(In the far north, while in Olaris, Sir Rícard eventually received news as to what the Commander on the island did concerning the boy. And in learning of his poor condition, he sent word to the Emperor and made his way there that instant.)

(However, this was many weeks later.)

(Thus, when he did arrive, he met the child in a worse state as was reported.)

**

[Morning]

[PRISON ISLAND - Medical examination room]

Doctor: Hmm, no trace of any blood in the phlegm- so, that is good.. but he’s presenting symptoms of having pneumonia and is also severely malnourished 

(Immediately released from the dungeons upon Sir Rícard’s return; the boy, weak and dehydrated, was having violent fits of coughing.) 

(He sat on the edge of a bed, hunched over gasping for air, while tightly clutching the blanket which enveloped his tiny and frail body.)

(The Commander then barked at the Officers present)

Sir Rícard: Did I not give specific instructions as to how to treat the boy?! Why is he in this condition?!

Officer: y- Your Grace, Commander Sir. B-but Commander Maynard demanded that he would take charge of all the prisoners- including the boy…

General: Commander. We couldn’t stop him even if we tried t-

Sir Rícard: Enough!

General: …

(In returning his attention toward the doctor, he calmly addressed him asking)

Sir Rícard: Is it treatable, doctor?

Doctor: Well, he is young, and should be able to recover quickly with treatment…but still, should he relapse- He cannot be placed back in those dungeons. He won’t survive.

Sir Rícard: That shall not be an issue doctor..

(The Commander said as he glared at his officers. Upon taking his leave, he next stated)

Sir Rícard: ..Notify me please when his health improves.

Doctor: It will be weeks before he does, Commander

Sir Rícard: Not a problem. Please, inform me then. 

**

**

(Shortly afterwards, Sir Rícard met with the Commander in his office. The man greeted him at the door with a smug smile on his plump face.)

Commander Maynard: Heard you were here. Disturbing my men and screaming orders. I expected you to visit sooner but here you are now…have a seat.

Sir Rícard: No, thank you. I will stand.

Commander Maynard: -Heh!  Very well. Suit yourself.

(Commander Maynard sat behind his desk, poured himself a little drink and asked his guest) 

Cdr. Maynard: Do you want one as well?

(With a smirk he viewed Sir Rícard’s expression; of which was a deadly blank stare and with no response from his guest, he gave a small tilt of his head, took a sip and said)

Cdr. Maynard: Figured not.  

Sir Rícard: I gave clear and direct orders to be relayed to you, Commander. Yet you disobeyed those instructions. Why? 

(But Commander Maynard scoffed and replied)

Cdr. Maynard: Listen here..

Sir Rícard: … 

Cdr. Maynard: ..You do not understand how things are run in this place, I do. 

Sir Rícard: Please enlighten me then

Cdr. Maynard: Most certainly. 

Sir Rícard: …

Cdr. Maynard: Here, I am in charge. And from the moment those southern rats step off the boat and onto my island, I do with them as I see fit. Me! I alone dictate what goes on. 

(He took another swig of his drink and continued saying)

Cdr. Maynard: You see Rícard- these stinking southerners need to be taught a lesson and the only way for them to learn is in the pits. That is where the real teaching begins.

Sir Rícard: You still have not answered my question Commander.

Cdr. Maynard: Oh? But I believe that I did. 

Sir Rícard: …

Cdr. Maynard: I control things here, understand? You do not like it?  

Sir Rícard: …

Cdr. Maynard: Heh! ...So what?! There is nothing you can do about it!

(With each passing moment, the agitated Commander’s face became more and more flushed.) 

(Rícard, however, calmly responded saying)

Sir Rícard: You are correct..

Cdr. Maynard: ..?

Sir Rícard: You are in fact responsible for all of the prisoners held here. They are all under your command..

Cdr. Maynard: …

Sir Rícard: …however, due to your negligence and blatant failure to obey orders…

Cdr. Maynard: ...

