▼ House of Fallen Kings ▼
Bodrin Galhn had been someone, once. Who or what exactly was a matter of perspective and dispute, for no shortage of talk. A legend of his own making, crafted from the brink of poverty and built up from the rubble on his own merit. A force of nature. A demon. But to a single person, he would always and only be one thing: a father, and a good man sorely missed.
Booted feet scuffed familiar stone as Kaleth followed in the wake of the guard before him, down the lower sections of Pajore’s most strictly guarded penitentiary. The place smelled as dank as it always did, the air chill, and the hard, plain walls lined scarcely with torches which lent only a dim glow to the area and seemed somehow to more emphasize the shadows than light.
It had been eight years since the day Yael’s criminal justice system had stolen his family from Kaleth. He had lived as many years without now as he had been on that night, and yet still it felt fresh and raw whenever he walked these halls. As soon as he was able to push the choice himself, Kaleth had made certain not to let confinement keep him from seeing what had been taken from him and maintaining that bond, keeping his father informed and aware throughout his life, a habit which persisted to this day. Enough so that most of the guards were well familiar with him.
“You have an hour, as usual…” The man’s key’s clinked as he opened the final gate at the base of the stairs, and the metal creaked and groaned when he pulled it. Not for the first time, it occurred to Kaleth that he could have just bashed the man’s head against the bars and taken the few pieces of metal that could bring his father out again.
But of course, it wouldn’t have been that simple.
This was a place for those considered among the most dangerous, there were multiple levels of security in place—and it wasn’t as though it would go unnoticed even if he made it to ‘freedom.’
Besides, there were now only two years left on his sentence. Kaleth could practically taste real, long-awaited freedom for the man. So much so that on some days, he was convinced he anticipated the moment more than his father himself. Perhaps it was all a show, to keep him from being concerned or whatever other reasons he had in store, but Kaleth was proud to say that every time he came at least, Bodrin managed to seem as patient and composed as ever, often smiling and maintaining a relaxed, conversational demeanor. As though he were still in control despite all appearances to the contrary and the prison system was only providing him free room and board until the day he chose to walk out.
Kaleth grunted, and strode past the guard without comment. Even if Bodrin were calm, it never stopped Kaleth’s hackles from bristling as he made his way down to his father’s cell. For how dare anyone think this was where he belonged, that their system deserved somehow to keep his blood locked in a cage like an animal. Like their judgment was superior.
“Kaleth…come, you are going to put out all the lights in this hall with that energy. If I didn’t know better, I would think you weren’t happy to see me…” Bodrin was a massive man to behold. Tall and broad, with a thick but somehow still well-trimmed and neatly maintained beard, dense, heavy muscle, and arms that looked as though they could crush a man’s skull in their grip alone. Despite the lack of prominent sunshine, he had a healthy, dark complexion—and on this day, as with many others, a genuine, toothy grin and warm light to his eyes when he spotted his son. His tone was teasing and upbeat despite the natural gravely baritone of his voice.
He didn’t belong in a prison cell. Of that, Kaleth was convinced.
He breathed out. “I am always happy to see you, Father…” he said, reaching when he arrived and clasping the man’s hands through the bars.
Bodrin gave a hearty squeeze, and smiled, his eyes roaming down over the boy before him. “I think you are bigger every time I see you…how is your mother?”
Sad.
Distant.
Kaleth frowned, and rolled his shoulders. “She misses you.” His father waited, watching him, and eventually Kaleth huffed with a short grunt. “She is still with Aunt Meya…she’s ready for you to come home. She’s talking about it more often, now. I think…she’s getting better, knowing it won’t be as long anymore.”
“Mm. I have to admit…” Bodrin’s voice took on a slightly softer, more serious and contemplative air, “…on some days here, I have been surprised she did not find herself another husband years ago…”
Immediately, Kaleth shook his head, because if there was anything he knew for a fact: “She loves you. She needs you…” More than I do, even. Somehow.
There was a strange sadness to Bodrin’s smile, subtle enough that Kaleth thought he might have imagined it—something akin to guilt or regret, and it was these moments he felt certain his father hated the effect his imprisonment had had on his family more than any actual burden it put on his own shoulders.
