Chapter Ten - The Royal Bloodline

“The first ruler of Shanaledge lived over millennia ago and was named king after the fall of a tyrannical dictator because he was a kind, fair man who always led his people in the right direction during times of hardships. This king led the townspeople in the demise of the evil dictator and helped his fellow man in reconstructing the realm. Every one of the towns’ folk gathered, bearing weapons and shields, aligned strategically with their most powerful upfront and in back. When the evil king fell, everyone praised the newly named king, begging him to fill the slot. From then on, the descendants of this rightful king all bared the same honest and goodwill character their forefather instilled in them.

“Every descendent required the knowledge of the hostile king before and what the entire town sacrificed to keep from such a malicious ruler from sitting in this position ever again. Each new ruler from henceforth would also require lessons on keeping their subordinates in good health and prosperity, while also being taught not everyone will benefit, but to keep the entire realm’s best interest at the forefront of every decision. Likewise, each ruler would also be required to keep tabs on the entirety of the problems faced by the land and keep in touch with citizens to extinguish fires before they arose.

“In times of war, if a peaceful solution could not be met, the kings and queens would always fight with their subordinates. These rulers did try to find peaceful solutions to problems, but when one could not be found or agreed upon, bloodshed was an unfortunate necessity during these times. However, these occurrences were very rare.

“While some rulers were valued more popular than others, they all share the same morals and beliefs throughout time. The Royal Bloodline continues to this day with the same morals, beliefs, and values the first king maintained.

“Every one of the royal family retains the same ability. This power is so great and unyielding it could only be entrusted with people who have outstanding character and judgment. The royal family is the only individuals known to possess the power of taking away all abilities a person has. Even though they retain this power, the royals have been known to refuse to use it unless necessary. While there are only a few known instances of this, the king or queen has always waited for the civilian to prove their worth before subjecting them to such a cruel fate.

“Many argue due to the royals’ apprehension to take away abilities from dangerous townspeople, this can lead to the entire destruction of the realm.”

I read from the book that I took from Silas’s room. This book has been very interesting for me to read, as I have found out more about the royal family and their roles in this society in this realm.

In my realm, royals were all about keeping the royal bloodline pure, keeping it in the family. This isn’t exactly true now, but in the past it was. While this was a completely disgusting concept to me and the majority of people in my realm, back in those times it made sense. But in Shanaledge, the family tree was extraordinary. There were so many names, written in tiny print that was faded, almost completely illegible. However, the newer names were printed in ink, which was fresh and vibrant, though I still found it hard to read because of its size.

The book wasn’t very thick and was small in width. The book also contained details of each newly born royal baby. Not only was the name, date, time, and weight recorded, but also their eye color, hair color, and measurements. Some of the babies were recorded to even have some medical problems. But the most important information was their abilities. Everything was so detailed in this book about the lives of each royal family member.

With the family tree being so big, there must be some cousins or long-forgotten relatives living in the city. However, even though the book recorded the entire family bloodline, there wasn’t a record of those individuals who are relatives who were not living in the castle.

I study the pages before me. If each of the royal bloodlines has the power to take away the abilities of others, and I am of the royal bloodline, then I should be able to take away all of Silas’s power. I thought to myself as I continued to try and formulate a plan to take down the man who was ruining not only my life but everyone in the entire realm as well.

Taking away his abilities was going to be a difficult task all on its own, but once I would be able to do this, I know there would be people here who are willing to follow this guy. Whether these people agreed with him or lived in fear, they would prove to be another obstacle for me, especially since most of them were his guards.

Unfortunately, everyone else who has opposed him, and could have truly been useful for me has either been killed or locked away.

There has to be a way to disrupt his influence. I thought optimistically, before drawing a long sigh of defeat. What were Silas’s abilities? Who would know? Asher may, but who knows when I’ll see him again.

A panic came over me as a dreadful thought came to my mind. I’m going to be married to a monster in two days. I started to pace back and forth in my room.

I need to get out of here… I need some space to think… But where could I go? I look around the room as if the four walls that imprisoned me could give me an answer. I may be able to move around the castle, but I still can only walk around under the watchful eye of a guard. And at that, they would immediately tell Silas any time I left my room. There was nowhere I could go without someone having some sort of tabs on me at all times. If I trip up, then Silas will know.

The only privacy I had was in this room, but this place could not be any more unbearable at the moment. What was I to do? My fear and panic started to cause me to hyperventilate. At this moment, I felt completely helpless. There was nothing for me to do to stop the inevitable marriage from happening. I would have to face marrying an atrocious person, deal with his desire to kill all life in this realm, and somehow manage to destroy him in the process.

