It had been three long weeks since Dresden's encounter with Kelsie. Three weeks since he stood before the high nobles. Now, he was settled, his wounds were healing, and he started to train with Tra'a Minn again, his muscles aching in protest, missing the three week vacation that they had been granted. Currently, He sat with Heraldis, Joze's son, and looked over the map of the known regions.
Heraldis pointed to a wicked-looking island that drifted off the Fremon mainland.
"What is the name of this province?" He asked dryly. Dresden and Heraldis had been at this all day, naming provinces, giving summaries of wars and successions. He was re-educated about Fremon morals and ideals, something the nobles liked to preach and expected from their king but did not practice themselves. Dresden scratched his head and let out a long sigh.
"I don't know," Dresden said with frustration. "I don't know, nor do I care! This is a waste of time!" He bellowed suddenly, springing up from his seat and clawing the map off the table. Heraldis didn't stop him, simply watched with steel blue eyes as Dresden continued to rip the map into dozens of shreds. He stood there, panting, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Heraldis looked at him up and down and smirked to himself.
"You really are a child, aren't you?" He asked Dresden with a voice of impetuousness.
"Thank the nobles that they choose me to guide you...You would run this nation into the dust with your impulses"
Dresden, still breathing deeply, walked about the room. They were in Dresden's personal study, a medium sized room with various maps and diagrams that previous kings had studied. Earlier that day, they had in fact looked over some of Acriscos' notes, and Dresden felt a few pangs of sadness as he read his fathers musings. He had no idea that his father was such a deep intellectual, and how the corruption of the state bothered him more than anything. Dresden stopped pacing and walked slowly to the window, pulling apart the drapes and allowing a beam of light to enter the room. He stood in the light, not speaking at all. Heraldis coughed uncomfortably in the silence, and was beginning to rise when suddenly, Dresden spoke.
"I need to beat him," Dresden said softly.
"I haven't seen him since the fight...And yet everyday he beats me. I see his face whenever I feel my own weakness" Dresden continued. His voice had a tone of defeat and resignation to it, as if he knew that deep down, he could never defeat Kelsie.
Heraldis settled back down in his seat and nodded.
"Ah, Kelsie..." Heraldis said, but trailed off. Dresden knew that the subject of Kelsie was taboo, considering that Kelsie was Heraldis' half brother. Heraldis himself barely mentioned Kelsie, and like his father, pretended that he was not related to the inbred. Heraldis rose and walked towards Dresden, joining him by the window. He turned to look outside, the view of the city gleaming in the setting sun.
"As king, one should always be prepared to remove one's enemies" Heraldis said simply. Dresden perked up with interest, and followed him as he made his way out of the study.
"What do you mean?" Dresden asked.
"A king must be creative, bold, cunning, and most importantly-" Heraldis stopped, turned, and poked Dresden's chest, his finger above Dresden's heart.
"A king must not have remorse, or sorrow for whatever course of action he takes, for the good of the people" He said coldly, his blue eyes burrowing into Dresden's soul. Before the young lord could ask the meaning of those words, Heraldis quickly spun round again and sped away from Dresden.
"We're done for today, keep up your studies, stay away from bar wenches, and well, don't get poisoned and die" He said has he raised a hand in farewell. Dresden stood in the deserted hallway, musing over the day. As he began to walk, he heard a familiar voice, a voice that made him stop in his tracks.
"Are you still brain dead from my last thrashing?"
The hair on the back of Dresden's neck rose with each word spoken from that arrogant mouth.
Kelsie.
The young man stood ahead of him, and slowly walked towards Dresden. He wouldn't dare attack me...Would he? Dresden thought to himself has he felt his old wounds begin to ache. Kelsie was close to him now, and Dresden stood up to him, face blanched yet defiant, expecting the worst. Kelsie got on his knees, and bowed to Dresden.
"I am sorry, Dresden. May your wounds heal quickly, My lord" Kelsie said, still bowed to the young man. Dresden was taken aback, not knowing what to say. It was silent, and Kelsie raised his head slightly, his eyes peering from the red hair that cascaded in front of them.
"Y-You are dismissed, Kelsie" Dresden stammered, not knowing what to say. Kelsie rose from his position, turned, and left as quickly as he appeared. Did he actually seek me out..? Dresden thought. Kelsie wasn't one to respect authority, and yet he had sought Dresden out, and apologized for something that, from a diplomatic point of view, Dresden was responsible for. Whatever the reason, Kelsie showed his weakness by apologizing to Dresden. The young noble, alone in the hall, began plotting his revenge, not ready to forgive Kelsie just yet.
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