Embers

Chapter Eight

When Prentice told Franklin he was strung up in the air, Franklin brushed it off, half believing it, and half not worrying about it. He felt fine and there wasn’t an explanation for it since he doesn’t know what to tell him. He only remembered fragments of it. Not only so, but it would be beneficial to tell him when he could put it into words. In Franklin’s mind, he was confused, but he felt lighter than ever. He felt as though he could focus on one thing and not on many things that would stress him out. He realized he needed to have a better understanding of whom he truly was and embraced that instead of giving people a hard time.

Prentice trailed behind him and reminded him his father was requesting to see him, and for the good of all, he should not disobey. Deeply, Prentice kept thinking of what happened, silently noting the nonchalance he sees in Franklin about what occurred. If anything, it seems that Prentice was overreacting, but he still felt uneasy. Seeing that a thorough research needs to be done, he parted with Franklin as he made way to his father's study, making the excuse of having work to do.

“Father, you requested to see me?” Franklin asked, entering the room. His father works all his tactics for the kingdom in there. He called it the task room.

Franklin always enjoyed the east wing of the kingdom. It was darker and people were hesitant to come close, fearing something would pull them into the darkness. Franklin hardly feared the darkness. The only thing he was fearful of was being summoned by his ever displeased father, who caught his ears in a whirl with one of his speeches about Franklin's future and his place in the kingdom. Though Franklin felt it would not go that way this time, something needs changing, he thought, and a wicked smile graced his face. The room was at the end of the kingdom and seemed to be the quietest, too. 

“Yes, Franklin. You missed your training. I wanted to know if you were okay.” His father asked in a surprisingly calm tone. He showed no anger, even if he felt it.

“Yes, never better. I got lost in my books in the library.” Franklin said, motioning to sit down. Seeing his father is calm now, he simply sat down.

“How do you find your training? Any problems?” The king asked, finally looking up from his papers long enough to see Franklin had already sat down. 

“No. To make up for my missed class this morning, I would like to patrol with the guards tonight.” 

To say it surprised the king at Franklin's request was an understatement, more like a shock gone to the brain. Franklin's eyebrows rose to see his father's slightly agape mouth and him quickly simmering down to face him with a straight face. The king pushed his chair back and narrowed his eyes at Franklin. 

Coming around his desk, he stood to Franklin and sighed, “there is no need to do that. I can understand you were away for good reason.”

This time, Franklin stood up as well. Only now realizing he had slightly torn clothing, he held his father's gaze and convinced him, “I insist. It would teach me a thing or two about keeping myself awake at night.”

“Well, if you change your mind, you can always stay indoors.”

This now worried the king about his young boy. What is the sudden change that made him come to the revelation of wanting to be outside? What is he trying to prove? 

Prentice passed by the door and overheard the situation. It seems odd that Franklin would obligate himself to something he outspokenly hated and loathe doing. Prentice wondered about the outcome and what he intends to benefit from it. It was from the heart, thought Prentice. It must be for good reason, or he is not willing to let his father down this time. Sighing, Prentice walked slowly away, the ends of the long coat dragging behind him.

It seems not long after Prentice got to his chambers and entered his spell room; he sensed another form behind him. Turning around, he scowled and went along, doing what he was about to do.

“What brought you here? It's been a while,” Prentice said as calmly as he could. He hated when someone showed up without an announcement. The royal life has been rubbing off on him. 

“You were always busy to visit me, so better make you surprised with mine, don't you think?”

The woman trotted in her massive form all over his small room. One can imagine what happened if she really was there. Darkness hid her well, and since she was in her spirit form, no one could see unless she wanted them to. It was a danger to do that, seeing that she was in the forest of damnation.

“The place you called home isn't very welcoming. What do you want?” Prentice said, now a little agitated and annoyed. She was prolonging her stay. 

“The situation is getting out of hand. It seems I might have a breakthrough.” She said, equally annoyed, folding her hands and turned her back to him. 

He sighed and rolled his eyes. Sister or not, she was achingly grating on his nerves, and he wasn't in the mood to tolerate anything of that sort. He stood quietly, allowing her to have her childish feud with herself, and to see how long she intended to keep it up.

“How did you do it? What is the problem, exactly?” He finally caved and asked. 

“I haven't figured it out yet, but I need help. When will you come?” She asked, as though ready to leave. 

“The boy isn't ready yet. It seems something is interfering with his magic. They want to have it all.” He quickly answered, ready to bid her farewell. 

“Don't be cynical. Nothing can touch the boy. He should be strong now to defend himself. Have you not been teaching him that?” She said aggressively. She was already cuffed and ready for him, as though to fight him. He chuckled at the thought of her having a shot at hurting him.  

