Magical Boys Lost on Earth

Arthur IIIV King of Castela

The reddish first rays of sunlight of the day finally reached the windowsill, illuminating the red pillows that covered almost the entire surface of the room.

The cool morning breeze from the window refreshes my tiredness.

If I lean over the window I can see the cold, black view of the solid walls. Slowly, the landscape beyond the walls is illuminated and reveals the hot and busy landscape of the capital of Castela, Camelot.

Smoke rises from the chimneys and the smell of freshly baked bread reaches me, renewing my energy.

Just in time, I hear the familiar knocks on the wood coming from the open door.

In front of my door, a slender woman with curly brown hair and a penetrating look was waiting for me. Dressed in the colors of the flag and holding a tray of freshly baked bread and fruit, she was someone I would trust my soul with if I could.

— Good morning Melinda, this is a wonderful morning that lights up my lands, don't you agree?

— Really a spectacular morning your majesty. — She kindly responds as she leaves the tray on my desk and continues. — But I hope you haven't been awake all night again, your majesty has many commitments today. I brought your breakfast to speed things up, I already woke the boys up and the counselors are almost together. —

My body suddenly becomes heavier and my back hurts from sitting for a long time watching the window, today would be a long and important day. Melinda was right, spending the night thinking about my thoughts, did not help to make them lighter or to find a better solution.

— Well, You didn't need to warm me, I was already regretting it from the moment the sun came up. Indeed, I was about to go. I am very grateful that you have prepared everything, that your actions be rewarded someday.—

— An honor. — With such polite words, she leaves the exhausted me again alone in the room.

I breathe in the fresh morning air and stretch my back to relieve the accumulated stress on my body. Before I sit down at the table that contained the tray.

The bread was still warm. The morning dew wet the fruits.

With every bite, I take it is impossible not to think that not everyone I know has the opportunity to enjoy food of this quality.

After the good meal, I finally felt truly awake and my thoughts are clearer. To speak in real words, clear they had been since the last afternoon I spent with my son, they were just … Clouded by the doubt and distrust by the fog that comes with old age, I presume.

My son is an extremely young and pure boy, ignorance sometimes makes us wiser.

Every day I regret not taking every drop of childhood that he can share with me. But I know that I did the right thing, in my position I cannot exchange the happiness of one for the life of others.

 It was a beautiful afternoon but my thoughts were confused and tired when I joined him for dinner. Normally, his face full of life brings me peace, but this time he arrived with red eyes and a grimace. I tried to ask him what bothered someone as happy as he was, but instead of a concrete answer, he recited an old song with his sweet voice drunk on melancholy.

“Oh, the island where nobles do not look down.  

Wake my hero, your sunbeams-yellow hair will bring us joy. You were born to show us a new life. And after many years it is your turn genius with red eyes. On the same island in the same world, what a magical and tragic place. It is the stage for the great decision. Choose little genius! Tell us who is the true owner of those lands. Find your true purpose but do not take any sides, if you do, there will be chaos. “ The last part of the prophecy was only known to the most select scholars, and it could mean the arrival of an extraordinary disaster subservient to an alleged savior.

Now, the choice that had determined salvation or destruction weighed on my shoulders.

The sound of those words had cleared my answer to such a great enigma, so young, and I already owe a lot to you, my boy.

Dressed and revived, I pass the corridors of the dormitory to climb the stairs that lead to the great tower in the middle of this magnificent fortress. My arrival is already expected by many who greet me along the way. At the top of the stairs, I am welcome with the view of Camelot's treasure room. They were not large amounts of gold or jewelry, but armors of good kings and generals, swords forged by master craftsmen. Most importantly, the first version of the codebook of the knights of Castela. A code that formed all the ideals of our nation. Next to it is the large door of the royal library, decorated with stories from the entrance. Unfortunately, I was headed for the rustic stone door next door, the council room.

The noise of the heavy stone door opening silenced the murmuring hall. The atmosphere changes acquire a heavy and cold consistency like the stones that formed the walls. More than that, the people present whose names I have known for a long time, give me strange looks. Strangers because they would not do it in any other circumstance except in that room. Strang because they are diverse, but with something in common. They are looks filled with emotion that despite the silence fill the living room. To doubt, fear, hope, but what could be seen most was respect, appreciation, and admiration. Even in the worst of circumstances.

As I walked through the middle of the room. The stamping of my feet against the floor echoed throughout the room. As if everyone feared me, not daring to breathe in my presence. As if I were a dangerous thing. Even though we share meals daily.

 In that room, I was not Arthur the good friend or simply a father, but only Arthur IV the king of Castile. 

As time went by I learned not to break with the pressure. It doesn't mean that tears never form in the corner of my eyes.

This was a political battle, not an emotional or physical one. And when I sat in the highest chair. I carried the burden of the final word that would decide the future not only of the people in that small room but also the future of everyone who walked this land.

The decision was quite mild. All I needed was a word to a single child my son's age.

But time has shown us that there is a lot behind things that seem small.

As senseless as it seems to outsiders, our culture is something we are proud of and has always proved to be the best path.

The mythicism of our own beliefs or the rational voice of politics?

The sight of those looks in my direction reminded me of my true responsibility and the risk that that situation brought. Deep down, I always knew the answer to this dilemma.

— Dear gentlemen, ladies, lords, and knights. We have been discussing the topic for days. Furthermore, I believe I have heard the argument of everyone present in this room. I remember spending the last nights thinking only about it. The table is divided, there is no definite argument among the council on how to proceed. According to our traditions and codes, it is up to me to decide the next step. As King of Castile, I will choose the path that seems most correct, safe, and reliable to all my people. — The silence is only broken by my only voice. The looks change, from doubt to approval, from fear to acceptance. The scribe dips his pen in ink, my next words will be recorded in the history of future generations as salvation or the beginning of destruction.

— I choose to reject Zadkiel Alamex of Kreg's proposal. As I was advised I will use the authority conceived for me to disconnect him from any previous tie with Kreg and I will refuse any future tie with Castile. To affirm my decision, at the end of the day I will open to the public the last part of the prophecy that led me to make such a decision. I am convinced that the people will understand my judgment if we present the cause. However, just like the other side of the judgment proposed I will give him the free choice to be anything he wants. Except to get involved in political, military, or economic issues in Kreg or Castile. Following our codes of morals, until the extreme need is proven to be such that the life and safety of himself or anyone else is compromised, this law will be in effect. So, I finish my speech and declare this meeting closed so that we can move on to the next matters.