Long Suffer the King

XVI

A/N: I want to get more in depth with this chapter in general but I can't at the moment bc college, just know the final scene of this chapter will be heavily edited later on!

Ophelia's jaw drops slightly, but she recomposes herself quickly. "My father never spoke about him or at least I don't ever remember him speaking of him. I mean he has said he had a brother that he surpassed and took the throne from but other than that..."

"There's a good reason for that, Ophelia. He and his brother never truly got along. And for that reason exactly. Your uncle was seen as a curse, no one truly trusted him and everyone feared him. He prophesied events and they were never any good."

"Does he prophecize death?"

"Yes." Klaus doesn't hesitate. She looks up at him. "The end of my family line... does that include me?"

"He doesn't prophecize that well or specifically. They're just dreams for him. They come in short images, sometimes words." Klaus informs her and pauses. Then, "I do not know if it includes you."

Ophelia rubs her temple and starts pacing. "I want to see him, take me to him."

"I-I can't... only Joan knows where he is." he falters, for once, in his words. Ophelia stops and looks at him. "Where's Joan."

"Wait, no, Ophelia!" he tries grabbing her arm and stopping her from going outside but she does so anyways and makes her way to the tent in the middle of the encampment. "I want to see my uncle." she says as she steps inside the tent.

Joan turns from her position on her cot, her back being turned to the tent opening and a notebook in hand. "Your uncle?" she feigns confusion.

"Yes, my uncle. My own bloody uncle who is a prophet!" Ophelia states loudly. Klaus walks in seconds later. "Joan, I had to tell her-"

Joan silences him with a look and stands, closing her notebook and delicately placing it on her trunk. "You didn't have to say anything. I think you're becoming too soft, Klaus." she looks over at Ophelia. "As for you, I didn't want you knowing so early."

"Why not? I have a right to know! He's my uncle!"

"And what he wants to tell you is not pretty, Ophelia. It'll change how you look at everything." she warns. Ophelia glares at her. "I think I can handle it, take me to him."

Joan resists for a moment, thinking. "Very well. Klaus, ready two horses. Ophelia and I are going to visit the prophet." she turns and begins shifting through her trunk for something. Klaus walks out, hesitant. Ophelia remains where she is. "Where you ever going to tell me?"

"Yes, Ophelia, I was. But not right now. Maybe sometime in the future-"

"Leaving secrets for a later time makes them worse." Ophelia interrupts. Joan stands and turns back to her, a small map in hand. "You're right, but I had a plan."

"A plan for what, to use me and play me like a puppet, to only tell me things when I deserve to know? When you deem me ready to know them?"

Joan stares at her, raising an eyebrow, impressed. "My, someone has gotten mouthy."

"I've always been like that, I just didn't get the chance to voice myself." Ophelia shoots back. Joan sighs and motions for them to leave the tent. Klaus is already waiting with two horses, handing the reins over. "I want to come with you."

"Klaus, it is best you stay behind. Look after the camp." Joan jumps up onto her horse and Ophelia follows suite, getting better already. Klaus nods, disappointed, but bows and leaves them.

Joan leads them through the forest, following the stream of water. The night is quiet and dark, but thankfully Klaus had tied a lantern to each of the horse's saddles. Ophelia finds it much easier to ride with a saddle than bareback.