Second Born

by Lance Wilson

  It is late in the night, the funeral had taken a lot out of everyone and the castle is empty with the exception of a few lone guards patrolling. Mellyruna is in his small cottage packing his things into a bag. It is time, he has thought it over for some time now and as much as he may want to stay he doesn’t belong to the Wolfpride. He steps into the cold crisp night, snow is on the ground. He has chosen to leave in the dead of night knowing that he can’t bring himself to face the others, to say goodbye to them, Griffin most of all, would he even know why he is leaving. Noin is in a small cottage along the main courtyard of the palace reading when she hears something outside. Slowly she turns from her book and looks out. It can’t be. It is Mellyruna; over his shoulder are his sword, and his pack. This makes no sense, why would he leave. She waist no time and throws on her fur lined coat and rushes out to him.

  “Mellyruna” she shouts at him once she is close enough

  Mellyruna stops in his tracks, he was hoping to slip away unnoticed. No matter. Perhaps he can talk to her and she can help the others understand why he must leave.

  “Mellyruna are you, are you leaving us, answer me. I’m sorry, I know we don’t get along that well but we have worked side by side for so long all the hard work we endured as hawks is just not baring fruit, and this is just the beginning but more then that… I” but she is stopped as he holds up his hand, never turning to look at her

  “Thank you, but I’ve already made up my mind” Mellyruna says his voice soft and calm

  “Please don’t” she says her voice like that of a child now. A child calling out to a parent not to leave them.

  “I can’t stay, I can’t live under the weight of his dream any longer, buried by it. Noin I hope you and Griffin live well.” he says and smiles, he has seen it in there eyes, they love each other and in the end she will have him. No matter what he thinks or how blind he may be, she will make sure that she is at his side tell the gates of hell open up and claim them both.

  “Oy” a voice says just down the road behind Noin.

  Noin turns to see that she is finally not alone. Behind her stands the two brothers Zeques Marquese and Millardo Peacecraft. They both have their hands in there pockets and walks slowly toward the two. Mellyruna doesn’t need to turn; he would know that voice anywhere. You always know the voices of those who have fought with you for years, through the brightest and the darkest of times.

  “Zeques, Millardo” Noin says with a breath of relief

  “Please give us your company for just a moment” Zeques says and keeps walking past Noin and wraps his arm around Mellyruna.

  Mellyruna thinks of telling them no. That he must be going while his still has the nerve to do it. But he owes them an explanation. He owes them that, and so much more.

  “Griffin, maybe Griffin will be able to stop him.” Noin whispers and with that thought dashes off to the palace. Meanwhile Zeques, Millardo and Mellyruna all walk down the street tell they come to a small tavern. The tavern is mostly empty but there are still a few people. The bartender sees the lot of them and gives them a low bow. They had just been knighted and it has been too long since he has received patrons of such noble title in his little bar. Millardo and Mellyruna sit at a corner table as Zeques fetches three large mugs of ale. The three sip for a moment before Zeques feels it is time to talk.

  “What happened, why so sudden” Zeques asks his voice curious but not angry.

  “This isn’t sudden, I’ve been thinking about this since the last campaign” Mellyruna says and take another deep drink of his ale.

  “Why are you discontent” he asks but almost sure he knows the answer, war eats at men and some aren’t cut out for it. He just thought that Mellyruna would have been, even now it doesn’t seem to fit.

  “No Zeques, nothing like that, these past years have meant everything to me it feels like I’ve been at a festival full of excitement” Mellyruna says sure that he is thinking his leaving has to do with the Wolfpride.

  “Then I don’t understand why, Millardo come on” Zeques asks and looks over at his brother

  The whole time Mellyruna and Zeques have been talking Millardo has pulled one of the bar waitresses to the side and has been talking to her. Telling how he is a knight and can make her dreams come true, also telling her that he is hung like a pony. Zeques only rolls his eyes “we’ve obtained the impossible and spilled our blood to achieve it, and your prepared to give all this up, answer me” Millardo says growling now at Mellyruna, it is no secret that the two of them have never gotten along.” Zeques says calmly

  Mellyruna only looks at him in silence, he thought by now the answer to that would have been clear.

