22. Battle Scars

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The danger level of what Iker was doing was set high. He slipped away during breakfast while Prince Cormac and the king had breakfast. He excused himself to start his other chores. Truthfully, he was trying to sneak into the King's chamber.

Iker didn't fail to notice the high spirits the prince was in. He was preoccupied with handling the situation at hand and with the Prince constant visits to Area fifteen. They haven't had much time to talk.

Iker felt that it was time he told the prince of what he saw. With the rebellious and defiant streak he's been showing towards the King. Iker's gut was telling him that prince Cormac has made his decision based on the truth. Forging a path that was likely different from his father. It was time Iker shared what little he knew.

He rushed up the stairs, a ruby red carpet running along it with gold edges. The Colours of the Seridina Kingdom. Iker walked pass the other servants, trying to remain calm even though he was beyond nervous.

The king chamber's came in sight. Bringing back the dreaded night to Iker. He took a deep breath, shaking his hands as if to rid it of the shaking due to his nervousness. There was no need to worry. All Iker had to do was go inside and get whatever information he could and even help the man.

Iker was stuck ever since Commander Amir said the closest thing the king had to a friend had died. He didn't think the man would answer the questions even if was alive. That was if he valued his friendship with King Rhett above all. It was a starting point for Iker.

A starting point that meant he had to sneak into the King's chambers to seek information from the man below. Iker rested his shaky hands on the knob. Reminding himself that the King was having breakfast, leaving him a few minutes to get in, talk and get out.

He pushed in, peeking his head inside. The first time he entered the room gave him bad memories that he had to live with. The King wasn't here, he couldn't trick him again and bind his hands, striking him numerous times. The room was empty.

Iker took light steps in, looking towards the large flag on the wall. All he needed to know stood behind that wall along with his fears. He walked pass his desk, stopping when he saw something that caught his eyes.

He pulled opened the ajar drawer. An old letter sat amongst the pile of papers. The seal on the letter was that of the golden wings he'd always see. The letter inside was removed. Iker turned it onto the back. "Emory C. Relufian." Iker read what was skillfully written in the corner.

It had Iker thinking who that person was and how was that person in relation to the king. And what was the contents of the letter. Iker placed it back in its original spot, remembering the task at hand.

He lifted the Flag, looking at the brick wall. Iker tried recalling which of the many was the right one. He started randomly pressing each one, looking over his shoulders at the door. Each brick remained in place. Iker was getting anxious. He's wasted enough time as it is already.

He pressed a brick a little more to the right than he did before, the brick sinking a bit at the touch.

King Rhett wiped his mouth after a silent breakfast with his son. The boy has been changing over the last few days. A change that King Rhett didn't expect but welcomed. He thought that prince Cormac was becoming like him, not a streak of his mother to be seen.

"I'll be leaving for Laqum later today for the Moonlight Festival." Prince Cormac said, standing to his feet. "Until then, I will be preparing for my leave."

Prince Cormac didn't wait for a respond before he left. The King wasn't angry at Prince Cormac. The one thing that bought about the first flames of hell and occasional hatred to his son was the fact he obtained his mother's feature.

The King excused himself, making his way back to his chamber. There were things he had to worry about. Prince Cormac coronation was a week away along with his joining with Princess Ximera. Soon enough he could crush the Kingdom of Peruel.

Iker was frozen on spot, unable to press the brick any further to open the secret passage. The door opened rather slowly giving him time to remove his hand, drop the flag and try to find somewhere to hide. It was already too late when he met face to face with King Rhett.

"It seems I've entered the wrong room." Iker said nervously, walking pass the King as he bowed in apology.

King Rhett scowled at the boy, his hands reaching out and grabbing Iker by the neck. Iker felt his windpipe being crushed, trying to loosen the King's hold. "It seems you haven't learned your lesson." King Rhett spoke. Each word dripping with malice. "I spared your life once. I would hate to have to remove the Commander's son." his hold increased around Iker's neck. "Or maybe I should. I should show that stupid son of mine how replaceable a servant is."

Iker tried desperately to remove his hand, looking into the eyes of the devil himself. King Rhett sighed, letting go of the boy. Having him die right then and there would cause him effort he doesn't have to spend on such a person.

Iker fell to the floor coughing as he felt his neck. The king looked down on him with disgust as he does everyone else. Iker thought it was a good idea that he hadn't entered the secret entrance instead. It was unclear when he would be out again since the king spent most of his time in the room. It was unclear whether he paid the man below a visit or not.

In all scenarios Iker saw himself being caught. Facing it head on was his only plan. "I came," A series of a cough followed. Iker tried his best to let his words out. As if the King's hand was still around his neck, taking the life out of him. "I came to get Prince Cormac's pass to the Kingdom of Laqum." He managed to say.

King Rhett looked down at the servant boy. Unconvinced that that was the reason he was here. He sauntered over to his desk, throwing aside papers. He pulled a drawer opened, his anger prominent as he did it with much force. As if the drawer was the source of all his problems.

Iker stood to his feet. His hands clutched tightly as he watched the man. He was slowly retreating backwards, not wanting to be notice. It was rather hard since the King was looking back at him every second. Finally finding what he was looking for, King Rhett walked over to the shaking boy, pulling him into the burning flames that entrapped him.

