…/Proxy

Staring up at the medical tent roof, I can’t get a wink of sleep. Tossing and turning is all I’ve been doing for a while; even counting sheep does nothing. Everything that happened in Laguna is keeping me up, Jed’s bitch ass, Cade and our fight, and that thing I did to Cade and Jed. Those punches were something else; for a split second, all my focus would hone in on a specific part of their body, telling me to hit there. Not just that, it felt like my body knew how to throw the perfect punch… This has to be a part of my instinct, but why did it come out now? Because these fights are pushing me… Losing sleep over this stuff kind of sucks.

“Might as well go for a walk.”

I slowly climb to my feet. The pain isn’t as bad thanks to Dr. Crow and Richard, but I have to be careful. I’ll just walk around the camp area just to be safe; no good to anyone if I end up dead cause I went too far.

Everyone is already asleep, so I have to be quiet while trekking about. Normally, walking by myself at night would be pretty boring, but, I guess it’s nice every once and a while.

“I had a feeling you would be up and about.” Alex pops up from behind, his arm in a sling. “Are your wounds settled?”

“Kind of. What about your arm?”

“Richard and Zell will work on expediting the healing process.”

“Good. Beats around waiting for our wounds to heal.”

“Although, I think it best we rest for a bit more before moving out.”

“I hear you on that.”

We walk alongside each other, caring little for where we're going.

“Proxy, there are things I never told you. About me, Marie, or our family.”

“Do I need to know?”

“...Yes. But it's not just my secret to share, but Marie's as well.”

“Then why tell me this? Feeling bad or something?”

“I just think it is prudent you know who you are fighting with. I've placed expectations on you and everyone else to bring us victory. It would not be right to keep secrets between allies.”

“Okay, stop.”

“Huh? Did I say something wrong?”

“Yeah, trying to be too damn honest.”

“O-oh? Is that bad?”

“No, but you don’t have to push yourself to tell us things you don’t need to or aren’t ready to say. Besides, I’m sure I said this before, but you aren’t making us do anything we didn’t decide to do. These guys are fighting because they want to, not because you said so.”

“Then what of you?”

“Duh, 'cause I made a promise with you. Also…I’ve seen too much and met people who suffered from all this not to see it through. So let’s just not worry about it, okay? Okay…”

We’re almost at the end; we’re here because we want to be, so there’s no point in questioning it now.

“You are correct. Our allies fight hard because they wish to do away with the bandits and protect their loved ones.”

“See, nothing you have to worry about… But I think you were the ones to jump-start this. Without you, the army wouldn’t be here.”

“But without you and Marie, I would still be imprisoned.”

“Oh yeah, I remember that. Feels like…well, months ago.”

“Putting it all in perspective, we have come far in such a short amount of time. And I believe it is in no small part to all of you, for giving it your all.” I turn my eyes to Alex, who’s staring up at the sky with a bright smile. “One could say I was blessed with such great allies and friends.”

“Yeah…same here.”

Despite the setbacks, the time we spent with each other is something that can’t be broken, ever. Also, these guys gave me something I never had before: a sense of purpose. Not like I was desperate for one, but it feels...great to fight for something.

“Once this is over, when we win, let us all go back home proud and victorious.”

“Duh, like we’re going back home losers. As long as you got me, I’ll make sure things swing our way.”

Just gotta kick ass and look good at doing it. Simple stuff. But I doubt they’ll make it that easy. We're closing in on their home turf, so they’ll be playing for keeps when we get there. I can’t lie; it's got me hyped to punch their leader's face in.

“You two should be careful with such hopes.”

Garrick comes out of the woods, carrying a short sword in his hand.

“Sir Garrick, you are unharmed?”

“For the most part, yes.”

I get next to Alex. “Don’t like this, something isn’t right.”

“What do you mean?”

“Got no clue, just don’t like it.”

“Why whisper in front of me? Care to share your thoughts,” Garrick says, sounding just as bored as ever.

