Eli was out searching through the trash bins for something to eat. Like always he came up emptyhanded.
Eli's heart sank at the grim sight around him as he climbed out of the bin. Families huddled together in tattered tents, their faces caked in dirt and sweat, looking like they had been through a war. He couldn't help but sigh as he walked back to his tent, his empty hands a painful reminder that his family would have to endure, yet another night without a proper meal.
His fault.
Maybe he didn't look hard enough.
In the distance, he heard a fleet of horses, people around him peeked out to see where they were coming from. Some climbed on top of things to see. Voices broke out in excitement, thinking that it was a royal family.
Eli just hoped they'd have pity on them and shower them with food and love, something King Kojo had never done and probably never will.
The town of Hera, if it could be called that, was just a dot on the map. Its people were cast aside because they couldn't hold jobs, had disabilities, and couldn't afford normal housing. Eli and his family used to live in one of the nice cottages before his father was murdered.
Because his mother was a woman she wasn't allowed to get a job, so they were sent to Hera to start a new life there.
At first, the people hated them because of their nice clothes but soon realized that they were in the same boat as them. Soon the food that they had brought ran out, as did the money. Their clothes were barely hanging on by a thread and Eli wasn't sure how long he'd be able to keep his family together without falling apart himself.
When the people finally came into view, everyone screamed and hurried back into their tents.
It was King Kojo and his men.
In the midst of the mayhem, a group of people was snatched away from the throng and hurled into a frenzied vortex, with Eli being among them. The suddenness of the situation had left them dazed and disoriented. Eli, with a calm yet commanding voice, quickly urged them to get on their knees for their safety. Some of them complied with his request without hesitation, while others were forced onto their knees as the commotion raged on around them.
King Kojo climbed off of his steed and peered down at them.
"I don't think this should take long. I'm going to ask a few questions and I want you to answer them." King Kojo flashed an artificial smile.
A woman beside him spat on the ground. "We ain't telling you shit!"
"I figured as much." King Kojo reached out and grabbed a little girl by her side. "I suppose I'll start with you. Have you seen Prince Xavier or my daughter Princess Kaya?"
A guard held up two sketches and Eli's gaze slid to the first one. His eyes widened in surprise, that was the man who'd given them bread and healed his ankle.
"Well?" King Kojo boomed, shaking the girl in his hand. She was sobbing, tears leaving streaks in her dirty face.
The woman licked her lips, her eyes darting from the King to her daughter. "I have seen neither of them, Your Highness."
"Lies. Prince Xavier's last known whereabouts were here." King Kojo snarled.
"Please!" the woman cried. "I know nothing. Just let my daughter go. Please!"
King Kojo wrapped both of his hands around the girl's head and snapped it. He dropped her limp form to the ground, and she landed at an odd angle. "You know I don't take well to liars."
The woman screamed and reached for her daughters, others jumped up and tried to run and some were crying in fear.
Eli swallowed and looked at the girl's body. Her eyes were wide open and her mouth was in the shape of an 'o'.
"I know something, sir," Eli spoke up.
He was yanked to his feet. King Kojo crouched in front of him and patted his shoulder. "Here's a smart boy."
"Eli!" his mom cried. "Eli! No!"
Eli's gaze met his mother's, who looked back at him with a mixture of fear and concern etched on her face. Emily, standing next to her, was clutching her arm so tightly that her knuckles had turned white. She silently mouthed the word 'don't', conveying a sense of caution and warning to Eli.
"If-If I agree to tell you what I know...will you...will you allow my family a place in your kingdom?" Eli whispered.
"You strike a hard bargain, kid." King Kojo cocked his head. "It depends on the information, son."
As Eli stood in front of the group, he felt his mouth go dry and his palms start to sweat. The sudden silence was palpable, and he could feel the weight of everyone's stares on him. They were waiting, expecting him to say something important. Eli's mind raced as he tried to figure out how to phrase his words without causing any offense. He couldn't help but notice the way everyone was leaning forward, their eyes fixed on him in anticipation. The prince was a virtual stranger to them, but would they see Eli's words as a betrayal? He licked his lips nervously and took a deep breath, hoping his next words wouldn't be his last.
"Prince Xavier was here, a couple of days prior. And he helped my family out by giving us some coins and a bite to eat." Eli swallowed, locking his gaze on the King. "He then treated a wound that had been bothering me for quite some time and left."
King Kojo nodded, encouraging him to go on.
"Then when my mother was busy and my sister had gone off to look for firewood, I followed him and I saw him go to an abandoned stall and talk with a person in a dark cloak."
"What did this person look like?"
Eli glanced at his mom who was shaking her head. "I never saw his face, only a head full of blonde hair."
"Thank you, son." King Kojo stood. "Everyone you may return to your homes. Conor, take this boy and his family to the palace and be sure that they are well fed."
The guard bowed and gestured for Eli and his family to follow him. His mom raced up to him and cupped his face in her hands.
"What were you thinking?" his mom cried. "You could've gotten hurt or.." her gaze slid to the weeping mother and her dead daughter.
"I'm alright mother. I didn't tell him the whole truth though. Don't fret. We'll be alright."
Emily folds her arms. "Why are we going to the palace?"
Eli shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not sure."
"You made him promise to take us back, didn't you?" Emily hissed, eyes blazing. "How could you be so idiotic?"
"Emily!" their mother scolded. "Elijah was just doing what he thought was right! That's no reason to get upset at him." she grasped Emily's chin turning her to look at her. "Think of it this way. We'll have a new beginning, a place to lay our heads without worry about being killed in our sleep, and food on the table."
Emily pulled away. "That's what they said when they kicked us out, Ma. That's what was promised to us the first time around, and now you're sucking up his promises and fake smiles like a dog."
Eli recoiled. "Don't you dare talk to mother like that!"
"Eli-"
"I thought I was doing the right thing, Emily. I thought I'd be able to get us a new life, do you want to know what dad's last words were to me before he took his last breath?" Eli sniffled. "Well? Do you?!"
Emily blinked. "Eli I-"
"Dad told me that it was my job as the man of the house to keep this family together," Eli said, taking a step toward her. "Do you have any idea how hard it was to keep that promise? I waited until you and Mother went to sleep before going out to hunt for food, and I passed some up just so the two of you could have a decent meal. Have you any idea how hard it was for me to stay up most nights with my ankle throbbing constantly? Just so the two of you could get a good night's rest."
Eli shied away from his mom when she tried to reach toward him.
"I've been living with that promise since I was seven, Em." Eli let the tears flow freely down his face. "I did everything Dad asked me to do and I still haven't been able to keep-" he bit his lip. "If going to the palace is the only way to keep us together then so be it. If you don't want to come. Fine."
Emily stared at him with wide eyes, her mouth open in shock. "I...I had no idea. I 'm-I'm sorry."
"Eli..." his mom trailed off. "You didn't have to do that. Great mother, I'm so sorry. He shouldn't have left you with that burden."
Eli wiped at his face. "But he did."
Emily and his mom share and look. Emily took Eli's hand and took him into her arms. "Alright. We're going to the palace."