The Speech

Ned was looking at me for a moment, but this time it didn’t make an impact on me, it was uncomfortable, yet not crushing. I thought my attitude surprised him a bit, however he hid that reaction, so he tried to destroy me once again. He was holding a sphere the size of an apple, which helped him with the voice trick and I realised that the moment I announced my comeback. Everyone heard it too.

“How was the life of yours?” he asked, like we were just friends who met after a long time and casually catching up, what happened in the meantime.

“Just like you wished for me full of despair.” I answered according to the truth, thinking if I will be able to make him tell the truth somehow, after all he was the only one who knew who the actuall kingslayer was.

“Like I wished, these are some big words. Is there a suggestion in between, that I wanted any of this?” He laughed.

I kept silent, because I didn’t want to be the one who said I was innocent. I wanted him to do it, and I knew that was possible. Ned loved attention and showing off. In this situation his confidence was higher than ever before, so… setting me up was also something he would love to pat himself on the back for. That reminded me of that day, that’s why I suspected him to make a great speech about all of this, and I was right, because his pride took over.

“I guess if most of you are not gonna survive the night and I truly hope no one would. I will tell you the truth. You know the legendary hero Eric, the greatest, who is standing here next to me safe and sound. I am sure, that little brain of yours, could add some facts and realise he couldn’t live for so long.” He made a dramatic break, as he really thought all of us needed a moment to get the pieces together. “I made him, so he could live in despair forever. You may ask why? The answer is simply. I hate him. He was just a stupid, poor human who got to the top and was on the way to also get a woman I loved. I kept asking myself why some fisherman's son happened to have a talent for swordsmanship and be seen by the king himself. Stronger, better, set as an example? Luck for sure, because his brain isn’t the brightest one. I don’t think you used that extra lifetime I gave you to study, right?”

I was surprised how easy it was for me to keep it cool and keep my head high, when Ned was offending me, having the time of his. Actually I was interested why he did it to me and I was hopeful that it would be something else than simple hatred, jealousy and the belief that I didn’t deserve any of my achievements. Maybe others would react already, but I felt like the story must be told also from his point of view, so I just shook my head, confirming his assumption.

“At least Eric decided to get back to his roots and choose a fish as his new symbol, suits you well.” The fish chose me not the other way around. “I won’t explain to you all the presuppositionals of our great plan, you must have been clued in, if you are here, ready to die and make it easier for us. Anyway, let’s back to the main point and all the pain I had to been put through pretending to be Eric’s friend and getting close to the late king Albertus, to make all of this happen tonight. The worst years of my life, the only good thing that happened then was meeting my future wife, queen Madelaine, as you all know.” A tug in my heart almost made me lose it. “She is not important anymore, died a long time ago but gave me a son and never found out who murdered her father.” Another break for climbing the tension and drama. “Surprise. I did it! I am the kingslayer, who you later agreed to put on the throne and now you are paying the price. Eric is innocent! But does it change anything, you didn’t care for it for over a century, believing in everything I have said. So I repeat it once again. Eric is innocent!”

I was happy I didn’t have to prove it, even though I should have taken care of it a long time ago, but finally these words were heard clearly and twice what’s more. My patience finally paid off. Ned smirked at me, challenging me, he thought I won’t do anything not hero like. That would be Eric, the greatest hero not Eric the Fish Hero.

“Thank you for your honesty.” I smiled and then hit the king in the face.

It felt so good, because I put everything in that one blow. Ned lurched a few steps away, blood coming from his nose and his shocked face was satisfying. However I was happy he was still conscious, because if he was mostly responsible for the control of monsters with him knocked out, results might be unpredictable.

“What a surprise, your blood is not any different than mine or anybody else. Maybe you are not as special as you think.”

I said nonchalantly. It was not about revenge, I didn't want it, he just deserved it. I always remembered one conversation I had with my parents, a long time ago, where I was still barely a registered hero. The details were foggy, but for sure I was very emotional about it, and was surprised that someone didn’t want to get revenge. Then I thought he definitely should. However my mother asked what he would have after, I said blatantly something about satisfaction and peace.

“Revenge only puts your heart at ease for a moment, but it can’t make people change their heart and bring them back from death. Sometimes then one who is getting revenge is paying a higher price than the one who he gets revenge on.” She said then, cleaning the fish.

“However if you want so badly to get it, the best one is to do the opposite of what was expected by the person who wanted to hurt you.” My father added, bringing another basket, this time for me to clean.

And that advice I wanted to follow, looking at Ned, whose gaze was telling me that I will regret it. I was sure I would not, because I decided to live happily from now on and as an innocent man, just getting back everything he wanted to take from me.