Chapter 11 - The Conspiracy II

Tortem hesitated but hopped on as Buten had said. He sat opposite him in the carriage and they looked into each face as the chariot moves and they both danced mellow to the mini shifts that happened as the chariot lead them out of the castle's premises. 

"When did it begin? Your crave for the throne, when did it begin?" Buten asked after they were out of the castle's gate. 

"A long time ago. We are tools, brother…"

"No!" Buten said sternly and hoisted his palm into the air. He then shook his head gently and when he stopped, he lingered towards Tortem. 

"Do not wire me into your scheme. Speak for yourself only."

"Alright. As much as you don't want me to say it, it's glaringly unavoidable. He'll give the order and when he does, I will go to besiege a city, cause them to surrender or I would take it by force. Whichever way it took, I would be back home to hand them to you for reshaping into the requirement of the government. You will keep them. House them, feed them. Sell the ones good for sales, train the ones with promising skills, give to brothels and as maids to lords. All serving the order of the one who sits on the throne. We are tools!" Tortem said audibly. 

"It's not a problem for me so no complains from my side. I have my powers," Buten said. 

"It's not a problem for me too. I have my powers as well. But we know where the most power sirs. We both know that he has the utmost power and as much as I don't want to say it, as much as you don't want to hear it, even though we don't want to admit it, he has the shadow of the superior power he tunic he has and without us, the power will shift and fall off," Tortem blurted. 

"Little brother," Buten called out. 

"If you were there on the throne, I and Asten may be here planning the conspiracy. The throne is a seat of power. Anyone who sits on it may be swayed by the taste of it. Also, anyone who is not on it would claim to possess what it takes to be the better king. Name a king you've known, or one you've read about who never misuse his place. Be it women, or will, or drinks. Our big brother started out well. Filled with power and with the power, he went fast. But look at him on the throne, a big bag of flesh. All he does all day is eat and drink and fuck. If you were there, I wonder what would be your vulnerable part…"

Tortem was about to speak but Buten spoke one. 

"No need to explain. Why do you need to see Lixxini?" Buten asked and again, there was silence. 

"You heard the king. He wants to have Lixxini in his bed tonight," Tortem answered. 

"You want Lixxini to kill Asten?" Buten asked and laughed. 

"No. It's all about fulfilling my civic duty," at Tortem's response, Buten paused and relaxed his head. 

"I want to ensure Lixxini won't do anything stupid. She is from the RebelHood and there is only one thing in her heart which I can say, revenge and freedom. Depending on her mindset, any of these can come first. I want to fill her with a win-win situation so that I can get my chance in the arena against Asten," Tortem said and again, Buten laughed.

"You won't make a good king," Buten said and laughed again. 

"Let me tell you what happens. You fight Asten in the arena, you kill him before his people. Right there, the people will ask for your head since you kill their king. All eyes will be on me and I won't have a choice that to send ten sons of the devil on you and in a flash, you'd be done and gone. Just like that, it won't matter if I want the throne or not. I remain the only one fit for the throne. Remember Mayew, the prince is just a teen, I'd be the adviser and the voice of the king, meaning, indirectly, I'm the king," Buten said. 

"That is not my plan. That is your plan." Tortem said. 

The carriage stopped and Buten looked from the window.

"We are at the slave's bay. You have the chance to meet Lixxini. I am looking forward to seeing your plan. Fulfil your civic duty and we'd go over your cravings afterwards," Buten said and they both stepped out.