The Prince of Warwood and The War of Kings

by Clinton, J. Noel

  “Great!” Xavier moaned, flopping back into his bed. It was going to be a long freaking day. He moved slowly, but he took a shower and dressed.

  As he sleepily climbed down the staircase, his father called out, “Here!” as he tossed him a granola bar and an apple. Xavier juggled the apple, which ended up hitting the ground and rolling the remaining distance down the steps. He looked up questioningly at his father.

  “You missed breakfast moving like the walking dead. We’ve got to go. So pick up the pace, young man,” he elaborated.

  He scrambled down the remaining steps, picked up the now bruised apple, and hurried after his father, who was already out the door. Henrick stood at guard duty.

  “Sire,” he bowed toward the king before his eyes settled on Xavier. A spark of humor lit up his eyes, and he gave the boy a slight bow as he whispered, “Good morning, dead-man-walking.”

  Xavier gave the lieutenant a glare as he hurried to catch up with his father. If his father was already taking him to the police station to discuss his punishment, he must have an idea in mind on what his punishment would be. They exited the palace where one of his father’s cars waited for them—a sapphire blue Dodge Viper. A guard stood next to the vehicle, holding the driver’s door open for the king. Xavier climbed into the passenger seat and buckled his seatbelt. His father folded his long frame into the car, fastened his seatbelt, shifted the vehicle into drive and modestly pulled away from the palace.

  Xavier stared out the window as they passed through the palace gates and idled down the residential streets. He watched the houses creep by, wondering about the people who lived in each house. What was their biggest worry, their greatest hope? What did they think of him? Did they think he would make a good king, like his father? Or did they believe he would destroy their homes? Then he remembered Robbie’s suggestion to offer an idea for his punishment to his father so that he would realize that he was truly sorry for his actions and took them seriously. But what could he suggest? It would have to be big, a fantastic idea. When he finally had an idea in mind, he realized that they had already left the kingdom, and it was fading into the distance behind them.

  “How long will it take us to get there?” Xavier asked, wondering if he would have enough time to make his proposal.

  “About an hour,” his father answered.

  Nodding, Xavier inhaled a deep breath. “Dad? I want to talk to you about what I did. I know I keep saying it, but I really am sorry. I could have killed my friends… Robbie… myself. It was a very bad idea to take the car in the first place. Plus, I was dishonest with you about where we were having our picnic. I deserve whatever punishment you decide on, but… I wanted to make a suggestion. I want to show you that I’m disappointed in myself and that I really am sorry for my actions. So I think I should be grounded and I should volunteer to help fix the gatehouse, and maybe I should volunteer community service for Razorbill Cove as well. Like, maybe I can clean up the beaches by picking up trash and that sort of thing. And if you can think of something else I need to do, I’ll do it. I’m so sorry!”

  Xavier peered up at his father’s profile, waiting for his response. The king sighed weightily and pulled the car to a stop on the side of the road. When his father’s eyes met his, Xavier’s gaze dropped submissively.

  “I know you’re sorry. I know you regret your actions. I will consider your suggestions, but first I need to smooth things over with the Razorbill Cove Police Department. So when we arrive, I want you to keep your temper in check and express nothing but regret and humility. Understand?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  With a nod, the king shifted the car into drive and continued the drive to Razorbill Cove. When they arrived at the police station, Xavier followed his father into the station while butterflies tap-danced in his stomach. The king stopped at the front desk and greeted the receptionist with a smile.

  “Hello. I’m Jeremiah Wells, and I have an appointment with Chief Jackson.”

  After glancing briefly at her appointment book, the woman smiled back. “Yes, he’s expecting you, King Wells. One minute while I notify him that you’ve arrived.”

  Xavier’s brow rose at the greeting, surprised that a commoner would address his father by his official title. The receptionist hung up the phone and smiled again.

  “You can go on back. Just go past the squad room and down the hall on the left. He’s the last door on the right.”

  “Thank you.” Jeremiah gave the woman a nod, turned, grasped Xavier’s shoulder and led him past the squad room.

