Chapter 10 - Saying Goodbye (Posted 3 April 2011)

A/N: Ahh, you guys are reviewing faster than I can write :D

"It's going to hurt." James said as he led Kendall down the dark hallway.

It was nighttime, the best time to sneak into the basement where the hottest fires burned. They'd waited a week so that Kendall would have some quality time with his family, but now he was ready to go.

"You said that about a hundred times already." Kendall sighed.

"Because it's true. It's not like a pinch and then it's over. You have to leave it on your skin for five whole seconds so it can really burn in. It may not seem like a long time, but believe me, it is."

"And you're telling me this because...?"

"Because I don't want you to do this." James said as they finally reached the basement. "I don't want you to leave. And if that means scaring you into staying, then I'll do it."

"That's selfish."

"No it's not. You're selfish. Do you know how much your family is going to miss you?"

"I thought about it. But they'll get over it." Kendall said deeply.

"And what about me? You just expect me to get over it?"

"James..."

"No. Just listen to me for a minute. You're my friend. And not just a regular friend. You're my best friend. Your brothers are my friends now along with some of the other servant kids, but none of them compare to you. You understand me. And... and I understand you. I don't want to lose that."

"But... Don't you see? I have to go. I..."

"If you don't want to be a burden to your family, you could just stay with me."

Kendall frowned. "You'd really do that?"

"I'd do anything to get you to stay."

"I'm sorry. Nothing can make me stay."

"How did I know you were going to say that?" James asked sadly.

"It's like you said. You understand me."

James bit his lip and turned from Kendall. He walked toward a wall where three large fireplaces were harbored giant flames. "They keep these fires burning all the time. I don't know why. It seems wasteful, but it actually works out for us. The branding rods are hanging on that wall over there. I want you to grab the one with my name on it."

"There are so many." Kendall said, staring at the rods hanging against the wall.

"They keep them from all the previous rulers."

"I found it." Kendall stretched his body to reach up and grab the handle. He ran over to James and handed it to him.

James examined the rod and stuck it in the flames. "We have to let it heat up for a few minutes."

"Ok."

"Kendall... will you promise me one more thing?"

"That depends." Kendall said, even though he knew he'd most likely accept the promise no matter what it was.

"Come to my coronation."

"What?"

"The whole kingdom will be invited, so no one will have to know who you are. And you don't have to seek me out or anything, I just want you to be there. I want you to see it since it wouldn't be possible without you."

"That's almost ten years from now."

"I know."

"And how will you know I was there if you don't see me?"

"If you promise to come, I'll trust you."

Kendall blinked. "Ok. I promise."

"Thank you." James honestly would have no way of knowing if Kendall was there or not. But he had to believe he'd keep his word. They sat in silence for a while, just looking around at the odd things in the room. "It should be ready by now. Give me your arm."

Kendall extended his arm and laid it in James's hand. "Is it really going to hurt?"

"Yes. I wasn't only saying that to scare you. Are you ready?"

"Yes."

"Here, bite this." James handed him a piece of cloth from his pocket.

"Why?"

"It'll help with the pain and muffle your screaming."

"You're not kidding." Kendall became genuinely frightened.

"There's still time to back out. Just say the word and we'll go back upstairs and act like this never happened."

"My mind is made up James. Just do it." Kendall stuck the cloth in his mouth and bit down. He squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his hand into a fist in preparation for the pain.

James took a deep breath and pulled the rod out of the flames. "Are you sure?"

Kendall just nodded quickly.

"Okay, I'll do it on the count of three... One... Two... Three!"

He pressed the stamp end of the rod onto Kendall's wrist and his heart almost stopped when he heard Kendall scream. He wanted to stop hurting him, but if he pulled it off too early it wouldn't work. So he counted in his head. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. And pulled the stamp off of Kendall's arm, throwing it aside.

James pulled Kendall's arm up to his lips and spit on the fresh mark. He rubbed it in, determined to keep working over the other boy's harsh cries. He grabbed another cloth from his pocket and wrapped it around Kendall's wrist, tying it tightly.

"There." James said quietly as he threw his arms around the still sobbing boy. "It's done, Kendall. It's over now."

Kendall hugged James back with one arm and cried into his neck. "It hurts, James."

"I know. But the sting will go away in a few days. Just keep rubbing spit on it if it gets more agitated. And keep it wrapped for a while. You don't want it to bump against anything when it's raw like this."

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For making you do this. I know you're sad that I'm leaving... but I need to do this."

"I know. Come on, we've got to make it to the stables before the merchants leave."

"Why?"

"How do you think you're getting away? You're going to sneak onto one of their carts."

"You've really thought this through."

"I don't want to risk you getting caught." James said, putting his hands on Kendall's shoulders. "I want you to be able to get out in one try."

"Thank you."

"Come on." James grabbed Kendall's good hand and pulled him back upstairs.

"Where are we going?"

"We can't go out any of the doors, they're all guarded. We're going to climb out the window at the end of this hall. It isn't used for much, and there are a few guards outside, but we're small so we should be able to sneak past them."

Kendall nodded. "Ok."

"Here," James said when they reached the window, "climb on my back and then pull me out."

"Got it." Kendall watched as James got onto all fours. He stepped up and out the window. Standing on the narrow ledge right under it, he leaned back in and pulled James out. "How will you get back inside?"

"I'll just climb back up. It's easier from the outside. This way." James began running toward what appeared to be a large shed. "The stables. The merchants will be leaving from the front, so if you sneak in from the back, you should be able to hide in one of the carriages."

"How will I know where they're going?"

"You won't." James looked worriedly at Kendall. "You'll just have to trust your instinct and get off when you feel like it. You can ask the villagers how to get around from there."

"Ok." Kendall said shakily.

"Having second thoughts?"

"No. I'm just... nervous. It just hit me, you know? This is really happening."

"It doesn't have to."

"Not this again, James..."

"Here, take this." James unhooked a small satchel from his belt.

"What is it?"

"Some gold and silver, just a few tiny pieces to hold you over."

"Thank you. This means a lot to me..."

"It's just money."

"Not the money." Kendall hugged James. "It means a lot that you're helping me. You're an amazing person and you're going to be a great King."

"Kendall... please don't go."

"I've got no choice." Kendall reasoned.

"Yes you do! You can choose to stay here with me and your brothers and..."

"Stop it, please, just stop it. I'm going and that's final."

"Will I ever see you again?"

"Maybe." Kendall answered.

"Maybe." James repeated. "That's a 'no,' then?"

"I didn't say..."

"You don't have to. I finally find a friend and he runs away. I know you're never going to come back."

"Then why did you put your Royal Mark on me?"

"Just to give you the option. And so you know that no matter what, I'll never forget you."

"I'll never forget you either."

"I'm going to miss you."

"I know."

"You're my best friend, Kendall, and you always will be. I love you."

"I love you too. And I'll be at your coronation, I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"I believe you. Now, you have to go. I can't go with you because I'd just be in the way."

"Ok. Goodbye, James."

"Goodbye, Kendall."

James watched as Kendall scurried through the back door of the stables. He wanted so badly to go in after him and drag him back to the castle. But that would make Kendall unhappy, so he couldn't bring himself to do it.

All he could do was hope that this wasn't the last time he saw him.