Kingdom Hearts: Army Of The Roses

Chapter Two

The trek took days 'fore we came before the great kingdom. Despite riding on steeds the endeavor have founded us exhausted. A savory sight for tired eyes was my home, so much so I strayed from my garrison, "Lead on." I ordered Jerek to usher my regiment forth.

Reigning my beast, we slowed before the steps of my abode. Sliding from the saddle, I thanked Phillip — my mount — before leading him to a trough nearby.

"Is it true what your men said? You killed the wolf?" I unbuckled and slid the saddle from his back.

"Aye, Nathan'd no more to give us." I eyed the beast though he did not the same; he held his eyes shut.

"Aslan won't be happ-" Before he could finish the thought, a small creature had stumbled into my side. To my surprise I found that a child had taken a liking to my waist. Clutching tightly, a boy of a meter's height had latched to me. It was a child whose love I had for knew no bounds; my son, Luke, had shown to me a smile so brilliant I felt all-peaceful for a moment.

"Ay, boy!" I ran my palm through the brown of his hair before holding him tightly.

"You've missed me, I take it?"

"Aye!" He beamed. "I been practicing just like you said!"

"Oh? Gotten any better?" We stepped across the patio before stopping before the door. As I fondled for my key, he sped on and on, drawing into endless circles of how well he had improved in his footing; he had always a problem with balance when wielding his wooden blade to a stack of unsuspecting hay.

I was stumbling about our home in search of bread before a sound broke my attention: a piece of wood had been chopped from the back door. I stood and looked to Luke; he was suspiciously quiet, wide eyed and guilty looking, he made it obvious something was awry.

"Nothing... You want to say?" He shook his head. I gave him a moment. Still nothing. I shrugged and took the door handle in my palm. Another beat.

"She didn't want you to know!"

Hmph.

I opened the door to see the woman I called my daughter, Amelia, holding a blade that was nearly twice her size. Real steel, not one of wood. Weighing to her side, she hunched over gasping tiredly for a time before she flung her arms forth. Dragging her feet, she struck the bark from a tree before tumbling to the dirt.

She saw me not, not until I stepped just feet before her. She jumped at the sight of my boot. A quick enveloping sense of shame rode her gaze.

"Tell me," I knelt and with one hand I brushed away a lock of hair, "How is it you see with all this hair in your face?" A smile broke my lips, though disappointment and pride twirled within me, I found it better to show no ill will for her ambition. Though that changed when cuts and scars came to light; to her calves and ankles, cuts adorned its fresh blood with bright scabs: wielding such a sword left its marks.

Inexperienced. Novice. Disobedience.

"There's reasons why I lock my blades away." I pointed to the wounds. Her face twisted, a frown so foul.

"Don't leave me prisoner of that old crone and maybe I won't get bored." The venom she spat stung none.

"Clearly you're not trusted enough to stay in your room while I'm away." I swiped the sword from her, just above the hilt is where I took the blade. Standing over her; she refused to look to me, instead her eyes found the trees off in the distance.

"I don't want to come home one day just to be told you bled out in this very yard! Your ambition will get you killed one day. And if not you, someone will pay that price." I crouched to her gaze.

"What will it take? Luke?! Will his death come at the hands of your clumsiness?!"

Cutting my temper, a fear pummeled my anger: a thumping below my very feet, loud and booming the ground shook with the might of God. Turning my back, I fell to my knee and held my head low. The one and only, Aslan stood upon my ground and I but a child in his presence.

These next moments of my life were pitiful, empirically disgraceful. Pathetic even. He went on how unwarranted I had been, to slay the wolf was 'unjust', even went as far as to call what I had done heinous. In the end he was disappointed to the depth of appointing Jerek in command of my garrison, a decision I will have to privately express my gratitude of to Jerek personally.

All said and done; smoke cleared and pride dismantled, I stood — now alone with Amelia.

"You'll keep at your pace..." I muttered.

"No steel. Only to practice with me from here on." The blade I clenched had cut my palm deep, leaving nothing but bloodéd drops in my path.

"Go now, get your sword. The one of oak!" I ordered the girl on, and she followed quickly. I however couldn't move, amongst the grass I stayed.

My nose to the air...

Something rode the wind...

A stench foul...