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I know I left you guys wondering last time if Van as gonna become king or not. Now's the time to find out.
Here's the next chappie
Enjoy
Losing the battle with gravity, Van slumped to the floor, managing only to stay upright by leaning against the wall. His jet-black hair strayed into his eyes but he was too tired to wipe it away. He could not raise his head, nor could he so much as lift his eyes to meet Balgus'. As it was, it took all of his remaining strength just to keep his eyelids from sliding shut. He could feel Balgus' stern, yet concerned gaze on his back, but it required too much energy to look anywhere but the matted floor.
Van's body was dangerously close to shutting down. He couldn't remember the last time, if ever, he had felt so tired, so used. It was almost a surreal feeling, like his body wasn't his own, like he wasn't really living, just existing in some parallel dimension, looking at a boy who was experiencing great inner and physical turmoil. The young prince felt as though he were a stranger recognizing the signs of exhaustion and pain he could not feel.
But he did. Van was all too aware of his body's woes. His arms were stiff from the cold and gripping his sword all night and his fingers tensed and shook uncontrollably as his arms hung limply at his sides. He didn't know what state his legs were in, but from the painful throbbing, he gathered he would not be able to walk for weeks and just to top things off, the thunderstorm that had been raging in his head all throughout the morning was quickly progressing into a furious squall.
And not only that, Van was still coming to grips with what he had heard only seconds before his body gave way completely. His sensei's decision had hit him like a ton of bricks and he was feeling the severity of the news as if it were a veritable weight on his shoulders. It had never occurred to the young prince, not in his wildest dreams, that he would ever be refused the rite of dragon slaying. For ten years it had been almost all he had thought about, prepared for, so he could become king. Once his brother had failed in taking the throne, the responsibility fell to Van, whether he wanted it or not. He had no choice but to complete the ceremony. It was his duty as heir to the Fanelian throne and his future people were depending on him.
"Balgus...I," Van began feebly, feeling the harsh rumble in his mind as he spoke. His hand flew up to cradle his forehead, his ruby eyes squinting as the pain increased. Balgus took notice of the boy's troubles and acted at once.
"Prince Van, you must report to the Palace Healers at once. When they have dealt with you and you have gotten some much needed rest, we will reopen this conversation." Van barely opened his mouth to protest but Balgus stopped him, "Not before," he said strictly and continued out the door.
"How did you come by these, might I ask?" the palace healer inquired from Van as he put the finishing touches on the boy's back wounds.
The healer, by name of Horhis, was a short, stout man with rapidly graying hair and a comical face. From the looks of him, he did not seem the sort of person you would find healing people, but nevertheless, he was quite good at it his job. In fact he was one of the best healing practitioners in all of Fanelia and neighboring countries, although this seemed to do nothing for the raven-haired prince. Van was not in the mood to talk to anyone but Balgus and he wanted nothing more than to leave the medical wing as soon as was possible.
"I fell," Van said curtly, looking gravely across the room.
The doctor came around the table he was sitting on, about to ask further insight on his maladies, but stopped. From the look of Van's strict features, the matter was closed. "Well that's it then," he said, brushing his hands together. "You may go."
"Thank you," Van grumbled as politely as he could and pulled his scarlet shirt back over his head, wincing as the material brushed against his sores.
"Now take it easy your Majesty. Can't have you falling to pieces before your big day tomorrow," the palace healer chuckled lightly.
Van hopped off the table, growling under his breath and didn't look back as he strode proudly out the room, not feeling quite as wonderful as he tried to make himself look. Merle tackled him the moment he exited the wing. As palace protocol, she had not been admitted to see Van until the healers had finished their examination and treatment of the young prince. Now she leapt at him, lovingly pulling him into a death grip. "Oh Lord Van," she said sweetly, licking his cheek, "You're alright."
In a manner of speaking, Van smiled down at Merle, not wanting to give away his true feelings just yet. After a short while of suffocation, he pulled her arms from around his neck and led her down the hallway as she danced about him, asking question after question about his absence that morning and his need to visit the healers.
Van remained silent their way down the corridors until they had exited the castle into the garden. They strode along the path until they stood before what was left of the dragon statue. Van frowned. He was going to have to tell Merle everything.
"Merle," he steered the cat girl towards a bench, "I have something to tell you."
"What is it Lord Van?" Merle jumped up beside her friend on the bench, crouching like the feline she was.
