The Twins

Chapter 2: Double Vision

Our subconscious is the mirror of our mind; drawing from our thoughts and desires. From time to time impulses allow it to act, but never fully commit to control. Submitting and giving in to the subconscious can at times be disastrous to the soul....

Fingers traced the scarred, bald, and sun leathered cavern where hair once thrived. A young boy now scarred for life from a battle he did not fight. The night his world was set ablaze and torn down before him will be an everlasting memory. "Do you think it'll stay a scar?" Margo said turning from the mirror before him to look at Grog.

Grog nodded softly as he wiped a cream covered blade across his shirt. "More than likely." He said as he went back to cutting the young boys hair. "Scars give ye character though, behind each one is a powerful story." Said the man who had plenty of his own scars himself.

Margo smiled softly and looked back into his reflection as Grog finished up. "I can't believe it's been two years already." The young boy said looking into his own reflection as hair fell before his face. "Do you think they will be back? You were one of them weren't you?"

Grog reached for a towel and cleaned up the boys head; careful to mind the scar. "There be a code, I doubt they be returning for me. They be wise to avoid this place as well. The Queen still holds that grudge." He said as he stepped to the side. "We be finished."

Margo climbed from the seat and looked at his bald head. "I like it!" He said in a cheery voice, turning to hug Grog. "Thank you father!" The boy squealed, but a sharp pain shot through his head. He let out a small groan of pain but quickly shook it off. "Do you work today?"

Grog placed his hand on the boys back, patting it softly with a smile. "I do, your highness is working on expanding the docks-"

"-and the mighty Grog is needed to oversee the work." The young boy giggle, finishing the man's sentence. "It's okay, I'll work on the chores here."

Grog chuckled and walked over to a large metal bowl of water, washing the loose hairs from his hands. "I'll only be a few hours." The man walked across the room, opening the front door. He looked back at the young boy who was already busy doing chores. "Hey Thomas?"

"Yeah Grog?" The young boy turned as he held two crates of milk in glass bottles. "Need something?"

Grog stood in the doorway and shook his head. "Go for a walk today, your top half looks like a bull while your legs look like chickens." The burly man said with a chuckle as he stepped out the door and walked away.

"But those people scare me." The young boy said to himself as he went back to his chores. "I think I'll stay home."

Outside the house was the growing city of Fha. What was once burned down and left in ruins now grew each day. Wooden and thatch homes were a thing of the past; buildings dotted the paved roads in stone and golden glory. The entirety of it's city was surrounded by massive stone and metal walls; a fortress to prevent another attack. Things were calm and the city was thriving once more; the grieving of a lost Queen of the past rose to cheers to a more powerful Queen of the present. "Two years Grog, it's been two years and you still haven't told the boy?"

Grog shook his head and closed the door behind him. "It be not the time." He said simply as he turned toward the voice to speak to him. "Where's ye royal guard?"

"I gave them the day off." The Queen said with sly grin. "You're a more effective escort than they are."

Grog chuckled and began to walk. "I be having no intentions to save your life again." He said as as they walked side by side down the paved stone road.

"I have no intentions to need my life saved." The Queen said with a laugh as well, the both of them walking off into the distance.

Within the home the young boy ease-dropped through the door and giggled. "I think she likes Grog." He said as he slide down to sit on the floor. "What do you think Margo?"

The boy was staring forward into the room as he spoke, a smile draped across his face. Across from him sat a boy; identical in appearance. "Most definitely! Do you think dad is going to marry her?" The twin boy said, scratching his head.

"He's not our dad; and you know that." Thomas snapped back, his voice raising. "I'm not going to call him that." The bald boy said rising back to his feet. "Our dad is dead."

"Well I'm going to, cause he's taking care of us! We deserve to have a family again! Stop living in the past!" Margo said storming off; leaving an empty room behind him.