The King smacks his lips, head leaning back against the chair’s back. “You always bring out the worst in me, Callum. The price I pay for caring for you.”
“I’m sorry, sir.”
The King waves a hand at me dismissively. I stand to leave, hands in fists by my side. “Iwillfind the Stone for you.”
The King doesn’t respond, and I see that he’s gently snoring in the chair. While he sleeps off the wine, I take the opportunity to reorganize his office for him. His sickness can only be growing worse as I’ve never seen him this angry at a mere servant before. Without the Stone, the kingdom is in trouble, and the pressure I carry builds and builds. I return to my room, flopping on my bed like a dam that’s about to burst.
Chapter 18
Callum – Eleven Years Ago
I’m in the training arena alone again. Training for the day has ended, but I always spend several more hours afterwards perfecting everything I learned. I’m officially a Hunter now, bottom of the pack, but it’s a starting place. The only place I can go is up. Or back on the streets, I guess, if I don’t make King Corvin proud of me. He seemed pleased that I became a Hunter – I was easily one of the youngest recruits they’ve ever had, and I’ve proven that I can hold my own.
I run through a few more exercises before I notice that King Corvin has joined me. He does this more often than I’d prefer, checking in on my progress and making sure I’m learning ‘correctly’.
I lower my sword and bow. “Your Majesty. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
King Corvin chuckles. “Very formal. Your tutors must be teaching you well.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Your training here also seems to be going well. You’re shaping into a strong and powerful man.”
“Thank you, sir.” He still hasn’t announced why he’s here.
“I want to teach you another lesson today. One that other soldiers know well but isn’t necessarily taught.”
“Sir?” I ask, watching as he grabs a sword from the rack. The last time he picked up a sword against me, my kneecap shattered. It still hurts after a long day of training, and twitches in his vicinity.
“Come sit. And take off your shoes.” He gestures to a bench near him, glowing in the brazier light.
I hesitate for a second too long.
“What did I order you to do, soldier?” King Corvin’s eyes shoot daggers at me, and I instinctively flinch.
“Yes, sir.” I hurry over to sit on the bench, tugging off my leather boots.
I sit there awkwardly, hands twisting in my lap.
“Becoming a great soldier requires a lot of sacrifices. It requires absolute dedication and an inner strength and ruthlessness that you haven’t yet found.”
He approaches me slowly, dragging the long tip of the sword through the sand floor, stopping in front of the lit brazier.
“You want to become the King’s Lead Hunter, Callum? One of the elite?” The King’s voice is dripping with venom.
I nod furiously. “More than anything, sir.”
“Then you need to be able to remain calm in any situation that may arise. Remain strong. Prove your worth to the kingdom. To me.” He thrusts the end of the sword into the brazier, holding it in the flames. “Do you understand, soldier?”
“I…” I’m not sure what’s happening. I watch the flames flickering against the metal blade.
“Do…you…understand?” The King asks again, enunciating each word.
I know there’s only one answer he’s waiting for, and I’m nothing if not desperate to please. “Yes, sir,” I croak.
The King removes the sword from the flames, the end of it burning red, smoking in the night’s air.
“Raise your feet, soldier.”
