by Ian Carter
"Who is Wolston?" Mason quizzed.
"He is the ringleader of the kidnappers," Kai explained. "They're cannibals who stole the children to ... eat." Kai's voice trailed off as Hayleigh's face was filled with horror. "They need to eat children to stay young. I don't quite know how it works."
"Prince Kai, that's impossible," Hayleigh concluded. "There is no such thing as immortality. He was lying to you."
"It didn't feel like he w—" Kai started.
An immense explosion erupted from the caves and illuminated the surrounding area in a brilliant orange and red glow. The energy of the pressure wave forcefully blew the group backward several meters. When they lifted their heads, they saw nothing but flames escaping the entrance as well as a few other holes in the mountainside. Hayleigh got up and stared in horror. She took two very shaky steps until she fell to her knees and frantically began to survey the outside of the cave for a trace of her fiancé. As her eyes came up empty, her scream pierced far farther into the night than the flames could have ever dared to reach.
Chapter Seven
Free To Be You And Me
Bells rang out and filled the chapel with their chimes as Erkau citizens filed into the city's biggest church. People spoke few words as they moved through the rows of pews in search of an open space that could seat their family. The morbid nature of the service hung over the room. Many sat on their wooden seats, adorned in dark outfits, and stared blankly into space or at the ground. Searching for something to keep their minds off the service, they began to scan the windows and pointed out ones they liked to their companions. The church bore spectacular statues and stained glass portrayals of Angels and other religious symbols and helped to keep people busy.
After all other citizens had taken their positions, Kai and Edwin finally made their way across the church's threshold. As they began to make their lonely walk up the center aisle, citizens rose from their seats and stood as the Kingdom's Prince strode past them down the aisle. Kai had never had so many saddened and sorrowful gazes pointed at him before, and he could feel their requests for peace of mind. In the time of sorrow and loss, people needed something or someone to look to for guidance, and it was his responsibility to be the symbol of recovery for the city.
The unease continued as Kai and Edwin came to the front row of pews. The parents of the slain children and City Guards filled the other seats on them, and they rose to meet Prince Kai's steps. Kai gave his condolences and gave hugs to each person who wished for them. Their tears stained his shoulder as he whispered his greetings and words of sorrow to them. Past them sat the parents of Josiah, who sat at the end of the left row. They sat stone-cold and looked at Kai with disdain. Their son had died in the rescue effort to save him and blamed him for their loss. He offered his condolences, but Josiah's mother shook him off with her head and expression.
After the awkward exchange had mercifully ended, Kai and Mason took their seats on the front right pew, in front of the church's altar. Both of them allowed their gaze to fall upon Hayleigh, kneeled motionless with her hands under her chin. She had taken off her standard armor and instead wore black mourning robes purchased earlier that day. They fit tighter than her typical robes, which made them seem more like a dress than anything else Kai had seen her wear. Both of the men attempted to send her their sympathies telepathically and hoped they could reach her. An eerie silence befell the church once the bells stopped ringing, as the city waited for the service to begin.
During the night of the explosion, Hayleigh was near inconsolable as she faced the loss of her fiancé. She had broken from Kai's grasp twice in her attempts to run into the caves before Mason grabbed hold of her for the final time. The flames licked from the entrance steadily for just shy of ten minutes before they eventually subsided. Mason, worried for everyone's safety, made Hayleigh wait another five minutes before he gave the all-clear and motioned his hand forward for everyone to enter. Tears poured from her face for hours as the group made their way around the cave system with the aid of the remaining City Guard.
After four hours, and much of the cavern system searched, Kai and Mason concluded that it was time to retire to the garrison and get some sleep. Hayleigh refused and continued with her search for Josiah until morning. As the morning sun rose, Kai and Mason awoke from their short and turbulent sleep; with the morning sleep not yet wiped from their eyes, they returned to the cave and searched by Hayleigh's side once more.
The search continued for three days before it finally finished with a grim conclusion. There was no trace of any corpses in the cave system or any other evidence of what happened inside. An investigation followed and concluded that the magic flame enveloped all in its path. All humans, animals, and material objects in the cave system were deemed lost. While the Kai, his guard, and the city guard searched the caves, the city undertook the funeral arrangements for both the children and the brave souls who risked their lives to save Prince Kai.
Hayleigh had locked herself away in her room for the two days that separated the end of the search and the funeral and refused to eat or bathe. This morning had been the first sign of her, as she left the garrison to buy her mourning robes without a word to Kai or Mason. They had decided to give her time to grieve and not interject in her mourning process.
A few moments after the bells stopped their chimes, the Erkau Children's Choir began their opening hymn. Their soft voices started at a whisper and then slowly and beautifully rose in volume. The sounds of their harmony began to lift the spirits of everyone in the church, and as they reached their crescendo, Hayleigh raised herself from her knees. She stood silently for a few seconds before she finally turned and slowly retreated to her spot beside Kai on the front pew. Those in attendance became entranced by the children's song, but they also couldn't help but see the Choir was noticeably short of a few members. Three of the captured children were members of the Choir, which caused many to shed tears as they took in the song, but the impact of the Choir's voices remained as powerful as ever. As the hymn concluded and their voices fell silent, the Church's Head Priest approached the altar.
