Memory in the End

Chapter 23: William

He trained under us, and was one of the most skilled soldiers in the army. He rose quickly in rank and eventually became captain of the King's Army. We were close with him. Even though he had been our student, he was like a brother to us. He was practically a member of our group. We went into battles together - battles that some would think would be impossible to win. But we won. Your brother's leadership and strength were impeccable. He was going to be a great king. In fact, they had moved up his coronation ceremony. Your brother was going to be crowned as the new king, making him the youngest king to have ascended the throne. Your father was so very proud of him, and was pleased with the thought of seeing the kingdom prosper under William's rule. But there was something, someone out there who had other plans.

One night, several months before the coronation, I met him in the corridors while he was carrying you to your room. You were sleeping soundly, your head nestled against his shoulder. He said you had fallen asleep while you were reading with him in the library. He also mentioned that he was on his way to speak with me after he settled you down. He had something urgent that he needed to talk to us about. I went with him to discuss it as we went along. After he laid you down, he paused for a long while, staring lovingly at you and brushing the hair out of your face. He was silent, as if he were collecting his thoughts. Then he turned to me. His stature retained his usual calmness, but his voice shook as he spoke. He told me that Absalon, your father's old advisor, had had a strong premonition. He felt that something terrible was going to happen to the future of the Embertails. William asked Absalom to keep this a secret from the king and anyone else. He didn't want to worry his father, and he felt that if they called off the coronation for their safety, then they would only be playing into the hands of potential threats. He said he could handle himself, but "the future of the Embertails" also included the princess. So he wanted us to make sure that no matter what, you would be safe. Of course, I had my own worries about this as well, but William was set on taking care of this matter himself. Our only duty was to protect you. One of us was always around to protect you. At night we would stand guard outside your door. We would each pray with all our might that nothing would happen.

It all happened so suddenly. On a night when I was on guard, your brother came and said he wanted to give you something. I let him in without much thought. It wasn't until he stepped into the moonlight as he approached you, that I saw the dagger he held in his hand. So many thoughts were racing through my mind. He had his arms raised above his head, ready to plunge the knife. I held him back, struggling against him. Even though he didn't have powers like us, he was still strong enough to put up a fight. At the same time, he seemed to be fighting with himself. At times the dagger would raise up, but then he would force it back down. Something must have been controlling him, but he was fighting against it.

Then, he turned and looked at me. He struggled to speak. His last words to me, which I can never forget, were:

"Kill me, before the Embertails are ruined completely.".

"That was his final wish," Michael's face was filled with sorrow as he spoke, "In all the commotion, you had awaken to witness his final breaths. I can only imagine the terror that went through your young mind at the time. When it was found that one of the Magnificent Five had killed the prince, a rift was created in the kingdom. The majority of the people wanted us to be banished, though there were still a few who stood behind us. The king himself was greatly saddened by the loss, but he never said anything on the matter. After much discussion, we made the decision to exile ourselves, so as not to place greater strife on the kingdom.".

"They must have erased your memories, so that you wouldn't be traumatised by the incident," Ivan added.

I didn't know what to say. As Michael told me about William, the dream that was once foggy began to clear. That figure who I ran to and hugged so dearly, that must have been William. I still couldn't remember everything, but there was a stinging in my chest that must have been the adoration I had for my brother. This feeling only complicated my feelings toward the Five more, though. I knew the Five were warriors and I know that Michael didn't mean to kill my brother, but I was angry. Angry at the fact that I don't remember any of this, I don't remember the death of my own brother, or the fact that they were exiled because of this. I was angry that my brother was dead and that they kept this from me. I wanted to be calm when I spoke but it wasn't meant to be.

"Why didn't you tell me this?" I ask angrily.

"We thought you knew."

"When did you realize I didn't?"

"After we found Henry."

"You've known for this long and didn't think to tell me that I had a brother or that he was dead?!" I shout, even louder.

"Arrabella-"

I stand up, clenching my fists, "I can't believe this. I trusted you! I thought we were in this together and you kept this giant secret from me?! How could you guys do this?"

"We didn't want you to hate us," Aru's voice came as a whimper.

"Well," I scoff, "You should've told me then!"

I didn't want to hear anymore, I was angry and all I wanted to do was punch them in the face. I needed some air, and some time alone. I turn around, ready to walk away when Michael grabs my hand.

"Where are you going?"

I rip my hand out of his grasp, "To the town. I need to be alone, I need to think. If I stay here I might do something I'll regret."

"Arrabella-"

"Leave me alone, Michael!" I snarled. I can see some hurt come across his face but right now, I just need to go. I turn around, making my way through the forest and into the town. Once in the town, I enter the tavern, prepared to drink away my sorrows just like everyone else. 

********************************************************************

Okay so we know who William is now. How do you feel about finding out the truth? 

Thanks for reading!!