KASIL
His gaze was sharp, staring directly into the dawn’s light as it began to cascade over the court’s walls. It stung, no doubt, to look into the sun so freely -- even if it’s light were subdued but it could not compare to the sting in his heart. A sense of failure draped over him like a cloak, the burden on his shoulders too much to bear. It had been a year of interesting occurrences, the rebirth of the courts, the rise and fall of kings and queens -- tumultuous alliances, festivals and what he assumed were the beginnings of love. He grit his teeth, his grip against the stone walls tightening. Did he really wish to let it all go? Is this not what he was supposed to crave? The power, the recognition of being a king?
A voice, as gentle as the spring breeze, answered in his mind. He recognized it, the unwavering firmness of his grandfather but he could not bear to linger on it. He was weak. He had been trying his very best to uphold the court around him, but he could see how it suffered under his care. He was like a child trying to raise another child, and he could not let his neglectful influence continue on in such a way. The ivy clawed its way against his skin, entangling him to the point of strangulation. It had come for him at last, the insanity that he had feared in the furthest corners of his mind.
His sense was threadbare, but he still had time to make better choices for the people. They would need someone, until he could sort himself out. His mind turned to the young emissary, the first to join his court. Ipomoea. He hated to disappoint the lad, hated to show this sort of incompetence to someone who needed careful guidance. He would not place that burden on his shoulders, he wasn’t quite ready although he made glorious strides in such a short time.
Then his mind turned to his regent, the obvious choice. Somnus would take care of the court. He could handle the realm with an efficacy that Kasil was lacking. He had called him here this morning, delivering a sense of urgency to his page that he could tell the boy had been terrified of him. That pained him, but he had to hurry and settle these things before he lost himself.
Liesel was the final thought of his mind, but she was perhaps the most poignant. He had known better than to feel something for her, and yet he could not stop the insistent gnashing of his heart. He wouldn’t have it in him to say goodbye to her. He was too much of a coward, it seemed. The memory of her scent wrapped around him like a warm blanket, trying it’s best to battle away the chill of the spring air but even that was not enough. The king shook his head, yanking away the golden diadem set into his hair, letting it fall to the ground with a clatter. He needed to speak to Somnus, and soon.
@Somnus ;___;
coding by Avis
