Chapter 18

"I'm doing this for them! That's why the kings before me started this hunt. I don't believe that thing just waltzes in here on its own. Some ungrateful person is helping those filthy creatures and brought one inside of my palace. The palace that I have boosted to other kings as the safest place on this earth!" Darius yelled up close to Alexander causing spit to land on his face.

No one would ever understand the shame he would feel when others mocked him for not having competent guards to catch one little monster. His father would have caught and tortured it by now. But no, under his rulership, Darius let a monster escape. How could everyone expect him to be level-headed in a situation like this?

Alexander should understand him more than anyone but yet, he stood in front of his king judging him.

"I don't care who whispers behind my back in fright. They should fear me! I am supposed to be the most powerful man in this kingdom and yet I don't have guards to stop something from escaping. There are hundreds of guards here, Alexander. I'm thinking about the people," Darius said, switching the subject to get Alexander on his side again. "I need to kill everything which poses a threat to them."

"Right," Alexander responded in a dull tone. He didn't believe Darius's behavior had anything to do with worrying about his people.

"You're right. I shouldn't be drinking at a time like this. I apologize if I made you scared of me," Darius apologized to the terrified maid and handed her the bottle of alcohol.

"Thank you, your highness." She took the bottle but kept her head down much to Darius's dismay as he wanted Alexander to see her accept his apology and stopped being scared. She should be punished for this later. The maid was just as incompetent as the guards.

"I know I have been spiraling out these days Alexander but it's only because the threats to our safety are becoming worse and the ministers have been pressuring me. All they ever talk about is my father, marriage, princes, and dangers even though none of them have ever picked up a sword to help. Everyone thinks the kingdom is safe since not all of those other creatures walk around in broad daylight but we are not safe. Help me get back on track to saving this kingdom Alex. I can't do it with me and you at odds."

"Stop drinking, go to bed, and we'll talk about this tomorrow when you're better. Stop scaring your people or I will leave the palace even if it means stripping all of my ranks. I will not follow a tyrant king," Alexander spoke looking Darius dead in the eyes. "I have been holding on because you and I are friends."

"You have no idea how much hearing you say that hurts me. For you to think of me becoming a tyrant. I'm just paranoid about safety. You know I always have been," Darius said recalling the stories his father used to tell him and Alexander. "One mishap tonight and I could've died. Many more of my guards could have died. One thing this has taught me was the guards needing more training."

"Instead of that plan to enter the forest, we should spend more time tightening up security here so that the guards aren't taken out easily again. I have thought about it and if there is something in the forest, it has been quiet for a long time. If you go poking around at it, we might all die just like the missing villagers. I am just as curious as you are about it however, it is too dangerous. Please reconsider it for now," Alexander bowed hoping Darius would understand where he was coming from.

There had been a warning not to go anywhere that forest as you might die and he didn't forget about the thieves screaming about a demon woman. That forest will lead to their demise if they underestimated what was on the inside. That was evident because of how the guards were easily defeated tonight.

"I'll think about it. You're there!" Darius called the maid as he did not know her name even though she had been serving him for nearly a year. "Leave me alone till morning. You can go back to your room and meet me early in the morning Alex. I'm sorry for not realizing how stressful this experience must be for you because you helped train some of the guards that died and they let you down. Think of it as we got rid of some of the weak ones and we'll be moving forward with the strong ones," he patted Alexander's back to cheer him up.

Alexander released a dry laugh because of how Darius dismissed the lives lost. Unlike Darius, he spent time with those men, ate with them, drank with them, and listened to their stories of what they wanted out of the future. They lost good men tonight and not once had Alexander referred to them as dead weight like Darius was implying. "I will be returning to my home tonight. I've spent too much time here in the palace."

"You don't have to do all of that. Your father is not even home so it will be lonely. Stay nearby in the palace where it is easy for me to call upon you."

"I apologize for having to turn down your request. Although this is an important time when you would need me, I have hurt my shoulder and therefore I would like to rest in the comfort of my own home," Alexander declined the offer. He realized he had to put some space between himself and the king in these coming days as their paths in life were becoming much different. Alexander wanted to save people and Darius wanted to have power.

It was foolish of him to hold onto the memories of the person Darius once was as a prince. He was now a king Alexander might have to slay if it meant protecting the kingdom. He suddenly remembered his father warning him Darius was royalty first and his friend second at the end of the day.