The Union

That was the first thing Timothy heard from Arthur after they entered the tent.

Timothy sat on his chair and leaned back. He closed his eyes and was silent.

"Well?" Arthur asked again. "Are you not going to say something? Are you not going to curse me or reprimand me or something?"

"Don"t make it sound like I"m bullying you Arthur. What"s done is done. You already ruined the night. Do me a favor and just shut up okay?"

Timothy ma.s.saged his throbbing head. He was still angry at Arthur but like what he said, what"s done is done. Shouting or cursing at the prince would just exacerbate his headache.

Timothy heard the cloth of the tent flap "Your Majesty" Henry"s voice sounded.

Timothy opened his eyes. He was dizzy from the headache and he was not in the mood to talk. "Just tell me the summary, I"ll read the whole report tomorrow."

"The reports are still unclear but I already know the gist of it. We lost just over a hundred men from the attack with most of the casualties coming from Prince Arthur"s unit. As for the enemies, we can expect that they suffered nearly a thousand casualties."

"And how is he?" Timothy asked. He was referring to Abraham. After breaking through the enemy ranks, Abraham was injured. Apparently, an enemy unhorsed Abraham using the hook of a halberd. The hook bit through his armor and slightly punctured his chest.

"The wound looks bad but I think he will live. The Omniscient grants healing to those who are brave and righteous." replied Henry.

Timothy sighed. He was relieved. Although he wanted to be impartial towards his guards, Abraham was sort of his favorite. He had seen the development of Abraham from a coward to someone who will lead a cavalry charge in the front.

"The two of you can leave. I believe the officers can take care of the wounded and the paperworks so you can rest for tonight." Timothy said as he slumped back in his chair. He ma.s.saged his head again. The headache was killing him.

Arthur left the tent but Henry didn"t. The knight went to the table and made a cup of tea. He handed Timothy the cup. "It will help. Coupled with a proper rest, the pain will soon be gone."

"Thank you" Timothy said as he took the cup. He drank the tea and its warmth slightly reduced the pain.

"So, what"s bugging you? Something tells me that Prince Arthur"s actions are not the only cause of your headache."

Timothy took a sip again. "You know Erik right?"

"Erik Connel, the son of Marquis Benedict Connel?"

Timothy nodded.

"Yes" Henry sat in front of him. "I have met him once. Freya also told me a lot about him. Why?"

"I saw him. When I was on my way to reinforce Arthur, I saw him. Ivan"s soldiers were chasing him. He called for my name and asked for my help but I did not help him. There was no time and Arthur needed my immediate help."

Timothy closed his eyes and remembered the pained look on Erik"s face.

"And you feel bad for choosing Arthur over Erik." The knight correctly guessed. "I would also feel that way if I were you. From what I"ve heard, Erik, Freya and you were close. Well, there"s nothing I can say that you haven"t thought of because you are probably several times smarter than me. So I will listen for now. My ears are all yours."

It took Timothy a few moments to organize his thoughts and feelings. "I would have done it again if I was presented with the same choice. Even though Erik is suffering, I would abandon him again for Arthur"s life. The moment I put a crown on top of my head, I understood that someday I will encounter choices like this. A choice between following either the heart or the mind, such a cruel choice to make. Nevertheless, I made a choice Henry. A King must make a choice, you got it!?" He turned his gaze towards Henry. He then continued.

"He probably hates me now, but what can I do!? It"s either him or Arthur. I know that I did the right choice, so why do I feel this way!?" There was tremor in his voice and his heart was in disarray. He was agitated.

Henry remained silent and Timothy thought that the Knight had already fallen asleep. But Henry soon asked him a question.

"What if that was Lucia? Let"s say that she was not the Princess of Vanadis and was simply your lover. Would you still abandon her in that state for Arthur?"

"Of course I would…"

Timothy stopped because he realized that his choice would be different if that was Lucia. Seeing her in that state would probably affect him enough that he will follow his heart over his mind. He would have saved her and abandoned Arthur instead. He would have forfeited his dreams of becoming the King and fixing Castonia just to save her. He would have lost his reason if that was her. He could organize another attack and just rescue her a few days later but he wouldn"t do that. He would save her immediately. Her suffering was more painful to him compared to Erik"s suffering.

