The Fire

The birds chirped and the sun was shining bright. Kian was eating lunch with his sisters when their father entered the room. They stopped eating and looked at him. He sat down and began eating with them. Blick entered the room shortly after.

"Father, I have to speak." Blick said.

"Yes?" Kael said, with his mouth full of food.

"The state of Wetherden is... well awful. The people are starving, the temples and buildings are in shambles, I even heard of a maniac killing others. Something needs to change." Blick said.

"I'll talk to my council." Kael said.

"No you won't. There hasn't been a meeting in months. I fear that they aren't even in Wetherden." Blick said.

"Watch your tone." Kael said.

"Watch your region." Blick said.

"Blick, what do you think I'm doing?" Kael asked.

"Sitting on your ass, eating food that could be given away, conspiring against your king." Blick said.

Kael's face turned red and changed.

"What did you say?" Kael asked.

"I know that Opius is sending men over. I-" Blick was interrupted.

"King Opius!" Kael said, "We are KINGS!"

"No, you are LORDS! Johan is king." Blick said.

"Leave us. I said LEAVE US!" Kael shouted.

Kian and the others left the room. Blick stared at his father.

"You do not understand. I am a king, Dython stole my region from my without actually taking it." Kael said.

"You didn't fight back." Blick said.

"Fight back? You think I should've fought? His army was ten times the size of mine. Other kings are standing up against Johan, he isn't as strong as his father was." Kael said.

"Opius and you, and everyone else who is with you, are cowards." Blick said.

"You don't know anything about power or politics. I will not let you take what I worked for away from me." Kael said.

"Justice will be done." Blick said.

"I pity your foolishness." Kael said.

As he left, Blick felt the urge to kill him, but he controlled himself. In a few days Johan would receive the letter. Blick kicked the chairs in anger and pushed everything off the table. He smashed a plate and stood in silence for a few seconds. The servants picked up the broken glass and cleaned up the mess.

Kian approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder. Blick looked at him and smiled. Kian hugged him and Blick whispered, "It'll be ok." Kian knew what he was about to do was right, but he feared for his family. The birds outside had flown away, and the clouds began to turn gray.

Johan's eyes opened and he stared at the ceiling. Kate walked in holding her bloated stomach. Johan's face lit up as he saw her. She awkwardly crawled onto the bed. Johan placed his hand on her stomach.

"Just another three months." Johan said.

"What do you hope for, a boy?" Kate asked.

"A healthy baby." he said.

"Aww, how sweet." she said.

"I love you." Johan said.

Kate kissed him and rubbed his hair. They laid in silence for a few minutes. A knight knocked on the door.

"It is very late." Johan said.

"Forgive me sir, but this is extremely important." the knight said.

"Tell me through the door." Johan said.

The moonlight bounced off Blick's face as he stared into the starry void. He heard footsteps behind him. He turned and saw Kian. Kian walked up and stood next to him. He looked afraid.

"What's on your mind, Kian?" Blick asked.

"If Johan does come here, will he kill us all?" Kian asked.

"What? No, of course not. Only those who stand against him." Blick said.

"What if I stand against him?" Kian asked.

A surprised look fell on Blick's face.

"You agree with Father?" Blick asked.

"No? Yes? I don't know..." Kian asked.

"He blames Dython for the state of Wetherden, but in reality, it was him. He stopped having meetings, he stopped sending letters to the capital, and he stopped caring for us and his people." Blick said.

"Is that why you were gone? You walked around the city?" Kian asked.

"I did. It was... unholy, sickening, and a disgrace. The people are dying, the children are starving, and the buildings are falling apart." Blick said.

"Then Johan should do something about it." Kian said.

"Johan? Johan would've if he knew." Blick said.

"So, then Father should do something." Kian said.

"Yes, he should have. But it is too late. I had a spy listen in to conversations of the people, and they are getting riled up. Not only because of Father, but of this murderer. I'm going to be honest; it doesn't look good for us. If something really bad happens, I want you to take Mary and Megan and leave. Run East to the capital. They will help you there." Blick said.

"You won't come with us?" Kian asked.

"No, I have my duties here." Blick said.

"You won't hurt him, will you?" Kian asked.

"No, of course not." Blick said, hugging Kian.

As the sun began to rise, tension rose too. Knights were being assaulted in the city. Barracks were being invaded, cattle were being killed, farms burned, and King Opius' men never arrived. Kian asked his sisters to pack up in case they needed to flee, but discreetly. Kael was more frustrated than ever.