Chapter 11 - THE KING RUNS
“Cassian!”
Lucan shouted.
The king disappeared through the palace gate.
Varro fought Marcus on the platform.
Darius joined the soldiers turning against the royal guard.
The Forum descended into chaos.
Mara grabbed Lucan.
“Stay with me.”
But Umbra suddenly ran toward the palace.
Lucan understood.
The lion had caught Cassian's scent.
“Umbra!”
Lucan followed.
“Lucan!”
Mara cursed and ran after him.
Inside the palace, Cassian moved quickly.
He ripped off his royal cloak and threw it aside.
Two loyal guards followed.
“Prepare my horse.”
“What about Commander Varro?”
Cassian didn't slow down.
“Varro served his purpose.”
One guard hesitated.
“And the prisoners?”
“Burn the Forum if necessary.”
Lucan heard every word from behind a marble pillar.
Cassian had never cared about Varro.
Or Rome.
Or anyone.
He cared only about keeping his crown.
Umbra growled.
Cassian turned.
He saw Lucan.
For a moment, king and child simply stared at each other.
Cassian drew a dagger.
“You should have died in that arena.”
Lucan backed away.
“You're afraid of a nine-year-old.”
Cassian's face twisted.
“I'm afraid of what fools believe you represent.”
“My father?”
“Hope.”
Cassian almost spat the word.
“People become dangerous when they have hope.”
He stepped closer.
Lucan kept moving backward.
“You murdered your own father.”
“He was weak.”
“You betrayed your brother.”
“He would have ruined the empire.”
“You're running away.”
That struck deeper than anything else.
Cassian lunged.
Umbra roared.
The lion jumped between them.
Cassian fell backward.
His dagger slid across the floor.
Lucan grabbed it.
Cassian stared at him.
“Do it.”
Lucan held the weapon.
“Do what?”
“Kill me.”
Cassian smiled.
“Prove you're exactly like the men who came before you.”
Lucan looked at the blade.
Then dropped it.
“No.”
Cassian laughed.
“Weak.”
Lucan shook his head.
“No.”
He looked toward the palace doors as dozens of citizens and soldiers entered.
“I just don't need to.”
Cassian turned.
Everyone had seen him threatening the child.
Mara arrived.
Then Marcus.
His sword was covered in blood.
Cassian looked behind him.
“Where's Varro?”
Marcus stared at him.
“Running.”
Cassian laughed bitterly.
“Of course.”
Then an arrow flew through the doorway.
It struck the wall inches from Lucan.
Marcus pushed his son down.
May you like
Varro stood at the far end of the courtyard.
And he had one final plan.
