The War of Ares (manxman) (boxyboy)

Chapter Two - It had been my dream to kill the bastard

Aristides.

  The news of the Southern Princes death was a shock. I was sitting in my sleeping chambers planning an attack on the south when my grandfather told me the news. He sounded thrilled about it. I, however, was enraged. It had been my dream to kill the bastard. Not only had he killed my father, but he was the best damn warrior in Ares. I wanted to be the best, and killing him was the only way I would be.

  “The news of the prince’s death is not to be taken lightly. We must continue our fight to obtain the south,” he told our warriors.

  The men who served us nodded their agreement as he continued to talk. I stood behind him unmoving.

  To me it seemed as if this didn’t make much difference to him. Yes, it was sort of good news. People knew how dangerous the prince was, it was never a secret. But my grandfather was taking this all very easy. I started to wonder if he was the same man I thought he was. This wasn’t the cold bastard who could watch a man be torn apart and still keep a smile on his face. I guess I got that from him.

  “My grandson is going to help lead us to victory. We are going to rule Ares again!” He shouted. I was tired of him shouting.

  My eyes flickered over to where Noel was standing. A man who wanted me as a lover and who saw me as a fucking God. I never felt that way about him. He wasn’t the man I fantasized about. But I never told him that. As long as he stayed away from me we would be fine. If he ever stepped over that, I knew I wouldn’t be as accepting.

  The palace was dark. It was the middle of the night and I wanted to hunt. I wanted to kill someone and not feel guilty about it. I never did. The knowledge that I could slice someone’s head off because I wanted to, gave me power. It was that power I always craved. The southern prince was always better, though. He was a legend among our people and I hated him for it. I wasn’t glad he was dead because I wanted to be the one who killed him.

  “Aristides! What are your plans for our takeover?”

  I blinked and looked up at my grandfather. He was standing in front of me, stony-faced, wearing expensive silk garments. I recognized the irritation in his eyes. It was the way he always looked at me.

  “Sorry, grandfather. What were you saying?”

  He snarled. “I said, what are your plans for our takeover? You do have plans, don’t you?”

  “I don’t believe we are quite ready for that yet, grandfather. None of our men are as prepared as theirs are. We should wait, at least another few weeks,” I said easily.

  He looked astounded. “You want to wait?”

  I nodded. “I believe it would be for the best, grandfather.”

  He took a step back and started walking around me. His eyes bore into the back of my head. I held my breath and waited. I knew it would do no good to talk yet. He would only loose it with me and then I would suffer the consequences. It wouldn’t be the first time.

  “The fucking bastard that killed my son and oldest grandson is dead, but his people still live,” he said. “I will allow you nine weeks. In those nine weeks, you must prepare our men for battle. By that time, if you do not successfully train them, it will be on your head. Do you understand?”

  I swallowed and nodded. I was willing to do whatever it took to seek my revenge, but not for the reason he believed. No, I wanted revenge against the people who took away my chance at being the best. The people who killed the southern prince.

  “I understand grandfather. I won’t let you down.”

  His cold, hard eyes pierced through mine. “Your father and brother were wonderful men. They would have been amazing leaders of our fine Ares. Instead, we are left with you. Don’t let them down.”