I apologize for being gone for a while and I know this wasn't what you were hoping to get, but this was just something I wanted to write. A new chapter continuing the main story is coming soon. For now, enjoy Marceau's past.

Part 1

The stone prison cell was small. It only had enough room for two people at a time. It was even beginning to show its true age as the bricks that held the room together were crumpling slightly. Bits and pieces of stone covered the brick flooring, forcing you to watch where you stepped. Even if I wanted to step on these small, stone pain traps I couldn't. The chains that were wrapped around my arms and legs restricted my movement but held me in a standing position. My body was aching and begging me for some sort of relief. Unfortunately, I couldn't supply my body with that relief. The cuffs that were around my wrists and ankles dug into my skin as they kept me in place. Whenever I tried to adjust my body a searing pain would shoot up my arms and legs, forcing me to go back in the same position as before.

The wooden door in front me swung open and slammed against the stone wall beside it. I attempted to lift my head to see who had arrived but my body didn't have that kind of energy left. Besides, I knew who it was.

"Look at you, Marceau." The guard paused as a low grumble escaped his throat. "Barely hangin' on," I said nothing as the guard took a step closer to me, which gave me the chance to see his shoes. They were dirty and were covered in small holes. There was a larger hole on his right shoe in the front of the shoe that exposed some of his toes. "Are you ready?" I could hear the guard shift his body as he reached for something on his belt. The black, leather whip I have been acquainted with was back in the hands of my tormentor. When I was finally able to raise my head to look at the guard, which took all of my energy, I found him smiling wildly at me. His broken, yellow teeth poked through his dry lips. "Shall we get started?"

I shut my eyes before I saw him do anything else. I already had the memory stained into my mind of this man whipping me, but I didn't have the strength to see it again this time. I was afraid of seeing another memory I would later try to block out and fail.

The smell of fresh grass filled my nose as I took a deep breath in, inhaling the fresh smell of spring. I looked out into the overgrown field, admiring the beauty of it all. Until I noticed something poked its head up, then suddenly back down. It happened so fast that I didn't quite see what it was. I squinted my eyes and attempted to focus my eyes on the horizon as I watched for the mysterious creature to appear again.

Without warning, I felt a small pair of arms try to wrap around my waist. They may have been small but they were mighty strong. My body was pushed back and thrown against the soft, plant-filled ground. Before I could even figure out what just happened a bubbly laugh erupted in front of me. I opened my eyes to find Gabriel rolling around and laughing on my chest. He was consumed in his own laughter. I immediately reached out and pulled Gabriel into my arms. He shrieked loudly with delight as I swung him up in the air. He shrieked loudly with delight. "Again!" He demanded through his howl of a laugh. "Again?" I asked breathlessly. "I want to push you down again!" Gabriel exclaimed. I laughed at Gabriel's childish energy. Another push like that and I'm sure I'd get a concussion. "How about we go see Mother instead?"

Gabriel's eyes lit up at the mere mention of his mother. He sprung up in excitement and jumped toward the house. The boy was in love with his mother, but how could he not be? Her gentle nature and loving voice were able to capture everyone's heart.

I slowly got up from the ground and made my way toward the house, following Gabriel's small steps through the grass. When we reached the house Gabriel paused at the door as he waited for me to open it for him. As I reached the door my eyes seemed to veer toward the window that was in the middle of the door.

My brother, Gilbert, had his hand placed on my wife's cheek as they spoke. They seemed as if they were in a serious discussion, but their eyes never wavered from each others. Gabriel tried to open the door on his own in his impatience but I continued to watch as my heart screamed at me to turn away. For some reason, I just couldn't. Gilbert leaned in toward Isabel, his lips curled into a smile. At first, I thought Gilbert was doing something to Isabel, something she wanted nothing to do with. I quickly put my hand on the door handle to intervene but didn't turn it. Isabel put both of her hands on Gilbert's face and pulled him into an intense kiss.

Even though I was witnessing this, watching my own wife kiss my brother, there was no feeling of anger or resentment. Just emptiness.

