Far, Far, Far away

Lying in a valley, far away

I wonder if I could lay here for all my days

Not that it'd matter to anyone anyways

  King Kaine and I go way back. Farther than Leonidas and Jacob and I go back. He saved me as a kid, you know. For safety reasons and for my own sake, I'll never tell anyone this. Although, I hate it when people say I think I'm "different" and the "King's favorite." It's just--- I highly believe that the person who saves your life is the person you should protect with your life. So, I owe him more than one. I devoted my whole life to becoming that man's guard-- it's the only reason why I have my fighting skills now. Every day, when I was eight to sixteen years old, I would practice sword-fighting, archery, fist fighting, and so much more... 

Only for me to fail to keep him alive. I hate that witch. I swear, I'll-

"Dad!!!!" Two young voices whine. I sit up from my bed, my old house's bed. I wince as my body presses against itself. I open my eye slightly, the sun blinding me, yet my window isn't even open. However, I reach for the window doors and open them one by one with my hand that isn't numb. I finally deal with the blinding light and open my eyes to two children, most likely mine. They're singing a song.

"Oooohhhh, wake uppp and you'll seeeee!! The beauty of the dayyyyy, and not the ugliness of eigengrau!!!! Woop! Woop! Woop! Woooopppp!"

I groan but manage a small smile. Yup, those kids are mine. I feel bad for not recognizing them at first but, hey, I tried saving the left over people of Ivygates. Burning fire, shattered glass, fallen buildings, every horrendous battle zone thing you can think of. My children are Sativus and Dynastes, one son and one daughter.

"He's awake! He's awake!" Sativus yells. "Get the people!" Dynastes yells. But Sativus

didn't respond. He was too overjoyed that I woke up. It only makes me wonder, how long was I out? "Get the people." She tells again. Sativus still didn't respond. "Sav, get the people Sav. Sav!" She's now yelling at this point. "Sav! The people!" Finally, Sativus heard her over him singing a different song. I remember it. He loves singing and whenever he's happy, he'll sing alright. He's also a happy hummer. He nodded and ran over to get 'the people', or whoever they were. I'm happy to finally see my children again, but I have a feeling that won't stop nagging me. Like something, or someone, is missing. I'd brush it off, but if you felt like you were missing a special part of you, then you wouldn't be able to ignore it. It's weird. I know what I'm missing is a person. I can only hope this missing person is part of 'the people'. That'd give me answers. That's when I notice Dynastes was signaling for me to come outside. I nod, telling her I will in a few. Not because I need some time to think, but because I need some time to adapt to the pain in my body.  

I tell myself, "No. You've been in more pain than this before, and you were able to move then. So get up right now." And with those words I told myself, and the next thing I know is that I'm sitting up on the edge of my bed, now preparing to stand up. I take a couple of deep breaths before I push my feet onto the floor and lift myself up. To be honest, I kind of had to hold onto the bed frame to do this. It hurt to stand, and I don't think I'll ever try that ever again if there's a next time I end up like this for some reason. And then, a servant from King Kaine, a highly respected one comes in the room and helps me. 

"Thank you." I said. There must've been a high sense of relief in my voice, because I remember that this servant would always say, "Don't mention it" or "It's the least I could do." But this time, he just said "You're very welcome." Though I have no complaints. I'm sure he has helped me many times, and this was genuinely the least he ever did. Now, with an arm over my shoulder, and a hand keeping me steady, I 

can finally walk properly, or at least at a normal walking pace now. As we walk through my house, I glance at the servant. He looks quite different from what I remembered of him. His hair was a shade of spruce blue. and was usually tied up in a messy bun with long curtain bangs and some longer bangs that covered his eyes. But all of that changed. His blue hair was down, and he had streaks of light black that followed all of his bangs. I could see his eyes now, but not fully. It was covered a little bit. But now that I could see his eyes, it compliments his looks more. Brown eyes that had little hazel and amber sparkles in them, resting on his dark, tanned skin. He still has the same style though. We walked out of the house, and my eyes widened. There were almost hundreds of people-- if not, about 114. I imagine these people are the people that I have saved back in Ivygates before they died along with the kingdom. I thought I had saved nobody. But the fact that I saved more people than I had ever known in my entire life? That made my skin grow goosebumps.

