Hope is all he has left...
Prince Kian is supposed to be dead. He was only 8 years old when the Dark King came into his home and slaughtered his family. Now 21, he lives in hiding, grieving the family and the kingdom both lost. With no magic left...
The room was silent. The faces of the men around me were stony. Areis, Cayra, Tyri, and Zora stood in the back of the room awkwardly.
"My sincerest apologies, Your Highness," Kendry spoke up. I nodded in acknowledgment.
"Now, I'm going to speak and you gentlemen are going to listen-without interruptions. Do I make myself clear?" I declared, the room echoed with a chorus of agreement. "Good."
And so I spoke. I told my story, I explained the existence of Stockgrove, and I told the tale of Zora's powers (excluding the bit about her lack of control over them). Zora chimed in occasionally to help explain the things I couldn't. My nerves were high, as most of my advisors remained expressionless. I could only hope that their optimism would outweigh their doubts.
When we finished there were a few moments of quiet. I inhaled deeply, willing the tension out my shoulders. Zora gave me a small nod of encouragement.
"Any questions?" I asked. Chase Crow-the leader of the healers- stood up from his chair.
"Your Highness, with all due respect, this information changes nothing. If the magic wielders weren't able to defeat the Dark King during the purge, what makes you think they'll be able to defeat him this time?"
I cleared my throat, angry at the ignorance that blanketed the room, "Because at that time they had no leader, no formal army, and no help from anyone... and they didn't have Zora Stone."
"This is still too risky. Are you really willing to lose everything we've built over these thirteen years?" Kendry questioned and other men echoed their assent. This was going wrong very quickly.
"Are you really willing to live in these caverns for the rest of your lives?" I retorted.
Chase shook his head at me solemnly, "it isn't enough Kian. This isn't enough."
"And nothing ever will be," I sat back down and placed my head in my hands.
"You're cowards, the lot of you! Selfish, power-hungry cowards!" Zora snapped, I could tell that she wasn't done and her rant would do nothing to help the situation.
"Zora," I said, "It isn't worth it." My head was throbbing. Why could nothing ever be easy?
"I hope you're all happy," I said, standing. I turned towards the door, "You're dismissed. Chase be useful for once and call a meeting for everyone after dinner, we'll have it in the central cavern."
"A meeting, Your Highness? What for?" Kendry asked.
I turned to him with eyes of ice, "Someone has to explain where I've been for the past several days, and who better to do it than myself?"
As everyone filed out of the room, Kendry stayed behind, just as I knew he would. The old man couldn't help himself.
"You know you can't tell them the truth Kian-about why you were gone."
"I'll tell them I was too sick to leave my chambers."
"Very good." After a few more minutes of painfully awkward small talk, I was able to escape the room.
Zora was waiting for me outside of the Consel Chamber. Rage burned in her blue eyes. We walked side by side down the hallway.
"I hope you're not giving up after this," She sighed.
"I have a plan. I always have a plan," I assured her. Her eyes flicked to my face.
"Do your advisors know about this plan?"
A smirk spread across my lips, "Now where would the fun be in that?'' Zora grinned, fiercely.
"I want in," she said.
I considered it for a moment, but I couldn't risk telling anyone else what I was about to do.
"This has to be me. Don't worry though, the entertainment won't disappoint.''
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The central cavern was essentially huge, empty room from which every main hallway in the caverns originated. Rows and rows of stone benches were carved out of the floor, facing a stage that had been carved into the largest wall. It was rare to have everyone in the cavern gathered at once, but the sight was refreshing in many ways. It reminded me of who and what I was fighting for. I stood beside Stailon, preparing to give my speech.
"What did you call me here for, Kian? I know you don't need a pre-speech pep talk," He asked.
"I need you to have your guards posted on each of my advisors. I can't have any interruptions, not tonight."
Stailon's eyebrows lowered, "What exactly are you planning?"
"I can't tell you right now, just trust me, the advisors are not going to like it. Can you make sure they stay out of my way?" I questioned.
Stailon nodded, "Of course."
We were interrupted by Hestia, "Kian, they're ready for you."
I turned to Stailon, "Good luck, don't get yourself killed," he said.
I smirked, "No promises."
I climbed the stairs to the stage and looked out over the crowd as it gradually came to a hush. Zora and the others sat in the front row, giving me encouraging smiles. I cleared my throat.
"I stand before you all, a king with no crown," I began, my voice coming out with a slight quiver. I remembered my purpose, the pain, what I was fighting for, "A king who told his advisors that he would lie to you all about where I have been," this time, my voice was clear and strong, "I have been too sick to leave my chambers." A small smile crept onto my lips, "That is what I promised them I'd say, and so I have. My promise was kept. However, now I will tell you where I have really been." Whispers of confusion filled the cavern. My eyes met Kendry's. The man stood in the crowd, flanked by guards, pure and undiluted rage filled his eyes.
I smiled, "Zora Stone, will you please join me on stage?"
