Dissention
Short Story by Lawrence Henry
Sitting upon the throne, Aleah Bard, Princess of Polarsice says to Kaine Lorell, her most trusted of generals, "Kaine, I've known you since we were children and since then you haven't changed." Kaine smiled, nodding, "Tis true, your majesty." Aleah stiffened noticeably, "Then I cannot help but to ask, what do you believe I should do about this rebellion that is sweeping through this country? How can I quell these rebels when they had the best king possible?"
Kaine put his hand on his chin, and contemplated as he stepped over to look out the window, where his free hand rested. "This is a hard question to have answered, my princess, for although loyalty was sworn by many, there are few who show it now. It is true, that King Arnau was a good king. He gave food and money to the poor, and those who eventually bought land gave him lavish gifts in return. He punished criminals immediately and according to their crimes. He kept money and land in the hands of the rich, so as to calm their spirits. I cannot think of a thing that our dear king was not doing to keep the people happy. And thus, without a clear cause, I cannot determine a clear solution." Aleah sighed, and slumped in her father's throne. "Why would Laxlord and the others want the throne? What benefit could they have seen in acquiring it?"
"Perhaps I can answer that question." Said a strong yet raspy voice from a mysterious hooded figure, about six feet tall, but hunched over so that the hood of his cloak covered his face as completely as though it were not there. Kaine drew his double-edged sword and stepped toward him, "And just who are you, mysterious one? Are you not satisfied with the gift you have placed upon the table? Reveal your face!" The figure stooped lower. "I am but a lowly traveling swordsman, your highness, and thus I beg your pardon for my intrusion." He paused for a moment then added slyly, "Of course, for that matter, I would have thought you'd remember me." Princess Aleah smiled inwardly, remembering the hooded figure watching the execution of Kolbin the Great.
His voice then regained its serious tone, "However, sir knight, if you do not remove your blade from the air, my news of great import will never reach the light of day…for you." Aleah motioned, and Kaine placed his sword back upon his side. "Strangely, I believe this one to be trustworthy…for now. Please speak enigmatic one." The figure arose and removed the hood. Such a mangled face like none had ever seen. There was a ghastly scar running from just above the ear, down through the face, and into the chin. Aleah and Kaine reeled back, amazed at such a brutal sight. "You have guessed true, my lady. Trust is a strong word and hard to place these days. You may call me Enigma, for my soul has been dead for many years, and I have no more need for a proper name. I will, however, tell you, that I was just a mere child when King Gilliam of Anticipria invaded and razed the kingdom of Squall. But now I roam the lands in search of battles to fight, and places to die. The news which I am about to give you has purpose. I have been living here in polarsice a number of years, and have traveled to and fro. Past the Eastern sea, there is the kingdom of Anticipria, where King Arnau's half brother reigns. For years, he has tried to come up with a plan to take over his dear brother Arnau's kingdom, but it has been to no avail. King Gilliam V of Anticipria is a man with a cruel heart. He is the man that gave me this scar you see on my face. King Gilliam thought I was a spy, though I told him the same as I've told you. I am no more than a sword for hire. After he cut me, I dealt his army a severe blow, and left him a message before my departure. My sworn fealty is still the forgotten kingdom of Squall, but since its burning, I live only to see battle. Will you allow me to fight alongside your army?"
Kaine looked suspiciously into the man's inhumane face, "Why do you wear the hood, if such evil has been done to you? Do you not care that you have been wronged?"
"What am I to do then, good man? Explain my story to all? I say no, my good knight, for I wish for no pity, therefore I request none. On the battlefield, have none of your units guard me, for where I walk, I walk alone. Where I fight, I fight alone. And where I die, I die alone." Aleah and Kaine stood silently, not sure how to approach this mysterious man. Then something, a flicker of a smile, splashed across the scarred face. "You may give me your answer in the morning." Enigma then, almost as suddenly as he appeared, walked quickly out of the throne room, and seemed to have disappeared among the peasants. "How do we know he's telling the truth about the King's brother?" said Kaine, still amazed at the bold actions and cryptic words of Enigma. Aleah thought for a moment. Finally, she said, "Well, there always has been resentment toward my father from Gilliam. He was always jealous that my father was the legitimate heir to the throne of Polarsice. The knowledge of these problems have never surfaced in any gossipers in Polarsice, however, because none can believe that such a good king came from such a broken family. How this Enigma gained his knowledge of their brotherhood, it wasn't here."
"What then shall we do, my princess?" asked Kaine. Aleah put her face into her hands and sighed before raising her head again, "If what he's said is true and my uncle, King Gilliam, is found to be making inroads, then my hand will be forced into war with him." The final guests began to leave shortly after this silent revelation.