 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
"Devon and Damien"Chapter 6: Act 1
Unfortunately, the morning came for Devon much quicker than he would have liked. As troubled as he was at the thought of returning to the life he left behind, he decided to start off his day like any other. Devon cooked himself a humble breakfast, whistling to himself as he prepared it. He followed his meal with a lengthy bath, as was his custom. Devon normally used his bathing time as a chance to reflect upon the duties he would perform that day, but today he found himself thinking of Joanna. After five years, he could still recall the smell of her golden brown hair. He had always told her that her hair was like a fragrant field of roses, a compliment to which she usually paid little attention due to the excessiveness of its use. “Five years… five years I’ve made it fine, and it all comes back to me now,” Devon muttered to himself as he exited the tub and dried off. “Such is life I suppose.” After slight consideration, he selected a simple tan tunic and a pair of cloth brown pants. “Might as well go comfortable,” he muttered. “Perhaps I’ll get to see the marvelous Prince Jerrod himself.” One thing Faddon had always been known for was his punctuality. He was already waiting outside when Devon emerged from his home at noon sharp. Faddon was perched upon his horse, the smile on his face as radiant as the sun itself. “I took the liberty of preparing your steed,” the old man offered, gesturing to the second horse. “Thanks, old friend,” Devon replied graciously, mounting the beast. The old man examined Devon thoroughly and scowled. “Surely you aren’t planning to enter the presence of the royal family looking like a vagabond?” Devon smiled, knowing that Faddon was referring to his unwieldy long hair and beard. “You mean it’s not convincing enough?” he replied jovially. “Oh, Devon, you’ll never do!” Faddon exclaimed. “Come along, or we shall be late!” Devon nodded, mounting his horse and following Faddon’s lead.The royal palace was several hours’ journey from Devon’s town of Rosa, which was a remote village located in the outer reaches of Hessea. The kingdom itself was not large, but not necessarily small either. It rivaled Boria in size, but the two kingdoms were only a small fraction of the number of realms and provinces located on the eastern continent. One could surmise that in the grand scheme of things, these two kingdoms were insignificant. On the contrary, their identities were known worldwide due to the simple fact that they were kingdoms. As the only monarchies in the surrounding area, they alone bore the responsibility of proving that monarchism was still effective and preferable to a government headed by the people. King Faleaon had ascended the throne of Hessea in the year 1124. Then an idealistic young nineteen-year-old, Faleaon had instituted various reforms in areas such as healthcare, business, and militia. Quite unlike any king of Hessea before him, Faleaon welcomed association with the common people. His tendencies to appoint common people to important positions and in expressing concern for their needs brought him fame quickly. His detractors criticized that he was sacrificing respect and honor in exchange for “public approval,” but the king made it well known that he genuinely cared for his subjects. The entire kingdom (and even rival Boria) cheered when his wife gave birth to his firstborn son, Nathan. Though more focused on the throne and less on the needs of the common people, Nathan nonetheless grew to possess much of his father’s chivalry and civility. An eloquent speaker with an equally compelling personality, the people knew that Nathan would one day be a very suitable heir. Ten years after Nathan was born, Faleaon and his wife bore twins. Joanna possessed much of her father’s nature, having the same compassionate heart combined with a good dose of common sense. As for Joram, he favored his mother. Possessing a quick temper and even quicker tongue, Joram had caused his fair share of embarrassment for the royal family with several notable controversies. Many have speculated that his mother’s untimely death when the twins were young led to his rebellious nature. Devon had never thought much of Joram, but he had always restrained himself from speaking his mind due to his love for Joanna. As he and Faddon journeyed on, he wondered what he might say to the younger son should they meet once more. As they rode along the rode to the royal palace, Faddon broke the silence. “Father Hugh tells me you are no longer attending services.” “What?” Devon asked. “Where did that come from?” “I spoke to the good father a fortnight ago. During the course of