“All right, where the hell were you?” I ask, retaining a sharp tone. “You disappeared when we got to the bridge. Did you get scared?”

“I was there.”

“We did not see you,” Alex raises.

“It hardly matters. That is not important.”

“Then what are you doing here?”

“I came to see Alexander. This has nothing to do with you.”

“Yeah, right? Let me guess, you just got that out to trim trees?” He says nothing, fixing his sights on us. “I’ve been wondering…who blew up that tree branch? At first, I thought it was the bandits, but why would they? If they could’ve, why not blow up the bridge? No… See, my gut is telling me you did it, didn’t you?”

That big ass bag we got back at his place must've had explosives, because I distinctly remember two, out of nowhere, explosions happening.

“A gut feeling? What drivel. Are we to believe this boy, Alexander? His words hold no weight.”

“Perhaps he has no evidence, and I would not like to believe you almost killed both him and Cade… However, then I would like for you to swear to me that it was not you.”

“Swear on what?”

“Your honor, as a knight and as the friend of Sigurd…”

“Oh, then, in that case, I cannot.”

“Why not?”

“Because I am a disgraced knight, no thanks to Sigurd… Or maybe, it’s prudent to say, your father.”

Alex takes a step back, flinching at his exposure for who he is. “You know I am…”

“At first, I drew your looks to be a coincidence. However, your clear factuation with my stories of Sigurd was telling. But more than that, the way you move, spoke, even your seemingly noble nature, that’s what gave it away.”

“I see, but what do you mean, my father disgraced you?”

“You should already know…”

No one looks my way or answers me, just stilted silence. Alex is giving him an intense look that can’t be mistaken for admiration, but outright anger.

“Boy, how much do you know?”

“As much as we let him know,” Marie says, coming from the campsite. “...I heard someone named Garrick was involved in our fight here, and an ex-knight at that.”

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Marie?” I whisper to myself.

“You… You’re…!” Garrick's face lights up for the first time, acting like he’s seen a ghost. His are eyes transfixed on Marie, focusing too so much he might let his sword slip out of his hand. “...But you were dead. How are you alive?” Marie says nothing, letting the old man muse on himself. “Ah, I get it now… That brother of yours, so cunning, especially for his age.”

“Alex, what does he mean by that?”

Garrick smirks, mockingly laughing at my ignorance. “It seems as if the boy really does know nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

“What the hell are you]so smug for, asshole!?”

“I assure you, I am smug, rather, unsurprised.”

“Garrick, I recommend you watch what you say.”

“Apologies, however, I cannot follow that order since I am no knight.”

He turns his attention to me, drilling those cold eyes into mine. “Boy, you know of their father, correct?”

“Yeah, what about it?”

“Then did you know that their mother lived in the kingdom?”

“I already, man! What’s your point?”

“Well then, listen for a moment while I regale you in a tale… Sigurd and I, alongside many allies, had successfully destroyed the largest enemy stronghold: Borghulda. At the time, we were all elated that we had finally grabbed victory. The trip home was a lighter one compared to our march there. Yet Sigurd’s smile was nowhere to be found. He was superb at hiding it, however, I was closest to him, so I was able to peer past his forced smile. When I asked, he shared with me the reason why. It was his home before the kingdom.”

The revelation throws all of us through a loop and keeps us there with our mouths gaping open like a pack of idiots.

“Father’s…home?”

“...I assumed at the time that was the only thing on his mind, and he would return to being positively annoying. However, everything changed when we came back.”

“That’s enough,” Marie harshly says, baring down on him with a venomous glare.

“Your father and king’s wife always seemed so close. Even as someone who was meant to protect her, I was always jealous of how close he was to her and the family. Especially the young mistress.”

“Garrick, I’m warning you!”

“But who could have known why? Until I saw and heard for myself.”

Marie sprints at him, disregarding the weapon in his hand. She lunges at him, but he steps out of the way. She’s quick to go for a kick to his stomach. However, he grabs her foot with one hand. He slams her to the ground with a heavy thump.

“Marie!”

