FORTITUDINE (COMPLETED)

10) It's a Long Story

"What happened to your arm?"

Thomas stared at my arm resting on the table. I jerk and try to hide the bandaged thing cursing my thoughtlessness.

"It's nothing but a scratch." I mumble.

Thomas stood up and walked over to where I was sitting and held out his hand.

"Then you wouldn't mind if I took a look?"

He spoke with such seriousness that I was left speechless. When I didn't respond fast enough for his taste he grabbed my wrist and started unwrapping the bandage. 

"Wait, Thomas!" Cried Stephen.

It was too late. The bandage fell to the floor.

"Just a scratch huh?" Muttered Thomas. He dropped my arm and walked out of the room, locking the door behind him.

"What was that all about, I wonder." Muttered Stephen.

I just shook my head and looked down at my arm. I gasp and look closer thinking somehow I missed it.

"What is it?" Asked Stephen.

I shook my head perplexed. Nothing was there.

"How is it even possible for your arm to heal that fast?" Whisper-hollered Stephen.

I run my fingertips along my forearm and try to think of a good answer to give him.

"To be honest, I don't really know. I've never been outside of King's Tomb so I have no idea what you would call normal or not. All I know is that my clan works in different ways than the outside world, such as, how to choose a leader." I say in one breath.

Stephen sighs and runs a hand down his face. He pulls his chair even closer to mine and sits down putting his chin in his hand resting on his knee.

"Ok. You need to start from the beginning. Cover every detail for me, please, not just the basics that you told me earlier."

I sigh. "Alright, get comfortable. This is going to take a while."

I shift in my seat. "It all started when my great-great grandfather set out across new land starting in Boston. He then found King's Tomb and decided to start a clan that would understand and honor his beliefs. He created the saying 'Strength: there's always a weakness' and that's how we got our name Fortitudine; meaning strength in Latin. He believed that for something good to happen you would have to pay the appropriate price. He and his followers went by this law and saying for years."

I sigh. "He soon married and had twins. When those twins grew up he had to choose one of them to be the leader of the clan so he created the Trials of True Strength and my grandfather killed his twin brother within the first five minutes of the last trial, Mortem; meaning death in Latin. My grandfather took leadership of the clan the next day."

I looked up to see Stephen staring at me with wide eyes. I gave him a weak smile and continued.

"We've followed this law ever since. No questions asked. Our laws are different than others as well. Like, for instance, if a person steals from another clan member that person must repay them triple of what they stole. Or if someone wants to get a job, say at a pottery shop, then they must make a piece of pottery better than the potter himself has ever made. Then, and only then, would they get the honor of becoming an apprentice."

I sigh and lick my dry lips while looking at Stephen waiting to see his reaction to this news.

He leaned back in his chair and let out a low woof whistle. Shaking his head he stood up and grabbed my hand.

I looked into his darkening hazel eyes. "What?" I whisper, slightly uncomfortable at our closeness.

He kneeled down beside me still holding my hand. "I don't know what to say Alexandra. Your life is completely different from mine. I can hardly understand how you are so kind hearted, and yet, you live in the middle of a murderous family. Please, tell me more about the  'Trials of True Strength' and how King's tomb got its name."

I gently smile and clear my throat. "Sure, I mean, we have nothing else to do."

Stephen chuckled and patted my hand with his free one. "That's true, but carry on anyways."

I giggle. "By law, the first-born twins will fight to the death and the winner will become head elder of the clan. There are three steps in becoming the head elder: 1-Battle of the Minds, where you and your twin will be put through several tests that strain your brain to its breaking point, evaluating mental stability. 2-Community Service to the people, assisting in anything needed, showing true concern for the people and their needs. 3-Mortem, meaning death, where you physically fight your twin until one of you dies."

I pause remembering the words automatically from hearing them so often in children's stories.

"King's Tomb was created to set an example to people that even a king eventually died and his power and riches really meant nothing it all. He may have been the wealthiest, wisest, and most powerful king but in the end he was still human and humans came to be from dirt by the Lord's making."

Hey guys! Sorry it took so long to update...I'm writing this story and updating it at the same time.

Actually I'm getting close to the end on my original draft!

For those who are confused about what I just said: I started writing  the book before I decided to publish it so I am way ahead on my first version of FORTITUDINE: There's Always A Weakness.

Au revoir mes amis!