Curse - Septiplier

12: Rebuilding

Jack's POV

"Mark is away for today, on a scouting mission. Knowing you, and to no offense of course your highness, sending another soldier to train you would only make him hate you. Your sharp tongue has already proven itself to make people turn on their heels as your sight, and your childish nature brings no sense of wrongdoing as a result. So, for the time being I suppose that you have a free day. Before you ask, no I will not tell you where Mark has gone for the day, and no matter how many times you demand it I will not let you go after him nor will I allow him to skip this mission because you demand it from me. Please, your highness, take the day to yourself and just enjoy it."

The General's words echoed in my head as I stood in the doorway of the castle. I was looking out over the village beneath us, and watching as the gray skies above threatened rain. Mark was gone for the day, and the General made it more than clear that I wasn't allowed to go after him or allowed to ask for his return. I felt a little lost without Mark here to throw me into the river, or to grab my sword and show me how to properly hold it. Even so, I had a feeling that there were better things to be done, and I had to make up for the mistakes that I had made.

Agro was concerned and interested once I walked into the stables again, sneaking past the stable boys and the others horses until I reached his side. None of the other animals took note of me, but Agro was always keen when I was around. I stroked his back, thinking once more about yesterday when Mark had found me crying in the mountains. I had been upset, knowing that my foolish decision making was the result of death in the village, and injury both mental and physical that cut deep among the people. Their scars were the rift between us, filling with blood and hatred at my stupidity, and for a moment that realization was simply overwhelming. Then, Agro snorted against my neck, reminding me that I was still here, and I could still resolve what happened.

While stuck in the castle, resting, I had heard many of the rumors floating between maids and knights. The town was in ruins, as somehow the opposing kingdom's soldiers had managed to push our lines back that far. Houses were destroyed, many buildings were torn apart and the cobbled streets even uplifted in some areas. The people were working to build some of it back up, but many were too poor to afford to fix their own houses, and that was where I came in. Being the prince with money I never wanted anything to do with, free time resting on my hands, a responsibility to the people and a sense of determination to set right what I had wronged, I found myself climbing atop Agro and sprinting outside the stables before someone could catch me.

I felt my jaw set, and I rode into the town as people continued about their day. I slowed once I was well into the village, and I found my presence greeted with harsh stares and a cold shoulder that belonged to more than just the chilling wind blowing in from the water. A sea of unspoken hatred seemed to cover the road as I walked down it, and the more people that stared through broken windows or gathered outside their houses to watch me pass, the harder it seemed to wade through the tide swelling against me. Finally, the man who I saw at the castle the day before, the one who nearly attacked me out of anger, stood before me with a defiant and icy glare. I gently pulled at Agro's reins, causing him to slow to a stop so that I could step down and face this man myself. He watched my every move, the village silent and holding its breath as it watched the tension spiking and the idea of conflict growing stronger. As I strode forward, confidence fueling my every step, I felt the first drops of rain beginning to hit the ground around me. I stared up at the man, taller than me with broader shoulders and eyebrows knit together in anger. I held out my hand, holding several gold pieces in my palm, and he stared at them indifferently.

"I've come to pay my condolences." I said to him, and he looked up at me, his eyes narrowing in anger once more, but I lifted my free hand up to stop him. "Not literally." I explained, and his anger turned to confusion as the rest of the townspeople leaned forward to hear us over the rain that now slapped against the cobble. "These coins are to pay for the lumber, the cobble, and any other materials for your homes." I said, and the man's face relaxed in surprise. "I cannot bring your wife back, and my apologizing for my cowardice will not heal the wounds I've created among my people, will not seal the gorge I've opened between myself and you all. Instead, I'm here to help rebuild and create an even stronger foundation, create a lasting memory of those that we love."