Morwin’s room was the same as he’d left it. Well, not exactly the same. Servants came by to tidy it up a bit, but everything still remained in the right places.

  He ran straight to his bed and jumped in it, the bed instantly absorbing the impact and Morwin sank into the mattress. How comfortable. Much better than the nights spent in tents or traveling by towns with rundown inns with infested beds.

  He wanted to curl up and fall asleep. He’d been feeling a lot more drained recently, but his job still wasn’t over. Morwin had told Mr. Axwel that he would be the one to give the report to Lord De’Shai.

  But his bed was so soft… so inviting.

  No.

  He pushed himself off and wandered through the intricate hallway. The flooring was made of polished marble, as was the ceiling and walls. Patterns ran throughout the entire space, forming delicate designs.

  Several servants glanced as Morwin walked by. Some stopped to welcome him back from his journey. He exchanged thanks with them and continued on his way.

  To someone visiting the palace for the first time, the intertwining hallways and misleading signs would be confusing. It was part of the design, as if there were ever a siege, then they wouldn’t know where to go once they entered. The only people who would succeed in raiding such a place would be someone who’s worked there for years or Morwin himself.

  He came face to face with the plain wooden door that Lord De’Shai sat on the other side of. He raised a fist to knock but hesitated for a moment. He didn’t know why, but he felt nervous about talking to his father again. Could he look him in the eyes, the man he’s called his dad all his life? Or would he just see a stranger there?

  He sucked it up and rapped on the door a couple of times.

  “Who is it?” came his father’s gruff voice.

  “It’s me,” Morwin said. He took a hold of his sapphire necklace, staring at his reflection in it. He couldn’t help but Absorb in some essence, just a trickle. Ever since he’s discovered his abilities, he unconsciously used his powers during stressful times. It was an out for his anxiety, and he let it flow out freely.

  “Come in,” was his father’s reply.

  Morwin entered the room and shut the door behind him. His father sat at his usual desk, papers sprawled on his desk. He held a quill in his right hand and was scribbling something down on the papers.

  His father motioned at a chair. “Come take a seat,” he said.

  Morwin walked slowly up and pulled the chair out. He sat down and waited. An awkward moment passed, but finally his father placed the paper down on the table and stared up at him, raising an eyebrow.

  “How was Jovin City?”

  “It was good.”

  “Did you go swimming?”

  “No.”

  “I heard some rebels made their way to you. Did they give you guys any trouble?”

  Morwin paused for a moment. He hoped it didn’t seem obvious he was formulating a lie. “No, they didn’t know I was there.”

  Lord De’Shai relaxed visibly and leaned back in his chair. He stretched his arms over his head.

  “Then tell me about your experience,” was his reply.

  “I talked to Lord Seldam of Jovin City. He’s agreed to let you move your soldiers into the city by way of Jovin River.”

  “Excellent,” Lord De’Shai spoke.

  Morwin sat there and blinked. He felt… disappointed. For some reason, he expected more from his father. He wanted a hug, and for his father to tell him “good job, son” or something similar. Instead, he gave a one word reply and resumed whatever work he was bogged down with.

  Morwin balled up his fists.

  “Phalmor died,” he said.

  His father lowered the paper again and raised an eyebrow. “Who?” he said.

  “Phalmor. He was one of our servants. You hired him and you picked him to be one of the men to accompany me. He died in one of the attacks by Justicar. Mr. Axwel found his body.”

  “A shame,” Lord De’Shai spoke, his tone void of any emotion. “Thank you for bringing this to my attention. We will have his position replaced by the end of the week.”

  “What about his family?” Morwin asked. He couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable about how little of a regard his father held for a human life.

  “I will notify them by writing. They will know by the end of tomorrow.”

  Lord De’Shai pulled out a tiny piece of paper and wrote something down, folding it up and putting it off to the side.

  “Are you planning to reimburse them in some way?” Morwin asked.

  “What I plan to do with the grieving family is none of your concern. All you have to know is they will be taken care of,” Lord De’Shai said.

  Morwin couldn’t believe it. His father lost one of his loyal employees, someone who quite literally dedicated his life to the job. And that was all he could muster? Nothing in terms of grief. The older man didn’t even seem phased. Morwin wanted to get up and run out of there. Wanted to hide from the world. Everything he thought he knew had been a lie. A tiny part of him hoped that whatever Galvin told him had been fabrications. Hoped he could return back to his normal life and forget about Justicar.

  But how would he feel about himself if he just turned a blind eye to everything?

  Morwin shook his head. No, he needed more. He needed to find out just how much he thought he knew had been lies.

  Morwin stared down at his necklace, dangling from his neck, the surface of it reflecting any light that came into contact with it, giving a blue hue. He could use this newfound ability on his father, force him to confess everything. Morwin reached out with his mind and Absorbed in some sapphire essence, letting it fill him. He stared his father in the eyes, and his father stared back, not knowing what was going to happen.

  He had powers. He was no longer the weakling from before he left the capital. He focused on Mind. Then he noticed how tired his father’s eyes were.

  Morwin expelled all of the essence right away. No, he could never do that to his own flesh and blood.

  “Right,” Morwin replied, looking down, a feeling of shame overcoming him. “Well that’s all I had for you, I better leave you to your work.”

  Morwin got up and turned to leave. He was almost out the door when Lord De’Shai’s voice came from behind. “Oh and son?”

  “Yeah?” he said, not turning around.

  “Make sure you don’t wear that necklace anymore. The king has outlawed citizens to wear gemstones, and I will enforce his law even in my household. I will have someone make you a fake so you can wear that instead.”