Gabriel began pulling on my hand that was still on the door handle in irritation due to my silentness, so I finally opened the door and quickly stepped inside before Gabriel could see what was happening between his mother and uncle. When they noticed I had stepped inside Gilbert and Isabel quickly pulled apart. They tried their best to recuperate from what just happened between them, or they were trying to act like nothing did happen between them. I couldn't tell the difference.

"Our son wanted to see you," I almost hissed to Isabel. Somewhere inside of me was telling me that I knew this all along. That Isabel no longer loved me, but I went on believing a lie so that my son wouldn't notice anything strange. Because his perfect world consisted of his mother and I. I was too much of a coward to take that away from him.

Isabel leapt from the chair she was sitting in and wrapped her arms around Gabriel. She laughed when Gabriel returned the embrace ten fold. Although her attention was on Gabriel she was watching me intently as I walked passed them both. I felt uncomfortable just being around Isabel, that and it was hard to watch a mother lie to her son. I wanted to explode at Isabel and Gilbert. The emptiness that I felt before began to be replaced by something else, something worse. I stepped out of the room and began to walk to my study. I could hear Gilbert stalk behind me as his heavy feet stomped against the once soft ground. "Talk to me, Marceau." He said behind me. He didn't sound serious about the subject at all. He made it sound like this was a game and one he was winning. I opened the door to my office and took a step inside. Once I reached my desk I paused. I didn't know what to say to Gilbert. There were so many different things that were bottled up inside of me. Do I bring up how I know he's sleeping with my wife? The only woman I ever loved? The mother to my child? I felt my chest tighten at the thought of all of this, then suddenly I began talking before I even realized it. "How long?"

Gilbert paused next to me, obviously thinking of a witty response, but then his expression changed to one more serious. "A while."

My eyes widened at his answer. What is a while? Why was he trying to hide it? "How long?" I asked again as I turned to face him. I needed to see his face when he told me the answer. "A year." Gilbert quirked. I gaped at him in astonishment. This affair had been going on for a year, a full year. And it has been going on right in front of Gabriel and I. I winced as I thought of Gabriel and attempted to put him out of my mind. "I need to travel to the castle to discuss a trade deal." I told Gilbert. He seemed confused by the sudden change of subject but I continued. "Tell Isabel to chose by the time I get back."

Gilbert raised his eyebrow and cocked his head to the side, as if waiting for me to explain further. "Me or you." I reiterated. For a moment Gilbert was quiet. Probably thinking of Isabel's decision. Then his lips curled back into his smile as he came to a conclusion. "Very well, brother. Will Gabriel be staying?" I glared at Gilbert and his idiotic question. "There is no way in hell I'm leaving my son with you and her." I growled. Gilbert's expression quickly changed. His eyes narrowed toward me and I watched as his fingers wrapped into a fist. "And you wonder why she chose me," I heard Gilbert mumble under his breath. Without another word, Gilbert left the room. I let my body fall against the desk in the corner of my study. My head was spinning. I couldn't believe this was happening.

"You can't do this." I shook my head in horror.

"I just did."

I looked up at King Henry. He was sitting crossed legged on his throne, staring down at me as if I was nothing. His eyes felt like punches, but his words felt like daggers. "Please, I have a family." I begged him. Henry rolled his eyes in annoyance and uncrossed his legs. "That is not my problem. I have other matters to attend to." Henry waved his hand as if I was a bug, shooing me away. "You're banished from the castle." He added. I stood there in dismay, absolutely dumbfounded by the events that just occured.

"Count Vincent's Heralds." Someone announced behind me. I didn't want to leave. I wanted to fight this, but I knew that would only lead to my imprisonment, or death. My body reluctantly trudged out of the throne room. My feet felt so heavy as I walked. I was trying my best not to think, to control my anger that was fighting to unleash itself.

Suddenly, I felt something collide against me. The impact was hardly anything for me, but whatever had hit me crashed to the ground. I lifted my eyes to whatever it was that I hit. My eyes flew open and my chest clenched tightly as I realized what-who it was. The Dauphin of France, Francis.

