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Short Story (Story Excerpt...?): Luciel + Rogan
“Your Highness–– Lord Luciel, please.”
“Rogan, you know your formalities displease me, yet you insist.” He turned to face his guardian, willful and fiery green eyes seeking to pierce those of gray. Yet try as he may, he couldn't lay his glance upon the older man's face without feeling calmed. Emotions repressed, he had more to say regardless, even if he had to forcefully spit it out. All he had to do was remember what was on his mind in the first place, and it all came rushing back like a landslide. “I am done with the topic, and I am finished speaking with you now. Please, take your leave.”
“L-Luciel.” Rogan stuttered and shifted, eyes shutting subconsciously upon casually addressing his young lord. “Forgive me, but if I am to drop formalities, then you must hear what I have to say, at the very least as someone who simply cares for you.”
“Cares for me? What, then? Am I supposed to remain in the dark for my own good when my dearest friend lies bleeding in his own bed? This is not about me, Rogan.”
“I know, Luciel. And I am worried too. But my priority lies with you, and it is you I must be mindful of when distress plagues you so. So please.”
Luciel examined his guardian's face, the man's determined yet pleading expression slowly working its magic upon the boy. It was a futile effort to try and fight, nay, even be impatient with Rogan. The prince hadn't the will to deliberately put him in disease. With a sigh, he stepped towards the corridor balcony looking out over the sea, resting his hands upon the marble rail and saying nothing as he gazed out at the expanse. Silence was indicator enough of willingness to hear the older man out.
“You haven't spoken to your father yet, I presume?”
He shook his head. “No. Only you. And Akela, of course.”
“Right." The guardian spoke into a sigh. "And, that is where you were just heading, was it not? To see your father.”
“Neither of you will tell me anything.” His tone laced with the slightest of bitterness. “If this – vow – of silence was ordered by my father, it would be easiest to simply demand the truth from him directly.” His tone hung on the unspoken promise, sarcasm dripping over the word.
“So, you believe he would tell you-”
“Not without persuasion, no. But I am his son, and I am deserving of the truth," emeralds glancing over at the taller man, "certainly, if I am involved.” The prince watching for a hint of a flinch to cross his guardian's visage, he caught the reaction he was looking for. “Whatever is being kept from me, the fact that it is such a secret can only mean the truth affects me greatly.”
He took a breath, letting it run through him to calm his nerves upon painful memory. “If it is devastating enough to nearly take the life of my best friend...there is no such way for me to back down and remain ignorant.” He could recall clear as day the blood of his friend, its smell and crimson staining all it touched – blood loss from wounds causing his consciousness to fade – the sight of his crippled friend and the fear and panic that gripped himself. Akela, finally awake and in a state of recovery, was somehow victim to some secret now made known to the prince. A secret he presumed himself to be a part of, albeit ignorant of its content.
“Luciel.”
“Please, Rogan.” He could feel his grip tighten over the rail, his voice pleading. Angry though he was, he was anxious and hurt. One could even say he was despairing. “Tell me what has caused this. You may believe me better off unknowing, but if this is what is happening around me, I need to know. After finding Akela in the state he was in, there is nothing left to shock me.”
Rogan continued looking upon his young lord's face, now hanging low in frustration. He cursed the assailants in question who caused this pain, their malicious intentions, the turmoil and unrest now taking a toll on the one he was sworn to protect. He cursed the meaninglessness of cursing anything, for what good does that do anyone? It could not strike down the unjust souls orchestrating such civil distress among an uneasy populace. It would not heal Akela, nor would it reverse what had come to pass. It would not keep him nor Luciel safe. Secrets would do no better.
A cool breeze blew in from the horizon, where the sun sat in all its blazing glory, slowly sinking beneath the ocean's waves. The shimmering sea basked in the star's orange glow, sparkling in the waning daylight. There lay the waters of the vast ocean, ever flowing with the times yet unchanging with the passage of eternity – a likening to eternal calm. Even in a world of such natural order, there are those who would forgo the peace of the Gods' creation. There are those who would choose to simply tear the world asunder...
