"There will be a reckoning..."
The plague had ended a fortnight ago, but Bash was still haunted by what that little girl had said to him.
"We're not leaving. Not till we're done," the little girl said, "...there will be a reckoning..."
He still did not know what this reckoning will be, and it drove him mad.
"There will be a reckoning... There will be a reckoning... There will be a —"
He suddenly woke up covered in sweat, and ran his fingers through his hair. It was still night time, but he wanted to take a long walk to clear his his head. Just as Bash was about to get out of bed, he remembered that he was not alone. He looked to his left, and saw his lady Lola sleeping bedside him. He stared at her naked body, drinking in the sight of her pale skin, her curly dark hair, and every curve. He smiled thinking about their night together.
He kissed Lola's cheek, then got out of bed and began to put on his clothing. Just as Bash was trying to leave the room, he heard a familiar voice.
"What are you doing?" asked a drowsy Lola.
"I was going go take a walk," Bash said, stopping what he was doing, "I couldn't sleep."
"You had that dream again, didn't you?"
"Yes..."
Lola gave her lover a sympathetic look and held out her arms. Bash went over to her. Lola wrapped his arms around him and kissed the top of his head.
"I wish I could make your bad dreams go away."
"I know you do..."
"You need to go to sleep, my love," said Lola, "there is no need for you to wander around aimlessly in the wee hours of the night."
"Alright," said Bash, even though he didn't think he'd be able to go back go sleep.
He got back into bed. Lola kissed his cheek, curled up beside him, and was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Bash fell asleep shortly after.
The next morning, Bash rose early since he barely got any sleep the previous night. He left the room before Lola even woke up. He made his way to the new king, his half-brother Francis.
"Bash," Francis said cheerfully, "you're here early."
"I just couldn't wait to see my favorite brother," said Bash in a cheerful voice.
"You flatter me, brother."
"That's what I'm here for," Bash said jokingly.
Francis laughed a little, then got serious. "Really, Bash, you are here for more than just your ability to charm and to flatter. While I was kept safe in the country, you were here holding this court together. You kept my wife, my mother and my people safe..."
"Not all of them. Many died," Bash said remorsefully.
"Yes... but you kept more people safe than not. I will be forever grateful to you."
"It was my pleasure, Francis."
"Now it is my pleasure to make you Duke of Guyenne."
"Duke? That is too much, Francis. I cannot accept that."
"You can and you will, Bash. I won't take no for an answer. You have earned this."
Bash thought about it for a moment. "Alright, brother. I will accept your offer, but I would still like to have a position at court because I don't want to just sit on my ass all day, every day."
Francis laughed. "What position would you like?"
"I have one in mind," Bash said with a smile.
Later that night, Bash was walking around the castle by himself. After a while, he happened upon his lady Lola staring by the window.
"Lola," Bash called out.
She looked at him and smiled as he walked over to her. "Bash," she said sweetly, "I haven't seen you all day. Where have you been?"
"I've been with Francis for most of the day," said Bash before he kissed Lola's cheek, "he gave me a title and a position at court. I am the duke of Guyenne and the king's deputy."
"Duke of Guyenne and King's Deputy? I am so proud of you, my love. I am so pleased that you finally got the recognition you deserve."
"You don't think it's too much?"
"Not at all, my love. You deserve this."
"You think she will be happy about this?"
"Your wife will certainly be pleased. You are a lord now."
"I'm sure it won't be enough for Kenna," Bash frowned, "She never has enough."
"Yes... Kenna's always been that way... even when we were children..."
Bash looked down at has his boots. Lola noticed Bash's discomfort. He always got this way when he talked about Kenna. She decided to change the subject.
"What shall we do to celebrate?" asked Lola with a seductive grin.
Bash laughed. "I think you know what I'd like to do."
He kissed her passionately on the lips. Lola wrapped her arms around him as he picked her up. He carried her to his room and locked the door behind him.