Weekly Expressions BK

By Beka K.

He tucked the tiny bundle closer to his chest as he knelt inside the chariot. His head came just under the chariots rim. This mission he could not fail. This was the most important assignment of his life and if he failed now, he would fail the kingdom. This was his King's dying wish. Although the Queen would rather kill all in her path, this was their only option. The Imperial attack during the night had proven their strength and resolve to take over this country. Cyprian would have given his last breath so that the King and Queen could take his place right now. It was, after all truly their place for this. Watching his beloved city, his home, burn down to ashes was the breaking point.

If time had allowed it, Cyprian would have smuggled the Queen out as well. But in her condition it was impossible. They would have been caught and hung. It was much simpler to meet Remus outside the city.

His driver slowed the horse and whispered to him without giving away his location. “Sir, imperial troops are up ahead.”

Cyprian cringed. “How many?”

“Eleven. Magnus is leading them.”

He held the bundle in one arm and his sword in the other. There was no way past the imperial troops. A confrontation would arise and Magnus would finally know his true intentions. Cyprian remembered the day Magnus left home. Two brothers who could not have been closer. Magnus was only a year older than himself. He left home to join the Imperial Army. It was months later Cyprian and his family learned of the evil intentions of the Imperials. It was then that Cyprian made the decision to join his King's army in hopes of one day finding his lost brother and bringing him home.

Sorrow was innumerable when he realized that the dreaded general of the Imperial army who was killing his path to Cyprian's King was none other than his own brother, Magnus.

He swore an oath to destroy the Imperial army to his King yet how could he cut down his own blood for the sake of his country? Magnus was willing to do that. Why not he? He had asked this question to himself over and over again during these last six years. This war was burning up the land from the inside out. It was becoming a civil war, brother against brother. It was the worst of it's kind.

And now the Imperials have the advantage. The King was dead and the Queen would follow shortly. Their only hope lay in Cyprian's arms. The future of the Kingdom weighed in his arms.

He could hear the Imperial troops drawing closer. Their black boots marching to death. It would be their death or his.

“On your mark, Remus.”

“As soon as one is behind you, we will go then.”

Cyprian tucked the bundle to the side of the chariot and tapped Remus' boot to warn him of the bundle.

Remus nudged Cyprian with his knee. That was the signal. Cyprian threw himself over the side of the chariot and landed on an imperial troop. He grabbed the mans head as they fell and snapped his neck. As soon as they hit the ground, he rolled off with his sword in hand and blocked an attack from the next trooper. Remus had already taken down three men with his bow. Two more troopers moved towards Cyprian as he finished off his second. He quickly blocked their blows. Unlike many in the King's army, Cyprian had challenged himself day after day to learn all he could about the art of using a sword so that when the day came for him to lead the army, none would stand in his way. This and his loyalty to the Kingdom had proven themselves true. The King had appointed him General and close friend.

Four, five, six more troopers fell by his sword. A lapse in men gave Cyprian enough time to catch his breath as he scanned for Magnus. And there he found him, behind the opening of the chariot, twenty feet behind. He was making ready an arrow. Cyprian pushed himself up and ran with as much speed as he could muster. He blocked the opening with his body. Magnus had his arrow trained at Cyprian's heart. He would take Cyprian down and finish this task. Cyprian had no way to defend himself against Magnus' arrow. He was too far away to throw his sword. Far enough that Magnus could step aside and kill his unarmed brother.

Cyprian had no choice. Give his life first.

In the instant Magnus let go of the arrow, time slowed. Cyprian watched everything unfold in a motion so slow, even the air itself stilled.

The arrow flew through the air towards him.

Remus ran in front of Cyprian and as he did this he threw his dagger.

The arrow and dagger both hit their targets and both Remus and Magnus fell to the ground.

The moment ended and Cyprian lost his breath as he stepped back in shock from what happened. He dropped to his knees beside his fallen friend. He held Remus' head in his hands as the emotion overwhelmed him.

Words were not spoken by mouth but through their eyes. They both knew the amount of trust and loyalty they each poured into their friendship that even as one lay dying, words were simply not needed. Cyprian nodded to his friend and Remus nodded back. Cyprian watched the life leave Remus' eyes. Another moment of silence passed before Cyprian could hear the distant laughter.

A tear fell from his cheek as he looked up. His face twisted with hatred.

He laid Remus' head down and grabbed his own sword as he walked towards Magnus who was crawling away.

Magnus held the dagger as it was embedded in his chest. He used his other hand to pull himself away. His twisted laughter echoed in the clearing.

Cyprian grabbed Magnus' shirt and pulled him up just enough to show his brother the hatred in his eyes.

“Both of you are fools!” Magnus spit.

Cyprian wiped it away. “He was more of a man, a brother, than you ever were.” Cyprian bit back.

“Go ahead and kill me then.” Blood began to trickle out of Magnus' mouth.

Cyprian shook his head.

“Then you are a cowardly fool indeed!”

“No, I will not kill you. That is far too easy a punishment for you. I will cause you pain and you will die but not yet and not by my hand. See, it will be nightfall soon. It will be then with the pack of wolves seen in these woods will smell your blood and find you. They will feast on your flesh. You will feel every gnawing bite on your flesh. And then you will die and burn in hell.” Spit spewed from his mouth as he finished his sentence.

“How do you expect to keep me here that long?”

Cyprian dropped his brother to the ground. Magnus yelled in pain. Cyprian reached over Magnus and pulled Magnus' sword out of its sheath. Cyprian eyed it for a moment, letting the sun glimmer in it's perfect reflection.

“This.” With all the strength he could, he drove Magnus' sword into Magnus' arm and deep into the ground, pinning him to the ground. Magnus screamed with a fearful cry.

Cyprian inched himself closer, their noses nearly touching. “Don't freeze to death before the wolves finish you off.” He stood and began to turn away.

“You wouldn't dare!” Magnus' voice was twisted with pain and anger yet Cyprian picked up on a hint of fear. He looked confused at his brother.

“I am your brother.” Magnus pleaded.

Cyprian shook his head. “No, my brother died long ago.”

Cyprian turned his back once and for all on his brother. His statement was now true. His brother had died long ago and he would miss the farm boy Magnus. Cyprian was now walking away from General Magnus of the Imperial army. A man deserving of death in the highest form.

“You'd give your life for the infant over your own flesh and blood?” Magnus yelled out from behind him. Cyprian reached down and picked up the wriggling infant who had found it's way out of the bundle. The child smiled up at him. Cyprian smiled as he answered. “Yes.”

“Why? How is the infant so important?”

“Because he will be my king.”