It was simply too much for any one person to deal with.

I wished I could just be left alone and back at home. I wish none of this happened. Why did this have to happen to me? Why am I the one who has to be a part of stupid destiny and prophecy?

Rory’s Perspective:

Eden and I have remained with the old man until it was my “time” to return to Shanaledge, as the elder told me. I started to have my doubts about whether or not the guy would be helping us cross into Shanaledge. Most of the days were painstakingly dull and so exasperatingly slow while filled with nonsensical conversations and chores that were too strenuous for an older man to perform. While I didn’t mind helping the man because he did need the assistance, I was starting to become more resentful towards him as I wasn’t receiving any answers in return. I also found myself becoming increasingly annoyed by the old man’s mysterious riddles.

One night while I was waiting patiently by the campfire next to the old man’s little shack, the old man started to talk to me.

“You will get there in time boy. Don’t worry about that.”

I looked at him incredulously. “Get where?”

“Shanaledge.”

“But when?” I questioned in aggravation.

“Sooner than you think.”

“Why is it that every time I ask you something you have to be so vague?” I snapped.

The old man smiled in amusement. “It’s more fun this way. You don’t realize how long I have been out here alone.” He stated with a touch of sadness in his eyes. “To be out here all alone, with someone only seeking me out to try and provide a service.”

“Aren’t you the one who chose to be out here?” Eden questioned.

“If you lived in a place with thousands of people always asking you about the future and whether or not you can help them get here or there, you would volunteer to live a life as if you were in exile as well.”

“Fair point,” Eden stated, contemplating the old man’s words. All of us remained quiet for a little while. The only sound that could be heard was the crackling and popping from the fire.

After a few moments of silence, I started talking again. “So you don’t have any family or friends?”

“No. Once my family learned of my abilities, I was constantly asked what would happen to them in the future or ‘If I did this instead, what would happen to me?’ It came to the point where that’s the only thing my family would talk to me about. My parents and siblings wouldn’t even greet me or ask me how I was doing anymore. They only wanted answers about their own lives.”

“I can imagine that would be difficult.”

“Yeah, but it’s not so bad. Even though my nieces and nephews don’t know me, I know all about them. I know how my siblings are doing. I know when my parents died and the cause of their deaths. They may not know how I’m living, or if I am still alive, but I can see them whenever I want to.”

“But that still seems like a lonely life to live,” Eden replied sadly.

“It is. But when you are like me it is what you have to deal with.”

I gave him a weak smile, not sure of what to say. “How old were you when you realized you had these powers and had to leave your family behind?”

“I was about five years old when I knew I could see into the future. It wasn’t until I was about twenty when I figured out I could jump between each realm without any of the red tape and focus everyone else required. I know how difficult it is for someone to conjure up enough focus to maneuver through the different realms.” The old man started, looking back on his life. “I guess that’s why I became famous amongst our people. While I was showing off my ability, it was soon made known I could help those who could not focus enough energy to successfully do it themselves or aid in smuggling people who were exiled back into their lands to see their loved ones once more. That’s when I started charging people for my service.” His voice grew a bit hoarse as he spoke. He took a swig of water before continuing his story.

“People will do anything to jump through the different realms. I had it made. Free food, free shelter, and enough money in my pocket to put me through more than two lifetimes. But my name started to become too big. No one wanted to be my friend; all they wanted was my service. And I was going nonstop to help these ungrateful people. My energy was depleting, I grew tired and sickly. If I told my customers this, they would swear this was the last jump, that it was imperative and of great importance.

“But I was truly miserable. I hated my life. I didn’t have anyone on my side or who wanted my company. That’s when I decided if I was lonely with all these people around who are killing me, I might as well just live on my own and keep myself in the best of health I could manage. So one day, instead of taking these people out to do what they wished, I just disappeared. I made it to where no one would ever hear a word from me again.

“But of course, I needed to keep my name buzzing around for you and the protector to hear of.” The old man gave me a knowing smile.

“How could you have possibly known I would find you?” I asked in awe.

“Boy, don’t ask me stupid questions. I knew you would come searching for me and I made it possible for you to find me.”

“Okay… You don’t have to be insulting… Geez…” I started taken aback by the old man’s outburst.

The old man stared at me in annoyance.

Once again, the three of us sat in front of the fire in silence. The crackling noise from the fire filled the air to disrupt the quiet. Crickets were chirping off in the distance. I thought I heard some leaves shuffling around and maybe a stick break as if someone was walking around in the forest around us. I listened closely, trying to determine what the noise was and where it was coming from.

