The Kingdom : A Land for the Exiled and the Rebels

THE KINGDOM

Davian

"Mother. What brings you here so early in the morning?" Davian said, rising from his chair on the breakfast table. He had just been informed of his mother's arrival which he had expected but not so soon.

"You are not a fool Davian. You know why I am here." She muttered sitting on the chair Davian pulled for her gracefully. He looked into her piercing blue eyes, the one similar to his, not only in color and shape but also in the shrewd intelligence they reflected. Lady Ike Carpathia was a woman of great power and influence, feared and respected by all who knew her. Nothing could be hidden from her.

"So, you heard?" He asked as she methodically placed the napkin on her legs. She did everything the same way elegantly and perfectly. Her long, dark hair was always flawlessly coiffed and she always wore the finest silks and jewels.

"I heard? Did you think you could hide such great news from me? Do you know how awfully embarrassed I feel hearing it from the servants?"

"It was never my intention to hide anything. I was just waiting for the right time to tell you." He said placatingly. It really was never his intention to hide it from her. He was just not prepared for the objections she was going to have with his decision. And though no one could stop him once he had decided to do something. Disrespecting his mother's feelings was not something he wanted to do.

"You hiding the news from me is not the biggest concern for me at the moment Davian. It's your marriage to that commoner. You are one of the most powerful men in the Kingdom and yet marrying that lowly girl who came from no one knows where?"

"Mother. I would not have you disrespect my fiancée like that." He said trying to control his rising temper. Even though he did not feel any affection for the girl, yet she was his choice. And he did not like anyone disrespecting his decisions.

"Davian..." "General." One of his guards interrupted whatever she was going to say, he felt the last bit of his control fading.

"What did I say about interrupting when I am with my family?" He barked.

"S-Sorry General, but it's urgent." He muttered . This time he did not say anything and just stared. Like most of his men the guard knew better to say anything after that and quietly slipped out of the room.

"Yes mother, you were saying?" He said turning to his mother who was looking at him smiling proudly. She always did because she loved the power that he held.

"That you can marry anyone. Even someone from the nobility. This is our chance. No one would say no to marrying their daughter to the General of the Executioners. You know that."

"Yes, but a girl from the nobility would never offer us the loyalty and discretion that a family like ours full of secrets needs." He said pointing.

"And you think that girl would be loyal to us?" His mother scoffed. "She will be the first one to backstab us when the time comes. I have seen a fire in her eyes when she looks at me." Davian has also seen that fire. And that was one of the many reasons he wanted to marry her. He always believed in keeping any possible threat closer. The second was that he owed her. She has saved his brother's life and if there was anything that held importance in his life most it was his brother.

"I have made my decision, mother. And it's not going to change." He said determinedly. "Enjoy your breakfast. I have urgent business to attend to." He rose from his chair kissing his mother on her head.

*****

He walked out to his library where his second-in-command Kian, the most loyal of his men, stood waiting with the soldier who had interrupted him. Looking at his bowed head and pale face, he knew Kian had already taught him his lesson for the mistake that he just committed.

"What is it?" he asked, busying himself with the letters in front of him.

"It's you brother, General." Kian voiced carefully.

"What did he do now?" he asked exasperatingly, putting down the letter in his hand, preparing himself for the worst. He loved that boy but he surely was going to be his death very soon.

"Killed one of his comrades in a fight." Kian answered tonelessly. He delivered such a message to him every one month or so. Burst of emotions like this were not new for his brother even though he knew he cannot afford such indiscretion at such a crucial period in his career. He was training for the army. And Davian intended for him to be inducted with the royal guards, the most powerful in the Kingdom. A position that would definitely ensure the security of his family and also bring them into direct connection with the palace.

"You mean the boy whose father we have been looking for. The one who was in hiding after the rebellion?" He questioned Kian knowing that his second in command would know what he intended.

"Yes, General." Kian replied promptly without any hesitation. The soldier standing behind him however had a reservation.

"Do you have something to say? Did you think my brother would kill someone without any reason?" he asked him unnervingly.

"N-No G-General." He stuttered. Davian looked at Kian. The man was an excellent judge of characters and always chose the best men to be around his household. Kian gestured to the man to leave.

"He is loyal. Just new and inexperienced." He answered even without Davian having to ask.

"I want everyone in the family of the boy my brother Etlus killed dead. Same for anyone who raises any objection. You know how to do it."

"Sure General."

"And why the hell did Etlus kill the boy?" It was only the early hours of morning but he had had enough of this day already.

"Because of your ward. Avanth has ousted all others in the training and is favorite of everyone in the camp. Both his peers and the commanders alike. Your brother doesn't like it. I was told that the boy who was killed made fun of your brother because of a recent swordsmanship competition which he lost against your ward." Kian spoke, choosing his words carefully. A flicker of annoyance crossed through Davian's face as he leaned forward in his chair, but he schooled his features immediately. Silence hung between them for a moment as Davian processed the information. Finally, a sinister smile curled upon his lips.

"So, Avanth is doing well? Huh. Are you still keeping an eye on him?" Davian asked, his voice laced with an unsettling calmness.

Kian nodded. "I am doing it myself, General. He is showing no signs of rebellion against you. He is complacent. In fact, too complacent." Davian smiled affectionately. He knew it. The boy was good. Too good for the world and that was one of the many reasons he left him alive. He had seen in the boy the same determination to protect his family that Davian had. Though Avanth's was a softer kind, one aimed at saving the people whom he loved. Davian's was chaotic, one that brought death and destruction. Davian remembered a time when he was like Avanth, but it did not last long. And now he was waiting for the boy's goodness to fade the same way. He knew it would one day when you live in a world like theirs, you lose the good sooner or later.

"Go ahead. I want you to deal with the situation with Etlus yourself. I don't trust anyone else with it." Kian nodded and with a bow turned to leave the chamber to carry out Davian's bidding. But before he could step away, Davian halted him. He just remembered another situation he had to deal with.

"What about the issue with the Oracles? Did you send anyone to look into the matter?" He asked. Though the Oracles were not a big threat for him but if he did not keep them in check from time to time, his authority would be undermined and he could not afford that.

"Yes General, I have already sent men to the village. They have been ordered to warn the Tribe Heads against any such indiscretion again."

Kian left the chamber, bowing again leaving Davian alone in his seat. He leaned back resting his head against his chair, looking at the letter in his hand. It has arrived with all the mess that came this morning. The stage was set for a twisted dance of retribution, and Davian would ensure that all who stood against him would pay the ultimate price.

"Where the hell is that stupid brother of mine?" He murmured to himself, rising from the chair.