9

  Previously three years ago…

  “I’ll kill you for what you have done, boy!” King Phizer, King of Edindale, and the Pale.

  He swung his fist into the air as Omar hurdled over the balcony and fell three stories down, landing swiftly on his feet. King Phizer screamed out in anguish at Omar. The young Marshall’s blue eyes looked up above at the angry King, whose flabby neck jiggled as he shook his head violently with anger. Omar laughed back at him.

  “My lord, I served you well.” Omar chuckled. “You cannot be mad that I hinged on telling you the truth.” Omar’s shrugged his shoulders and hurriedly pulled up his tattered trousers and threw on a shirt. Phizer’s children Damian, Luna, and Amy stood next to their father observing Omar from above, each of their expressions amiss. Damian stared at Omar with disgust, while the girls laughed to themselves.

  “You are no Malakai Blade, boy,” King Phizer snapped. “You take me for a fool? Then, you have the nerve to bed one of my daughters, you filthy tar-skinned demon!”

  “Luna enjoys my company, as I do hers.” Omar winked at the pretty brunette above. A smile lit up her face as her face grew a deep shade of red. “My mistake, my lord. I believe I should get a pass for being Malakai’s younger brother.”

  “Guards!” Phizer yelled. “Arrest him!” He pointed at Omar as if he was a tattling child. “Anyone who disrespects the Phizer name shall be executed!”

  Sure enough, by the swift speed of a predator in the wild, a pack of guards came storming out of the entrance to the palace from the bridge, sword and shields in hand. Their chain armor clanked loudly. Each soldier seemed younger than Omar, and many coughed and carried themselves like sick rabid dogs.

  “Are you all drunk?” If Phizer hadn’t lost it already, he was about to.

  “Until we meet again.” Omar bowed and made his escape, sprinting towards the capital city, waving goodbye to the King. “I wish you well, my lord.”

  …

  “So...” Darius sunk deeply into his seat, rubbing his temples. “Not only did you lie about being with your mother all this time, you were also the King’s guard pretending to be your older brother. And then, you fled from his guards.”

  Omar stood firmly attentive, as Darius flipped through hundreds of documents while his eyes remained steadily fixed on Omar. Darius had sent him off to the College of Belkos to become a warrior,(add what he did instead). Disappointment rested on his face.

  “I uh–”

  “Save it,” Darius interrupted. He rose from his seat and leapt across the table with his hands stretched far out. “This situation. It makes me…” he stuttered. “It makes me so…”

  Darius then began laughing uncontrollably. Each time the laughter would lessen, Darius would pause, take a deep breath, look at Omar, and start laughing all over again. “It makes me remember myself of when I was your age.” Darius gripped both of Omar’s shoulders pulling him in for a hug.

  Omar was at now at ease. Finally relaxing, he hugged his father back. “I’m glad.”

  “You are no longer a child, son. Whatever decisions you make, I can only support you. I just hope you didn’t join just to sleep with one of the princesses.” Darius winked and turned back towards his desk.

  “Father…” Omar groaned. He rolled his eyes before plopping down onto one of cushioned seats beside Darius’s desk.

  The room was decorated with tapestries all along the walls that told a story about a man who had travelled the world and explored its diverse cultures. The tapestry had vibrant colors sewn in carefully with expensive threads, even banners and flags from different realms in Eurafalia were sewn along the edges.

  Darius had mounted greatswords, katanas, rifles, and other weapons on each wall. There were no pictures of family or friends hung up on display, yet there was a portrait of himself hanging proudly in his office. The picture stared back at Omar.

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  Unfinished documents and opened letters were scattered along the floors. Darius folded a wad of envelopes together in a band. “For your punishment, Omar, since King Phizer discovered that you were only posing as your brother Malakai, you must stay in the villa until you figure out what’s next for you.”

  Omar bowed his head. “Thank you, father. I was going to join Malakai on his ship. Maybe, travel for a bit?” Excitement jolted through his body. “The life of a scholar or guard is not one for me.”

  Darius stiffened. He didn’t raise his head, only carried his voice with a mutter. “You think that is wise? Your brother is a smuggler.” He organized the envelopes on the table separating the wads into different piles. “Now, I raised you all to choose your own fate. But the life of a smuggler is not you. Out of all my children, I saw you as the one who could make a legend of himself. Don’t sell your soul for something you do not believe in. That is what makes a man miserable.”

