A King's Legacy Ch. 15

A King's Legacy

Chapter 15: Blood

Oust made his way directly to the riverbank after leaving behind the boy and the simple canine. The tiger stripped his dusty clothes, and stepped into the cooling stream, sipping at the water to help relieve his headache and dehydration. The feline gently bathed himself in the refreshing water, stripping the stale stench of alcohol from his fur. After he had finished, Oust rinsed and wrung out his clothes, and put them back on to cover as much of the orange tinted fur on his back as he could with the sleeveless tunic. The mighty tiger began making his way further up the stream, where the bear was waiting for him.

Sir Corper had long since finished with his meditation by that time in the late morning, but he had witnessed the confrontation between the tiger and the human earlier on his way to go hunt for some odd job. The bear himself had nearly stepped in to discipline the foolish tiger once more, but was beaten to the task when the human, of all people, threw up that shield.

Sir Corper had watched the boy actually manage to break through the tiger's anger, and force him to see the folly of his actions... An act that reminded him of something his own human wife had once done for him... It seemed Oust actually had learned something in their lesson after all, so the veteran knew the young one would be back for more debate soon. Sir Corper had returned to his place by the river to wait for the tiger in his usual meditation. He did not wait very long.

As the bear swayed and spun in his flowing routine, the big cat simply took to a sitting position a few yards away. Oust had both knees tucked beneath himself, and both palms resting on those knees, observing the bear closely. The tiger made not a sound as the bear went through his graceful steps. When Sir Corper did reach a stopping point, he finally acknowledged the tiger cub.

"Have you come for another fool's lesson, young one? Or have you come to have a conversation?"

Oust closed his eyes, and tightened his grip on his knees. The large tiger bowed his head forward, showing the veteran the respect he should have the night before. The tiger spoke with his soft tone, the same one he had used with Milky. Oust was finally tired of hearing the spite his usual, snarling voice carried.

"I... I am sorry for my disrespect. I see it is I that knows nothing... I have fought and trained relentlessly for strength my entire life, only to fall short at every trial... Always to be bested. I have done everything I could to make myself a better warrior... To be strong enough to survive... It is not enough, but I do not know how to be anything else. I don't know how to stop being so angry at such an unfair world, and that has forged me into a different kind of monster all together... Not one unlike my sister or father are, but still not as strong... I don't know what to do with myself anymore... It seems so pointless... I have reached my limits, I've reached my peak, and I am still so very weak. I am still not enough to ever be anything more than an angry, foolish spoiled pelt hoping his father would look at him... I am still less of a warrior than even that human runt is..."

Sir Corper listened silently, gauging exactly how aware of his own personal faults the tiger was. The big cat was simply stuck, not immoveable, and a strong enough current in flowing water could move anything, even such great weight off the shoulders of one so young... There was a lot of rage and hurt that weighed the tiger down, and that also weighed his movements down, but there was awareness, too. There was empathy for those harmed by his actions, and remorse for the wrong way he had been merely surviving instead of living.

There was something truly good within the tiger, a goodness that had been crushed by years of layered abuse, but one that had not yet been completely torn out of him. The bear was certain this cub's father was even less pleased about that, as survival of the most ruthless was the Candori way... Many of the Candori cubs never even made it to adulthood, officially, their deaths would be announced as 'Training accidents.' It was a marvel that Oust had even survived this far. Sir Corper finally answered the bowing tiger in his usual flat tone, stepping into the edge of the water as he did.

"The current is quite soothing on troubled paws. Come join me, young one. Let the water wash away that rage. Let it lick and cleanse your wounds. Let us have a conversation on strength."

Oust joined the bear in the river, Pausing one final time before taking the first step towards becoming the type of warrior Alora needed him to be. The same warrior that the tiger's own father had always feared he would become. The beast the Candori line's prophecy had foretold: The spoiled pelt that would rise to bring the family to its knees. A beast that would rise far beyond what his abusers ever could.

