On looking for a game

[life_death_and_albion]

Dear mun,

There is no place more fitting for a king than in his own kingdom. You cannot put me anywhere else.

Perhaps before I was more adventurous... But where would you put me now? I will not step down from the throne. I am king of Albion, and I will do my duty.

King Logan of Albion

Comments

[tobeahero]

It is not!

[She lifted her chin to look up at him with sturdy defiance. Why did she have to be born so much shorter?]

The people live in fear and poverty. Your rule is doing nothing but bleed our kingdom dry.

[life_death_and_albion]

My rule strengthens our kingdom. Leave the concerns of the kingdom to the adults, sister.

[tobeahero]

Your rule tears it apart! And I am not a child, Logan. I have not been for some time.

[life_death_and_albion]

You saw no reason to protest before. Return to your friends.

[tobeahero]

I was not given a window to see what you were doing until Elliot opened one for me.

[And in return, he got executed.]

You will not sully our father's throne much longer, brother. If you will not step down, I will take it from you by force. And I will be the one with the might of the people you choose to step upon to aid me.

[life_death_and_albion]

[Logan gives a frown that he has perfected over many years.]

Do you think you can rule the people? Do you really think you can make the hard choices of a queen?

[tobeahero]

[Were she honest with herself, the answer was a very firm 'no'. But Walter believed in her. And the people of Brightwall. And she was going to prove herself to the people of Bowerstone, too. She'd already gained the trust of so many. They believed in her. She had to stand strong for their sake even if she had personal doubts.

She continued looking up at him, keeping her returned stare steady.]

Yes. I will prove it to you by gathering an army if I must.

[Though she would much prefer it if her brother still had it in him to stand down and stop his cruel ways. She could no longer be hopeful he did.]

[life_death_and_albion]

[He didn't believe she had it in her. He would gladly step down, but not if it would leave the people of Albion with no chance against the Darkness. The whole thing was exhausting.]

We will see. If you do take the throne, I wonder if you will understand then why I have done what I have.

[tobeahero]

Understand?! There's no good reason for anything you've done!

[Yeah, no... she's definitely not ready yet.]

What you've done is unforgivable!

[life_death_and_albion]

[Sisters...]

Then perhaps you aren't as ready to rule as you say you are.

[tobeahero]

I am too.

[life_death_and_albion]

[He sighs and resists rolling his eyes.]

Go back to your games, sister.

[tobeahero]

I don't play games anymore.

[Shooting range didn't count.]

I will end your reign Logan. I promise.

[life_death_and_albion]

If you do, that might become the only promise you keep. Are you as prepared to disappoint people as you are keen to overthrow me?

[tobeahero]

I won't have to.

[Walter wouldn't be guiding her to make these promises if she would have to break them. Even if she questioned her abilities, she didn't question Walter's experience and knowledge. Not yet]

[life_death_and_albion]

If you can't prepare for such a simple thing then you should reconsider your plans.

[tobeahero]

[That cracked the defiant face she had been holding onto, hurt peaking through as she was once more reminded how easily he had forced her to choose who lived and who died when a choice should never have had to be made.]

Breaking a promise is not an easy thing. And if it is for you, then you have fallen farther than I had thought possible.

[life_death_and_albion]

Easy or not, there are much more difficult choices to make as king.

[tobeahero]

I do not trust your words anymore, brother. Your attempts to dissuade me from my cause will not work.

[life_death_and_albion]

Then you are more treacherous than I thought.

[tobeahero]

[She opened her mouth to make a smart remark, but had to pause and close it as it occurred to her that it might not be the insult she first took it for.

Another moment passed, her brow creased in thought, before she spoke oh-so-eloquently.]

I... suppose?

[life_death_and_albion]

Then run along, sister. If you are right, then I will see you again.

[tobeahero]

[She straightened her shoulders.]

You will see me again. I made a promise.

[And then she turned on her heal and walked away. She didn't run! No running along here! Just walking. Swear.]