  Xavier’s eyes wandered from person to person in the very busy and active room. Police officers, some in uniform, others in plain clothes working on reports, interviewing suspects or witnesses, or huddled together in what Xavier could assume was important official police business.

  “Well, well! It’s a pleasure to see you again, kid. I assume this is your father, the true owner of the car?” the police officer from the previous night teased.

  Jeremiah regarded the man briefly before holding out his hand. “Jeremiah Wells, Officer…?”

  “Sergeant Mullens. It’s good to meet you finally. You’ve got… a very interesting, clever boy there.”

  Jeremiah glanced down at Xavier with exasperation.

  Xavier gulped.

  Jeremiah looked back at the sergeant. “We are here to meet with Chief Jackson. Would you please join us?”

  When they entered the roomy office, Chief Jackson stood, came around his desk and greeted Jeremiah like a long lost friend. “King Wells! It’s wonderful to see you again! I hear you recently got remarried! Congratulations!”

  “Thank you, Gary, but really, it isn’t necessary for you to address me so formally. We’ve known each other for years. Surely you can call me ‘Jeremiah’?”

  Gary laughed heartily, shaking the king’s hand. “Yes, I can, Jeremiah. It’s been a while since we’ve seen one another. I had hoped you were staying out of trouble, but it appears this youngster has taken up the family tradition.”

  “Unfortunately,” his father muttered, glancing briefly at Xavier. “I’ve come to make amends and pay for any damage done to the car. I’ve asked Sergeant Mullens in on our meeting since he was the officer on the scene.”

  Chief Jackson acknowledged the sergeant with a nod. “Mullens, I need to emphasize that whatever is discussed in this room is confidential and must never be repeated.”

  “Sir?” Mullens questioned, clearly puzzled by the secrecy.

  The chief stood, walked to the door, and shut it securely, before turning and meeting the sergeant’s eyes soberly. “What you’re about to learn is a highly protected secret that few know. The President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Canada are both aware of what I’m about to tell you, and both have deemed this information classified. I don’t need to tell you the penalty for revealing classified information. Do I?”

  Sergeant Mullens was taken aback. He glanced briefly at the boy and his father sitting near him before looking to his chief. “No, sir, but I’m confused.”

  The chief moved to sit behind his desk again. “I’ll let King Wells elaborate,” he remarked, nodding to Jeremiah.

  “Sergeant Mullens, I’m Jeremiah Wells, and I am king of a neighboring society called Warwood. I know that what I’m about to tell you sounds outlandish, but if you consider what you witnessed with my son, it may provide you with an explanation. The people of my kingdom are not ordinary men, women, and children. We are empowered humans who are simply developed into the next stage of human development. My people are what you’d call gifted with supernatural abilities.”

  The sergeant stared, dumbfounded, at the man in front of him before grinning broadly and laughing. When no one joined him, his eyes darted from face to face before settling on the chief’s. “He’s serious?”

  “Yes, Sergeant. It’s true. Surely seeing the boy disappear before your eyes supports this information.”

  “Well,” the sergeant began, studying th
e fresh-faced boy thoughtfully. “I… I just… I thought maybe I was overworked… or the kid was some magician. Wait, are you saying he can literally… disappear?”

  The king looked briefly at Xavier before answering, “Yes, but more than likely, he teleported in front of you to get back to his friends, who were already in the car.”

  “Teleport?” the sergeant’s eyes ignited with excitement. “Are you serious?”

  “Yes, it’s true, Mullens, and this fact is not to leave this room. Understood?”

  Nodding, he answered quickly, “Of course, of course. I understand. It’s just so unbelievable. How is this possible?”

  The king shrugged. “We were born this way. Our scientists have determined that our brains are physically different, with more connective tissue between the hemispheres. We can access multiple parts of our brain simultaneously.”

  “It must be amazing living in your city surrounded by people with superpowers. What I wouldn’t give to visit! My kid would shit himself to know that superheroes exits.”

  “Superheroes?” Xavier blurted with a dry snicker. “We’re not superheroes. We’re… just… people.”