All of the people were clapping and cheering, smiles as wide as a chalkboard and hollering like they were animals. The families were telling their families about the hero. And as much as I'd like to take on the role of the 'hero', I can't help but want to share it. With... specific people. But I guess the role of the hero is pretty serious, and it should only go to those who deserve it. But all I did was run back and save a couple of... well, not exactly a couple, but people. 

"Erik," The servant began. "These are all the people you saved." I weakly smiled at the servant, then opened my eyes half-lidded and stared up at him. 

"Yes. I understand that. Thank you though..." I manage, before dropping my head back down, it's the first time in my life finally wanting to rest at times when I probably shouldn't. 

"I don't blame you for wanting to rest." He whispers to me. 

"I guess this is a time where I shouldn't though.." I responded, still hanging my head down. "Why not?" He insists. "You still need to be treated. Do you know what kind of injury you got?" I take some time to process his words and look away shamefully. "To be honest, I don't know." I start, a bit sheepishly. Then, with a more confident voice, "But I do know that it must be some terrible, terrible injury, because my abdomen is burning like crazy. Imagine if you fell from a building and landed on your side, then attempted to walk while having other people on your mind and your vision to be blurry and your head spinning around like it's on a carousel going 100 miles per hour just for you to trip on shattered glass and get your abdomen area burned by a blazing hot fire, but not enough to severely damage it and then pass out. That's how I feel." 

I stared at the servant from where my hand was hanging, only for my eyes to be met with a slightly confused expression yet also taken back. "Uhm... You okay?" I ask with

concern in my tone. "Yeah..." He replies. "Well, Erik, I have news for you. That's... That's what actually happened." 

I'm taken back by this- I don't have amnesia or anything, maybe just some memories I don't remember, but the fact that I recalled how everything went before I passed out is insane. With this headache? I'm surprised that I even remembered that I'm at my house. Or maybe it's because I heard Sativus and Dynastes outside my window before I actually realized that I was there.  "I see.." I breathed out. "That explains it then. How long will I have to stay in bed before I can return-"

I pause. There... Is no Ivygates. I don't.. have King Kaine. I don't have Leonidas. I don't have Jacob. And I don't know... where they went...or where they are...

"Erik," The servant started. "You can't return to Ivygates, it's nothing. But we did get the Oxidanes to take out the fire, and we're now getting the Byldans to mend everything and build it. However, a lot of things were completely wiped and swept

away from the witch's spells. No left over destruction, just as if it teleported away. So, the Byldans have to reconstruct the whole kingdom, because none of the memory will make sense together with the things they have to build off their own thoughts."

The news could've killed me. You're telling me that Ivygates will be something else? That means... it won't be... home. It'll just be a whole entire different kingdom. I don't blame the Byldans, but... They might as well just give Ivygates a whole entirely different name! But I can't be angry, can I? Don't be angry at the effect, be angry at the cause... And the cause is that witch. Just hearing her title makes me want to puke for eternity. So what now? Are they just gonna have a new royal family?

But that's when it hits me. Kaine actually had children, 2 sons and 1 daughter. They should... Wait. Where are they?

"Servant... uhm. Forgive me. What's your name?"

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. I forgot the name of the servant that probably saved my

life and has definitely been there for me a thousand times. And what hurts more? The servant seemed a bit downcast. And everyone and everything could tell that he was trying to overshadow it with a blank expression. 

"My name is River, sir." He replied

"Ah, River. I'm sorry for forgetting..." I apologized, and my eyes drifted away from his face. River just sighed, feigning forgiveness. "That's alright. You knew my name before." He replied. My eyes traveled up his body and to his face again.

"Servant River... Where are the children? Of the king, I mean." I questioned.

"Oh." Servant River mumbled. My expression darkened and worry flooded me with that one little squeak that came out of his mouth.

"Servant River? What happened to them?" I can't even describe my tone. What was it? Stern? Worried? Gentle? Pained? Pained to know an answer? I don't even think worried is the right word to describe me, because I'm feeling far worse than that.

River sighed. "2 passed, 1 missing."

Oh.

So that's why I've had that feeling. That feeling that I've left someone behind. Not just one person, 3 people. 3 very, very important people. Not just to me, but to everyone in Ivygates. I may have saved almost every civilian in the town, but not the thrones, not the crowns, and not the children.