  “Well do what makes you happy, which to a normal man would include dancing with the ladies at court but all you seem to be interested in is slaying the enemy” Millardo says and shrugs his shoulder, he acts like it doesn’t bother him but both Zeques and Mellyruna can hear the edge to his voice

  “Your right Millardo, it’s true I would rather fight for my life then live it. When I took my first life I was still a child with out any idea of what I was doing. Yet since that time I have learned nothing more, only refining the art of slaughter. So that I may live I take life. But I was content, no one, there was no one there to lead me. And then I learned what I needed to grow stronger, my longing would never help me to crush the skulls of my enemies, I became my own master. Then I met him, the man who made me challenge what I held true, made me need his respect. He possessed nothing but he intended on obtaining everything. But he aspired to reach such great heights that the idea of loosing all that it promised was unacceptable. That is why I cannot afford to let the weak get too close. And yet recognizing his ceaseless ambition there is no one in this world I respect more then him. But to be beneath him serving his dream and admiring him, I can no longer stomach it. I want to be at his side, an equal when I have forged something for myself. No more, no more will I be anything less to Griffin then his equal” Mellyruna says finally getting his thoughts out.

  Both of them are taken back. Neither of them thought of that reason. Millardo thought it was something stupid but Zeques just figured he was done. Neither expected that he would be leaving so that one day he could meet Griffin on the field not only as a friend but also as an equal. So few have dared to dream for something so high. Like aiming for the stars.

  “You think yourself Griffin’s equal. Damn you and your childish bitching, I won’t listen to it. Griffin is exceptional and you are beneath him. You should be grateful for the rank that Griffin and no one else saw fit to bestow upon you. The position an ass like you doesn’t deserve.” Millardo says slamming his fist on the table. How dare he be so arrogant, to think him their betters, that he could ever be on equal ground as someone like Griffin.

  “I don’t want anything another man can give me. If he grants me anything then it is his and not my own.” Mellyruna says simply. He can’t live any longer on the table scraps of another. Not Griffin, not Mecmed, it’s time he found his own path and carved his own road.

  “Now you sound like a god damned woman. Too good for his crumbs are you, well if wanting was enough to make something happen then we would all be kings. A real man has a responsibility to face up to reality. Realize his limitation and make compromises. Your just too damned weak to admit that you’ve exceed your station and you look to the horizon praying for what will never be cause your just a coward.” Millardo says and stands his hands pressed on the table so hard that they tremble.

  “Zeques” Millardo says shocked at what he is hearing, he never thought he would hear his brother talk this way.

  “What about you, are you the only man to never dream.” Mellyruna says and stares at him hard in the eyes.

  For a moment there is only silence between the two, but soon Millardo turns away and finishes his ale in one drink

  “Hmm, I’ve had enough
, if you say another word I think I’ll kill myself” Millardo says and with that slams his cup on the table and walks out of the door.

  The two watch him walk away and then take another drink.

  “Sad thing is, he was a leader once, some bandits a long time ago. It was a small band and it was short lived but it was his. As for me, I’ve always been clever enough to do most things well. Quick with a sword and dagger I was always a better fencer fighter and archer then anyone around. Of course I would never be a master of anything. So I made a decision, if I would never be the best then I would find the man who could and serve at his side. Every man at some point tries for greatness. It’s getting late; I’ll see you out there. I hope you find it, that thing that makes you whole,” Zeques says and finishes his won ail.

  Mellyruna can see the sincerity in his eyes. He is truly only wishing the best for him. A true friend, a true brother.

  “Walk me out” Mellyruna says and puts his hand on Zeques

  “Deal” he says as he watches Mellyruna get up and throw his bag over his shoulder.

  The two walk down the road and out of the palace in silence. They go for some time tell the palace is only far behind them but not quite out of sight. It is the edge of the kingdoms main land.

  “Alright this is far enough” Mellyruna says as they begin to pass the last rise.

  Passing the next rise Mellyruna stops in shock. Standing before him is all of the Wolfpride. All of them dress ready to say goodbye to him. Before he can do anything the youngest Judo runs up to him and wraps his hand around him like a child hugging his older brother. He has seen this child spill blood with all the others; it is so easy to forget how young he really is.

  “Mellyruna, wait, your so mean” judo says and buries his face into Mellyruna’s shirt.

  “What’s this” Mellyruna asks confused but lays his hand on the boy just the same

  “How can you leave without saying anything, what happened, don’t you like us anymore” judo says and looks up at him with tears in his eyes.

  “Judo” Mellyruna says and looks down at him.

  He then looks up as something else gets his attention. Griffin is just now stepping out from behind the group. He is not smiling; there is seriousness to his eyes.

  “Are you leaving” Griffin says and steps away from the rest of the group.

  “Ya” Mellyruna not sure what else to say, is there anything else to say

  “You’re turning your back on the Wolfpride” Griffin says testing him, testing his defenses. He must keep Mellyruna with him he just has to know what to say to make him want to stay.

  “I’m sorry” Mellyruna says calmly, perhaps he is right and he is betraying them, but this is the only way.

  “Please explain it to me so I can understand. The pride has been like a family to you and now that we’re doing so well your just going to leave us” judo says his eyes wide and brimmed with more tears.

