Chapter 44: Chapter 44

"First, let me introduce myself before I begin," the old man said and Galene nodded.

"My name is Arnold and you would get to know who I am later on," He said and Galene nodded curtly eager to hear the story.

"Years ago, this castle was once lively and filled with life. Then, the community had not been divided into clans.

We were under one King, king Archer. He got married to four wives but none of them was able to produce a male child to take over the throne and rule after him.

After many years of being childless, the book of his wife became pregnant at the same time and both gave birth to boys.

The only thing wrong was that the third wife give birth ten minutes before the first.

When the boys came of age, they started dragging one as the first child amongst others.

The first wife's son insisted he was the heir because his mother was the official queen but the king did not agree with him so he made the third wife's son his heir.

This created a huge enmity between the two sons alongside their mother.

The once peaceful castle became chaos. A day does not pass without them fighting and destroying things.

The enmity grew as they age. The third son was the heir to the throne and for him to secure the throne, he impregnated a slave who gave him a son.

Their father the king was getting old and would soon join his ancestors.

The first son's child by that time was already twelve and was very close to his grandfather.

The grandfather cherished him and they were always seen together until that tragic event that changed everything happened.

Old King Acher was seating at the courtyard as usual with his grandson telling him stories.

The first son was passing by when he saw the king giving a sword to the little boy.

That sword was different from every other sword ever made and it was not meant for anybody.

Anyone who bears the sword rules the community and it was always passed from the king to his heir.

The third wife's son who was the first son and the rightful heir stood rooted to the ground. He watched his father pass the sword of life which symbolizes leadership to the little boy. His heart burned in pain.

Does it mean his father chose his under-aged grandson over him?" He questioned himself watching as the boy run into the castle with the sword.

The third wife's son decided to confront his father about what he saw.

He walked up to the old King who was resting his back on an armchair. His eyes blazed with anger.

"I saw what you did father? How could you?" He queried, anger surging through him.

"Do you plan on putting enmity between me and my son also by handing the sword of life to him" He yelled

"You and your brother have turned my castle into a war zone and none of you is for for the throne".

"My Grandson is the only one who would rule my community after I pass for only he knows the rules and possess the quality of a king".

"At his age, he already knows the laws and can recite them. At his age also, he could give meaningful advice and he has helped me solve most problems".

"But you, who was supposed to be the heir and running the affairs of the castle with me, you left it and all you do is fight around and destroy things with your younger brother causing chaos in the palace you are meant to keep peaceful" the old scolded in a harsh tone.

"But father-

"No, but son. My mind has already been made up and I'm confident my grandson would rule the community well even in his age".

"As you can see, the sword of leadership has been handed over to him and you know, it can no longer be taken away from him," the old man said".

"You are such a cruel and heartless father. Why do you hate me so much?" The first wife's son yelled appearing from nowhere.

The old man kept mute ignoring his rants but the first wife's son continued not caring if he was being Ignored.

"First you rejected and dishonored my mother who was your first wife and official queen by making this fool here your heir just because of some minutes.

"Second, you knew this fool was not capable of running the affairs of the community, and instead of handing the duty to me, you once again disregarded this entire castle by giving that little wench the sword of leadership

"Tell me how that isn't sheer wickedness" he yelled with venom.

"Do not talk to father like that Harold. I believe he knew what was best for the castle and he knew who possesses the best quality and he has made his choice so let him be" The third wife's son scolded his younger brother.

"I do not care. I have heard from my mother how he treated her badly only because she delayed in giving him a child".

"This man here does not deserve to be a father" Harold yelled and in a swift movement, he took out a sword from his robe and slash his father's side cutting him deeply.

In the same swift motion, he sprayed a liquid into his older brother's eyes and ran out.

The older brother struggled to wipe off the pepper sprayed into his eyes. When he succeeded to clear his vision, he speedily ran off in search of Harold.

He was still searching around for Harold when an arrow pierced through his back and he fell to the floor.

He struggled to keep his eyes open. His heart stopped beating for a moment when he saw his little boy stand above him in tears.

"Father, you killed grandfather?" The boy asked in shock, tears streaming down his face.

When the third wife's son tried speaking, some group of guards gathered and grabbed the little boy accusing him of killing both his grandfather and father.

The older soon tried all he could to speak out but his strength kept failing him. He closed his eyes and opened them to see the guards gone with his son.

He struggled to get up from the ground but someone kicked him down forcefully then dragged him away, throwing him down the Clif into the flowing river from the smell of the person, he could tell it was his younger brother.

The old man stopped talking and Galene could swear she saw a drop of tear laying on his eyelid but he blinked and it disappeared.

"It's a pity to know the little boy was accused of the crime he did not commit and the only person who saw the act died in the hands of the same murderer.

