63 Soul of Flame (2/2)

Cainus moved his hard blue eyes to the man, about to let loose his fury to the one who was so arrogant as to address a king with such disrespect. Though, as soon as he laid eyes on the one who spoke, his own voice was choked out.

”My Lord!” Cainus exclaimed as he went to one knee and bowed is head in deference.

”Yes, I'm glad you still recognize me, now answer my questions.” The man looked over the king in distaste. ”What are those carbs you addorn yourself in?” He looked over the gold embroydered scarlet robes and the multicolored gemmed crown upon Cainus's head. ”You look ridiculous.” With a wave of the stranger's hand, the once proud king knelt in brown linens. ”William here looks more like me than you do. Someone fit for the role of king who follows my teachings.”

”I am sorry, my Lord” Cainus's eyes did not dare leave the ground. ”I followed your teaching to the best of my ability, I swear!” He yelled at the dirt. Will had never seen such humility from the spirit which lived in his body.

”Then are three of my line walking to a castle?!” The man roared in anger as he pointed to the group walking towards Ebonhart castle.

Will was just beginning to process what was happening. ”Ragnos?” He asked as he looked at the man dawned with fur.

The man tore his gaze from Cainus and looked back at Will, for a moment, he could see the fury which was pointed at the late king. Will knew that this man was not one to be taken lightly. In a second, his expression softened, allowing Will to calm. ”You know me, then.” He said as he approached Will once more.

Will took a couple steps back as the man approached. ”I'm talking to a god?”

Will had dealt with a dead king in his head for the last half a year. He had dealt with Aremesis, the god of death, he never thought he would have to deal with even more.

”I know it's hard to take in, William,” he pointed at Cainus over his shoulder. ”How do you think he took it when he first met me?” He smirked as he looked at the groveling man kneeling on the ground.

”Please don't,” Cainus said without raising his head. ”It was not my proudest moment.”

”I'll say!” Ragnos bellowed a laugh which rang through the field. ”He wet himself!” The god roared with laughter as Cainus tried to bury his face in the dirt.

”What the hell!” Will yelled at the top of his lungs. Both king and god looked at him with wide eyes. ”Not so long ago I found out this world existed, then I get the power over flame, then my first friend dies but hey, lets just bring her back.” Will ranted without looking at either of the men. ”My dad is not my father, while my father is king of a place I never knew about. My uncle steals me away to Crystallia, my mother is missing.” He began to pace. ”I saved a kid from the streets which happens to be my brother, only to have him possessed by your brother.” He pointed to Ragnos. ”I have a king inside my head who is now groveling at his knees to a god who hasn't had the care to show himself and fix his own mess!”

Will stopped pacing and looked at the wide eyed god and gaping king. ”Do you have any idea the amount of orphans I have saved? Or how about the slaves I've freed? I have fought two wars in less than a year.” He raised two fingers at the men. ”Two!” He shouted at them. ”Both with the orphans, once with the former slaves yet both have been against your brother!” Will could barely hold back his anger. ”I don't care if you're a god or George Clooney, I'm not a damned puppet!” His last words echoed throughout the field. He felt no fear towards the higher beings, only the annoyance that he had been used to clean up an age old mess.

”W-Will,” Cainus was the first to end the silence. ”I understand your frustration, really I do, but you are talking to a god.”

Ragnos raised a hand for the kings silence. ”William,” he began in a gentle tone. ”I understand your pain,” he walked to the young man and put a sympathetic hand on his shoulder. ”You have faced many challenges which no other has had to besides myself. You have accomplished all that has been thrown at you and done so by doing what I myself would have done.”

Will looked up into the eyes of the god who stood before him. ”What was it all for? How could you allow all of this mess to happen in the world you reign over?”

Ragnos sighed. ”I was waiting for you.” He looked into Will's eyes. ”There is so much we need to talk about before you awaken. There is so much you need to learn.” He looked at Cainus with contempt. ”Much that your teacher has forgotten in his thousand years of service.”

Cainus looked at the ground once more. ”I beg forgiveness, my lord Ragnos. I have failed in my service. I couldn't rule the way you wished and I put my own legacy in the way of your own.” He said silently.

”Get up, Cainus.” Ragnos raised his hand and the king's body followed. ”I still have work for you.”

Cainus looked at Ragnos, a spark of hope lit in his eyes. ”What would you ask of me, my Lord?” He asked reverently.

”The conversation I am about to have with young William is for his ears alone. We are not within his mind, so it will take much longer than it would, were you teaching him.” His stearns eyes followed the last of the crowd which entered the gates. ”You will return to William's body and reside as the prince until such time he reclaims his position. Do not do so under false pretenses, let them know it's you.”

”Yes, my lord Ragnos,” Cainus bowed deeply. ”It will be done.”

With a snap of the gods finger, Cainus disappeared in a puff of gold smoke. ”Now then,” he turned back to Will, ”Shall we begin?”'