"Absolutely not," King Targonor said, "You are going."
"But father-" It was Prince Garus.
"We are not having this discussion, Garus," the king responded, "You will lead the rest of our people to the rebuilding site. That is an order."
Garus stood in front of his father, helpless. Tears began to well up in his eyes.
"You have much preparing to do, there's no time to waste arguing with me," the king continued, "Now go."
The Prince's shoulders stiffened. "Yes, my lord," he said, his voice making no attempt to mask his emotions. Garus then turned sharply and left the chamber, letting the heavy wooden door slam shut behind him.
It had been nearly two hours since King Horus Targonor-Furth had addressed those who remained in Targonor. He now sat back in his private chambers, thinking. He had removed the more formal attire and was again dressed in simple workman's clothing. Horus had requested that I come with him, though why I could not say. Commander Askalon was, of course, present, as was the haggard looking Captain Willem.
Captain Willem's presence was curious to me, but I was not about to question it as the need for me to be there was debatable at best. I strongly suspect the king wanted the captain there though because he commanded the largest force left in Targonor, the Red Blade Unit. They weren't the youngest or the quickest soldiers, but they very well may have been the toughest. Rastus himself looked no better now than he had before. The man was built like an ox, but his face appeared gaunt and pale. He did not look well. I wondered to myself if he was even capable of wielding the large sword he managed to carry around.
"I am sorry you had to see that," Horus apologized. "Garus is still young..."
"You have no need to apologize, my lord" Commander Askalon said quickly. "I'm more than twice as old as he and Prince Garus handled it better than I would have," he added with a slight grin. The commander sighed and looked towards the ground. "Marla and Heston are going to have a rough time of it."
King Targonor looked at his old friend, sympathy in his eyes. "Make sure you take some time to speak with them before they depart in the morning."
Askalon nodded. "I know, I will."
The King then turned to Captain Willem. "And you Rastus? Do you have family?"
The Captain looked up from the spot on the floor he seemed to have been fixated on. "No." he said simply, "I don't."
"Oh," Horus sounded somewhat surprised. "Well, if you have any friends you wish to bid farewell please don't forget to make time to do so."
"Thank you, my lord." Willem said, his response more courtesy than of genuine thanks. I will never know, but I strongly suspect the captain had no one to say goodbye to. I actually felt a bit sorry for Rastus.
"And you Pepran," the king said to me. "I am sure you have much packing to do. I apologize for wasting valuable time. You may leave if you wish."
To this point, I had had every intention of leaving, of fleeing to the north and starting again under the leadership of Prince Garus. I still do not know why I said what I did next. I was no warrior. Maybe it was out of admiration for the king. Perhaps I was just caught up in the moment. I don't think I will ever know.
"I am not going anywhere, my lord," I said, "I will stay and fight."
The king, Commander Askalon and even Captain Willem all looked at me with some surprise. Then the king nodded seriously.
"Very well, Pepran," he said, "That is your decision to make. Know though that if at any time between now and the evacuation tomorrow morning that you should happen to change your mind, I will think no less of you."
"You are very kind, my lord," I responded, "But I do not intend to change my mind."
I had just agreed to fight in a battle of pure desperation, in which even if we, somehow against the greatest odds managed to win, the best I could hope for was a quick death - yet I felt somehow liberated.
"Well," Horus said, as he stood up from the simple wooden chair he had been sitting in, "There is much work to be done. We had best get going."
"What would you have us do, my lord?" Askalon asked.
The king thought for a moment. "You can start making plans for our defense. You will need every minute you can get. Captain Willem, please have your men aid those who are leaving tomorrow in whatever capacity they can. Pepran, you can go with the captain."
The rest of us stood up and exited the chambers, the king right behind us. I do not know where he went, and felt it inappropriate to ask but I suspect he went to speak with his son. Queen Annabelle had passed years ago and Garus was the king's only son... his heir. Soon he would be king of a beat and frightened people, who would be desperate for leadership in their new land. I am sure this weighed heavily upon both Horus and the prince. Were Garus a lesser man I would have been worried, but the king had raised him well. I was confident he would grow into a revered and wise ruler, just as his father had.
