"Come James. Don't tell me you're so exhausted you cannot walk back to the city." James smiled bitterly at his guardian's words. From his tone, he was certain that the punishment that was normally meted out when he erred wasn't going to come. At least, it wasn't the same punishment. The old man was dishing out a new one. And the difficulty was way higher.
"And make sure you don't drop Morgana." James' eyebrows twitched at the heartless words. The difficulty had been increased still further. It was his pure will that kept him going. Now that his grandfather was here, he was barely able to walk, much less stand. And yet he was supposed to do that while carrying an extra person.
"You heartless old man! The least you can do is to give me a hand!" he screamed at the figure floating a few metres ahead of him with the unfortunate assassin in his grasp.
"I could" he replied. "But I won't. Oh and if Morgana wakes up, I will punish you- personally." James swallowed his words as he thought to himself, "When I'm stronger, I will punch his annoying face into the ground."
"I heard that brat." How he heard that, James had no idea. It was almost as if the old man was in his mind, sipping a glass of tea.
"The next time you call me an old man, I'd beat the living daylights out of you." James shuddered at his grandfather's words. If only he knew how the old man was able to read his thoughts… He sighed exhaustedly as he hoisted the still sleeping Morgana onto his tired shoulder, careful not to wake her up. This time his care wasn't because of his love for her, but his fear of a beating. Anyone who had experienced his grandfather's 'loving' punishment would be too. Unless of course that person was abnormal or had weird tendencies involving being in pain.
"When did you arrive?" James asked laboriously as he dragged his tired feet along. The old man was being considerate at least, choosing to move at a slow pace so James could keep up. He wasn't so heartless after all.
"Would you look at that? You have the energy to talk. You should be grateful that I care for you. Otherwise you most definitely won't be able to keep up." The Cold Emperor laughed.
"Save the speech for the naïve. You aren't doing this for me. You're doing this for her. It's because you're worried she'd wake up and see me like this." James did not fall for the old man's tricks though. He knew his guardian well enough to know that he wasn't that soft hearted. Sure the old man loved him, but it was the tough kind of love. The kind you knew existed, but had never truly experienced.
"Hehe. If that were the case I would have carried Morgana myself." The Cold Emperor stated shamefully, not minding his grandson's rebuke.
"I'm not a child Grandfather. We both know that you were so mad at me that you decided to dish out my punishment immediately. Unfortunately I was so beat up that your 'usual' method wasn't feasible. In your rage you had picked out what you felt was the next best thing. You definitely regretted your decision, yet your pride left you unable to retract your words." James' analysis was as sharp as his looks. The embarrassed smile of the Cold Emperor was enough proof that the young man was right. Unfortunately, James wasn't able to see this rare sight- a collector's item- since he was behind the old man.
"If you want that beating, keep on talking." James kept silent after the old man's threats. The only sound that was present was his laboured breathing, which drew no sympathy from the old man. James didn't complain though. He didn't even think of complaining. It seemed the old man's threat was taken very seriously.
"Open the gates. And fetch some horses for the Emperor and the young prince." After walking determinedly for almost 45 minutes, the huge and majestic city gate appeared before them. It was the capital city of the Empire that lay in the south of Kelan- the capital city of the Eternal Empire, Emperor City. Large walls that easily dwarfed any giant, and a heavy gate that was impervious to attacks by all those below the profound realm, this city was near impenetrable. It finally made sense why assassins found it so difficult to get in, and why the Emperor was so certain that Morgana would only be safe inside the city walls. The Eternal Empire was a powerful empire, yet it did have one flaw. Of all the things a resident of this empire could boast of, proximity wasn't one of them. Cities and towns were so far apart that it was not challenge to conquer several of them before reinforcements arrived. Surprising wasn't it? If it seemed so simple, why hadn't anyone succeeded? Why was it the single most powerful empire in the entire planet of Kelan? Well, even if the powerful barriers and great weapons that manned the walls of every city- and even towns- were ruled out, each and every warrior who was enlisted in the army was a wielder! This alone provided every area with enough security. Only a fool would dare challenge a behemoth without being one himself/herself. Let's say you do conquer a few towns. You would still be knee deep in trouble when reinforcements arrive. In fact, from the moment the invasion was announced, so were your funeral arrangements.
The spectating King gasped in amazement as she witnessed soldiers on top of the city walls, using magic to undo the barrier on the gate. "The Usurper really destroyed our empire", she commented upon seeing the grand sight. There was no such barrier around Emperor City anymore. The city- no, the empire- had definitely declined in the hands of the False King. The fool had made no progress, only succeeding in causing the power of the empire to dwindle greatly. The armour the soldiers had on, their weapons, and even the cannons and ballistae that did more than just beautify the city walls, were all exceptional and in great condition.
"Looks like I have much work to do." The King had never seen the city walls or the gate. She had never left Emperor City so she hadn't witnessed this grandiose sight before today. Even when she escaped the city, she did so through a hidden channel shown to her by her father. She didn't even know that there was a sealing barrier on their walls. If such a barrier and the weapons were present, it wouldn't have been so easy to take the city. She would have lost a few good men and women at the very least. Reiki glowed in agreement.
James was helped into the castle by a few servants, with the maidservants gently retrieving Morgana from him. As the servants were helping him to his room, their progress was halted by his grandfather. "You can't rest yet. You are going join the interrogation."
James smiled wryly at the old man's words. He sure was petty. Even now, the old man wouldn't let him be. He gently pushed the servants off him as he stumbled behind the Emperor.