Long live the king

Chapter 8

Col slowly opened his eyes. His arms and legs felt like lead, his aching head rested on fluffy pillows and a warm blanket was wrapped around him. Tired he yawned.

- Just five more minutes, he mumbled and rolled over.

The comfortable bed disappeared and a cold, hard floor replaced it. Col landed with a low thud.

- Ouch, he muttered.

Forcing himself to stand up he almost fell to the floor again. His sight was blurry, carelessly he shook his head, his sight returned but his head ached more than before. Col inspected the room, it wasn't big, the bed and a desk were the only pieces of furniture. Right above the wooden desk was a single window and the door was placed some meter to the right from the bed, but that was all. One of the soldiers rooms? Thought I would be in the dungeons by now. Exhausted Col pushed the door opened, it creaked loudly.

The sun shined in through the windows, no torches were needed, it was already as light as it could be. The prince continued to walk, he took one step at a time, trying not to lose his balance, but suddenly he stopped. Angry voices had caught his attention.

- I want my money!

- How can I be sure it wasn't you?!

- I can do a lot of things, but making snow and knives fall from a cloudless sky isn't one of them!

- That isn't proof enough!

- Then test him, you idiot!

- ENOUGH, remember your place Zaine! I will test him when he's awake.

Then silence, Col sighed, walked to the door and pushed it open. It didn't creak.

- I'm awake, he stated as he walked into the room.

Both the king and the man he was arguing with turned around, they looked surprised. Col didn't move a muscle when he noticed that the other man was Aaron. He just stood there, using the awkward silence as a weapon, his eyes didn't show any emotions. Finally, someone moved, Aaron took a step towards Col.

- I can explain Col, I...

But Col stopped him by raising a hand.

- Don't, you're a liar and a traitor. The only thing you're good at is deceiving people. I don't want your explanation.

Aaron backed away again, a flicker of shame could be seen in his eyes, but it only lasted for a second. He turned towards the king, holding a sword in his hand.

- Here, it's Col's sword, take it. I will be outside waiting for you to give me my money.

The king reached out for the sword and grabbed it. Seconds later he screamed and held his hand in front of him. It was flaming red.

- What did you do to it?! he roared at Aaron, but he was already gone.

Col didn't move while his father raced out to find Aaron but he returned just as fast, his eyes were narrowed, cold, hard. The green colour seemed darker than before. Col took a deep breath, he clenched his fist, preparing himself for the angry outburst his father would throw at him. But none come. 

- Pick up your sword, you're going to demonstrate your power for me, I want to be sure it really is your power.

Col picked up his sword, his head stilled ached and he had to force his body to move. The king hurried through the castle, he almost dragged Col behind him. The prince's headache made him dizzy and he stumbled several times. The sun watched them as they walked through one corridor after another.

- Father, stop! There's no way I will be able to use my powers, I'm exhausted, he desperately said as the big front door got closer.

The king stopped, he turned around, now standing face to face with Col. The anger was now directed at him. The king's cold, hard eyes got even darker. His mouth drawn back in an evil grin made Col's blood freeze. Col backed away, but he couldn't get away from the burning stare. The punch came out of nowhere, it hit Col's nose and broke it. Blood splatted over the floor, the prince tried to stop it with his hand, but to no use. The king walked closer, he grabbed Col by the white and now bloodstained shirt.

- You're pathetic, I don't care if you're exhausted, you will show me your powers again. End of discussion.

Col looked down and followed his father out of the castle to the beautiful day outside. He inspected his nose again, but no blood ran from it anymore and it felt normal, the pain had also disappeared. Weird.

The calm wind softly played with Col's hair. The sun shined on him, warming him up. The stone he walked on was as solid as ever, and his feet walked over them without a sound. In front of them laid the royal garden. It was beautiful with lots of flowers in every different colour. High oak trees were spread out over the area, there was no specific pattern, but that just made the garden look even more natural and beautiful. The green grass looked really soft, and people, mostly servants and guards taking breaks, could be seen resting in the shadows of the trees. In the middle, splitting the garden into two pieces was a stone path. They continued to walk in silence, suddenly the king stopped, he turned around.

- Now Col, show me your power, he commanded.

- I already told you, I can't. I'm too exhausted, Col replied.

- I think all you need is a little motivation.

The king moved faster than an eye could see and once again the point was pressed against Col's throat. He sighed, trying his hardest to recall the special feeling of using his power, but nothing. The king pressed harder, a drop of blood escaped from Col's throat.

- Do it or I will kill you, the king whispered.

Col tried again, he sought deep inside his heart, trying to find the room where he had locked up his feelings. He breathed heavily and fell to one knee, the point of the blade was still pressed at his throat. The prince was about to give up when he found it, the power he desperately needed right now. His hands started to shake, his head ached more than ever before, every breath felt like a fire destroying his lungs. Even if he was exhausted he tried to create the black snow his father wanted to see. After what felt like an eternity, it started to fall from the sky. It wasn't as much as the first time, actually it was barely anything at all. But the king saw it and looked pleased. He stretched out his hand, Col let go of his power and took it. His father dragged him back to his feet.

- My conquest can finally begin. And you are my most important weapon.