//------------------------------// // A King's Request // Story: Where The Heart Lies // by Broman //------------------------------// Quicksilver's heart skipped a beat. His mind flashed before him as he held his hoof out towards the key. He was caught and he was going to be killed. Gretchen will be captured and tortured by Sharpclaw.  Gretchen. Please leave, get out of here while you can! Quicksilver’s mind screamed out. He leaned forward attempting to reach the key. Yet he felt a firm grip on his shoulder. His enemy was behind him, yet, he was not aggressive. He didn’t even get thrown down or dragged away. There was no sound of brandishing swords or barking sergeants. And what he felt on his shoulder didn’t resemble a claw at all. Claws don’t have fur. “It’s not been near two days since we last saw each other. I never thought we have such a short interim apart.” the voice behind him spoke, being instantly familiar to him. Quicksilver turned his head, and his breath hitched when he saw Lupin standing over him. “Lupin.” Quicksilver said, his worry abated for the moment. Lupin kept his gaze on him a half smile.  “Nice to meet you again as well. Despite your current circumstances.” he said, before leading forward and his smile faded, “You do remember what I said the next time we meet?” he asked, which made Quicksilver more worried. Knowing full well that the next time they would meet that he would have to fight. “You know this dog?” Cross asked, attempting to get up from the snow. Lupin didn’t hesitate and placed a foot onto the back of Cross, forcing the thestal to the ground. He hissed and squirmed when Lupin pressed further onto him. “Don’t speak too loudly. They will hear you.” Lupin stated, his gaze never leaving him. “There is little time for interruptions.” Quicksilver went to reply when behind Lupin he saw Gretchen rushing towards them. She dug her talons into the snow and kicked up dirt into the air. Her wings expanded and she leapt at Lupin with her talons outstretched. For a brief moment Quicksilver could see the anger in her eyes. Her passionate golden eyes that he once knew was now that of a vengeful heroine. The fires nearby only added to her ferocity for her eyes burned and gleamed with a powerful inclination. A desire that would rip and tear into anything that gets in her way. Those eyes are what made Quicksilver longed to gaze upon. While he remained fixated upon her approaching form, Lupin glanced to the side and his ears folded back. He was expecting her to draw herself out. He whirled around with his right paw stretched outward towards her. He grasped at her neck, stopping in her place before she could tear into them. Anger still remained in her eyes, grasping the ends of  her arms and trying to break free but Lupin held firm, raising her ever higher and keeping her at bay. Quicksilver's heart quickened, seeing her being kept up and struggling in his grip. He tried to move as well but was kept in place. He knew that every second they remained that the guards would return and it would be over for them. “Lupin… please I’m not here to fight you,” Quicksilver begged, attempting to get up and away from him. Lupin held him firm, keeping the three of them in place. His mind raced to how he was going to get out of here, there were little to no options but to struggle and fight back. His eyes laid on Gretchen, still struggling in Lupin’s grip and was hellbent on tearing him to shreds. His grip never lessened and still she kept on attempting to fight. He once again tried to move but still the dog would not let him go. His eyes drifted toward the cages, wondering how the last of their lives would be stuck in them. His eyes laid upon the diamond dogs. They all were watching intently and their paws upon the bars of the cage. Among them, he saw Jade. She was scared, not knowing what would happen. An idea instantly clicked in his mind and he turned to Lupin. It was the only shot he had. “Lupin. Do you love Jade?”  Quicksilver felt Lupin's paw tighten on his shoulder. He had his attention. “Do you truly love her Lupin? Will you sacrifice everything for her? Or will you throw it away to serve your masters?” He continued, hoping to get him to stop hurting Gretchen. He only felt the grip tighten and Gretchen began to gag slightly. Hearing her struggling he thrashed again, this time breaking free from him. He whirled around to face him but was met by his paw, grasping at his neck. Lupin’s eyes were focused on him, clear anger seeping out of him. A low growl emanated from the back of his throat. Quicksilver’s eyes flashed to Gretchen and she continued to fight, albeit weakly, against his grip and her eyes were rolling up near the back of her head. His heart quickening he tried to stand up with his rear legs in an attempt to stand up. Lupin continued to hold his ground and all Quicksilver was able to achieve was sitting on his rear facing him. “You can kill me if you wish… this whole ordeal would be over and you can get back to being the servant that you are. But know this,” he said, feeling the talons grip upon his windpipe and Lupin’s jowls twitching up to reveal his teeth, “ Can you answer this question Lupin? Can you live with yourself knowing that the love of your life will be living in this hell and war will forever plague you and you can never return to her? Or will you take that risk and set her free from that misery driven world?” He finished, noticing a certain glint in Lupin’s eyes. The diamond dog kept watching him, never once letting Quicksilver go. Quicksilver’s breath became all the more extraneous and his vision was fading. Gretchen was no better as her grip lessened and her wings drooped. Her eyes were still rolled up and her breath became more shallow.  