"It's about tomorrow," Van said, wondering just how the cat girl was going to take the second part of his news. She stopped licking her wrist and stared expectantly at him. "Merle, tomorrow there isn't going to be a ceremony."
The cat girl nudged his shoulder and grinned, "Oh Lord Van, I know you're probably scared. I would be too, but don't let that get you down. You're gonna be a great king...the best," she added, smiling again."
"No Merle, this isn't a joke and I'm not saying this because I'm afraid. I will not be taking the rite of dragon slaying tomorrow," Van said gravely.
"But Lord Van," Merle protested, "How are you going to be king then?"
Van lowered his head, "That's just it Merle, I'm not going to be king."
For the first time in the many years that Van had known her, Merle was silent. She didn't even so much as make a move to hug him or do anything to offer any sort of comfort. She was stunned into silence, much like Van had been when Balgus had told him he would not be king.
Merle was worried for him. Van could read it in her eyes and he was tired of waiting in an uncomfortable silence for her to speak, so he made up his mind to enlighten her some more on the events of the last 24 hours.
"This wasn't my decision Merle," Van started grimly, watching his friend stare at him intently, "Balgus is the one that decided I was unfit to lead this country." He paused and cast his eyes to the broken statue nearby. His vision traced over the ruin and he scowled. Seeing his handiwork for the first time in the daylight made him wonder what had been going through his mind the night before. He must have been more messed up than he had originally thought. Van was beginning to see where Balgus' concern was coming from.
He turned back to Merle. "But if I was any sort of leader, I would have cancelled the ceremony myself."
"Why Lord Van?" Merle asked worriedly.
"You see that statue?" Van pointed to the rubble strewn in the path, "Well, what's left of it I mean." Merle nodded. "I did that, last night right before I went into the forest to search for a land dragon."
Merle gasped.
"I don't know why and I don't think I really knew what I was doing even then. I was just so frustrated with Balgus telling me that I wasn't ready and that I wasn't good enough to be king. But now, looking at the mess I made, I understand completely where he's coming from. I am reckless and angry. I think I've always known that but I was too hard headed to admit it to myself. I just wanted to blame it on someone else because it was easier than facing the truth. But I can't hide it anymore. If I'm going to be any sort of king, that is, if Balgus gives me another shot, I have to start listening to my feelings and not shut off when I don't like what somebody is telling me. I've been childish for too long and it's gotta stop."
Van's ears perked when he heard the crunch of gravel beneath someone's foot. Both he and Merle turned to face the noise. The prince's eyes shot open in surprise. "Balgus!" He wondered just how long the tall samurai had been standing there, listening to him, but he did not bother asking. He waited for Balgus to speak.
"One battle," the sword master said, kicking aside some rubble, "One chance." His sword was in his hand. "Prove that you can be king."
Without a moment's hesitation, Van jumped up, grinning broadly inside as he pulled out his weapon. He held his blade confidently before his eyes, tilting its razor edge so that the sun gleamed across it like a shooting star. He tensed his muscles, for the first time truly ready to fight.
"Attack," Balgus gave the command and the young prince ran forward, crying as he sliced through thin air, coming at the tall samurai with the deadly tip of his sword. Balgus showed no fear as he held his weapon, laying the blade across his open palm, anticipating his pupil's move. He stood his ground as the boy lunged at him.
Van drew near and unexpectedly dropped to one knee before his master, using his running momentum to spin behind Balgus and slash at his back. Balgus had just sufficient time to swing his long sword over his shoulder, blocking Van's attack mere seconds before the boy found blood.
But the fight was not over just yet. The old man twisted in the direction of his attacker, making a long sweep with his blade. Van caught the assault with his own weapon, clashing steel as he forced his master's sword to the ground. He couldn't help the smirk that formed across his lips as the two battled it out, though his upper hand was very short lived.
Balgus quickly flung up both their weapons with one forceful thrust. Van staggered back and regained his footing, but his master did not further pursue his attack.
Did I do something wrong? The young prince was stunned as he watched Balgus wipe away what little sweat had formed on his brow and lower his sword. The samurai turned from his pupil and strode toward the castle entrance. He did not look to Van, but spoke towards the doorway, loud enough so the boy could hear him from where he stood on the garden path.
"Get some sleep Prince Van. It would not do to fight a dragon at half strength." The old warrior disappeared through the doorway, leaving Van both astonished and pleased.
Well there you have it. Another chapter and Van does get to become king. Hooray. Next we get to the dragon and Zaibach's attack on Fanelia.
Stay tuned for more. And of course remember to review.
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