I didn't know what to do first. Bow? Help him up? Am I even allowed to touch the boy? Against my better judgement, I did a quick bow then reached my hand out for him, which he surprisingly took. I gently pulled him up and bowed my head as my mouth began to ramble on. "I am so sorry, Prince Francis. I should have looked where I was going. This is my fault."

Francis laughed and waved his hands, then put his hand on my shoulder. I almost wanted to turn and look at his hand in bewilderment. What kind of royal touches a commoner like me? "I shouldn't have been running. So really, it was my fault." I laughed nervously out of habit and slowly nodded, acting like I understood what he meant. How could this boy be related to King Henry. He was nothing like him.

"Are you here to see my Father?" Francis asked me. As I looked at the boy closer he couldn't be any older than 16. I was only 7 years older, but he seemed so naive of the world. I know he was only trying to be nice and start a conversation with the man he ran into, but a sickening feeling overwhelmed when I thought of his age. This boy would one day be the Kind of France. Would he end up just like his Father? Why wouldn't he be? He had no reason to help people like me, but for some reason, the boy had something about him. Something casual and calm. I found myself telling him the truth. "Actually, I just saw him. Things didn't go as planned. He cut off my trade."

Francis' eyes widened and his look turned into one more sincere. "I'm so sorry." This boy wasn't stupid. He knew what that meant. He knew I was ruined, but there was nothing he could do for me and we both knew that. "Anyway, it was a pleasure to meet the Dauphin of France." I bowed, this time more calmly, then began to walk away. "Wait! I didn't catch your name." Francis called behind me. "Marceau Bernard," I replied without turning around. A rude thing to do to a royal, but I figured I had nothing to lose.

Gabriel. That's what I had to lose.

Just as I suspected, Gilbert and Isabel were gone. When Gabriel and I got back home there was a letter addressed to me sitting on the table in front of the door. When Gabriel was preoccupied I stood in front of the table and stared down at it for a moment. I reached for it and reluctantly opened it. I only skimmed through it. In the letter, she wrote how sorry she was, how she used to truly love me. In the end, she wrote where she would be if Gabriel wanted to know. I angirly glared at the note. I crumpled it in my hand without another look at it. I felt so numb. As all of these different emotions flooded my body my mind couldn't keep up, so it made me feel paralyzed.

My wife was in love with my brother and has been for a full year. Then King Henry cuts off my trade just because he can! I clenched the letter in my fist and walked out of the house before I let my anger burst. The sky had turned darker since I was at the castle. The blue sky was covered with gray rain clouds. I felt small drops of water fall onto me, but ignored it once I reached my study. This building was were Gilbert and I discussed all we needed for a mission or trip. We would sometimes keep extra merchandise in here to sell at a later time, but now it felt empty even though it was filled with bookshelves that were stuffed with documents and books to keep inventory. Now, none of that mattered. All of these things were a waste. Anger began to swarm my body as I realized how much time I had wasted.

I felt the crumpled note in my fist try to retract itself into its original form. I glared at it through my fingers, then threw it as hard as I could. It only went a few feet in front of me. It wasn't enough. The anger had only just started to boil. I needed to do more. I was angry. Angry at Isabel, angry with Gilbert, angry with King Henry. My hands aggressively ran through my disheveled hair. I was angry with myself. I had let all of those people walk all over me. To them, I was nothing. I clenched my jaw as the anger only continued to worsen.

I grabbed onto the nearest bookshelf and with all of my strength I threw it down onto the stone floor. The wooden bookshelf banged loudly when it hit the floor. The impact sent the papers and books flying and scattered onto the once clean floor. "You all used me!" I screamed as I threw another bookshelf down. I couldn't stop. I grabbed one of the glass decorations that Isabel had put on my desk. She once told me that my study was bland and boring. She said I needed to add more color to make it more welcoming. So she would get small glass trinkets and secretly place them on my desk. They once were a pleasant surprise, but now they were an eye sore.