After his reunion with Stahl and his haircut, Aster had a bit more time to kill before the meeting with the prince and the orc chief, so the pair decided they would pay the forge another visit to see how Rust was faring in his apprenticeship to the orc Tan. Aster was surprised to see how much the pair had already accomplished, as a barrel full of restored and sharpened tools was already finished. The older orc grunted in his usual greeting, finalizing a new cleaver's edge for the butcher with the grazing of a whetstone.

"Afternoon."

Rust broke his own intense concentration at the comment, and turned around to see his uncles. He admiringly made note of Aster's new appearance. Rust was sweating profusely, with heavy soot marks covering his face and arms where the damp fur clung to him and poked out every which way, but he was still smiling all the while. The meek little fox cub was really stepping his dedication up. He yipped out his own greeting,

"Afternoon guys! Can I help you with anything?"

Stahl smiled at the professionalism. It was odd to see coming from Rust of all people. He answered in a joking manner.

"Just browsing! Heard this place had some good wares."

Stahl was caught off guard when Aster actually did walk up and set something covered in dust on the counter. The human stepped off a ways, and grabbed one other item before returning to the counter. The fox and wolf were still looking at his first choice strangely, neither certain how to feel about it.

"I'd like to purchase these, if you would."

Aster's statement surprised both canines, as they simply stared once more at the chosen wares in awkward silence. Tan made his way over, also intrigued by the selection. He figured he could give a bit of the history behind the helm, but the bracer was of simple enough design, and nothing worth noting.

The helm in question was a custom order the orc had received over twenty years ago, back when the trade between humans and orcs had been booming, shortly after he had chosen to set up his forge in this village. The human noble that had placed the order never lived long enough to pay for it, so Tan had mostly kept the helm around as a decoration at this point, as it was some of his finest work that no orc in his village could ever actually use. It was built for a human-sized head after all. The older orc looked studiously at the boy before he spoke.

"May I ask why? It will fully function as a protective helm as intended, but I'm a bit surprised you even noticed this piece, or why you would want it. I once put many weeks of labor into perfecting this ware, so it isn't like I don't see the appeal... The ears were the hardest part. Well, those and the teeth..."

Aster smiled at the orc, happy to answer.

"Well, for one, I do need to be able to blend in better... Eventually, we will reach places I may need to hide, places being revealed as a human could bring more harm to my prince or allies. This piece seems pretty convenient to hide beneath, and it kind of adds a layer of belief considering the design. If anyone asks, I'm just another beast of Alora beneath the mask... Got a bad burn or something. I know it's a tad ironic... But..." Aster trailed off. Stahl finally chimed in.

"If you like it, get it. You have a point, but you should probably try it on first. You'll need some gloves too, or your fingers will give you away."

Aster just smiled at his wolf's reassurance. Tan and Rust agreed, so the boy reached forward and took a hold of the helm, knocking away a good bit of the dust from the intricately designed piece. Aster smiled down at it, feeling just as curious now as he had been since he spotted it on the shelf the day before. With an easy enough movement, the boy fit it over his head. It was a surprisingly comfortable fit, and the red headband around his neck paired with the helm covered all traces of exposed skin from his shoulders up. He could see well in the helm, (certainly better than the one he had made for The Selection,) and his hearing and breathing weren't badly restricted by any means due to the expertly crafted design. The helm held securely in place when he moved his head, but never hindered his movement. The boy looked over to his wolf, who had an unreadable expression, staring quietly at his mate, deep in thought.

'Fuck... How much temptation must I endure under one moon?'

Stahl was already unreasonably turned on by his boy, and he just knew he was going to have some fun with that helm on sometime soon. It was made to look like a wolf's head, after all, with beautifully detailed, yet simple design. As if fate herself had a say in it, the entire helm was of three tones. Silver for the "Fur." Gold for the ears, teeth, and around the eyes, and black for the trim and outlines... It gave Aster a different air about him, and Stahl loved seeing his boy like that, it excited something within him. His mate may have been a human, but he certainly looked more the part of Stahl's pup with that thing on. The beast spoke his approval firmly. There was no need for any debate.