Eden noticed my sudden alertness and joined me in trying to figure out what it was.

When the campfire started to dwindle, the old man finally spoke, “It is almost time for you two to travel.”

The man’s voice broke the silence, causing Eden and me to jump. I was just about to speak to ask the old man what he was talking about when a familiar voice broke in.

“Rory.”

I stood up, enraged by the person’s voice. “What are you doing here?” I asked angrily.

“Look, I think we have a lot more problems than either of us has prepared for and I think we can both agree that this is more important than what I did,” Asher replied. “So if you are going to kill me, I think it would be best if it waits until everything with Ruth and Sarai is resolved.”

“No, I think killing you now would be a better option,” I stated furiously, lunging towards him. Eden grabs a hold of me.

“I’m serious Rory. I need your help and you are going to need mine.” Asher continues without flinching.

Eden thought for a moment while keeping a hold of me. “You better start explaining before Rory breaks free!” He replied.

“Silas has Sarai deep in his clutches. I don’t think she is even thinking clearly about anything anymore.” Asher responds while recounting everything that has happened since Sarai first showed up in Shanaledge. “I think she is in a lot of danger, more than we could have ever anticipated. If… If I would’ve known this was going to happen, if I would’ve known that Silas planned on marrying her, I wouldn’t have brought her there so quickly. I would have had her train more, mentally…” He takes a deep breath. “They have been spending a lot of time in private together...” His voice trailed as if he were trying to insinuate something.

“What are you trying to say?” I questioned with disgust and rage, ready to fight, breaking free from Eden.

Asher took note of my threatening posture and backed away from the accusatory remarks. “I just don’t think she has her head right. You know how Silas works as well as I do. I think he is preying on Sarai’s emotions to try and get close enough to her until she willingly gives him what he wants. You know what his abilities are and he is using them on Sarai.”

“So why are you here telling me all of this?” I responded impatiently as jealousy started creeping in.

“Look, I’m trying to be delicate…” Asher continues, pinching the bridge of his nose between his eyes as if to get rid of a headache. “If it wasn’t for me stepping in during the most inopportune times they would have…” He stammered, unable to tell me the truth. “She needs you, Rory.”

“Did she say that?”

Asher let out a deep breath. “No.”

My chest ached even more by Asher’s response, as I had got my hopes up thinking Sarai told Asher that she needed me.

“Sarai doesn’t even know I’m here. She thinks because of everything she’s had to do, everything that needs to be done, you wouldn’t understand, that you wouldn’t forgive her, that everything between the two of you is lost…” Asher stated. “Sarai is afraid for you to return to Shanaledge because you could be killed. She is also filled with so much guilt, Rory.”

“Is any of this supposed to make me feel any better?” I questioned angrily. “My one true love, my soulmate is getting cozy with someone else and she doesn’t even want me anywhere near her!”

“Only because she doesn’t want you to die, Rory! Remember the whole exile thing? Kill on sight.”

“I don’t care about any of that,” I started waving my hand. “I would die for her.”

“And where would that leave her?” Eden chimed in, taking Asher’s side.

Ignoring Eden’s question, I continued, “We wouldn’t be in any of this mess if it wasn’t for you.”

“Okay, can we deal with this part at another point in time? Kill me or beat the shit out of me after the real threat has been dealt with.” Asher replied impatiently. “Look, she needs you, Rory. Sarai may not know it and maybe she believes she is doing the right thing, but right now, we need to do other things than bicker about all of this!”

The old man clears his throat. Eden, Asher, and I had forgotten the man was even there as we were too embroiled by our conversation and emotions. “I believe you both have a common enemy who requires both of your undivided attention. And while Lady Sarai does hold the true key of restoring order in the realm, she also can destroy it as well. So you all need to work together for this plan to be successful this go around.” His expression grew stern. “Unfortunately, if you fail this time, there will not be any more do-overs. This is your last chance to make things right or Shanaledge, along with all the other realms, will be gone forever.”

“How could you know that?” Asher responded dumbfounded.

The old man gave Asher a knowing smirk. “Now, let’s get this going so Lord Silas will be no more.”

Just as we were about to start devising a plan, I fell to my knees with excruciating pain in my head. A loud ringing sound was all I could hear, Eden rushed to my side while Asher stood, frozen. The ringing became louder and louder, as an unknown force made me dizzy and nauseated. I had no idea what was causing this sudden attack, no idea until Silas’s voice started speaking to me.