The Empress was coming the next day, and Indenuel was taken out of the dungeon for the first time since his trial. He still had the mark on his chest, but he needed to spend the day acting as though he hadn’t been in a dungeon for the past month or so.
He blinked into the morning light, closing his eyes to how bright the sun was.
“I’ll lead you to the carriage. Just keep closing your eyes,” Tolomon said, taking Indenuel’s elbow.
They got into the carriage and Indenuel did his best to keep his eyes on the window, forcing himself to get used to the sunlight. He was not blinking nearly as much by the time the carriage stopped at his home.
He got out, walking toward the front door, feeling the smallest touch of happiness on seeing it. This large house he simply could not believe was his started to feel like home.
Pablo opened the door and bowed. “Welcome home, sir.”
Indenuel hugged him. Pablo, surprised, hugged him back. “I missed you. Is that strange?”
“No, sir. I don’t think so. We have all been concerned about your health. Your extended stay at Martin’s had us worried,” Pablo said.
Indenuel’s mind struggled to remember the long list of lies he needed to keep straight. He was not in the dungeon getting the mark cleared off. He was resting at Martin’s house after tapping into God-like powers to save the city.
“Yes, well, thank you for keeping the house standing. Baleeah and the others? Have they been coming?” Indenuel asked.
“Not as much anymore. What with the Empress arriving, the guards are making sure this part of the city stays nice and clean,” Pablo said.
“They didn’t hurt them, did they?” Indenuel asked.
“No, sir. Our staff made sure of that. We’ve tried to give them food, but the Oraminian adults would not have it,” Pablo said.
“Thank you for at least trying,” Indenuel said.
“We have a bath ready for you, sir,” Pablo said.
Indenuel patted his head servant on the back. “Thank you. For everything.”
“Doing my duty, sir.”
Indenuel walked to his room, seeing the bath prepared there. The servants bowed as they left, some of them welcoming him home.
“You should have dinner at Martin’s house,” Tolomon said as Indenuel got undressed.
“Oh?” Indenuel asked as he dipped into the bath.
“Yeah. You haven’t seen his family in a while, and it will be good to interact with them again. Make sure you can keep up the pretense of not being marked,” Tolomon said.
“Most of their family knows I’m marked,” Indenuel said.
“Which is why practicing with them would be so helpful.”
“Alright, I guess so,” Indenuel said. “I’m sure Martin’s family would love to see me too.”
“They always want to see you,” Tolomon said.
Indenuel smiled, realizing what a magnificent gift that was. Yes, the wealth, the luxury, they were all gifts. But going somewhere where he felt so welcomed was the thing that transformed him more than anything else. He wouldn’t deny wanting to see Nathaniel again.
“Is it rude to request such an invitation?” Indenuel asked.
“Sara will think it rude to not want to come over for her dinners,” Tolomon said.
Indenuel nodded. “Alright, then. Tell Pablo to ask.”
***
Martin was in his personal study, going over notes of everything they knew about Kiam and their culture. He realized much of this was going to be brand new, and they were going to make mistakes. Navir already requested Martin take the lead on this. According to Navir, Martin had a face that people didn’t often want to get angry at. At least in the beginning.
There was a knock at the door. “Father? You wanted to see me?” Nathaniel asked.
“Yes, come in, son,” Martin said.
Nathaniel walked in, closing the door behind him. “Is everything alright?”
“Fine. Everything is fine. I’m far more concerned about you. You and Rosa,” Martin said.
“We are working on some things,” Nathaniel said, sitting down in a chair, not looking at him.
“Right,” Martin said as Nathaniel got settled. “How long have you been sleeping in a guest room?”
There was a beat of silence. “I didn’t think anyone noticed.”
“I honestly think you have your children fooled for now, but I feel I should warn you that Indenuel has asked to come over for dinner. Your mother already affirmed he is most welcome. She knows you two are going through a rough time, but she isn’t aware the reason. Do I need to tactfully get you out of dinner tonight?”
Nathaniel hesitated, and that hesitation was enough to realize how much he and Rosa suffered this past week. “Of course not. I will be happy to see them. To see both of them. I’ll tell Rosa. See how she feels.”
“Is there anything you need of me?”
Nathaniel shook his head. “I’ll let you know what Rosa needs.”
“Son, is there anything you need of me?” Martin asked again.
