A desire for freedom

Chapter 7-Maoz

"Absolutely not."
"But father, it's for the good of the people, we have got to get out of this crater. Every time they attack we lose more fighters and innocent people and children! We have to step up and get out!" Maoz stood at his father's bedside, he had pleaded with his father for two days to bless his idea only for him to say no each and every time. 
"This is completely out of your jurisdiction, boy! This is not your problem."
"It is my problem! I'm the prince of the hesh people, and under my guard there being slaughtered! I will not turn a blind eye to the suffering of my people!"
"Your people, they might be boy. But they are not your responsibility. Nor will they ever be your responsibility. Let your brother Ollie handle it, that's his job, he will be the next king and will live far longer than you."
Maoz let out a sigh of annoyance
"Father Ollie died thirteen years ago, you know this. He had lung cancer! He was hit by one of those monsters' weapons! It was unstoppable by the time we found out! That's why we have to get out of here, more people will die like Ollie did if we don’t act."
The king slapped him and threw him across the room. For a weak dying man, he was extremely strong.
"You wretch, watch your mouth. You spit more lies to a dying man and your head will be cut from your neck. You stay in your place Maoz, third born."
"Yes, of course. My apologies, my king. I'll take my leave."
"You'd do well too."
He stood in irritation for a moment, then stormed out, pulling his cowl over his mouth.
His father always called him third born, even though he was the eldest, he figured it was because the king was so disappointed in his given abilities. Retrocognition, psycho control, limited telekinetic manipulation, and communication. Weak mental abilities in comparison to his younger brother's physical abilities. The king hated the mental powers passed by the queen, he would have never married her if he had a choice. After Maoz was born the king wouldn't even look at the queen, soon he started a harem of humans. He grew worse than the numbers and started killing those who wouldn't listen to him.
When Ollie was born the king became a decent person, he trained Ollie his whole life to follow in his footsteps. When Ollie died the king became a tyrant, he didn't mourn the loss of his son, but went into a state of denial, threatening those who correct him.

"He has no clue what he's doing, he's losing all respect from the people. He is going to get everyone killed, why can't he just accept it and move on?"
"I take it, it didn't go well." Isabel had managed to sneak up on him and overhear his grumbling 
"Not in the slightest, he told me to leave it to Ollie."
"Your mom couldn't help you?"
"Like she would, last time my dad threw a bottle of wine at her head, and she was stuck in the healing tent for a month."
"So what are we going to do?"
"What we always do. Go behind his back for the good of the kingdom."
"Are you sure last time the king almost killed you if it wasn't for Aron we would both be hanging from our necks."
"Well that's been the risk ever since I was born, you don't need to take it if you don't want to, my dear."
"I'll always stand by your side, through rain or shine. I just hope we don't die until after our wedding."
"Hmm, speaking of our wedding."
"Yeah?"
"Speaking of it, how much of it do you have planned out?"
"Almost everything, last things are the vows, from you and. My favorite part. The sword gifting from my dad to yours."
"Wonderful! You enjoying your stalking today Eli?"
"How do you always know!" Eli appeared beside them almost emerging from the shadows themselves
“Anyway, how's the happy couple?”
"Were fine Eli. Have you discussed the plan with Decan? Is he in?" Isabel asked
"Yes indeed I have my lady, and yes he's in. I assume we have no blessing from your father, my prince?"
"No, we don't. So we’re back to the 'going behind his back' plan."
"Told you! Pay up!" Eli yelled behind them 
"No fair!" Madison Eli's betrothed appeared next to him, her invisibility made her very formidable. 
"Pay up, Maddie."
"Fine, but you're such a cheater using your probability prediction powers. Stop calling me Maddie."
He stuck out his tongue and blew a raspberry. She handed Eli a meal tag and grumbled a curse at him. 
"So behind the king's back, we go?"
Maoz sighed a nodded 
"Somebody has to tell Aron. I say, Isabel." Eli smiled at Isabel's scowl before continuing 
"He likes you most and we sent the prince here last time, and the general didn’t take it well.” He paused and thought, “Well I guess he never does, but he'll go easy on you because you're supposed to be the queen."
"If you insist. I'll do it. Spread the plan through the ranks for one fortnight. Then we move."
She walked off to complete her task.
"Wish I had a girl with a fire like that." Eser breathed
"How long have you been there Eser?" Eli questioned.
"Only long enough to hear everything."
"Has everyone been following me?" Maoz yelled exasperated.
"Yes, in fact, here comes your mother." Eli pointed into the crowd
"Scatter!" Eser called out, he stepped into the dining tent, Madison turned invisible, and Eli stopped walking all together and disappeared into the crowd.
"Hello, Mother." He said when she arrived next to him
"Why so cold my boy?"
"Father's goons sent you, didn't they."
"No my boy."
"And they're not following you?"
"No my son."
"Good, what do you need me for my queen?"
"I only wanted to know how my son was doing."
"I'm quite well mother. How many stars have you seen tonight?"
"Only the hollow ones."
"Quite the travesty."
"Only when the sun rises, but smile my boy, for the sun is setting."
"Then the warmth will fall."
"Indeed my son, but you have your fire with you.”
“Only to my back.”
“I fear that is my fault and I wish you all the better for it. Excuse me for I must leave now."
"Of course mother. I love you.”
She hesitated.
“I love you too Maoz, always remember that, no matter what.”
“I will mom. I promise.”
After she walked away Madison reappeared next to him.
"What was that all about?" 
"Gather the others and meet me in my tent in twenty-eight minutes."
She stood confused, at only 15 she was the most overlooked ally Maoz had, and was definitely not the brightest. 
"Go now, Madison Palm!"
With that, she saluted and ran off.

************Authors note************
Hi guys thanks for reading this far <3
I hope my story is interesting and fun for you to read through.
Unfortunately after this chapter I won't have an editor, please give me a bit of leniency when it comes to grammar and the like. The story will progress in wild ways and I'm very excited for your feedback.
Lots of love <3
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