The Heart of King Travis

Execution

As Arialis flew back into the clearing, I wasn't even frightened at the possibility of what could be coming. Spencer was right. Taking this risk could possibly get me killed, but I was a fighter. Fighters didn't run from situations that could lead to danger for themselves. When the great claws of the majestic blue-scaled dragon sunk into the ground, I exhaled. Spencer cast a nervous glance back at me and quickly looked away. He was scared for me and it was clear, but I wouldn't let my brother down. I had to try my best and that effort had to be good enough.

"I think you should hurry. It's almost time for everyone else in the castle to wake up," Spencer whispered as if there could be people listening. Anything was possible. Without responding, I slid down Arialis's back with ease. It wasn't fear that clouded my mind, but the thought of what I had to do next in order to save the rest of Pleamonte.

Without looking back at Spencer atop his dragon, I darted away as quickly as possible. It was absolutely vital that I got back to the palace before people started looking for me and suspecting my involvement in the crime. My eyes didn't scan my surroundings much as I ran up the stone path, but something soon caught my eye. The crop fields. They were ruined. The golden wheat I'd run across was now scorched black and it contrasted greatly with the pleasant greens of the nearby land. I'd been expecting those ruffians to mess up a few things, but not the entire field. A pang came to my chest as I sprinted back up the path. This was something that I didn't want to be considered responsible for. I didn't want those innocent people thinking I had anything to do with that.

Soon enough, I was at the doors of the palace. I swung one open and poked my head through. The entrance room was clear. With tiny steps, I scurried through and opened the second set of doors with the same caution I'd used for the first. The main room was a different story. Many of the advisors were in the room along with the students. Even a few nobles were there, but everyone looked like they'd just woken up. Luckily, no one noticed my entrance. I rushed to the corner of the room and stood in silence, mimicking everyone else. Once I realized there was no danger for me, I looked around. Everyone was packed to the sides and there was a big clearing in the middle of the room. Luckily, my height allowed me to peek over the heads of the people in front of me. Travis stood in the center with a grim look on his face. Grimmer than usual.

It didn't look as if anyone had bothered to get ready considering the unruly hair and tattered nightclothes. This was not professional whatsoever and it made me stick out even more. Surprisingly, it wasn't even the appearances of everyone that stood out. It was the odd silence that everyone possessed. Once a few more people scurried in from the door leading to the left wing of the castle, Travis took in a sharp breath.

"I would apologize for waking you up, but this is an important matter that needs your attention. Usually, things like this happen at midnight when the sky fits the mood of the occasion most." He waved his bony fingers at the ceiling of the main room, which was painted shadow black. Little white dots scattered it, and that made me realize it was supposed to resemble a starry night sky. "However, I just can't wait for what is about to happen. This morning, we will be holding an execution." No one spoke, but nervous glances were cast like mad throughout the room. I immediately knew what he was going to do. The yelling Arialis detected had definitely been from the ruffians getting caught. They would notice me and drag me down with them if they saw my face. I slowly bent down behind the woman in front of me.

"This morning, a few of my advisors came outside to lay their eyes on a crime so huge that it affected our closest village...one of the twenty that exist in Pleamonte. What these people saw was something that will not be forgotten for a long time to come. Burnt and destroyed crops for as far as the eye can see. 5% of this year's exports to other kingdoms down the drain. All because of these freakish thugs." I couldn't see what was happening, but I heard several doors open. Many feet tapped against the fine flooring of the castle and gasps aplenty could be heard throughout the room. It was safest to stay hidden behind the crowd, but my curiosity got the best of me. I poked my head up and the sight I saw was unforgettable.

Advisors dressed in sky blue cloaks escorted the ruffians through several doorways in the back of the room. I looked for Noah's fiery red hair, but I couldn't find it. The black hair and studs didn't seem as intimidating when I saw the scared eyes of the criminals. Some looked at their feet, some looked forward confidently, and some seemed to be praying to themselves. None of them noticed me as their feet dragged across the room and to the center of the clearing. When everyone was in their place, I still couldn't see Noah. Maybe he'd escaped. Mika would be devastated if she ever found out he had anything to do with such a terrible crime.

The blue-cloaked executioners began to form a circle around the rebels, trapping them in the center of the room. I heard a small yelp come from one of them as the advisors raised their arms to the sky. Black clouds shot out of their fingertips and swirled to create a translucent dome around the wrong-doers. With no prior warning, sky blue streaks of light came from the inner walls of the dome and shot at the rebels, killing them with ease. Each one fell to the ground until there were none left standing. The dome disappeared to leave a pile of what was left of them. I clapped a hand over my mouth as some of the other advisors grabbed the bodies and carried them out the front door of the castle. Travis didn't even speak a word as the whole ordeal played out. He just stood in the front line of the crowd with a cruel smirk on his face.

The silence in the room was just as blatant as the first time, but it was filled with worry now. The actions of the people said it all. A noble woman in an emerald green dress comforted her child while several people stood biting their nails. Tears steamed down Mika's cheeks as she looked at the floor in an attempt to ignore what was happening. Travis's next five words pulled me back in to what was happening. "We have one more guest!" he exclaimed with delight. That was when my heart fell to my stomach and my legs began to grow weaker. I knew who it was before he even entered the room.

His attitude before had made him seem like a coward, but his eyes didn't give it away in that moment. He glared defiantly in front of him as he was led to the clearing by none other than Avery Morgan. Avery's face was stone cold as he walked, and it became obvious that he was more evil than I'd ever suspected. With a great push, Avery knocked Noah onto the cold, hard floor. He let out a grunt of pain and moved to sit up. I wasn't expecting him to look for anyone else in the room, but his eyes almost immediately caught me. My heart beat with the pulse of a grand drum when his eyes met mine. I was expecting him to point me out to Avery or Travis, but he didn't. He just looked at the back of his hand.

Avery whispered something to Noah and he glared, still not making eye contact with him. That was the last thing that happened before Avery pointed his wand straight at Noah's heart and released a fiery red liquid from his wand. It seemed to seep through Noah's body and he immediately fell to the floor. His eyes blinked a few times before remaining open. His heavy breaths came to a stop after a few seconds, and that was when I felt a warm tear come down my own cheek. He could have come to his senses, but I wouldn't have ever known for sure.

The shock and sadness of that moment may have burnt a permanent hole in my heart, but at least it left me with a realization. Travis had killed multiple rebels in a vicious and unlawful manner along with having the advisor closest to me kill my long lost friend.

It was time to do what I went there for.