Far, Far, Far away

In a different kingdom, far away

The child that they're willing to let rot away

Don't they see how messed up it is to let that child rot away

Especially if someone's visiting their town and disgusted at their ways?

Erik and I go way back. Farther than Jacob and Leonidas do. Surprisingly enough, Erik and I may even be closer than those two. By the time I was 18, I turned into the King of Ivygates. Married to Claudelle, Queen of Ivygates. Or the previous queen, since she died. I don't feel like loving anyone else. My son Harlow already found a girlfriend. And she's nice too. Enough about him, lets focus on Erik. 

And his story.

"Your child is cursed. It'd be better if you throw him off by the hills before he brings us unnecessary suffering."

That's what the people of Saffroncrofts said to Erik's parents. And as stupid as it was, they believed it. They believed it all. All those lies and all those myths. They were idiots. To believe that an infant can cause suffering to a town and that it's cursed is just absurd. Imagine being weak to an infant. That's how Saffroncrofts was.

My wife and I just became the King and Queen of Ivygates. We started visiting other kingdoms and towns, you know, getting a tour of everything. The last island we went to was called Saffroncrofts. My wife and I were wondering why people were whispering;

"This is a really bad time for visitors..."

"Especially the King and Queen!"

"The new king and queen!"

"Ohh... this is gonna be so bad for our kingdom..."

"Guh... we'd better pack our things, Evi."

"Yeah. They'll find us here. Let's go."

Many were whispering things along these lines.
"Hey, Claud?" I whispered to my wife, mid-tour in our chariot. 

She replied with a yes.

"Why is... everyone whispering things about how it's a bad time?"

Claudelle scoffed. "You think I'd know? I'm sorry- I never had been here before."

I rolled my eyes, not seriously, but playfully.

"Alright, I get it, I get it. But why do you think everyone is saying this?"

Claudelle sighed and gave me an expression.
"I don't know..." She mumbled. "I hope we find it out soon."

I agreed. 
"Yes... I hope we do. This place is a bit odd. And it's not for 'first time visiting reasons.'" Claudelle agrees.

Later on, we were invited to a huge dinner. It had townspeople, and obviously, the royals. My wife and I were very hungry by then, for it was Summer, the heat was overwhelming, and we were moving the entire day. On the dining table was special and rich preparations of meat, peacocks and swans, and for the lower classes, pottage. There were sweets like fruit tarts and spiced pastries. Obviously, there were glasses for everyone full of mead. At the end of the table sat the Royals of Saffroncrofts. A king, a queen, and a princess. King Cyrus, Queen Adara, and Princess Cordelia.

King Cyrus had silk, pale, blond hair. It was slicked back, with braids hovering over 

his face and bordered his face. He had some light orange streaks in his hair. He had no facial hair at all and had actually wore glasses. He wore eyeliner, had forest green eyes, and had a bunch of ear piercings. His main clothing color was a light, muted blue and gold.

Queen Adara had light yellow hair, with her hair fading into red and maroon streaks. Almost like fire. It was neatly combed and straight, falling onto her shoulders and going down to her middle back. Her lipstick was a murky red, and her blush was orange. Her main clothing color was a dark brown and gold.

Princess Cordelia was a mix of her parents. She had blonde hair, but also had red highlights. People say she was blessed by beauty itself when she had her hair grown. She also had a birthmark on her body somewhere, her parents claim. The theory goes on further when she was said to have inner heterochromia.  Green and brown. Her main clothing color was light red and gold. 

"Thank you for coming, King Kaine and Queen Claudelle. We are honored to have you visit our island." Me and Claudelle nod, with a smile. Claudelle speaks first.

"It's no problem, King Cyrus. We're glad we can visit." Claudelle said. Queen Adara gave her a soft smile, responding to her. "Saving best for last, no?" She said with a chuckle. King Cyrus laughed, I joined him, and Claudelle just raised the corners of her mouth more. It was immediately turned into a stiff, thin line as Princess Cordelia murmured, "Would've been better if you came earlier... or never." Even I was confused, my smile faltering as well. King Cyrus shot Cordelia a glare.
"Hush," he spat. "We don't want them getting any bad ideas."

