Purpose

Elias awoke with his head heavy and his mind clouded. He lay there for a moment, eyes fixed on the wooden ceiling, before the events of yesterday came rushing back to him.

The monastery was unusually quiet this morning, but Elias's thoughts kept him awake. Hugh was most likely leaving after the events of the day before and Elias hadn't had a chance to say everything he wanted to.

The door creaked open, and Brother Cedric stepped inside. He looked at Elias with a serious expression, his eyes avoiding any semblance of warmth. Elias had grown accustomed to Brother Cedric's stiff demeanour, but today it felt colder than usual.

"You need to come with me, Elias," Cedric said, his voice curt. "It's time."

"Time for what?" Elias asked, sitting up quickly.

"The abbot's decision has been made," Cedric replied. "Hugh... is leaving the monastery. You should say your goodbyes."

Elias's stomach twisted - confirming what he believed to be true. He stood up without a word, following Brother Cedric through the dim hallways. His mind raced, desperately hoping there was some mistake, that the abbot would reconsider. But deep down, he knew it was over. He could feel the weight of the situation settle like a stone in his chest.

When they reached the courtyard, Elias saw Hugh standing alone near the stable. He was facing away from him, his broad shoulders hunched as if carrying a burden too heavy to bear. Elias swallowed hard, feeling a lump form in his throat. His friend, the one person who had stood by him through everything, was leaving, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

Elias approached slowly, his heart pounding in his chest. "Hugh," he called quietly.

Hugh turned at the sound of his name. His face was as guarded as ever, but Elias could see the strain in his eyes. Hugh tried to smile, but it was a hollow gesture, like he was forcing it to hide something much deeper.

"So, this is it," Elias said, trying to keep his voice steady. "You're really leaving."

"Looks like it," Hugh replied, his tone hard, though there was a flicker of sadness behind it. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "Can't exactly stay when you've been branded a troublemaker."

Elias shook his head, frustration building. "This isn't fair, Hugh. You don't deserve this. You're not a troublemaker."

Hugh gave a short, bitter laugh. "I don't know. Maybe I am. Maybe it's just what I am—always getting into trouble, always fighting. Always doing what I want but not thinking of the consequences of my actions. But it doesn't matter now. They've made up their minds."

Elias took a step closer, his voice softening. "You've always been there for me, Hugh. You've never left me when things got tough. I—" He swallowed, not trusting himself to continue. "I don't know how to say goodbye."

Hugh's jaw tightened, his eyes glistening for just a second before he looked away. "You're stronger than me, Elias. You'll be fine without me. I've always been the one dragging you into trouble. But I don't want to hold you back anymore. And I won't be able to anymore"

Elias stepped forward, reaching out to place a hand on Hugh's arm. "I don't care about that," he said fiercely. "I care about you. You're my best friend. You mean everything to me."

For a moment, Hugh was silent. His eyes searched Elias's face, as though trying to make sense of the raw emotion in his words. Then, finally, his lips curled into a wry smile.

"You've always been too soft for your own good," Hugh muttered, but his voice cracked, betraying the sadness he was trying to hide. "But I get it. You're a good friend, Elias. The best I've ever had."

Elias felt his throat tighten. "Don't go, Hugh. Please. I—I don't want to lose you."

Hugh's face twisted in pain. "You're not losing me," he said quickly. "I'll still be out there, somewhere. Just not here." He took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. "It's probably for the best. We're both better off apart. I... I've got to go."

Elias took a shaky breath, his heart heavy in his chest. He wanted to say more, to beg Hugh to stay, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. There were no more words to say, only the bitter weight of goodbye.

"You'll be alright, Elias," Hugh said, his voice softening. "I know you will."

Elias nodded, but his chest felt like it was caving in. He could feel the sting of tears in his eyes, but he refused to let them fall. He had to be strong for Hugh.

"Take care of yourself, Elias. I hope we meet again one day - I am sure of it" Hugh said, his voice barely above a whisper.

And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving Elias standing in the courtyard, alone. The silence that followed was deafening, each second heavier than the last.

Worlds away, a ship creaked as it cut through the waters, heading back toward England. King Charles stood at the bow, his coat billowing in the wind as he stared out at the churning sea. His face was pale, his mind consumed with thoughts of the failed campaign in Hormuz.

The loss stung, deeper than any wound he had ever suffered. His forces were shattered, their morale crushed, and now he was returning to a kingdom that would never forgive him for the disaster that had unfolded under his command.

Behind him, General Harcourt approached, his footsteps measured, his face grim.

"Your Majesty," Harcourt said, bowing his head slightly. "The retreat was the only option left. The Portuguese were too strong, and we were outnumbered. All I can do is apologise. When we return to England we may need to rethink our strategy going forward and how we deal with foreign nations"

Charles didn't respond at first, his eyes fixed on the horizon. The sea was vast and endless, and for a moment, he felt as if he were nothing more than a speck on its surface. The weight of the crown pressed down on him like an anchor, pulling him further into despair.