I followed Captain Willem out of the keep and down into the city. Rastus did not speak much, had I just met him I would have thought he was angry at having to share my company but I know he had many other things on his mind. I certainly did.
The mood in the city was a somber one, it was quiet. People were out in the streets, but none spoke. They worked in an eerie silence as night fully enshrouded our home. Rastus lead me to a large barracks. Soft whispers blew through the inside of the building but stopped as hundreds of eyes focused directly on us as we entered the soldier's gathering hall. Then Willem spoke, his rough voice resounded throughout the long building.
"We are to aid those fleeing the city in whatever means we can. Taggart, take half of the men and head to the north side of the city, I will take the rest to the south end."
A plain looking, tall man who looked to be slightly older than me stepped forward and nodded. "At once, Captain" he said and ran off to go start collecting the men.
It took only a few minutes for Willem to have the entire unit ready to go. Taggart took half into the northern section of the city and I accompanied the rest to the south with the captain. We worked throughout the night, moving through the streets helping all those who needed it. It was both physically and emotionally exhausting work, and there were many teary thank you's.
I also learned many interesting things about the Captain that night from some of his men. Very few of them were good and I will not repeat them, but suffice it to say he was not as popular or respected by the men as his predecessor had been. I had no reason to dislike him though.
Despite how tiring it was, the night seemed to slip away quickly. A nervous anticipation fell over the city of Targonor as the remaining citizens frantically rushed to finish packing whatever possessions they could into their carts and wagons.
Just before sunrise, Captain Willem ordered us to start moving the people still packing towards the gates of the city. Many were not finished, and had to be dragged away from their homes. It was not easy work and was done in a grim silence.
As the sun began to peak over the horizon all those who remained in the city had gathered at the eastern gates. One of the Red Blades told me the king was to speak before they left. Shortly after, a brief commotion in the crowd signaled his arrival as he was spotted climbing the stone steps to the top of the eastern gate.
He was again dressed in the regal looking armor he had spoke in the day before. His sword was slung across his back and his crown caught the first rays of light that were beginning to stream into the city, reflecting them brightly into the crowd. Commander Askalon and Prince Garus followed him closely. I looked over to Captain Willem, who stood near me. He watched the three ascend the steps intensely, through his deeply bloodshot eyes.
The crowd quieted as the king reached the top of the gate where all could see him. Garus and Askalon stood in their usual places, flanking the king. He waited for a moment, and then began to speak.
"Yesterday I asked much of you. I asked you leave your homes and start anew, and I asked you to be ready by sunrise today... and you were. Even now, in our most desperate hour you continue to make me proud.
"It has truly been an honor greater than I could ever say, to be your king for all these years. But now, you go to rebuild in the north. You will have new homes, a new city, new families... a new life. A safer life. And to lead you to it, you will have a new king. My son and my heir, Prince Garus Targonor-Furth will lead you to your new lives.
"You will face many obstacles and countless challenges, but you will prevail. Because you will wield all the glory that is Targonor. The dead may raze our city, but they will never kill our spirit. It journeys with you to the north and it is there in the rocky cliffs that you will build a new Targonor.
"So now I bid you one last farewell. For every passing breath, the dead come closer. You will need all the time you can get, so I ask you now to go. To follow your new king north and restore the spirit of Targonor, so that it may grow and thrive where not even the dead can touch it. Go now, and may the gods quicken your steps."
When the king was finished speaking he turned to his son. Slowly, he removed the crown from his head and deliberately, so that all could see place it on Garus. Horus placed a large, mailed hand on his son's shoulder and gave him a sad look. He said something then, but I was too far away to hear. The two then embraced tightly until Horus backed away. Garus, the king, slowly turned and descended the long stone steps to the gates.
