Bart was sure that some mistake had been made. He continued to stare into the eyes of the man he knew as Jason, looking for some kind of hint that this was all a big hoax, yet no such hint came. All Bart saw in his eyes were sadness. Charlotte rushed forward randomly.
“This isn’t Angelo,” she screamed as she tried to make her way to the prisoner but his guards stepped up and stopped her. Bart rushed down to get the guards off her. Gloriana stepped forward and was staring directly at Charlotte. Bart could tell by the look on her face that she was in shock and couldn’t believe her daughter was here in front of her. That look made Bart wonder if anyone had told her Charlotte was even here. Then again, Gloriana wasn’t here apparently. She was out searching for this man that they claimed to be Angelo. Charlotte’s face also looked a little shocked but her eyes were filling with tears. Bart couldn’t even begin to imagine what was running through their heads right now. He definitely didn’t want to interrupt this special moment but it didn’t last long.
“Bartholomew,” said the queen as she stepped down and began to walk towards them. “I assure you that this is Angelo and there is no doubt about it.” Charlotte snapped out of the trance she was in with her mother and turned to face the queen.
“No it’s not,” she said again glaring at the queen. Then her mom stepped up and spoke.
“Charlotte, this is definitely Angelo,” she said softly. Charlotte shot her a look that seemed to state I don’t care what you think.
“This man saved our lives,” she pleaded. “Why would a traitor save the heir to the throne? Does that make any sense to anyone here? Why would he save the son of the guy he betrayed?” she screamed. The queen looked around as did everyone else and many began to whisper.
“That’s a valid point, Charlotte, but regardless, he is still Angelo, no matter what he did or told you,” said Demetrius who was standing next to the queen.
“Why don’t we take that rope out of his mouth and let him speak for himself,” Bart hollered. He was angry that this could even be a possibility but the more they spoke about it the more he began to believe them.
“If that is what the queen wants,” said one of Gloriana’s guards. Bart knew that Natalie was the queen but the fact that he was being ignored or overlooked even though he was the next in line to be the King was frustrating. He wanted to demand this man be freed and give him a chance to prove that he was who Bart knew him to be. Queen Natalie must have been reading Bart’s mind because what she said next caught him off guard.
“Bartholomew is the rightful King. Even though he has not claimed his throne yet, we should still respect his wishes and his opinion.” Many people seemed to be as shocked as Bart was with this statement because he was sure he heard some gasps and some snickers. Yet no one dared to say anything loud enough to be heard. The queen turned to Bart and gestured for him to make a decision. Bart looked at the man tied up directly in the eyes. The depressing look in his eyes hadn’t faded as he stared back at Bart.
“Free him and let’s hear what he has to say,” Bart said finally. There was much commotion that came to a quick end when Demetrius calmed everyone. Then the queen told the guards to unbind him. All at once they raised their hands and the ropes that once held him captive vanished right before Bart’s eyes. Then, as Jason stood up, all the guards created spears out of thin air and pointed them at his neck.
“Good to see you alive again,” he said looking directly at Bart. “And you as well,” he said turning his eyes towards Charlotte.
“Don’t speak to my daughter,” Gloriana yelled pulling a sword from her hip and aiming at him. Charlotte looked as though she wanted to say something, but held her tongue.
“I guess it’s time to fess up,” he said looking back to Bart. Bart could see it in his eyes before he even said a word. This man wasn’t named Jason. It was all a lie. And now, instead of sympathy, Bart felt nothing but rage filling his veins. “My name is indeed Angelo Yessiah, son of Tovram Yessiah, and student of Grand Master Turin Anaclime.” Bart felt like he had been stabbed in the chest. His look of confusion was substituted with a look of pure fury as he remembered the crime that this man was charged with.
“Why!” Bart screamed as he attempted to attack, but Victoria grabbed him just in time. “Why did you lie? Why did you betray my father?” Bart was fuming now. He never got a chance to meet his father and yes part of the blame lay with his mother but more of the blame fell on this man’s shoulders. Only one other man was to blame more than Angelo and that was Tyreekin.
