Chapter 6 Return of the prodigal son

King Terrance -

King Terrance threw a chair at the man, who had just told him Prince Jozin's tattered clothes were found crusted in blood. They had been found in a barn near the battlefield. Furlo knew better to dodge, having come with him. The chair almost knocked him off his feet, as it hit him squarely in the chest.

"He would not have run nor would he have been captured." Terrance seethed through his teeth. "Find him!" He yelled, before settling back down at the table in front of him. With a cruel smile, he added calmly, "before he dies or you will be next."

Terrance looked down at his breakfast plate and then glanced at the plate he had them make for Jozin. He knew Jozin would have to be near death to retreat from the battlefield. But if he had been captured, which wouldn't happen if Jozin was conscious, there was so much at stake.

Terrance ate his breakfast in an awful mood, which pissed him off even more. They had taken the castle. There should be celebrating and ale.

But if Jozin was lost to him there was no heir to take this throne, when Terrance continued forward. He would place trusted leaders in all the kingdoms south of the Greymoore Forest.

By then, a grandchild would be a welcomed addition to the family. His son would wed and impregnate his woman. If Jozin still did not wish to marry, like he had refused back home, Terrance still expected a grandchild and Jozin could do whatever with the woman.

But a wife would complete the vision that Terrance had for Jozin. She would live only to serve his son. And she would serve him all day and night in every way. When the grandchild came, she would have to divide her attention but it would be a home for the child.

Terrance looked forward to training his grandchild as he had trained his own son. That thought put a smile on his face despite his mood.

His food was almost gone, when he heard people approaching and the horrendous babble of Furlo, who sounded excited. Terrance rolled his eyes, as he swallowed the last of his food and stood. As he stood, the large ornate cedar doors swung open.

He waited with his legs slightly apart, hands on his hips. Furlo had been sent on a task, he better have a good excuse for leaving it. But it was not Furlo that came barging through the doors.

Jozin staggered in on uneven feet. His body was heavily bandaged and Jozin looked sick. Terrance could not hold back the smile. But suspicion wormed its way through his heart. He was about the age that the oracle had spoken of betrayal at.

"Have a seat, son. I have had your breakfast made." He spoke calmly but his son's guarded expression said he believed it was the calm that happened before the storm.

Knowing better than to argue, Jozin walked to the offered chair. He turned slightly as he walked to keep Terrance fully in front of him.

Pride filtered in, reminding him that his son had proven himself many times already. "Thank you, father." Jozin said, forking his food but remaining at an angle to the table. He did not want Terrance behind him.

Terrance walked purposefully behind him, testing what he might do. Quickly the chair's position was turned the other way so that Terrance was directly in front of him but the table was to the side, where he could still eat.

Terrance waited for him to be putting another bite into his mouth, noting the speed and size bites Jozin used to finish quickly. Terrance's lip went up in a disgusted snarl but manners were something he had not bothered with in the boy's training. So he ignored it.

"Where were you?" He asked, as the silverware left his son's lips. His son swallowed the entire mouthful without chewing; in a hurry to respond.

"I.. was severely injured, losing blood. There was a monster of a man on the battlefield." Terrance's eyes flashed with the phrase, 'monster of a man'. Jozin was supposed to be the monster of a man!

"Well, we cannot have him getting away with putting your life in jeopardy, now can we." Terrance leaned forward, a storm of violence waging in his eyes. "What does this man look like? We shall find him and.." he paused with a smile, "finish him." The phrase filled him with a cruel joy because it always made Jozin shudder.

Jozin did not disappoint in bodily or verbal response. "Well, depending on what you did with the dead bodies I assume his appearance has changed."

He had obviously noted bonfires burning both flags and bodies on his way into the city. Terrance was not going to have death stinking this city. Of course, his men buried their fallen. But the other side deserved no such respect after standing against him.

Terrance remained silent a moment, stroking his chin and thinking about what his son had told him. Yes, his son was still the monster, no doubt.

But Terrance could not allow his son to leave the battle for any reason. That would show weakness on his own part. Terrance would not be made to look weak.

He stroked his chin and grinned warmly. Unlike his son, his own smile could be quite friendly. He was well aware of the nickname for Jozin's smile - the wicked smile. Terrance loved it.

"Well, we have the city secured. The castle is ours. And you have returned alive. We shall celebrate today and show the people we are not as awful as legend dictates." His laughter was cold. "They will have a week to get their affairs in order and then they will serve us. Anyone who tries to leave will be killed."

Jozin nodded but he looked both suspicious and glum. Terrance nodded back, knowing Jozin expected his overdue punishment for leaving the battle.

Without another word, Terrance strode out of the room. His son was returned, they held the city and the castle. The glee he felt filled him.

It was time to celebrate.