Befalling Calamaty

Earic

Earic stared at his brother. Realizing that he was still kneeling, he stood up straight with his brain softly thumping against his skull.

'Why were you kneeling?'

'I was feeling faintish, my king,' Earic replied.

King Tristan grunted disapprovingly. He was not pleased of Earic's weak constitution.

'Walk with me.'

'Yes my king.'

Thousands of questions still swirled around Earic's head as he followed his brother down the corridor. They came in sight of the inner courtyard where a zeysen tree was seeded at its center. The bright red leaves of the tree swayed gently against the morning breeze, while some of them fell down like a shower of rain.

'This tree was seeded here when our kingdom was founded five hundred years ago and it exists still. It is a symbol of endearment. Listen well, brother. A kingdom lasts as long as its ruler is strong.'

'I am aware, my king. B-but why are you telling me this?'

'Isn't it obvious. You are a bastard of my father and an abomination. Yet you are still my brother no matter whether I reject it or not. For once, I will recognize your birth right.'

Earic felt he had deen bombarded with surprises too much as of the current moment. He knew what the king meant. As a prince, he had the right to the throne. But he was the third prince.

'What of Prince Taylor?'

'We both know he will bring the kingdom to ruin. I despise your inheritance, but not your wisdom. Be prepared to what's to come.'

Earic clenched his fist. He knew exactly what his brother was implying. 'But I can't do war.'

'Then fine those who can.'

Their chat was interrupted by a knight who bowed before the king. King Tristan glared at Earic, motioning him to leave. The prince quickly turned over his heels and left the king and his knight in the garden. His head seemed to have grown heavier by the second. He never thought his brother might resort to such drastic measures. It was reckless, even for him.

But his decision meant only one thing. Whatever he had talked with the queen had not been friendly. And even if to was not so, the king had sensed something some hostility. No matter what, they had spoken something so dangerous that the king had to resort to decide the next heir to the throne.

If something were to ever happen to the king, Earc would be next in line for the throne.

The news was even shocking that the fact that he was a good descent himself. At least that explained some strange things about him.

Instead of heading back to his room, he headed stairght towards the passage where he found Gen and the other four children under his refuge. It seems that pudding prefers the company of the blue eyed girl. It growled when Gen came nearer to the creature.

'You look like you had seen a ghost,' Sapphire said.

Earic frowned and flopped on the nearest cot. Archie scooted away from where he sat and eyes the prince suspiciously.

'I guess, what you said might be true,' said Earic, turning towards Sapphire.

'She showed you?'

'She... has that feel around her.'

'What feel?'

Earic sighed, 'Never mind.'

Gen leaned on the door frame with his arms crossed before asking, 'What of the king?'

'He is out of harm.'

'That was reckless. You wouldn't be able to do anything anyway and we do not know her strengths.'

'She can move things without touching them,' the girl replied.

Earic looked at Archestrian for validation. The boy nodded.

'Telekinesis,' mumbled Earic. 'But I have a feeling that is not the only extent of her abilities.'

'How can you be sure?'

'He knew you were both arriving here even before you stepped foot into the city,' Gen explained.

'You have spies?'

'He can sense our kind.'

Earic almost felt like breaking the news to Gen, that he was just like him. That Gen was not the only one amongst a sea of ordinary people anymore. But he felt that it was best if he revealed it another time. Yet, he could feel Tashara's gaze from the corner of the room.

It was hard hiding things for a telepath. But he trusted the girl not to reveal his secret.

'The queen his stay for today and leave in two days time. It seems, your stay may be extended. Leave earlier if you must, but it will be your choice.'

Four faces looked at each other, hoping that someone might suggest something.

Earic stood up to leave. But instead he fell to one knee again, clutching a side of his head. He hated his weak body. It had been so ever since he were young. Even if his mind could bear pain, his body would give away first.

He glared at Gen, who tried to help him up hauled himself to his feet. He clutched on the door frames.

'Don't let her feel you,' he finally warned. 'If can feel your presence, there is a possibility that she might be able to do so too.'

All that Earic to think of as he walked towards his chamber was to lie down on his bed again and sleep. Behind him, Gen followed faithfully.

