PART 1

Henry sat near the fire in the center of their small camp. Kyburn and five soldiers busied themselves with other things as he cooked a fish he had caught from a stream. They had just returned from hunting and they skinned three rabbits as he struggled to not burn his fish.

As if on cue, Kyburn looked up and stared at the fish, “It’s going to burn. Take it off.” he advised. “Salt it and it will taste fine.”

“Alright, alright.” Henry mumbled, feeling inadequate.

Biting into the soft flesh, Henry was surprised to enjoy the small fish. He offered a part of it to Kyburn but he politely refused.

“I’ll wait for this rabbit.” he said while skinning the second one he caught. “Rabbit stew is what I long for now that I have it in my hands.”

“Suit yourself.” Henry shrugged as he inhaled the last piece of fish into his open mouth. “I can still have some of your rabbit stew though… right?” he worried that by eating the fish Kyburn would keep the stew to himself and the five soldiers.

Kyburn chuckled over his shoulder, shaking his head at him, “Yes, Henry. You can have some of the stew. It won’t be ready for a while though.”

Light shone through the trees giving off a glare from the sun on the horizon, each ray looked like light beams stretching to the ground. Henry took a moment to capture the scene for later.

“Could we-” Henry began.

Suddenly two guards dropped to one knee and raised a fist, indicating everyone to be silent. Everyone in the camp stopped what they were doing and kneeled to the ground, ready for an attack. Henry didn’t hear anything but copied them in crouching, listening for danger. A moment later he heard horses and they drew nearer.

Kyburn dropped his rabbit, in the middle of skinning it, and went for his sword silently. Henry grabbed his knife on the log he sat on earlier and the rest of the men drew their swords, quietly and slowly.

Through the trees, Henry spotted two horsemen, when suddenly they stopped, noticing their fire. “Who goes there?” a voice shouted.

“Kyburn of Zulin!” he responded. “State your name!” Kyburn shouted back.

“Kyburn!” a familiar voice responded. “It’s me, Erik!” he broke away from his guard.

Henry got a good look at him and nodded to Kyburn. “It’s him.”

“You’re early.” Kyburn shouted over to him. “We weren’t expecting you. Did something change?” he relaxed and sheathed his sword.

“My apologies friends.” Erik said, trotting up to them with one guard on his heel. “I intended to stay longer with my sister but I thought it best they have more time to themselves.”

“Please. Join us.” Kyburn offered. Everyone visibly relaxed and went back to their business.

“Thank you. I am quite sore from riding. I could use a break.” Erik mumbled.

“Yes. Thank you, kind sirs.” Erik’s guard said as he slid off his horse next to Erik.

“Who’s he? Kyburn gestured to his guard.

“This is Durlan. He saved my life in Vlakias.” Erik praised. “Henry, you two are not far apart in age.”

“In Vlakias?” Henry frowned, then turned to Durlan who approached with an outstretched arm.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Durlan smiled. He went around the camp awkwardly and shook each man’s hand then stood stiffly, obviously uncomfortable.

“Please, sit here, sire.” Henry pointed to a log close to the fire. “Lord Kyburn is skinning some rabbits and making stew. Would you care for some?”

“I’d love some rabbit stew.” Erik grinned. “Thank you for the kind offer.”

“Don’t mention it.” Kyburn huffed after continuing his skinning. “How bout you?” he nodded to Durlan. “Care for some rabbit?”

“Very much so, sir.” Durlan said while nodding his head politely.

“Ah, I forget you once were a soldier. Tell me, lord Kyburn.” Erik addressed him. “What did you do after the war? I’ve heard many stories of your valor and skill in battle but I’ve never heard the tale of after.”

Kyburn shifted from one knee, still crouching. “There’s not much to tell really. King Xerath gifted me Zulin and I’ve been lord ever since, governing the town.”

“Wife? Children?” Erik asked. “A handsome man like you, I bet all the ladies lined up to get a shot at you.”

“I’m afraid not.” Kyburn turned solemn. “My duties prevented me from pursuing a family.”

“I see.” Erik frowned. “I meant no offense.”

“Can you tell us stories of the war?” Henry asked. “I’ve only heard what happened, not how it happened. How bout when you saved the king's life?”

“Alright.” Kyburn sighed, handing over the rabbits for someone else to skin. “Xerath wasn’t king at the time. He was still a prince. His father wanted him to experience war so he sent him to deal with the Kligirian armies. He entrusted me to be his right-hand man.”

Henry listened intently, occasionally taking mental notes of details.