  “Judo leave him be” Zeques says gently taking judo from Mellyruna

  “Why” judo asks looking from Zeques to Mellyruna

  “It’s a man’s decision, don’t make it any harder on him” Zeques says knowing that this is not easy on Mellyruna, and they shouldn’t make it harder for him.

  “But Mellyruna is the commander of the Wolfpride raiders. He’s important to the prides success” judo says and looks hard at Mellyruna, the truth is that is only a small reason why he wants him to stay.

  “We were undefeated before he joined us, we don’t need him” Millardo says a huff in his voice,

  “But” judo says but can’t get anything else out

  “Shut up, hay I don’t like you, I never liked you. I see what you are, you’re a fake and a coward you’re not special and you will never be like Griffin. I’ll tell you one more thing too. If we ever meet on the battlefield you better watch your back” Millardo says and walks back to the rest of the group.

  “Mellyruna” judo says in a whisper

  “Thanks for everything” Mellyruna says and looks at the rest of them. He is trying to burn their faces into his brain. He can only guess how long it will be before he meets them again.

  Taking a deep breath Mellyruna hefts his pack up and goes to walk past the group but is stopped as Griffin draws his blade at him. Only pointing it down at the ground. Mellyruna can see the intensity in his eyes.

  “I told you long ago that you belong to me Mellyruna. I won you that day by my sword. Your life, your deaths they are both mine. If you wish to be free of me the rules have not changed it is as it was before, draw your sword and take your freedom from Me.” he says his voice cold as the wind that blows in the mourning air. He knows this is the only way to keep him. He cannot let him leave; he is too important, too valuable.

  “Griffin please” Noin says her eyes wide with horror at what she is seeing

  “Would you settle for a smile and a fond farewell?” Mellyruna says with a small smile

  His warmth and smile are met with only a cold stare. So this is it, this is how this must end

  “So be it.” Mellyruna says and drops his back and draws his blade

  “Stop this, what do you think your doing, are you really willing to kill each other” Noin says trying to understand the need for this, why must it come to blades, to death.

  Griffin only slashes at the air around him and gets into his stance. A calm relaxed stance.

  “Step aside Noin don’t interfere” Mellyruna says his voice now cold as well. This is his friend, a brother but he must treat this as any other duel or he will loose

  “What has gotten into you, if you to go at it someone is going to die” Noin says pleading with the two of them so that they can see the insanity of it all

  “Once it has gotten this far there is no turning back, this is there fight. We don’t have the right to come between them.” Zeques says gripping her arm and pulling her back with the others.

  ‘Those eyes, they look as if they are focused on an enemy. But even if he hates me… I… must… . go. It really is just as it was those years ago. So as it started, so shall it end. A duel, it couldn’t be any other way. This fight at least shows me that you still value me, enough to bleed for me’ Mellyruna says deep inside his head. His own thought showing him what Griffin is really doing, beyond the actions he must see what is in his friend’s heart

  ‘He has gotten so strong now, but Griffin can beat him. Then things will be as they were before. I wish, yes I wish Mellyruna wouldn’t leave us’ Noin thinks to herself clutching her hands in front of her almost touching her chin with them.

  ‘I can sense no anger from him, no rage, no fear, he is empty present. Is your wish to be free of me so strong? No I will not allow it, victory shall be won by the first strike. He will attack high as he does, I will parry disengage and lung for the neck. But if I miss my mark by any small degree I could kill him. No I cannot allow this. If he will not be mine his life is forfeit’ Griffin thinks to himself, he has seen this man in battle many times he can read him. His style is simple and easily dealt with. Just a matter of controlling his own strike.

  The fight happens in an instant, Griffin makes the first move. A lung. Mellyruna does just as he though he would and raises his sword high for a strike. Griffin knowing the proper way to deal with hit holds his sword above him. His goal, to block the blade and slide it along, parry, then a quick cut to the throat to make sure Mellyruna knows he lost. The blades hits and it is in that instant that Griffin realizes his mistake, he has underestimated his opponent. The moment Mellyruna’s blade hits Griffin’s the blade snap like a twig the tip sent spinning into the air. Mellyruna stops his blade just before it touches Griffin’s shoulder. It is enough. Griffin knows that if he kept going Mellyruna could have easily cleaved him in two. The shock of the battle overtakes him and Griffin drops his blade, and then drops to his kne
es his eyes wide unbelieving in what has just happened to him. Mellyruna only picks up as bag and shoulders his blade once again. He then continues to keep walking, he can’t look back he can’t allow him that moment of weakness. He loves them they are his family but he must keep going, his own path is out there, waiting, somewhere.