Knights of the Realm ch. 4: Lies, Deceit, and Hidden Secrets

[Raiden]

Thomas felt weak. Very, very weak. He slumped down on his platform, the chains no longer needed to keep him down.

"You were at the Great Battle. You were one of the Englasian soldiers..."

'King Roland' snorted a bit.

"I was no mere soldier. I was unquestioned Lord of the Northern Ices! I lead the Englasian forces on their conquest."

The imposter stood up from his throne, and walked slowly towards Thomas. As he walked, he spoke with a spiteful voice.

"I was Lord Grant, the Englasian King, and long-lost brother of your precious King Roland."

Thomas tried to sit up, but it was all so much to take in. He was feeling weak, and was barely able to keep his focus. The dozens of injuries he had just recently acquired might have had some effect on this, also.

"You're crazy. I'll admit, you sure look like Roland, but there's no way you're his brother. King Roland had no siblings."

Grant, the imposter, stopped in front of Thomas's platform.

"He had a brother, alright. A twin brother. Of course, the royal parents didn't care much for that. Normally, the oldest sibling would get the throne, and the younger ones would get court-appointed ranks. With twins, however, there is no clear answer of who becomes the next King. There was always the chance that one of the twins would become angry with the decision, and there would be a bloody coup. Boy, were they right."

Grant reached into his pocket, and pulled out a small rattle. It was made of gold and emeralds, and had the symbol of the City of Incrad imbedded on it.

"So, they chose one of us. Roland. They kept Roland, and sent me somewhere that I could never be found, and as such, Roland's rule would never be questioned."

Thomas looked up.

"They sent you to Englasia."

Grant smiled, almost friendly. Obviously, he had been waiting a long time for this moment. To have one of the Knights at his mercy, and be able to tell his story.

"That's right. Englasia. A vast province filled with nothing but drunken brutes that lived in small shacks. Even as a young child, I felt that it was all beneath me. But thanks to my loving parents, I had no idea of my true heritage. It was only when I went searching through some of my old things that I found this rattle. Then, after some extreme questioning of my adoptive parents, I found out my true family. My true past. I had lost my birthright through a simple pick-and-choose. So, I began to plan. Through strenous operations, I removed what was considered the government in that backwash place, and instated myself as the leader. Then, I began to build an army. Though they were nothing but hunters, the citizens were a strong lot. They were made as large behemoths, and their wanton lust for destruction and death made them perfect for the revolution I was about to create."

Then, Grant lost his friendly look. His eyes narrowed in fury, and he clenched his hand around the rattle.

"Until you and your damn group of Knights fucked it up. All those years of work and frustration, and your damn group brings it down around my ears. I was forced to leave without my victory. However, I did take a souvenir. This damn scar. This physical proof of my failure! And YOU inflicted it upon me! None stood against me in my raids, but YOU STOOD IN MY WAY! You even almost killed me. That was an insult I could not stand."