Chapter 7: Son of Harrow

The next day went by quickly. The Royal business was kept to a minimum, as preparations continued for the journey.

The soldiers were hard at work training. King Ezran watched from the balcony. Callum stood at his side, as the sun began its descent.

"Is Aunt Amaya going to lead them?" Ezran asked.

"I don't know. I hope so." Callum replied, twirling a finger through his hair. "Wait. No. Aunt Amaya is in Xadia. She can't."

"So wait...who is it?" He paused, turning to look at Rayla. Who stared back with a clueless look on her face.

She didn't know either.

"King Ezran!" A voice called.

A middle aged soldier stepped in, dressed in ornate armor. He sported a beard, and matching greying hair.

"Uh...hi. I don't think I've met you before..." Ezran asked hesitantly, holding out a hand to the bowing man.

"Forgive me. I've been stationed at the breach for quite some time." The man replied, shaking the young king's hand. "My name is Commander Fen. I'll be leading your platoon, as we journey to Etheros."

"The breach? Do you know Aunt Amaya?" Callum asked.

The man smiled warmly.

"I've come to know General Amaya quite well, yes. It's been the honor of a lifetime serving for her."

"Yeah she's pretty great. Best aunt ever." Ezran said with a smile on his face.

"Really strict about breakfast." Callum added.

"That's because it's the most important meal of the day." Fen replied firmly. "Have you two had yours today?"

Callum and Ezran exchanged nervous looks.

"I'm not sure..." Callum replied, nervously rubbing the back of his neck.

"I think so?" Ezran asked with his hands in the air.

Fen's eyes narrowed.

"We're making breakfast. Now."

"But it's dinner time!" Callum exclaimed.

"Brinner then." Fen stated. "Where is the cook?!"

Callum and Ezran made their way down to the castle courtyard. Rayla was trying to get her laughing under control but couldn't.

"I can't believe I just watched the King and Prince of Katolis just get forced to eat...brinner...brinner?! By some soldier man! That was honestly impressive, I like him!"

"He's right though. I've been slacking since I became king again..." Ezran said remorsefully.

"I mean...you are the King. I am the Prince. So like, we can." Callum pointed out.

Ezran leaned over and slapped him on the elbow.

"That's a slippery slope, Callum!"

"Yeah Callum, a slippery slope!" Rayla exclaimed, before bursting into laughter. "Before long you'll stop eatin your vegetables, and bathin."

"That sounds fine actually."

"Don't you dare." Rayla snapped, jabbing a finger into his chest. "I have to bathe, and I don't...I'm not the biggest fan of water. You don't have that excuse!"

"I mean...I am the King's closest advisor..." Callum said with a half serious smirk. "So I don't HAVE to."

Rayla's eyebrows flared, and she stepped closer to the human.

"Now listen here. I don't care what your title is. You're bathin like the rest of us. You do have to."

Callum knew he had pushed it. But that class clown in him really felt like pushing it some more.

"Is there a law saying I have to?"

Rayla's eyes widened. She was genuinely surprised. And a little impressed. But her eyes narrowed, her arms crossed.

"I am the law." She stated, her voice colder than the snow that fell just outside.

Callum finally let it go. He knew now was the time to relent. He smiled lazily at the angry elf, his shoulders becoming relaxed.

"I love..."

Before he could finish, Rayla picked up a bucket, and dumped cold water onto the Prince.

He backed off, drenched, staring in wide eyes back at her.

He was already shivering.

"I thought ya might need it spelled out for ya." She said, her stern look turning into a slight smirk. "Besides, ya were a couple days overdue for a bath, and it's gonna be a long journey." She said, putting the bucket down, and walking calmly around him.

"Oh. I love ya too." She added, pulling out a cloth from her belt and tossing it to him.

The mood was somber when they finally made it outside.

Most of the city stood around the courtyard. Even in the snowy cold, they stood firm.

As torches stood, assembled around the base of the statue.

King Harrow. Clad in his royal armor. His lopsided crown.

The crown Ezran now wore. He looked up at his father's figure.

And he bowed his head.

Rayla looked up at it as well. And he found herself feeling deep shame.