“Bart, I never once betrayed your father,” he said softly trying to plead with Bart. “He was my brightest student I would never turn my back on him.” Bart felt like he wanted to cry he was so angry. Then Bart heard someone else speak out. Only this time it was in Angelo’s defense.
“My teacher would never betray one of us,” Emilia said standing in front of the crowd. Bart’s mother was right behind her looking directly at Bart. Emilia began to walk towards Angelo who was smiling at her, but the smile was one that seemed to say ‘thank you for trying but they won’t believe us’. Bart was too angry to believe anything right now. Besides, why would multiple people say he was a traitor? He only had one person defending his honor and she was a fourteen-year-old girl. “Mr. Yessiah loves us all and he would never leave one of us to die,” she continued. “So why would he hand one of us over?” Everyone was silent as she spoke in her teacher’s defense. Bart couldn’t tell if they believed her or if they were just being courteous.
“Whether we believe you or not little one, the fact remains we have no other proof to say what you are saying is true,” said Demetrius. “It is a sad thought that one of our own may have betrayed us but until we can prove his innocence, we must go with what we know.” Gloriana nodded firmly in agreement as did Jonah, who was standing nearby but Victoria, Emilia, Queen Natalie, and even Demetrius looked displeased with this ruling.
“And what we know is someone betrayed Alexander,” said Angelo. “I understand the laws of our world and even though I maintain my stance that I am innocent I will adhere to them.” Emilia screamed no as the guards turned to the queen for her orders. Gloriana stepped up as well and everyone else stepped back.
“You know the rules your majesty,” said Jonah as he stepped forward. The queen clearly didn’t take his words kindly as she shot him a look of disgust.
“I know the rules well, Jonah Elletan and I might remind you that as a boy who has yet to reach Zathyan adult hood, your word holds no value in our open court.” Jonah bowed his head resentfully and backed away. Bart didn’t know what was going on, but he was certain that all he wanted was for Angelo to pay. Yet for some reason, the look in Emilia’s eyes confused him. He didn’t really know Angelo that well, but from what he learned from personal experience, he was a good man. He saved Bart’s life and even though Bart didn’t trust him anymore, he certainly couldn’t forget that. The queen must’ve had the same feeling because her orders shocked everyone in the throne room. “The rules state that any man or woman that betrays the Kingdom must be banished from the Kingdom for life, never to return on penalty of death,” she said loud enough for the entire room to hear. “However, since we only have word against word and no proof due to the absence of the knights who surely must know by now who betrayed them, Angelo Yessiah will be held as captive until further notice.” Many people cried out in anger saying things like ‘How could you’ and ‘Treachery’. The guards once again raised their hands in unison forming ropes out of thin air, binding Angelo. Then the ropes turned into chains. The crowd cleared as they marched him off to where Bart assumed would be some kind of prison or cell. The queen then dismissed the crowd and all that remained was Demetrius, The Queen, Emilia, Bart’s mom, Nyan, Gloriana, Charlotte, Mr. Cole, Jonah, Victoria, Jester, and Bart.
“You know him; he is innocent,” said Emilia looking at Demetrius.
“Whether or not that’s true, I had no choice,” said the queen in response. Many of them looked sad. Bart was still angry but also very much confused. He wasn’t sure what to believe anymore. However, the Angelo situation and outcome was short lived as Nyan stepped up and began to speak.
“On to more important matters,” he said without a hint of any emotion whatsoever. Emilia began to cry and fled from the room. “Victoria are you ready?” he continued without hesitation. She nodded in the affirmative. Gloriana looked around for some kind of explanation as Mr. Cole grabbed Charlotte’s hand.
“No one has explained what has to happen to Charlotte,” Charlotte’s dad said. Gloriana must not have noticed him until now, because she looked like she had lost her train of thought when her former husband spoke.
“What has to happen?” asked Charlotte. She let go of her dad’s hand and looked at Bart.
“Give the two a moment,” Demetrius said looking at Nyan but Bart knew he was talking about him and Charlotte. Charlotte was undoubtedly confused since no one had told her what happened and it was obvious that she only trusted Bart at this moment.
