Halo: Heroes Awakening

10. Follow The Signs

Halo

After Halo had carried through one of the worst plans he had ever had, he crept all the way back to his room and climbed into bed like nothing happened.

Then he rose with the sun, stretching his arms with a smile as the golden rays warmed in his face through his window. He started getting ready for the trip he had to make today, fixing himself up in his diamond-shaped mirror.

His nerves were shot. He hoped that the rebel girl had gotten far away from here on out. She looked too sweet and innocent to just die so horribly. Even if she was all the things they said she was, the death penalty was not what she deserved. Vaea could argue with the wall.

Another problem tugged at the back of his mind. Something he'd soon come face to face with, and his heart wasn't ready in the slightest. He just hoped that it would go as well as it did with his brother.

Halo sprayed on his scented fragrance and left the room to go to Finn's, who had a habit of never waking up early.

As soon as he left his room, he saw the guards running down the halls in urgent fashions. Halo struggled to hide his smile. It looked like they had made an unpleasant discovery.

Finn was surprisingly awake when Halo stepped into his room. He was sliding on his hessian boots and gave Halo a nod, his hair standing in different directions.

"Look who's up early!" Halo said, grinning wide. "I was just on my way to wake you up!"

"I can't sleep in this palace, no offense," Finn said grumpily. "I feel like I'm going to get suffocated in my sleep."

"That's probably my father's ghost," Halo said, making Finn's face drop. It made Halo burst into chuckles. "I'm just kidding. He wouldn't suffocate you. Probably just rant your ear off about how bad you are at everything and that you will disappoint everyone who has faith in you."

Finn pursed his lips awkwardly. "That sounds like my old man, not gonna lie. Except he said all that while drunk."

"Fathers are so wonderful!" Halo said wistfully. "But so are brothers. And we should probably go greet mine."

Finn failed to hide his annoyed face. "After last night's supper? You must have all the patience in the world."

Vaea had bitten his head off about the King thing, but Halo knew that was because he felt threatened. That was not his fault.

"I know he may seem like a complete bum, but if it's one thing you have to know is that my brother has suffered a lot," Halo explained, seriously. "And some of it was because of me. He only lashes out at me when he's vulnerable."

"That doesn't make it right," Finn scoffed. "But whatever. I feel like you won't listen to me anyway. Let's go on this trip of yours."

A knock came to Finn's door, and suddenly it flew open without giving them a chance to respond. It was one of the guards. "Good morrow, your highness and guest. The King requests your presence in the throne room. It is urgent."

"Thank you, we'll be there right now," Halo nodded. Finn gave him a suspicious look.

"Any idea what that's about?"

Halo shrugged innocently. "None at all."

***

"I give you one fucking job, Augus! You were so good to my father and yet with me you can't even keep one criminal locked up? Is this your way of rebelling against me?"