Larek

“Listen Larek,” Garul started. I could hear the suppressed frustration in his voice. “I hold you in the highest respect… you’ve been my idol ever since you defeated me…”

“Okay?” I laughed as I passed out another slice of bread to the sea of peasants in front of me.

“But why the hell are we giving our hard-earned food to people on the streets?!”

His face looked as red as a tomato as he passed a cucumber to an orc child with shaking hands. “I want to conquer Beggar’s Street with as little bloodshed as possible. Besides, we have eleven fighters, most of them children, whereas this town houses two garrisons, each with over a hundred warriors. There’s no way we can win a one-on-one fight with them.”

“So your plan is to recruit the common people to our cause?” Garul seemed perplexed as he handed out more food.

“Well… kinda.” I grinned as I explained: “All we have to do is show that we would be better rulers than the Dijurobul Faction. When they realize a few protests and riots will break out… as soon as the fighting begins we lead the people to victory.”

“A lot of people are still gonna die, you know,” Garul sighed. As he did, I heard the faint sound of metal boots.

“Hey, what the fuck is goin’ on here?!” A gruff voice yelled, and murmurs began to spring up around the crowd.

“Well, here we go,” I smiled, and turned to Garul. “Call the others. If we’re lucky this crowd will fight in our favor.” Garul sighed and muttered something under his breath before disappearing into the crowd.

“What the Hell do you think yer doing?” A unit of two dozen soldiers on patrol, led by an ogre Sergeant pushed through the crowd.

“Well, I’m helping feed the people,” I claimed innocently. “People are starving, you know. They need food to survi-”

“Don’t give me that bullshit,” the ogre spat. “What are you trying to do, start a rebellion?”

Mutters began in the crowd. Whispers of “who do they think they are” and “to Hell with it, we should start a rebellion” were easily heard.

In the sea of people I saw Garul, Glitsnab and the other orphans looking inconspicuous. Well, here goes nothing. “The Dijurobul Faction does nothing for its people!” I yelled. “Look at them… famished, abused, forced to work. I will not stand for this no longer.” The murmurs around the crowd got louder and louder, so I continued: “Citizens of the Mountain Kingdoms: I will save you! I will protect you, and ensure that you each have a chance at life. I am Larek, son of Sharog, and I will lead you!”

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Cheers erupted in the crowd as the people raised fists in zeal. The ogre sighed. “Shoot an arrow through that bastard’s skull,” he commanded a goblin next to him, who nodded. The soldier grabbed his longbow, nocked an arrow and fired

The arrow spun towards me. I would have to concentrate… the projectile zoomed forwards, faster and faster… at the last second, I shifted to my right and grabbed the shaft of the arrow with both of my hands.

I could feel my hands bleeding as the arrow suddenly halted, but I didn’t care. I held up the arrow to show the crowd. “My people, if this is the best that our enemies can do, we will crush them!”

The crowd suddenly sprang into action, descending on the confused unit of soldiers. I jumped forwards just as Glitsnab drew Excalibur and threw it into the air. I caught it midair with both hands and sliced the ogre Sergeant in half with it as I landed. My act seemed to embolden the people even more, who began to beat at the soldiers relentlessly with their fists, pieces of wood, and stones on the ground. “For Larek!” They roared. “Our new King!”

You can win a battle as a ruthless general, sending in troops to die, but people fight better for a cause they believe in. Today, the people of Beggar’s Street believed in me.

Serim

“Have you heard?”

“The King’s brother… he died yesterday night, didn’t he?”

“In his bed, along with his wife. Someone stuck a knife through both of them.”

“The King’s other brother was poisoned a while ago, wasn’t he? Do you think it was the same person?”

I smiled as I rode on my carriage towards the Royal Castle. Let the common folk gossip and wonder. They are nothing more than sheep blindly following their rulers. And once I am their ruler… they will be mine.

It was very unlikely that I would ever sit on the golden throne of Aubrerid. The King’s two sons were the next two heirs, then his daughters. Finally his two brothers, his nephew, his sons’ wives, his eldest daughter’s husband, and then me. His brothers were dead, and so was his nephew - my doing, of course. My next target was to be the husband of his daughter - killing one of his children would be near-impossible at this point, but he did not care much for his son-in-law.

“My Lord,” I kneeled down and kissed King Liram Brightheart of Aubrerid’s hand as I entered the Royal Castle. “You summoned me.”

“Indeed,” boomed the King. “I have received word from Resse.”

“My brother?” My eyes lit up. The plan to liberate Ashait was going faster than expected.

The King nodded. “He says he will start the rebellion two weeks from now. Although he has mustered a formidable force, he required assistance. Will you be able to lead, say, ten thousand men to come to his aid.”

“Of course, but…” I pretended to be in deep thought. “Would it be possible for Tarden Heavenheart to join me?”

“My eldest daughter’s spouse?” The King seemed slightly perturbed.

“I heard he’s an excellent warrior,” I explained, “and he might help in the liberation of Ashait.”

The King looked relieved. “All right. Can you leave tomorrow morning?”

“Of course.” I bowed before leaving the Royal Castle smiling. Tarden Heavenheart… true, he was a legendary knight, but even knights wouldn’t survive a few knives in their chest.