 'Heart'?" Enrick asked, glancing around.
"Over here," Dasety said, motioning him forwards, deeper into the treasure chamber. Where a deep red cloth lay, covering a long, but thin object.
Carefully, Dasety pulled back the cloth to reveal a long wood box. It was a pale colored with silver gold vines carved along the edges. "It's beautiful," Enrick mumbled. His breath caught, when Dasety slid the box open. Enrick wasn't sure what he'd been expecting, but this wasn't it.
It was an old wooden scepter, made of the same material as the box. But twisted and morphed. Strangely, the flow of the wood looked like it had been grown into a staff and not cut. The gem embedded in the end of the scepter seemed almost alive. The light inside pulsed blue and then green.
Enrick felt drawn to it.
"The Heart of the Sea," Dasety whispered, as if saying the name too loudly was unheard of. Enrick's heart thudded in his chest. He couldn't fight it any longer! He didn't want to!
Dasety didn't even try to stop Enrick, as he reached out and wrapped his hand around the soft, white wood.
A strange feeling spread up his arm, tingling through his whole body. "How does it work?" He whispered, fingering it carefully. Slowly and reluctantly, he withdrew his hand and stepped back
"They are still unsure," Dasety said, closing and locking the box back up. "King Munay had hoped to use it against Aroron, but I doubt we shall ever see him again. Not that King Munay is even close to figuring out how it works."
"You know how to use it though, don't you?" Enrick asked, raising his eyebrow. Dasety didn't respond but turned away. "Why haven't you told them how to use it?"
"They haven't asked," Dasety said. "Besides, I doubt your father really knows what he will start if he does use it."
Enrick frowned. "What do you mean? What will he start?"
"Have you ever read the prophecies and legends of old?" Dasety asked. "I have, several times over. One of them says that when the Dragon Blade and the Heart are somehow joined together, then a great King will fall."
"And what? You think that's my father?" Enrick asked. "That's very sweet of you, Dasety."
"No. That's not what I mean," Dasety said, sighing. "When that King falls, one greater than he will rise in his place."
"I hate riddles, Dasety," Enrick said. "What does it mean?"
Dasety cleared his throat. "The Heart of the Sea is spoken about quite a bit, but nothing says what will happen to those who cause it to happen."
"And that means?"
"That means I'm not going to let Munay play around with it!"
"So, you will decide when you think is the right time to start all of this?" Enrick asked.
Dasety nodded. "
I believe I have a better grasp of things than your father."
"Please, do not call him that," Enrick said, his eyes flashing. "He may be my king, but that doesn't mean I have to call him my father."
"Alright, I'm sorry," Dasety said, frowning. "I didn't know you were having problems with him."
Enrick laughed. "Yes, you did! We've never gotten along, and this little deal with the crown and now the Heart, probably won't help the matter."
"That, I can understand," Dasety said, sighing. "I'm sorry, sire. I wish there was something I could do, but your father only listens to me on some matters. When it comes to his relationship with you, or lack thereof, he doesn't listen to anyone."
"Alright, can we just drop it?!" Enrick snapped. "How do you use the Heart?" He asked, trying to think about something else.
"Only a Feeler can use it. (That's an Oddity that can sense how people are feeling)," Dasety said. "And, well, I might know of one."
"You do?" Enrick asked. "And you haven't told anyone? Who is it?"
"Not that I don't trust you, my lord. But I'd rather not talk about it, the person... well... is someone I know personally."
"Well? Why haven't you told him yet?" Enrick asked. "If the person's of any value to the king, he won't hurt them."
"Why haven't you found Aroron yet?" Dasety asked, crossing his arms. "I know you are quite able to track. No matter how old the trail might be."
Enrick's cheeks flushed and he looked down. "I could, if he was an animal, or at least riding one."
Dasety raised an eyebrow. "I've worked with you and I believe you could find Aroron, if you really tried."
Enrick looked down. "I can't fight the feeling that if given the chance, he might still come back home."
"I'm afraid it's too late for our young friend," Dasety mumbled. "He's already turned against us."
"What are you talking about?"
"I know of someone who might have found our friend and wasn't able to talk him into coming back," Dasety said. "I've already told your father and he's ordered Aroron's death if anyone ever finds him."
Enrick stared at him. "What?! And he didn't tell me?"
"He doesn't feel like he needs to tell you anything and I doubt he thought you should know anyway," Dasety said, looking at Enrick sadly. "You might try to stop him."
Anger flashed across Enrick's eyes. "That is not something for him to decide!"
"I know, but that is something he did decide and there's nothing you can do about it," he said, clearing his throat. "Your father will be finishing up with his meeting soon," he said, turning away from the box and back to Enrick. "You must meet with him soon, or I fear he will not listen to you."
"But I don't even know where he's going to be."
"Wait for him outside the throne room," Dasety said. "He won't be long, I am sure of it!"
Dasety was right. Enrick wasn't there long. He sat in the shadows for less than a minute, before his father and his guards appeared, speaking quietly to each other.
"May I speak with you, father?" Enrick asked, stepping out of the shadows.
Instantly, the guards before and behind the King, drew their sword and moved towards him.
"It's alright," King Munay said, holding his hand up. "He is not here to harm me." Not today. Enrick thought to himself, watching the guards carefully. He was ready to draw his sword if need be.
Reluctantly, the king's personal guards lowered their weapons and moved back. But Enrick could tell they were still watching him.
"What is it you want, Enrick?" King Munay asked, continuing towards his throne, where he sat down. The guards quickly stationed themselves around him.
His father was as full of arrogance, as he was blood.