"Buy it."

Aster laughed a bit at the enthusiasm, catching on that his wolf seemed to like it more than he was letting on. The human pulled the helm free, and set it back down. He grabbed the bracer and turned to Stahl, having him try it on to replace the one he had lost back in the cavern. It wasn't an exact match to Stahl's armor, but it would do for a first gift. Aster turned back to Tan, and asked the price. The orc thought on it for a moment.

"Three gold for the bracer. The helm is another story... You're probably the only one that could ever actually get some use from it now... It would be like me charging you for a piece of your kind's own lost history, human. I don't know that I can sell it to you in good conscience. Please, consider it a gift." The orc bowed his head a bit. Aster objected.

"I'm paying you for it. It's worth far too much for me to accept as a gift."

The two bantered back and forth for a bit, before finally agreeing to let Aster pay twelve gold for it. He quickly paid the fifteen owed before the orc could object much more, and the two made their exit a short while later, leaving the pair of blacksmiths to their steady work.

As the pair made their way back to their quarters, Aster spoke to his wolf, casually checking in on him. He knew the day would be stressful for him with the moon hanging over, and he wanted to keep any insecurities or uncertainty at bay for him as early, and as long as possible. The boy had learned his lesson the last moon, after all. Stahl reassured his mate that he was feeling just fine. He was a bit frisky, but fine so far. Aster couldn't help but smile about that, thinking he may press his luck later that night after all.

As the pair came into view of their room, they noticed Mollis was patiently waiting for them. As they got closer, the hare greeted them with a tease, ready to make the boy blush per usual.

"Well if it isn't the newlyweds! You about ready to go Aster? The prince is already discussing trade and supplies with the chief, so we will probably be requested soon."

The human nodded in answer, but put on a playful smile as he began saying something that both lit up Stahl with pride, and made the hare fumble in his own demeanor for a change.

"Poke your fun, Mollis, but just know, he made me finish twice."

The wolf was still snickering at the surprised rabbit as Aster stepped inside to put his new helm away for the time being. He gave his wolf a tender kiss, and departed with the hare.

Stahl stepped inside and went back to sitting in the silence after his short break with his boy, attempting to reach any of his family through his bloodskill. The noble wolf began inciting the required incantation over and over with no answer. He was starting to really worry he never would receive one.

Prince Tyfin had already accomplished a great deal of negotiation that morning, and the orc chief was as satisfied as he had been with the bartering. The gift of the cherry trees proved to be wonderfully received by the orcs, and all graciously accepted trading some travel supplies for a mature grove of thirty, as they even had a surprising solution to the climate issue.

The prince had also established a vendor opportunity, agreeing to allow the orcs to set up to offer their wares at their next celebration or any future festivals. This may come with a rocky start, but the prince felt it would be accepted, and even welcomed by most of his kingdom in time. They established basic treaties for peace between their races that could be drawn up and finalized at a later, more certain time, as well as a trade and intel agreement. The many years of studying political moves were not wasted on the skilled negotiator, and finally, when Mollis and Aster joined his side, the letter from King Calium was brought before the beast prince to openly dissect. Chief Crag simply stood, and brought the note to Prince Tyfin, allowing the lion, the hare, and the human prince to read some of King Calium's final words for themselves.

Orc Chief Husk,

The integrity and survival of our world hangs by a thread, darkness threatens to consume all within these lands, and yet, the beast armies still thirst for blood and vengeance for a crime my people held no part in. For a crime we too, suffered great loss from.

We are in troubling times, my old friend, and I humbly beg of you, as the ruler to my people, please offer the young people of Adamare safety among your tribe. Please, save our children. Our men will stand against our enemies to the end. We will never surrender to such blindly savage vengeance, however, I worry even our defenses may not hold for very long. The beastman king and his armies are nothing short of formidable, despite his blindness, and there is simply too much at stake.

