Kings [A Medieval AU]

Chapter Seven - Uncomfortable Talks

Dan has to hand it to Divum; it's a very nice kingdom. As they enter the city Dan puts his crown on and peers out the window, watching the streets pass with unbridled curiosity. Quaint cottages line the roads, people and animals milling about. Fluffy white snow covers everything in a thin layer, but Dan can still clearly tell that there are planter boxes and trees everywhere. A child with a dog races past, laughing as the animal barks. An elderly woman peers out of her window and sips a small cup of tea. Two men stroll down the snowy street, their arms linked as they sing and laugh heartily.

Dan watches the whole way to the castle. As soon as they arrive, guards unlock the carriage doors and haul Dan out, tying his hands behind his back and leading him towards the castle. Instead of struggling he walks with dignity, maintaining a royal façade despite his racing heart. He didn't think he'd be this nervous about actually arriving, but now that he's here he can barely breathe.

"Bring him to one of the spare rooms. He may be a prisoner, but I will not house a king with mere criminals," Phil orders as the guards approach with Dan in tow.

He may have his hands bound behind his back, but he will not appear weak. Dan maintains a royal stance, the fur on his cloak dusted with snow and rustling in the gentle wind. It makes him appear more confident than he actually feels, which he's grateful for. He will not spend his last few precious hours on Earth snivelling and crying at the feet of an enemy king. He will stand as a testament to his people that even in the face of defeat, they are strong.

The guards lead him to the room and usher him inside, locking the doors from the outside and leaving him once again in solitude. Dry logs sit in the fireplace and flint and steel rests on the mantel, so Dan busies himself with a fire. Normally, his servants would make a fire for him, but it doesn't appear that he'll get the honour of having servants.

Once finished, he hangs his cloak on a coat rack and replaces it with a blanket that he wraps around his shoulders. With a long exhale, he settles on the chair beside the fire and watches the flames crackle as snow drifts gently from the sky outside his window. He hates admitting it, but he's terrified. Now that he's in Divum, his execution hangs more closely over his head than ever before. He wishes he had someone to talk to, but he doesn't. Maybe he could write a letter and send it to his family and PJ back in Tenebris?

His plan fizzles out the moment it's formed. In order to actually send a letter, he would need someone in this castle to either let him out of this room or send the letter for him. Neither of those things are going to happen. His communication with home is completely cut off, and that hurts more than he can even express.

Tears burn behind his eyes and Dan presses his hand to his mouth, a choked sob escaping his lips. More than anything else, he wants to go home.

~

"Your majesty, when do you plan on executing the enemy king?"

Phil glances at his advisor, his lips pursed. "I have not made a decision about King Daniel."

"King Philip, he is an enemy king. It is customary to execute the enemy royal after a defeat."

"Do you question my authority? I have made no decision regarding King Daniel. He will stay in our care until I have decided what I will do with him."

The advisor nods and bows. "My apologies, sire. I did not mean to question."

Phil nods and his advisor falls silent. Lost in thought, the king bites his knuckle and stares down at the floor, saying nothing more.

"Sire, what do you want us to do with Tenebris? We already have a few soldiers stationed there, but we will not make any moves until we receive your orders," his advisor states.

Phil exhales. "Send some food to Divum, but make sure that the people of Tenebris still have enough. Send Lady Louise as a representative of Divum."

"Do we execute the rest of the royal family?"

"Absolutely not. You will leave them be. If you kill them or even strip them of their power, the people will be even angrier than they probably are already."

The advisor nods. "Yes, your majesty."

"Is there anything else?"

"That's all, sire."

"Excellent." Phil stands from his throne and steps down from the raised platform. "I am retiring to my room. Please refrain from disturbing me."

He exits the throne room, and on his way to his bedroom he finds himself detouring to the room where Dan is staying. He can't explain why. There's no reason for him to bother him, and yet he continues to his living quarters anyway. He reaches Dan's room and knocks once, waiting for a response before opening the door.

"Hello?" Dan asks softly.

"Can I come in?" Phil replies, his hand already resting on the door handle.

"Um... sure."

The king of Divum opens the door and steps inside, letting the entrance fall shut behind him. Dan sits on a chair beside the fire, blanket wrapped around his shoulders, watching Phil with red-rimmed, apprehensive eyes.

"How are you doing?" Phil asks and immediately cringes.

A weak excuse for an incredulous laugh escapes Dan's lips. He wipes his eyes and looks at the fire, crossing his arms over his chest. "Just fabulous. Never been better. How are the execution plans coming along?"

Phil does his best to hide his wince. "They're not, really."

"How comforting."

"Are you okay?"

Dan glares at him. "Do I look okay to you, Philip?"

"No."

"There's your answer. Well done. Someone give him a prize."

Phil exhales and moves further into the room, taking the seat across from Dan's. The king of Tenebris watches him, his gaze hard and cold. At a closer distance, Phil can tell that Dan was crying, and that doesn't help the guilt that already gnaws away at his heart.

"I'm sorry."

Dan rolls his eyes, looking at the fire instead of Phil. "Sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night."

Phil sighs and leans back in his chair, crossing one leg over the other. After a moment of silence, he speaks again. "What can I do to make this easier on you?"

"What's the point, Philip? I am going to die. Besides allowing me to tell my family goodbye, there's nothing you can do to make my execution any better," Dan replies.

"You don't know that. I already told you I haven't made a decision."

Dan bolts to his feet and in a split second, he has Phil pinned to his seat by a strand of black magic. The king of Divum snaps the strand with one of his own and jumps to his feet as well, the two staring each other down. Black magic swirls around Dan's hands and arms, and just the sight of it makes Phil's heart race.

"I already know what your decision is going to be. There's no way your kingdom will allow me to stay alive," Dan says through gritted teeth.

"I am the main authority in my kingdom, Daniel. What I say will be done. If I want you alive, you will stay alive."

"Why would you keep me alive?"

"I don't know yet."

"My point stands," Dan snaps. Phil stares at him, and after a few more seconds of tense silence Dan lets out a long breath. His magic absorbs back into his skin, and Phil finds himself relaxing minutely. "I'm sorry. I acted out."

"It's... it's okay. I know you're probably having a really hard time right now," Phil replies.

Dan nods a bit and sits down once again, returning his blanket to his shoulders. He seems to crumble, his exhaustion suddenly very, very obvious as he sinks into his chair. The reflection of the fire dances in his dark eyes, and Phil forces his gaze away.

"I'll send some tea up."

"Thank you."

Phil turns on his heel, glad for a reason to escape the room.