Enrick dropped to one knee and bowed his head, quickly standing again. "What must I do to prove to you that I am ready to be crowned?" Enrick asked, standing up straight and looking hard at his father. "I will do anything."
"Alright, there's only one test I have for you," King Munay said, crossing his arms. "You will kill one of the prisoners from the raid yesterday."
Kill someone? Enrick swallowed. "Alright, then let us get on with it." If that was what he had to do, then that was what he would do.
King Munay motioned to a couple of the guards, and they hurried out of the room.
A minute later, the door opened again, and the two guards brought in one of the prisoners.
The prisoner's legs drug against the ground behind him, as the guards pulled him towards the bottom of the steps, where he crumbled to the ground at Enrick's feet.
Blood dripped down the prisoner's arms, from where the jagged chain cut into his skin. The rest of his skin was baked with mud and grime. Enrick wondered how long he'd been in the dungeon.
One of the guards grabbed a fist full of hair and yanked the prisoner into a sitting position. The prisoner's eyes locked with Enrick's.
"Fredrock..." Enrick whispered, staring at the rebel tied and bound in front of him.
"Your majesty!" Fredrock spat, glaring at Enrick. Even his face was dirty and older looking then the last time he'd seen him, not more than a month before.
"So, it is true," King Munay said, rubbing his chin. "You do know each other."
"Who told you?" Enrick whispered, still staring at Fredrock. He couldn't think of anyone other than himself and the rebels that had known they'd met. No one else had been there! This was a cruel joke!
"A little Draven told me," King Munay said, smirking. "Are you going to get on with it? Or are you going to waste both our time pretending you can kill this man?"
"I... I can't," Enrick said, moving back. He sheathed his sword and dropped his gaze down. "I can't kill him." Maybe if it was someone he didn't know...
"I thought not," King Munay said. "You are too much like your mother. Get out of here, before I decide to throw you in the dungeon with the rebel. One day you might be king, and you will have to do things you don't wish to do. But obviously, you're not ready to be crowned prince."
Enrick took a couple of steps away from Fredrock and towards the door, then he froze, as a chilling, dark voice whispered inside of him,
He killed your men.
He ordered you to be tortured.
He tried to turn you into a traitor.
He's the one who sent that creature after you.
He deserves to die!
Prove your worth to your father and kill him, he deserves it.
"Yes," Enrick whispered. He does deserve it! He spun around, grabbed a knife out of one of the guards' belts and flung it forwards.
Fredrock clutched his chest, his eyes wide in shock, as blood poured from the wound. His eyes rolled into the back of his head as he collapsed to the ground. Dead.
Enrick's heart thudded. What had he just done?! His hands trembled. No! He couldn't think about what he'd done. Only the fact that he'd done what his father had asked of him. He turned back towards his father and for a second, King Munay just stared at Fredrock's dead body.
"I've passed your test, now I think it's time you made me crowned prince," Enrick said standing up straight, shoulders back. "I will be fourteen by the end of next week."
"Your birthday's next week?" King Munay asked. Gritting his teeth, Enrick nodded. "Alright then. I will stay true to my word. The day after your fourteenth birthday, you shall be crowned."
Too afraid of what he might say to his father if left alone with him, Enrick bowed to his father, saluted, spun around and hurried out of the throne room.
Chapter 26
Unexpected
Enrick emptied the contents of his stomach over the edge of the balcony.
He felt sick, as he stood there, his whole body shaking. He took in a gulp of air and squeezed his eyes shut.
But when he did, all he could see was Fredrock, with a knife sticking out of his chest. Blood dripping down his tunic. Ugh...! What had he done?! He moaned and dropped his head down. He'd killed the man. He dug his nails into the railing and slowly, stood
back up and looked at the sky.
Dark clouds lurked on the horizon, a storm was brewing.
Enrick screamed and pounded his fists against the balcony. He hated himself for killing Fredrock. How could he say anything about what his father does? He was no better than him!
He kicked the railing and spun around.
"Are you alright, your majesty?" Dasety asked, stepping out onto the balcony.
Enrick jumped. He hadn't even known he was there and wondered how long Dasety had been watching him. He hoped he hadn't seen him acting like a child. He quickly looked down and felt his cheeks grow hot.
"Yes, I'm fine," he whispered, slowly turning away from him again.
"You don't seem fine to me, sire," Dasety said, stepping towards him. "Are you sure you're alright?"
"No. I killed him, Dasety," Enrick whispered, bending over and pressing his forehead against the railing. The cold stone felt good on his hot skin. "I murdered him, in cold blood!"
"You did what you had to," Dasety said, patting him on the back.
Enrick spun around and embraced him.
Dasety stood there stiffly for a second, then he held Enrick, awkwardly patting his back. "Sh... It's alright," he whispered. It was then, Enrick realized Dasety was more of a father to him than his own father was. He felt so much like a child, but he didn't care! "The first one is always the hardest."
Enrick's stomach turned again.
Dasety spoke about it, as if it was just a part of life! As if it was normal to take someone else's life, without a second thought. He took in a deep breath. Maybe it was. Maybe he just needed to get over it.
He fingered the pins still in his pocket.
Maybe he needed to get over those who sacrificed themselves for him.
What was the use of keeping them? It wasn't as if he could bring the men back! Enrick pulled away from Dasety, and quickly wiped his eyes with his sleeve.
Without letting himself think about it, he tossed the pins over the edge of the balcony, watching as they dropped into the water. When they hit the water, he felt something strange inside of him, but he wasn't sure what it was.
"Fredrock deserved to die, as does every other rebel!" Dasety hissed. "You did nothing wrong." Enrick believed him, but it still didn't feel right. "You can do great things, Prince Enrick. If you really believe in yourself."
