Kings in Hiding

Chapter 5

Toh-tem. Toh-tem.
The echoing sound of Leo's heavy boots against the cold, hard flooring bounced off of the walls; the hallways and rooms were as silent as snowfall. Not a word was to be heard from either Leo himself or the maidens passing by, who were dusting the old vessels of dead flowers.
Earlier on, Leo's shoulder began to ache under the weight of Kirk's body. He had set Kirk down and picked him back up, carrying him like a baby. Kirk's head rested in the nook of Leo's arm and chest, his expression, calm. It seemed funny to Leo, how peaceful he seemed when only minutes ago his eyes were staring back at him with rage and fear.
As Leo strutted towards the main hall, Kirk had begun to stir in his brother's arms. First, a twitch of a finger. Then, his head bounced a bit; he awoke almost suddenly. Kirk himself felt numb, he could not move a muscle as he came to his consciousness. His irises glance at the blurry surroundings around him. Once he realized where he was, he peered up at Leo and whispered only two words.
"You bastard."
"Now now, let's not be feisty. Save that for when you're in the dungeons, would you?"
Kirk mumbles to himself, nearly passing out again. Leo stops where he stands, looks towards the end of the room ahead of him, and calls out, "Father? Are you here? I've got him, if you're wondering..."
A nearly cloaked figure, sitting in the throne ahead of the two brothers, rises from his seat and slowly approaches them.
"You must be blind, my son, for I was only sitting in plain sight," King Ika states humorously. "Ah, it really is refreshing to see an old face, isn't it?" He reaches out for Kirk, his cold hands resting on Kirk's mop of ginger hair.
"Get your hands off of me, you old hag," Kirk whispers louder than before. Ika lets go of him as asked and takes a step back.
"Drop him."
Leo nods and throws Kirk to the floor. Kirk groans a bit, his body in agonizing pain. Ika takes his foot and nudges it against Kirk's face before placing some of his weight from his foot onto Kirk's back.
"You know, it's been awfully quiet ever since you left. You were always the talk of the palace; people loved you, you had all the ladies you wanted at your side, and everything you needed was in your hands. Why would you throw all of that away, my boy..?" Ika asks quietly.
Kirk remains silent. Ika shoves some of his heel into Kirk's side, Kirk breathes in sharply and begins to tremble.
"How long has it been? Fourteen years? What have you been doing, all alone out there? I've heard you got a son, has he been well?" Ika continues in a mocking tone. "Almost a decade and a half ago, I told you you'd be king one day. I was so proud of my eldest son, you were always my greatest achievement. I never would've, well, I'd never think that you'd just... leave." The pride in his voice begins to fade away, but a strong, angry undertone rises in it's place.  "You betrayed your kingdom that night, you know, you betrayed your lineage. You betrayed me. I want to ask you again, why on Earth would you do that? Why would you just throw away your destiny to go off and live like a commoner with a mutt for a wife and have a child? Why would you set aside the feelings of your poor father just you can selfishly run off in the wheat fields like an idiot for that 'taste' of freedom?" Ika leans in towards his son's face, which seemed to be buried into the floor. "I'd like to yell, but I'd also like to refrain from damaging my lungs any further than I already have...."
"Father, I-" Leo starts, interrupted by Ika's hand, only a finger raised.
"Ahh, Leo, do fetch my love for me, would you? I'll have someone else escort your disgrace of a brother to the dungeons in a moment."
Leo responds, once again, with a single nod and leaves. His boots clank against the floor as he leaves, fading away the further he walks.
Ika grabs Kirk by the cheeks and lifts his head, examining every feature on his worn, horrified face.
"Not a word from you, hmm? I always took into consideration that you were shy when you were younger, but what I'm seeing is very different from that... you've changed, boy. Changed, but still stubborn as ever."
Kirk scowls at Ika menacingly. Ika's dull, weary expression changes slightly as one of his guards enters the throne room. He lets go of Kirk and approaches the guard, asking him to take Kirk away.