With all of my strength, I threw the glass vase against the stonewall, creating an explosion of glass. "I gave you all of my love!" I screamed as I picked up another glass vase.

"You left me!" Another.

"You left Gabriel. Your own child!" Another.

"I loved you!" The very last of the glass decorations slipped through my fingertips before I even realized it. As its fragile body hit the wall it broke into hundreds of little pieces. I stared at the small pieces of glass laying on the ground. "Isabel…" I whispered. I didn't understand what I did to deserve this. I lifted my head up to observe the mess I had created in my rage. As I looked around at the torn documents, broken bookshelves, and shards of glass I still felt nothing. Or was it that I felt so much?

Suddenly, I heard the click of the door. When I looked over at the door I found Gabriel standing in the doorway. His eyes darted around the room at the mess I created in confusion. "Daddy?" His innocent voice croaked as he looked at me. "What are you doing?" He started to take a step toward me but I quickly raised my hand to stop him. Pieces of glass were scattered throughout the room still and I didn't want him to get hurt. I lowered my head down, unable to look at my child in the eye. What do I tell a four year old after his mother just left him? Did he even know? "Gabriel, did your mother talk to you before we left for the castle?" I asked as calmly as I could muster. "She said she was going to the village." Gabriel seemed confused by the question then he added, "Uncle Gil went with her too."

I looked up at him in horror. She lied to him. He didn't even know she wasn't going to to come back. Gabriel attempted to come towards me but I quickly jolted up and blocked him from coming any further. Gabriel looked like he was trying to figure something out. Something that he couldn't yet comprehend. "Daddy?" Gabriel whispered quietly. I looked down at Gabriel's small face to find him staring into my eyes. "Don't worry. Mommy is with Gil. She'll be okay." Gabriel smiled warmly, a reassuring smile that meant everything was going to be okay.

But it wasn't. While Gabriel was smiling and reassuring me his mother had left him to be with his uncle. The one that he played games with. The very same that helped raise him.

I had put Gabriel to bed and went back to my study to attempt to tidy it up. Once I was away from Gabriel and by myself, I could still feel that same rage building up. I tried my best to ignore it as I built a small fire right outside my study. I began throwing the documents and books I had collected over the years into the fire. As I sat down next to the fire and threw papers into the hungry flame I started to hear footsteps in the woods. As the sound got closer I stood quickly and attempted to peer through the pitch black forest. Suddenly, a man appeared before me. He was wearing royal clothing, but he definitely did not have the face of a royal. It was more gruff and chubby, although I have seen royals like that. His hair was an unusual color, one that matched that fire next to me. "Are you the owner of this property?" The man asked as he motioned toward my study and house. I stared at him for a moment as I debated whether or not to answer his question. I didn't know if he was friendly or someone trying to harm me. I had been far too many battles, so if I needed to defend myself I could. Even though he was suspicious I found myself nodding to answer his question.

"I am a footman of Count Vincent of Naples Italy." The man said reassuringly. I continued to watch him even after his introduction. I wasn't sure what he wanted with me or my property. "What is it you want?"

"Count Vincent has sent me to scout areas around the castle." The footman said. "Your land would be the perfect spot for his camp."

"His camp?" I asked. The man nodded as he looked around, as if in full thought. "He is bringing a few men along with him. He has a meeting with the king, but does not want to stay at the castle. He will pay you for your troubles of course."

This all seemed extremely suspicious. I'm sure the king would be more than accommodating for a Count, but if they were willing to pay me I don't see the harm in it. "That would be fine." I agreed. The footman smiled warmly. "Thank you very much. I shall let the Count know. He will arrive in a few weeks."

With that, the man disappeared back into the forest from where he came. As promised, Vincent and his men arrived a few weeks later. His men seemed heavily armed for a meeting with the king, but I stayed quiet and tried to stay out of their way. Around 3 weeks later Vincent and his men left for the castle. The footman mentioned that the Count had a meeting with the King but I never saw him leave my property until those three weeks were up. Either way, the footman was right, Vincent did pay for my troubles. Unfortunately, it was maybe just enough to pay for a couple of meals.

