[Scene Loading...]
[Location: Godfrey Estate - Godfrey Palace]
[Date: July 22, y. 485 of the Fourth Age]
The next several days were spent in chaos and confusion. Messengers streamed back and forth, sometimes as many as three or four an hour. Zeke could hear his father yelling and cursing from within his office, and more than once, he heard the clatter of something being thrown against the wall. The moment that Artax was back on his feet, he was summoned into the room, and didn't leave for some time.
When he came out, his face was ashen white, and he had to be helped to his room to recover.
What could possibly be so bad that it would make Artax look like that?
Zeke found himself back in the statuary almost a week after his brother returned home. He held a small sword in his hands, little more than a training weapon, something that he had been given as a present when he was quite young. Now, he held it up, looking at the great warrior whose sword had crumbled.
"You look like you've seen better days," Zeke murmured. "Both you and my brother."
The warrior didn't answer, its stone face impassive as always.
Zeke closed his eyes and focused deep within himself, searching for that spark he'd felt before.
The aura that flows through the Godfrey bloodline... it has to be in me too.
He felt it then, a tiny flicker of energy. He concentrated, feeling it grow warmer, spreading through his arms.
Just like Artax showed me when we were kids...
He gave a practice swing, then a second one, his blade cutting through the air with a soft whoosh. The energy was building now, a strange pressure beneath his skin. He gritted his teeth and channeled it into his sword as he swung sideways.
ZZAT!
A blast of vibrant blue energy exploded between his palms and the hilt of the sword. The weapon rocketed from his grip as if shot from a bow, spinning wildly through the air before clattering across the stone garden floor. The backlash sent Zeke stumbling backward, a searing pain shooting through his hands.
"ARGH!" He yelped and plunged his hands into the fountain. The cool water hissed against his skin.
When he pulled them out, angry red burn marks crisscrossed his palms.
"You're doing too much."
Artax's called out to him, and Zeke turned to find his brother slowly approaching, pushing through one of the curtains of vines. He moved with none of his usual grace and instead limped carefully.
"I'm what?" Zeke asked, still wincing at the pain in his hands.
"Until you learn to control your aura, you shouldn't try to channel it into a weapon," Artax said, his eyes moving to the sword lying several yards away. "Just send it into your arms and hands, strengthening the blow. You only want to add it to a weapon once you've learned a lot more control."
"Easy for you to say," Zeke sighed and sat down on the edge of the fountain.
Artax sat down just next to him, and leaned back, a flash of pain crossing his features as he did.
He's still hurting. Whatever that dragon did to him, he's hiding how bad it really is.
"Do you remember when we used to come here as boys, and practice swordplay?" Artax smiled while pretending to not hold his ribs.
"Yeah, I do." Zeke turned to him. "As I recall, you were twelve, and had been training for your whole life on how to use your aura. You could walk circles around me, since I was only six, and didn't know my aura from an emblem. You'd beat me up, and then tell me that it was just weakness leaving my body."
"I did do that, didn't I?" Artax chuckled, then winced, one hand moving to his chest. "Do you remember when we threw all of Sampson's clothing in the lake?"
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Zeke burst out laughing. "Yeah, I do! Oh, that was amazing!" He sighed, then scowled. "And then Sampson revealed that the clothes in his room weren't the ones he wore, anyway. He always changed in the kitchen cellar, to prevent that very thing from affecting him."
"Smart," Artax commented. "You've got to get up pretty early in the morning to get around him."
Zeke nodded, then sighed and looked up at his older brother. "So what are you doing here, exactly?"
Artax leaned back and looked up at the sky.
"I'm here to support you," he placed a hand on Zeke's shoulder. "Father and I are going to be leaving in two days to travel to the Capital. I think you ought to come with us."
"Father won't let me," Zeke said, his shoulders slumping.
"He will if you DEMAND it," Artax answered, his voice suddenly intense. "I think the trip would do you good. He respects strength. Sometimes, he yells at things because he wants to see it yell back."
"He doesn't want that from me," Zeke replied.
"But he might." Artax folded his hands. After a few moments, he glanced over at Zeke, his eyes piercing. "You're welcome to stay here and do nothing. If you do, you'll likely be given a fairly reasonable chunk of land. A bit of farmland, an estate house, and a handful of servants to keep it up."
