And another one

~~~~~

Sweet Desire

Chapter 16

"We're all in the same game; just different levels. Dealing with the same hell; just different Devils."

~~~~~

It was well past noon 2 days after Adam, Ty and Ian returned to the castle. Adam had plenty of rest yesterday and he was itching to work on his plans for the future, especially after sitting and listening to both Ian and his brother nag his ear off at the same time while he was ordered to rest. He certainly did not miss that kind of treatment.

Adam was currently in what would now be his study...it was his father's study before and in fact it had been the study/office of all the previous Kings since the castle was built. It would take some time before he could fully get used to being here. It smelled a lot like the tea his father would often drink and that made him frown. A part of him was still not ready to be in the same places that were once his father's.

A knock came at the door, "Come in," Adam was expecting Ty, they would've met sooner but Ty was insistent on having the mornings off so he could pray. Which Adam was perfectly fine with.

Ty entered the study and shivered, Adam chuckled, "Sorry, I hope the clothing we provided you isn't too breezy. We aren't quite in the desert like Keuta, but this side of Emedo can get a little hot, though the inside of the castle should be fine.

"I'm fine, just not used to such thin fabrics," Ty carried with him a stack of papers. He seemed much more prepared than Adam thought. Today they would begin the draft of the letter they planned to send to Vragan in order to open up discussions about peace and trade. Everything would be only a draft of course.

Just let me know if anything is uncomfortable, I want you to feel at least comfortable in Emedo, anyways, why don't we get started."

"Right, of course, let's see," Ty set his papers down in front of Adam, "I spent yesterday while you were resting in bed organizing a few particulars about Vragan I think you should know. First and foremost, I think it's important you familiarize yourself with some of our culture and religion, since it greatly differs from that of Emedo. This information could help bridge the unfamiliarity between you and the Vragan king. Especially this would show your dedication towards quelling the misunderstandings and prejudice currently about Vragan and its practices."

Adam was stunned as Ty pulled out a chunk of papers from the stack he set down and rotated it to face him, "Really, this is just a run down on some of the basics of your culture?" Ty nodded, "Just this?" Ty nodded again. Adam held back a groan, the tack of papers was practically a book's worth of information and he was instantly reminded of the dreaded days 4 years ago when he was still just the General of Emedo's army. It was still a mystery to him how much paperwork actually came with the job, but Adam couldn't let a "few" papers stop him now. He truly was serious about this task ahead of him.

Adam nodded, "Alright, what about the rest?"

Ty took another, smaller section from the stack of papers, "This here is about basic Vragan dancing etiquette--"

"Wait, hold up, I'm going to learn how to dance? For a letter we're sending to Vragan?"

"Well, no, I was only planning on instructing you on some basic etiquette in the event the Vragan King accepts our invitation and comes to Emedo, such a topic may arise since dancing is also a vital part of our culture, which I detailed a section about in the stack in front of you...however, teaching you how to dance a few of our simpler, folk dances could actually help. I'll see about fitting that in once Ian gives the clear about you being good to move about more freely, due to your current injuries."

Adam felt like he was seeing a side of Ty he didn't know he had. Even 4 years together in the rebel forces and he never had the impression that Ty was such a meticulous person, and he truly didn't act like it when he was pretending to be a recruit in his army. Adam blinked, maybe he got the short end of the stick...he felt like now he had another Ian on his tail and he just made things worse somehow.

But, he smiled as he thumbed through a few pages in front of him. He was glad to see how dedicated Ty was to helping him and he would do his best to live up to Ty's expectations. He would make this work no matter what.

"Also, I had Ian help me bring up a report of all the public and private hangings of sorcerers and those associated with sorcerers from the past decade, mainly focusing on Emedo since Emedo has a high hanging rate, but I have some Keutian reports mixed in too. This will definitely be a topic we will want to address in our plans to bring peace between our kingdoms. I was thinking about a memorial to the lives lost along with returning as many of the remains to the Vragan kingdom, whether they be Vragan citizens or not, it could help show we value the Vragan way of sending off the dead. Though this sort of detail and planning will happen once and if we manage to get the King to agree to our peace talks."

Adam wondered if Seto's parents were listed among those reports and numbers...Adam shook his head, now wasn't the time to dwell on the past.

