Chapter 23 - Hope
In the midst of rain and intense thunder...
Camelot, Darkblood mansion...
- Lancelot, Persival, and Qin-Shi (behind Arthur in the heavy rain, looking at all the Darkblood)
- Arthur Treadway (standing in front of Heilla in a blue kimono and black lines with two swords on his back, looking down, facing the woman): Do you know me?
- Elder Heilla (looking at him, nods to his family, then crouches): Welcome, Lord Treadway! Please, come into our humble home, it will be an honor to serve you...
Minutes later...
Darkblood mansion, dining room...
- Lancelot Chamberlain (sitting, looks at Persival): Where is the lord?
- Prince Persival (looking at one of the servants with a smile): He must be out there, he knows how to protect himself... (winks his right eye)
- The manager of the Darkblood clan (seated, looks at Lancelot): Don't worry, he's safe. Nothing will happen to him...
- Prince Persival and Lancelot (look at him, laugh vividly)
- Prince Persival (wipes away his tears, laughing): Do you really think we're worried about him?
- Lancelot Chamberlain (laughing, covers his mouth): Forgive me, but I'm not worried about him, I'm worried about you. He's a very irritable person, and you've suffered a lot, I suppose. Annoying him would be your end...
- The members of the Darkblood house (exchange glances, swallows)
The room was filled with silence, the atmosphere had cooled down...
Darkblood Mansion...
Museum...
- Arthur Treadway (behind Heilla, looking at her): Why did you bring me here?
- Elder Heilla (looking at the pictures on the walls): I always wondered what the lord would be like, my ancestors before me did the same. We wondered if we would see his arrival, if our people would stop suffering someday. But the lord is here now. (points to the pillar in the center of the room): Look here, here are king Pendragon's words, I know they're a copy, but he was right, I know he was, and I know it's you...
- Arthur Treadway (looking at her, analyzes the pillar) "Alfred, look!"
- Alfred (in Arthur's mind) "I'm already doing that, boss. The pillar is a well-made replica, the scriptures were made using a single-edged katana. Of course, the level of strength and accuracy is not the same as that used by king Pendragon, but it is the closest an evolved being can get to the ancient king."
- Arthur Treadway (looking at Heilla): Why are you hiding your face?
- Elder Heilla (with her back to Arthur, looking at the pillar): I really like to look at this pillar, I'll start reading it out loud if you don't mind - I'm the Domnius Electus. But another will come, another with the King's Aura, if he has the King's Force, that will be my successor, will be greater than me, and will have the title of Dominus Ultimus, the Primordial Dragon!"
- Arthur Treadway (looking at the pillar, sighs): How are you so sure that it is me?
- Elder Heilla (looks back, just to show Arthur her face covered in tears): I just know. I have been prepared and have waited my whole life for this moment. My parents and my brothers were murdered, our clan suffered a heavy loss, they raped even the children... (looking at him with a face full of tears): If it's not you I don't know anymore, I don't have the strength to hope anymore... (falls to her knees)
- Arthur Treadway (looking at her, crouches): You are the continuation of a story. Look at this room, everything your ancestors fought for, look around. (runs his hand through her hair, and over her cheek towards her chin, and lifts her head): I heard that you were strong, you managed to master fire Qi and poison techniques. Don't wait for anyone, use your strength to fight for what you believe in, not to wait...
- Elder Heilla (looking at Arthur, wipes away her tears): F-Forgive me for this, lord... (stands)
- Arthur Treadway (looking at her with a faint smile): Were you waiting for me?
- Elder Heilla (looking at him): Yes, I didn't know that you were already here. I heard that the elders gathered in the throne room and the king was killed by a Treadway, but I was too late. After they killed my parents and siblings, they removed my family from the council...
- Arthur Treadway (looking fixedly at her): Give me your Jade stamp...
- Elder Heilla (looking at him, smiles, avoids eye contact) "Why is he looking at me like that...": It's not that easy... (goes towards the exit)
- Sr. A (looking at the kids): I know, it's about the Jade stamp. Here the vote is made by giving the seal, the Jade stamp, to the candidate for king, that is, the act of an elder voting means giving his seal to a candidate.
Night of the same day...
Port, royal ship...
Meeting room...
- Elder Chamberlain (seated, looks at Arthur): Lord, what did miss Darkblood say?
- Arthur Treadway (looking at the wall, starts laughing)