forum I couldn’t think of a good title (o/o)

Started October 03, 2020 by Deleted user

tune

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It was stressing to say the least. The Dark Kingdom was causing a major pit of despair in his stomach. The war wasn't going as well as he wanted to do. There wasn't much but… He sighed. He needed to find soldiers that were willing to help him in the war. Luckily he had a few good ideas. At this point he was desperate and he needed ideas. He had recalled a soldier who had done much for the kingdom, but due to his wounds he was discharged. The soldier had done well. Yet he still wanted to serve. Maybe there was another way that the soldier could serve. King Ezra was in desperate need of assistance. He adjusted himself on his throne when he heard the soldier was approaching.

Aces sat in the carriage usually reserved for royalty, and he wasn’t happy about it. After three years and a whole lot of thinking, he actually wasn’t all that happy with the war. He wanted out. So when he’d heard the king was requesting his humble presence, he nearly spit on the guard’s boot. The king had ordered the best of medical care for the man, but all the others in his unit had been kicked to the curb to die after what had happened, all because they weren’t quite ‘heroic’ enough. Eventually, the carriage stopped, and Aces hobbled out on his single leg and crutch.

Ezra rubbed his hand through his hair, his eyes shutting. It was obvious that the king was tired. His court had done little to help him, in fact their squabbling only made it worse. He knew that the soldier would be pissed at him, who wouldn't be. Ezra had wanted to help the other soldiers, but his court went behind his back. He only learned of it recently and it had infuriated him. Ezra's dark eyes were filled with grief and exhaustion. He had no heir, no so called wife (not that he wanted one), and it felt as if he was running the kingdom by himself and facing a war by himself. He wasn't what he used to be. The war had taken so much out of him. But he straightened himself out on his throne, adjusted his crown, and patiently waited for the soldier to come into the throne room.

Aces entered the throne room, feeling dizzy and barely able to stand. “My liege,” he said, bowing as best he could.

His husband had died years ago, and his son…. well, they weren’t on speaking terms. Aces had nothing left, so when he received the message to come to the castle he could hardly turn it down.

He stood when the other entered the throne room, and his eyes soften. "Please. Just Ezra. I do not believe I live up to that name at the moment." He waved at a servant. "Bring this man a chair, let him rest." He orders slowly. The servant nods and scurries off. Ezra turns his attention to Aces. "I am not one for pleasantries, I've found them rather useless. But I understand that it has been three years since we last spoke." He inhales softly. The servant returned with a few chairs. The king nods gratefully. "Thank you. You're dismissed." He didn't sit, but kept his tired eyes on Aces.

Aces sat, not wanting to offend his king. He really didn’t want to risk anything, didn’t want to die even after everything.

“So, what is it you need from me? Am I to serve in your military again? I’m hardly capable,” he laughed bitterly.

Even after everything… well, not everything, per se, but many things. Maybe he was just too scared to die. Maybe he was a coward. But better a coward than a fool, of course.

Ezra regarded the man for a moment before taking a deep breath. He ran a hand through his long raven hair, the braids shaking with his movements. "I understand that this may sound rather… well. It's unexpected. But I understand that you were one of the best of the best when it came to the military. My council is run by power hungry idiots. This war has gone on for too long. To many people have died, to many good people. I feel their deaths weigh on my shoulders. I can practically hear their screams, hear their families…" His eyes shut and pain crossed his face. "I want to offer you a deal. I can offer you everything that is here, even myself. But please. I need your help." His eyes turn back to the other, taking a deep breath. He got on his knees, going into a child's pose, his eyes shutting. "I want to end this war."

This shocked Aces. He wasn’t expecting, well, whatever this was.

“And if I say yes? What is in store for me here?” he asked, not wanting the king to look so, well… sad. Depressed. Down. Negative. Whatever adjective you preferred.

“I… I too want to end this war, but how? I’m hardly fit for a diplomat, and all your advisory positions are filled. The only thing I could think of that would allow me to easily infiltrate your meetings and offer my advice is, well, status as a concubine.” he coughed, exposing the telltale fangs of a vampire.

Ezra never thought he would be in a situation like this when he first became king. He kept his head down when the other said yes. "I will offer you whatever you wish. Wealth, security, a place here at the palace… anything. Just please…" His voice wavered ever so slightly. He wanted to end this war. He wanted this to be over with. He slowly settled back on his knees, so that he was still looking up at the soldier. "Yes, I understand that." He mutters quietly. "I understand if that situation might be frustrating or something that you might not want to do. But please… I beg you. You are among the best. All I can ask is that you help."

