Heavy is the Head that Wears the Solemn Crown

Forty-Nine - The Fate We Choose

Tommy

The days pass by slowly. Despite the war ravaging the rest of the land, the capital city of the duke's territory seems to be encased in molasses. The servants of the palace are unseen shadows that dart around the cold halls to clean up any mess Duke Schlatt makes in a drunken rage. The people in the streets go about their business and barters. Any refugees from the war that try to enter the city are quietly disposed of, and Tommy doesn't know if they're being murdered, imprisoned, or trafficked to other parts of the nation. The nobles are constantly trapped in a tiring battle of gaining and losing power by making appearances and making a fool of each other. Tommy does not participate in any of their pointless squabbles, mainly because he doesn't care but also because he's just a mercenary Tubbo hired that no one cares about.

As the prodigal son who returned to the city, Tubbo is the star of high society. All manner of unsavory rumors follow him wherever he goes, and since Tommy also trails after his master, he is accustomed to each and every one. He laughs at a few of them, loses his temper at others. Tubbo does not pay attention to them. He keeps a stern expression on his face as he inspects every inch of the city that he is certain will fall into his hands one day. Tommy, as Tubbo's guard, must follow him every time he goes into the city, his pocket heavier from the gold coins that Schlatt has slipped him to ensure that Tubbo doesn't run away again. Tommy doesn't need the coins, but he likes inconveniencing Schlatt.

Other than guarding Tubbo during the day, Tommy trains with his sword. As he suspected before, his senses are far sharper than they once were. It upsets his balance for a little while, but he quickly gets more acquainted with the sound of his heart pounding, muscles moving, and sweat dripping. He hones his abilities until he's better than most of Schlatt's soldiers- the ones who stay in the city to guard the duke and his home. Tommy doesn't stop even when he comes to the realization that he's 'good enough'. He prefers training to other pastimes. When he's training, the usual thoughts and emotions don't grab at his limbs like leaden chains. When he's training, he's usually treated with vague memories of another lifetime when everything was easier. He can hear the instructions of a pink haired gladiator whispering in his ear, and a brunette revolutionary promising him that his efforts are not in vain. It eases Tommy's aching heart to think about those two strangers instead of his sister's fading smile.

He really only has one problem with training. He finds himself staring rather longingly at the polearms in the weapon's rack. He can't quite reach the memories, but he can see the glimmering shine of a golden spear beckoning towards him. That green storyteller told him that the spear belonged to a monster, and the scales haven't disappeared from Tommy's body. He's turning into the monster from the story, but he doesn't know what that's supposed to mean. The origins of the Badlands are centuries old. Tommy is not centuries old. Even if he can't remember his life as a toddler, Beau is very certain that he was with her and their biological parents. Tommy believes her. He doesn't think he could have lost hundreds of years worth of his life in an instant. There must be another explanation, but part of Tommy is clinging to his humanity. He doesn't touch the polearms or the feelings associated with the weapons.

He keeps training with his sword to stop himself from thinking about his sister and spears.

It also keeps him from wondering about Ranboo. Tubbo informs Tommy every day that Ranboo is settling well. Tommy unconditionally believes Tubbo, but he wishes he could see Ranboo for himself. Because of their busy schedules, Tommy has only caught glimpses of Ranboo. He can't very well ask to see him, either, because the story they all agreed to made certain that Tommy and Ranboo were bonded over their responsibility for Tubbo. The mercenary doesn't have any personal feelings for Tubbo and Ranboo, and the indentured servant is entirely loyal to Tubbo and terrified of Tommy. It's the story that Tommy will stick to for the sake of their mission. Tommy just takes Tubbo's word and pretends that seeing glimpses of his friend is enough for him.