Claiming The Remnant

Chapter 58

[ The King ]

“Well,” My heart was heavy as I looked at my Son, “it came to my attention that Ms Doran had been abusing her position of power here for quite some time. Namely to punish, degrade and abuse those with certain shades as well as those without magic.”

“No,” Ethyn gasped, “no, she would never… no.”

“She did my Son, she did. Their shifts were longer, their pay was less, their benefits retracted and their accommodation was unsuitable. Not only that but she was also issuing physical punishments.” Pausing, I gave him a moment to process. Grace had been a fixture in the castle his entire life, an odd sort of Grandmother as it were. “There were burn marks. I saw them with my own eyes.”

“She was… using her magic to punish them?” He ran one hand through his messy hair. “But why? It’s employment not slavery. Warnings followed by eventual dismissal is the appropriate course…” His brows furrowed, a mix of confusion and anger. “Why did no one say anything?”

“When someone is a victim or lacks belief in their own self worth they do not usually have the words or the fortitude to come to their own defence. I am bereft to have not noticed such depravity occurring within our home.” There was a little tightness in my throat. This castle was not as I thought. “We are both very close to Zach are we not? Did he ever mention anything to you?”

“Father, don’t. Don’t tell me that Grace hurt Zach.” Anger and despair along with a desperate need to hear that it was not so burned through Ethyn's voice.

"Do you recall the layout of the servants quarters?" I knew he did. My question elicited a slight blush; rightly so. Ethyn had slept his way though a good chunk of the staffing at one point. I had some strong words with him. As his Father and his King.

Yes does not always mean yes when someone is faced with a person who's power or status is beyond their own. An important lesson in consent. One he had not considered.

"Yes, the layout is familiar to me." He replied with a small uncomfortable nod.

"Zach's room was at the end of the bottom floor on the right." The words rolled out letting Ethyan make his own sense of the situation. Mostly I didn’t want to say it myself. The whole matter had left me feeling sick.

"That - it’s a storage cupboard!" He stood as if to take some action. "How were we not aware? Why did he not say?" There was anger, frustration, worry, all tangled in his voice and energy.

“We are just mortals, we are not Gods. I have failed but am not a failure because when I saw the truth I dealt with it. To have not seen it was foolish, to have ignored it would have been monstrous.” I tried to find wisdom for my Son, despite how stupid I actually felt.

"I see Father." He was pensive for a short moment then reclaimed his seat. "How did we find out?"

"Healer Asperonin."

"Really? I thought he had quite the disinclination towards Zach and the like." Ethyn’s eyebrows came together in confusion.

"Well, while Asperonin does have some quite negative options in that regard he is working on his attitude. Especially as Poflorin had made it abundantly clear that Zach is a line that he will not let his Father cross. Additionally regardless of his opinion the Head Healer has never denied treatment to any shade, he just does it with a sour attitude." Asperonin was working on himself, change doesn’t happen overnight. However regardless of his personal opinions he did not take his position lightly. The incident with Lady Esther had been a blip.

"Yes but how did Healer Asperonin find out and why did he make it his business?" My Son was still confused and I realised there were still a lot of blanks that I hadn’t filled in.

"Ah well, that's quite the tale. Zach, in his infinite wisdom as a fifteen year old, thought he could carry a Remnant through the castle from the gardens. Resulting in burnout." Ethyn was slack jawed and speechless. "After the burnout was tempered the Captain wanted to take Zach to his quarters. Asperonin overheard Grace give directions and informed me. He also said that he had been meaning to speak to me regarding the increased number of burns he had been seeing lately…"

"I'm still not understanding. A Remnant? Zach burning out? Why didn't the Captain mention Zach's room if he took him there and what is between the Healers and Zach? There are more questions here than there are answers." Ethyn was becoming impatient. Not a normal inclination for my Son.

"In short, Captain Preston didn't have the opportunity to inform me due to some overarching circumstances. Although I do not doubt he would have and as for the Father and Son duo - Asperonin is trying to curry favour with his Son by demonstrating that he is not against Zach. Zach being Poflorin's boyfriend."

"Bless the Earth and Sky!! All this was happening and I was stuck listening to Colette fawn over Jolin! It's a good job we have the excuse of being King and Crown Prince or we would be considered a right pair of gossips." There was joy in my Son’s face, a smile full of light. “I knew Zach had a crush but… this is the most adorable development.”

"There is more…"

"Obviously Father. I mean a Remnant, an actual piece of the fabled gate, pure magic. Can I see it?" His hands flew about him as he spoke, in excitement and disbelief.

"It is a complex scenario; I'll start from the beginning." Slowly and ponderously I started from the beginning - the rumour, the disturbance in the city, Captain Preston’s attempts to force her to give up the object. I planned to tell it in order; somewhat for the drama but mostly to be sure I didn’t miss anything. I hadn’t gotten very far when Ethyn interrupted me.

"Wait, Father, stop." I could see his mind was racing. "She shifted? Into a young lady with auburn hair? Is that who Willis is escorting around?" His eyes darted about suddenly agitated.

"Yes, on all accounts.” I answered while Ethyn clutched his face and took a deep breath.

"Sacrebleu." He stood abruptly.

"What is it?" Somewhere here, there was a connection. Ethyn paced the room agitated and I awaited his answer. Why was he so affected? He couldn’t possibly know her? Could he?

"She… I, er, we met this morning." Ethyn spoke quickly as though he might burst. "Father, this woman, she is my thunder clap." Sacrebleu indeed.

"Are you sure?" Now I was agitated. Everything where the Remnant was concerned had been incredibly arduous. Clearly I was mistaken to have thought we had moved to smoother waters.

"I have never been more positive of anything." Ethyn practically growled. A sudden change in direction from his current pacing put him in front of me. There was anger linking all his features. Redness to his skin, sharpness to his eyes, and a snarl curled his lips. "Give her to me." He demanded. His tone low and dangerous.

"Ethyn?!" I spoke his name in quiet surprise.

"My apologies Father, I," He panted like he had been running for miles, "just suddenly became overwhelmed with this feeling, like she was in danger." He flopped into a chair, shaking slightly. My poor Son seemed entirely overwhelmed.

"I see…" Thoughts were clicking into place in my mind. "From me?"

"Yes." He held either side of his face in distress.

"I assure you lad, I intend her no harm." And I didn’t. It was the truth. Should Lady Esther become Taiya again things might change but it would be dependent on her.

"Good, good." He breathed slowly, trying to reign himself in. "It was barely 5 minutes, I don't even know her name."