Aces gave it a moment of thought, and then another moment just to play the reticent side. “Fine. But I expect to be treated with dignity, no matter what actions I may have to perform to keep up the act. I’m not some common street harlot for you to toy with. I was a well respected leader and an asset to your military, remember this.” he said, smirking. He didn’t really mind the view of his king kneeling, he’d have to get him to do it more often. Dammit, what was he thinking? Those were not the sorts of thoughts a respected leader should think.

Ezra was tired, he wanted the war to be over with… and… he was desperate. Desperation made people act, whether that was good or bad was difficult to say. He nods, relief washing over his face. "Thank you." He nods at the others orders. "Of course. I will honor your deal." He stands slowly, bowing. "I owe you a great debt, Aces." He murmured softly. Aces had already earned respect from Ezra. He inhaled softly and and slowly straightens. "Whatever you wish for is yours."

“I’ll be sure to cash that in later.” Aces said gruffly. He stood along with the king, then fell back into the chair, crutch clattering to the floor. “Damn. Well, you seem to have stuck yourself with a cripple, are you still satisfied with your choice?” he asked.

He nods slowly before lurching forward when the other fell backward. His eyes turned soft and he shook his head slowly, reaching down and grabbing the crutch. "No, I don't regret my choice, Aces." He says simply. "Crippled or not, I'm not worried." He sighed quietly before smiling at him. "Thank you, Aces. Sh-shall I show you to your room?" He asks curiously. "Or would you like to stay in mine?" He asks curiously.

"I don't really know. It would be more believable if I stayed with you, see, but I'd rather have my own space, at least while recovering from the long journey I was just on." he said, shrugging. The pain he felt was the worst, but paled in comparison to the pangs of sympathy that he saw on the tired king's face.

He nods slowly, pausing for a moment. "I have an idea where it works. You can have your own space. The only way to get to it is through my room." He explains. He offers the other his crutch and offered a small smile. "Follow me." The kings room wasn't far from the throne room, rather close actually. He offers his arm for the other as support if it was needed.

Aces didn’t take the support, moving on his own. He didn’t want to be seen as weak, so he wouldn’t be weak, he’d be strong, and he’d handle himself. He didn’t want to disrespect his king, but he also wasn’t about to show himself as worthless, now was he?

When the other didn't take his arm, he smiled in understanding. This soldier was indeed strong. Stronger than those around him, especially in his court… He cleared his throat before guiding the other to his room. It was Luxurious, fit for a king. Well… he was one. He hummed softly as he moves to a door that was tucked away. "Here we are." He takes out a key and unlocks it. It was a spare room. "Here." He chuckles softly and smiles. "Please, rest as much as you need."

The room was large, with a bed softer than anything Aces had seen in his life, pillows mounted high and more blankets than any one person could possibly use. Aces didn’t want to show weakness, but he flopped down on the bed anyways, too tired to keep standing.

“Thank you,” he mumbled through the pillows, closing his eyes and curling up.

(Sorry about that. Had a friend over)

He nods slowly. "Whatever you need, please just ask." He bows his head a little bit before sighing quietly and leaving the room. He falls into his bed and sighed quietly curling into himself. He was relieved that Aces was here now, but he wasn't sure what to do anymore. He slowly dozed off.

Aces woke up, feeling wrong. He wasn’t supposed to be in a place this fancy, he had to get out. He could hardly control how fast his heart was beating and his crutch had somehow skidded halfway across the room and he was hyperventilating and-

He couldn’t control his feelings. Everything came crashing in at once, and he was just too tired to deal with it all. It consumed him utterly.

Ezra was napping quietly when he woke up slowly. He moves his curtain of hair from his face and grunts as he slowly stands. However, as he was getting dressed, he heard something crash in the other room. He hurries over to the room and knocks before entering. He was shirtless, which revealed a well built torso with a scar right over his heart leading down to his waist. "Aces, are you alright?" His hair sway as he walked over and grabbed the crutch, gently setting it down beside his bed.

“No, need to get out of here. Everything is wrong here, th’ place is too big and fancy and, and, and, I just, I just can’t handle it.” he said, in an uncharacteristic show of weakness, of vulnerability.

Ezra nods slowly and offers his hand. "I know better than anyone what that feeling is." He smiles gently, "Here. Follow me." Usually Ezra wasn't like this. He was known for being a man who ruled his kingdom with an iron hand. He was an elf, known for being pompous pricks. But… he displayed none of that. He looked tired, worn from years of war, gentle like the ocean under a starry night sky. His long hair curtained his face, his eyes enchanting and changing like a kaleidoscope.

Aces took the hand offered and followed along silently, leaning heavily on his crutch the whole time. Matted long hair hung down in his face and sunken eyes darted around each place they passed, just waiting to be attacked.