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chased your ghost across the yard
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Posted on May 2, 2013 at 01:36:12 AM by a r t h u r



Arthur listened attentively as Sir Walter launched into a new explanation of his position, and that of his organisation. The King was no stranger to religious leaders, nor organisations of faith, and Sir Walter did not seem to differ from the others that Arthur had known. He doubted very much that the Auran church’s main priority was Thoth’s well-being, let alone his happiness. Arthur, on the other hand was very much determined to do his best to ensure that, after everything the boy had been through, Thoth got the chance at just that. It had not been easy on Thoth, and Arthur’s duty was to him.
“I have known Thoth since he was a very young, Sir Walter,” the king explained in the same even voice, “I have watched him mature and grow into a remarkable child, but for all that he is still a child. He needs to be in a place where he feels safe, that is familiar to him and where there are people who know and care for him. I mean no offence to you, when I say that I am sceptical about your organisation’s ability to supply him with any of that. Thoth is not a god, he is not his mother in the way that Christ was His Father, and I find it equally curious that you appear to be showing a greater concern for Thoth than you have expressed for Poppy, who is just as much Aura’s child as the boy is.”

Tristan looked between his father and the churchman. He did not like Sir Walter. It was not just the way that he spoke to Arthur, or what he said about Thoth, but the prince could not help but think that there was something a bit disingenuous about the priest. He trusted that his father knew what he was doing, he did not however trust their visitor at all. Tristan knew how scared he had been (and still was when he thought too much about it) when he had learned that his elder brother was dead and that he would one day have to be King. It made him angry that this man had marched into Shaman, and into his Father’s castle to demand that the King hand over Thoth so that he could experience something even scarier. He hoped that Sir Walter was not a telepath because he was calling him every one of a very long list of rather rude names in his head at that very moment. He was not, however, as adept as Arthur at keeping his feelings concealed, and his usually generous mouth had become a rather thin line of annoyance beneath a scowl.

“My third problem,” Arthur pressed on, with no change of tone, nor expression, “ and I must wonder why you have not raised the issue yourself, is that Thoth, has absolutely no desire to leave Shaman, nor to become the figurehead of a faith which, after all, has very little to do with him. Your goddess is dead, Sir Walter, and I appreciate that the fairies of Earth must all mourn her passing, but you cannot rip a child from his home just to fill the gap she has left.” He expected Sir Walter to argue with him, to raise theological objections, to tell him that he didn’t understand, but Arthur knew that he was right. Certainty was a wonderful thing to have when locked in an argument with an opponent like Sir Walter. He was doing the right thing. “The first time I became a King, I was ten years old.” Arthur explained, sitting forwards slightly in his chair, “do you know what that felt like? I had no mother, my father had just died and a delegation of old men came to see me, bowed at my feet and presented me with a ring that told the world that I had been chosen by God to lead the people of my country. That was a crippling amount of expectation to have placed on your shoulders at such a tender age.” Tristan glanced at his father, picturing the scene the king was describing. It only served to make him angrier, as he placed himself in the same position, and then Thoth.

“Children have been Kings and Lords throughout history, I know that better than most,” continued Arthur after taking a sip of wine from his goblet to wet his lips, “but you are not asking him to become the leader of a nation, which would be hard enough, you are asking him to become a god. I have a responsibility to Thoth and so my answer remains the same. Since you do not ’beat around the bush’ I will do the courtesy of telling you now; I cannot think of anything that will make me change my mind. Thoth remains on Shaman under my protection.” He paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink in, but he did not allow it to linger long enough for Walter to interrupt.
“However,” the king pressed on, “if you believe that greater security measures are required, then I suggest that your organisation continues in its diligence on Earth, and I shall arrange appointments with Tsi and Mallos and discover what they can do to assist on the Shaman end. Together, Sir Walter, I think we can provide Thoth with everything he needs to be as safe as any other child.”


photography and editing by merlin






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