Disclaimer: I do not own TinMan.

Chapter 37

Ambrose knocked on the door to the study, he was braving himself for the wrath his father may have for him even before he walked in. He didn't need a sound to say come in, he immediately walked in... he then saw a fist coming towards him as Ambrose dodged easily enough, he forsaw a leg attack as he leaped to the left with ease and suddenly he saw his wrist get caught as he did a small backflip and easily landed a few steps away from him.

"What a greeting father, I presume the wrist holding thing was new?"

Lord Edgar smoothed himself as he walked back to his chair as he replied with ease as if he had not just did stunts like landing a blow on his own son's face.

"Picked it up when I went on a buisness trip."

"...Father, I want to know plenty of things regards to Markovius."

"...I heard you gave the diplomatic tattoo. Those kind of fights had never been adapted for years."

"Glad that someone finally starts using it, probably about time too."

Ambrose settled himself down on a chair as he looked at his father, as his father released the tension in his shoulders before he replied in a serious tone.

"Why didn't you listen to me when I said you better let the grudge go?"

"I am doing it."

Lord Edgar gestured at the window which had people who were trying to fix up a stage as well as ponder how defenceless the frontier looked with holes in their walls.

"Like this? Son, that isn't diplomatic or smart of you."

"It would be if your old brain would get your brain cells to fire."

Lord Edgar lifted his eyebrows as he asked

"What about Markovius that you want to know?"

Ambrose leant forward as he replied in the same serious tone.

"Everything."

Lord Edgar sighed a he said

"These were deep and dark times son, Markovius had no mother at the age of 6. What happened next I could hardly explain."

Lord Edgar took out an age old paper and plans as he threw them onto the table and spreaded them out.

"Markovius shoved these into my arms before I could even know you went missing. He said this was your last gift, I looked them through and as you can see... he had crossed out several plans which I took great care in trying to figure out. Your plans consisted for harmony and peace, something Gureia had never done before, but they were scratched out. Markovius seemed to have been determined to be an exact opposite of you."

Ambrose fingered the crossed out words and looked at his father, his father returned them into the drawer before he turned again and continued.

"I never see him a lot, he was always busy demanding people to train and teach him. He became very strong in combat in no time. I had a small bout with him, each blow he threw was strong and precise... he had no intention to hurt me, but his first target of torture was your mother's mediator. He broke the man's wrists and ankles without hesitance to assert power."

"He then, represented me and our family to be head of Gureia for the 47th generation. He insisted and he made it through fantastically, he seemed like he enjoyed being invincible as he did lead a few of the battles of blood, he was never kind and compassionate. Was he anything like that I have no idea, so I hope with what I told you, you may be able to help."

Ambrose nodded, Markovius's actions were clear. He wanted to be strong invincible and he even went as far to protect their family's reign as a sign he would never let what happened to mother happen again.

"Women wise?"

"...I have to be frank with you Ambrose, since I saw what Markovius was doing. I can tell he was going too far at times and I realized how much I made him that way. I tried changing and observing for a change, I realized he never sleeps without doing extensive work out programs and when he felt old enough he started taking women to bed and alcohol as well. I fear he has trouble sleeping and coping at night."

"What about women? Did he torture many?"

"...None died, it was just if they disagree with him or make him mad. He never forces a woman to bed, which was a relief. However, he was very strange as he ignored pregnant women. He seemed to be ignoring when they were pregnant and if they weren't he would be normal. Screaming, arguing slapping perhaps. Stake was his favourite, but they never starved."

"Did he torture?"

"Honestly? No. Abuse yes, not torture. Can he really be saved?

Lord Edgar looked worried and all of the sudden he was very quiet and he truly looked his age for the first time in decades.

"...I believe so father, but one last question which helps me feel more confident. Was... Azkadellia the first girl he ever tortured like this?"

Lord Edgar smiled bitterly as he replied

"Well, of course. Much to my surprise... perhaps because she proved to be a strong resistance."

"...I know what you mean."

"It was probably his way of trying to keep something he cared about. You may not think Mark is keeping me hostage but he does. I have never been to battle for 8 years now, Markovius was obviously doing all my wars, and he lets me stay here and keep my brain cells working."

"So his way of keeping requires people to be in completely on their knees."

"In other words, he uses fear to keep them with him, strength to protect them and sent fear to others so everything he lived to protect will be safe."

Ambrose nodded, he felt like he learnt more than he expected to learn. He got up preparing to leave... as he said

"Rest assured father, I will bring him to understanding."

"Son, I hope you do. However, could you ever forgive your old man for only realizing it too late?"

Ambrose smiled as he replied in a rather optimistic tone.

"Well, you have changed haven't you? Your grips are loosening and your punch wasn't strong enough to break a jaw."

The man laughed as he said

"I can still break a jaw son, I just won't."

"Then, I can say I forgive you on one last condition. You and Markovius reform this city."

"We'll try."

With that said, Ambrose left the room feeling more assured he had only that day to actually convince his brother that... strength isn't the way to keep a person from death.

- To be Continued -