A Hero's Bedtime Story.

CHAPTER 14:FATHER LIKE SON

Lucas and Carter had begun travelling to the castle by horse, and were sure to make it in just one day. Carter was very talkative, which was extremely bothersome to the anger-filled Lucas, but he conversed with Carter as normal, not wanting a reason for betrayal. Carter was an odd person, to say the least, but seemed to genuinely care for Lucas. Carter was 20 years Lucas' senior, and Lucas was barely even 25. Lucas had been ahead three grades when in school, not because he was smart or anything, but because his father paid the school board off. Carter was like the father Lucas had never had, what his own should have been. Carter was muscular, and tall, with a dark skin complexion. He would light up a room when he walked into it, full of jokes and kindness. On top of that, he was completely human, but that never faltered his loyalty to Lucas. Carter apparently had a son very similar to Lucas, but he died when he was only 19. So, in a way, Lucas guesses they're both trying to replace someone with each other. That didn't really explain why Carter was helping Lucas, but he was grateful, though still prepared for a double cross. "So, Lucas, tell me, what are you gonna do after you get your throne back? What are your plans?" Cater would ask Lucas, who had to think for a moment. He really didn't think that far. He was so caught up in revenge..."Um-...hm...well I think someone I know needs a promotion, no one you know, of course." Carter grinned in response. "I have some old friends I need to deal with also..." Lucas spoke, venom rolling off his tongue. "Oh...you mean Nat?" Carter asked. "Well, yes...but- there's some people that I need to find...some very special monsters." Answered Lucas, and Carter pressed no more. Lucas wanted to know what had become of his childhood companions, what happened when they went missing...were they even alive? Lucas never told anybody about the two, except Nat... "You really cared about her, huh? Young love...i remember my wife and I used to fight over my drinking...i loved her i really did, but i didn't want to stop, so she left. Whatever it is that sent that young lady running for the hills, Lucas, you fix it, and you fix it good. You don't have a girl like that everyday, so you keep her, treat her right." Lucas went silent, rage filling his every bone. He didn't love Nat, not even slightly-! She was like a sister- and it was all her fault to begin with, he didn't even really care that she was gone! It was just the principle. He didn't miss her- or at least that's what he told himself. Lucas was never an honest one to begin with, not even with himself. "That's beside the point-. Can we stop in the next town? My horse is getting irritated." Carter chuckled. "Right, the horse is irritated-. Sure thing kid, but we gotta make it quick, so I sure hope that 'horse' isn't too mad at me." The two were silent the rest of the ride until they stopped at a tavern. Lucas and Carter entered the tavern, which exploded in gasps and whispers, not that they cared. People all had their theories about what happened to Lucas when he was exiled, some thought he was dead, others thought he got married and settled down. The truth was, common folk were just plain scared of him. Rumours were that he was this evil monster who would kill your children and make you watch, which, of course, wasn't true. Lucas and Carter took a seat at a table, all eyes on them. Lucas enjoyed the feeling, the centre of attention everywhere he walked, people hanging every word he said. He was always cast aside as a child, told he would be nothing, and here he was, people's eyes locked on him as if he was a target and them archers. A tried man in a waist apron walked up to them, and asked him something- Lucas wasn't really paying attention. A Little kid across the tavern sat on a man's lap, staring, so Lucas bucked his head at him, causing the kid to bury his head in the man's arms. He guesses it's not the same as it was...people used to adore him, worshipping the ground he walked on, now they feared him. But, there's no such thing as bad attention, right? (767)