A Crown and A Curse

Chapter 39: This Isn't a Game

Kian

The process of getting everything in the caverns packed and ready to go was a hassle and best and took the better part of two weeks. My already tense shoulders ached from carrying crates of food to the waiting carts. The job was peaceful though, I was accustomed to using my brain for every task, I could see why some people preferred physical labor, it was easy to lose yourself in the rhythm of the work. Kendry, who along with the other councilmen had only just been released from the watchful eye of my guards, disagreed with my contribution to the loading efforts. He had been adamant about me working elsewhere, doing something "Princely." I'm not sure what would've constituted as more princely than being in the midst of my people. 

I hadn't seen much of Zora in the past few weeks, aside from when she came to my room every night to make sure I was sleeping. During the day I caught glimpses of coppery hair in the crowd, but other than that, not a trace.  As I finished loading the last cart, Stailon clapped me on the shoulder.

"Who knew you could lift more than the weight of the mirror you practice all of your fancy speeches in front of, pretty boy," He grinned, winking as he tossed a bag much heavier than my own on top with ease. 

"Some of us have to use the muscles in our head instead of the ones in our arms, beefcake," I retorted, whacking the back of his head as I passed him. It only took him a few strides to catch up. 

"Where are you off to now?" He grumbled.

I glanced around, seeing that packing was almost finished. 

"To get some air."

Stailon rolled his eyes, their stormy grey color appearing more black in the dim light of the cavern hallway, "So you're going to go brood somewhere about all the things that could go wrong."

I shrugged, helpless to deny the accusation, "These are my people I'm putting at risk. They've spent thirteen years below ground because of me, I just don't want to waste that." He stayed silent for a minute, our footsteps echoed against the stone of the hall. 

Finally, he huffed out a breath, "These people are choosing to leave. You aren't making them, so stop living under the pretense that they're fighting only for you. None of us are, we're fighting for better lives for ourselves and a better future for Drimore. You're carrying a weight on your shoulders that isn't yours to bear."

I sighed, no one could understand. It wasn't the weight of other people I was carrying, it was the weight of a crown, a crown I didn't even have yet, but still, its implications bore down on me unceasingly. So instead, I put on my mask, the one I seemed to be wearing much more often as of late, and I smiled.

"Who knew you could speak so eloquently, perhaps you  should start writing my speeches for me." 

"Take the mask off when you speak to me, brother, I know better than that,"He said, causing the smile to melt from my face. He stopped, grabbing me by the shoulders and forcing me to look at him, "You're not alone, so whenever you're ready to explain what's gotten you so out of sorts I'll be here to listen. But don't you dare shut me out as you do to all the others, we've been through too much for that." And then he released me and walked back in the direction we had come from, leaving me to my thoughts. 

***

I woke the next morning to Zora flicking my nose. 

"Get up, we're leaving in an hour and everyone is headed to the carts."

I yawned, sitting up and stretching, "Good morning to you too, darling." She rolled her eyes, flicking me on the nose again, and somehow made it all look affectionate. This woman was going to be the death of me. 

She got up from the bed, "I have to go grab my pack from my chambers, I'll meet you down there." 

"Alright," I yawned as she slipped out the door. 

I pulled on a fur-lined cloak and boots, then smoothed back my hair from my forehead. I stared at the door, sighing. The trip would be short, only a couple of weeks, but I still feared the consequences of moving so many people and carts at once would be. Surely someone would take notice, and I could only hope that we would be prepared when they did.  It also felt bittersweet to leave the safety of the caverns. While they were stuffy and constricting, they were also the place I felt most at home, a place where I had grown into the person I was. I hadn't truly been out in the real world, in my kingdom, since I was eight years old. Who was I in that place? I feared the answer was one I wouldn't like.

Even so, I opened the door.