"But what later happened to the little boy, was he later vindicated?" Galene couldn't help but ask. She knew the story has nothing to do with what she came there to do but she still wanted to know the fate of the little hero.

"Well, I heard he escaped from the castle and fled with the sword of life after months of severe torture. The first son's child took over the throne using a fake replica of the sword.

After many years, the little boy returned, he had grown into a fearless and powerful young man and he lead an army of warriors.

He killed the first wife's son, wiped out everyone in the castle, and destroyed everything in the castle leaving it empty as it is now" Arnold explained.

Galene stared at Arnold in confusion. If the little boy wiped out the entire family, then why does he live there?

Could it be he was homeless and decided to live in the castle? She couldn't understand and decided to ask.

"But why do you live here if no one was spared from the wrath of the little boy?"

Arnold smiled sadly and wiped a drop of tear that succeeded in dropping. Galene could see how he has been fighting had to control himself.

"Well, I am that third wife's son, and that little boy is Damien your husband. My son" Arnold said and busted out in tears. He could no longer control his emotions.

"Galene's mouth dropped open. She couldn't believe what she just heard.

Her own Damien was not from the Guthram community but this place.

She couldn't believe he went through such trauma as a child. No wonder he became cold-hearted and ruthless.

It was the pain and hatred he harbored for years that turned him into such a monster.

He must have suffered when he fled from the castle. Who knows what he went through before becoming who and what he was.

It must have been so hard and painful growing outside your home with the thought of your father killing your grandfather whom you cherished.

She stared at the old man wiping his tears and she busted out in tears. Her dear husband.

"But how, I thought you died, you said Harold threw you into the river, how come you are alive now?" Galene asked in tears.

"I was saved by a fisherman and had lost my memories as a result of hitting my head on the hard rock".

"I stayed in the fisherman's house and when I finally recovered my memory after twenty years, I returned to the castle only to find it deserted".

"Curious to find out what happened, I went around the village and people who recognized me told me everything that happened.

"And ever since then, I have been living alone in this castle with no hope of seeing or telling my son the truth until I heard he got married and I decided to look for you" Arnold sniffed.

Galene's heart burned in pain as she stare at her father-in-law weeping like a baby.

She could tell he missed his son and wishes to tell him everything that happened.

"But when you returned, why didn't you find him and explain everything to him?" Galene asked.

"I was afraid, He saw me running and he must have thought I was the one who killed his grandfather and might not believe my story.

Moreover, I heard he became ruthless and cold-hearted so he might kill me before I even attempt to talk" Arnold said sadly.

"That is true" Galene muttered. The Ruthless Damien she once knew would not spare a minute to cut off his head.

She was so sorry for the old man. He knew the truth but could never gather the confidence to face his own son.

He had become too Ruthless, bloodthirsty, and inhumane for him to face.

"I would have love to help you out but Damien was shot with a poisonous arrow and his guard whom he trusted the most took over the clan"

"He had planned the act with my friend and it was on that day you gave that address to me that I happened" Galene sniffed, fresh tears appearing in her eyes and streaming down her face.

Arnold's eyes snapped to Galene in shock. "What do you mean? My son has died?" Arnold asked in a low grunt.

"No, no. My husband is alive, I believe he would come back one day, and just like the first time, he would wipe out Robin and his accomplice" Galene muttered with a strong voice.

She would never agree that Damian had died, he was only declared missing and not dead so she would never think him dead.

"He was declared missing two months ago. Ever since then, I have not set my eyes on my husband" Galene wept.

Arnold sighed and began patting her shoulders.

"He would not die, as long as the sword of life is still in his possession, nothing can kill him. He would only get weakened by the poison but would never die from it".

"The sword would stop protecting him if he pass it on to his offspring," Arnold said and Galene instantly stopped crying.

If what this old man was saying is the truth, then she would soon be seeing her husband back.

"If you can get the sword from where he kept it, then we would be able to trace him with it. The sword has life and if activated, it would lead us to him" Arnold said giving Galene the best news of her life.

Finally, they would find her husband and everything would be back to normal.

But how do I know the sword? My husband has many swords and I do not know the one you are talking about" Galene said, her face dropping in sadness.

"As I said before, the sword of life and leadership is not a regular type of sword. It is not meant for fighting except for serious war so I am not sure you have seen it before.

"Wait, I would get the book to show you what I looked like. You have to search for it in the place your husband never allows you to.

There should be a hidden door in his chambers, surrounded by every other sword and war tool, the sword of life stands alone and unique" Arnold explained.

Galene's face stretched in a smile. She remembers that door she had mistakingly clicked its button when she was a sex slave to her husband.

She remembered trying to get into the darkroom out of curiosity but master Damien had shouted thunderously at her that she scampered off.

"Yes, that must be the room" she screamed happily. "Can I see the picture of the sword?" Galene asked Arnold nodded, getting up to get the book.