I walked up the wooden stairs and made my way to Gabriel's room. I knocked before entering but when I heard nothing in reply I opened the door. "Gabriel?" I called. I heard a faint cough and found Gabriel lying in his bed. My eyes widened at the sight of this. "Gabriel? What's wrong?" I walked over to his bedside and sat down. His small face was flushed. Drops of sweat slowly crept down his face. "I don't feel well." Gabriel groaned, a small cough followed. I leaned forward and gently placed the back of my hand against his forehead. I was greeted by an intense warmth, then followed by sweat. "You do feel warm," I thought out loud. "Make it go away, Daddy." Gabriel cried. My eyes widened at his cries. I leaned down once again and planted a kiss on Gabriel's forehead. "I am going to get you some water, okay? Then I want you to get some sleep." Gabriel said nothing in response. He closed his eyes and turned his body to the side. I lifted the covers and wrapped them tightly around him.

Days passed and Gabriel still wasn't getting any better. At first, I had just assumed it was some cold he caught, but nothing I did was helping him. I knew I needed to get him some help.

I rushed out of the house one day and ran to the nearest village to find a doctor, or anyone that could help. Gabriel has never been this sick before, so I had no idea what to do. My memory flickered to hearing about a plague that had been spreading through the villages, but I haven't heard much about it lately so I had forgotten it existed. Gabriel doesn't have something like that though. This is just a bad cold, one he caught playing outside. Once I find a doctor he'll be okay. He'll be able to go back to playing.

That's what I told myself while I ran to the nearest village, while the doctor examined Gabriel. While the doctor told me that my son would not make it past two weeks.

"This plague has been spreading like a wildfire. Your son is in the final stages. If we would have known sooner I may have been able to do something for him. Unfortunately, though, the sickness runs through children much quicker so it is hard to catch early." I heard the old man and his croaky voice. I even watched as the white bristles above his lips shifted as he spoke. But I couldn't hear him. I didn't want to hear him.

"Thank you, doctor." I muttered before letting him finish talking. "I know this is difficult to hear, but you must be prepared. Some adults are lucky and don't catch it, but If you leave the body the sickness may spread even further. We need to be cautious of these things-"

"I think you should leave now. Thank you again." I led the doctor out of the house and slowly closed the wooden door behind him. My mind was numb. It didn't want me to feel the pain that my heart was screaming at. Gabriel was only four. He knew nothing of the world and wouldn't even be given the chance to figure it all out. I leaned my forehead against the door.

He is too young! I slammed my fist onto the door. "Take me…" I cried. "Take me instead."

That night after I said goodnight to Gabriel I went to my study in search of Isabel's letter. My office was still a mess after my outburst. I slowly walked around the fallen bookshelves and scattered books. I kneeled down in a pile of paper and bean rifling through them. The woman who had stolen my heart the first time I laid eyes on her had left me for my brother. My son who had constant energy was now lying in a bed, dying. Why? What did I do to deserve this? All of a sudden I felt tears run down my cheek and down to the floor. When l watched them fall to the ground I found a crumpled piece of paper at my knees. I grabbed it and uncrumpled it to find "Dear Marceau," written at the top.

I wrote to Isabel and Gilbert, telling them of Gabriel's condition and how much time he had left. It was every parents right to say goodbye to their child, even though it should be the other way around. I don't know what kind of feelings I had for Isabel or Gilbert yet, but I wasn't going to deny them these last few moments with Gabriel.

As the days began to dwindle and Gabriel's condition worsened I stayed by his side the entire time. He no longer had the strength to do anything besides talk, even that had become difficult for him at times.

"Daddy?" Gabriel wheezed. I quickly jolted up from the floor to look at Gabriel. "What is it?" I asked. Gabriel attempted to turn his head toward me but was unsuccessful. He shut his eyes for a moment and scrunched his face in pain. "It hurts."