'You seem troubled, Earic.'

Earic smiled weakly over his shoulders at his friend. Gen only ever called him by name when either they were alone or when things got serious.

'I... will explain things later. I just want to rest.'

***

Days passed on like a breeze. Earic spent most of his days in bed with the physician prescribing different herbs and tonics for his everlasting headache. After two days, the queen left back to her kingdom, taking Earic's headache with her.

Unfortunately Earic was the only person who felt relieved by her departure. The day he went to visit his unusual guests down in the passages, he found five utterly lost children stuck in one room.

'Do you all have a place to go to?'

The prince was rewarded with blank looks. And that was how all four of them ended up taking jobs in the palace. It was not uncommon for new servents to enter the palace. The girls were easily placed as kitchen maids, much to Sapphire's despair. Naajim was sent as an errand boy for the kitchen while Archestrian was assigned as a cave-keeper.

'Consideeing your roots, I hope this job will not be too uncomfortable for you?' asked Earic.

Archestrian simply shrugged.

The prince stared at the Shield, one of his eyebrows raised. He was rather suprised at how apathetic the boy could be.

'It's messy work and there is a high chance you might get bitten.'

'I know the risks,' Archestrian said with a frown.

And it seems, Archestrian got scratched on the first day. Fortunately, it was not serious. Yet he still continued to work in the caves. The four children were given separate rooms in the servents' quarters; one for the boys and one for the girls. Earic felt very glad at his decision when General Leonard almost broke down the door of his chamber, claiming that the tiny girl was spouting lighting all over.

And it seems, it was exactly what happened. Earic almost went into a shock, seeing the tiny figure convulsing on her been with blue streaks of electricity pouring out of her skin. Even Archestrian had trouble trying to hold her down.

'Bring the leather whip!'

'Whip?'

'So that we can hold her down! And a metal chain.'

Archestrian gave Earic a stare so menacing, it sent chills down his spine. But the items were brought eventually.

'Use the whips to hold her down,' Earic ordered to the rest of the observers. 'But make sure not to touch her.'

The room was already filled with the smell of burning fabric. Earic quickly threw the length of the whip over the girl's body and had Naajim and Archestrian to pull on the whip from both sides of the bed. The leather burned slowly, but it prevailed.

Then Earic took the chain and placed it over Sapphire's open palms. The girl instinctively grasped it. The other end of the chain laid on the floor. Blue streaks passed through the chain on contact and flowed down towards the ground. Slowly, Sapphire stopped shaking and the boys loosened the grip on the whip.

'How... did you know that would work?' Archestrian asked in a daze. Sapphire was unconscious. She twitched slightly on several occasions, but her body seemed more relaxed compared to how it was.

Earic whipped the sweat off his forehead, 'She produce electricity. It's like water. It needs to flow, but to flow it needs a proper medium. The human body is a very good medium, but metal is even better one.'

'Elec... what?'

'Lightning. That is why it is said not to stand in an open field when there is a thunderstorm.'

After that incident, Earic felt like he at least earned the Shokrean boy's respect a little bit. Also, he was met with general Leonard's suspicious gaze. The general was very clingy towards him, ever since his brother announced him as a prince.

'Your knowledge really surprise me, your highness,' said General Leonard while they headed back to the Earic's chambers.

'All you military men think about if how to slice open a human. There are alot of things to learn if you read.'

'Hmm... I can't argue with that. Then, I will take my leave your highness. Gentetsu is enough for your protection at this moment.'

Earic nodded, allowing the general to leave.

'That girl's ability is amusing. It's more destructive that mine,' said Gen.

'Yes. Now I realize why Sir Leonard is against letting them leave. She has so much energy bottled up inside her. It would be a danger to those around her if she were to loose control.'

'Then, what do you suppose we do?'

'I don't know,' replied Earic. 'I really don't know.'

Ever since that incident, Sapphire kept a very safe distance from poeple. Earic noticed it when he saw her. In truth, he felt sorry for a her. She killed her man because of something she could not control. He could not imagine how terrifying that might be.

The girl bowed her head when she saw him one morning, as she carried a bundle of sheets over her arms. Earic felt like telling her something about how electricity worked, but he was suspicious of his own knowledge.

