This is an interim chapter, it's meant to introduce more conflicts, and set the stage for some upcoming events. Expect the next couple of chapters to explore the internal strife of major characters.
Also, if anyone was wondering, (Which i doubt), What happened to the internal voice? It's there, it's just that now whenever Ant says something mean, or does something cool, that's his inner self in control. Whenever he does something smart, or logical, that's himself. He stopped arguing with himself, for now, and he now is more focused on survival, and less on his psychological well being.
'Twan didn't like being dragged out of his room, especially when it was done literally. He shielded his eyes from the sun; his eyes were used to the dark confines of his room. He could make out a silhouette towering over him, whoever it was; they were dangerously close to him. Their identity was made clear when they spoke.
"Break's over, Lieutenant D'Coolette. Time to come out and play!" Elias leaned even closer, grabbed Antoine's arm, and yanked him upward.
"What the hell? If you want me to choose so badly, I will!"
"This isn't about that, I hope you're ready to move out, 'cause you're coming with me!" His cheerful voice was filled with forced optimism. It was disgusting. "And your uniform needs a good cleaning!" The large amount of blood somehow didn't faze the prince.
Ant shook his arm free and dusted himself off. He looked around, and noticed the royal guard gorillas that surrounded him. Why would they be here? "Um, General?"
"Yes?" Elias still hadn't dropped the annoying voice.
"May I ask where we're going?" Antoine asked, hoping for a good answer. He wouldn't get one.
"Nope! Now follow me." The young general did a 180 and walked to the royal transport, which was an APC with some decorations on it. Antoine realized that he didn't really have a choice, and he might as well go along with it. Elias jumped into the Shotgun position in the vehicle, and motioned for Ant to take the wheel.
"What the hell am I getting into?" He mumbled to himself. The coyote tentatively climbed the mini-steps to the driver's seat. There was a large white flag where the royal emblem should be, Antoine was seriously confused, but too tired to say anything, he hadn't slept since the mission. The large wheel felt weird in his hand, he was a good pilot, but he had never handled anything like this before.
"Don't worry, it's like a car, only bigger." This useless advice came compliments of Elias. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a cigar. He chomped off the edge, and lit the end with an engraved lighter.
"I didn't know you smoked." Antoine felt like he was seeing the prince for the first time. What happened to the humble woodsman he respected? Where did this annoying, spoiled ruler come from?
"I didn't…" A wheeze, followed by a few coughs: "I just don't give a shit anymore."
"About what?"
"Dad always told me not to smoke, fuck him." Another drag on the cigar, he inhaled deeply and let out a terrible cough. Elias had no clue what he was doing. After that call, he was determined to prove that he could win this war, at any cost. Elias decided that he knew what he was doing, and he wouldn't let himself be taken out the line of succession. It was time to take drastic measures to ensure his spot in the Kingdom.
"Daddy issues, huh?" Ant spoke without thinking. Elias just turned and glared.
"You're lucky 'Twan, you never have to worry about pleasing your father. It's not like he can be disappointed from the grave." A warranted, if Harsh comeback. Ant knew he should shut up now. Elias turned to the small window behind him, he slid it open and yelled into the cabin: "Is everyone in?" If there was a response, Ant couldn't hear it. Elias slammed the small window shut, and turned around to face front. "Let's get going." Antoine turned the key, and floored it. They continued for a few miles, when Ant realized that he had no clue where he was going.
"Where to?"
"The D.E.L base."
"Umm, are you sure?" 'Twan couldn't help but freak out; it sounded like another stupid plan.
The general slapped him on the back, causing the vehicle to swerve slightly. "Don't worry; we're in an APC, what could go wrong?"
Ant remembered the words of Fisher: "Nothing good ever happens when someone says that."
"Don't be so pessimistic." Elias offered a spare cigar to Ant, he turned it down. "I'm sure that Beauregard will listen to reason."
"Who?" Antoine had never heard that name before.
"Beauregard, he's the grandmaster of the Great Desert chapter of the D.E.L... Basically, he's the boss."
"Oh, so this is a diplomatic mission." 'Twan calmed down a little. His grip on the wheel loosened up, he slunk back in his chair. The only thing that bothered him now was the smoke.
"You could say that. " There was a hint of annoyance in Elias' voice. He turned to Antoine, "It's really just a chance to scope 'em out, you know? We show up, get a tour learn about their troops, act like we're interested, and then split. It's a good deal." Elias sunk down in his large seat, and plopped his feet on the dash in front of him. The tiny gerbil in Antoine's brain was sprinting furiously in his little wheel, and finally a thought was formed.
"And the Grandmaster agreed to this?" He took his eyes off of the road to give a concerned look to the Prince.
"Hmm?" Elias didn't seem to be paying attention.
"Well I assume Beauregard would realize the advantage you get if we meet there. How did you get him agree to a meeting at his base? It sounds like the perfect ambush to me."
