Johnathan Bernard, the infamous Phantom King, had overcooked his noodles and was very sad indeed. He had been forced to flee from his home, his precious empire was in jeopardy, he was cold, and he had nothing but a rapidly diminishing bottle of whiskey to comfort him. He and Saizo had travelled for two days along the fringes of the Taegan Valley trying to escape Amelia Dredd and her hunters. “She is a she-devil!” Bernard exclaimed, after learning from his remaining scouts that a band of Taellian infantry had picked up on their trail. As soon as they deemed they were safe enough to settle down for a night, Bernard lit a small fire under a tree and waited for his men to return with their supplies. “Nothing wrong with noodles,” Bernard said, when he received the meagre shipment. “Reminds me of the good old days.”
Bernard insisted on preparing his own meal – he felt helpless enough without people making food for him – however he was so lost in thought that he zoned out and spoiled it. Charcoal… the aroma of misery…
“Perhaps I should cook, sir?” insisted Saizo. “I imagine you have a lot on your mind.”
Bernard stood up and began to pace back and forth. “No, never mind the food, Saizo. We need to thoroughly assess our situation and figure out what to do next. Rest assured Avenberch will pay for what he’s done. Argh, I should have seen it coming! That perilous bastard! Backstabbing…” He forced himself to take a deep breath. “No, I’m calm. Anger will get us nowhere Saizo. Let’s consider the damage. According to that hell-hound Miss Amelia Dredd Taelliwey blames us for setting off those bombs; chances are we’re the most wanted men North of the Sandra. Oh god, I can hear my men squealing from here! Let’s say goodbye to my assets in Taelliwey for sure, likely in the Syndria Isles too, Okraan, and probably the western valley. That’s everything major in Taellian territory. Damn. Everything south of the Sandra is protected by either Suria or Rhaetalia; I can trust my boys to keep that running for a while at least while I settle things with Avenberch. We still have the bulk of our wealth stashed away in the Morroak if we need it, so that’s good. Huh, I’m stressing over nothing! We still have half an empire!”
“That may be so, sir, but with our current notoriety it will be difficult to operate here…”
Bernard placed his head against the trunk of the tree and groaned. “I know what you’re thinking. Damn it, Saizo, we’re trying to be positive here.”
“Your reputation has been severely damaged, sir. You really ought to return south and defend what remains of your seat as the Phantom King. If the men see your weakness they will take advantage of it.”
The thought drove the Phantom King to his knees. His whiskey bottle was feeling awfully light; he turned it over and watched the last drops of his grief fall to the ground. “Damn it, I’m well aware of that, thank you! Give it to me straight, Saizo, how bad of a situation are we in?”
“Detrimental, sir.”
The king closed his eyes, as if he were falling asleep. “Tell me we’re going to be alright.”
The slightest hint of a smile touched Saizo’s lips. “You told me never to lie to you, sir.”
Bernard opened his eyes, but couldn’t help but chuckle. “Damn you, boy.” Even now Saizo could make him laugh. “The way I see it, life is about three things; being free, having fun, and doing the right thing. Avenberch doesn’t know the meaning of these things. I’ve decided to help put a stop to him. If I try to save my empire now, its foundations will be tainted with the sins I committed by letting him go; besides, my pride is on the line.” He paused for a moment, deep in thought, and then he turned to Saizo, his closest companion. “The Robarii Oasis is probably the safest place for you right now; if you want to go you have my leave.”
But Saizo shook his head. “I’m with you ‘till the end, sir.”
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