Midway pt. 9 Fathers Unknown
I traveled to the embassy. It was a long ride on horseback that nearly took till sundown to clear. The building was unlike anything else in the city, it went below ground rather than above. My first steps were into shadows as I followed a narrow set of stairs down into the earth that slowly turned into a tunnel lit by torches. I thought I was alone but as I crept deeper I could see guards standing near every other torch. I tried to speak with them as I walked but they gave nothing. I finally met the end of the tunnel. There was a large wooden door locked from the opposite side. A man slid open a slot to speak
Stranger - what is your business here
Par- I'm looking for Non
Stranger - there is no one here by that name
He started to close the sliding door.
Par- I am Par Prince of The Kingdom of Fae , and I command you to open this door
Stranger - you have no power here prince, only a king or queen may enter
Par- then I'm here to speak to King Teco
Stranger- the king of Catalina has given now warning of visitors to allow entry
Par- ask him if he wishes to speak with me , he will tell you to let me in
She shut the door and for a long while I was in silence. Suddenly the gigantic wooden door was open and I was allowed in. The main area was spacious, in truth it was a big circular waiting room with several doors.
Stranger - the King of Catalina is behind door 5 , he will see you now
I proceeded to enter room number 5 . It was a red room with black furniture and dim lighting. There were guards everywhere and in the center sat Teco as if he were waiting for me.
Teco- You should have a seat
I sat across from him unsure of the meaning to the situation.
Par- I'm looking for Non
Teco- so your enjoying my choice
Par- you don't care that I know you wanted us together
Teco- I want many things for you , all good , so why would I not want you to know
Par- you used him to lead me here
Teco- he had no choice but to return to my side , as a member of my guard he must see to the routine renewal of my detail , your following him is simply an added bonus to the usual
Par - it feels like your lying to me , setting me up and luring me here
Trco- Your king is the one who has lied to you, and in more ways than one but I offer you the truth
Par- And what is the truth
Teco- You are my son
Par- I've already heard this lie , and it is impossible
Teco- It was a plan made to stretch across years , we made sure you would be in the royal family of Fae so that you might take the throne and give it's power to me
Par- I'm no spy
Teco- No , but you are my son , in giving you up I realized how cold I'd become as a ruler , that is why I left you in the dark , so that you might grow up unhindered by my short comings
Par- lets pretend that I believe this story , It doesn't matter, I'm not yours
Teco- No , you are no one's to control, but there is more that you do not know
Par- I don't need this , I came here for Non , not this
I tried to stand but blades were held to my throat until I sat down once again.
Teco- You may not be mine to control but I will protect you , and that is why you will listen
Par- To what
Teco- Growing up you assumed you and your brother were the odd children, but your sister is not a child of your king and queen ether
Par- What does that mean
Teco- Your queen had a miscarriage, she never gave birth to a single living heir
Par- How could you know something like that
Teco- because I have kept eyes on you and your family long before I gave you to them
Par- So my sister is adopted as well , what difference does it make
Teco- Her birth father makes the difference
He paused.
Teco- Her birth father was a man of great wealth, great power , and great insanity
Par- What
Teco- Sky's father was insane, and so was his father and his and so on and so forth
Teco- Are you implying that my sister is insane
Teco- We believe your sister is the one responsible for the attempt on your King's life
Par- I'm done here , let me go
Teco- Your people, your inspectors they are poor at best , it took my spies only days to find the poison that nearly killed your king
He tossed me a vile of the poison.
Teco- We had it extracted from each slice of cake that was served that night , would you like to know who's slice had none
Par- Stop this
Teco- You, your brother, and your sister had no poison while your king and Queen were given enough to kill ten men, I have no doubt that if anyone else had received there deserts that night it would have been their last
Par- My sister did not do this , she is too loyal , too protecting
Teco- I've given you the information that you need , but I won't hold your hand , if you do not trust me then search for the answer on your own , I'm sure you'll be back when you realize that I am on your side like only your true family can be
I left only after the guards let me stand and pass them to get to the door. On my way out of the tunnel up the stairs I found who I came for. He was waiting for me
Par- Was this all just a game to you
Non- No
Par- Then why make me go through this
Non- I have done nothing but be loyal to my kingdom and it's king
Par- My father,
I couldn't believe I called him that.
Par- your king , thinks that I need you, he thinks you would be good for me , what do you think
Non- You lasted a minute longer than any of my men in combat, I'd say you don't need anyone
Par- I don't know if I can trust you
Non- Then don't , but as the winner of our ritual Know that if you come to look beyond what your father has set into motion I will be here for you
Non- I suppose this is better than finding out you were only in it to deliver me
Non- And pass up the chance to be with a formidable opponent who may one day rule two kingdoms, of course not
Par- will you ride with me back to the castle
Non- another night my prince, King Teco has requested that I stay here for the remainder of his stay in your land
Par- and how much longer will he be here
Non- we make leave for Catalina at dawn
Par- so your leaving
Non- already you show me more affection than I deserve, I'm sure you will have many to keep your company until we meet again
Par - and you wouldn't protest it
Non- you are a prince , I'd be a fool to think you unwanted by many, and it be cruel to deny you you the joy of joining with them whether it be myself or another
He stepped closer engulfing me in his presence.
Non- but I leave you with this
He held my chin and parted my lips with his tongue joining our lips as our eyes shut. For a moment we were nowhere but with each other. And as it ended I could already tell how I'd miss the embrace. With a kiss to keep me warm I went on my way home to search for cold truths.