King Cyrus is really bad at whispering. Queen Adara stammered out, "I-- Uhm, let's talk about something else. Cordelia, honey, let's not say anything that might scare our guests." 

Queen Adara saved the two, because the father and daughter clearly didn't have a stable relationship. So much for first impressions... But there was something off ever since the start, and it had just been confirmed. Claudelle and I looked at each other, giving a quick glance. We shared the same thought, 'We need to find out what's going on', because it's clearly not good. And first impressions are everything.

After the dinner feast, the entirety of Saffroncrofts was invited to the welcoming party. Saffroncrofts seemed like a nice island for it had nice people, nice royals, and nice scenery, as well as architecture. My wife and I were having fun, yes, but we also agreed to not let our guard down in case we spot anything sketchy, or get an off feeling.

It didn't take long for this 'odd feeling' to go into play, because in the first hour,

we immediately noticed that King Cyrus and Queen Adara weren't there. Neither was Princess Cordelia. I went over to my wife, who was absolutely DOWNING the cheesecake, reasonably. I went next to her and whispered, "Love... None of the royals are here even though this is their party..." 

Claudelle looked over at me, and her eyes widened. She used a handkerchief and wiped her mouth, put her plate on the table, and sat up.

. "What? You're serious?" She asked, incredulously. I nodded quickly.

"We should find them! Maybe we can figur-" I paused. Claudelle raised an eyebrow, getting alarmed and putting her guard up more. 

"What is it, Kaine? What's caught your eye?" She asked, confused and a hint of concern in her tone. Claudelle looked over, her eyes widening.

 I pointed towards a nearby bush. There, was the princess, Cordelia, signaling us to come over. Fast.

Claudelle and I hurried over, nearly knocking over the chair she was sitting on. As soon as we got over to where Cordelia was, she pulled us behind the bush. Before my wife or I could speak, Cordelia spoke. She looked terrified.

"You two need to help. My dad?? He's insane-- He convinced these parents that their infant was cursed-- they believe he was right because my father is the strongest user of light-- AND HE THREATENED THEM-- I don't know what's wrong with him, but I think he's actually mentally ill and he just wants to kill the poor infant--"

Cordelia kept rambling on, stuttering and babbling at the speed of light. I understood what she was saying, at least the point of it. My jaw dropped in disbelief, while Claudelle stayed silent, a look of disgust towards Cyrus, and a stern determination.
"Slow down, princess." Claudelle reassured, putting a gentle hand on her shoulder. Cordelia paused, and she panted, her speed of words catching up to her.

As she panted, Cordelia breathed out, "You... at least... got the point?" Claudelle nodded, and I did as well. I opened my mouth and spoke, my voice straightforward. "You mean to say your father went to an innocent mother and father, telling them their infant was cursed, the parents believed them, and then Cyrus wants to... kill the infant?" I asked, incredulously. They seemed like such nice people... But first impressions can hide anything. Cordelia quickly nodded, her eyes scared and her face desperate. "Yes! That's it! Please you have to help... They're killing the infant tonight, they're going to behead him... please, please, please..." Cordelia frantically begged. She looked like she was going to get on her knees. Claudelle and I looked at each other and nodded, a quick glance of understanding. Claudelle turned back to Cordelia and quickly asked, "Where are they doing it?" Cordelia looked at Claudelle. There were unshed tears of desperation in her glimmering eyes. "By the docks. I overheard my father and mother discussing it. By the docks, by the docks!"

Cordelia blurted nonstop. We understood what we had to do. 

By the time we got to the docks, they already had the baby asleep, ready to be slain by King Cyrus' hand. Queen Adara stood there, looking away, staring off into the waves. The two parents were holding each other, staring at their kid. My eyes widened. In their faces, it actually looked like they were disgusted at their own flesh- Like they trusted the lying king over an innocent child. Right as Cyrus was about to behead the infant, Claudelle casted a spell, the spell of wind and air. She struck them with her light, misty green handcrafted tornado. The parents moved out the way, and Cyrus dodged it last second, the wind getting knocked out of him--- Literally. Before Cyrus could rush to kill the infant, the tornado swept up the infant and brought it to Claudelle. She held him protectively, shielding him from the people