Sir Rícard: ..if I were His Majesty, I would have you removed from this position.

(The Commander paused with the glass almost to his lips. Suddenly, he began to repeatedly slam his desk; his stubby fingers balled into a fist.)

(He burst into a raucous laughing fit; even failing to acknowledge spilling most of the remaining drink onto himself.)

-BANG BANG BANG!!!-

Cdr. Maynard: BHAHAHAhaha!! Good on you, Rícard. Funny man! Heh…Haaa!..well let us thank the heavens that you are not shall we?

Sir Rícard: …

(Wiping the tears from his eyes, he leaned forward in his seat and added) 

Cdr. Maynard: You know what your problem is, Rícard? 

Sir Rícard: …?

Cdr. Maynard: I shall tell you. You always want everything done your way- Control everyone, everything. Well, you certainly ain’t doing it here!

Sir Rícard: Again, true. I cannot. 

Cdr. Maynard: …

Sir Rícard: However, His Imperial Majesty certainly can…

(At once, all colour and energy left him.) 

(For Sir Rícard withdrew an official assignment letter from his pocket; golden sealed by the Emperor himself. Upon the desk, directly in front of the silent Commander he placed it.) 

(His moustache bristled as he stiffened his pudgy lips. And though seeing clearly the Imperial seal, he carefully asked)

Cdr. Maynard: What is this?

Sir Rícard: This…is  from His Majesty’s hand. Direct and explicit instructions given to you.

(In placing his glass down, the Commander slowly retrieved and ripped open the letter. His eyes darted back and forth as he read while Sir Rícard continued)

Sir Rícard: Failure to comply and you will be stripped of your title as Grand Champion and imprisoned for an….undetermined period. 

By His Majesty’s authority, you are relieved of your current post and duties forthwith. I shall be assuming all duties at this post from now on. 

(From the letter, Maynard glared at his guest. He slammed his desk and screamed )

Cdr. Maynard: Bullocks! 

(Before yelling a most colourful string of choice words.)

(Spittle settled at the corners of his fat lips and his eyes were bulging and crazed at the end of the winded tirade.)

Sir Rícard: I am not the one doing this.

(Sir Rícard stated simply in reply to his many accusations.)

Sir Rícard: You appear to be confused. Commander, as I know you do…I too,  have eyes and ears everywhere. And word returned to me concerning what you did and did not do.

My men will now escort you to your quarters. You leave the island on this evening's sailing.

(Maynard bubbled with fury as he watched him depart.)

(Multiple officers then entered, and the colour in the Commander’s pale face immediately returned and darkened.)

[Weeks later]

*

[Mid-morning]

[PRISON ISLAND - Interrogation room]

Alex: Do you believe that simply be-  -cough! Cough!--cough! 

Sir Rícard: …

Alex: …ungh!...because of -huff huff- huff …what you did for me….that I would forgive..forgive what you did?

Sir Rícard: No, I did not believe that it would.

(Alex scoffed, flashing a smile as he did before stating coldly)

Alex:  Good.

(Slim wrists and ankles were manacled, and the boy, still clearly recovering from his illness, struggled to breathe even to speak. He coughed intermittently; the mucus could be heard rattling in his chest.)

(The two sat opposite each other. A high wooden table between them.)

(Sir Rícard narrowed his eyes as he stared intently at the young southerner.)

(He saw only the crown of the boy’s head, for he was hunched over and the Commander, with furrowed brows then thought)

{..weaker and even more pale than when I saw him last. How is that possible?  Is he eating or even taking medicine? I need to have a talk with that doctor once more-}

(His inner musings interrupted by the boy’s coughs, he addressed the child saying)

Sir Rícard: I have something that may be of great interest to you.

(There was no reaction from the prisoner. He kept his head down and save for his laboured breaths, no sound was made. The Commander then added) 

Sir Rícard: …A token of sorts.