There are far greater evils at play, and I know not if I can stop them from returning in time... Before it is too late, before all of our children are consumed by it. I think I know of a way to fight it back, but it will likely cost me my life by the end of this, a price well worth paying if it means my children may live... Even if it condemns my very soul to suffering in the afterworld.

Still, it will be our children to ultimately inherit this mess, yet again. Our cycle of sacrifice seems to never lessen, my old friend, and we may have to set that upon the shoulders of who comes after, just as our fathers did, for my time in this world surely draws near its end.

I beg of you, save our children. Let them grow into those that would shape this world. Teach them to fight, so their years will prepare them for what is to come... If my son, if my Solis proves to bear my shield after all, all will fall upon his shoulders. He must find the others, and he must do it before the darkness takes hold of both them, and himself. A claim was made. A bargain was struck. I did not choose this. No matter what happens, he will be our final chance to hold it back. The Peacekeeper's duty rests with him alone now. If we both should fall before his time to rise, the final great light that holds back the ancient darkness will turn, and the sun goddess's wrath will finally find her vengeance for our ancestor's great betrayal.

If you allow humanity to perish, the world will shift in balance. The very power of the gods will shift in balance, and the world will lose the light that holds back the darkness in the sky. Please, defend our light. Defend our children, so they may defend our world in return...

My Lunai, my Solis, if somehow, you've made it... If you survive to read this... Protect each other. You have everything you need through one another. Defend the light, defend your namesakes. And if the world takes that light from you, let it all fall into darkness, for there can be no light in a world you two do not survive. I leave everything to you, my children. I will be near. I will be your guide when you are ready, until my heart's, nor my blade's protection is needed. I too, will make a bargain. You two are the light of my very life, and you will either share that light with the world, or use it to burn everything to ash.

It is your fight now. It is your fate, my children. It is your choice.

You bear the legacy of a king. Choose wisely.

Calium Aureus,

The King of Adamare.

Aster didn't make a single move at first. His attention snapped back to a single word, and the boy could only stare, not prepared for the sudden anger he would feel after reading the letter. Something dark inside of him stirred as he sat in his silence, processing what he had read. His true name, was Solis Aureus, he had a sibling, and he really was the last king of man. Aster stood, without a word, and left before being dismissed. Nobody stopped him. Nobody dared to.

Stahl was sitting on the bed in silence, still trying his best to contact his family to no avail. The wolf heard the crunching of boots in the dirt, and knew his boy had returned, albeit, far more quickly than the warrior had expected him to. When Aster stepped through the doorway, Stahl immediately stood and walked to him, speaking firmly as he reached out and laid a gentle hand on his arm.

"What happened?"

Aster looked up at his wolf, and told him everything. When he spoke his true name for the first time, something within the boy shattered. Aster didn't even realize he had shed a tear through his anger. Stahl pulled his mate closer, and the two laid down on the bed while Stahl gently stroked his love, whispering the softest reassurances as he did so, desperate to comfort his mate's aching heart. Finally, Aster admitted what had bothered him the most.

"I had a sibling... Their name was Lunai. I knew that was a possibility, but to known for certain makes it hurt more... Why was my family taken from me? Why did the gods let me live, but take everyone else?. Sir Corper was right, I should have died with the rest of man, anything different was an injustice."

Aster buried his face into his warm spot, and let himself cry into his wolf's chest once more in his potent frustration. Stahl truly understood that pain and anger... He had asked himself the same question many times. As his mate caved beneath his sorrow, Stahl spoke in a whisper, finally telling his human what he had avoided really talking about with anyone for over two years.

"When my brother Silbern was killed, I asked the gods the same thing. The moment I felt that jolt through my bloodskill, I asked why they would take the next great leader of our pack, and leave the third son... That loss split my family in two Aster... We've never been the same. I haven't even seen my mother or my younger brother since then... My older sister visited briefly a while back, but I could tell, being back at our home estate was too hard for her. We all carry so much guilt for what that demon took from us that day... My father more than anyone."