“My Lord, you do recall the situation taking hold of Pronzelya, correct?”
Luciel looked up again at the knight's face, too focused on the subject to care about the formalities this time. Rogan was looking out towards the horizon, his expression hard and placid. The prince knew what he was talking about – the nearby kingdom of Pronzelya had experienced quite a recent history of governmental and civil unrest, following severe problems a decade earlier which involved the next country over. The disagreements nearly led to a break out of war. Only with Rabahnian intervention was the brewing rage quelled, yet ever since, Pronzelya found itself now and again bearing deep seated issues between the government and the society it ruled over, as well as with the bordering countries. The situation, while dire and potentially dangerous, seemed reasonable enough considering the current rivalry and imbalance between powers in the country's senatorial council, yet one could only imagine when the problems would escalate and reach a boiling point. The affects upon the neighboring lands could potentially prove disastrous.
Signaling with a nod, Luciel prompted his guardian to continue further. “As you may also know, Pronzelya has come to recently house a number of political societies, both public and secret, due in part to the trouble they face. The Pronzelyan Council houses several factions of its own, but most belong to civilian communities. A select few are extremely radical and certainly dangerous.” Rogan paused for a moment, perhaps allowing Luciel to absorb what was said, or in simple hesitation before the truth was made known. Gulls flew round the sky overhead, their distant squawks impatiently breaking the befallen moment of silence.
“Several days ago, we received disturbing intel from sources in our neighboring country, regarding one such group.”
“The same day Akela disappeared.” Wavering in his response, Luciel was beginning to piece the story together bit by bit, with each detail laid out before him. “This intel pertained to Rabahnia then. To us. And Akela...” The boy hesitated, waiting for the knight to continue.
“Upon catching wind of the details, he left on his own to deal with the problem before it had a chance of coming close to fulfillment. Without a word to anyone. Even me.” Rogan's tone dropped off, regretful.
He was beginning to see it now. It was becoming clear, and slowly yet all too suddenly, it crashed down upon him. Akela had gone out of his own accord, taking action when he had no real business to in order to prevent the spread of disruption from reaching home. There was only one thing on Luciel's mind that he could think would make Akela of all people react, and act in such a concealed and terribly brash manner. “An assassination attempt?”
He said it aloud, but it didn't make sense. What reason had Pronzelya to perpetrate such terrible acts? Their civil disturbances hadn't crossed any borders in any recent past. Rabahnia most of all took a peaceful approach, outstretching hands of good will when difficulties seemed perilous; not that they always accepted any help. And assassination...surely, it was insane to even think of it. Had the attempts even come close to success – had Rabahnia's public ever caught wind of the news – the outcome would be catastrophic. Was it their intention to truly start a war?
“Unfortunately, that happens to be the case.”
“But how...how did Akela–”
“It was I who had let him know of what was happening. Had I any idea of his intentions, I would have hesitated.” Trailing off, he shut his eyes, ashamed of his own carelessness. “He'd found the alleged perpetrators already within our borders. Had he not met with our scouts, I fear he may have never made it home...”
Luciel tightened his grip over the rail, hopeless anger starting to build. They had already been so close, and Akela had received the brunt of their planned attack...He wanted to do something to stop this madness that had come to be – this madness that nearly cost the life of his dearest friend, and would surely cost more than that in the future if it was allowed to continue.
“How radical can Pronzelya's public be? Do they even realize what they're thinking––what could happen?”
Rogan sighed heavily. “The problem does not lie simply with the public, but with the government itself.” Luciel looked up to face him again, confused, but truly getting the hint and dreading what it meant. “We have reason to believe these radicals were not just any civilian group, but one belonging under the council's jurisdiction. The troubling question remains which member of the council supported such measures." The air about the stalwart guardian grew heavier with every word.
"If not more than one.”
The reality of the situation was astounding. The corruption inside Pronzelya had already reached such extreme heights, extreme enough to make attempts to throw other countries into turmoil. But the other piece of reality – perhaps the piece that was even more real – was the fact that someone in power had been after Rabahnian blood, and that in turn nearly caused Akela to lose his own.
