‡ Promise 36: A Choice Of Death ‡

-As told by Keith-

wo days have passed, since Lily's disappearance. News of the event was spreading through the town like wild fire. The boy, Tommy, was attacked and now lies in a hospital, with major wounds to his body. He is expected to be okay, once critical but now in stable condition. I stood on my porch, listening to the sobs of Lily's mother, as both her and her husband give information to the local police. I know exactly who've done this, but I say nothing, as I head inside my home.
"So, what's the plan?" asks Faldan, as I sit on my throne, tonight. I say nothing, staring blankly at a wall. "Yes," nods Fray, cuddling my leg, "You do have a plan, I assume." "Keith," frowns Faldan, "You're not saying anything! What's the plan? We have to hurry, you know!" "There is no plan." I say, not having the heart to look either one in the eye. "Well," says Faldan, a little worried, "We have to think of one fast, because-" "There won't be a plan." I say, hoping they would get the hint. Dore stares into me.
"Master," says Fray, letting go of me, "You're not suggesting that-" "Yes," I said, closing my eyes with a heavy heart, "I'm not going to do anything about the situation." Faldan gasps and Fray lets out a short groan. "May I ask why?" asks Dore, his voice dark. "I can't." I say, locking eyes with him, "It's against the interests of this kingdom." Rupert begins sobbing in Fray's arms. She rocks him gently, but he doesn't stop, interrupting the silence of the room. My annoyance grows.
"Shut him up!" I finally shout, after several minutes, hoping to my feet and glaring down at Fray. I had enough of hearing cries, for today. "I can't!" shouts Fray, the first time she's angry with me, "He misses Lily! And I miss her too! And neither one of us wants her to die!" "What is wrong with you, Keith." hiss Faldan, turning from me, disgusted. "I don't want to die!" I roar, startling everyone, "I can't die now! The new Rolmir king is far from ready! He's just a kid! If I die, that's the end of this kingdom! That's the end of all of you! If I go save Lily, we both die and you as well!"
The roar of my voice bounces around the large room and words seem to hang in the air like poison. I swallow hard and look towards the floor. "It's not like I don't want to." I say, in a small voice, "I do love Lily. But, it would be a waste to play into Sylas's game. We would both die and the kingdom would be lost. I don't want to make the same mistake as my father." "You're not your father." growls Faldan. "No," I frown, "But we have the same weaknesses. As a Rolmir, we all have the same weakness. Our blood isn't pure, so our strength isn't a match against demons of pure blood." "Oh, ballocks!" snaps Fray, "You've done in the Galurs!"
"I was young," I explain, "Angry, and a little suicidal too. The only reason I won is because I took that kingdom by surprise. Ulfrell was not ready and went into rage at the sight of his falling kingdom. His battle skills were all over the place, affected by his own anger and fear for the safety of his family. That battle could have gone either way, with Ulfrell in that state. But with Sylas, he has the upper-hand. He's expecting me and I may be the one blinded by anger and fear this time. There's no way I can't defeat him." Dore steps forward.
"But you do realize," he says, his voice flat, "That after he kills the dark-haired girl, Sylas will come for your blood, regardless." "Yes," I nod, "But he will come to the woods. We will fight on my battle ground, with me expecting and ready. I have a greater chance of surviving the battle, this way. As I had survived the last battle with the Galur princess." "But that was because Lily was there!" yells Faldan, his face pleading, "If that bastard kills her, she won't be there to give you strength, this time around!"
"Perhaps, it was because of Lily's presence." I frown, "But I can't be certain of that, can I? And why risk what is unknown against something that is known? And I know that going for Lily means certain death!" "But..." says Faldan, frustrated. "But what!?" I snap, my fists to my sides, "What am I suppose to do!? Show up and fight Sylas and die!? If I do that, Lily will still die! What am I suppose to do!?" I drop my shoulders, feeling suddenly tired and sorrowful. "Master," says Dore, sadly, "You do what you think is best. I understand that this is a difficult decision. And no matter what you choose to do, it will be the best move, in the end. I will support what you'll decide."
I look directly at Dore, noticing his sincerity. "I appreciate that." I say, knowing I had to make the right choice. Faldan scoffs and storms out of the room, refusing to be a part of this. Silent tears run down Fray's face. I hate to let Lily die and in the hands of that twisted bastard, Sylas. I knew she would die a most horrible and painful death. But I just couldn't abandon my kingdom and it's people. If the new king was ready, maybe I would throw myself into the fires, and die with her. But I can't do it. I have a responsibility to my undead and demons. "I'm sorry, Lily." I sigh.