“Yes, I have. How much do you think a rebellious child will accept if I tell him this?” He asked, waving his hand.

Before she could respond, the bell above rang, notifying Prentice the king wished to speak with him. She gave him a look of disdain and anger and she vanished. Looking at the work he was about to finish, Prentice sighed, muttered how tired he was, and vanished as well. 

He showed up in front of the king, and he calmly asked the king his regular line. He did his usual bow as well. 

“How may I please you, my King?” Prentice spoke in his polite tone. He had both hands hidden in front of him with his long coat.

“Where did you find Franklin this morning?” The king inquired, pacing up and down, panicky. 

At that moment, Prentice knew already that the king was suspicious that something was wrong with his son. Sighing, he understood the mission to ease the king's mind, and allow him to focus on other important things. 

“I found him in the library, Your Majesty,” he muttered softly once more. It seems raising his deep voice would only increase the tension within him. Humans allow anything to phase them, Prentice thought to himself. He noticed it frequently in Franklin. 

“Have you cast a spell for him to be more compliant with me?” The king has sized Prentice up, even though the poor man had to look up quite a few inches. He was a stubby king. 

“No, Your Highness. Franklin acted alone this morning. I related to him. You wanted to see him only.”

“Do you find him different this morning?” The king said sagging once more. Surely like himself, he was unable to fathom what happened to the old rebellious child.

“He showed care for his family, and his aggression isn't there anymore.” Truth be told, Prentice eyes wanted to bulge out of its sockets hearing the conversation, even though his mouth fell to the floor, figuratively, of course. 

“I noticed it too. Do you know what might cause it?”

“You should not think too much about it. It should be my problem.” He said as he motioned for the king to be back in his seat. It seems he had a lot on his plate and who's to say he needed more added to that. 

“Okay Prentice. I thought perhaps it was a new training of yours." 

“No, I assure you. Even my magic is not strong enough to convince someone to be civil with you.”

“What did you say?” The king quickly yelled, astonished. 

“I meant no disrespect, Your Highness. I should have rephrased that.” Prentice could not help his light chuckle. The king was red in the face. 

“Well, what could I do? You know him better. He is more comfortable with you than anyone else."

"I would like to cancel practice for a few days. I would like for you to see his progress with his sword."

"Okay then. Set up a match in an hour.I will be present."

With that and a wave of his hand, he was released from the study. He went off to find Franklin and seeing his good mood, it would be an effect for his sword. 

"Franklin, prepare for a sword combat between you and me. I want to see what you learnt so far."

"Okay. I would be here when you're ready."

He was already on the field with a few other swordsmen, good ones Prentice had taken notice. Franklin’s habits all changed, and slowly he became a different person. He was less aggressive during training, and kept mostly to himself. He went along with his training as much to get it over with and even apologized to his father for the day he missed, and to make up for it, he wanted to tag along the midnight patrol of the grounds. Since when was he so willing to please his father? For all Prentice knew, he never cared what his father thought of him. 

Prentice had been taking notice of his actions, but did not accept he suddenly changed. They stood at each other's eyesight, pacing to see who would strike first, and as expected, Franklin skillfully tipped on his toes and strike fiercely at Prentice's arm. They went along, striking each other's sword for a while, when Franklin's sword split the fabric of Prentice's shirt. 

"Oh no. I am sorry, Prentice. I know you said it was practice." He said childishly. 

"Be quiet. You have done well. Your father agrees too." 

The king was grinning from ear to ear proudly. The queen clapped joyfully and smiled, finally a smile of relief. It seems she was holding her breath.

"This calls for a celebration," announced the king, and they all cheered happily around. Loud chatters only increased after that announcement.

His brothers watched on to see if he would do something irrational. What worried Prentice more, as he watched Franklin, got more into his skin and the more anxious he got. He still hadn't figured out what the black snake-like fiend wanted to do with his young student.

He had been getting frequent nightmares of a burning forest, and he feared the time for Franklin to take the steps into his fate was nearing too quickly now.

After what happened, Prentice thought it was best to stop practicing his magical skills, thinking perhaps it was getting too much for Franklin. Even though he didn't believe a word of it, he decided not to poke the bear, and it runs amok his body and overrides his mind. 

As they were clearing the equipment they used during training, and everyone was dispersing, only a few close knitted people gathered around still, cheering for Franklin happily.

In all the joyful chaos, someone yelled, "WATCH OUT!"

It was at that moment something huge came flying over the wall, heading straight towards them.