“He was arrogant and wouldn’t listen to his advisors, wanting to prove his worth. In doing so, he allowed Armin to faint him into overcommitting in the battle at Yidor. It seemed we had overcome the Kligiarn forces but we soon realized the mistake.” Kyburn said as he wiped away the sweat from his forehead. “King Armin had pulled his main force back and encircled us from the forest. No one was aware of the army hiding in the woods and no scouts were sent in search of danger beforehand which was another mistake Xerath made. However, even with the tactical advantage, we outnumbered the Kligirans ten to one. We took heavy losses in the assault but we were winning.”

Erik frowned, which Henry guessed he already knew the story and knew what was about to happen.

“Armin, in a last-ditch effort, drove his remaining forces straight for Xerath, who believed he was safe behind his men. They cut through the lines, determined to cut the head off the snake but I had seen it coming and I had brought a small force in which I was in command of from their flank.” Kyburn continued the story, the memory wasn’t a fond one and Henry began to regret asking because of the look Kyburn gave him. “The line had collapsed and Xerath was vulnerable, Armin pushed through with several dozen men when I arrived with mine. By this point, everyone was bloody and wounded many times over but we faced off, for we knew if Armin killed us, Xerath would be finished.”

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“Mm?” Erik mumbled something under his breath but Kyburn ignored it.

“It came down to three of my men against Armin’s six. We fought and fought but every last one of my men were cut down before me. When I stood alone against Armin himself and three more Kligirian’s I knew I would die but I held my ground. It was my duty to protect the prince, so I faced them alone. Armin and his men hesitated, seeing the desperation in my eyes. For all the things said about king Armin, he was not without honor. I could see it in his own eyes, his own desperation to see his armies victorious. They poked away at me, slowly sapping my strength, for whatever reason, they did not wish to kill me.”

The whole camp was silent as Kyburn told his story, one that was not in any of the history books and each man listened intently.

“Xerath saw my plight and rushed in to save me. His horse had been slain, so he attacked on foot, taking Armin and two soldier’s attention away from me.”

“I drew every last bit of strength I had and incapacitated two more men and before they could kill Xerath, I stabbed one in the back, which left Armin. I betrayed what honor they afforded me and in doing so distracted Armin from his fight with Xerath. It gave him the opportunity to strike him down.”

The small camp was motionless after Kyburn finished his story. “And that’s what happened. I am not proud of what I did but if I had to do it again to save Xerath, I would.”

“I always thought you killed Armin.” Henry stated in confusion.

“That’s how the story goes as Xerath tells it.” Kyburn explained. “I suppose, in gratitude for laying my life down to save him, he gave me the honor of slaying the king. And then gave me the title of lord and gifted me Zulin, as I said earlier.”

“Is that why Xerath treats you with such respect then?” Henry continued to probe for information.

“I suppose.” Kyburn replied. “Other things may have been taken into account.”

“Like what?” Henry persisted.

Kyburn sighed and looked up at him. “I stopped him from doing something he would have regretted.”

“What did you-” Henry started.

“Enough, Henry.” Kyburn frowned. “I’ve said all I will about the matter.”

“Sorry.” Henry looked down at the ground, feeling bad for pressing the issue. His eagerness to learn more of his past had blinded him to Kyburn’s own feelings.

“If I may intrude on your conversation, I have a question.” Erik tilted his head.

Kyburn nodded for him to ask his question, waiting for what Erik had to say.

“I was only a boy at the time, even as king now, I never understood why the Kligirian’s never surrendered. We had beaten them, taking over half their lands but yet, they fought to the last man until we reached their capital. My question is this, Kyburn, you were there, why did they not surrender?”

“I ask myself that question often.” Kyburn replied. “We gave them many chances to surrender but none were ever taken. We sent messengers, hawks, crows, pigeons, nothing came back. They refused to surrender.”

“I see.” Erik frowned. “At which point was this?

“Before our battle in Yidor and then many times after king Armin had been slain. Queen Brinna never responded to our letters, and when one of our messengers was killed and never returned, we gave up on the idea and killed everyone in our way.”

“What became of their son, prince Zegren? Erik asked.

Kyburn shifted uncomfortably on his log, looking uneasy. “He was executed.” he looked down at the ground, clearly ashamed. “You know this.”

“What!” Henry nearly yelled. “Why would you kill him? He was just a child.”

Looking to Kyburn, who seemed to regret the events all those years ago, then to Henry whose face seemed to be turning red in anger or disappointment in his lord or both, Erik spoke up.

“You were afraid he would grow up and start another war to avenge his parents. Weren’t you?” Erik asked Kyburn, who gazed at him when he spoke.