discussion, your name came up.” “I don’t attend services?” Devon asked, bewildered. “Faddon, I don’t live anywhere near the cathedral anymore. How am I supposed to attend?” Faddon conceded. “Ah yes, that piece of information had slipped my mind. Still…” “What?” Devon inquired. “Tell me, lad, are you happy?” “Am I what?” Devon asked, caught off guard by the question. “Just what I said… are you satisfied with your life?” Faddon pressed, letting a smile permeate his lips to ease the question. Devon thought for a moment and finally nodded. “I guess… yes… sure I’m happy. Why do you ask?” “The Devon I once knew was filled with dreams and whims. The man riding beside me, I dare to say, has none.” “People change, Faddon,” Devon sighed. “Life changes. What you have today, you may not have tomorrow.” Devon cut off his companion and continued. “I’m not going to lie to you and say that I don’t think about her… but I’ve spent the last five years of my life building one that I can enjoy without thinking about the past… so you can imagine this is a little hard for me.” Faddon nodded solemnly. “At least you admit your weaknesses, my friend. In my days, many a man have I met who denied nothing but their own weaknesses. In the end, the weaknesses destroyed them.” “Don’t misunderstand me, Faddon… I live my life without regrets. I don’t ask for sympathy, nor do I expect others to give it. I make my decisions, I live my life, but that does not mean I am immune to the emotions and feelings that come with that life.” Faddon remained silent, allowing Devon to continue. “I play with the town children… I help construct their toys and I participate in their parades. Who could ask for a better life?” Devon smiled. “There are even several local women who’d jump at the chance to be with me.” “You are the true gentleman,” Faddon replied, smiling also. His smile immediately faded. “But never was there a damsel like fair Joanna, now was there?” “No, there wasn’t,” Devon conceded. “I had a chance, but life wouldn’t let me have her. So I move on. Does that mean I don’t have the right to feel a little sadness? Not at all. But Faddon, do you know what it all comes down to?” Faddon shook his head. “Nay, I do not.” Devon took a deep breath. “In the end, I have to get up in the morning and live my life. So I move on. To answer your question: ‘Are you happy?’ It depends on your definition of happiness. I am ‘happy’ to follow my father in being a blacksmith. I am ‘happy’ to live in a small village where I can bring smiles to the children’s eyes. I am ‘happy’ that I have you as a friend. But true happiness? There is no true happiness, no true joy. There is only life. The moment you try to find joy and happiness, the moment life comes along and snatches it from you.” “So why come to the ceremony?” Faddon asked. “Why?” Devon pondered for a moment. “As much as it pains me to attend, it would have pained me more not to attend.” The rest of the journey they rode on in silence; Faddon could not find any words to offer his friend. A little past three o’clock, the two men arrived at the gates of the royal palace. King Erek built the elaborate structure in 956 (8th era), supplying it with numerous comforts unimaginable to the common man. A stunning blue marble that rivaled the sun itself in radiance and splendor composed the greater portion of the exterior. Consisting of multiple towers, levels, and tiers, many tourists traveled from surrounding countries each year just to behold its beauty, complexity, and size. Some have argued that the palace could in fact be the grandest man-made structure in the known world. As the hour for the first-fourth ceremony drew near, Devon and Faddon found it increasingly difficult to make their way through the crowd. Dignitaries and noblemen were not the only ones invited to the ceremony: many of the common people were there as well. King Faleaon would not have dreamed of keeping his subjects from witnessing such an important ceremony. While many of the people from outer lying towns and villages would not choose to make the journey as Devon had, much of the population of the immediately surrounding towns and villages would be in attendance. After a long delay, royal trumpets sounded, signifying the start of the ceremony. The crowd unanimously erupted in cheer and applause as the royal family made their way out onto an open balcony. King Faleaon emerged first, followed by Prince Nathan and his wife. Shortly thereafter, Princess Joanna and Prince Joram emerged to even more deafening noise. Devon’s eyes locked on Joanna, causing a wave of emotion to hit his soul like a felled tree collapsing upon his body. After a period of silence, he spoke to himself. “No regret indeed…” |
