A Royal’s Court

{Benedict’s P.O.V) I knew this day would come, but I wasn’t expecting it any time soon. My father was a picture of perfect health. He was strong both physically and mentally. The King of Ellehcim, gone like a leaf in the wind. His spirt moving from this world to the next. I begin to pack my things. Just a few things for the road. A change of clothes, snacks, a book, and the dagger my father gave me. I needed my space so father gave me my own estate not too far from the castle. He wanted me close since I was next in line to the throne. The trip was only 3 hours so I’d make it there before nightfall. I haven’t been to the castle since the death of my oldest brother, the original heir to the throne. We were close, and the castle brought back too many memories. To walk the halls of the Ellehcim castle would be a trip down memory lane. I close my trunk and sit it by the front door. What am I missing? Ah, my sword. I recall it being in the living room? My mind is everywhere. I head to the living room and stop at the entrance, I scan the room. Now where could you be? I look by the fireplace. There you are, Lucy. That was the name of my sword. A man should always name his sword, or so I’ve been told. I pick her up and fasten her to my hip. Just as I was about to grab my trunk and walk out the door it swung open. “Your highness,” it what my carriage driver, Rod. He bowed before continuing. “Are you ready? I do not mean to rush you but we must make it to the castle before nightfall. There is talk of many dangers in the woods. We have no guards and your life is more important now since-,” he stopped mid sentence and lowered his head. “Forgive my harshness your highness. But if something happened to you on my watch I- I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself,” I could tell he felt awful, but he wasn’t wrong. My life was more important now than ever. I am the next King of Ellehcim. My life is no longer mine. I live for myself, for my people, and for my family. I walked over to Rod and placed my hand on his shoulder. “No need to apologize, I understand. You are right. We should get going before it gets too dark,” I reached for my luggage. “Oh I’ll take care of this your highness,” he tried to stop me but I didn’t let him. “Oh trust me I am more than capable of carrying this. You can go and prepare the carriage.” He gave me a confused look before bowing and walking out the door. I never let the servants carry luggage this big or any for that matter. They’d all give me the same confused look followed by a look of relief. No one would want to carry heavy things but me, I didn’t mind. I’ve always been strong, stronger than the average man. You see, I have super strength. I’ve had this ability for quite some time. I’ll never forget the day I discovered it. I was 9 years old and it was a storm. Me, my brother Austin who was 11 at the time, and my younger brother Cornelius who was 7 at the time went into the woods to catch frogs by the river. Mother told us to never go into the woods because it was dangerous but we payed her words no mind. There we were catching frogs. We liked to play a game, whoever caught the most frogs got the others desserts for a week. “Ha! I caught another one!” Screamed Cornelius, Nell for short. “You’re catching up to me little brother but it still won’t be enough!” Yelled Austin. “I bet your chocolate cake I’ll get more than both of you!” I shouted. It was pouring down raining and our clothes were muddy but this was the best time to catch frogs! We kept scrambling to find more but there were no more to catch. “How many frogs do you guys have?” Asked Nell. “12,” said Austin. “That’s it? I’ve got 16!” I opened my bag and he looked in. “No way! You must’ve cheated!” Yelled Austin. “You can’t cheat at catching frogs dummy!” I protested. “Well, it sucks to be you guys because I caught 20!” Nell shouted over us. “What?!” We yelled. “It was really 21 but one jumped out of the sack,” he held it open for us to see. It was filled with frogs! “Well congratulations little brother you finally won the game. You better enjoy it because it’ll be your last!” We laughed and teased each other. “We should start heading back, I know mother is worried about us,” said Austin. “Yeah let’s go,” we let the frogs go and started walking in the direction of the castle. We were halfway there then all of a sudden Nell stopped. “Wait I dropped my good luck charm!” He stopped and started to look around. “What charm?” I asked. “My lucky charm! That’s how I won the game!” He yelled. “Forget the stupid charm! We have to get back!” “No!” He cried. He kept searching despite our efforts. Just as Austin went to grab him Nell picked something up. “Found it!” He held up a red and blue woven bracelet. “Okay you’ve got your charm now come on,” Austin said sticking his hand out gesturing Nell to come hold it. But before Nell could even take a step lighting struck a tree nearby. “Watch out!” I yelled. But it was too late, the tree fell right on top of my little brother. “Nell!” Me and Austin yelled. We ran over to him full speed. He was coughing up blood and could barely keep his eyes open. “No! Nell! Ben go get help!” Austin tried to lift the tree off of his little body but it was no use. I watched as my older brother tried to save a life, and my younger brother almost lost his. Then I felt something. An urge. An urge to protect, and an urge to be strong. I ran over to Nell and wrapped my arms around the tree. I closed my eyes and began to lift the tree. I struggled in the first few seconds, but after that I was able to lift it with ease. I flung the tree so far that it knocked down others in it’s path. “How did you- how did you do that?” Austin asked, bewilderment and confusion written across his face. “I- I don’t know,” I don’t know how I did it but I did it, I saved my little brother’s life. I got out of my thoughts and gently picked Nell up. “Come on!” I yelled to Austin as I began to run back to the castle. It took him a few seconds but he was finally able to absorb what just happened and followed behind me. When we got back to the castle everything happened pretty fast. I took Nell to the infirmary, and a guard went to Notify my father that one of his son’s were badly hurt. When father came down mother was by his side. “Oh my goodness! What happened?!” She yelled at us. “We- we went into the woods to catch frogs and- and a tree fell on Nell,” my brother quietly told my mother. “The woods? I told you all never go into the woods! Look what your disobedience has led to! Your little brother was gravely injured, he could’ve died!” We both lowered our heads. “Sorry mother,” me and Austin whispered. “Oh you’re not sorry yet but you will be. 10 lashing for each of you, and 5 extra for you Austin because you are the oldest,” she said calmly. We shook our heads, we could tell that she was more angry than she let on. My father stood over my brother’s body. “You said a tree fell on him, how did he get from under it?” He gestured for the nurses to leave the room. “It was- well I- you see-,” “It was me. I lifted the tree off him and, tossed it to the side.” I answered. “Tossed it to the side?” My father asked. “Well more like launched it,” Austin chimed in. I couldn’t tell what was going through my father’s mind. But I never would have guessed what my father would do next. He ran over to me and scooped me up in a big bear hug. “Oh Benedict! I thought I would be the last of the Azure line to possess such power! You don’t know how happy this makes me!” Did he say last? Power? I looked up at my father. “Um father? I can’t breathe,” I managed to finally spit out. He put me down and placed to hands on my shoulder. “Sorry son, I’m just so happy! I didn’t think any of my children would have powers. You see, I too have great strength. I thought I’d have this conversation with Austin, never you. But no matter. Things are about to be very different for you.” All I could do was look at him. My father had super strength too?! I looked at my mother. “Mother did you know?” She looked at me for a while, then she started to laugh. “Of course I knew I’m his wife,” she said. “Plus, your father isn’t the only one with powers,” a smile spread across, she moved a hand as if she was flicking something away. “There, that’s better. You boys were filthy,” I looked down at myself and I was spotless, so was Austin. “Let’s move this conversation into my office and let your brother rest,” my father said. He gestured for me and my mother to follow, leaving my brother behind. I looked back and saw sadness written across his face. I remember that day like it was yesterday. That was the day I found out about my powers and my parents. “Are you ready for departure your highness?” Rod asked. I took one last glance at my home. The home I’ve know for the last 3 years. A home I could call my own. A home I wouldn’t see again for a very long time. “Yes, I’m ready,” I lied. I stepped into the carriage and prepared myself for the duties that await me, and the dangers at the castle.