Heavy is the Head that Wears the Solemn Crown

Thirty-Nine - Promise Born From A Place of Fear

Wilbur

Wilbur is seated at his desk when he hears a commotion outside his tent. He looks up from where he's been poured over several documents. He hesitantly rises to his feet, waiting for someone to inform him why he can hear distant yelling. He's almost certain that he's going to be left out of the loop when the tent flap opens. The voices grow louder for the single second it takes Sparklez to step into the tent. He bows to his king as a sign of respect, but he doesn't mince his words as he starts speaking without being given the order to. "The two groups you sent out have returned. Unfortunately, as near as I can tell, someone among the two groups is injured."

Wilbur swiftly stands all the way up. His crown tilts on his head as he starts rushing forward. He sent Tommy and Techno on those missions. He sent Kristin on those missions. He sent Shubble and Niki on those missions. He sent Tubbo, Gem, and Fwhip on those missions. Prince Scott, Boomer, and Duke Sam also went on those missions. Any one of them could be hurt, and Wilbur doesn't know to what extent. He feels something akin to preemptive guilt swirling in his gut. He has to make sure that they're okay. He has to make sure that it's fixable, and when he finds out that it is, he's going to fix it.

"My king," Sparklez startles as Wilbur pushes past him. The guard simply follows after Wilbur as the king rushes towards the entrance of the ravine. Wilbur knows that he probably looks like a fool. A king should remain calm and composed no matter the situation. Wilbur, though, is rushing around like a headless chicken. Wilbur absently notes that Samantha will scold him harshly later. Even though he's been avoiding her, she'll find a way to make it known to him how unacceptable his actions are. Despite knowing all of this, Wilbur doesn't slow down. He has to get to them. He has to find out who's hurt.

Wilbur stops when he sees the wagons. Everyone is circled around the way that looks unfamiliar to Wilbur. It isn't one he sent out, but he can see Boomer's pale hair in the mix of people. He knows that both of the groups have returned. Wilbur stops a few feet from them. His eyes flashed around to see who's the hurt one. He can see Boomer and some unfamiliar girl with roses in her hair... he can see Scott and his guard... he can see Niki... Techno... Kristin... Gemini... Fwhip... Tubbo... Shubble and Tommy are both sitting right inside the wagon, leaning over someone. Wilbur sucks in a breath as he realizes who isn't there. Wilbur takes a few steps forward, peering over the side of the wagon. Duke Sam lies on the wooden floorboard with his hands crossed over his chest like he's already been placed in a coffin. His skin is pale, his eyes are closed, and Wilbur can't see his chest moving. This is a dead man... one covered in some weird colored moss.

"We need to bring him to a private tent!" Shubble immediately demands with tears glistening in her eyes. Although her voice remains steady, her hands are shaking uncontrollably. Techno and Tubbo rush forward to hoist Sam into both of their arms. They start carrying Sam, and Wilbur rushes to guide them to the nearest empty tent. It's mainly used by the guards for breaks after harsh days of training, but Wilbur knows it will suit their current purposes just fine.

Techno and Tubbo place Sam as gently as they can on a cot. Everyone else follows them into the tent, including Sparklez. Tommy is at his side in an instant. He grabs Sam's hand in both of his. A thin sheen of light appears across Tommy's hand, pouring into Sam's body. Wilbur takes a single step back as he witnesses magic. He feels his breath stutter in his chest. His heartbeat rushes in his ears like the erratic beating of a drum. His hands shake at his sides, growing colder than the ocean off the Antarctic Empire's coast. His entire body is washed with the coldness, sapping away at what little strength he's been able to hoard behind exhaustion's back.

Shubble sits on the ground. She places both of her hands against the rug. Vines made from a golden light wrap around her arms. They blossom with sparkly flowers. Beneath her palms, the light begins to condense into a solid structure. The structure takes the shape of Sam's basic figure, his height and body shape. Shubble tilts her head up to Wilbur. Her eyes shimmer gold beneath the light reflecting in them. "Wilbur, you have to use your magic to coax Sam's soul into this body."