Fragments Gallery
Ambitions
My breath came to and left my lips quickly. I stepped slowly to the side, my tread matching pace for pace the man's across from me as we circled each other.
Many things raged inside those familiar emerald eyes and the not so familiar baleful glare he directed at me. Mostly I could see anger, but beneath that top layer I could also see great sadness, confusion and fear. He had no idea why I had done what I had done and I doubted he ever could truly understand.
Even I hated that which I'd done. It was necessary for my plan to work, but that didn’t mean I had to like it. I hated all of the choices which had brought him and me to this moment.
A tear slipped down his face as he swung his spear at me, a blow which I deftly blocked with my sword. He hated his actions even as he performed them. However in spite of his personal feelings he would do everything in his power to do as he felt was right. He'd even kill me.
Just as I would kill him in order to achieve my goals.
So we circled. Each one of us knowing the other far too well; when we used to train together I could easily anticipate his next move. However just as often he could guess mine. So for the moment neither one of us was willing to commit to the first move.
"Why Alamos? Why do this?"
I smiled and didn't answer right away, his breathing was erratic and he sounded close to tears. He wasn't coping well with the situation. When I did reply my tone was cool and detached; where he was always emotional I remained objective and in control.
"You know why Herod," I stated, "He was a weak king. Now more than any time in recent history we need strength in our ruler; we need someone who can lead us to victory in the upcoming war."
"But you were sworn to protect him, both of us were! Now you have made an oath breaker of yourself and a failure of me."
"You know that is a price I am willing to pay for the kingdom."
"No brother. It is the price you're willing to pay for the crown. I have seen you sneaking around with military officers. They will support your claim will they not?"
"Yes. Those officers will help me gain the throne. They see that I am their best chance at winning this war."
"This war you're going to start," Herod said bitterly.
"Yes brother." I saw no reason to lie, one of us would be dead soon enough.
His torrent of question ceased and he moved to strike at me again. I shifted forms and countered his steady lunge. As his spear sailed past my side I stepped in past his guard and scored a hit on his armour before he stumbled back.
He reset his stance and came at me again, this time savagely swiping at my side. It was a ploy I'd seen him use many times before. So instead of blocking the blow I side step. Had I blocked he would have winded me with the butt of his spear and dispatched me with his next swing.
This time I lunge at him and am rebuffed by his quick retaliation. The fight feels just as it always has in practice, but this time neither of us will hold back.
An officer enters the room from the doorway behind my brother; he puts an arrow to a drawn bow and looks at me for consent. As much as I hate to be the one to give the order I nod and the officer lets the arrow fly. It slams into Herod's back knocking him forward a step. Before he gets a chance to reset his stance another arrow pierces his armour dropping him down on one knee.
His eyes meet mine one last time before he crumples, unmoving, to the floor.
I pull my hand from its gauntlet and check him for a pulse. I sigh and rise, nodding to the officer as he gestures for me to come. I will have time to grieve later. For now I have things to do.
"I'm sorry brother," I murmur as I step away from his still form, "This is the path I must walk."
Without looking back I leave him on the tiles, his blood slowly pooling around his corpse.