The story of Gabriel Alvarez Aspas

Chapter 6

Gabriel woke up in a grumpy mood due to Matías was due to arrive on that very day. The Spanish had earned a few minor victories since the battle of Lourdes so the morale was high and was going to be even higher with the arrival of Matías. Despite this Gabriel hated being next to the guy, never mind working with him side by side. Gabriel knew however their was nothing he could do about it and at least he would be a morale booster for the soldiers, he thought.

Gabriel got out of his tent and saw to his surprise Rafael up early saying something to a soldier. Gabriel could not hear much other than the word "celebration" he figured out what Rafael meant just by that singular word.

"Celebration? Are you out of your mind!?" Gabriel shouted.

The shout startled Rafael who turned to see Gabriel, he sighed and then said "Yeah and?"

"Now is not the time of celebrations, the war is still raging and the king is fatally ill." Gabriel said

Rafael just slowly shook his head in disbelief "What is there to worry about? the French are no match for the Spanish might! We should celebrate our victory, we are definitely not going to be beat with Matías on our side!" Rafael enthusiastically said very loudly, so loudly some soldiers peered from their tents seeing what is going on.

"Our army is strong however no army is invincible, we could get bested in battle by the French, don't underestimate them." Gabriel said before leaving Rafael to wake the rest of the soldiers up.

Hours passed and it was now late in the afternoon, soldiers were eagerly waiting for the arrival of Matías. Gabriel was fed up with Matías as he was late and they waste time for waiting to him. Afternoon turned to evening and Gabriel started to lose his patience. He walked outside from his tent and said.

"Where is that guy! This is ridiculous I want to move out of this place, it's not safe to stay here for long." 

"I'm sure he will be here any moment." As soon as Friar said that their was a distant sound coming, it was Matías with his white horse galloping towards them with a few guards behind him.

"Quick! Announce his arrival to everyone." Friar told a soldier of his. Cheers could be heard from all around the camp of his arrival. Matías stopped his horse right outside some tents and immediately smiled.

"Why thank you for the cheers gentlemen, it's most appreciated." Matías then turned his head to Gabriel "Ah Gabriel I've heard of your victories, must say I'm impressed and so would have been king Fernando the first.

Gabriel was surprised at Matías being nice to him but then he processed what he said. "What do you mean by 'would have' been?"

Matías smile then faded into a sad face "I am afraid it is also my duty to be the bringer of bad news. The king is..dead."

Gasps followed as soon as the news were said. Nobody could believe it, the king who united them all to where they are today is no more. Gabriel was deeply saddened by this who had fo prevent tears from falling down his face.

Their was silence for a while however eventually Rafael spoke "Matías, despite this terrible news our men have prepared food for you after such a long journey."

"Oh why thank you..Rafael is it?"

"Yes Matías." Rafael said

"Food waits for no one, let's eat!" Matías shouted.

Gabriel was not in the mood to eat nor speak to anyone, he just went to his tent to think about things. For a large portion of his life the king was there, he knew the king hadn't always knew him but he knew who the king was all his life. Gabriel though then thought of his successor prince Carles who was now king Carles I, he thought that he would be a horrible king compared to his father, he knew him and he was very irresponsible and only 17 years of his age. Gabriel then went to sleep early to which that day soon will change the tide of war.