The King was striding towards them. Eric couldn't suppress the choked sob that tore from his throat as he clung tightly to Mary's hand, moving behind her. Eric was scared, truly scared, of what his father would do to him now.
Mary curtsied politely to the King as he stopped just in front of her.
"You're majesty-" she began. But she honestly had no idea what to say, the look on the King's face silenced her and she looked worriedly down at Eric, who remained cowering behind her. David had never felt such rage. His face was hot and his nostrils flared in anger as he glared at his son. Son… no, this wasn't his son. His mind raced with a million ways to punish Eric, but none of them became reality as he stood staring for what seemed like forever. Eventually he came to his senses and reached out, gripping Eric tightly by the shoulder and pulling him out from behind Mary. Eric whimpered in pain as he tried to stop crying, for he knew too well his father's views on that. Now that Eric was stood alone, he felt smaller than ever. He couldn't bring himself to look up and face his father. But even without looking, Eric knew exactly where his father's eyes were; the slight dampness between his legs confirming his theory. Still Eric didn't look up, tears still spilling from his eyes.
David crouched down; gripping Eric's chin in his rough hand and forcing the three year old too look him in the eye. Eric sobbed in fear, unable to stop himself.
"Keep up" spat David, through gritted teeth, releasing his tight grip on Eric and standing once again. Eric nodded and followed obediently as his father walked away. With every pair of eyes in him, Eric would have usually felt very self-conscious walking through town. But right now, he could barely concentrate. His head pulsed and his vision blurred as his stomach sent him another loud reminder that he hadn't yet eaten today. David refused to look at his son. Feeling no sympathy whatsoever, he quickened his pace. Eric began to sob harder as he struggled to keep up with his father. The dampness of his trousers was uncomfortable, and soon they began to stick to his sensitive skin, rubbing the insides of his thighs.
By the time they reached the docks, Eric could barely stay upright. His blurred vision had worsened to the point where he couldn't even see his own hand if he stuck it out in front of him and the ache in his head had become a lot more intense. His stomach ached with the need for food and every step made the damp fabric of his trousers rub painfully against his already raw skin. He hadn't stopped crying since his father had found him, and now his throat felt sore and dry. He swayed and stumbled along the dock, knocking into things along the way.
"Guys I think he needs help" uttered one of the sailors.
"The poor kids gunna end up really hurting himself" said another, watching as a few of the sailors ushered Eric in the right direction. Eric however, was completely deaf to their words, the only audible noise being the constant buzz filling his ears. He couldn't see. He couldn't bring himself to speak. The only thing he could register was pain and a couple of steps later… all of that vanished.