Loopbreaker

Francis had made sure to remember all the names and details he could. Weaving a lie and making sure it was the same would be the only way he didn’t get tripped up when telling it.

At least he isn’t on his throne.

They had moved to a different section of the tent, past some curtains, which led to an area with cushioned couches and tables covered in food and drink. A servant had offered food before he turned him down.

“I’m good. Thank you, Your Highness. General Stenson already fed me.”

Nodding, the king sat down in a chair across from him, his wife in a matching chair, though it almost swallowed her.

“The details I have been given have been difficult to hear,” Baxter stated. “Do you really believe that what you say will come to pass?”

“All I can tell you is if tomorrow goes the way I have seen, every warrior outside of the veteran and cavalry will die. Changing the attack is the only way to avoid a catastrophic loss. Even then, I’m not certain if it will be enough.”

Frowning, Baxter crossed his arms and huffed. “Your gift doesn’t show what happens if we do what you say? What is the point of it then? Why would–”

“Dear, do not forget, he is a sage,” the queen said.

Sighing, the king nodded, placing a hand on top of his wife's.

“Forgive me… I had just hoped we might be finding an end to all this.”

“No need to apologize at all,” Francis said. “I feel the same way, my King. If I could tell you how every act would play out, I would gladly be that tool for the gods. Unfortunately, I only have what one might call a single possible path. From there, perhaps I will see others who work or do not.”

“A single path?” the Queen asked. “Every action has countless paths that stem from one choice and then lead to another set, creating a spiderweb or tapestry one can never truly view until a life is over. To believe that the gods could see all of those potential outcomes would give them a power we have never believed in.”

“What power is that?” Francis asked.

“Omniscience,” she replied with a smile, seeming to enjoy this topic.

Is she a philosopher, or does she know something I don’t?

“I don’t know,” Francis replied with a slight bow of his head. “I mean this to not be disrespectful, but if I were to stand up and slap the king, my choice would most likely lead to a single path.”

A chuckle and a nod came from the queen as her husband frowned.

“Even with my status as Sage, it would likely not be enough to prevent me from dying. Yet, not making that choice allows me to make other decisions. Each of those forces me down a path from which there may be no return. Regarding tomorrow's battle, while I can help you understand how it might unfold and warn you of the dangers of repeating past actions, I can only offer my best predictions about what will happen. Who can say what comes next after we change course and do something else? Some of what I know might still be helpful, while other paths may be worse than I have seen. Only the gods know what is possible, yet I don’t believe they could know every outcome.”

“So tell me then, what do you know?” Baxter asked.

Leaning forward and resting an arm on his knee, Francis smiled. “Let’s start from the beginning.”

***

Neither of the kingdom's rulers said anything for at least a minute after Francis finished talking. Both looked concerned, especially because they’d heard all about the spells the other side had used. The mention of the elite that would defeat Stenson, as well as the number of rhino-kins, had turned Queen Auri’s face white for a moment.

Tapping his chin, the King frowned. “So one path leads to success for a moment, while the other leads to destruction. Yet you do not know if using our heal spell during that other spell will truly save our troops?”

“I do not…” Francis replied. “There is no guarantee they would use it if you didn’t use your healing spell. I think maybe this is what I’m supposed to warn you of.”

“A creature able to defeat Stenson,” Auri said quietly. “How strong must it be?”

“Do you think I could defeat it?” Baxter asked Francis.

“I wish I knew, Your Highness, but I have not been shown that path, and I doubt your wife or the rest of the advisors would be excited to see you face such a creature. Especially if the only way I know it shows itself is if you lose most of your troops. Besides, that would require me knowing how strong you are compared to the General.”

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Nodding, the King’s frown grew. “Not something I wish to discuss or share. However, what happens if we don’t attack tomorrow?”

“I have no vision of that beyond, nor do I have any way of knowing. My ability is limited, but there is power in knowledge. For now, I can help you prevent a major loss to the army and thus the kingdom. Only you can decide the course to take from here.”

Sighing, the king stood up, moving behind the chairs and pacing slightly.

“So we fight, change up our spells, and do not use our healing one until the last moment,” Baxter said. “All in the hope of seeing how they respond in kind… It’s not a horrible change, but even if we lose half of the men from purely fighting, I suppose it is better than losing them all.”

Francis’s head moved up and down in agreement with the thought. “After seeing what I have seen, all we can do is hope that tomorrow's battle goes better than what will happen if you don’t change.”

The queen leaned forward, her green eyes sparkling as her red hair spilled around her shoulders. “How do you see it?”

“The vision?” Francis asked.

“Yes,” she replied, smiling. “Is it like you live the vision? See it from a bird's perspective? Something else?”

“Ahh… It’s like I’m there, but I’m not,” Francis lied. “I can’t see what goes on behind me or outside of it. I just remember details and small things.”

“What about this conversation we’re having right now?”