They were not gained by reading books.

On the same evening, Earic was summoned by the king to attend a council meeting. It was something common that Earic was expected to attend. The knights and scholars never objected a child listening on important matters related to the kingdom. But once Earic entered the throne room and met the gaze of his brother, he was shocked.

Earic had not seen his brother for just three days, yet he had seem to have lost the majestic and cold air around him. His face was distorted with discomfort and had bags under his eyes. The spirit in his eyes seemed to have completely... disappeared.

Seeing his younger brother stare at him frozen as when seen a ghost, King Tristan turned away.

'Well then, let's start.'

The meeting went on as usual. But Earic stayed quiet for most of the time, glancing at the king occasionally. Some of the scholars stared at him, hoping that he might oppose the Knight's ideas. The ways warriors and scholars thought were different. Earic was considered a scholar and most of those like him relied on him to express their ideas to the king, since the king had a high opinion of him even if he rarely showed it.

Feeling that he was too distracted at the moment, Earic straightened his back and listened to what one of the knights had to say.

'We will enforse the taxes by force. They must understand that we are at a tight spot right after the war.'

'I object,' said Earic. The entire room silenced. Earic leaned his chin upon his arm and spoke as he tapped on the table, 'They have it harder than us. War causes destruction to crops, thus lowering their food supply and income. They cannot afford to pay the taxes. But the nobles can. I recommend that we enforce taxes on the goods that are usually bought by them, mainly imported items.'

'But your highness, there are only a handful_'

'I am only recommending to enforce taxes on items that are not entirely necessary. Do you want to cause a riot, sir knight?'

'No, your highness,' the knight quickly turned to the king. 'Your_'

The king glared at the knight and then turned to Earic.

'Why is lady Selene here? Since when did she partake in these matters?'

Earic felt like he had been slapped on his face. Everyone else in the room looked at each other, confused.

'I-I am... not Lady Selene, my king.'

'You are not the one who seduces my father? When who are you?'

'I am her son.'

'You do not have a son.'

The king turned to the other officials in the room, 'Do you not agree?'

No one said a word. But one brave souls took the initiative to speak, 'This is Prince Earic, your highness. Your brother.'

'What nonsense!'

The king stood up with a furry. 'Since when did I have a second brother? And where is father? I need to speak with him.'

'B-but, the late king_'

King Tristan did not listen. He instead stormed out of the council room. Earic all of a sudden felt relieved and frightened at the same time. He was relieved since the king did not seem to humiliate him purposely. He was frightened since the king had somehow managed to forgetten alot of important things. Like how their father had passed away three years ago and the fact that Earic was his brother.

The more Earic thought about it, he realized that those were the things that the king wanted to forget most about.

His father's death and his own existence.

Everyone was now starting at Earic, hoping that he will have a say in the matter. Therefore, Earic stood up and tried to muster his most commanding tone.

'The king... seems unwell. I will see to the matter. The council meeting is dismissed. But I must warn that what happened here must not leave this room. It is understood?'

The knights and scholars nodded. The knights seem sceptical though.

'I must admit I might have no strength in body, but spread this blunder and you shall deeply regret the use of your tongues.'

Prince Earic left, leaving a room full of shuddering poeple.

What should I do, Earic thought. He could not simply go and consult the king who believes that he is his mother. Thinking of his mother, he felt a sudden surge of anger at his king.

Lady Selene was a gracious lady. It was the king who could not contain himself and took her for a mistress. She never complained, she was never malicious. She was an albino, just like him, with silver hair and blood red eyes. He could not understand why King Tristan hates her. For that reason only did Earic disagree with the king.

When he reached the king's chambers and hesitated to knock. But it would be troublesome if someone else sees the king as he was.

'My king? My king may I enter.'

'Who is it?'

'Earic, my king.'

'Earic? Earic.... Earic....'

Earic did not hesitate. He opened the door and found a king leaning his arm on his chair with the other clutching his head. He turned to Earic.

'Wh-why can't I_ Who are you?'

Earic felt his throat constrict. Something was wrong. Something was definitely wrong.