One must learn III: Pain isn't a weakness

Several minutes before the Albrak...

Vardus was passing through the halls to get outside, he was in his room to wear his

Clothes for the sad event.

As he was walking, he passed across the Throne room. Thinking about the event was not the priority he had in mind, in fact the only thing that was flooding in his head was his mother.

The memory of her soft hugs now forever gone was tearing Vardus apart. His mother was his everything, eventhough he had a brother and a father, the fact that his mother was really devoted and interested in him was his happiness.

Hordward was born first so one day he will be the King, that's why he had to train every day and was covered in attention by his father and the entire kingdom but when it comes to Vardus, he was just the second born, to the kingdom he was known just as the brother of the next king.

Vardus didn't mind all of that, all his compensation was coming from his mother. If Hordward was the muscles then Vardus was clearly the brain.

At a young age Vardus was already able to understand and solve problems on his own no matter the subject he was always right. Vardus took his love for science from his mother, she taught him many things he couldn't learn by himself.

Soon the day came that Vardus was willing his father to acknowledge him, but his father saw his intellect just as an attribute anyone could get, even if his father loved him, he was more preoccupied by his successor.

Vardus found that way of thinking clearly dumb, why only putting hope in one child when we don't know when he will die. Rude way of thinking about his brother but he knew he was right about it let alone that be his brother he was thinking about.

Vardus knew that his Father could regret so he decided to train all by himself. He wasn't as physically strong as his brother, he understood it fast but he needed to know how to get as strong as him in other way than physically, that's how he decided to learn magic and use his intellect to perfect it.

One day, he was with his mother, they were stuck on a complex problem they couldn't solve because of a missing data, then an old walc came from behind and spoke " I think what is missing is the velocity" his mother turned to see the old walc so did Vardus.

The first time the young one encountered the old Walc, he thought of him as just another counselor so he didn't pay him that much of attention.

His mother presented him as the bestfriend of his father and also the one who wrote pretty much every book he used to learn so much about the world and science.

Vardus was for the first time dumbfounded, he had in front of him the one he probably should thank for all the knowledge he got, he stepped forth but instead of thanking he asked " Teach me please " as he bowed his head respectfully. The old walc and his mother chuckled a bit which made him feel a bit weird but soon his mother told him " sweetie, you don't need to ask, actually he learned about you and decided to help you to go further " Vardus rose his head with confusion, that's when the old walc said " Vardus, isn't it? I am honored to finally see you, you know, your father has told me a lot of good about you" Vardus thought for a moment about his father who apparently talked about him, he felt happy to know that his father was thinking about him even if he had to worry about his brother.

Then Vardus said " it's an honor to me to meet the great Irka'an Val'Omek, the one who brought to be the three fundamental sciences " the old walc then said " I am really touched you do know that, and about what you asked before, I will gladly accept to become your master " Vardus was going to be taught by his dream character.

All those memories, Vardus didn't knew why they flooded into him, but he was happy to remember such important facts about his past, then from the corner of his left eye he saw a figure, he turned to see his Father wearing a golden armor. He knew that was the royal armor, his father called him so he got to him.

Vardus: " Father, why the Armor, this isn't usually nece... "(*interrupted*)

King: " Vardus, I need to tell you something..." (*crooked to get Vardus level*)

Vardus: " I am all ears "

King: " Vardus, I am afraid...Master Irka'an...he is..."

Vardus was not dumb, he understood what was his Father trying to say, despite his common sense who told him that it was it, his master was surely the reason of the Albrak, he still couldn't believe it. Not even noticing it, he was in tears.

Vardus: " I...understand" (*voice a bit cracking*)

King: " Vardus...I know what he meant to you..."

Vardus despite seeing his father's mouth moving he couldn't hear any sound, he was trying to understand what was going on. The old walc, his mentor and probably what was closer to a father than his actual one, was dead. How could that be?!

Vardus: " Father...he clearly isn't dead from old age, he still got at least 20 more years...so HOW IN ALL HEAVENS IS HE DEAD?!" (*Shouting the last part as he bursted into tears again*)

King: " (*sighing*) the Darkness killed him then he turned into a Dark sentinel..."

Vardus: " ...the Darkness? A Dark sentinel? Inside the barrier?! It is impossible...right?"

King: (*turning his head away *)

Vardus: " ...but there is still a chance right? I know I can try to bring him back to normal, i was working on way to..."(*interrupted*)

King: " Vardus"

Vardus: " yes, there must be a way. It will take time, but I will find a way to cure him, I just need to see him..."

King: " Vardus..."(*taking a sad expression*)

Vardus: " months, probably years but I don't care, I promise I will find a ..."(*violently interrupted*)

King: " VARDUS!"

Vardus: (*Yelped while lowering his ears *)

King: " I...destroyed him entirely"

Vardus: " ...what?! No...you..."(*falling on his knees, eyes wide*)

King: " he was sent to accomplish an awful act "

Vardus:"..."

King: " listen to me...before he attacked me...I looked in his eyes...sure they were those of blood lusted monster but deep within...it was like he begged to end his suffering..."

Vardus: (*stopping his cries*)" what?"

King: " eventhough I already fought against Darkness, it was only low forms of it, I never saw a Dark sentinel before me...I knew they were dead bodies empowered by the Darkness or so did I thought..."

Vardus: " what...what do you mean?"(*getting up*)

King: " we will discuss about it later...Vardus...are you okay...?"

Vardus: " ...it's okay, I will attend...but after the ceremony you have to explain everything to me please..."

King: " I will..."

During the Albrak, Vardus was calm, no, he was rather numb. All he was thinking was what happened to his Master and what exactly are his Father assumptions.

Ingus didn't know Master Irka'an but was sad for Vardus, he looked at Vardus but couldn't find any signs of pain.

So he put his hand on Vardus shoulder. Vardus got out of his mind and turned to Ingus, giving him a small smile a bit of sadness in his eyes.

Ingus's POV

I didn't see Vardus being this blank looking. He didn't react at all to the announcement, I thought that maybe Father told him beforehand.

I turned back to look at Father when I saw next to him a familiar figure...it was the very same he saw in his room, the one Vardus said to be his late mother.

I didn't get it, she was dead but I could clearly see her. Due to the situation already heartbreaking, I decided not to bother Vardua with it.

I simply watched the female walc, she turned to me and smiled then turned back to put her hand on the king's shoulder when he began to howl.

I was amazed by what was going on. The crowd, the elders, Vardus and Hordward were all howling in harmony, it was making my inside feel sad yet happy.

It was surely a way to express their sorrow or to say goodbye. I got myself in the act and tried to howl too. Weirdly I Howled as good as a walc.

At the end of the Albrak, when everyone returned to their respective places. Vardus followed his father while I remained there with Hordward.

Ingus: " poor Vardus, I feel sad for him"

Hordward: " it's okay...he will outstand it sooner or later..."

Ingus: " i hope he will...Hordward, I have something that's worrying me"

Hordward: " what is it?" (*turning to face Ingus*)

Ingus: " before I ask, I want you to understand that I don't mean any harm "

Hordward: " ookay... speak your mind"

Ingus: " okay...it's about...your mother..."

Hordward: "...go on"(*adjusting his position to face completely ingus, his hands on his knees*)

Ingus: " I want to know who she was and how she...you know"(*lowering his head*)

Hordward: " ...okay...(*getting up*)...follow me"

Ingus: " okay..."