The Silver Seer

Chapter 39: Emptiness

Lars stares into General Heilewis' eyes as she is frozen in place, clutching her upper right arm with her left hand, where blood trickles through her fingers and down her arm. Without a second of hesitation, the king rushes forward and pierces the woman's neck with his blade, watching as her gaze drifts to him before trying to choke out some sort of explanation or apology for her actions.

His voice easily drowns her meaningless words out. "This is for the entirety of Denmark, not just my parents. Enjoy this feeling while it lasts."

In one swift motion, he extracts his rapier from the woman's neck, flips it so it faces downward, and sheaths it. General Heilewis falls backward and hits the ground with a thump, while a black pool slowly forms around her neck.

Looking down at her, Lars tries to find what he feels, yet cannot produce any words to describe such. Shouldn't he feel happy? Relieved? Satisfied? He's finally achieved his revenge- the one thing he's longed for during eleven difficult years. But it came at a cost.

Turning on his heels, he stares at a motionless Reko and a trembling Felix. He never expected Reko to go to such lengths to protect him. A second earlier, and that bullet would have hit the boy's head, rendering him dead.

He doesn't move as the young general pushes himself up and turns to face him, his expression indistinguishable in the darkness of night. Lars is on guard- uncertain of what Felix will say or do, considering he is also taking the blame for what happened the night of the fire. Damn Heilewis.

Yet he did save Lars by shooting Heilewis in the arm, else the former prince would have definitely died if there were more bullets in her gun than the single one she shot. But Felix was probably moved to shoot her because of Reko, not him.

They stare at each other in silence. The scent of blood and gunpowder is strong, yet it doesn't negatively affect Lars, and he assumes it doesn't make Felix sick either.

The king takes a few steps forward, and watches as Felix puts his right hand out to his side, as if guarding the motionless boy. Maybe he is and sees Lars as a threat.

"Will he be okay?" Lars' voice is quiet, and his eyes flick to Reko before settling on Felix.

Now able to see the man's expression better, he frowns and narrows his eyes at Lars. The reaction comes as no surprise- Lars did indirectly harm Reko, through no choice of his own. "He'll be out of operation for a week. I'm taking him back to Bern. Leon will take you back to Denmark."

Lars' eyes widen. "What? Why can't I go back with you?"

His questions are sincere, yet Felix does not seem to sense that they are. "My priority is the safety of Switzerland's officers. It is best, for Reko, if you would leave."

Baring his teeth, Lars draws his rapier and lunges at Felix. How dare he know what is best for Reko! Was he by Reko's side in that fire? Was he in the barracks when the two fought? Was he in the bedroom the night Lars kissed the mechanical being? He wasn't, so he has no right to-

The teenager's rapier pierces only empty air as Felix gracefully sidesteps his attack. He swings his rapier in his direction, yet all Felix does is jump back and pull his pistol out, firing a single bullet. Lars freezes as the shot echoes, yet while taking a moment to determine if he were injured or not, he yells out as his left wrist is twisted.

He drops his rapier and is grabbed by the collar of his outfit. Felix's face is close to his, the expression on the General's face one of anger, while the king's one of pain as his wrist aches.

"You said you're the one to blame for what Heilewis implied. It's best, for you and Reko, to go back to Denmark. And don't attack me again, especially with the intent to kill. You won't get a warning shot next time." The young man thrusts Lars back with such a strong force that the king stumbles backward and falls to the ground, his lower back colliding with a soldier's still body.