Undying Blood - Beta - Chapter 022 -

Francis had made sure to remember all the names and details he could. Weaving a lie and making sure it was the same each time would be the only way he didn’t get tripped up over the telling of it.

At least he isn’t on his throne.

They had moved to a different section of the tent, past some curtains, which led to an area with cushioned couches and tables covered in food and drink.

“I’m good, thank you your highness. General Stenson already fed me.”

Nodding, the king sat down in a chair across from him, his wife in a matching chair, though it almost swallowed her.

“The details I have been given have been difficult to hear.  Do you really believe that what you say will come to pass?”

“All I can tell you is if tomorrow goes the way as what I have seen, every warrior outside of the veteran and cavalry will die.  The only chance you have is not to repeat certain things… even then, I’m not certain if that will be enough.”

Frowning, Baxter crossed his arms and huffed.

“Your gift doesn’t show what happens if we do what you say? What is the point of it then? Why would–”

“Dear, do not forget, he is a sage.”

Sighing, the king nodded, putting a hand on top of the hand his wife held out.

“Forgive me… I just had hoped we might be finding an end to all this.”

“No need to apologize at all. I feel the same way, my King.  If I could tell you how every act would play out, I would gladly be that tool for the gods. Unfortunately, I only have what one might call a single possible path.  From there, perhaps I will see others that work or do not.”

“A single path?” The Queen asked. “Every action has countless paths that stem from one choice and then lead to another set, creating a spiderweb or tapestry one can never truly view until a life is over?”

She smiled after sharing her ideas on this concept.

Is she some kind of philosopher or does she know something I don’t?

“You are correct,” Francis replied with a slight bow of his head. “For example, and I mean this in no way disrespectful, if I were to stand up and slap the king, my choice would lead to some very short paths.”

A chuckle and a nod came from the queen as her husband frowned.

“Even with my status as Sage, it would not be enough to prevent me from dying, most likely. Yet, not making that choice allows me to make other decisions. Each of those forces me down a path from which there may be no return.  Tomorrow's battle, while I can help tell you how it might go and the dangers of repeating yourselves, will only work for that one path.  After we potentially stop it, who is to say what comes next? Some of what I know might still be helpful, while other paths may be worse than what I have seen.  Only the gods know what is possible.”

“So tell me then, what exactly do you know?” Baxter asked.

Leaning forward and resting an arm on his knee, Francis smiled.

“Let’s start from the beginning.”

***

Neither of the rulers of the kingdom said anything, having heard all about the spells the other side had used> The mention of the elite that would defeat Stenson and the beastkin Baxter described as a rhino had turned Queen Auri’s face white for a moment.

Thumbing his nose, the King frowned.

“So one path leads to success for a moment while the other leads to complete destruction. Yet you do not know if using our heal spell during that other spell will have any chance of saving our troops?”

“I do not… though I would imagine it might fail.  Even then, there is no guarantee they would use it until later if you didn’t use your healing spell. I think that is what I’m supposed to truly warn you of.”

“A warrior able to defeat Stenson,” Auri said quietly. “How strong must it be?”

“Do you think I could defeat it?” asked Baxter.

“I wish I knew, your highness, but I have not been shown that path and I doubt your wife or the rest of the advisors would be excited to see you face such a creature.  Especially if the only way I know it shows itself is if you lose most of your troops.”

Nodding, the King’s frown grew.

“And if we don’t attack tomorrow?”

“I have no vision of that beyond, nor do I have any way of knowing.  I will be honest, my ability is limited but there is power in knowledge.”

Sighing, he stood up, moving behind the chairs and pacing a little bit.

“So we still fight, change up our spells some and do not use our healing spell, waiting to see how they respond in kind… It’s not a horrible change, but even if we lose half of the men from purely fighting, it is still better than losing them all.”

Francis’s head moved up and down as he agreed with that thought.

“After having seen what I have seen, all we can do is hope that tomorrows battle goes better than it did.”

The queen leaned forward, her green eyes sparkling as her red hair spilled around her shoulders.

“How do you see it?”

“The vision?”

“Yes,” she replied with a smirk. “Is it like you live the vision? See it like from a bird's perspective? Something else?”

“Ahh… it’s like I’m there, but I’m not.  Perhaps a few feet from behind and over my shoulder?” Francis lied. “I can’t see what goes on behind me or outside of I guess, what would be my normal vision, but I remember details and small things.”

“And so this conversation we’re having right now?”

“We’ve never had it before.”

Still grinning, she leaned back and crossed her arms.