Alex: …

Sir Rícard: I return.. this to you.

(Upon the table, with a sharp -clack!  Sir Rícard placed a ring of ruby and onyx.) 

(Only at the sound of the object hitting the table did the prisoner lift his head.)

(The boy’s eyes widened. And with both hands coming up from below the table, he slowly reached for it.  However, before his slender fingers could grasp the item, Commander Rícard asked)

Sir Rícard: Who was he to you?

(This question caused the boy to pause briefly in his movement and without replying, he then took hold of the ring; drawing it near and turning it over between his fingers.)

(Cold and vicious. Pale blue eyes swam in tears and they were solely now directed toward the Commander.) 

Sir Rícard: You wore one similar to this- one with a blue stone.

(The boy’s eyes widened before turning away. Choosing instead to lower his head and remain silent.)

Sir Rícard: You wore it when we first met on the battlefield. Where is it?

Alex: …

Sir Rícard: Why do you no longer wear it?

Alex: …

(Then, with a small smile playing at the corner of Sir Rícard’s lips, he gently asked a fourth question.)

Sir Rícard:  Have you misplaced it…Your Highness?

**

(Before him, the man appeared to have taken pleasure in his assumption. However, Alex decided to give him no satisfaction in this and glared at him silently. Firmly he then replied) 

Alex: It was stolen.

Sir Rícard: ..I see. 

Alex: …

Sir Rícard: ...You are but a special instance.. 

Alex: …

Sir Rícard: ..Neither a prisoner nor a guest.

(Alex felt the strain on his body to breathe, yet he managed to question as he surveyed the man’s face.)

Alex: Then…what am I?

Sir Rícard: Under His Majesty’s orders you are to be unharmed. No one will be made known of your status. You are under my care and I shall ensure this. 

Alex: What am I?

Sir Rícard: Your Highness is…under Imperial protection.

Alex: I do not need -cough!- I do not require -cough -cough! ..your…

Sir Rícard: Your brother is no more.

Alex: …

Sir Rícard: ..Your kinsmen are dead and your King fled, wounded. 

Alex: …

Sir Rícard: I tell you this to remind you of the hatred you should face if- 

Alex: I do not need your reminders.

Sir Rícard: …

Alex: …

Sir Rícard: What are you then?

Alex: …

Sir Rícard: ..Indeed, you are but a bargaining piece. A means of swaying your King.

(Alex made to laugh but proceeded to continue on in his coughing fit; traces of laughter filling in between)

Alex: You -cough!  Your efforts are wasted.. 

Sir Rícard: …

Alex: ..Father will not- H- He…will not…

(Eventually he settled and became silent. The sound of his strained breathing filling the room and the man asked kindly)

Sir Rícard: What father cares not for his own son?

Alex: ….

Sir Rícard: Then, if it is as you say, I suppose you are to forever remain here.

Alex: Where is it?!

Sir Rícard: …

Alex: You stole it..didn’t you?

Sir Rícard: …

Alex: Along with my ring. Where -cough! ..is it?

Sir Rícard: ..Of what do you inquire?

(The man feigned ignorance, Alex could tell. And it irritated him much. In crushing the small ring within in his hand, Alex stated plainly)

Alex: My brother’s sword.

(Sir Rícard lifted his chin in understanding and stated)

Sir Rícard: A fine weapon it is. 

Alex: Where?

Sir Rícard: In my possession.

Alex: …

Sir Rícard: You may have it. Not now of course but one day soon. Preferably when there is a semblance of peace between us.

Alex: …

Sir Rícard: Peace. Tell me, do you desire this?

(With tear filled eyes, Alex then spitefully spat in response)

Alex: Never!

(Much older did the man now appear. He gave a frown and sighed as he said)

Sir Rícard: Then, both you and it shall remain here. Lost and forgotten.

Alex: …

Sir Rícard: Instead, for future’s sake, I hope one day Your Highness considers it.

➵

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