“Rushing like that is foolish. Darrius taught you better than this, no?”

“Get off me!”

He places the blade next to her cheek. “One night, I happen to catch the Queen leaving the castle. I wanted to confront her, but I also wanted to know what she was up to. I followed behind her, out of sight, all the way outside the kingdom, where those of the outside who were still loyal to the kingdom remained.”

“Garrick, please…!”

He pauses for a moment, shutting his eyes. He takes a deep breath, opening his eyes and back onto Alex with a bitter expression. “She saw a man and a child…”

Wait…wait…wait…wait! Don’t tell me, I mean, it can’t be…

“That was when I learned the truth; the ugliest truth… That your father had a son, and that your mother was the Queen herself.” He lifts Marie to her feet, holding her arm behind her back. “...And so, the second ugliest truth is revealed: This girl is the thought-to-be-dead sister to the king: Marianne.”

Holy shit. So, Marie, the same one in front of me, was a part of the royal family? And not just that, but her brother is the king!? Oh my god, that’s why she didn’t want to go to the festival in the kingdom!

“He betrayed our oath, our trust, and our friendship. But after all these years of mulling it all over. His affair with the Queen, spawning children, was a part of a larger plan."

“What do you mean?”

“Think of it. Why would he keep one child secret, but allow the other to live as royalty?”

“That's nonsense!”

“How so? He had no trouble hiding you from us, so why would he not do the same for his daughter? And he could not send you to live with them. You look too much like him.” There’s no opening I can exploit, and even if there was one, would I be able to do anything with it? “...A part of me believes your birth, Alexander, was unnecessary.”

“Unnecessary?”

“Brother, don’t listen to him.”

“I’m gonna rip your tongue out if you keep talking!”

“I feel bad for you, Alexander. The same man you admire was nothing more than a liar, manipulator, and one who only took care of you out of obligation.”

Absolute despair overruns Alex’s face as he sinks to his knees. He slouches his shoulders, lowering his head to the ground.

“Garrick, let me ask you something?”

“What?”

“Open or closed casket?”

“Excuse me?”

I break into a mad dash. “Cause when I’m doing beating your shit in, it’s gonna be a closed casket!”

Go, ignore the pain, and just hit this dickhead! But halfway to him, my chest pounds with a hard thump. My legs give out from the pain, and I end up flopping onto the ground.

“Proxy,” the siblings cry out my name.

“You should do well to take care of your own body before going into combat.”

“Touch them…and I’ll rip your goddamn head off.”

“I saw your fight with that other boy. While he was stronger, you somehow pulled ahead…You may seem like a rambunctious child, but your potential is monstrous. It would be dangerous to have you come after me later. I should–”

“That is enough!” Alex stands between me and Garrick, drawing his sword with only one hand. “I will not let you harm him or anyone here!”

“I know everything your father knew about swordplay, and you, in turn, carry that style.”

“I do not care! Leave them alone, or I will take you down!”

“Wielding with a single arm is not your strong suit, and besides, would you really throw your life away for him?”

“Yes, I would for him, and anyone else here… Now let me sister go.”

Alex stays close to me, and Garrick holds his grip and sword to Marie. “Why continue this? Your life is a lie. Why continue to care for this farce? Your sister was the one he wanted, not–”

“What of it!? So what if the man I knew was a lie? Who cares if I was not wanted by him!? If my sister needs me, my friends need me, then I will fight for them! So let her go, now!”

“That’s–”

“You’re going to let her go.”

R-Richard…!? And not just him. The others, armed to the teeth, come running to help us, mean mugging the living hell out of Garrick.

“Why should I?”

“Because I’m the only person who's stopping her from harming you.” Someone slips past the vigilant douchebag’s notice. Their blade slides right under their neck, ready to pull back if and when they’re told to. “And before you weigh your options, you aren’t faster than her.”

The others start making a ruckus, cursing him out and telling him to get away from Marie. He immediately lets her go, letting Nunnalé’s blade lead him away from her. Nunnalé grabs her by the arm and takes her back to us.