Zeke laughed. "Like a true minor noble, is that what your saying?""
"That's exactly what I'm saying."
It took a moment for it to fully sink in. When it did, Zeke's eyes widened.
Everything our family has built for generations... gone?
"You've certainly seen the messengers," Artax continued. "A lot is happening, most of which you probably don't even begin to understand. If our enemies get their way, they will destroy House Godfrey. Utterly and completely."
Zeke balled his hands into fists, ignoring the pain that shot through his burned palms. He couldn't let that happen. He slowly looked up at the statue of his ancestor... or at least someone who was related to his ancestor... or something. He sighed, then nodded.
"I'll speak to Father."
"Good," Artax stood up, his face momentarily twisting with the effort. "Then I'll make sure that he comes to dinner."
[Quest Updated: What Kills the Cat - Speak with Lord Agrian]
*****
The rest of that day, Zeke contemplated his approach carefully. He didn't yet know what he would do at the Capital, but staying behind was no longer an option. When dinner came around, he sat down in his usual place and waited patiently.
The servants brought in a single plate of food and set it before him, then withdrew silently. Zeke waited, keeping his composure despite his growing hunger. After all, if his father was coming, it would be proper to wait.
Ten minutes passed, then twenty, then thirty. The grandfather clock in the corner marked each minute with methodical precision. Finally, a servant returned from his father's office carrying two plates—both scraped clean.
Zeke nodded to himself. So that's how it is.
He rose from his chair with quiet determination and made his way through the castle. His steps were measured, purposeful. This wasn't about anger—this was about taking his rightful place.
None of the servants attempted to stop him as he approached the great doors of his father's office. The towering oak panels stood before him, carved with the Godfrey crest. He paused briefly, gathering his thoughts. Then, with a steady hand, he knocked firmly before opening the door and stepping inside.
Agrian looked up from his desk, where he was writing a letter. Artax stood just behind him and gave Zeke a subtle nod of encouragement.
"Yes?" Agrian asked, his quill pausing mid-stroke. "What brings you here?"
Zeke stepped forward, his posture straight and confident. He hesitated for just a moment, not from fear but from considering his words carefully.
[Notice: You are gaining strength from a nearby Emblem]
A warm confidence spread through him, not replacing his resolve but reinforcing it. The air around him shimmered slightly with a golden light.
"Father," he said, his voice clear and steady, "I'm here to discuss my role in whatever crisis our house is facing."
"Your role?" Agrian set down his quill, giving Zeke his full attention.
"Yes," Zeke replied without wavering. "I understand Artax's condition has changed things for our family. Whatever threatens House Godfrey concerns me as well, and I intend to help address it."
The room fell silent. Artax's expression shifted from surprise to something resembling respect.
"You believe you can contribute?" Agrian asked, studying his younger son with newfound interest.
"I'm a Godfrey," Zeke stated simply. "I may not have completed the Trials or led men into battle, but that doesn't mean I'm not concerned. This is our family's survival." He met his father's gaze directly. "I'm asking to join you at the Capital and to be included in whatever plans you're making."
Agrian leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. He glanced at Artax, who gave him a slight nod.
"Interesting," Agrian said finally. "Sampson!"
As if he'd been waiting just outside, Sampson appeared at Zeke's side. "Yes, my lord?"
"Take Zeke to the library," Agrian commanded. "Provide him with information on all the noble houses and the current political landscape." He turned back to Zeke, evaluating him with new eyes. "You have until morning. At first light, I'll assess what you've learned. Demonstrate that you can grasp the complexities we're facing, and you may accompany us to the Capital. Fair?"
"Fair," Zeke agreed with a confident nod. "Thank you, Father."
[Quest Complete: What Kills the Cat]
[New Quest: Cram Session - Learn from Sampson]
[New Quest: Pop Quiz - Pass Agrian's Test]
As Sampson led him from the room, Zeke felt a new sense of purpose settling over him. This wasn't about proving himself anymore—it was about stepping up when his family needed him most.
He glanced back at Artax, who gave him a subtle smile of approval before the doors closed behind them.
The second son steps forward.
[Scene Close]
[Active Quests:]
[Cram Session - Learn from Sampson]
[Pop Quiz - Pass Agrian's Test]
[Shattered Champion - Discover what Artax meant about the house falling]
