The Sword of Truth (Book II)

Chapter IV | Brotherhood

   "My boys," Mary said tearfully as Ben and Jon stood there in complete shock. 

   "M-mother?" Ben stuttered, his mouth agape. 

   "Yes Benjamin, it's me," she assured, pulling her son's into a hug.

   Tears fell from all of their golden eyes, living in the reunion.  Ben never thought he would ever actually get to meet his mother along or even see his brother again.  Just like their father said, she was beautiful, her eyes as gold as wheat fields.  She pulled away in realization. Could her sons be dead?

"Wait, I'm dead. Please do not tell me you two are as well!" The young woman yelled in her accent.

"Mother, uh...Jon...he's dead and I'm not," Ben explained awkwardly as Mary broke down into Jon's arms.

"My son! What happened?!"

"It doesn't matter how, mother," Jon insisted, glancing at Ben, the one who killed him.

Ben was completely shocked that his brother didn't say that he killed him. With his amber eyes, he stared at his brother, questioning his protection of him. Though, Mary was still in tears. The young mother looked up at both of her handsome sons and broke down once again. Ben and Jon took their distressed mother into their strong arms again.

"It's alright, mother."

~|The Daagon War-Eldaland|~

Jonathan Ainsworth II stood triumphantly near his beloved horse, Winston, looking out onto the training camp. Just then, King Pharaoh walked up behind the Captain, a malevolent smile engraved on Pharaoh's face. The king placed a hand on Jon's shoulder, catching his attention. "Good day for a war, aye Captain Ainsworth?"

"Indeed, your majesty," he agreed.

"Well then, gather your men and meet at the edge of the fortress, Captain," he ordered in all seriousness, walking away.

Finally, Jon thought. He couldn't wait to see his love, Gretchen, who slaved over the militants. Hoping the king wouldn't notice, Jon slipped into the servants quarters, passing by numerous slaves. Then he saw his beloved Gretchen.

"My love," he called, causing her to look up from her task of sweeping, dropping her broom.

"Jonathan!" She exclaimed, leaping into his metal-clad arms.

He wrapped his arms around her tiny frame, pressing his lips against hers as the slaves swooned over their secret romance. She made him smile, even through training or the battle itself. He would think of her or his family, and it would help during the dark times.  He set her back down on her feet. 

   The slaves gasped as the king appeared in the doorway, his arms crossed.  Jon feared the worst and turned around to face his king.  "Your majesty, I can explain-"

   "Love between a decorated captain and a slave?  You know the rules Captain and since we have plenty of these disgusting slaves, I shall spare your life, but your wretched lover will come with me."

   "Please your majesty!  Spare her, not me!"

   "I'm not losing my best captain!  Come with me, slave," he demanded as Gretchen hesitantly walked shamefully over to the nobleman.