  The officer looked up with an awestruck expression. “You are far from just people, kid. You’re… amazing.”

  “Sergeant Mullens,” Jeremiah interrupted. “You’re more than welcome to visit Warwood. When you determine a date you’d like to come with your family, give me a call, and I’ll make arrangements for you to stay at the palace,” he told him, handing the officer his business card. “How old is your boy?”

  Mullens took the card with a large smile. “Thank you! My Ryan is fifteen. My daughter, Jasmine, is twelve. And don’t you worry, King Wells, your secrets are safe with me.”

  “Mullens, you need to sign this confidentiality form before you leave this office,” Chief Jackson remarked, shoving a form and pen in the sergeant’s direction.

  He signed the form quickly before standing, nodding respectfully to Jeremiah, and exiting the room.

  The chief let out a long breath.

  “Can I trust him?” Jeremiah asked.

  Chief Jackson considered his question in earnest before remarking, “Yes. Mullens is a straight-laced cop. He’ll honor his word.” After inhaling a cleansing breath, the chief’s eyes settled on Xavier. “Now, you must by Prince Wells.”

  “Yes, sir,” Xavier answered quietly as the man’s jovial expression turned stern.

  “You’ve certainly caused your father and this police district a lot of headaches, boy.”

  “Yes, sir. I’m sorry about that. I’d like to make amends for what I’ve done.” Xavier took a deep breath. “I broke the law by driving without a license, I damaged police property, I took my father’s car without permission, I crashed the car into the gatehouse, damaging the gatehouse and totaling the car, I hurt my best friend, and nearly killed all of us in that car. I’ll do whatever you and my father find reasonable.”

  The chief looked at Jeremiah and snickered. “Are you sure he’s your son? It wasn’t that long ago you sat across from me, but you were singing a much different tune if I recall.”

  Jeremiah nodded as he smiled sheepishly at the man across from him. “Xavier is more mature than I was as a teen.”

  Nodding, the chief looked back at Xavier. “You will serve community service on weekends for the next six months.”

  Xavier’s eyes widened. “Six months?” he whispered.

  “Yes, sire. I will not accept your father’s money to fix the damaged cruiser. You will pay for it with sweat and sore muscles, young man.”

  “Chief Jackson, normally I would whole-heartedly agree with you, however, Xavier cannot be out of the kingdom without a full detailed guard flanking him. We are in the throes of preparing for war.”

  “War?” the chief exclaimed, his eyes widening. “What’s going on, Jeremiah? As chief of public safety in your closest neighboring city, I must insist on being briefed.”

  Jeremiah shifted in his seat. “There’s a faction of my kind who wish to overthrow me and take control of not only Warwood, but eventually, the world. If they succeed, it will mean commoners will be enslaved or killed. It will be the darkest days in humanity’s history. It will be hell on earth.”

  The chief released a long, low whistle. “What do you need from me? Do you need more men? Would you like me to contact our friends in Washington and Ottawa?”

  Jeremiah began shaking his head at the first sentence. “I’m afraid the presence of commoners, even highly trained fighters, would only mean more deaths. Your men are no match for an empowered warrior.”

  The chief gave him a doubtful look. “Surely more men would only help.”

  “No, Gary. I assure you it would not.”

  “Jesus, Jeremy! You’re asking me to sit on my hands while you go to battle in my backyard. What if the fighting extends beyond your borders? Do you really expect me to do nothing?”

  “Yes, I do!” Jeremiah barked and the men sat stonily, glaring at one another. Finally, the king looked down at his son, who sat quietly watching the tense exchange. “Look Gary, how about you come for a visit this week, and we’ll show you what one empowered warrior can do. If you still think your men can help, I won’t talk you out of it. Deal?” He extended his hand to the older man.

  The chief gave him a curt nod before taking his hand. “Deal.” He leaned back in his chair and regarded Xavier a moment before looking back at Jeremiah. “What of the boy?”

