The Lost King

Chapter Seven

"Birch...Can't seriously?"

"Don't...You know..."

I realized that their voices were below whispers, and that only my sensitive ears could possibly pick it up. This happened quite a bit, little snippets of midnight conversations. I was also half asleep, so their voices intertwined with my vivid, monotonous nightmare. It was still peacefully dark, and before I could protest sleep enveloped me again.

Damn it.

Now the question was: Do I run as soon as we reach town? There's a chance they may not remember, but what will I do with myself? If the evil demon who ripped the lives of millions away was still alive...

They were going to pay. Pay for the rest of their miserable, immortal existence.

"Hey! Wake up, Sleeping Beauty! It's time to get a-Holy Verna!" I jolted upright at the abrupt curse from Setty.

"What's wrong?" I immediately found out. Apparently, Time had finished her work. My voice was deep and rich again, and I was as big as the centaur again. Though I was still unhealthily skinny, it was still a little intimidating, even to me.

"What? Oh my goodness, Setty! W-what happened?" Birch's nervous voice cut across. "But you were so small..."

I internally laughed at Birch's fearful expression. If I had all my strength, I could easily take him down. But I didn't.

"My body is back...mostly..." I muttered.

Suddenly, Setty stiffened. Her tail started lashing and she looked me square in the eye.

"Birch." She said in a quiet tone. He looked at her.

"Y-yes?" He asked fearfully, clearly worried by her sudden change in composure.

"Do you remember when we went to the Life Festival in the Capital?"

"Um...Yeah?"

"The aristocrats...They were talking about an old legend with the King. A legend only for the rich and powerful to know. Do you remember us eavesdropping?"

I sucked in a sharp breath. Where was this leading?

Realization dawned on Birch's face. "The King with golden horns..." He looked at me. Dear Beings, there were records of me!

"What do you mean, legends for the rich and powerful?" I asked. This could either be good or bad.

"Only the aristocrats get the legends of old. Commoners are not permitted to know them." Social classes had no place in a kingdom.

"Surely someone must have found them all by now?" I asked. Nobody could keep a secret for too long.

"Probably. But they keep to themselves, those who tell them get their tongues cut out." Setty said, recoiling. "Anyways, the legend we heard of was a gambling king with golden antlers. He was a lying, twisted ruler who enslaved his entire kingdom. Thousands died every day, including a noble rebellion. And then the Kings came and destroyed his rule, setting the people free. And that," She said as I stiffened. Her eyes narrowed as she remembered the tale. "Is why I never trusted you. You will be punished for your evil deeds!" I backed away, fearful. This wasn't the plan. They shouldn't-but they do!

Setty wrapped a huge talon around my throat, lifting me off the ground.

"Setty!" Birch cried, fearfully rearing back.

"You lied to us!" She seethed, glaring at me as I sputtered.

"Setty! Stop!" Birch yelped.

"I didn't-"

"Poinsettia! Put him down!" Birch yelled, all tones of fear gone. Instead, a powerful amount of force very unlike him replaced it. Setty glared daggers at the furious centaur and dropped me. I crumpled to the ground, gasping for air. I had to be careful around the dragon. She was quick to snap.

"Are you alright?" Birch asked, his nervous tone back. It was like he had just changed personalities right then and there.

"I-I'm fine." I gulped, shakily getting to my feet and standing next to Birch.

"So? Are the legends true? I think we have a right to know, Astrom." He fixed me with a stare until I answered.

"Of course not!" I retorted.

"How do we know if he's lying? How do we know if he's mad? How do we know anything?" Setty fumed, smoke curling from her nostrils.

"We don't. We simply have to take his word, because who knows if the legends are true? If we even heard right? Setty, please, trust him on this. It's out of our hands now," Birch said, pointing out the opposite side of the argument.

"Humph." She grunted and turned around, beginning to walk again.

"You'll have to forgive my companion, she has quite the temper."