It was then that Lupin let her go. She fell to the ground coughing and grasping her neck. Lupin turned to her, his eyes looking over her curiously. She looked up, still anger in her eyes while he tilted his head in some twisted amusement. “I see now,” his eyes lingered on her for a moment before going to Quicksilver, his grip easing on Quicksilver’s throat, “I know what you are aiming for and that is not going to sway me.” he said and Gretchen’s eyes flared again. She raised up to grab him but he was quick to react and ceased at her neck again, just under her jawline. Quicksilver's eyes refocused on her and he still continued to fight him. She stayed there and her talons dug into his arm but he didn’t seem to be bothered. Nearby the soft growl of the cyclops was ever watchful over them. “However,” he stated, moving her over closer to Quicksilver. He had them both in front of him and he eyed them both in turn. Quicksilver eyes met with Gretchen and she in turn with his. The two kept their gaze, a longing in both of their eyes to be set free.  Then, when all seemed lost, Lupin let them go, the two dropping and getting fresh air into them.  Quicksilver blinked and shook his head, clearing his vision and no longer feeling the pain on his neck. The dog shuffled over to them and Quicksilver could see Lupin bending down in front of him. He looked up at him and Lupin gave a wild grin.  “I see that look in your eyes. You both would do anything for each other to ensure the other's safety. Just like back in the cave when I first saw you days prior,” He then leaned forward for only them to hear, “You two love each other more than you realize.” A flush of warmth went to Quicksilver’s cheeks while Gretchen’s own plumage ruffled. She took a swipe at him yet Lupin leapt back a few feet and away from her grasp. Lupin chuckled in amusement whilst Gretchen looked down in embarrassment. Yet, Quicksilver felt his heart beat a little faster from Lupin’s words and he recalled the dream he had the night before and it resurfaced in the forefront of his mind. He took a sideways glance to her and his heart beat in turn. He did love her. He truly did love Gretchen. And he would not stop until she was safe from Sharpclaw. Though… was she truly feeling the same way towards him? Lupin moved toward the fallen key on the ground and plucked it off the snow. The two eyed him as he headed toward the cages. A groan from Cross alerted them and Quicksilver was able to help the thestral back onto his feet while Gretchen followed Lupin, albeit being cautious. “What the devil was that all aboot? Why did the dog let ye go?” Cross said, getting his bearing and trying to stand on his own. “It’s hard to explain. All I know, at this moment, that he is a friend.”  “Well that’s a weird way to make friends lad,” Cross replied, bringing a chuckle out of Quicksilver. He escorted Cross to the fire, and left behind the giant who had been watching their ordeal. After Cross was placed near the fire to warm up, Quicksilver moved towards Gretchen and Lupin. Along the way he took a quick glance to the yak that remained nearby with a tankard of whatever alcohol he was drinking. The yak appeared to not even bother with them and was off watching the walls. Ahead of him Lupin used the key and opened up the cage where the diamond dogs were. The diamond dogs were hesitant as the gate remained open. They eyed Gretcehn and had their ears down when she was giving that judging look to Lupin. “It’s alright. You will be safe.” Lupin said, reassuring them and they were able to exit out of the cage. Once out some stretched out from the cramped space while others rolled into the snow and sprawled their arms and legs, happy to be out of that space. Jade came out of the cage, standing to her full height. She was just as tall as Lupin and she embraced her love with all her heart. He returned the loving gesture, wrapping his arms around her and holding her tightly. While he held his love he passed the key over to Gretchen who didn’t need to be instructed in what to do next. Gretchen went off to open the other cages, with the other gryphons and diamond dogs eager to escape. Quicksilver sidled up to them, Lupin still holding to his beloved mate.  “There are many things that I regret in this life,” Lupin stated, giving a kiss on Jade’s forehead. His body slumped downward until he was on his knees, his paws cradling her sides of her waist. He stared at her pregnant belly, a smile creasing on the edge of his mouth. He leaned his head forward and pressed it against her belly. “But my love for you and for our pups I will always cherish.” he said, closing his eyes and leaned a little closer into her. She welcomed him and placed her paws on either side of his head. Quicksilver couldn’t help but smile. The sound of cages opening and the hushed voices of the other gryphons were nearby. They appeared on edge and were able to get out of the condition they were in. Already they were discussing amongst themselves at the turn of the tide and fortune. Quicksilver watched Gretchen even escort Artemis out of the cage, guarded by a pair of other noble gryphons who wish to aid her plight. Gretchen was speaking to her softly, but Quicksilver couldn’t pick up what she said from the hushed voices of the other gryphons. Artemis was stoned faced yet her eyes were looking down and not responding to Gretchen’s inquiries. When Gretchen asked a second time she gave a tearful nod to her and Gretchen pulled the weary hen into an embrace and soothing her. Quicksilver felt sympathy for her, knowing what inequine torture that Sharpcalw did to her. If they ever get out of here safely, Sharpclaw will get his due. Quicksilver only hoped that he and Gretchen would be able to get out of this mess before they were found by Sharpclaw. He was brought out of his thoughts when he felt a touch on the shoulder by Lupin. He turned to him who was standing alongside his beloved mate. Jade, in turn, had her head resting into his shoulder. Quicksilver was taken aback somewhat by how tall they both were when they were both standing up straight. He kept his eye on Lupin who continued to smile at him. “I guess you made the right decision?” Quicksilver asked. Lupin turned to his love and gave her a firm squeeze around her shoulder.  “I would not trade her for the world. Nor will my pups that are yet to be born. I guess I needed a little conviction from you if you still had the same burning spirit.” He leaned his head a little, smiling to Quicksilver, “I could have ratted you out earlier when you hid in the brush.” Quicksilver felt an uneasy chill crawl up his spine. “You mean to say that you,” he began to say, yet Lupin lifted a paw to him. “Indeed. I knew that you were both here the moment your smell came to me. It had not been long since we last parted that I knew of both of your scents well enough. It was easy to detect you but I couldn’t have brought myself to do it.” He explained. Quicksilver nodded, seeing that the diamond dogs' loyalty was more towards their pack than those who they serve under. Family is a strong bond indeed. Quicksilver’s ears fell short, and his eyes looming over Gretchen. She remained over Artemis and was soothing her. Yet, her brother was all that she had left. If Ebon was killed, if he died in the fight against Sharpclaw’s minions or was forced to head back home, then Gretchen would have no one left to turn to. A single thought raced into his head and wondered if it was possible. Would she accept coming with him? Would she risk everything to come with him into the lands of Equestria? Could she even accept such an offer. “Quicksilver?” Lupin spoke, snapping him from his stupor, “Is something amiss?” He asked. Quicksilver waved him off with a hoof. “Apologies, I’m just tired. Haven’t slept all that well.” He said, knowing he had been exhausted from the last couple of days of travel and labor. He looked around and saw the other cages being opened and more gryphons and diamond dogs filling the area. Some of the older birds grumbled while a few younger ones were listening to orders. A few were sent off toward the crates near the corner of the area. The diamond dogs were gathering together, mostly in the protection of their pups. Tala was among them, still holding her precious pup close to her. She also spoke softly among her kin, reassuring them and guiding them of what was to come but knowing they should not be too eager till they had escaped this place. A grumble from the entry caused the growing crowd to go quiet. The yak that remained near the entrance was there. Quicksilver noticed his head was low and was bobbing his head ever so slightly. The mug in front of him looked empty but some froth remained on the side. A chuckle escaped from Lupin and he leaned towards Quicksilver, bumping his shoulder to garner his attention. “Don’t worry about my drinking buddy. He won’t be able to see straight from the amount of yak nog that he has consumed.” he chuckled, and the yak in question chuckled to himself, so inebriated he was that Quicksilver breath a sigh of relief that the yak would pose no threat. Yet, the smell of yak nog permeated from him made his nose revolt from the strong liquor. While the group continued to gather and some eager to leave, there was one occupant who remained in his cage. Quicksilver saw Glenwing standing at the open cage and was waiting for his king Bronzeclaw