“We’ve never had it before,” Francis stated.

Still grinning, she leaned back and crossed her arms. “Yet you seem so comfortable with my husband, even though you have never met him. It’s strange, as even those who have been with him for decades are not this relaxed.”

With great effort, he didn’t flinch or react, doing everything he could to keep his facial expression the same.

Shit… did I push this too much? Guess I can only continue playing the card I’ve been playing.

“The truth is, I’m not nervous. From what I have witnessed, I know King Baxter cares about his kingdom and people. The things I saw in my vision told me that your husband wants this war to end and with as few casualties as possible. Inside, I knew I just needed to be honest and upfront.”

Her eyes never left him and finally, she gave a single nod. “He’s telling the truth. Mostly”

Francis’ face scrunched when the king frowned, those red eyes narrowing slightly.

“Why are you lying at all?” Baxter asked, leaning against the back of the chair, his oversized hands looking ready to snap off the furniture if Francis said the wrong thing.

“Forgive me if I don’t tell you everything about my power,” Francis replied, trying not to overreact. “Would you tell me everything about yours if we just met?”

Snorting, Baxter shook his head. “No… only one person in this entire kingdom knows my true power and she is the only one I trust.”

“I didn’t ask for this skill,” Francis said. “I… I wasn’t certain how to even use it when I got it. Now, I think I’m beginning to understand it a little more. So, I’ll ask for forgiveness for how I have spoken and my casual tone. Just know I need to be trained as hard as possible. I need to become the greatest warrior I can be.”

A small nod came from the queen and Baxter’s fingers regained their normal color.

“Very well. We shall start on that right now,” the king said. “Tell me, Sage Francis, what is your weapon skill?”

“I have a twenty-six in my sword skill and a seventeen in my shield use.”

“Impressive,” the king replied. “That does make things a little bit harder, but there are ways to help with that. Are you willing to endure pain?”

“I’m the ninth son, Your Highness. Pain is a common thing for me.”

An unexpected sigh came, and Baxter frowned slightly. “That… is true, and I most likely am one of many who play a part in that suffering. For that, I apologize. Let me do what I can to fix some of that, and we’ll prepare for tomorrow. On a different note, do you have a brother who is here with you?”

“General Stenson has him currently… or had him in his tent. I'm not certain where he is right now, but he might be…” Francis paused, then grinned. “Michael might be enjoying the fruit of my position with a few women who came to offer assistance.”

“Dear gods, are you serious?” the queen asked.

“I am… They were excited to do what I asked, which was to treat him as if they were treating me.”

Baxter roared with laughter and ignored the gaze his wife shot him over her shoulder.

“You are bad at encouraging this behavior!” the queen exclaimed.

“And yet, my love, we both know that our kingdom has always operated under the premise of breeding those with strong skills and powers. It is why…” He trailed off, eyes resting on Francis.

“It’s why there are people like me who endure what we do,” Francis said, finishing his statement. “Tell me, why does the kingdom have families stop caring for any other son after the third one? Why not the fourth or the second?”

Neither Baxter nor his wife said a word for a moment, each of them staring at the other for a good half minute before the king cleared his throat.

“There are many things which are not common knowledge, and while you are a Sage… telling you isn’t something I’m quite ready to do just yet. Perhaps in time. Just know, tests were done and… after the third son, it was often discovered that the power each son contained was less.”

“Is it–” Francis started.

“No more questions, please,” Baxter interrupted. “Now, let me take care of your training situation. I’m certain we can get you a few hours, possibly as many as six, if you are up for it.”

Rising from his seat, Francis nodded. “Nothing else would make me happier.”

“Gods, he’s telling the truth,” the queen groaned. “This fool really wants to train that bad!”

Baxter motioned for him to follow, and as they left the area they had been reclining in, he overheard the queen whisper to herself. “That boy… his skill could maybe be…” But he didn’t catch the rest before the curtain to the area dropped behind him, and all sound was cut off.

Francis saw the General standing a few yards away, dressed as if he were about to go to war.

“Just the man we were looking for,” Baxter said as he motioned to Francis. “He wants to train and raise his sword and shield skills. He has a twenty-six and a seventeen. Our Sage is also willing to suffer to grow.”

Grinning, Stenson nodded and motioned to the tent flap that would take them outside.

“Nothing better than a warrior who understands the need for pain,” the general said.

Seeing the glint in both men’s eyes and how they appeared to be sharing some secret that was obviously far worse than what he could have prepared for, Francis tried to steel himself.

What the hell have I gotten myself into?

“I need to get stronger, no matter the cost,” Francis told them both.

“Fine words, boy, fine words,” replied Stenson. “Follow me, and I’ll see if they are just words or if your actions and heart match them as well.”

As they left the tent, he could feel the king’s eyes following him, almost as if searching inside for a clue of some kind.

I guess only time will tell what hurts more: this training or dying.