Nathaniel sighed. “This kind of thing doesn’t have an easy solution.”
“Which is why it is so important to keep a system of support. You cannot do this alone, no matter how embarrassing, no matter how much you think your reputation might suffer. She has admitted her love for a different man, but it could have been a lot worse. Rosa and Tolomon could have done something, and thank God they didn’t,” Martin said.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
He could see the drooping of Nathaniel’s shoulders. Saw the pain he desperately tried to hide come out in full force. “But… that is the problem, isn’t it? Tolomon is a Graduate, and Rosa is married to me. They will not do what makes them happy because of their commitments, and I…” Nathaniel leaned forward, rubbing his forehead. “How can I be happy when I know she’s not? When I know I wasn’t her real choice?”
“She loves you, Nathaniel. It might be different than what she feels with Tolomon, but there is something there. You have made a happy life together,” Martin said.
Nathaniel was thinking, still in pain, when there was a knock on the door. The worn mask came over Nathaniel’s face, the one he’d been wearing for well over a week. The one that was starting to slip far more easily.
“Come in,” Martin said.
“Api?” Diego asked, walking in, looking excited. Eduardo followed closely behind.
“Yes?” Nathaniel asked.
Diego had a paper in his hands, a wide smile on his face. “The Empress is coming tomorrow.”
Nathaniel raised an eyebrow. “You seem to be the only one in this family not riddled with nerves about it.”
Diego gave a small laugh, sitting across from Nathaniel as Eduardo approached, folding his arms. “Some of the men at the military found a loophole. We’ve been asked to practice in case the war continues. All usual restrictions have been lifted! Some of the boys my age have already fought combat style with their soldier fathers! Can we? Can we, Api?” Diego asked, handing Nathaniel a paper.
Nathaniel frowned, reading through the letter carefully. He gave his son a look that might have had chastisement to it. “It’s not wise to try and find ways around the laws, son. They are here to protect us.”
“I thought you would say that.” Diego pointed to Eduardo. “Tell Api what you told me.”
Eduardo faced Nathaniel. “Laws are here to protect, but they also need to be flexible with the situations. Laws are constantly changing over time, and though there is always the law of keeping people from murdering, such a law is clearly overlooked during a time of war. One might even say that practicing combat style is the thing my brother needs to help him know how to best protect his family in this uncertain time.”
Diego was bouncing in his seat with anticipation. Nathaniel stared at Eduardo. “I always thought Diego and Aaron would be dangerous together, but now I’ve got to keep an eye on you two. You both are trouble.”
“Combat style!” Diego asked, leaping to his feet. “Are we going to do combat style!”
“As long as your grandfather agrees to be the healer,” Nathaniel said.
“Grandapi! Are you coming?” Diego asked.
“It would be an honor to be there at your first combat,” Martin said.
“Yes!” Diego said, already out the door.
“Eduardo? Are you coming?” Nathaniel asked.
“As much as I would enjoy watching you humble Diego, I have no stomach for it,” Eduardo said, turning around and leaving the room.
Nathaniel smiled as he stood up. “Thank you, Father.”
“An honor,” Martin repeated as they left the office.
Diego led the way to the gardens, practically running. Martin was just happy he had his powers back for this. In a way, he lied to Nathaniel and Diego about not having his healing for a few weeks, but it was alright now.
Martin stayed a distance away as Nathaniel and Diego got to their positions. They pulled out their swords, facing each other in basic stance.
“Begin,” Martin said.
Diego hit hard, and Nathaniel blocked it easily. Diego made hit after hit, and Nathaniel blocked each and every one. Diego even went for a punch, which Nathaniel easily blocked before pushing Diego away. The boy came back, almost hungry, trying to break through Nathaniel’s defenses. Martin watched carefully, seeing the incredible skill of his grandson. Honestly, he always caught glimpses of a younger Nathaniel in Diego, and now more than ever he saw the striking similarities.
Diego expertly disarmed Nathaniel before going in for a strike. Nathaniel dodged out of the way, grabbing Diego’s wrists and pushing him to the side before picking up his sword. He returned, ready for Diego’s next strike, but Diego did nothing, holding the basic stance. Nathaniel waited, so did Diego.
“You’re going easy on me,” Diego said, almost hurt.
“No, I’m not,” Nathaniel said.
“Yes, you are. I know you are.”
