Detestable

“Only victory is in fate for king William!”

An army of 3000 men follows king William down a forest trail after their latest victory. A great battle, but one of enough bloodshed to paint an entire country. King William’s men celebrate the victory; fallen men, slain foe, their minds now focus on returning home.

“King William, King William! His back wide, his horse fast! Keep away or his sword will slice you in half!”

“We return home to our wives!”

King William smiles at the front of the group as his men bellow a great cheer for the return home, but his mind wonders. Although victorious, their small kingdom has much to learn and peace with their enemies, the demons, is a distant task.

Most of all, he thinks about the kingdom itself. The kingdom, and majority of the world, is dull and grey. The area they march through matches the color scheme as well, it’s as if the world has lost the ability to share color.

“Brother.” Charles, William’s younger brother, taps William on the shoulder. “You seem distracted.”

“Do I? Charles, have you ever wondered why flowers are so rare. The stories we read as kids had fields of them.”

“They say war has chased them away. But once you succeed in bringing peace to us all, I’m sure they will return.”

“That would be ideal, but the peaceful times are still a decent march away. Stay by my side brother, I will need your support.”

“My blade will strike at your command; my life pay any price necessary.”

William gives Charles a strong tap on the shoulder. “There’s little to celebrate alone.”

“Then I will strive to live.”

As they exit the forest trail, a small cottage appears to their right. Unsurprising, many choose to claim a plot of land and build their own home away from others. What catches everyone’s eye is the color surrounding the cottage, the plethora of flowers in its gardens.

“I’d like to visit. Follow me men!”

“To think they say demon blood brings flowers! We’ve painted entire continents with their blood and I’ve yet to see a weed come from it.”

“Hold your tongue! King William detests when speak like that.”

King William’s army approaches the cottage. It has stone walls to the level of William’s hips, the cottage built of wood and brick, the river nearby the only sound apart from the working hands inside.

Inside is a woman wearing a robe that covers majority of her body, a partial veil covers her ears and shoulders. Her red, almond eyes and long, purple hair are entrancing however. Even the most stalwart amongst the group of soldiers, William included, finds it difficult to remain focused.

The woman tends to a flower bed next the rightmost windows of the cottage. Her touch gentle, the flowers seem to gravitate to her and her smile as she trims and waters them.

William approaches the stone wall before calling out to her. “Excuse me, miss.”

The woman stands, showing off her height and glaring at the men who gather at the road next to her home. The men pay little attention to her expression however, once again they are stunned by her beauty.

“I am king William, king-” William stops as the woman raises her hand.

“I know who you are. The detestable king of Avalyn. You are not welcome here, take your men and leave.” Her voice smooth and husky, enough to send a shiver down the spine when near the ear.

Soldiers respond with angry retorts. Some call her names; others threaten her for daring to be rude to their great king.

All noise is stopped by William who raises his hand to calm them. “May I ask why you think that of me?”

The woman scoffs. “Must I explain why the man leading the massacre of demons should be considered detestable?”

“I ended a 50-year long war.”

“Of which you and your family are responsible for beginning. Your father decimated entire villages, your brother massacred innocent people, the only reason you still live is because your sins are tame by comparison. But I believe judgement will reach you yet.”

William turns to his men and waves his hands to calm them. The woman of the cottage has garnered no fans, were it not for William’s calm nature the soldiers would have rampaged through her home.

“I did what I had to do. Else the war would have continued and killed everyone, including you.”

“How often did you attempt to talk to the leaders of the demon clans?”

William hesitates to answer. “It was difficult to do so. The bad blood between both sides was far too great to consider negotiations at times.”

“How ridiculous. Admitting your attempts were lackluster would at least make you somewhat commendable. Does following a king of excuses make you all proud?” She scans the field of men before shaking her head. “I ask that you leave again.”

“I came here to admire your gardens. Few exist around the world. None within the kingdom or demon villages nearby. May I ask how you still grow them here?”

“I have no interest in telling you.”

“You may keep secrets then, but I ask that work for me.”

“I would never do that. Following a king like you would sully my name and that of my family.”

“Would you reconsider once I prove myself then?”

“And how do you plan to do so?”

“I admit that I committed horrific acts to end the war. But my goal is to mend the relationships between human and demon. I plan to help demons recover, all while growing my kingdom.”

“You should choose a side, attempting to help both is futile. It will only end with failure on both sides, a king must focus on one. Such is the world.”

“But if I were to succeed, then you find me worthy of working for.”

“It… would be impressive.”

“Then you should prepare to work for me. Men! Prepare to move!” William looks at the woman one last time before leaving. “I will return with good news.”

“I will not expect it. But, good luck. If nothing else, I hope neither side ever sees war again.”

“As do I.”