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"... in the deep darkness of his chamber, the eminating sound of his own breathing pounded deep inside his head, slowly submitting to his fate. As he slowly rolled himself from his bed, eyes focusing down towards the cold tile floor he thought to himself of the pathetic nature of his present state."
'The times really have turned on us, haven't they Samuel?' he muttered towards the figure leaning against the chamber door..
'You heard me, then?' the King's low tone masked his worrysome state.. "Ah, I shouldn't of expected no less from you.. Angel".
His eyes slowly closed, as he let out a heavy sigh. "Who is it that told you, my dear Samuel?". As he begin to slip his cloak on over his head, tying the string round his neck, head quirked in the motion of the ominous figure slowly walking towards him now.
"It was you." Samuel slowly said, as he sat himself down on the corner chair, resting Argo's hammer between his legs, twirling the side of it where the engraved symbols told of his punishment.
A slow laugh released from the lungs of Argo, heartfelt and somewhat saddenned by his own stupidity. "I can't believe I could hide something for so long.. yet leave my secret, almost unknowingly, at your doorstep.." His slim form began walking towards the king, arm outstretched to the already extended grip of the hammer, picking it up and twirling it with ease.. "You would never know the pain I feel, knowing that you found out through this damn thing" he said as he slammed it down onto the chest at the foot of his bed, lowering the hammer's head to stop the large splinter screaming towards his leg. Samuel's eyes watched in somewhat suprise, as his lips approached opening, his words were cut short by Argo, "It was locked.. and I have since left the key with Micahel.. whom has not shown his face for some time..."
As he bent down over the broken chest, he pushed away some of the wood splinters covering the rucksack, picking it up and undoing the tie, throwing it over to Samuel. "What is this?" the King's eyes lowered to the sack, hands feeling the bottom of it in interest.
"That is my journal.. if you find interest in me so much," he said so as he looked over the engravings on his hammer "you may read into that to your content".
As he said so, the king threw it back, merely muttering "There is nothing I feel I could learn from that paper.. that you couldn't tell me yourself", his face lifted to Argo with a cheeky smile, suprising the Elf.
"That it may be.. you understand where I go.. you will experience my pain first hand.." he slowly whispered, eyes searching for heat beneath the door.
"I understand what will become of you, if I allow such a frail and weak Elf venture into such a dark land on his own.." the King smiled, gripping Argo's arm in comfort.
"Hah. Well then.. I must pack some rations, I do hope you do not mind Jerky, the "Avatar" Torankusu was so kind to give me plenty of his.." he mildy spoke, as if to scare the king from this venture with promise of food not quite suited to Royal pallete.
"I believe, food will be the last thing on my mind in this.. extreme pain, won't it?" the King mocked, showing a playful grin afterwards. Argo slowly nodded, and continued to look through the chest, eyes panning towards the king and the door every so often.. as he bent once again, he found the Kingdom's Skeleton Key, smiling lightly as he saw the King's surprise. "I've had it for some time," muttered Argo, "One of the lower down shipyard boys thought it ill to keep secrets from you.. so I told him I would deliver it to you." after a small pause, he laughed abit at the irony "Of course of no intention to deliver it, I seem to have done so anyways..."
The next few hours were filled with small talk, little, if any was given to the Kingdom, and the state they would leave it in without another king. After Argo had found his old belongings, and had finally relinquished his fear of the King's judgement of his wings and other hidden traits, he ****ed his head back to his own tattered and uncared for wings, smiling as he fluttered them. As he just had begun to enjoy moving his wings, the Kings hand flew up in a fist, notioning towards the door as footsteps were heard. Argo closed his eyes and rolled his head back and he underwent the masking of his wings, a seemingly simple absorption as they seemed to melt away into Argo's back, leaving two large scars...
"Excuse me, Advisor?" a voice rang through the door as a knock was heard.. "It's Stewart, I was wondering if my brother was in there with you, as he is not in his room."
There was a look on confusing on both Samuel as well as Argosax's face, as soon as it had begun Stewart had opened the door, poking his head through.. "Samuel? Argo..? What are the two of you doing at such a time?"
A small smile appeared on Argo's face, as he had just come out of his trance-like state, the seering pain slowly ringing away. "Ah, Stewart, come and sit with your Brother. We have news.." Argo's eyes flashed to Samuel with a quick nod, "It is of whom shall be crowned King, once we are to leave."
Samuel's eyes widened just as much as Stewart's, Samuel obviously the wiser to appear understanding and completly in control and he gave his brother a large pat on the back, "Yes brother. We have come to conclusion, that once we leave on this journey," the look of confusion on Stewart's face replaced with a look of concern as he abruptly interupted "WHAT journey..?"
Argo slowly looked to Samuel, "Stewart, the time has come for my passing, and I must do one thing before then.. your brother offered to help me, but to do so he must travel with me, with no guarantee of safety.. or even of coming back." Stewart slowly looked between the two of them, grimacing as he took it in slowly. "We have decided to appoint you, and not your Father's Son at the throne of this Kingdom.." Samuel's eyes looking to Argo with satisfaction, a small nod of content.
"But.. but.. why now? Why in this time would you leave? Where are you going? And why me? Will the people not question this as an act of dishonor?" Stewart spoke, voice shaking and a deep look of concern upon his face...
"Brother. You are my closest blood, and my best Guard. Nobody has insured my safety more than you, my son is not yet ready to take his place at the throne.. I do not feel he could take not only losing his father, but his teacher and live up to the Dustari name. I feel I must leave that to a more learned and experienced man," his body shifted to Stewart, both arms upon his shoulders now, "that man must be you." Samuel's eyes looked to Argo, who had a smug look as he looked upon the two.
"Your Majesty... Samuel.. brother.. are you sure you want me to take the kingdom? There is so much I have to learn--" but as he spoke, Samuel shook his head and spoke of his own place when hearing of his time upon the throne.
The two spoke for some time, going over the plans that Samuel once had for Dustari, but that he could never enact due to his commitment to Argo. As Argo pushed things around his room, searching for some last equipment he would need he heard the two brothers clasp arms, and being to turn to Argo.
"So it is settled. We shall leave without telling anybody other than my Son, and then we shall set off." Samuel's eyes looked upon the satchel Argo had, and then quickly back up to Argo.
"You two shall go on ahead, tell your Son and I will meet you in the shipyard. I have buisness to attend to" his eyes lowered to the satchel, meeting Samuel's eyes as he nodded.
Stewart and Argo shook hands, a small embracement given by the Elf was given and some advice here and there, he also mentioned a name intimes of need, as he set out of the room behind Samuel, closing his door and tapping the oak door before setting down the hall.
Hours later, as the sun began to show shines of rising in the horizon, Samuel, Steward and Steven approached. As they hugged and gave small words of advice, Samuel slowly turned and wiped a tear before the two could see, a soft smile appearing on Argo's face.
"Be well Father! Take care and please return with Sir Argosax!" Steven yelled, waving towards the two as they boarded the ship, setting the sail and heading out into the rising sun, off into the depths of the beginning of their journey. |
08-19-2005, 07:58 AM
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