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"
"Father misses you. A reunion wouldn't be so bad. Plus you can make fun of Ivan in his cell all day if you're bored. A life of mocking Ivan is never boring"
William chuckled "It isn't. But I would rather have a more active life. I'll grow tired of seeing Ivan's face after a while"
"Then you should go for the second choice"
"Which is?"
"Stay here in Holm and train the Vanadian legions. I have already started their training and men are flocking into our banners. But I will lead the spring offensive myself. I need someone to train new recruits"
"Not bad. I could bully young men again"
"Not bad indeed. Plus if your work is done, you can come with me and become one of my generals. I need capable people"
"I'll go with the second choice. Father will have to visit me here if he wants to see me"
Timothy patted his shoulder "Good choice. I shall arrange for it"
William nodded "And what about them? The survivors of Silverback?"
"I'm sorry William but we can't trust them. They will have to go"
William had expected this response. After last night, many men of Silverback hates him now. It would be foolish to trust them.
"An exile then"
"They have forsaken their identity as Castonians long ago. I bet many of them don't want to return to Castonia anyway"
"That is true" William lamented. His days as Silver was truly over.
"They will be fine William. A mercenary company composed of crack Castonians is rare. Employers will flock towards them. Plus I don't think they will accept contracts against the Union so you won't have to fight against them in the future"
"I hope so" William smiled.
"Thank you brother" Timothy stretched his limbs "And now I will excuse myself. Matters concerning the state awaits. Don't make the new recruits cry"
"I'll try" William laughed.
*********
After speaking with William, Timothy went with Abraham to the dungeon. His meeting with Lucia and the others was about to start but he decided to look into the prisoners from last night before going.
The dungeon was busy. The guards gave a stiff salute to Timothy the moment they saw him. They pulled the large and thick wooden door open. Inside there were a few hundred guards on watch. It was cramped. It had to be as the prisoners awaiting trial and sentence numbered to several thousand.
Nobles, merchants, mercenaries and navy men mixed in each cell. It was smelly and warm inside. The air was humid. It was also noisy.
"Where is he?" Timothy asked one of the guards.
The guard pointed to the farthest cell "Last cell to the left Your Majesty"
Timothy strode towards the cell. Outside there were tens of guards standing. The cell had a tighter security compared to the rest. It also contained only one prisoner.
The large hairy man rose. Timothy had seen him unconscious last night with a bloody face. Now the Bear looked more menacing awake.
Bear suddenly knelt.
"Please let me serve you!"
Timothy was surprised. He tried to maintain his composure.
"Serve me? And why should I trust you?"
"Bah! Shut up thin man. I was not talking to you" Bear looked at Abraham "I serve only the strong"
Abraham's sweats were visible. "Your Majesty I swear I don't know anything about this. I am not trying to undermine your authority. I was, am and always be loyal to you. The Bear and I only met yesternight when we fought" He showed his bandaged shoulder "Look. He and I are enemies. Please Your Majesty believe me!"
Timothy raised his hand to demand silence. He turned towards Bear.
"You want to serve Abraham?"
"I do! Nobody has ever defeated me before. Given, last night we were in a tight space and he was armored and I am a little drunk, but he is a man of strength- a man to follow"
Timothy saw an opportunity. If he could employ the Bear into his army, it would be good. Just imagining an armored Bear charging at the Wismarines thrilled him. Their enemies would talk about tales that the Castonians have beasts of war. This would lower their morale and bring the Union closer to victory. Of course he cannot trust this Bear and he still have to consult Shadow, but the possibility is good.
"Was he able to kill, maim or injure any of our men?" Timothy asked Abraham
"No. I was able to prevent him from doing so. That means I am loyal to you" Abraham was still nervously blabbering.
Timothy looked at Bear "We shall come back. I might have a job for you"
With these words and a smile he walked away. Abraham followed. Bear could wait, he had a meeting to attend to.