And Lord Gordon solemnly spoke to Knight Sherton, "I know of your loyalty to me. I know you swear your oath to no one but me. But now my son..." Knight Sherton interrupted and for the first time in his life tears streamed down the scars that marked each battle he fought for Lord Gordon. His wrinkled face ached in pain and hatred. "My Lord. I fight for no one but you. I will die for you for such death will not be in vain."
"That is why, my brave knight. You will also fight and die for my son, Kurtlin. For in him you see me as it is my blood that flows in his body. When he speaks, I speak. Your loyalty to him is loyalty to me."
"But my Lord, my love for you is for none other. I can serve no other but you. My soul is bound to your feet. May death takes me than to serve another."
Lord Gordon was extremely please by the faithfulness of his servant. The brave warlord has proven himself worthy of his love and trust. But deep down, Lord Gordon knows that age will not permit his strength to further hold the throne and defend his land; Kurtlin will soon have to replace him. It is at such time that a young and inexperience mind needs the guidance of a seasoned and courageous warlord. Knight Sherton fits the role but for his sentimentality.
"May I have an audience with you, my Lord?" spoke the voice of child.
"Sherton, I would like to meditate now."
"Yes, my Lord." After a strong and bold bow to his lordship, Knight Sherton marched out of the study chamber.
"Siddhi, my wise spiritual guide," exclaimed Lord Gordon.
Slowly, in front of Lord Gordon's golden desk, from a wisp of silver sparks took the shape of a boy barely the age of ten.
“Sentimentality hides malice.”
“You wouldn’t suggest that Sherton plots against my empire?”
Siddhi heaved out a sharp laughter and looked at Lord Gordon innocently. “No. Unless you give him a reason to.”
“It is ridiculous! Kurtlin is my son, the rightful heir to the throne. How dare he revolt against my lineage? That’s treason and the punishment is nothing less than death!”
“My Lord, your temper is rising quickly. I advise you to calm down. People are funny. They fight and kill over what they call territory. They fence what is theirs and claim ownership over it. As if their life means nothing without the physical things they own. With what they fenced up for themselves, they build a so-called empire, lay down rules to govern their things and attack all who invade their space. One thousand years from now, it is known as terrorism and religion gets the blame. Very primitive, don’t you think so? Anyway, let’s get back to Sherton. Do you know how many scars he has on his face for protecting your throne and empire?”
“No.”
“7 and 18 more on his back and 4 across his chest.”
“Well, Sherton is a brave and good warrior. The best I have seen.”
“That is not the point, my Lord. He only wants to serve you.”
“Yes, I know. My honourable knight.”
“Because he cannot tolerate another living creature to be better than him in your eyes.”
“That’s the character, Siddhi. That’s why I like about Sherton. He is competitive.”
“Sherton only wants to win your trust and praise. By virtue of your trust in another person, even if it is your son, he feels downgraded. That he is no longer the brave and good warrior because you have another choice. And this will be a source of all conflicts.”
“Very clever, Siddhi. You are truly remarkable for you age. But then again, you are my guide. You have pointed out something very important and I have just the right solution for it. I will organize a mock battle, a competition to feed on Sherton’s combative energy. And it will be a fight in honour of my son Kurtlin, my royal lineage. When Sherton’s wins in this battle, it will reinforce his need to serve me and my family.”
“This will only be destructive. Sherton will fall deeper. His jealousy of others and the dire need for approval from you will make him insane. He will fall.”
“So be it. What better way for me to command my army than to play with their minds? Now he will even die for me. Isn’t that marvelous?”
“Sherton needs your compassion and kindness.”
“Don’t speak to me about weakness. Kindness and all that rubbish are for women. And women suffer because of that. They are fragile and powerless. Now, if you would excuse me, my wise spiritual guide. I have a battle to plan. Be off!”
Siddhi snaps his finger and the silver sparks carried him into the next dimension where his teacher, The Hermit awaits him with a message.
“Men always prayed for victory, wealth, position, power, world peace but achieved through war and Earth be a better place. But no one prays for him or herself to change. For change is fearful as it highlights that one has flaws and is imperfect. And so, they deny and deny until the layers of lies they build collapse. And so, the world shall end.”