  Omar leaned closer to the table. His father handed him one of the stacks of envelopes before leaned back in his own chair, observing the chandelier above their heads. “When I was your age, I was so arrogant and anxious to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I tried everything…military, serving, politics, anything. Eventually, I learned our hearts choose what path we must take. Sure, take in account what others tell you, but make no mistake about it child. The man who can walk through hell unsure of what lies ahead is the man who makes a mark in the world and changes it for the better.”

  Omar nodded his head, considering his father’s advice. “I understand.” He stood from his chair and shook his father’s hand. “I will hold off for a moment then.” Omar lifted up the envelopes in curiosity.

  “Very well. Those envelopes all go to one man in Eisenburg, the small travelers’ rest area just outside of the city. Look for a man named Cassiel, a dear friend of mine. It is important that he receives these today,” Darius stated.

  Omar nodded and bowed as he made for the door. “It will be done, sir.”

  The door closed behind him, as the morning light hung low over the Pale Mountains. The sky was painted with different shades of blues, making it seem as if there was a floating sea above his head. The courtyard of the villa was quiet except for the joyous singing of the birds and the sound of running water coming from the center fountain. Beautiful flower bushes and flatbeds of grass enhanced the garden’s beauty. Next to the fountain stood a statue of a warrior that resembled Darius in his prime years as an adventurer.

  Omar walked through the courtyard cautiously, hearing an elderly man with long black hair educating a boy by the fountain. “Jai.” Omar grinned. The teenage boy tossed his books aside and ran up to his brother.

  “Omar!” He jumped up, tackling Omar in a hug.

  It had been months since they had seen each other. Ever since Omar took the position as the King’s guard, Jai had been alone in the house. Malakai was away at sea and Maeve, their older sister, was staying at the College of Belkos with their mother.

  Omar examined his younger brother who was as vibrant as ever. Jai had wrapped his black dreads into a loose bun and was wearing silk robes. His moonstone-colored eyes sparkled full of life.

  “You seem… as enthusiastic as ever.” Omar rubbed his chest laughing.

  Jai giggled, sticking up his fists playfully for a challenge. “I’ve been training, Omar. I bet I could kick your ass now!” Jai continued to pretend to box his brother, bouncing around and giving gentle punches to Omar’s arms and chest.

  Omar whiffed. “Sure.” Omar swiftly grabbed Jai’s shoulder, and swept his leg underneath him, taking the kid off his feet. Omar laughed out loud, as Jai stumbled back up dusting himself off. “Still as gullible as ever.”

  “Oh, shut up.” Jai spat out a piece of grass. “Mr. Royal Knight,” he mocked.

  “Alright. Fun’s over.” He offered Jai his hand for a shake, but Jai did not welcome it.

  “Is Father finally giving someone his mail duty?” Jai motioned to the letters.

  “Unfortunately.” Omar smiled. He noticed the older man sitting behind them that had been speaking with Jai before Omar had arrived. It took a couple of seconds for Omar to finally realize who he was. The man sat patiently, turning the pages of his book with a charred right hand. The man had a calm demeanor, even with a long hawk’s claw scar gouged against the right side of his face.

  “Is that… the Mystic Hawk?” Omar questioned like an obsessive fan.

  “The one and only.” Jai turned back to Hawk and smiled. “He’s the man who destroyed the Lotus Blade. Yeah, he is my teacher. I know, pretty sick right?”

  Omar was beyond impressed by his younger brother. His words were stuck in the back of his throat, unsure of what to say to Hawk or Jai. Hawk’s holy white robes had silver gems scattered along the fabric.

  “No one like that ever taught me.” Omar grimaced. “Must be nice.”

  “You never were a scholar at fifteen,” Jai joked. He pointed to his temple. “They say I hold smarts not even Kings have. Pretty cool for your future Legend King, isn’t it?”

  “Legend King…” Omar scoffed. He turned slowly as though he sensed those Hawk’s eyes watching and listening to them both. Not to any surprise to Omar, he was. Nervously, he turned back around, avoiding eye contact. “I bet a Legend King would not leave his mentor waiting any longer.” Omar raised his brow.

  Jai turned back anxiously. “Yeah. You might be right. See you tonight at the party?”

  “Didn’t know there was one. I’ll be there. But let me go deliver this so I can make it back in time,” Omar assured Jai. The two parted, as Omar left the courtyard, and Jai returned to his lessons.