Nathaniel’s smile was pathetic, dropping his basic stance. “I have been going purely defensive on you, son. You have figured out my plan. This is what I was preparing for the moment you said you wanted to be a soldier.”
“What is that?” Diego asked.
“Combat style is more than just preparing your body to work through the pain of battle. You are preparing your mind to kill. It is the hardest thing about being a soldier.”
Diego frowned. “You’re not going to try and knock me out?”
“No.” Nathaniel returned to basic stance. “You’re going to try and knock me out. You need to learn what it takes to hurt your own father. You’ve been going easy on me too. If you can hurt me, hurting the enemy will be easier.”
The excitement from moments before dropped from Diego’s face. He looked down at his sword, then at Nathaniel. “But I might…” he started to say.
Nathaniel smiled, raising his sword. “Ready, son?”
Diego said nothing. He simply went after his father. The skill Martin now realized had been toned down returned in full force. Diego was incredible, and Nathaniel met his skill with experience.
Diego tried again to punch Nathaniel, and he again blocked it. It didn’t deter Diego. He went with full force, punching with both his and Nathaniel’s fists right in the eye. Nathaniel grunted in pain, and Diego winced. Nathaniel already held his sword out to block the blade Diego tried to stab him with. Nathaniel still held his son’s fist, smiling at him.
“It’s alright, son. Grandfather is there. He will heal me, and it will be as though I did not receive a scratch,” Nathaniel said.
Diego nodded, still looking terrified. He pushed Nathaniel away before once again expertly disarming him. This time Diego punched Nathaniel with his elbow, breaking his nose before grabbing the second sword and stabbing Nathaniel through both shoulders. Nathaniel let out a cry of pain as he dropped to his knees, which was when the first tears fell down Diego’s cheeks. Nathaniel looked up at Diego, smiling. Diego brought the swords back out of Nathaniel’s body before whacking his head hard with the hilt of both swords. As soon as Nathaniel dropped, the two swords clattered to the ground and Diego backed away.
Martin strode forward, flipping Nathaniel on his back, touching his temples, healing the brain damage before moving on to fusing the broken bones, the split skin, the sword wounds. Nathaniel took a deep breath before he cracked an eye open, blinking in the sunlight. Martin helped him stand up, patting his shoulder. Nathaniel saw Diego, saw him shivering and trying not to cry. Nathaniel picked up both swords, sheathing his before walking over to Diego, handing him his sword. Diego took it, his hands trembling as he struggled to sheath it. Nathaniel then gathered his son up in a hug.
“Killing is the thing no good soldier wants to do, but must. You are a good soldier, son. There are times we must kill, because we must protect those we love, but never go seeking for blood. Never let the rage consume you. Have a steady head, and a stronger heart.” Nathaniel broke away, showing Diego his face all covered in blood. “And see? Not a scratch. I guarantee you will meet the men you kill in the next life. I intend to talk with all the men I’ve killed. Share stories with them. Share experiences. Ask forgiveness. Because I plan on resting with the good spirits. I want to see you there too, son.”
Diego nodded, squeezing Nathaniel once more before walking out of the garden, a completely different man. Nathaniel watched him go, taking out his handkerchief and starting to wipe off the blood from his face.
“That was lovely,” Martin said, standing next to his son.
“Thanks.” They both watched Diego leave the gardens, heading for the house.
“You couldn’t bring yourself to hurt him, could you,” Martin said.
Nathaniel smiled, brushing some of the dirt from his shirt. “No. Not even a little.” He sighed, watching Diego disappear into the house. “I thought I had two more years to prepare to knock him out. I doubt even that would have been long enough. I’ve knocked out my friends a countless number of times, and I’ve killed countless more. But I kept remembering how Diego was as a baby. So cute. Full of innocence. Leaning on me for everything. I can’t do it. Not now.”
They watched as the door closed. “Are you ready for when he asks to do this again?”
“I should.” Nathaniel sighed, looking at the blood in his handkerchief. “I better. I might have to let Tolomon knock him out for me to ease me into the idea.” Martin watched Nathaniel’s face fall after mentioning Tolomon.
“Son?”
Nathaniel shook his head. “Nothing.” He sighed, looking up at the window that was his and Rosa’s room. “It’s nothing.” He stared for a few moments more before starting to walk forward. “Finding ways around a marriage never works out.” he said as he walked out of the gardens, a far more broken man.