Ty continued to talk a bit about what he brought with him in the stack of papers and once he was finished he began talking about the stack he set in front of Adam. Adam spent the next hour reading and listening to Ty as he read up on Vragan culture and religion. It truly was a fascinating world. Adam remembered back to when Ty, pretending to be one of his army recruits, talked with giddy excitement about his home and the celebrations and festivals. He still wanted to try some of the Vragan alcohol that Ty was so proud to boast about. Apparently, as Ty explained to him about certain things now, the Vragan alcohol was sweeter than most since magic was used to cultivate the ingredients in the deep mountainous caverns.

"Hey Ty."

"Hmm?"

"Why is it that the Kulnaks, the head figures that lead religious celebrations are magicless? From what I understand, your religion focuses a lot on being thankful for the gifts of magic that were bestowed upon your people by the Nyx."

"I'm glad you asked, it's a way of dividing the power. Though we are grateful for the blessings of the Nyx, we don't see that magic as a sign of favoritism, just because only some people possess magic does not mean those without are inferior. We consider everyone to be under the watchful eye of the Nyx. So the leaders of our religion are mainly composed of magicless people, though there are rare exceptions. The main and most obvious exception being out ruler, the King. Since your King is also considered to be at the forefront of our religious practices.

Our rulers, for generations, have always been someone with magic, and this is because the royal bloodline is one that was also blessed by the Nyx centuries ago. It's also meant to be a sign of our strength, since the ruler is normally educated from young in magic."

Ty was beaming as he talked about everything. By the time 4 hours passed Ty and Adam barely realized their own fatigue. To him, today was a major success as he felt like he learned a lot and that Ty was able to feel at ease.

Ty coughed, "Should I call for someone to bring you some water? You've been talking for many hours with little rest."

Ty waved the offer off, "No, I'm fine," he cleared his throat.

"Food?"

"I'm alright, thank you."

"Then maybe we should stop here for today?"

"Alright, that sounds good, but...do you mind if I ask you something?"

"Sure, go ahead."

Ty pointed behind Adam to something that was above him. Adam turned around and stiffened, "I'm sorry if the subject is touchy, but I couldn't help but noticing, your mother...where is..." Ty trailed off uncomfortably.

Adam gave him a sad smile, "She died when I was still fairly young, not long after my brother Jordan was made into a General." He had forgotten that there was a family painting hanging on the wall behind him. It was a piece of decoration that had become ingrained as part of the background to him.

Ty nodded quietly, "I'm sorry, I should've figured."

"I'll have the painting stored away. I should have realized it would make you uncomfortable I didn't realize it was here," Adam stood up from his chair and took a moment to look back once more. His mother's gentle smile as she held an infant him in her arms, while his father stood stone faced with his hand calmly on Jordan's small shoulders. A moment of peace captured in a single painting .

Adam looked away, even he could hardly bare to stare at it without sickness in his heart.

"No worries I suppose. I'll report tomorrow and bring with me a draft of our proposal to Vragan. We'll also begin more of our lessons. Take care," Ty nodded and packed up the files he brought with him. Adam waited and grabbed the door for him.

"Take care," Adam said as he closed the door behind Ty. Adam let out a sigh. He had a moment to breathe, he couldn't believe he'd forgotten that painting. Though it was smaller than the one that hung elsewhere in the castle, he still should've realized it was here and that it probably made Ty uncomfortable to look at as he talked with Adam. But as things stood, things were going quite smoothly. He and Ty, despite their differences, were working quite well with each other though today was only the first day, so he didn't want to jump to conclusions quite yet. Jordan was managing military affairs as he briefed Adam on yesterday while he was in bed and Ian was helping him manage their current economic situations. Ian is trying to bring back trading and mining, and rebuilding the capital as also a paid job. They would likely have to dig into the royal family's personal funds in order to get everything back on track and funding the rebuilding process.

It's only been barely 2 days since they returned but it honestly felt like a week. He wondered if things would always be this busy and he wondered how Mitch handled doing this for 4 years. That muscled brained kid was surprisingly adept, and here Adam thought he'd always be the guy roaring for fights and proving he was better at everything. Adam chuckled. Even Mitch grew up to be diligent and capable as a leader, such a thought out Adam at ease. Perhaps he would be ok too.

Adam looked back at the painting once more. It's not like the people in the painting looked happy, but Adam still missed it.

Adam wasn't quite ready to head out for dinner or anything else for that matter, instead he found himself at the bookshelf in the study. It contained a collection of books collected over the many years. He was never really allowed into this room, especially when his father was in it, so he's never had a chance to take a look around.

Something caught his eye. A small thin book unlike the rest as it was without a title on its binding. It also looked old from what he could see. He pulled the book out, and was careful since it looked and felt like it would fall apart any second.

