Small Stories

(#8) A Lesson Learned

Hey y'all! Wow..I'm back! Sorry for the superrrrrr long wait. Things have been pretty crazy! Tho I've got some more short stories to put on here! So without further or do, this is A Lesson Learned!

King Darius of the kingdom of Wicord tapped his fingers impatiently on his throne, using the other to support his cheek. He was supposed to form an alliance with King Thomas of Lux, and he was late. Though they needed the help since Lux had one of the best armies of the surrounding dimensions, so he decided to wait only for that reason. Wicord had had an alliance for many years with Lux, but that was with Zayn Rogers, the past king of Lux. Now his son, Thomas, was king. He only hoped that Thomas was just as good of a king as his father was. Darius had never met the young man, so this would be his chance to do so.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a young man rushed through the double doors and stopped a few feet in front of Darius's throne. Two guards trailing after him. From the clothing the guards wore, he knew they were from Lux. The young man had wild jet black hair that covered his left eye, and wore a black button up shirt and dark jeans. The shirt was ripped in many places, like he had just come back from fighting a beast of some sort. He also wore a red sash that looked as though he had thrown it on at the last second. Which, from seeing his appearance, Darius knew that this was most likely the case. Darius's impatience grew and started to grow into anger at this stranger entering. This couldn't possibly be the king of Lux. He was much too short and underdressed. Thomas's father, Zayn, stood at six foot four. This young man had to be only five foot eight and wasn't wearing the proper attire of a king. He only hoped that this stranger could tell him where the king was and why he refused to show his face.

The young man bowed respectfully, as did the guards with him, and Darius inclined his head in response.

"My apologies for being late, sire. My name is Tad—"

Now Darius had had it. How dare he send him only a mere general? That's what this man had to be, for he was no king. Darius would not associate with him, they could always find a better ally with a great army. Rising from his throne, he stepped down until he was closer to Tad. Looking him in the eye, he interrupted his introduction and began to speak.

"So this is who I'm presented with?! A mere general?! After I sit here waiting for this long?! At least present me with a general who has an appealing physical appearance and who doesn't look as if he's been trampled by a beast!! One who doesn't go by a mere nickname, what kind of a name is "Tad"?! You can go tell your king that he is an utter coward for choosing not to meet with me and he can forget about this foolish alliance!! I will not associate myself with him or anyone else in his kingdom!! He is an imbecile compared to his father!!" Darius shouted.

He watched as Tad lowered his head, his eyes and part of his face was obscured by the wild mess of hair on his head. The guards behind him exchanged a wide-eyed look with each other, though Darius couldn't figure out why. It took Tad a few minutes to lift his head, but when he did, Darius wished he hadn't. The look of rage on his face was enough to send chills down his spine.

"Well then" Tad spat, "I thought I wouldn't have to show you this, but it seems like I am not allowed to even introduce myself."

Darius watched as Tad moved the sash over a little just enough where he could see something stitched in next to the collar of his shirt, and what he saw made his heart stop. It was a symbol of a dragon's head with two swords crossed behind it within the same red background of the sash. It was Lux's kingdom symbol...which was only worn by the king. Looking closer at Tad, he also saw that he looked quite similar to his father, Zayn, with only a few differences. How could he have missed that? Tad's visible blue eye had even turned more reptilian and he could see white fangs protruding through his upper lip. The signs that indicted he was half dragon, like so many in his family bloodline were before him. If he was anything like his father, then to get him angry is the worst thing one could do, and Darius had managed to do just that.

Darius cursed silently before regaining his composure, though it was obvious he was very pale and that he was trembling. "Y-Your majesty, my m-my most sincere a-apologies—"

"DON'T." Tad snarled, making Darius close his mouth immediately and gulp at the tone. In a softer, but firm tone he then said "You have insulted me in every possible way. If you think you can judge who someone is based on their appearance, then you are gravely mistaken. I am sorry that my appearance is so appalling to you, but there are things I can't change about that. As for my clothes, I'm not only king of a kingdom, but I am also a protector of one of our native species, the Atrocious Volante. I happen to be the only one they will willingly listen to, and I had to break up two troops from fighting so they wouldn't destroy part of the village. Which is also the reason why I was so late. So as you can see, I am not a coward. In fact, I was still willing to meet with you, but a king must attend to helping those in his kingdom first and foremost before he addresses other, less important matters." After finishing that statement, Darius could hear the venom dripping from his tone as Tad's visible eye narrowed until they looked like a slit, making the king of Wicord shiver from where he stood.

"As for my nickname, I prefer to be called Tad, not Thomas. Only those close to me are allowed to call me Thomas. You and I don't have that status, and from your careless behavior today I doubt we ever will." He growled again, making Darius shrink back. "From this day forward, I am withdrawing the alliance between Lux and Wicord. Good luck finding another army for protection, you're going to need it."

And with one last harsh glare, the young king turned on his heel and began walking out of the throne room, head held high and shoulders back. His guards followed in wide-eyed silence. Darius's guards immediately parted to let them through, stunned at everything they had just witnessed. Darius sat back in his throne, his head in his heads with shame and regret, realizing how incredibly foolish he had been, and the great alliance he had lost.

       
                                           ~

Eliza Todd