“Yet you seem so comfortable with my husband, even though you have never met him.  It’s strange as even those who have been with him for decades are not this relaxed.”

Shit… did I push this too much? Guess I can only play the card I’ve been playing.

“The truth is, I’m not nervous.  From what I witnessed, I know he cares about his kingdom and his people.  The anger and pain I saw in his eyes and on his face when the enemy did what they did told me that your husband wants this war to end and with as few casualties as possible. Inside, I knew I just needed to be honest and upfront.”

Her eyes never left him and finally, she nodded slowly.

“He’s telling most of the truth.”

Blinking rapidly a few times, Francis knew his facial expression had changed as the pair of them both frowned.

“Why are you lying at all?” Baxter asked, leaning against the back of the chair, his oversized hands looking ready to snap off the furniture if he said the wrong thing by how white his fingers were becoming.

“Forgive me if I don’t tell you everything about my power. Would you tell me everything about yours if we just met?”

Snorting, he shook his head.

“No… only one person in this entire kingdom knows my true power and she is the only one I trust.”

“I didn’t ask for this skill. I… I wasn’t certain how to even use it when I got it. Now, I think I’m beginning to understand it a little more.  So I’ll ask for forgiveness at how I have spoken and my casual tone.  Just know I need to be trained as hard as possible.  I need to become the greatest warrior I can be.”

A small nod came from the queen and Baxter’s fingers regained their normal color.

“Very well.  We shall start on that right now. Tell me, Sage Francis, what is your weapon skill?”

“I have a twenty-six in my sword skill and a seventeen in my shield use.”

“Impressive,” the king replied. “That does make things a little bit harder but there are ways to help with that. Are you willing to endure pain?”

“I’m the ninth son, Your Highness. All I’ve ever known is pain.”

An unexpected sigh came and the Baxter frowned slightly.

“That… is true and I most likely am one of many who play a part in that suffering. For that I apologize. Let me do what I can to fix some of that and we’ll prepare for tomorrow. On a different note, you have a brother and he is here with you?”

“General Stenson has him currently… or had him in his tent. Where he is right now, I’m not certain but he might be…” Francis paused, grinning when he did. “Michael might be enjoying the fruit of my position with a few women who came to offer assistance.”

“Dear gods, are you serious?” the queen asked.

“I am… they were excited to do what I asked, which was to treat him as if they were treating me.”

Baxter roared with laughter and ignored the gaze his wife shot him over her shoulder.

“You are bad at encouraging this behavior!”

“And yet, my love, we both know that our kingdom has always operated under the premise of breeding those with strong skills and powers.  It is why…”

He trailed off, eyes resting on Francis.

“It’s why there are boys and men like me who endure what we do. Tell me real quick, why only the third son? Why not the fourth or the second?”

Neither said a word for a moment, each of them staring at the other for a good half minute before the king cleared his throat.

“There are many things which are not common knowledge and while you are a Sage… telling you isn’t something I’m quite ready to do just yet. Perhaps in time.  Just know, tests were done and… after the third son, it was often discovered that the power contained within was less.”

“Is it–”

“No more questions, please,” Baxter interrupted. “Now then, let me take care of your training situation. I’m certain we can get you a few hours, possibly as many as six before if you are up for it.”

Rising from his seat, Francis nodded. 

“Nothing else would make me happier.”

“Gods, he’s telling the truth,” groaned the queen. “This fool really wants to train that bad!”

“You mean Sage Francis wants to train.”

Baxter motioned for him to follow and as they left the area they had been reclining in, he overheard the queen whisper to herself.

“That boy… his skill could maybe be…”

Before he could hear the rest, the curtain to that area dropped behind him and all sound was cut off.

Standing a few yards away was the General, dressed as if he was about to go to war.

“Just the man we were looking for,” Baxter said as he motioned to Francis.

“He wants to train and raise his sword and shield skill.  He has a twenty six and a seventeen.  Our Sage is also willing to suffer to grow.”

Grinning, Stenson nodded and motioned to the tent flap that would take them outside.

“Nothing better than a warrior who understands the need for pain.”

What the hell have I gotten myself into?

Seeing the glint in both men’s eyes and how they appeared to be sharing some secret that was obviously far worse than he could have prepared for, Francis tried to steel himself for whatever that would be.

“I need to get stronger, no matter the cost.”

“Fine words, boy, fine words,” replied Stenson. “Now then, follow me, and I’ll see if they are just words or if your actions and heart match them as well.”

As they left the tent, he could feel the king’s eyes following him, almost as if searching inside for a clue of some kind.

Whoever decided I needed this skill, I’m going to have to decide whether to thank you or be upset.