A Crown and A Curse

Chapter 6

Kian

I considered what I would be asking of these people, who had already been through so much. Though perhaps they would want revenge as much as I did. They had been subject to more loss, more pain, and more fear. I took a deep breath, "I want you-all of you- to come back to the caverns with me. Eventually your people in Salatia as well, if they're willing. I have been waiting thirteen years to make a stand against the Dark King, and with your help, I think we might just have a chance."

The cave was silent but for a trickling of water through a crack in the ceiling. Tyra looked at me with narrowed eyes, and Zora stared at the floor in deep thought. Asa, I assumed, would not be making the decision without her brother's counsel.

"I'll go with you," Tyra said, shrugging, "Honestly, what else do we have to lose?" Zora's eyebrows rose, lips strewn in a thin line.

"You have no army, no funds, and no throne. Why should we risk everything we've built for you?" Asa questioned, surprising me. A good inquiry, one I could not give a perfect answer to.

I did try though, words had always been my strength, and they were even stronger when I was convinced of what I was saying, "Because there is risk in everything, you just have to pick the moments that you choose to give into it entirely. I cannot promise you that nothing bad will happen, but I promise you that by the end of this revolution you will be glad to stand behind me."

"You cannot expect us to stand blindly behind you. You need someone strong, a wielder, to stand beside you and garner the trust of both our people and yours. If you want a united front, leadership must be united as well," Zora added, though quietly, I remembered what Tyra had said about her being well studied in war and battle tactics. Though, she seemed surprised that the words had left her mouth. She was not very outspoken, I could imagine why after years of being made to feel like a danger and a burden, but I could see flashes of brilliance when she did speak.

"I will gladly allow a wielder to stand at my side, I can see how it could very well be a necessity, however I do have one condition," I said, a smirk playing at my lips. After what they had told me about the leadership in Salatia, there was no one trustworthy enough to help me, afterall I had enough opposition and criticism to deal with on my own side.

Zora querked her ever-quizzical brow even higher, "and what might that be, Your Highness?"

I knew that the others may not think so, but I could only see benefits to my offer, after all who wouldn't think twice about challenging me with a reaper as my right-hand, "That wielder must be you, Miss Flynn."

She shot up from where she was sitting, "You want me? But why? I'm not-I can't."

Ensio and Joni looked at me as if I had grown two heads, but I just shrugged. I knew what I was doing, "Those are my terms. You are wielder, trained like a non-wielder. You are well versed in strategy and you were at the side of your camp's leader. I believe you can help me more than you know."

Tyra nudged Zora's shoulder and Asa also drew near to her, "He's right, Zo, and we'll be next to you every step of the way."

I felt the first spark of rebellion when she whispered, "Okay."

***

As the sun began to set I found myself propped lazily against a log, enjoying the bite of crisp air and the ambiance of a nearby stream. Joni and Ensio 'guarded' me laxly from a distance, though the two were clearly more preoccupied with whatever food Asa had managed to whip up for them.

I twisted a quill in passive circles, a pile of crumpled parchment surrounded my boots, mingled with the fallen leaves. I sighed, staring down at the last piece I had. Writing an address to my people about what I was planning and who I would be bringing with me was proving much more difficult than I had anticipated.

I could hear Santeri jesting, just write down some more nonsense about how hope outweighs risk and throw in a pinch of justice. They'll eat it right out of your hand. That was the problem though, my enemy manipulated others, though his weapon of choice was magic, not words. How could I spin a tale of sugary and vindicating revolution while still being honest about all the loss and sacrifice it would incur. I ran a hand through my hair in frustration.

My mother was always the one to write father's speeches, he had only ever needed to worry about performing what she had scripted him. She could pull the words from thin air when it seemed there was nothing left to say. I knew I had inherited much of her skill, but still it felt as if I never had enough of either of them. I had only an ounce of my father's courage, and the smallest resemblance of my mother's wisdom. I wasn't meant to be the one standing before the crowds, and yet, here I was.

My quill moved of its own accord with the notion, the realization that these people had already started the revolution simply by defying the death planned for them by the Dark King. I simply had to remind them why they had chosen the path in the first place. I wrote,

My father before me was a brave man, my line one of honor and courage. Your respect for him is what has called you to stay here and care for his legacy. We have spent thirteen years mourning, and not a moment avenging. Your king was never the type to turn away from those in need. He lived to serve his people, and so shall I, his only living descendant. There are people outside of this place, cities and towns full of them who live under the constant horrors and undeniable poverty that a tyrant has brought upon our beloved land. None of our former allies have aided our people, as far as the people are concerned there is no one to save them. They have no hope. And still we keep ourselves away in these caves, more concerned with staying hidden than with saving those who do not have the luxury . No more. We are their hope, and so we shall show them the light.

The only thing left to do was get back safely and to have Santeri tie down Kallio while I called the gathering.