170 Future Plans (1/2)
Arthur trudged in the halls of the palace. His walk was crooked and he almost flopped many times. His legs were alright and so was his balance. He wasn't drunk- although he wanted to be.
The problem was his vision. His left eye can't see. He cried for a few hours after he realized that he would become blind on one eye. Now that his new reality was starting to sink in, he was a bit depressed.
Followed by three royal guards and a servant carrying a tray of food, he made his way to his mother's chamber where his mother had been detained since last night. A few rooms away and he could already hear distant shouting and cursing.
”I'll remember your names! And by the end of the week, you'll hung by the neck. Don't test my patience!” Came a pounding from the other side of the door.
”My husband will not stand for this. You are detaining me without evidence!”
Arthur went closer to the door. ”Mother” he called ”Have you had breakfast yet?”
”Arthur? Arthur! What in the Omniscient's name are you doing?! Let me out of here. Open the door!”
”Has she always been like this?” He asked the two royal guards standing by the door.
”Since last night Your Highness. Nonstop. She slept for a while and then back at throwing insults and threats against me and my partner”
”Alright, open the door”
The royal guard nodded and opened the door. His mother came rushing towards him.
”You spoiled brat!” The royal guards held her away from Arthur ”You have betrayed us haven't you? You stupid kid!”
”Calm down mother. I brought breakfast” He gestured and a servant showed the food.
”Answer me!? What have you done?”
”Mother”
”What!?”
”My left eye is blind now” Arthur lowered his head ”You should have noticed right away. You should have cared that your son is now disabled. But all you are talking about is what happened last night”
His mother shook her head slowly ”How should I have known?”
”A mother should know immediately”
”That's your punishment then. You betrayed us. You betrayed me!”
”And a mother shouldn't say that” Arthur raised his head. He looked at her and smiled ”Funny and ironic. I lost one eye but I can see more clearly than before. You are not my mother, you have never been” Arthur shook his head ”You will never be”
He sighed ”Well I think arguing with you is just a waste of time. I'll be going. Here's breakfast for you. Eat well. As for your detention, don't worry you will join the other conspirators in a proper jail. You will be tried and punished for conspiring against the Queen. Take her back inside. Somebody will fetch her later”
Arthur looked at her. She really looked ugly with that big frown of hers. ”Goodbye Imelda Vanadis. May the Omniscient guide you to the light. May you find repentance for your deeds”
Arthur turned around and started walking away.
”Arthur!” Imelda called ”Son, I'm sorry. I was wrong! Let me see your eye son. Arthur!”
”Arthur please! Speak with me. Arthur!”
None of it reached Arthur's ears. He just walked away with a smile on his face.
”What's for lunch?” He asked the servant.
”Sea bass Your Highness. Sauteed with spices and mushrooms”
Arthur's mouth watered ”Ah, sounds delicious”
*********
Marco was coated in a black shroud. William stared at the corpse of his friend- the same friend he killed with his own two hands. Around him, the soldiers of the Union were busy disposing of the dead. All the corpses were to be cremated.
”He is a good man I suppose?” Asked Timothy beside.
”He has his faults. I couldn't count the number of times we had a fight. But Marco is a brave man. He is honorable. Wrong courage and blind honor, but people are not perfect”
A soldier lit the woods on fire. The corpses shrouded in black were burned in a huge funeral pyre. William said goodbye to Marco and those of Silverback that died last night. It had been a great journey for them. Now it ends.
”So what now?” He asked his brother. Timothy wore his crown proud and with weight. The crown suited him.
”You have a choice”
”I just made a heavy choice. Now you're telling me to again choose”
”Life is a all about choices brother. Bad decisions, good decisions, they make us”
”So, what are my choices?”
”You could go back to Nirvana and help father and Braun with administrative duties. You will become a good prince again”
”A pretty dull life”