Threads of Vengeance

Prologue

A well built, tall man paced in front of a door. His large frame cast a long shadow in the light of the moon streaming in from a window. After what seemed a long time the door opened, revealing an old man with salt and pepper hair tossed messily across his forehead.

The old man spoke, "The child is born, your majesty, but-" he paused and swallowed.

The tall man cast his cold gaze towards the other man. "But?"

"The m-mother," stammered the older man. "did not m-make it."

"Ah, is that all?" The tall man shrugged. Her death was of no consequence to him.

Pushing aside the man he strode into the dark candlelit room and moved his gaze at the newly born baby in the hands of a servant.

"It is not crying," he remarked in a somewhat amused tone, reaching inside his clothing to pull out a clear crystal ball. The ball faintly glowed blue at his touch. Gently, he touched the baby with the ball. Nothing happened. Once more he touched the baby with the ball and once more, nothing happened.

"Why, does it not react?" he asked, confused. An expression few had ever seen on his face before.

"I do not know, it is unheard of," The other man replied.

"Kill it. It's useless," instructed the tall man, casually. Almost conversationally. Almost.

The older man paled. And while instinctively his mind reacted to the order, his body stayed rooted to the spot.

"No."  his mouth spoke on its own.

The tall man blinked looking, surprised. He was not used to having his orders refused.

The older man quickly continued. "Maybe he will develop abilities when he grows up. Why hurry?"

The tall man looked thoughtful for a minute. And then nodded.

"Alright. I will give it time until it is old enough to fight for the throne. However, as far as the rest of the world is concerned the child and its mother are both dead."

The older man bowed and sighed. "Understood, sir"

Somehow he still kept his head. And the child's, too. Gently, he picked up the child and looked at its father.

The tall man made no move. He simply closed his eyes, the crystal in the tall man's hand glowed but this time brightly. A gust of wind filled the room and vanished, taking the tall man with it.

And then, the baby cried.