She turned to the still somewhat damp Callum.

"I...shouldn't be here." She said, turning to leave.

"Rayla...he would've wanted you here." Callum said quietly, eyes sympathetic.

"I came here to murder him, Callum!" Rayla said, pain in her eyes. "And we did. I can't have a part in this, it's wrong...I'll be waiting by the gate...take care of your brother...I'm sorry..."

Before Callum could protest, she raised her hood, and darted away.

She was fast. She always had been.

Callum watched her go, then turned to Ezran.

Ezran who looked back up at the statue, a couple tears rolling down his face.

Hello, Sister-Freddie Weidmann

He looked at the assembled townsfolk.

"Do I have to say something?" He asked.

"You don't have to anything, your presence is enough." Opelli assured.

"No. I want to say something." Ezran said firmly, moving toward the townspeople.

As he did, Callum offered him the still damp cloth, and Ezran quickly wiped away his tears.

As he stood with his back to the statue. His tiny frame facing his people.

He opened his mouth, and took a breath that curled out in front of him.

"I'm...not my dad." He said, looking up at all the faces. "I'm not as brave, not as strong, not as...as big."

There were a few chuckles from the crowd.

"But I promise...every day that I wear this..." he said, eyes looking up at his crown, then turning to look up at the statue again. "I'll try my best to be him. Thank you all for being here."

He turned and walked off, toward the platoon of armored soldiers that stood at the ready.

"Your throne will be waiting for you King Ezran. Please...stay safe." Opelli said, concern in her eyes.

"I will." Ezran assured, with a smile.

"I can't believe you're letting them take the elf." General Pryce grumbled.

"She has the king's trust. You should respect that." Corvus replied sharply.

"The king is a child." Pryce snapped back dismissively.

Corvus put a firm hand on his shoulder, turning him so they were face to face.

"And that child...is the King."

As Ezran made his way toward the royal wagon, Callum put a hand on his shoulder, a far more gentle touch.

"You did great, Ez. It was short but...great." He assured with a smile.

"Thanks." Ezran replied, looking lost in thought. "I'm really glad you're here this time. I don't think I could do this without you. Not again." He said, looking up at his brother.

Callum smiled.

"Get used to it. I'm not going anywhere kiddo." He said, tousling the small King's hair.

Opelli watched them get into the wagon, and watched the mounted soldiers gather around it. From the front of the convoy, Commander Fen prepared the soldiers for their departure.

"Have we heard back from Soren's squad yet?" She asked.

"No." Corvus replied, with a troubled look on his face. "I would be shocked if they've found Azrael already. I should be out there. Tracking him."

"Why aren't you?" Opelli asked, arching an eyebrow.

Corvus let out a sigh.

"The King wishes for me to keep an eye on General Pryce."

Opelli's eyes turned to the General.

"Our king...is ever wiser than his years." She stated.

"Alright! Let's move!" Fen called, gesturing forward with his sword.

The horses galloped forward, and the wagon lurched into motion.

As it approached the gate, a hooded figure leaped down from the gate, and landed on the wagon's roof with a light thump.

Ezran reached out and grabbed the comfortable seat he sat against.

"Callum...?"

As they looked up, a familiar, green clad moonshadow elf slid in through the side window, swiftly letting down her hood.

"Just made it back. Sorry. Had to clear mah head a bit. Have some alone time. Won't be much of it on this trip." Rayla said, panting hard.

Callum turned to Ezran, and patted his shoulder reassuringly.

"Take it easy. You're way too young to be this paranoid already."

Ezran nodded, his breathing accelerated.

"Callum? Rayla? There's something I gotta tell you." He said, fidgeting with his fingers.

"Oh? Did you talk to the horses? Maybe a foreboding woodchuck? Are we heading for danger?" Callum asked.

"Knock it off." Rayla muttered, jabbing him with her elbow.

"I talked to Corvus before we left." Ezran said, looking down at the floor of the wagon, as it rolled out of the city, and made its way toward the wilderness. "He said...there may be a really bad guy out there. Some guy who really didn't like dad. And he may be looking for me."