Throne and Revenge

My one in a million

Pete

Life has not been good to me. For years, I told myself that the only way to move forward was to fight for what was mine.  

But now, as I lie here in pain and regret, I know that fighting Jason was a bad idea.  I am not the same person I used to be, and now I am just a burden to my fifteen-year-old son Aaron. 

Aaron is a boy with the strength and will of a thousand men, but his body is too young to handle so much weight. It breaks my heart to see him take on responsibilities that no child should have to deal with.

Sometimes I feel sorry for him because he's out there in the cold, fighting beasts and dangers with only a spear and his own instincts. But feeling sorry for us would not feed us, and feeling bad about what happened won't fix my legs.  

So, I do the only thing I can which is I pray to our ancestors and ask them to take care of him. Just as I finished my last silent prayer, the door creaked open. Aaron's voice rang out in the shack. "Hey Dad, I'm back."

He came into my room, as calm as ever, and helped me up gently.  We went to the kitchen together, and I sat and watched him cook our meal like he had always known how to do it. 

I asked him how it went, if he had any problems while hunting. I also told him that this time of year is known for being very scarce.  He smiled and said, "Don't worry, Dad, I know how to get around."  With that grin, when he looks at me like that, I can see the bravery in my father's eyes.

Aaron turned to face me as he started the fire and posed the one query I had always avoided, "Why do you keep telling me to avoid the village?" 

For a moment, I froze.  I had previously dismissed the question by giving him evasive answers, such as, "They'll hurt you if they know who you are."  However, he was no longer a boy.  He was entitled to the truth. I inhaled deeply before starting.

"It all started with your great-grandfather, son. The pack used to be ruled by our lineage. We were the protectors, the alphas, and the ones selected to lead with dignity and solidarity. Peace was our reality back then, not just a pipe dream. Peace comes with a cost, though, and occasionally it causes even the most resilient people to let their guard down." I said to him.

Aaron's curiosity was growing as I could see his eyes fixed on me.  

"Brotherhood was important to your grandfather. His closest friend Noah was practically family. They couldn't be separated. However, as they say, there is always a Judas in every twelve. Noah was more than just a companion. He was waiting, watching." I went further then I stopped and let the quiet do the talking. 

After a while, I began again "I was named after your grandfather, who had a lung condition. He didn't tell anyone about it except Noah. That trust ultimately led to his demise. Noah exploited it and began inciting minor altercations, creating stress, and looking for a reason to sever the connection. Finally, he located it, it was an old law which existed that permitted a new family to assume leadership in the event that the current alpha was opposed and vanquished in battle. Noah took advantage of it and struck when my father's condition worsened and the medication stopped working. In front of the whole pack, he challenged him."

Aaron's deep brown eyes reflected fire, and his brows furrowed. It would actually be a dishonorable victory, according to some of Noah's friends but others encouraged him.  To Noah, honor meant nothing but just power.  

"Your grandfather was forced to take on the task. Our whole lineage would be ashamed if he refused. Thus, they engaged in combat. Your grandfather did his best despite his illness. However, Noah targeted his stomach, which was his weakness. He passed out in front of the pack, throwing up blood." My voice faltered.  

"Nobody was able to dispute the outcome.  The Chief Priest was forced to appoint Noah as the new alpha.  We lost everything as a result." I said but I kept taking breaks because it hurt me telling such a sad story to my little boy.

He had been asking me for so long and at this point it wasn't something I could hide because his curiosity had grown and he was always out almost all the time. I didn't want to risk him getting into danger at the expense of uncovering mystery.

"We said nothing, we remained hidden and accepted the betrayal.  However, by telling me the story, my father ensured that the truth endured." Before continuing, I took a moment to drink some water because what I had just said to my son carried a lot of weight in it. 

"Years later, I was unable to contain myself any longer. I put Noah's grandson Jason to the test, however, I was unsuccessful. I ran with your mother instead of waiting to be banished but I lost her too soon. In my sorrow, I also placed the blame on Jason and his family. She would have received better treatment if we hadn't been out here.  Perhaps she would be still alive. I felt a surge of anger and I allowed that rage to rule me which made me put Jason to the test once more, and my legs paid the price." At this moment, I felt I had told him everything he shouldn't know.

Aaron stood quietly, taking in every word as I concluded the story then he grinned, but it wasn't a peaceful smile. It was anger cloaked in placid eyes. I gave him a serious look immediately and said to him. "Aaron, don't make the same errors that I did. Have courage but exercise wisdom and don't let rage dictate your course. And in any case, behave honorably."  

His voice was steady as he nodded slowly.  "Dad, you are not a burden, I want to carry this because I take pride in my heritage."

He made an effort to remain composed but I could see it when I stared into his brown eyes. That storm, the rage, the hurt and the sorrow of a boy who had to grow up too quickly and I was afraid of what it could turn into.