Kai hadn't yet seen Erkau's pastor the week or so he had spent in the city. He was an older man that was probably the same age as his father, if not a bit older. His flowing white robes were ordained with striking gold and silver religious symbols and other markings. He stood at around Mason's height and used short but powerful strides to move. He settled in behind the church's altar, and his sunken face did little to hide the sorrow in his heart. He raised his hand from his podium and made the sign of the cross, which everyone in attendance repeated in unison.
"Friends and Family of Erkau, I welcome you and acknowledge the pain you hold in your hearts. I share in the same agony as all of you. We have lost many of ours and God's children in the last few days. As we hold sorrow, anger, and other emotions in our hearts, we will use the power of God and the power inside of ourselves to transform those emotions into a celebration. We will celebrate the lives of the children lost, and the lives of those who fell in the line of duty attempting to save them.
"I have always felt that when people gather together, it should be a positive and constructive experience. I dare say that the loved ones we have lost would prefer it that way. We will now begin and honor the brave sons, daughters, husbands, and wives, mothers, and fathers we have lost. I now ask the Children's Choir to please continue and sing their next hymn."
◆◆◆
"I didn't know Hayleigh was religious," Kai stated to Mason. The chapel had mostly emptied at the conclusion of service, but a few families of the fallen City Guards remained. Though most of the people had left, the emotions in the room were just as charged.
"She is not, Your Highness... However, grief takes many forms. If praying to God today brings her the slightest bit of peace, then I think she should do it. Though I admit that praying doesn't seem to be her style."
"I was too young to feel much of anything when my mother died. I don't remember at the
slightest how I felt back then. The chambermaids of the castle always made sure I had plenty of company and toys to play with. I haven't had much experience losing someone otherwise. What about you Mason?"
"I have, Your Highness," Mason began. "When I lost my birth parents, I was roughly the same age that you were when you lost your mother. I lived on the streets and existed off the charity of others with no-one to tend to me. When the charity dried up years later, I then settled on stealing just enough to get by. While I, too, don't remember the feeling of losing my parents, the emotions I felt those years fighting for my life I remember very well.
"One night, I was caught stealing from the storehouse of my adopted parents. Father was incensed, but mother somehow managed to calm him down long enough for her to ask me why I did it. Once they heard what I had gone through, they quickly took me as their own, and the rest is history. I learned a lot from them, and I'm genuinely grateful to them. Father passed away nine years ago, and mother a year later. I was fortunate enough to see it coming, and I was able to spend time with them. Having so much time to prepare myself mentally made it easier.
"Hayleigh, on the other hand, felt she had the rest of her life to spend with Josiah. There is no greater pain than to have a lifetime of potential ripped away from you," Mason remarked sombrely. "So while I do not share the same pain, I know what it's like to lose the loving embrace of a family. If she needs us to be, we can be a new family for her."
"What can we do to help her, Mason?"
"As long as she knows that we are here for her, that will be enough at the beginning," Mason replied. "When she needs something more, Hayleigh is the type of girl who will seek it out. We can only remind her that we're easy to find."
Kai took a few moments to think about Mason's words before he made up his mind and began to walk over to Hayleigh. She had been kneeling before the altar now for over twenty minutes, not moving. The tears she had been crying earlier had also stopped, but the trail of her old tears still glistened on her skin. Kai approached on her left and brushed aside his robes before he dropped to his knees. Kai made sure he fell silently on one of the pillows for those who wanted to pray. He copied Hayleigh's body position verbatim by placing his hands beneath his chin and closing his eyes.
Kai had never prayed before, as he was not the religious type. He strictly believed that his life was up to him to decide and did not believe in a guiding hand from God. In the wake of this grim and shocking loss, he felt the need to honor those who had died. His thoughts swirled and asked himself if this was what Hayleigh was doing. Was she praying for everyone, Josiah, or maybe for herself? Kai decided that he would take a small moment to honor each of his fallen citizens, the twelve children, along with the many City Guards. Kai prayed to each of their names, ending on Josiah. He thanked Josiah for what he had done for Hayleigh, his sacrifice for both his city and kingdom and finally for saving him.
A small bump shook Kai from his meditation. He opened his eyes to see Hayleigh had dropped her forehead directly against his shoulder. Tears had once again begun to flow from her eyes as she softly whimpered. Kai reached his right arm around and began to rub his hand against her back gently.
"You have my deepest sympathies Hayleigh," Kai softly spoke as he rested his head on top of hers. "I'm so sorry that I couldn't have done more to help Josiah and the children. I'm sorry for getting kidnapped in the first place." Hayleigh didn't react at all to Kai's condolences and instead opted to continue with crying on his shoulder. After a minute or so of pondering the 'correct' words for the situation, he tried again.