And then it occurred to him that his words earlier were all just to mask a simple fact – He abandoned a friend. Hard choices a King must make? A lie. He abandoned Erik because his ambition is more important than his friend. A right choice? There was no right choice to begin with. He chose ambition over friendship.

Timothy was annoyed by Henry"s question because it showed him the truth, a terrifying truth that he is changing. Henry must have also realized it.

"I"m sorry. My mouth is blabbering useless things. I"m really.."

"Leave Henry. I need to rest." Timothy said flatly.

"Then good night Your Majesty" Henry stood up and went to the exit. But Timothy asked him a question before he could leave.

"Henry, am I evil?" he asked with a pained voice.

Henry stopped and turned around. There was a small smile in his face. "If you were, I wouldn"t be serving you. Doing a few mistakes doesn"t make a man evil. But be careful Tim, the heart is a treacherous thing. I"ll try my best to be your compa.s.s but in the end, you alone are responsible for your own actions."

Timothy nodded. The past few days, he felt that he was turning into someone he is not. He is afraid that he was losing his morals. He then decided that he will rectify his mistakes towards Erik.

He looked at Henry. "Tomorrow, send Elisar and Jop to spy around. Order them to find Erik"s location. I will get my friend back at all cost"

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The morning was cold, freezing even. But Erik didn"t mind the cold. Something else was on his mind.

He was hurt. He knew that Timothy had his reasons and will come back for him, but he was still hurt. Timothy left him just like that.

After his recapture, he was dragged back to his cell. His previous guards were punished and replaced. Now Erik was back in his cell with his b.u.t.t sitting in the cold ground.

"So you"re back" Sylvie"s voice sounded from behind.

Erik turned his head and forced a smile. "I am. A certain person whose name I don"t want to hear right now, did not help me."

Sylvie sat and leaned against his back. The cold iron bars separated them.

"By the way, I"m glad you"re alright." Erik whispered. He was worried that Skall and Ivan would find out that it was Sylvie who released him.

"They would never suspect me. They think I"m nothing but a crazy woman. Well I am, probably."

Erik laughed. For the first time since last night, he felt lighthearted. "Well who would suspect a crazy b.i.t.c.h after all."

"Hey! Can you be little nicer to me?" Sylvie pouted. "Last night…" she stopped as if remembering their tearful goodbye last night. "Oh G.o.d. This is so awkward! I even said those things."

"You were so dramatic last night that I was nearly moved by your words." Erik teased. He then smiled. "But thank you Sylvie. Thank you for going that far for me"

"You"re welcome Erik" Sylvie said. She then rubbed her head against his. He had always been annoyed by this habit of hers but after last night he found it enjoyable.

"So, do you hate him now?" Sylvie asked the question which answer Erik himself doesn"t want to hear. Does he hate Timothy now after what happened?

"I"m hurt Sylvie. It is painful. He left me just like that. I"m angry at him. But I don"t think I hate him. He is still my friend, he will always be my friend."

"Good" Sylvie said.

Erik looked at her. "Why?"

Sylvie leaned closer to his ear and whispered. "Because I"m planning another escape for you. You need to go back to Timothy. They have tightened your security after what happened last night but I will find a way. I promise you, I will find a way."

Erik was touched. When he first met her, he never expected that she will turn out like this. "You must escape too."

"Yes, I will go to Wismar a few days after your escape."

"No, come with me. I will take you to Greenwater. I know you can"t face Timothy and Lucia and they probably hate you, but I will protect you. I need you Sylvie"

"But.."

"Please Sylvie, come with me." Erik held her hand and pleaded.

Her face showed signs of anxiety but he could tell that she was happy for his offer. "Is that really okay? I"m emotionally unstable and protecting me will cause friction between you and Timothy."

"It"s okay. So it"s a promise then. You will find a way out for both of us and I will take you to Greenwater." He gripped her hand harder.

Sylvie nodded and smiled. "I"m looking forward to seeing the famous Greenwater Bay"