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Got it,” he said before leaving the room. He left in a haste so his father couldn’t see the tears flowing from his eyes.

  Some of Morwin’s servants showed concern for him as he ran past them. He ignored them, and ran straight to his room. He slammed the door shut, his back against the door, his body crying out for breath. He slid down onto the floor and placed his head in his arms, unsure of what to do.

  He told Galvin he’d join Justicar. Truth was, he was unsure. He was no warrior. He couldn’t fight. He wasn’t particularly good at Gemming. He’d be a liability.

  On the other hand, he just realized his father is not the man who he thought he was. All throughout his life, he’d been shut out from the real world, only to believe fantasies taught to him. What kind of person was the king truly?

  And could he be brave enough to fight against his father? He felt torn in many places and he wasn’t sure if he could pick up the pieces.

  A soft knock came at the door.

  “Go away,” Morwin said, trying his best to hold in his sobs.

  “Young Master Morwin,” Mr. Axwel’s voice said. “I have some important matters I wish to discuss with you.”

  Morwin stood up. Did none of the servants tell Mr. Axwel they saw him practically running through the hall crying?

  He quickly wiped his eyes and composed himself, Absorbing some sapphire to help him with that, and then opened the door.

  The head servant stood on the other side, in his full servant outfit as usual. He was never without it.

  “May I come in?” he asked.

  Morwin stepped to the side and motioned an invitation.

  Mr. Axwel wandered into the room and sat at one of the chairs. He sat straight and tall, hands clasped and placed on his lap. No matter what the man did, everything screamed of professionalism.

  “Yeah, what is it?” Morwin asked.

  “I just came to-,” he began then frowned. “Young Master Morwin have you been crying?”

  Morwin responded by sniffing and wiping at his nose. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

  “You must tell me the matter that are troubling you at once so I may be of help remedying it!” he cried out.

  “Well,” Morwin said, taking his sapphire necklace and staring at it. A teardrop fell onto the gemstone. “My father says I can’t wear this anymore because of the new law the king has put into effect. He says this household must follow the laws of the king.” A half truth. He hoped it sounded believable enough that Mr. Axwel wouldn’t question him.

  “Ah,” the servant said. “I’m truly sorry. You see, the king is just being cautious, that’s all. Nothing against you. I’d be surprised if they accused you of being a part of Justicar. I don’t think it should be a problem, but just to be safe it would be wise not to wear that. I know how much it means to you and how much it reminds you of your mother. So just keep it in your room and sleep with it, alright?”

  His mother… Marivel De’Shai. Did her death bring about a change in his father? Was it her death that caused him to become a completely different man?

  Morwin nodded. “Okay,” he said. He pulled out a drawer and placed the necklace inside before closing it again. “Now what did you want to talk to me about?”

  Mr. Axwel sat up even straighter. “Well, I’m not sure if I can discuss it now, now that I know what you are going through,” he said.

  “Just spit it out,” Morwin said. He moved to lay on his bed, his hands clasped and resting on his chest.

  “I… am retiring,” the servant spoke.

  Morwin shot up. “What?!” he exclaimed. “Please tell me you’re joking!”

  Mr. Axwel shook his head. “In all my years of servitude, Young Master Morwin, when have you ever thought me to be the joking type?”

  “But why?” Morwin asked. “You’re my favorite among the people my father’s hired! I don’t know anyone else like I know you!”

  “Well you are going to have to start talking to them,” he said. “Truly, these years I have been under the servitude of Lord De’Shai has taught me many things that I will carry on for the rest of my life, regardless of how short it is. I promise you I will always remember you.”

  Morwin frowned. “That’s not the concern here,” Morwin said. “I don’t want anyone else to be the head servant. Only you!” He paused for a moment. “Does my father know about this?”

  Mr. Axwel nodded. “I told him a month in advance.”

  “Even before we set out?”

  “Yes. Our journey was supposed to be the last time I spend under his employment. After today, I will no longer serve the De’Shai family.”

  “I don’t believe you,” Morwin said. “You don’t want to quit. Just stay.”

  Mr. Axwel chuckled. “Oh young Master Morwin. If only you could see the world as I do. Unfortunately, my passion in life has never been here. I was only here to watch you grow into a fine young man, and I’m truly glad I did. I will follow my true passion from here on out.”

  Morwin couldn’t believe it. He didn’t know how to feel. Two rough blows in the same day. He never should have returned. He should have stayed in Jovin City.

  “And what passion is that?”

  “Storytelling,” Mr. Axwel answered.

  “What do you mean storytelling?”

  “In all my years of being on this earth, I have learned a great many things. Seen a great deal, and I don’t intend to take it all with me to the grave. I’ve always wanted to share my knowledge of this land and others to people.”

  Morwin didn’t know what else to say. He knew that persuading Mr. Axwel to stay would be futile.

  “Very well,” Morwin said. “I suppose this is our abrupt goodbye?”

  Mr. Axwel casted eyes on him. His eyes glanced downwards and his lips twitched. Mr. Axwel had tears welling up in his eyes but nothing came out. Even in emotional moments, he always was the kind of man to maintain a front.

  “Yes, this will be goodbye,” Mr. Axwel said. The two men hugged and Mr. Axwel relaxed in his chair. “How about I tell you one of the stories I’ve had in my head for a while, something as a goodbye gift?”

  Morwin couldn’t help but chuckle through his tears. “You want to tell me a story as a parting gift?”

  “Well, you have anything material that you could wish for. The only thing I can give you that you can’t get is knowledge,” the old man answered. “Now why don’t you sit back and listen for awhile?”