"Mason and I are here for you. If there is anything we can do for you, say it and it will be done. Once we finish here, we can discuss you possibly going back to the Capital if that is what you wish, or even if you want to stay here and take over as City Wat—"
"I want to stay with you," Hayleigh finally spoke.
"What?" Kai couldn't help but be surprised by the immediate rebuttal.
"I want to continue with you and Mason," Hayleigh continued. "What's done is done. Going back to the Capital or remaining here won't change the fact that he's gone. Nothing will." She took her right hand and brushed away from the mist from her eyes. "What I can do, though, is do my duty to my kingdom and my prince. I want to see our mission to its end. Josiah was a proud man, and he took his job seriously. If I want to honor him properly, I should do what he would have wanted. So I will stay with you and Mason, Your Highness.
"This pain I feel," Hayleigh continued. "Is worse than anything I've ever felt. It feels like I'm drowning, and I can't think straight when I think of the families of everyone who got hurt in the attack. I just ... I want to make sure no-one else has to feel this way. This isn't just your mission anymore. It's ours."
Kai felt emotions well up under his Adam's apple. He had been able to stay stoic and respectful during the service for the citizens who needed him to be reliable. But seeing his usually vibrant and explosive mentor and friend of his speaking with such conviction affected him deeply. He attempted to cast his face in another direction, but Hayleigh raised her head and saw his raw emotion. She gave a small smile and returned her head to his shoulder.
"I suppose it was rude of me to bring up the mission when you are still mourning. It looks like I'm still a little immature to be a prince you can be proud of serving."
"You're doing the best you can, and I appreciate you thinking of what is best for me. I truly do, my prince," Hayleigh whispered.
"I know nothing of the pain that you're feeling," Kai whispered back. "But that doesn't mean that I cannot do what I can to help you sort through it and come out the other side of this. When you're ready, we'll continue onwards."
"On one condition."
"What? What's your condition?"
"That we find the bastard who did this and bring him to justice."
"You don't have to ask me twice," Kai replied with an attempted playful, arrogant tone. "Whoever did this will wish he had never stepped foot in my kingdom, you have my word."
"Thank you, Kai," Hayleigh replied. "Could I ask you one more favour?"
"Of course. What is it?"
"Can we stay like this, just a little longer?"
"Sure. You have thirty seconds," Kai and Hayleigh said. They laughed softly as Mason couldn't help but smile.
◆◆◆
"By royal decree, I name you Aleksander Rasputin, acting City Watchman. The duration will be for the remainder of the rotation that the late City Watchman held," Kai announced to the rousing applause from the city guard who circled the no-frills ceremony. "It's been a very long time since a City Watchman outside the Capital has had a ceremony like this. Do well to serve in a way that would please my father and me."
"Of course! Thank you, Your Highness! I will carry out my duties with the care and attention they deserve," Aleksander replied gratefully. "I could never thank you enough."
Aleksander kneeled before Kai, and Kai still could not believe that such a large man could exist. Aleksander was the same man who had greeted Kai when he first arrived in Erkau, and now he was appointed to the position of City Watchman. Aleksander looked to be in his early thirties and fashioned an immensely thick, black beard. He bore a battle axe on his back in addition to the Silver Blade at his side. He was also well known around town for being as ferocious as anyone on the battlefield. His dark brown leather armor matched the armor of his comrades, as a new City Watchman uniform had to be ordered.
He raised himself from his knees, and Kai could not believe how thick Aleksander's thighs were and compared them to tree trunks. He was an entire mountain of a man and Kai was thrilled that someone like him would never be on the opposite side of a battlefield. Yet, Kai was slightly annoyed that so many manly men existed to make him look like such a child in comparison. His stature, and his nomination by other City Guards for competent service, gave Kai a sense of security knowing the right man would be taking over.
"Ha, it is more than fine. I find it amusi
ng how you went from welcoming me to the gate upon my arrival to being named to the top post in the city upon my departure. My visit has been beneficial to your status, Aleksander."
"I will never forget your kindness and belief in me, Your Highness," Aleksander exclaimed as he bowed profusely. He then turned to Hayleigh, who stood next to Kai. "You have my deepest condolences, Hayleigh. Josiah was one hell of a man and a great leader. I will not disgrace the post of City Watchman, of that you can be sure."
"Aleksander, I know your aptitude in combat and your ability to resolve conflicts. You would have earned your place in the rotation eventually, even without these circumstances. I trust you with the city's protection."
"I will do the job right, Hayleigh. It is humbling to have the confidence of such fine people. But enough of me, I believe you will be leaving tomorrow morning? Is there anything I can do to aid you in your trip to Stura?"
"Well now that you mention it," Mason chimed up. "Would you happen to have a spare carriage available for us to use for the remainder of the trip? I'm afraid the three of us aren't used to riding horses at length, and this mission will be a long one."