Read The Realmsic Conquest: The Hero of Legend Page 2
The storm raged outside the castle as Maebus carefully double-bolted the doors of his chamber. He then moved along the main corridor with Kelm. He heard the rain lash the castle walls like whips upon flesh. But he was unbothered by the gale. This domain had withstood far greater assaults.
The castle’s very presence was a bittersweet epitaph that seemed as familiar as misery in the Realm. Each brick of its foundation, walls, and corridors was a headstone memorializing those fallen in the pursuit of elusive peace. Its ashen exterior had perhaps never been white.
Maebus thought briefly of its history. Like magic within the Realm, the castle was a cursed blessing. Erected during a time of fierce conflict, it remained as much a beacon of hope as it did a symbol of despair. Just as its towering pillars stood magnificent and beautiful, a closer look revealed their true dilapidation.
Maebus then thought of his own personal history and wondered if he and the castle shared similar characteristics.
“What are you thinking about?” Kelm asked as they rounded a corner. Maebus briefly glanced at the corridor ceiling, noticing smudges that had been there since his childhood.
“There’s so much I want to say to the Council,” he said, trying to control the emotional tone of his voice. “I remember growing up within this castle and being afraid of them. I never thought I’d one day be King and lead them. None of this would’ve happened had Grand Wizard Kyora not taken me in; hadn’t made me study as her Disciple of Magic.”
Kelm nodded his head, walking alongside him. “I think things unfolded as they should have. My mother saw great potential in you at such a young age, although you couldn’t perform a lick of magic.”
“What did you expect?” Maebus chuckled. “My family and I were Laymen. We lived without magic. Perhaps my parents even feared it. That’s probably why I failed as your mother’s apprentice.”
“Well, I doubt you ever really wanted to be a Wizard,” Kelm replied.
Maebus leaned closer to his ear. “I didn’t want to be King either,” he whispered.
The Wizard laughed. “You think I wanted to replace my mother as Realmsic Advisor? But someone had to protect you from you.”
“Indeed, brother. We do what we must,” Maebus said as they arrived at a set of double doors that led to the public area of the main structure. He stood aside as Kelm opened them.
Once through, the castle bustled with activity as the two made their way towards the Great Hall to visit the Council. Despite congestion on the walkway, each person moved aside as the King and his Advisor walked by.
This subservience still unsettled Maebus. He’d been King less than a week. Many of the castle staff were the same people he’d known for years and had even grown up with. Now, they looked to him for guidance and protection.
Maebus had no issue with giving orders to people he so recently took orders from. However, what bothered him was the reality of what was soon to come.
“Do you realize this will be your first crisis Council meeting?” Kelm suddenly asked, breaking through his reverie.
“You don’t say!” Maebus glared at his Advisor. He didn’t need to be reminded of the importance of the proceedings.
The Grand Wizard continued to speak of their upcoming meeting, but Maebus’ head echoed the word crisis. He swallowed hard while trying to think of something else … anything other than that dreadful word. His attention was brought back by the sudden snap of Kelm’s fingers.
“Really? Did you just drift off during the middle of my talking points for the meeting?”
Maebus squeezed his eyes, attempting to force out the remnants of his malcontent. “I’ve been losing focus a lot lately. It’s frustrating. Not long ago, I could concentrate on an issue with pinpoint accuracy. But now I can barely hold on to a single thought for longer than a few moments. To think of all the years of mental strengthening exercises I endured as a Disciple, now wasted.”
“It’s actually quite understandable,” Kelm said. “Your own consciousness is protecting itself by strategically evading a fear it doesn’t want to comprehend.”
Maebus’ temples began throbbing as forcefully as his beating heart. “Kelm … is it right for a King to be afraid? Or is it cowardice to pretend I’m not afraid?” He felt the tension grow in his own voice as he spoke. “Every gesture, every slight motion is interpreted by a thousand people.”
Kelm held Maebus’ elbow, drawing him to halt. He gazed hard into his friend’s face. “The Realm has fought many battles, has known many conquerors and, above all, it has survived. You’re a new King. You’re not afraid for yourself, but for your people. You don’t want to be the first King to lose it all. And that’s bravery. Just remember that Damian is merely a man.” Kelm’s voice was harsh.
Maebus resumed walking and Kelm followed at his shoulder. “I don’t fear men,” he said. “Yet, this Warlord’s charisma is uncanny. It’s common knowledge that Laymen and Magicals have fought one another since the discovery of magic. Yet despite centuries of compromises, many Laymen still deeply despised magic. They view the kingdom as the source of their oppression, and they’d fight to defeat us as fiercely as we’d fight to protect the Realmsic Crystal.”
As they finally approached the entrance to the Great Hall, Maebus squared his shoulders, preparing himself.
Kelm patted his friend on the shoulder. There was the whisper of a wry smile on his lips. “By staying consistent with our message, I think we can minimize the anxiety of the Council, if not our own.”
Maebus nodded. “I don’t think our defensive strategy will be a hard sell.”
“True. But just be mindful that the Council is scared. The knowledge of certain annihilation affects people in unpredictable ways.”
With a magical wave of Kelm’s hand, the massive double-bolted doors swung open. Together, they entered the chamber as the Realmsic Council rose to its feet.