  “Oh, he will see punishment, but I can’t have him out of the palace unprotected right now. If you believe six months of community service will pay off the debt, then I will pay the debt, and he can repay me with six months of community service to Warwood.”

  The chief nodded thoughtfully. “Well, in that case, I think we have deal. I have time in my schedule to visit tomorrow afternoon. Will that work for you?”

  Jeremiah stood. “We look forward to seeing you tomorrow. I’d like to extend the invitation to your lovely wife. Lana and I would be honored if you’d join us for dinner afterwards.”

  “Oh, Sally would love that! She’s always had a soft spot for you. She’ll be very pleased to see you again and to meet your youngster.”

  Jeremiah smiled genuinely. “I look forward to it. We’ll see you then. Goodbye, Gary.” He shook the man’s hand one last time before he steered Xavier from the precinct.

  Chapter 20

  “So, how did it go with your dad yesterday?” Robbie greeted him as she slid her hand into his and they began their walk to school together.

  Xavier sighed. “Well, I’m grounded for a month, and I have community service every weekend for six months,” he answered. “Not to mention, he still looks at me like I’m defective or something. I don’t mind the punishments. I deserve them, but I just wish he’d look at me normally. You know? Not like I’m a huge disappointment.”

  “I’m sorry, Xavier. I’m sure he’ll get over it in a day or two,” she responded, hugging him to her side as they walked.

  They walked this way for most of the way to school only to separate when they reached the school’s drive. As they climbed the steps and walked past Spencer, he gave Xavier a knowing grin. “Ah! I see Evel Knievel is on time today!”

  Xavier rolled his eyes as he brushed past his uncle and led Robbie to their first period class. When they entered the classroom, eager students surrounded them.

  “Hey, Xavier!” one boy said grinning ear to ear. “Word is that you went for a joyride in your dad’s sport’s car. Is it true?”

  Dumbfounded, Xavier looked down at Robbie, who turned to hide her smile. He turned back to the waiting group. “Ah, yeah. I guess it’s true.”

  “Whoa! I heard Drew talking about it, but I thought he was lying! Did the cops chase you too?”

  Xavier looked from one fervent face to another. He could feel their awe and excitement. He could see their admiration in their eyes. He stood a little taller and smiled at the group. “Yep. The cops chased us for at l
east a mile on Route 10, but it was no match for my dad’s Aston Martin. But I didn’t want the guy following us all the way back to Warwood, so I teleported us, car and all, to the kingdom’s gates. I just miscalculated the distance we needed to come to a stop since we were traveling over 130 miles per hour.”

  “Shit, man!” another boy stated. “How did you guys survive? I hear the gatehouse door was nearly destroyed from the impact.”

  “Yeah, it was. After I teleported us, I saw that there was no stopping the impact. So I did the first thing that came to mind; I teleported us out of the car.”

  “You were lucky you weren’t all killed,” one girl piped up.

  Xavier shook off the comment. “Naw, I slowed us down before impact. Yeah, we got banged up, but nothing life-threatening.”

  The group all burst out at once with more questions.

  “Excuse me,” Lana announced her presence and the children quickly bowed before scrambling to their seats.

  Xavier turned to face his stepmother with chagrin. “Lana… I…”

  “It’s ‘Mrs. Wells’ at school, Xavier. We’ll discuss this later. Have a seat.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  At the end of class, as children scrambled from the room, Xavier stayed seated.

  “Aren’t you coming, Xavier?” Robbie asked, standing next to him.

  “No, you go ahead. I need to talk to Lana.”

  As Robbie left the room, he stood and approached Lana anxiously. “Mrs. Wells?” he prompted as he stopped in front of her desk. She looked up from the papers she was grading. “Ah, I’m sorry about what I said… about the accident. I didn’t mean it really. I… I…”

  “You were showing off,” she finished.

  He bowed his head with embarrassment. “Yes, ma’am. They were so enthusiastic about… what happened. I guess I just got a little… cocky.”

  “Mm hm. I see. So you are not proud of the chaos you caused by stealing your father’s car and starting a high-speed car chase with Razorbill Cove’s police department?”