“How could this be? Why would the Pronzelyan council want to bring down my father?”
The look in Rogan's eyes suddenly became sullen, facing back down to meet his prince's. He seemed as though he wanted to say something, but he was hesitant, looking pitiful and uneasy. Luciel stared back, reading his expression. The prince could practically read his guardian's mind, but he couldn't bring his own to admit he had the wrong idea, to tell himself who the real target had been, and why there even was a secret kept from him to begin with. He simply waited for Rogan to say the word, as all else went utterly silent.
“Lord Luciel." Rogan's voice wandered, wavering in his resolve. "Their plan involved the murder of Rabahnia's crown prince.”
Perhaps Luciel had known it all along in his subconscious mind. There was no shock; no pain; not even thought. He simply turned his gaze away, back towards the ocean's horizon. He expected the weight of the world to loosen onto his own shoulders through the acquiescence of the truth, yet there befell just the opposite. The view of the sunset was so much clearer; the shining waves sparkling ever brighter, the prism of colors that composed the twilit sky gleaming forth above the sea. The wind blew gently all around him, cooling his face and dancing through his hair. The veil that had covered his eyes had been lifted. And yet, though his shoulders felt light as ever, he could now feel his beating heart start to sink. For now, the rage he felt against his assailants was quelled; in its place, he felt a powerful grief, and a realization that pained him just as it touched his heart.
“We have yet to discover their purpose, but I swear upon my honor, we are doing everything in our power to stop this and prevent it from happening again. The thought of what they were planning...the thought alone is enough to make me drunk with rage. If I could but dispatch the ones behind this now, I would but do so with my bare hands...”
“And that -- that is exactly what Akela had on his mind, was it not, Rogan?” Rogan, fueling his anger, was now tense, his gray eyes fiery. Yet Luciel's voice was suddenly light of heart, and upon turning to see his prince's face once again, Rogan could see he wore a puzzling, half-hearted smile. “He set off, all on his own, just to do all he possibly could to keep me from harm. Without a single word. You may have done the same...” A slight excuse for a laugh escaped him, his voice cracking. “Only, you are thankfully much more cautious on the matter, and therefore less likely to break my heart with tragedy.”
Luciel turned fully to face his guardian, taking his large, worn hands into his own. A smile though he wore, his eyes gleamed with solemnity, his brow creased in a worried look. “Rogan -- I have no words to express how much you mean to me. I can only thank you, for always doing everything in your power to serve on my behalf.”
“Lord Luciel--”
He laughed again, this time a bit more truthfully. “Rogan, you're starting it again.”
“Ah– M-my apologies, it is just...” Surely, he must be confused. Perhaps the prince was delirious, now, too shocked by the news of danger to react properly. “I am puzzled. Have you not heard all I've said? You could be in grave danger, Luciel, yet–”
“I know. It is shocking. To be true, I am still confused myself. There are no words I can think of to say, and so many questions I can think of to ask.” Luciel held his guardian's hand more tightly, perhaps in reassurance. “But it is easier to face, when I know I have you. And everyone. And of course, my foolish companion, Akela.” Unmoving, Luciel looked off again, the setting sun reflecting in his emerald eyes. The sky remained brilliant, even as the sun slid further into the sea. Perhaps it was just that which made the clouds burst with color. “I don't know what will happen, but even if this foresees a perilous future, I have those who will stand by me, and all of Rabahnia as well. And I, in turn, will stay strong for them.”
The prince gave his guardian another smile, genuine and bright, and for a moment, Rogan saw Luciel as he had been ten years ago – a happy, loving, and beautiful little child that nothing in this world could bring down; a perennial sunshine, perpetually casting it's glow upon all and warming the hearts of any who approached. It was that same resplendent child Rogan swore upon his knightly oath to watch over and protect for the rest of his life. Now there existed those who would wish to blot out the light; but regardless of who or what it was he must fight, he vowed to ensure that his sun would shine forever. Rogan's hands closed back, securely around his prince's, as he offered a smile of his own.
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