It was a journal, which surprised him. It intrigued him to say the least as his father never struck him as a journal keeping type, at least not while Adam was growing up. He wanted to take a peek but he was also worried about what he would find in the journal. Just thinking about his father brought sickening memories to his mind and made him nauseous to think. He would definitely have to take that painting down.

Adam relented, perhaps a small peek wouldn't hurt. It could shed some new light on his family, not that he was sure he wanted to know more. Adam glanced up at the family portrait once more, he wondered why it was even made if his family was broken from the start.

He was careful as he handled the book and flipped to the bookmarked page.

Maviren 31, 2475

Today I was visited by an old friend, A friend I haven't seen since my father began a kingdom wide purge of all sorcerers. It pains me to see him in poor spirits, and I feel it is my responsibility to make it right. After all I have allowed myself to do nothing simply because it was my father's will, I must make it up to Savi and keep Ira's constantly worried heart to rest.

He had to depart quickly as sorcerers are still being hunted constantly, but we both agreed to meet up at the collapsed mine we used to play near as children. Perhaps, to raise his spirits I could tell him I'd like him to be the godfather of my children when Ira's illness passes and the kingdom becomes safe again for our future children.

It'll be good to see a smile on his face once more.

-Gale Azure

Adam flipped to the next page hoping to quell his confusion and curiosity. Adam had a godfather? Where had he been all this time? But more importantly...was this Savi a sorcerer?

Adam found nothing on the next page or the pages after. Quite a few had been ripped out and scribbled over, this journal only contained one legible so Adam began looking towards the beginning of the journal. Who was Savi?

Unfortunately, nothing could be found in this journal, perhaps he could find another. Adam, now filled with a troubling sense of confusion, needed more answers. Even now, after deciding to put his father in his past, he couldn't help wanting to know more about the monster he once respected as a boy. It was his history, his bloodline. Just who was King Gale, who was his father in the past?

Adam closed the journal and tucked it back in the shelf. He grabbed his sunglasses from the desk and placed them on his face.

Even before the war and before Seto, and even as a child, Adam hardly entered his parents room. He was only there briefly when his mother was still alive, but the room itself had almost always been closed off to him and his brother as children. But his father must have kept more personal documents in there, maybe even more of these journals.

Adam passed several servants in a hurry and apologized quickly as he traveled down the halls. There was a sense of urgency in his steps, a desperation to cling to some light. It didn't seem likely a monster was a monster from the start, something had to have made his father the way he was. Because, even though he was a king now, there was still large amount of support for his father's memory. Even with the terrible mistreatment of sorcerers, his father had never been cruel to the rest of his people, or his allies. That much Adam could remember.

He brought economic stability, increased jobs, expanded cities and supported innovation, That's why, 4 years ago, it was difficult for Adam to believe his father was cruel, to believe he never loved his sons or his wife.

Even when he stood face to face with his father and battled him to the death and convinced himself he needed to hate him in order to beat him, he still faltered when his father showed him weakness.

Adam didn't expect to change peoples views even if he did find out something in his search. He didn't expect someone like Ty to suddenly pity his father, this was more for himself. A way to bring himself peace.

"Adam, where are you off to so quickly?" Adam stopped just as he passed Ian carrying a large stack of folders.

"Sorry Ian, I didn't see you there, are those all the past records of our kingdom's economic growth?"

"Yes, King Gale kept a surprisingly thorough record. He certainly didn't get lazy at his job," Ian responded, "I was just bringing these to your study so we could pour through them."

"Sorry, something has come up... but if I can ask a favor?"

"Of course, what do you need?"

"I need some help looking into a person. I think he's my godfather and he knew my father growing up."

"A godfather?"

Adam nodded, "I only have his first name, Savi. But...I think he was a sorcerer."

"A...sorcerer? Adam, you do know what you're implying. A sorcerer? Your godfather?"

"I know," Adam fidgeted, "But that's why I need to know more."

Ian sighed, "I'll ask around, but I need to set these documents down in your study first."

"Of course," Adam watched Ian continue down the hall and Adam hurried on towards his parent's room. Maybe he could ask Jordan if he knew anything, there was a time when Jordan spent a lot of time with their father since he was supposed to be his heir. So perhaps their father told Jordan a bit more about his past.

He hoped he would find something.

~~~~~

Writing all this at 5am and I'm antsy. but I'm publishing this at a normal time ofc. Also Chapter 17 coming out later too. :P

~CATtheDrawer