Chapter 38 - Hoisted Hero

"Today, we are gathered here to celebrate our victory over the enemies that just attacked our kingdom. And not only the victory but the man that made the victory possible" the Alpha King addressed everyone present in the palace hall.

It was a great celebration. If not, someone like Julia wouldn't have the opportunity of being present here. But due to the great joy that came with love and sharing that accompanied the celebration. Everyone was allowed to wine and dine irrespective of status.

"It has been a long time ago that we have suffered an attack. But the perpetrator of this one, despite the little resource he had under his control. He made good use of it. How good would it have been if he had expended that for a good and profitable cause" the Alpha King cleared his throat. He turned to look at James.

"He has not only committed an act against the kingdom. He betrayed friendship. Friends should be blessing but he chose to be the opposite. And do you know what becomes of him? Do you?" he asked turning in different directions.

"His head is now stuck in spike on our wall. That is the proper and deserved end for someone like him. That should serve as a lesson to some that are already planning against our kingdom or those that are looking forward to something of such. You should desist now" he paused. There was total silence in the hall.

"Because if you do not, we will find you, disgrace you and put a miserable end to your miserable life!" he yelled with force. It was scary enough that some of the people present in the hall cowered and shivered.

"Getting back to where we started. The man that we all owe our lives in this kingdom. The conqueror, savior of Darnley Kingdom" the Alpha King paused to look around at those seated beside his throne.

Julia also looked around for Michael. He was nowhere to be found. Of course, he would be in the hospice right now still fighting his pain.

James would be finally getting what he wanted today. There was no more option left for Michael than to accept defeat this time around. James successfully clinged to his aim.

Michael had been slow in his planning and its execution instead of taking care of it immediately when he had the time. He was speaking in riddles.

"The savior of Darnley Kingdom is no one else than my son" the Alpha King paused again.

James rose up from his seat. He moved forward but it seemed the Alpha King was ignoring him.

Michael approached from a far corner and the Alpha King smiled broadly as he saw him coming.

Michael had healed. There was no sign he was on the verge of death few days ago.

The Alpha King stretched his hand to receive him. James slowly went back to his seat.

"When we were all clueless on how to end the war that was waged on us. It was Michael that singlehandedly saved us. He went to find the root cause and that only takes wisdom from no one else but the wise one" the Alpha King brought him into the spotlight.

"All hail Michael" he roared.

"Michael! Michael!! Michael!!!" the crowd sang his praise.

Queen Teresa was extremely happy and amazed at the same time. She must have been wondering what was going to happen.

Julia was also marveled. She was happy but she kept breathing heavily like his heart was going to jump out of her mouth.

She had mistaken to be doubting Michael.

"Yes. I found the rat" Michael voice brought all the noises to an end. "He was in the palace here with us. And I would also like us to recognize my brother today. He faced the undying army with faith though he didn't know I am working on anything underground. That is an act of bravery" he clapped and turned to where James was seated.

He was no longer there. He had left when everyone's attention was shifted away from him. He must be hurting right now.

His plans did not only fail, he also lost an ally who was branded as a traitor and was disgraced. There was nothing left for him to do. He had lost.

"Let the celebration continue" the Alpha King quickly said to revive the dwindling spirit of the well wishers.

"Heyyyy!!!" the crowd roared happily. They started feasting and the hall was filled with sounds of clinking plates and cutleries.

***************

"Don't be such a heartless fellow. This isn't the time to play hide and seek for goodness sake" James yelled furiously. He was sure Quentin was somewhere in this woods.

"I know how hard it can be. Losing a friend and not just anyone, a close friend. I feel your pain my beloved brother" Quentin spoke without showing himself.

"This is not the time to show your pity. I don't need your sympathy. What I need is the next thing to do. The next way to go" he spoke with might. He was angry that Quentin was not even showing his face.

"The saddest part is that he is branded a traitor and his head set on spike. I don't want such death. No one deserves it. Not even me as cruel as I am" he laughed cynically.

"And that makes you laugh. You find it funny?" he charged at where he thought his voice was coming from.

"Oh! You know you are just very confusing. You said you didn't need my sympathy and now I shouldn't laugh. You are just another adult who doesn't know what he wants" Quentin shaded him like he wanted his rage to explode.

"Show yourself and let's find the way out of this together" he screamed.

"Which way again?" Quentin scoffed. "The one we already found that you contradicted" Quentin said angrily.

"I am ready to do anything to have what is rightfully mine. My father has revealed his mind and his hatred for me the moment he applauded Michael for what I did" James fumed.

"Anything?" Quentin appeared right in front of him. "Are you telling me you want to kill your father now? No, don't be a bad son" he mocked him.

"I have to kill him now. After what he did to Harold. He doesn't deserve to live" he moved closer to Quentin in anger.

"Do you want your head to be set on a spike. Oh, that wouldn't look good. It is going to be a piece of ugly sight" Quentin continued taunting him.

"If I can take his life directly, I will face him and do so but that is going to come with a lot of consequences. Just tell me what to do" James had made up his mind. It was time to accept what Quentin and Harold had urged him to do all these while.

"There is a part you won't like. Do not attempt facing him. There is a prophecy that he will not die in the palace" Quentin had started again with irrelevant issues.

"You know what, I don't believe in prophecies. The one that claims I will be a bad king or the one that says he can't die in the palace. I don't believe in any of it" he refuted.

"If the shadow of guardian revolves round him. He will not die in the palace. That is the prophecy and I believe in prophecies because I am not as foolish as you are" Quentin ranted. It seemed he felt disrespected by James proclamation.

"Just tell me what I need to do to end his life. I do not care about the guardian or its shadow. I have nothing to do with it" he repeated.

"No one knows the guardian but it will be advisable that you take him or her out of the way before you will attempt killing the king" he implored him.

"Could the guardian be Michael?" James asked anxiously.

"No. The guardian is not an Alpha bloodline but he or she is authoritative like one" Quentin explained.

"Queen Teresa is also of the bloodline of Alphas, then who the hell could it be?" James was silent and deep in thought. "One reason why we should not rely on the prophecies. This is inaccurate information" he concluded after a while.

"If you want to know what to do. You have to pay me a visit" Quentin turned away like he was leaving.

"Can't you just say it right now?" he questioned him quickly before he could take a foot further.

"You said you don't want his death trace back to you, right?" Quentin turned back. "Then we need to plan it out" he said after James had nodded.

"I will come. When should I come?" he asked softly

"That will be determined by how determined you are. It will be by your level of determination" he laughed and disappeared into thin air.

"I am ready now" he screamed as he couldn't see him anymore.

He had made the right choice; one he should have made long ago. Harold would still be alive of he had decided that.