The King to be chuckled. "Well he'd have to know we're coming for there to be an ambush, right?" He paused to take a drag from his cigar. "I'd be stupid to ask for permission."
"Yeah, I guess…" It took a few moments for Ant to see the glaring flaw in Elias' logic. Upon doing so, he slammed on the breaks, and the APC lurched to a halt. He was speechless, he slammed his head on the wheel, hoping that this was just a really, really bad dream.
Elias slipped out of his seat, the sudden stop surprised him. "What the heck?" He straightened himself and turned to the coyote. "What the fuck, man? Why did we stop?"
"Il ne le sait pas?" Ant turned to Elias, his bloodshot eyes thoroughly creeping out the Prince.
"What?"
"We're driving, alone, in a giant tin can, to the enemies base, for diplomatic talks, and they don't even know that we're coming? You're handing the General, and HEIR to the THRONE on a silver platter to them!" He reached out, grabbed the royal's collar, and pulled him in. The stench of blood overpowered Elias' senses. "Are you fucking retarded?" He threw the Prince back into his seat; his cigar tumbled out of his mouth. Ant sunk deep into his seat, covering his face with his hands. "God, I hope you grow a brain before taking the throne or this kingdom's in real trouble."
Elias stepped out of the APC, and walked around to the driver's side. He opened the door, grabbed Ant's arm, and flung him out of the vehicle and onto the hard, desert ground. He stood over him, and leaned down. "What did you just say?" Antoine was too tired, and too pissed off to give a shit. He stood up. "If you knew the shit I knew, you'd be at my knees thanking me for saving your sorry ass."
"I didn't know it needed saving." Ant shoved Elias back. "I'm tired, pissed, and I just realized that the person I'm supposed to serve loyally is a total idiot!" He staggered forward, his fatigue finally catching up to him. The blood on his uniform and his matted hair made him look like some type of terrible murderer, which he was. He stopped right in front of the Prince, their faces were inches apart. Ant's hand hovered perilously over his sabre's hilt. "You really don't want to fuck with me, not now, not after the shit I've been through." The heir to the throne was scared shitless, so he took a page from his father's playbook, the buddy-buddy act. Maybe acting like a friend will calm him down.
Elias smiled, and rested his hand on Ant's shoulder. His voice had a slight stammer. "Now now, let's just be calm. We're friends right?" He only heard a grunt in response, and Ant's hand lowered down, and firmly grasped the hilt. Elias realized that his ploy failed, he tired another one of his father's favorites, the passive threat. "Besides, one wrong move, and 20 gorillas with snap your neck." He motioned to the line of Simians that had just exited the vehicle, and were slowly coming towards them.
The one in front asked. "My liege, why did we stop?"
"I just needed to give some directions to our driver, just go back inside the vehicle."
"Yes, sir" And as quickly as they came, they were back in the APC.
Elias turned his attention to 'Twan. "Listen, I know this sounds stupid, but it's not like you have a choice, right?"
"I'm not going to drive us there." Ant was defiant.
"Of course you're not." Elias grinned, and led Antoine back to the front of the vehicle. "I'm going to let you rest, while I drive." The young Prince bounded to the driver's seat.
Ant opened his mouth to argue, but he realized it was pointless. Defeated, he trudged back to the driver's compartment, and sat in the shotgun position. "How long will I Have?"
"I'll wake you when we're close. Just try to get some sleep." Once the vehicle got moving, it didn't take long for him to get some long needed slumber.
Elias looked at 'Twan. Whether he liked to admit it or not, he was terrified of the Coyote. The tales of his heroism, coupled with the accounts of his savagery in battle only amplified the frightening aura that emanated from him. Elias contemplated his options, he realize that Ant could be a useful tool against his father. The Prince knew he could never threaten Antoine, he could kill him easy; and he couldn't rely on his guards to pressure him, because that would infuriate the other officers. He needed a way to control Antoine, get him to play nice. He continued to think about it for the rest of the trip; every now and then wondering what a killer dreams of.
There are different types of dreams. Some are surreal adventures through the subconscious, others are so realistic they can't be distinguished from reality, and others are nightmares. This dream was all three. Ant entered a void; he was alone, nothing but darkness around him. He took a few steps forward, unsure of what he would find.
As he moved, the landscape became more and more defined, mirrors popped out of the ground, and a figure stood in the distance, they looked slightly familiar. The mysterious person walked slowly towards Ant, arms outstretched. The figure wore a dark military jacket, and had one eye covered with some sort of eye patch. 'Twan was met with a calm voice: "Welcome to your personal slice of Hell, mon ami."
OOH a dream sequence! This is like inception, only not nearly as good, or in 3-D! PLEASE COMMENT, if you like the direction comment, if you hate it, comment, if you love pie and just want to shout it to the world, COMMENT. FLAMES ARE WELCOMED, ANYTHING IS WELCOME.