“Yes.” Kyburn said softly, unwilling to defend his actions. “It was a dark time, which called for dark deeds to be done.”

Henry started to twitch his foot, anger rising in him, face growing hot.

“So to prevent more bloodshed, you removed the Kligirian’s hope for their future and prevented them from ever rising up again.” Erik made an educated guess. “By severing the royal line, you beat them soundly and where it hurt, their pride and honor.”

Kyburn narrowed his eyes at the king, judging where he was going with this. “Yes.”

Henry’s anger turned to disheartened frowns. Clearly judging Kyburn for his actions. Henry struggled to see Kyburn as he had been, idol, mentor, father. Now he seemed so cruel.

“Did you kill him?” Henry asked, his voice low and unsteady. His emotions were rising and logic quickly diminishing.

“It was not my decision but I carried out the sentence.” Kyburn said, his face saddened.

Henry’s jaw dropped but said nothing, a tear forming in his eyes.

“Henry.” Erik addressed him. “As cruel as it sounds, it was the right move. Imagine what would be happening today if Zegren had been spared? How many lives would be lost in more war and death?” Erik said, defending Kyburn.

“I know what you are saying but neither one of you knows that would have been the outcome.” Henry said.

“Leaders are under an enormous amount of pressure. Xerath acted in his people’s best interest.” Erik explained. “He chose to save tens of thousands, for the life of one. Not only did they protect Xer, but they also protected my kingdom as well.”

“I realize that.” Henry said, standing to his feet. “But it doesn’t make it right.” he stormed off into the woods, leaving them by the campfire.

PART 2

Kyburn raised an eyebrow at Erik, “You had to ask.”

“I was curious. I assumed Zegren had been executed but the truth was never truly revealed. Now I know the truth.” Erik shrugged. “You could have refused to answer.”

“By refusing to answer I would’ve admitted to it anyway. All the same.” Kyburn sighed.

“Yes. But something tells me you wanted the boy to know.” Erik suggested. “You care for the boy, but you also want him to know of your past.”

“What do you know?” Kyburn sounded irritated at that. “Stop while you're ahead. I didn’t ask you to interfere with my relationship with him.”

“I apologize if I have caused unnecessary tensions between you two.” Erik said, unconvincingly.

Kyburn sighed heavily then stood, “No your not.” he chuckled in spite of himself as he followed after Henry. “I’ll go talk to him.”

“Be gentle.” Erik said as Kyburn started to leave. “He looks at you like a father.”

“I am aware of that.” Kyburn grumbled back. “Mind your own business.”

Erik smiled. He didn’t know why, but Kyburn got on his nerves. He didn’t trust or like him. He respected the man but didn’t see why Xerath put so much faith in this aging relic of the past.

PART 3

Henry leaned against a large tree, pondering what had transpired. He always knew Kyburn had a past of killing but not like this. Killing a child for a king, in order to save lives later, the argument repeated in his head, going in circles. Logically, Henry knew Kyburn was right, but it didn’t diminish the sickening feeling.

The sound of footsteps neared and it stopped two paces from him. Henry knew it was Kyburn but he refused to look at him, both unsure what to say to each other.

“I’m not angry.” Henry said. “I’m just…” he trailed off.

“Disappointed?” Kyburn finished for him. “I’m not proud of my past, Henry. I’ve made many mistakes and I have to live with them.”

“It was war. I get it. I don’t understand it, but I get it.” Henry tried to explain. “You have to do what you have to do and if Xerath ordered it, then you had to.”

“Yes. Well, I still regret it.” Kyburn said, his face had a strange expression not one of sorrow or sadness but rather, appreciation.

“I’m sorry I got angry.” Henry turned and hugged Kyburn.

“And I understand your disappointment.” Kyburn acknowledged. “There are many things about me that would disappoint you.”

“You don’t disappoint me.” Henry sniffed, on the verge of tears. “I don’t care about all that. I’ve seen the way you punish yourself after making mistakes. Like with my father, you still blame yourself for his death but it wasn’t your fault. The world is a cruel place, filled with cruel people. You did your best.”

“Not all things in this world are cruel, Henry.” Kyburn smiled. “You are a kindhearted young man, and you can change the world for the better. If you put your mind to it. You can do great things. Your future, Henry, will be far greater than you can imagine. You must learn while you still can make mistakes.”

“Only made possible by you… father.” Henry hesitated to call him that, but it felt natural somehow.

Henry quickly hugged Kyburn and pulled away awkwardly. He wanted Kyburn to know he still loved him. No matter what.

“Let’s get back to camp and start those rabbits cooking, shall we?” Kyburn smiled wryly.