Brothers

#22 Defeated By A Traitor

The bright blue sky and the gentle falling of the autumn leaves was broken with the screams and the sound of swords clunking with each other. Thiaroust, a vassal of Regver and the one Odie was fighting with, had gotten the upper hand in the beginning. Their victory was almost inevitable… almost… maybe not. Unbeknownst to them, Kiness was hiding a huge army in their side so you could say their defeat is the one that’s inevitable. King Vesri, the King of Thiaroust, had called for a retreat with their banner. But Kiness seems to want to end them all as they were chased. Prince Odie was escaping with his horse when he stopped. No, he doesn't want to retreat. This is his first major battle. He can’t let it end this way. Especially to show Seran how capable he is. Not that he wants to be a King… But if it does happen, he wants to show that he's capable. He ran back. “Prince Odie!!!” Seran’s terrified voice rang through his head. He fought his way through his own men and his enemies, swiping them down but not going to the masses, he's reckless not stupid. He searched through their lines, the– “What are you doing?! Don't let your guard down!” King Solus shouted. There he saw Kiness'’ army scattered, no guard whatsoever on all sides. Odie's allies are scattered too but not much to KIness’ extent. He can do this. “Get back to your positions! Attack them! Trust me on this!” He charged with his confused but obedient men. Seran stared at Odie. “What are you doing?!” That reckless child, he's going to get all his men killed!– “Charge! FollowPrince Odie!” Seran turned to find King Vesri charging back to the enemy– King Vesri got closer to him. “Watch the big picture. We’re going to win this.” Then he went on. Seran followed King Vesri’s advice. There he saw Kiness’ defenses giving out, if not existing at all, they are winn– no, Odie was winning. He smiled. “Charge!” He shouted, raising the banner on his side.

King Kired was enjoying himself with a musical and joyful banquet when a messenger suddenly arrived. “Your grace,” They bowed in front of the mealed table. “News from Souden.” They said, eyeing everyone around. “Continue.” “We won, receiving the southern part of Souden.” “Ha! Guess we aren’t just celebrating the pregnancy of Lady Floran huh?” Said by one of the King’s guests. “No, it’s only the southern part; just a bunch of grass and small villages. However,” King Kired stood up. “If making this banquet more joyful and bright is what you all want... then let it be more joyful and bright!” Everyone, mostly the party crazed guests howled as he ended his speech and sat back down. The King watched as his guests called for musicians and jesters to perform more joyfully, and cooks for more food. He felt someone lie on his chest, and he smiled seeing Floran smiling towards him– *SLAM!* The door blasted open and King Solus, followed by a couple of his men, entered, stomping towards him. King Kired stood up. “What is it–“ King Solus slammed his hand on the table. “WHAT is your BROTHER doing with the ENEMY!” Everyone gasped. King Kired raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure it’s him?–“ “YES! I and my men saw him with our own eyes! And we heard our enemy shout his name as they fought and defeat us!” King Kired’s eyes widened. “You were defeated?” “Yes! They also took Taries back! And it’s all because of your traitorous brother! Again, What is he doing there?!” “Hm, I guess he really turned himself into a traitor… At first I thought he'd just sell vital information to them, which is, for me, is forgivable… he's my brother… But now, he really is a traitor." King Kired took a deep breath and staggered to his seat. "Forgive me King Solus, I haven't warned you earlier." "Hmph." King Solus looked around, an eyebrow raised. Despite the struggle to restore the joyful atmosphere that was once there, it was clear with the food, musicians and jesters that they’re currently in the middle of a banquet. King Solus turned at King Kired. “What’s this celebration all about?” King Kired's eyes widened. "Huh?... O-oh…" He smiled stiffly. “We’re celebrating the pregnancy of Lady Floran here.” King Kired gave a small nudge with his head to point to the woman beside her. King Solus frowned; her hands were all over King Kired. He isn’t sure since he doesn’t seem to be returning her touches, but– He looked around… before turning back at King Kired and asking, “Where’s Fro?” “I don’t know. I tried to find her earlier but I couldn’t.” Solus nodded, before walking to his men to tell most of them to stay, and bringing a couple with him as he walked away to another room, and to another, another, and another, without permission but who cares? He doesn’t. He slowed down, signed his men to halt before continuing to the edge of the fenced roof to gaze at the blue sky and its birds as they hovered the green and housed ground of the castle… with his daughter on his side. Both didn’t talk and just stared at the view before them as they listened at the sound it was emitting… until, “Are you okay... Being here?” “… Yeah… but sometimes I’m not.” “...I Guess I didn't make that very clear huh?” Solus turned his face to his daughter. “Fro, are you okay being with him?” “Yeah, but sometimes I’m kind of not.” Solus let out a *sigh*. “Are you okay with him and his mistress?” “… No.” “… Fro, tell me, have you grown fond of your husband?” She looked at him, an eyebrow raised. “He’s my husband, father, of course I am fond of him.” “Yeah, but I also told you to be careful.” She stared at him, her eyebrows slightly furrowed. “It was just you, father.” “I’m not just talking about what I did, there’s multiple ways you can be hurt. You know that, right?” Her head fell… and she slowly moved her gaze back to the view. ...she nodded. He gazes back to the view as well. “Just tell me, if you ever need anything, tell me; if you ever want to leave, tell me; if you ever want to leave the marriage, tell me.” She frowned. “Father, I don’t want to leave him–“ “I know, but if you ever want to, tell me; if you’re hurt by him, physically or mentally, tell me.”

King Kired stared at the passage where King Solus went, sweating– *SLAM!* “SIRE!” King Kired stood up. “What is it?” The soldier held onto his knees– *Gasp* “Lovuér, sire–“ *Gasp* “They have attacked Norrea–”

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Awkward...