Deserters

Honor

Alex arrived in the Capital a week after he left Fort Hammer. He was escorted to the room he stayed in for his stay by members of the Royal Guard. He was to attend the meeting with all of the fort commanders, the Ten Generals and Maximilian himself in the morning. He tried to rest, but his mind was racing all night and he barley slept. He kept thinking to himself and praying. When the Royal Guard came in the morning to escort Alex to the meeting hall, Alex put his uniform on, grabbed his sword and walked over to the guards to be escorted.

The meeting hall was a large room. About one thousand people could fit in it, yet it was used for thirty men to have a big meeting every month. When Maximilian came in, everyone snapped to attention as he was escorted in by his Royal Guard. Alex and all of the other fort commanders gave their reports to the generals and Maximilian before Maximilian spoke.

"In light of recent events where four of my civilians were captured by bandits and one was killed, I have decided that all small villages are to be turned into military camps immediately." Maximilian said referring to the incident at Alex's home and all villages like Alex's home. This infuriated Alex, but he knew there was nothing he could do. Maximilian continued. "All of the occupants of these villages are to be moved into the largest city near them. They will be responsible for finding their own homes and jobs. This is to take place as soon as all of you return to your forts. That is all I have for now." Maximilian said as he stood up and left the room with his guards. All of the fort commanders stayed seated not knowing what to do. They never expected an order like this.

One by one they all started to return to their chambers until Alex was the only one left in the meeting hall. Eventually, some of the Royal Guards escorted Alex to his one on one with Maximilian. When Alex was brought to Maximilian, he snapped to attention and saluted. Maximilian dismissed his guards and began to walk down the halls of the Capital Building with Alex.

"Now I know my recent news most likely hits a sore spot with you Steadson, but you must know that this is what's best for the nation." Maximilian said while walking. Alex remained silent while he spoke. "You must be able to keep your personal feelings for what has happened to your family at bay. This is what our nation needs right now. Now I realize that the deaths of your sister and mother could have been prevented, but at the time is did not make sense to send in more soldiers..." Alex began to fill with anger listening to Maximilian. "... I do wish I could have saved them, but they were a necessary sacrifice to ensure the well being of our great nation. You do understand this correct?" Alex still remained silent, and they stopped in the middle of the hallway. "Now do you have any quest-" Maximilian began to ask.

Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, Alex pushed himself into Maximilian and then stepped back quickly. There were three loud bangs that near deafened anyone in the hall. Maximilian was suddenly falling onto his knees and then onto his back, beginning to choke on his own blood. Alex had taken the pistol Maximilian had on his belt and shot Maximilian in the chest three times. Three members of the Royal Guard rushed around the corner with their swords drawn, and Alex immediately shot each man in the heads, making them all drop dead.

Alex ripped the dagger Maximilian had on his belt out and knelt down on top of Maximilian. He took the dagger and as hard as he could, drug the blade across Maximilian's face and through his eye, marking him with the mark of the honorless. Alex stood up and looked at him.

"You stupid piece of shit..." Maximilian managed to cough out. Alex grabbed him by the collar and pulled him up so he would be looking Alex in the eyes. "You took everything from my family and me. You killed all of them and thousands of other. You're going to rot in hell with me one day, and I'm going to be the one to send you there" Alex said, letting all of the rage he's held back all of his life out in that one sentence. Alex sit in his face and then threw him down onto the ground. "You're dead Steadson. You're just as USELESS AS YOUR FATHER! WEAK! AND AFRAID OF WHAT REAL POWER-" Maximilian started to scream, but Alex drew his sword and rammed it through Maximilian's throat, pinning his body to the floor.

Alex slowly stood up straight and the looked up to the sky with his eyes closed. "It's over dad..." he whispered as a loud crack of thunder broke the silence. More of the Royal Guard ran around the corner with rifles all point at Alex. "DO NOT MOVE" the leader of the guard screamed. Alex looked at them, and then without hesitation busted through the window next to him sending him free falling over one hundred feet down. The guards ran over to the window and started looking around. About the time Alex would have it the ground, there was a burst of thunder, and the guard walked away from the window, and over to the lifeless body of the deceased High Ruler.