Cross the stars with me

We Must All Lift Together

-Eynal-

After weeks of this change, differences seemed to loom more than usual. I had started to wonder where normality had gone, since the ordeals with him the changes he imposed upon me had flourished from a rarity, to weekly to almost daily. I had begun to need correction and his guidance no longer and eventually it seemed the past had flown away as he told me it would. But occasionally I would not have that agenda in mind and so we did nothing but chat or implore into anything that sparked my interest. I eagerly awaited our talks; they were the only times when things were not forced or frighteningly new they just felt human. Sam never indulged in questions about himself for his entire focus leached onto me, "What is on your mind" He would say "Anything new?" he became shrouded in mystery and probed at things in a roundabout way to not strike deep into anything that would cause discord.

"How long have you been fascinated with reading?" He asked concerning the mound of books that seriously needed tidying.

I shot him a droll look. "I know what you're doing."

"I just want to know how-"

"You are avoiding the subject you really want to get at, so you ask me questions of no importance."

"Because I'm being wary." He said coolly.

"Teetering on the edge is no longer needed in our conversations," I said. "So just say what you truly want."

"We're on the precipice of all-out war, and all of us are nervous, fearful perhaps even eager." He explained. "I just want to know how you feel."

"I don't see what difference it makes." I said, "It'll hardly come to a confrontation."

"You didn't hear about your cousin amassing all of his banners?" He supplied.

That was news to me. I had missed more than my fair share of council gatherings, but I had grown bored of politics for the time being, it was dreadful and only turned into an intense argument, another point to my mother about "missing my duties".

"No, I had not," I muttered.

"A cluster of angry, irrational men with no honour they chip away at our morale every passing second, your whole kingdom sits on the edge of fear."

I stayed silent for a few seconds, considering, "And what have counsel decided on the matter?"

Sam guffawed and ground his teeth together. "Practically nothing, but I cannot blame them none alive today have ever seen a war anyone you could consult would just be out of touch only theorists with no experience."

"You have thoughts of your own though," I observed.

"But It's not a simple answer. I can swing a sword but that's where my list of talents grinds to a halt."

I sighed heavily. "Downplaying yourself will not help."

"You're far better at this, you study the maps and everything about the kingdom the ins and outs, the people, finances, landscape you know it all. Why don't you attend the council and offer insight? anything would be far better than what's been put forward already." He reasoned.

His words had merit, but stubbornness fought against the idea whispering in my ear that I should relax my bother for the situation and leave it to those who literally were in their position for such a purpose but Sam had been drilling other codes into my head for weeks, duty, honour, selflessness and I knew all demanded I help.

"I would protest, but I know you're right," I admitted. "I'll do it."

[By the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit I bless this chapter with a time skip but plot twist It's converted to Sikhism, Fight! Fight! Fight! (No, I am not crazy whatever do you mean)]