"We should have fought harder," Charles muttered, his voice low. "I should have seen this coming. I led my men into certain defeat. Now look at us."

"We did what we could, Sire," Harcourt replied, his voice thick with sympathy.

"Sometimes, the forces beyond our control are too great."

Charles turned away from the sea, his expression hardening. "I will not be remembered for this failure, Harcourt. I cannot afford it. This kingdom cannot afford it."

Harcourt stepped forward, his tone unwavering. "Your Majesty, the people will not blame you for what happened. You were given bad intelligence. You fought bravely. You did what any king would have done."

Charles shook his head, his eyes darkening with self-loathing. "I should have seen the warning signs. I was too proud, too blinded by my own ambition. And now... now I've led my people to ruin."

Harcourt looked at him, his face etched with concern. "Your Majesty, there will be another battle. Another opportunity to restore your honor."

Charles's lips curled into a bitter smile. "And if that battle is lost as well? What then?"

Harcourt's silence spoke volumes. There was nothing more to say. Charles knew it, and he knew that his generals did too. The winds of fate were fickle, and he could feel them shifting, slowly but surely, away from his favour.

Later that evening, Elias couldn't sleep. His mind was restless, filled with the echoes of his conversation with Hugh. It was past midnight, but the silence of the monastery felt suffocating, as if the walls themselves were closing in. He slipped quietly from his bed and crept through the halls, hoping to find some peace, some solace in the stillness of the night.

As he passed the kitchen, the faint smell of bread and stew hung in the air, but Elias had no appetite. The weight of the day's events still sat heavy in his chest. He had always been a restless soul, prone to wandering, but tonight the darkness seemed more oppressive than usual.

Suddenly, a voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Elias?"

He turned, his heart skipping a beat. The prince, Prince Edward, stood in the shadows, his face soft in the moonlight. Elias hadn't expected to see him up this late.

"I thought I heard footsteps," the prince said, stepping forward, his tone surprisingly warm. "Can't sleep either?"

Elias, startled, nodded slowly. "I... I couldn't."

Prince Edward smiled faintly. "It's the nights that get to you, isn't it? The quiet can sometimes be too loud, letting the anxiety and thoughts of the day run rampant." He paused, his gaze softening as he looked at Elias. "You've been here for a while now, haven't you? You've seen things, heard things and it looks like Brother Aldwin keeps you close to his leash as his future replacement... how do you feel about all of it?"

Elias blinked, taken aback by the prince's question. "I don't know. I suppose I don't really know where I fit in this world. I thought I wanted to be a monk and be here forever but it doesn't feel right without Hugh. And on top of that I feel weak being here, I am always subservient to someone and I have to keep my head down. I don't feel like I fit in, I want to be my own person but I don't know where to start."

The prince's eyes seemed to sharpen, as if he were seeing something in Elias that others might overlook.

"That's the thing about the world, Elias," he said quietly. "We don't always fit in. But sometimes, it's not about fitting in. It's about finding your place, your purpose."

Elias looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

The prince smiled, a soft, knowing smile. "You'll understand one day. Trust me."

For a long moment, Elias stood there, his gaze locked with the prince's. Despite the prince's usual air of arrogance, there was something genuine in his eyes, a depth that Elias hadn't seen before. They were two people, both uncertain of their places in the world, but somehow, in that fleeting moment, they seemed to understand each other.

"Thank you," Elias whispered. "For listening."

The prince's smile deepened. "Of course."

As Elias turned to leave, the prince called after him, his voice serious. "Elias… stay safe."

The words lingered in the air, but Elias didn't turn back. He walked down the dark hall, his thoughts heavy with the strange encounter. But just after he reached his room, a strange smell filled the air—a sharp, acrid scent that made his stomach churn. His eyes widened, his heart thudding in his chest. Smoke. There was smoke in the air.

Suddenly, a deafening scream echoed through the monastery, cutting through the silence of the night. Elias's heart stopped, his blood turning to ice as the horrifying sound of frantic cries filled the air. His eyes snapped back to the door, but before he could move, the acrid smell of smoke assaulted his senses. He turned, and there it was—flames licking at the old wooden beams just outside his room, casting eerie shadows that danced across the walls.

The fire was spreading quickly, devouring everything in its path. Panic surged in his chest. His escape route was blocked. His thoughts spun wildly as the heat intensified, the crackling fire growing louder with every passing second. The monastery was burning—and Elias was trapped in his room, the flames closing in around him. Every breath he took felt heavier, the smoke thickening, the air growing hotter. He wasn't sure if he would make it out alive.