to leave. Quicksilver moved towards him, wondering why he had not stirred despite everyone preparing to leave. He stood by Glenwing’s side, seeing the king still there, remaining stationary and unresponsive. He eyed Glenwing who remained steadfast and waited for his king to move, yet Quicksilver wondered if the king would listen. “May I speak with him?” Quicksilver asked, gesturing to the king. Glenwing fierce eyes landed on him and Quicksilver was taken aback slightly. He looked old but he was intimidating nonetheless. He puffed out his wings somewhat, appearing all the more intimidating so as to deter him from getting closer. “Why would an equine like you demand an audience with my king?” he said, his blue eyes matched with his blue and red feathers made him all the more regal. Quicksilver attempted to retort when Gretchen came over to them. “The fletchling has not demanded it, Glenwing. He has earned it.” She said, saddling up to Quicksilver and placing a reassuring claw onto his back. Quicksilver felt a small chill when her talons stroked upward towards his shoulders. He didn’t question why she was doing this, but he was grateful for her presence. Glenwing's aged but noble eyes wandered to the two of them. Gretchen, seeing this, brought him closer to a comforting hug and a determined look on her graces. “He has done more to help than you realize. It was his decision to come here and it was his resolve to come to help you all, regardless of what sides we are on. Please grant him the audience with the king.” Silence remained between them, neither wanting to give an inch in where they stood. Until a muffled voice from within the cage stirred them. “Send the equine in… he can ramble all he wants, for I have made my decision.” King Bronzeclaw stated, not once looking at them. Glenwing paused for a moment, worried over the reply that his king had gave. Then he nodded his head slightly, backing away, and allowing Quicksilver to enter inside. As he approached the king many thoughts ran into his mind. For the longest time, he always believed that Bronzeclaw was the most fearsome of gryphons, and was just like his father all those years ago. He would always imagine that with his will Bronzeclaw would command his armies to wherever he willed it and they would sow fear and terror. Earning the renown of his loyalists and the envy of his rivals. To see the mad king that had prolonged this war for so long that it nearly effected his entire life. He should feel anger in his heart. The need to rail against the king for all that had wronged. He lost his parents, he was left abandoned. His sister had to raise him and encouraged him to join with her to be apart of the royal guard when they were old enough. He fought and killed for so long that it had shaped him to be the way he is now. Yet, as he sat opposite of the king, he was looking upon a gryphon who looked battered, betrayed, and broken beyond recognition. One whose spirit was lost in a miasma of misery and woe. Whatever he had endured to get to this point could not hold a candle to what the king had to go through. Though they were both on opposite sides of the war, the two know that they shared a common foe. He had to know as much as he could if he was to understand who Sharpclaw was. “You're the king Bronzeclaw, are you not?” Quicksilver asked. The king didn’t reply, not at first, but merely nodded his head. Quicksilver took a cold breath and cleared his mind of what he wanted to speak next. “Bronzeclaw, tell me who is Sharpclaw. How did he come to po-” A chuff escaped from Bronzeclaw and interrupted him. “Is that always like you equines? Going straight to the point and demanding questions that escape your lips? Trying to get straight to a problem instead of realizing what led up to it. If you have any regard for that you would have considered changing your question. Otherwise, you're wasting your time talking to husk like me.” he replied, his eyes narrow and bitter. Quicksilver’s ears folded back and he took a breath to clear his thoughts. The king was right. He had every right to deflect any question in regards to what was at hoof. Yet, it didn’t take him long to find what his next question was. “Then can you tell me your story, King Bronzeclaw?” he asked, and the king's eye lingered over to him. His eyes looked hurt but curiosity was also there as well. He lazily blinked, his eyes dull but still shimmered in the light nearby. The king sighed and straightened himself, wiping away the blood on his beak before looking more regal. “I guess that is a start, but I believe my story is unimportant to the grander scheme of things,” he said, his baritone voice returning. “All stories are important, King Bronzeclaw. It is those who are willing to share them that can truly see who they are.”  “And you are willing to share my story? In the event that I fall?” he asked, his long gaze resting on him. Quicksilver nodded. “I will.” “I guess I could start with how it all began for me. But I guess it wouldn’t matter much of my early upbringing since you and your new friends will be in a hurry.” he gestured to the side and Quicksilver's eyes wandered over to see the rest of the group of gryphons and diamond dogs were getting antsy. Some had gathered whatever they could from the boxes and some were hovering in the air, flapping as quietly as they could. Quicksilver looked back to the king and gestured for the king to continue. There was very little time that he could take but he hoped he could get some answers. “Long ago, before this war began, I was a much different gryphon,” King Bronzeclaw stated, his eyes wandered to the side as if lingering on a distant memory,  “When I was reaching my later ages of a juvenile and would be welcomed into the world as a worthy adult in my father's court I thought myself to have a easy life ahead of me. I would be working by my father's side, I would learn trade and commerce amongst my people and life would be good. However, what I didn’t expect from my father was that I was to be forced into an arranged marriage with a rival clan.” Bronze Claw smile faded and he closed his eyes in discomfort. “Ravenclaw, my father, was always boasting to me that we must expand the bloodline that he so craved. I considered him a perfectionist in all regards, wanting to keep our lines pure and all that, but the way he went with it was on the borderline of obsession. He wished nothing more than to see me be the pinnacle of his work and to usher in a grand age with his legacy. I didn’t understand his work but I knew that I grew to hate it.” “The few years that passed before our arrangement went by in a blink of an eye. Every month delegates from both clans would be in discussion and speak about the political opportunities with this marriage. Everytime that I had attempted to hear what they had to say I was pushed away saying that I was too young or not ready to be a part of whatever political scheme they were conducting. As the time grew closer and closer to the fateful day I grew angrier and more suspicious that this marriage was nothing other than bringing our rival houses together.” “Several months before the time of the marriage I got the courage to finally meet in one of these meetings, or rather I had snuck in to listen to what they had to say. It sickened me when they began their discussions and I learned much from their blathering. This marriage was to only keep the strong houses together and they were planning to take the other smaller houses to extinction while they would remain in power. “I was beside myself… seeing these gryphons only clawing their way into power and more control while apostatizing against our very people. Every venomous word they uttered against the common folk and the other tribes only confirmed to me how wrong the nomad tribe have become.” He paused, his eyes lowering and a deeply pained look remained on his countenance.  “After they were finished and they had departed I was so full of anger towards my kin that I left the manse and without their knowing I went to the whorehouse and laid with one of the hens there.” He stood silent for a moment, his head lowered and his eyes sunken. Quicksilver took in every word that he uttered. No doubt in his mind the king was pained by speaking of this but Bronzeclaw was speaking from the heart and he wanted someone who would listen. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw both Gretchen and Artemis standing nearby. The latter especially took more interest in his story. Yet, Quicksilver believed that she had no anger in her. “The time I returned they didn’t know what I had done. I had to vent out my frustrations and anger and they were none the wiser. I would be grateful they hadn’t since all they cared for was my upbringing and seeing how my life will go for them whilst they trampled the hope that the people have been begging for.” A sudden shock from the cage as Bronzeclaw slammed his closed talons into the side of the metal bars. “They didn’t care for what was to happen, so long as they remain in power and remain at the top of the social order of people!” he seethed and blew fresh air out of his beak. Quicksilver remained where he was, waiting patiently for the old bird to continue. Occasionally hearing the shuffle of wings and the small quick banter of the gryphons gearing themselves to leave. The voice of Glenwing came and Quicksilver turned his head slightly to see most of them moving towards the cliff, the same spot that he and Gretchen descended not too long ago. The king lowered his stance and lifted his claw onto his head and Quicksilver gave his full attention. “Time had passed after that eventful night. I was wed to my bride and our lives were peaceful one. I grew to love that hen, despite our circumstances, and we were blessed to have Artemis a few years later. Yet despite our peace, my one mistake is what nearly cost me everything. The same hen that I met during that night had come to my estate with a hatchling no older than two. She presented the child as my flesh and blood and recalled everything from the night at that whorehouse.” Bronzeclaw paused and chuckled for a brief moment, “My father was furious when he found out and he lashed at me for going behind his back and soiling myself on a nameless nobody. I felt almost no remorse for the act, I had no love for my father as he had no love for me. I guess it’s ironic that I ended up in this situation now.” he paused and sighed before turning his attention to Quicksilver.  “In order to keep the scandal from reaching the ears of the other nobles I had to take the two in under my house and take him in as my ward. It was not my choice to choose, it was thrusted upon me because of what I had done.” He lowered his head in shame and closed his eyes. “I did feel ashamed when my wife heard of the news and she wept that I had betrayed her for another hen then with her. I wish nothing more than to repair the damage and rekindle the bond between us, even if it took the rest of my life.  “However, it was only after that event my father and his delegation went to the recently discovered Equestrians that he made a bold but foolish mistake when he arrived at their capital,” he hung his head low and shook, his feathers bristling from his movement. “He slew the King and prince of the Equestria at the cost of his own selfish life,” he said, leaning back his head against the cage. “That fool. My only assumption of why he did what he did was that he may have been jealous of Equestria and the lands surrounding them. He was envious of such things and when he puts his pride on the line, he would sacrifice everything to achieve it, even at the cost of his life and the suffering of many others.” he explained. King Solaris and Prince Osiris. Quicksilver had only seen them once on that fateful day. And the memory resurfaced to his mind as close to a vivid dream. “After his death was announced I was thrust upon the seat of power and the nobles demanded action. The early reports and from the survivors of the delegation claim that the king was murdered before their very eyes. The lying heathens wanted nothing more than to stir the people’s hearts to anger and they already goaded my people on the warpath. Since I was still eighteen years of age but also not bred by my father as a competent leader I had no choice but to accept this act and respond in total war against Equestria and her allies. Knowing how the war played out I can certainly imagine you know how everything goes.” he paused, allowing the words to sink in. Quicksilver said nothing. He didn’t want to say to the king what was on his mind, if he did, he would not stop himself from ranting against him for not stopping this war. Yet, if he was on the other side, if he was in the wings of the king, there were things even he could not have been able to do or even control. Bronzeclaw brushed his feathered head, the feathers ruffling back into place as his talons passed through them.  “Sharpclaw, he was a disposition child. Not knowing why he was in the castle, why he was a part of living in royalty instead of being on the streets. He wandered aimlessly from dorm to dorm, his curiosity always getting the better of him. He was so interested in everything under my tutelage despite the fact he would be a wanderer among the halls of the castle and sneak out and away from my teachings. Over time, in the early months and years into the war I grew fond of the boy. He had certainly become stronger, smarter, and although he never knew the truth about his heritage I almost accepted him as my own flesh in blood. “However, my life as king would become all the more arduous as time went on. The war began to become a stalemate and I had to manage my kingdom with the limited power that I have. The true power lay in the corrupt noble from the Nomad clan that held sway over the council and they had their talons dug deep in the backs of the Arch Gryphons and the ecclesiarch. There was nothing I could have done other than watch as more of my gryphons were killed in the war that they created.” the king sulked, pushing himself back into his cage. “It was my fault that I was blinded by such follies. I couldn’t be strong enough for what was to come. As the war raged on I had to put my duties as king at the forefront and I spent less and less time with him. I guess it was one of the follies that I should have seen coming. I failed to account for one such clever fiend in this great schism between myself and my bastard son. The one fiend I had failed to address, Black Talon.’ The image of the corpulent gryphon surged to the front of Quicksilver’s mind and he snorted from the discontent of seeing that fat bastard. “You see… he was one of the more prominent gryphons under the nomads, but his cunning and ways of the Nomads was all the more important. You see I sought to remove the most vile and heinous of the nomad leaders and ensure that there might be some hope that we can remove the ones who had advocated for this war. At the time Black Talon was a mere nomad of his own, yet he had his way of words and craftyness. He was disgruntled that was certain of the treatment he received by the other nomads, and he eagerly accepted my proposal. Yet, I believe this was a necessary evil to eradicate evil, I would be so blinded to ridding it that I would eventually succumb to it’s machinations. “To begin with, I had him go about planting rumors and minor insurrections within the nomad tribe. With this we slowly but surely managed to weed out the most corrupted of the nomads and ensured they were eliminated or sent to their own deaths fighting in the war. It was full proof to the point I felt at ease from the success. The nomads' pride would make them keep their reputation up and would be sent into the harshest areas of fighting. I don’t regret sending those bastards out and any wayward acolyte that decided to follow them to their deaths. “Yet, while my focus was removing them Black Talon had grown in influence and grew closer to my bastard son. It was subtle at first, enough to not warrant my attention to his scheming. Yet, he had influenced him to the point that he was intentionally leading him down the path that I had feared. In the most regards I was trying to keep his true identity a secret but had I known of Black Talons previous intentions or if I was blinded by such avarice against the nomad leaders, I could have prevented all of this from happening. And yet,” The king paused, letting his head rest against the bar of the cage and his head looking up in disgrace. “Maybe if I had been more of a better father to him. If I could be more supportive instead of pushing him away. If I could have told him who he was and learn to become better. Better than me.” For a moment he went silent, the king staring off in the distance. Quicksilver remained where he was, contemplating all that he had heard. For most of this time Quicksilver felt more empathy for the king. For he was fighting against corruption, against those who had started all of this. This bloody war was all for the sake of pride and for the longest time Quicksilver had believed that King Bronzeclaw was responsible for it, only he was only forced to comply and risk a more tyrannical leader to take his place. “My son… my bastard son… soon learned the whole truth from Black Talon, just as things were turning towards peace. He, Black Talon, and his agents worked behind my back and deliberately sent our forces into disarray. The last few years your forces have gained much but at great cost. With each great slaughter and mass death upon your kind as much as mine he dwindled both of our kingdoms. He considered all this a hollowed victory in our meaningless fighting.” He paused, looking up to stare Quicksilver dead in the eye. “And now, with his plans to supplant me and forcing me and my loyal retainers into exile and hiding, his victory is nearly assured. Hence this is why I am here now to tell you this story of mine. I doubt I will live till morning until he does away with me, but his unholy alliance with our enemies will bring ruin and endless war onto both of our kinds.”  He leaned forward, his eyes filled with a fragile hope but a burning anger within. “Young Quicksilver was it? I charge you with his task.”  He stretched forth his talon and clasped it onto his right shoulder, the edges of his talons gently but firmly holding onto him. “End his reign. Slay my bastard son and chop the tree before he can roost. If he remains, then doom shall befall this land for generations to come. Spill his blood in my name and let your princesses know of my tale. Will you promise me this? Will you be the sword that will smite him from the face of this world?” “You have my word.” Quicksilver promised, but the king didn’t look convinced. “Not just words, but deeds,” He iterated, “I don’t care whatever gods you worship or if you have any inkling notion of mine or whatever fate designs then you must make it happen. May his blood never again sweep this land in a tide of his ambition. Face it head on and never deter from it. If you shirk from your duty, if you cower in the face of this evil that he will unleash then it will be the end of all things. Now, I ask again, will you make this promise?”  The king remained there, his eyes fixed on him and Quicksilver’s heart swelled with an unnatural sense of duty. He wanted vengeance, he wanted retribution against those who wronged him and the people of this land. But most important of all there was only one thing he believed he was capable of distributing on the likes of Sharpclaw. He wanted Justice to come and he will be there to deliver it. Quicksilver gave no hesitation and returned the gesture by raising his hoof onto the king's opposite shoulder, holding him in place. “I will smite him off the face of this land. His name will never be remembered and he will be forgotten, for I will make it so. You have my oath that I will ensure his death by my hoofs, King Bronzeclaw." The king held his gaze, looking for any unwavering notion that Quicksilver had given. After another moment the king patted him on the shoulder and a smile graced his features. “Then that is all I ask.”