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"The day will be saved by it dying." - 13 hour clockwork soldier
I came back to our little camp to find him with his head in his hands.
"What's wrong?" I asked as I set the gathered food down.
"I hurt you," he whispered.
"I'm sorry?" What was he talking about?
"I caused you physical pain." He clenched his fists tight.
I could still feel the burn every now and again. I sat down directly beside him.
"I do the same thing to some of the plants I watch over," I told him, staring into the fire. "Sometimes, the best thing I can do for them is to cut an infected part off and burn it because there's nothing else I can do," I explained before he could ask.
"Still doesn't justify my behavior," he muttered.
"Well, I don't like the pain and it sometimes bothers me," I started, referring to the injury he gave me earlier, "but I forgive you."
He met my gaze before he asked, "Why?"
"You're going to make mistakes some as me, granted different from mine. But life and time are just that way - unforgiving. I think it's easier to get through a day if people are more forgiving."
He stayed silent.
"You going to be okay?"
He rested his head on my shoulder and whispered, "Yeah. Just processing."
"You're going to be okay," I told him, letting him take however long he needs to figure it out.
The young mage whimpered in my arms when the first soldier passed by our hiding spot. It had been awhile and I'd have to be careful not to overdo it.
Taking a calming breath, I pulled her closer to me and pulled the light from the area, bathing our spot in shadow.
A few men stopped and started going over the area. The metal in their shoes and legs were deafeningly loud.
I tugged the mage closer to me still. I could feel her erratic heartbeat as we waited for our fate.
They had moved to another section of the surrounding wooded area before they were suddenly called back to where they came from.
When they were gone, I allowed the mage to go.
"What caused them to go back?" she asked me.
How could I answer? I had a feeling I knew but didn't want to scare the poor girl.
"They might be getting ready to rotate the guards," I offered, "and they might be the replacements."
She seemed satisfied with my answer.
"Come on, we're almost to the capital," I encouraged her, not so subtle about the change of subject.
"I made a promise years ago to a boy who's hair was color of autumn and eyes the color of spring," I murmured a reminder as I cleaned off my broadsword.
There are a few walks longer than the one of going to make the grave of a friend. I'm on my way to make the grave of about five thousand friends. My men were sent to scout an area and were ambushed. No one survived. As I am their king and friend, I felt every death.
Right now, the least I could do for those men and their families is at least pay tribute to them. I knew each of them like I knew my own brother. There were no better men in the kingdom than those who just lost their lives.
The Mourning Mountain isn't too far but every step feels further away from it. I want to go back to the throne room and hear that they're coming back, safe and sound. Not that some of the bodies couldn't be recovered or identified. I don't want to hear that some families wouldn't be able to bury their loved one.
At least my brother and his men are okay. They'll be back before the week is over.
The flowers proudly displayed their colors. From the delicate daisy to the graceful Sakura.
I reached up to a flowering apple tree and with tender love murmured, "Absolutely beautiful, darling."
Tomorrow, I knew the apple tree would give more blossoms. After all, what living thing doesn't want to be praised?
I sat in the cool, dark green grass as I listened to the brook beside me bubble and giggle happily. The fae nearby were having a festival that they graciously invited me to. In attempt to be a good guest, I brought some cream, honey, and absolutely nothing with iron. Iron hurts the fae.
They would help me with my garden that I was tasked to take care of. Giving them gifts was the least I could do, especially at their favorite celebration.
The sun started to go down as the festivities started to taper off. Groaning a bit, I got up, found Nightingale (my closest faerie friend) and graciously excused myself out. Today was fun and I cannot wait until tomorrow.