“I know it now,” he said, “as much as I ever have and more each day. And it should not have been your task so young, but…it comforts me to know she has you, at least, to look out for her in my absence.”
Kaleth flushed, looking down with a small nod. He did not think he had done the best job of it, but at least he managed not to be angry with her. He just wanted back the mother he had had before his father’s forced absence. Soon, though, things would be different again.
Before him, Bodrin’s expression lightened. “But, enough of that. Come, tell me, what brings you here this time? Tell me about you.”
Kaleth grunted. “Do I need a reason?”
Bodrin’s eyebrows notched up in mild amusement. Then, he grinned. “Did you beat another boy? You really should try to give your aunt less heart attacks…”
“I didn’t- He needed it. It isn’t my fault everyone is a useless p***k…”
Bodrin’s laugh filled the prison space, deep and full and vibrant such that for an instant, one could almost forget the rest of their circumstances. Kaleth felt his ears warm, and in spite of himself, there was a certain lightness in his chest and a relaxation of the set of his shoulders as a smile pulled stubbornly at the corner of his lips.
“He lived…” Kaleth shifted his posture. “But…” He nodded. “I did…get expelled again,” he admitted with some hesitation. “Aunt Meya and Uncle Brianel say they want to send me to Lurin. Academy, that is.”
Bodrin gave a thoughtful hum, glowing eyes sharp with quiet insight as they eyed his boy. “A combat school…” he said. “Does it interest you?”
Kaleth shrugged. “I don’t know what I want. Just…to do something that can handle me, I guess…I’m tired of starting over.”
“It might be good for you,” Bodrin said at length. “You certainly have the strength for it.” He smiled. “You inherited your father’s size, I can see it. It will serve you well there. And I know you will follow your path, but…” His expression took on a touch of precautionary seriousness again. “Do…please, watch yourself enough not to get into more trouble than you can handle. I realize I have not perhaps been the best of examples, but…you are a good boy, and prison would not suit you…”
Kaleth scowled. “You’re a good man, and prison doesn’t suit you! I-”
Bodrin lifted a hand, and immediately, Kaleth silenced, biting his tongue despite the seething swell of anger under his skin, not at his father but at the rest of the world for everything it had done. “I have only myself to blame for your trials and frustrations, and while I wish that I could have made things easier on you…you should know that you do make me so, very proud…”
Kaleth’s eyes dropped to the stone at his feet, a hard twist knotting in his chest. He wanted to be worth that. But on most days, it didn’t feel like he was.
“Look at me, boy…”
Reluctantly, Kaleth obeyed, meeting his father’s gaze and searching it.
“You are strong, and doing so well…it warms my heart to see you every time that you come, and I rest easy knowing I have done something good in this world. These walls and bars…” Bodrin gestured vaguely, “…I can handle. But my greatest regret is that my carelessness and pride has cost me watching you grow each step of the way…and those are moments I cannot get back.”
Kaleth’s tongue pressed hard to the backs of his teeth, an entirely unasked for sting building in his eyes, which he blinked rapidly away. “I miss you…” he murmured beneath his breath. “And you’re right here, and it’s not fair-”
“Life…” Bodrin said gently.
“…is not fair…” Kaleth muttered, finishing the all-too-familiar phrase. He knew. But it didn’t make it feel right.
“Soon,” Bodrin promised.
“Not soon enough…” Kaleth grunted, though most of the fight in his voice had eased out again by then as he looked up. “I want you back. And free. And I hate everything anyone says about you. I’d fight all of them, and I don’t care where that gets me…”
“I know that you would…” Bodrin’s tone was surprisingly soft. “But…” He reached through the bars, touching a hand to Kaleth’s cheek before giving the lightest pinch and earning a huff in the process. “I could not bear to see you taken somewhere you don’t belong just as I am coming so close to being properly in the world with you again. I do not care what you choose to do so long as it pleases you…I ask only that you try to manage yourself enough not to be bound up in other people’s systems and making your father’s mistakes…do you think you can do that for me?” His gaze held Kaleth’s firmly, intent. “I love you, boy…”
Result: Kaleth pays a visit to is father in prison.
Cast: Kaleth, Bodrin, Meya, Braniel, Lezessa || Word Count: 1,798
Cast: Kaleth, Bodrin, Meya, Braniel, Lezessa || Word Count: 1,798
