Break

Chapter 18: Homecoming and Surprises

Cheers and welcoming faces line the streets as we enter the gates. My helmeted Klestian escorts seem out of place among the sea of gold and red. Their decorated silver armor and blue sashes and capes look elegant and regal, but unfamiliar. Commander Caragan seems to notice this, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

"I expected you do be used to going into other countries," I state with a small hint of amusement.

"Not... particularly. That is- was General Faust's job usually," he says. Carragan gazes back out the window and quickly changes the subject. "Your people seem to love you. I've heard opposite from recent reports though."

"Huh?"

"Some people believe you abandoned your kingdom and people to save yourself," he tells me. "Other extreme cases include you actually plotting this whole thing out."

"Let me guess; I am not mentally capable of planning something like that out?" I guess.

"I wasn't going to say that...."

"Did you think it?" I ask. He doesn't answer. "Commander, I swear on my life-"

"Okay, okay, maybe."

"You are a piece of work," I huff.

"Don't ask a question you don't want to know the answer to."

"Touché."

Caragan taps the back of his index finger against the window. "It's going to take a lot to win those people back, Princess. I hope you're ready."

"It can't be that hard, right?" I chuckle nervously.

A small smirk appears on Caragan's lips, so small that I almost miss it. "You are in for another rude awakening."

"Hey, as long as it doesn't involve a burning corpse, I am up for it," I state, shivering at the memory.

"Executions, espionage, and assassinations are more likely," he replies. "Also, I am not sure about here, but bodies sin some places are burned to keep away the spread of disease and plague."

"I have never seen that here."

"Have you ever witnessed an execution?"

"We only hold them for treason, and we haven't had a treason in my lifetime."

"Let us hope it stays that way, yes?"

"Indeed."

The carriage continues to roll past the crowd. My eyes take in the vibrant clothing and various styles, but they look so foreign to me now despite the short amount of time I have spent away. Maybe it is because I never knew this place at all. All of my life, I have cowered behind guards or behind castle walls. I never even knew my own home.

Now, I take the time to scan every face that passes by me. Some smile, some frown, others laugh, others glare. One person amidst everyone catches my eye; the boy who looked like Delsair. His expression is unreadable, but he simply shakes his head at me before walking further into the crowd. What does that even mean?

A sudden lurch forward nearly sends me toppling into the other seat. Caragan remains the same, his eyes cast out the window. After what feels like an eternity, he uncrossed his legs ever so slowly while taking in a deep breath. My gut twists and turns, my heart clenching and beating like a fast pace drum. Something is wrong. Very wrong. Caragan opens up the carriage door and steps out. The cheering has ceased. The crowd stares at me through the door in anticipation. Hesitantly, I exit and look at whatever is obstructing our path. Every organ in my body threatens to quit when a familiar face stares back at me.

"How wonderful it is to see you again," King Forarte greets me. "I trust that my commander kept you safe?"

"King Forarte... you're alive?" I ask in utter shock.

"Of course I am," he chuckles. "Your father, however, not so lucky."

"Everyone said you were dead. Delsair even thought you were," I say.

"I was dead. However, a certain necromancer brought me back to life for a small price," he tells me. "I couldn't refuse."

"And what was that?"

"He wants you dead."

"You sided with the very man you plotted against with my father?" I yell angrily. This is going very south, and I don't like it.

"I am sorry, Princess Penelope, but without my son, you are nothing," he states with actual sympathy in his voice. It just makes me want to kill him even more. "You could never rule a kingdom, much less stop Gravo. All I have to do is kill you and my debt is paid. Then, I can get back to killing him. Please, Penelope, be good and sacrifice yourself to the greater good. I promise that I will create a future for your people to be proud of."

"I've come too far to die," I say to him. "I will not die here. King Forarte, I am on a mission to get a weapon to kill Gravo. You can help me, too."

"I can't," he murmurs sadly. "I must repay my debt before anything else. Someone else will have to continue where you left off. I'm sorry, but this is the only way to ensure a future. Believe me, I have sought every alternative." His eyes look to Caragan. "Do it."

With a swift kick to the back of my knees, I am sent onto the ground kneeling. The edge of a sword caresses my neck as I look up at the king. Caragan was in on this.... This really is it.

"Any last words? I will pass on a message if you like," he asks me.

"Yeah, I've got a message," I say. "Dear King Forarte, I am not dying today." I place my hand around the blade, wincing as I digs ever so slightly into my flesh as I push it away. As if too surprised, Caragan doesn't seem to move. "I told someone that I when I die, I'll tell him all about the time I killed that mage that ended his life. I refuse to die here without at least having that for him."

"Who was your friend?"

"Jacobson Faust. You know him."

"I do," his replies grimly. "He actually made a friend in the end, huh?"

"I made sure he was never alone."

King Forarte looks at me and smiles the saddest smile I think I have ever seen. "You're something else, you know that? You've changed so much. And here I was all sure I would be able to kill you." Forarte unsheathed the dagger on his belt. "You still have a long way to go, but there's progress. I wish I could see you grow to your full potential. Take care of them, Penelope. I'll tell Faust you send your regards."

"Wha-"

No.... A pool of blood surrounds his body as screams spilt the air. Caragan rushes to his side, but I can already tell that it is too late. He's gone.

"Somebody apprehend the princess!"

A firm grip throws me into the ground, head hitting pavement. Just as it does, the world turns black.