Toying with Iker's fears with his displeasing stares and urge to take the life away from him. He handed Iker the pass. "I'm not one to give warnings servant boy." King Rhett spoke, his hand still clenched on one end of the pass. Iker knew the man was right. He wasn't giving him a warning, he was threatening Iker. "If you value your life never walk through these doors again."

His grip loosened on the other end of the pass. Leaving Iker to process the fact that his life was hanging by a thread. With his breath going heavy and his mind going haywire. Iker didn't know how long he was standing their with fearful eyes before he rushed out the room.

He moved as quickly as he could. No destination in mind as the only thing that filled his mind was that death was lurking around the corner waiting for him to slip then drag him away. He ignored the curses of the other servants as he rushed down the hall.

"Iker," Prince Cormac called when he saw his personal servant rushing ahead. "Iker!" he repeated when he didn't stop, almost running pass the prince before he took ahold of his arm. "I've been looking for you. Is something wrong? I've called you twice and you didn't respond." Cormac furrowed his brow, the glooming look on Iker's face was hard to miss.

Iker swallowed the bile rising in his mouth. He slowed his ragged breathing and looked beyond the prince. No matter how hard he tried to not break right then and there, he could feel the dams starting to break. "You should take this your highness," Iker croaked out, blinking back the tears. The sooner he took the pass, the sooner he could rush to the servant quarters and let his emotions run wild.

Prince Cormac looked to the pass then back at Iker. He pulled the boy along to his chamber. Pushing him towards his large bed then turning to lock the locks on his door. Iker held his face in his hands, hiding the tears that escaped as he muffled his sobs.

The prince turned to see Iker trying to hide the fact that he was crying. He crouched before the boy, trying to pry away his hands. "What's wrong Iker?" He ran his hand along Iker's head.

"I don't want to die." he said between sobs. He once wanted to join his parents because he missed them so much. Coming to the castle and meeting the prince gave him a new purpose to live. He would never admit aloud but he enjoyed every moment spent with the Prince. Always prioritizing his chores over playing with the Prince.

Iker knew if he set them aside he would be pulled along by the Prince forgetting his duties. It was the least he could do for being pulled away from the life he had before. That was what Iker though or was it he feared walking side by side with the Prince. Taking a leap over the high walls that separated their worlds.

"You're not going to die." Cormac said, sitting on the floor as he crossed his legs. "I'll make sure of that. Please tell me what happened Iker. I can't bear seeing you like this."

Iker looked up at the Prince. His face a wet mess. The prince looked at him with worried eyes, his words making Iker feel secure. What was there for him to fear? If he took the time to notice, the Prince had stopped walking along, looking back as he waited for Iker to walk beside him. There was no wall that separated them, just Iker's own doubtful thoughts. Prince Cormac was no doubt his friend. So it was okay for him to share his fears.

Iker stood to his feet, undoing the buttons of his shirt. The Prince sat silently, wondering what Iker was doing. He held on to his shirt, fearing what the Prince would think of him showing such a sight. He cursed himself a little at the time. There was no need for fears towards what Prince Cormac would think.

Iker slowly dropped his shirt, revealing the scars that decorated his body. The Prince eyes went wide with shock, abruptly standing to his feet. Iker held his head down as the Prince walked close to him. Cormac traced a hand along one of the scars, "how did this happened? Who did this to you?"

Cormac was starting to feel angry. All those times Iker was being odd, pushing him away. He was carrying such a weight all by himself. It pained him knowing that Iker didn't trust him enough to tell him then and there. He also couldn't blame him, to tell him, show Cormac his scars must've taken a lot of courage.

"Will you believe me?" Iker asked. "The truth might be unbelieving but, I need for you to believe me."

"I believe you Iker." he replied without knowing a reason. "I've known you almost all my life. Knowing something like this happened to you makes me feel so enraged and sad. Tell me so I could confront this person and if I have to I'll deal with them myself for hurting you."

Iker appreciated his kindness, taking a long, deep breath. He met eyes with the prince, "It was," He drawled. "It was the King."

Cormac hand fell from Iker, his knees went weak as he fell to the ground. The King had done this. First, the Kingdom, bringing about hate and separating the people into trash and treasure. Now, he had raised a hand against Iker. There was no rage greater than his right then and there.

He was now seeing his father for who he was. A man who ruled by inflicting fear into his people, a man who would leave his own people for dead. A man with no form of respect for anyone below him and if must be said, above him too.

"I knew you wouldn't believe me." Iker said just above a whisper.

"That's not it," Cormac answered. "I believe you. I've seen the awful things he's done to this Kingdom. It enrage me Iker. Even more so now." He looked up at his friend, determination behind his tears. "No apologies could undo what my father did. Just give me a little more time and I'll make it right. I'll make it right for everyone who he has inflicted pain upon and pushed into a corner."

Iker nodded, "I have a few things of my own I would like to tell you." Iker proceeded to tell Cormac about the man that was locked away. It made him feel disgusted by the King's ways even more.

Along with Phoenix and now Iker. Prince Cormac swore to make things right. Just a little more and Phoenix will know the truth about him. His coronation was the center stage that he and his lover will take.

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