The Fallen Throne

Chapter 24.2 ✦ Brink Of Tomorrow

LANCASTER

He finds Clyde breathing hard at the feet of the general. Despite being told the truth about him, he still can't seem to bring himself to the idea of the general being a traitor.

When Trajan is about to strike a final blow to his friend using Clyde's sword (which Lancaster wonders why), Lancaster intercepts the blade in the general's hand with his own. It is a loud, ringing clatter of a clash of swords.

The general flinches at the unexpected counterattack, almost giving way. If he is only a regular enemy, Lancaster would've been long successful in knocking his sword aside. But he maintains his firm stance, much more shocked to find Lancaster's intense glare compared to his sudden appearance.

"General," Lancaster says mockingly, "I see that you are fine."

"So are you," Trajan shoots back, unpleased with the mockery. He presses on, but they are both of equal strength, and neither is overpowering the other nor showing a sign of backing down. "Give it up, Lancaster. You cannot win this battle. Not with all these people dead, anyway – not like they're of any use to you to begin with, they're merely civilians. Hopeless, useless civilians who serve only as extras."

Lancaster nearly gives way at the general's cruelty. He's never believed someone like him would wear a mask so thick. He understands, at that very moment, that there is never a real way of revealing what's under the invisible mask everyone is wearing. Truth is subjective; people are mysterious figures.

"Join me." Once he's said so, Trajan slides his blade softly off Lancaster's and retreats. "I mean no harm to you, or to anyone who is a potential key to the rising empire. We need all the elites we can gather."

Lancaster keeps his distance, but sees the opportunity when the general retreated: Clyde is no longer in harm's way. He takes a step forward, ensuring Clyde is safely behind him. He doesn't take the risk of adverting his eyes to check his injuries – he doesn't need to, anyway, to know it's not too fatal. Clyde is still breathing, although heavily, against his boots.

"And what of the people you have just killed mercilessly simply to realise your ideals? Selfish ones, I may add." Lancaster points the tip of his sword to Trajan, who doesn't flinch. "I do not know of your intentions or your motives. I do not understand what you strive to achieve with the empire, with these much people dead merely because they wanted to fight for their own freedom, their own beliefs. But I do know one thing: that I cannot, and will not, work alongside someone who betrays his own kind."

Trajan laughs. Lancaster finds it utterly despicable for one to not only already having executed murder towards innocent people and yet to have completely no shame about it, but still stands laughing without a care. What more, Trajan is a general. He is supposed to protect people, not in any way allow a single harm to arrive at their doorsteps, much less kill them himself.

Shaking his head, Trajan says, "Lancaster. Think about it. You can bring so much to the empire."

"Right you are," Lancaster agrees, bringing the general's attention back from laughing. "At least, I can bring peace and order; what can you? Destruction? War? Do not be too full of yourself. Be it a kingdom or an empire, whoever the ruler, if it is someone like you, it is a failed policy."

Before the general can react, Lancaster tosses a small dagger out of nowhere, scratching past Trajan's cheek. And in a swift movement, he heaves Clyde up and puts one of his arms around him in order to balance his movements, taking off at once before Trajan can come to his senses.

"Can you walk?"

"Yes," Clyde mutters.

They move as fast as they can. Lancaster wonders why Trajan hasn't caught up yet, and the fact that he did not really put up much of a fight despite knowing full well he's got the upper hand. Instead, it's as if he lets them go on purpose.