“Come with me everyone,” Demetrius said. “Gloriana I’ll explain everything.” With that everyone started to leave out. Bart sat Charlotte down and explained what had happened and what it meant. It was harder for Bart than he thought it would be but after several minutes he made it through. Charlotte had tears in her eyes and Bart was fighting back his.
“So I am a wielder of the light?” she asked trying to stop herself from sobbing.
“Yeah or some kind of initiate,” Bart said. “They have to train you. I don’t know how long it takes but maybe it will be short.” He felt like that was more wishful thinking than anything else but he tried not to show it.
“It’s actually one year,” said Victoria who had come back into the room without Bart or Charlotte noticing. “Sorry, but Nyan is a very impatient man and your parents want to talk to you before you leave.” Bart looked at Charlotte who looked like at any second she was going to burst into tears.
“One year?” Bart asked hoping he had heard her wrong. “Why so long? Can I come with her?” Bart was trying to find any excuse to not be separated from his only true friend he had here in this weird world.
“I’m afraid not,” Victoria said sadly. “Only wielders of the light and Elves are allowed where she is going. Besides, you need to stay here and train.” Bart stood up ready to argue, but Charlotte grabbed his hand. She stood up and looked at him.
“It’s probably for the best,” she said still fighting back the tears.
“How could it be for the best?” Bart asked, not seeing why she was giving in so easily.
“This way, we can both get trained and be better off in the future. Hey I won’t get kidnapped anymore, I bet.” She tried to flash a smile but her humor was a lost cause. Bart was too angry at everything and everyone to laugh in this moment.
“This isn’t fair,” he said finally. “We were supposed to be in this together.” Charlotte wiped away another tear and smiled, this time genuinely.
“A year isn’t that long,” she said giving him a punch. “It will fly by and then I can come back and show you how much better at wielding I am then you.” Bart couldn’t help but laugh at that one.
“You wish,” he said with a smile. They sat there for a few seconds before Victoria cleared her throat. “I guess this is goodbye, yeah?” Charlotte looked up and hugged Bart as tight as she could. He didn’t hesitate to hug her back. He would miss his best friend, and it would be hard but he knew he would see her again.
“Not goodbye,” she said. “See you later.” Bart smiled as they parted and Victoria led her out of the room. He stood there for an unknown amount of time before his mom, Demetrius, and his uncle Caleb walked in.
“You okay?” his mom asked as she gave him a hug. At first he wasn’t sure, but the more he thought about it the more he realized he was more than okay. He was alive, his mom was alive, his best friend was going off to become some epic wielder, and they captured the guy who might have killed his father.
“Yeah,” he said. “I think I am.” She smiled, as did Demetrius. “We’ve got a long road ahead, don’t we?” he asked Demetrius.
“Yes we do,” he said softly. “But it’ll be fun I’m sure.”
“I won’t be going anywhere, either,” Anna said holding her son’s hand. Bart was surprised to hear this because he was certain that when she was healthy she would have left to return home.
“Won’t people be worried about you?” Bart asked.
“No worries,” she said. “Your aunt from Florida will take care of things.” Bart wasn’t sure what she meant but he didn’t really care. He was happy that his mother was staying. At least he would have her. That made Bart feel fantastic. “We’ve got a lot of talking to do,” she added. “No more secrets.” Bart was relieved to here that. Finally he could get all the answers he needed.
“So I heard they are going to start seriously training you,” his uncle said with a slightly surprised, slightly happy look on his face.
“That’s what I hear too,” said Bart. Caleb smiled.
“I guess we should get started then,” said Demetrius. Bart looked around. He had a lot of things to learn and even more questions that needed answers but in this moment he felt happy. It was a surprising feeling especially since he had just looked into the eyes of a proposed traitor that betrayed his father, he just witnessed his best friend leave for a year, and he had figured out he had a sister after fifteen years. Yet despite the lies and the treachery and the constant danger, Bart felt happy. He felt alive.
“I’m ready,” he said.
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