My eyes widened at the sound of his painful voice. "I know. I know it hurts." Gabriel attempted to stifle a cry, but was unable to. "I don't want to die."

My chest tightened on itself. It felt like my whole body wanted to shut down. I reached forward and let my fingers brush against Gabriel's sunken skin. "You aren't going to die," I almost cried. "When you get better you'll be ready to play again."

"What if I don't get better?" Gabriel's voice was low as the words kept hitting me like daggers in my chest. "No, no. Don't say such things, Gabriel." I urged him. Gabriel finally turned his head toward me and winced. "Hey, don't push yourself." I tried.

"Don't cry, Daddy." Gabriel whispered to me in his small voice. My eyes widened. I hadn't even realized I was crying. "I'm sorry if I'm making you sad." Gabriel apologized. His voice was rocky every time he talked. I watched as he shut his eyes again and his lips began to quiver, then suddenly he was engulfed in a sobbing fit. His entire body was shutting down but yet it still urged him to cry. I reached for Gabriel and quickly wrapped my arms around his frail body. I didn't care if I got sick. I wanted Gabriel to feel my arms around him, even if it was dangerous. I wanted him to know just how much I loved him. He was my son. The true love of my life. My everything, yet his now fragile and decaying body was so small now. He was disappearing right in front of me and I couldn't do anything about it. "Gabriel…" I cried against his tiny shoulder. "I love you so much."

Gabriel said nothing as he cried into my shirt. I could start to feel the damp spots of tears in my shirt rub against my bare chest.

"Marceau?!" I heard someone call from downstairs. Gabriel pulled away slowly once he realized who that voice belonged to.

There were thundering steps up the stairs then without warning the door flew open. Isabel stood in the doorway. It looked as though she hadn't slept in some time, but other than that she looked the same. I wondered if she saw a different in me, or if she cared. Before I could make any more observations she bolted into the room and pushed me aside.

"Gabriel!" She shrieked. I wanted to stay by Gabriel's side but I found myself walking out of the room. When I made it to the first floor I found Gilbert. He stood awkwardly in the sitting room. When he noticed me he took a step toward me. "How is he, Marceau?" Gilbert asked, his facial expression showed no real sign of concern. I said nothing as I let my body sink to the floor once I reached the final step of the stairs. My heart was filled with pain, so much pain I felt numb.

"So, is Gabriel actually sick?" Gilbert asked. I raised my head to look at Gilbert. "I thought he might be lying. He always had a tendency to lie." Gilbert pressed on.

"What?" I asked, my voice stone cold.

"Isabel forced us to come back. I didn't want to waste time with this bullshit." Gilbert grumpled. "Is the little shit actually telling the truth?"

I slowly stood from the wooden step below me and faced Gilbert. "My son is dying."

Gilbert turned to me and raised his brow in disbelief. "Sure," He scoffed.

"You dare come back to my home and act like my dying son is a nuisance?" I whispered in astonishment. Gilbert chuckled. "Calm down. Like I said, the boy lies sometimes. It's what kids do."

"Gabriel?!" We heard Isabel scream from upstairs. I whipped toward the stairs and heard Isabel scream in terror again. Gilbert attempted to run ahead of me, but my legs were already moving before I could even process what was happening.

I found Gabriel's body lying lifelessly on his bed. His eyes were wide open.

His eyes were the only thing that didn't change while he grew weaker. When I looked into them I could still see the playful boy looking back at me. But now, no one was looking back. Gabriel was gone.

Isabel's cries rang in my ears and pierced my heart as I looked at Gabriel. I reached for his hand, but pulled back when I felt the coldness and claminess of his skin. "Gabriel?" I called. I grabbed onto his body and wrapped my arms around him. We were like this only a moment ago and he was alive. How could he just be gone?

"You killed him! This is your fault!" I heard Isabel cry loudly. I didn't know who she was talking to until I felt her fists pound into my back. I squeezed my arms around Gabriel's body as if to shield him from her fury.

"You were supposed to protect him! I trusted you!" Isabel continued.

That's right. This was my fault. Gabriel died because of me.