Forget Me Not

XII

~About half a year ago~

Gil and I's footsteps echoed in the long halls as we were escorted to the king's throne room by a couple guards that flanked us. The king didn't trust anyone but his son. Sconces along the stone walls flickered, casting dancing shadows across them. After every mission requested by the king was done, he would eventually summon us, and request another job to be done. Sometimes there would be a week's wait between them, others just a day.

The guards pushed open the doors and announced our arrival, before allowing us to walk in, where they moved to stand behind us, blocking the door. King Torryn was awaiting on the throne, slouching and leaning on the arm of the throne, as if he were bored and tired. We bowed to him and his face showed disinterest as he waved one of his guards over.

"Give them their payment," King Torryn said, and the guard handed Gil a small sack, which jangled full of money.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Gil said, and he bowed his head.

King Torryn's son, Cyrus, who was only a few years older than me, was standing beside him in his dashing royal clothes, his hands clasped together behind his back. Unable to help it, I shared a look with him and he gave me a small, genuine smile in return, one that would have been undetectable by anyone else. I looked away from him and bowed my head to the king as well before my face revealed something it shouldn't.

"Now that the payment is over with, I have another job for you." King Torryn ordered.

***

Gil forcefully shoved open the front door, revealing a family of four that were seated around a large wooden table, with only a small amount of food in front of them. The small light that emitted from a candle on the table lit up their faces, which were wide-eyed and surprised.

"Children, come over here!" The mother stood up and moved to the corner of the small home, hurriedly waving her two small children over behind her, getting them far away from the doorway. She gripped them tightly against her, protective, but I could tell she was terrified.

"What--What is going on?" The father stammered as he stood alone at the head of the table. His hands were shaking, I noticed, as he gripped the table for support. Like a robot, one that did not want to do it's given job, Gil said his usual, dreaded lines.

"You're under arrest for treason."

"N-no--please--" The father stammered as Gil and I stepped further forward into the house towards him. "My family--"

The father picked up a knife off the table and held it out as if to warn us, but it wasn't very menacing as he was shaking far too much, I thought he would accidentally drop it. Why did the people we come for always choose to fight? Why did they choose death?

But I knew the answers to those questions. Dying here, their own way, defending themselves and what they loved, was better than them rotting alone in a cell. Or worse, being tortured. As much as I hated it, dying by Gil or I's own hand was probably a mercy.

"Sir, please put down the knife," Gil said, his hand on the handle of his sword. "Let's not make this any harder than it has to be."

"I haven't done anything wrong! I'm innocent!" The father screamed, still not putting down his knife. "Please leave us alone!"

"You don't want to do this in front of your family," Gil said gently. "Come with us quietly."

"But my family--" The man protested, sobbing. His kids were whimpering, the mother trying to hold in her tears.

"Daddy?" One of the children, a little girl, sobbed out. Her confusion at the situation before her  broke my heart so much, it brought tears to my eyes.

Gil pulled out his sword from its sheath and held it in front of him, as if he were ready to use it. The man gripped his knife tighter in his sweaty hand.

I could see what was about to go down. I could see the man going for Gil. Gil bringing his sword down, ending the mans life as quickly as it was given. The man's family screaming and crying, forever scarred with the memory of seeing their loved one slain before them. And the family, they would--Wait.

"Gil, stop!" I reached out and grabbed his shoulder. He turned to me, his face changing to one of concern.

"What is it?"

"We-We can't do this," I stammered, almost in a murmur. "Gil... we just can't."

"We have our orders--we can not disobey them or--" Gil protested, sadly.

"I know... I know what will happen..." I gripped Gil's sleeve tightly in my hand. "But please, Gil... Without him, his family will be torn apart. They can't survive without him--with low to no income--with any means of making money being indescribable and untasteful. Gil, I can't tear apart this family! I know how it feels! I will not do it to them too!"

Gil stared at me, and then back at the family and then back at me. He bit his lip, his eyes glistening and I knew he was at war with himself. He either hurt this family and also hurt me in the process, or he protected this family and threatened both our lives. He exhaled sharply and quickly looked at the parents, addressing them.

"You need to pack up your stuff and leave now, it's your only chance! Get far away from here!"

The mother cried out in relief and the man dropped the knife he was holding and rushed to hold his family close. I wanted more than anything that they could continue to hold each other close. That they could escape, and survive the journey with what little they had. The harsh journey was always why rarely anyone tried to leave this kingdom. As dismal as the near future looked for them, I knew that there was nothing stronger than love and family. I just hoped it was enough to keep them alive, it was out of our hands now.

Gil gripped my hand tightly, as we turned and left the house. I squeezed his hand back, knowing he was just as frightened as I was of what was to come for us.