The Brotherhood of Time by Cliff W Pettibone

Author:Cliff W Pettibone
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cliff Wilbur Pettibone

20

At first meal the following day, I listened more than I participated. The king seemed to discuss the basic comings and goings of the kingdom with Tomren. He asked for his input on several matters, and he even included me occasionally. He asked how I was feeling, and I told him that I was in much less pain today, more uncomfortable than anything. The food was good, but I barely had tasted it. All I could think about as they went about their morning routine was how strange and different this all was. A month earlier, I was just the general’s son. I was nothing special, I had never talked to the prince, let alone the king. I had wished that I could get the education that the prince got. I had dreamed of what it would be like to eat in the castle, to live in the castle. And, now here I was. Having breakfast with the king, no, having breakfast with Osbert and Tomren. The generosity was incredible, but it still felt...odd. No matter how I tried, it didn’t feel right.

“Just give it time,” the king said, as if reading my mind.

“I’m sorry?”

“You look like you are trying to figure everything out, trying to adjust to everything at once. Much has happened to you, and you will need time to adjust.”

I nodded. “It is a lot,” I admitted.

The king looked at me for a moment. “In the future,” he said so casually it was impressive, “there are people, doc...meisters, who are called ‘therapists’. They talk to you, meisters for your mind, if you will. They have done wonderful things to help me to deal with my challenges, and I believe that they have helped Tomren as well.” Tomren nodded at that. The king continued, “Would you like to speak with one? I truly believe that you will find it to be enlightening.”

I pushed the food around on my plate for a moment. What could talking do? Would it make my mother come back? Would I suddenly be loved by the only family that I ever knew? “I don’t know, maybe,” I shrugged.

“Think on it. The offer is open to you at any time. Simply let one of us know, and I will see it done.”

“May I go out today? For a walk I mean,” I asked, quickly adding, “I would like to have some fresh air.”

The king nodded. “Of course, you are free to come and go as you please. However,” he said, placing his fork down, and looking at me, “it is known to some now, and will be widely known by day’s end, that you are my ward. There are those that would harm you simply for that reason. I ask that if you leave the castle, you take a guard with you.”

His reasoning made sense, and it was a fair enough request, though it still made me bristle. “If I must,” I answered, not rudely.

“I would feel better. Tomren has obligations until late afternoon, but I’m sure he would be willing to accompany you on a walk then.

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