Of Kings and Pawns

Chapter 26 - The Weight of Choices

Albert Varsaw walked through the bustling streets of Varislow, his eyes downcast as he navigated the crowded market. His eyepatch covered the purple eye that would have given him away, and his tangled beard and messy hair made him look older than his years... an effective disguise. No one paid him much attention, and that’s how he preferred it. Since the riots, he was the only one from his family who dared venture outside to buy food. The air was heavy with tension, the entire city bracing itself for the inevitable conflict.

Varislow’s defenses were being shored up. Soldiers marched through the streets, parading beneath the banners of House Varsaw in an attempt to lift the people's spirits. Albert moved through the market, picking out vegetables and bread for lunch, but he couldn’t help overhearing the conversations around him.

Rumors circulated like wildfire. Otto Eigermann had invaded Lord Morav’s land, and half of it was now under Eigermann’s control, with a portion handed over to House Maygard. People from the countryside were fleeing, crossing into House Eroman’s territory, as House Varsaw found itself increasingly surrounded. To the west was Otto and his puppet House Vratis, to the north, Rus-backed House Letton, and to the east, House Rus itself. The worst rumor of all, whispered in fearful tones, was that House Frank and Brighton were not ready for war.

Albert tried to block out the noise as he selected a cabbage, hoping to get back home without incident. But then, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned, startled, and saw Arman standing behind him.

“We need to talk,” Arman said, his voice low. Without waiting for a response, he grabbed Albert’s hand and pulled him into a narrow alleyway.

Albert followed reluctantly, his heart sinking. Ever since the riots, Arman had stopped meeting him on the rooftop. There had been no explanation, no word, just silence. Now, standing in the alley, Albert tried to keep his emotions in check.

“Where have you been?” Albert asked, his voice barely concealing his disappointment.

Arman sighed, running a hand through his hair. “My parents found out,” he said. “They’ve been locking my windows at night. I couldn’t get out.”

Albert’s response was clipped. “Okay.”

There was a pause, heavy and uncomfortable. Arman shifted on his feet before speaking again, his tone urgent. “Albert, my parents are planning to leave Varislow. They want to go to Eroman or maybe Sven lands. We could go too. We could leave now, find that little cottage in the mountains like we always talked about.”

Albert’s heart twisted at the thought. He had long dreamed of escaping the city, of finding peace somewhere far from the war, far from the hate that plagued them. But things had changed.

“I can’t,” Albert said quietly. “I can’t leave my family.”

Arman’s face tightened. “Why not? We’ve talked about this, Albert. We can still get away, just the two of us.”

“No,” Albert repeated, firmer this time. “There’s a war coming, Arman. I have to help my mother, my siblings. I’m not running away now. And neither should you.”

The argument escalated quickly. Arman pleaded with Albert to reconsider, to think of the future they could have together, but Albert stood his ground. His family came first. He couldn’t abandon them, not when they needed him the most. The weight of responsibility was too heavy, and Arman’s promises of a peaceful life felt distant, almost impossible.

Finally, Arman stopped arguing. He looked at Albert with a sadness that cut deeper than any words. “I thought you’d understand,” he whispered. Then, in a moment of quiet desperation, he leaned forward and kissed Albert.

For a brief moment, Albert kissed him back, but the heaviness of their unspoken conflict hung between them. When Arman pulled away, his eyes were filled with a mixture of hurt and resignation.

Without another word, Arman turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Albert standing alone in the alley. He watched as Arman’s figure vanished, a part of him wishing he could run after him, but another part knowing that the rift between them had grown too wide.

Albert stood there for a long time, the sounds of the bustling market fading into the background. For the first time, he felt the strain pulling at the bond they had shared. The world was changing around them, and perhaps, so was their relationship.