That morning, I lay in my bed, not able to sleep. Sylas's message was that on the third night, if I didn't show, Lily would be dead. So, by the end of tonight, Lily's suffering would be over. I try to give myself comfort with that fact, that her endless torture would indeed end tonight, and her soul would peacefully drift to a place of no pain. But, it didn't give me comfort, it just made me feel worse. I found myself adding the hours until her death, a huge tick of a clock pounds through my imagination. "Tick-tock, Mr. Rolmir. Fourteen more hours, until she dies!"
I sit up in bed, running a hand through my hair, deciding that I needed a drink. I put on a bathrobe and head downstairs. Talon gives me a lazy stare, unknowing of what is really happening, just being a cat. "Are you hungry, buddy?" I say to him and he flips over on his stomach, "Come on, I'll feed you." I head into the kitchen, grabbing the kitty chow from the counter, and fill Talon's bowl. As Talon eats, I grab a glass and head for the fridge. I notice the glass bottle of grape juice in there, right next to my canister of special drink, and I'm reminded of Lily.
She had handed me a glass of grape juice, some months ago, trying to be my friend. She had blushed, thinking she made some type of mistake, "Oh, you don't drink stuff like this, do you? I-I... wasn't thinking." And I did drink it, even though I don't particularly care for grape juice, one way or the other. But, I had bought this bottle a few days ago, thinking I would share it with her. That perhaps this was Lily's favorite drink. I stand away from the fridge, my grief growing, and no longer wanting a drink.
"I've got to stop thinking about her." I told myself, "It can't be helped. So, I have to let her go." Talon gives me a odd look. "Eat your food and mind your own." I frown. He flicks his tail at me and turns back to his kitty meal. I couldn't stand it, if the cat gave me funny looks about letting Lily die too. I then decide to take a shower, get into some fresh clothes, and bury myself in my newest manuscript. The plan was, by the time I finish the bulk of it, it will be past the time of Lily's death. And that would mean I spent all day long, not thinking about it. But, as I sat at my computer, nothing came. I sat for two hours straight, staring at a blank screen and still remembering my times with Lily.
There is a knock on my door. At first, I didn't hear it, still trapped in my flashbacks of the girl. Then slowly, I stand from my chair, wondering if this was the police with questions. I open the door and find a very frighten girl on my step. It takes me a while, but I realize it's Lily's friend, the one who was begging the boy to not start a fight with me. I haven't seen her in a while, around Lily's home, and I bet there's a reason for it. She stares at me, as if I may snap her neck and suck out her innards. I try not to make any sudden moves, so I won't cause her to shriek and run away.
"Yes?" I ask her, lightly, after several seconds of silence. She shudders, trying to force the words to escape her, her fear coming off in waves. "It's okay." I assure, "I'm listening." "It's your fault." she says, a little anger showing through the fear, "All of this. Lily is gone because of you." I say nothing, facing the ground. Maybe she was right. "You killed that woman," she continues, "Ms. Julia, and I'll never understand how Lily could still be your friend. You're a monster. And because she was a friend of a monster, Lily is gone." "I see." I said, coldly.
"It's not right." she hiss, "It's not right that my friend was hurt and one is missing, because of you. If Lily was here, she would tell me to leave you alone, and would defend you. She's your friend. So, fix this. Go bring Lily home." "I can't." I sigh, covering my face with one hand, "If I try, I'll die." "Lily would die for you!" growls the girl, "So why couldn't you die for her?" And that's when it hit me, all at once, as I realized that Lily would die for me. She wouldn't hesitate, she would give up everything for me, because she loves me so much. A few tears escape me, as I realize that I love her that much too. I love Lily, with everything in my soul, and if I had to die to save her...
"I-" I said, looking up to face the girl, but she was already walking away. She had said all that she wanted and needed to, leaving me standing there alone, with my thoughts. I'm pretty sure now, that I would be able to save Lily, if I move quickly. But, I will surely die and so would my kingdom. I can't seem to care as much, as horrible as that sounds. The Rolmir empire had lived for a very long time, but Lily has only had seventeen years. I want to give her more time in this mortal plane.
I curse myself for waiting so long to come to my senses. There's no way that I can let the girl I love die. I will take her place...