“So, will you sic them on me?” he asks, twirling the blade in his hand.

“I want you to leave, and to never fall under my sight again,” Alex, colder than I've ever heard him sound, answers.

“Not possible, but for tonight, I will leave.” He begins to back up out of the clearing and into the trees. “But this is far from over, Alexander. As long as you have his blood in you, this will never end.”

“And if we see you again, we’ll kick your ass,” I spat out.

“We’ll see, until then…”

He disappears into the woods, moving between the trees to cover his exit.

Everyone heads after him, but Alex gestures to them to stop. “Let him go. He may have laid traps to cover his escape.”

“You sure, blondie?” Chip asks.

“I am… I rather not lose anyone to unseen attacks.” He puts his sword back into its scabbard and gives me a hand up. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, one piece…”

“Hey,” someone from the crowd behind us said. “...is it true; that you and Marie are the queen's children? And that Marie is the long-dead sister of the king?”

Oh, shit!

“Guys, wait a minute! It's–”

Marie moves forward, heading for the crowd. I try to call out to her, but Alex puts a hand on my back, telling me, “Don't worry.” He joins up with her to face the restless people.

“...It… It is, we are. My brother and I are children of Sigurd and the Queen. And I'm the long-dead daughter of the old king, Marianne.” Skeptical murmuring grows among everyone, training their eyes on them. “I know what all of you might be thinking, and I won't stop you from doing that. If you hate my family, I understand; all the things that happened over the years won't go away, but please, Alexander was never in the royal family. Spare him any retribution. I deserve all of it…”

She drops to her hands and knees, putting her head to the ground. Alex gets next to her, dropping to his knees as well. Groveling on the ground is the ultimate act of humility.

“You guys saved me from rotting in jail, and you never doubted me for a second,” Chip says, coming forward, fixing his eyes on the two of them. “Besides, blaming everything on you because you were royalty would be unfair.”

“You gave us a place to be when we had nowhere left to go,” someone from the crowd says. “You guys did more for us than the kingdom ever has!

“Yeah, and thanks to you guys, we're driving out the bandits!”

“We don't care if you're from there! We got ex-bandits in the group, so what makes you think we care!?”

Several more voice their support and understanding for the siblings. The uproar of cheers lightens me up on the inside. If they got angry, or even left, I'd understand, but I was more worried they would just try to hurt them…

“Let me help you.” Gil puts me on his back. “...Did you know?”

“Not everything, just that Sigurd was their dad.”

“I can't blame them for keeping it secret, but now that it's out, things might change because of it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Simple, dumbass,” Zeal walks up behind us, lightly punching my back. “You look like shit.”

“Feel like it too, but what do you mean?”

“Means that if the daughter of the previous king is alive, then what does that mean for the kingdom's current leadership? She can probably go for a claim, and some of these numbskulls either figured that out or are gonna, eventually.”

“So, even when we win against the bandits…”

“The kingdom might be our next fight. The people here are gonna want it. Those work mines still exist, most of these guys aren’t too keen on them. Plus, it's not like the hostility from the war has died down.”

“Then what do you think of them?” Gil asks.

“Of the kingdom? Don't like ‘em, but it's not like the outside is innocent or anything. As for those two… They showed mercy to my brother and me, that's good enough in my book. But what about you, big guy?”

“Well, Alexander and Marie are nice people, and they never thought lowly of us or took advantage of us. Also, the people I lost are dead because of one person; I already have my revenge set on someone.”

Going head to head with the kingdom, huh…? I mean, I thought of the idea, but actually doing it is another thing.

“Thinking of it now is useless,” I say. “We need to win this fight first, then worry about the kingdom later.”

“At least your brain still works, whatever that's worth.”

“Does being a prick come naturally, or are you begging me to beat your ass?”

I get the sense that with this out in the open, we can finally fight with everything we have, like a proper army. But, there's the nagging feeling that things will not go smoothly; Guess I'll chalk it up to karma or something like that.