where the Middle Ages’
version of Twisted Sister waited for their next cue. The music died away
and Slade stood there like he was spotlighted on Broadway. Dawn began to peek
through the clouds, washing him in an otherworldly glow. No lighting tech
could’ve created that effect. It was as if sun was shining down multicolored
beams of magic just for Slade. If the dim rays burned him, he didn’t show it.
Instead, he braced his legs apart and looked out at the rebels.
“I
am Slade, King of the Vampires.” He announced loudly. “And I know what it is
to have my home stolen from me.”
Just
that quickly, he won the crowd.
The
rebels stopped chanting for the Cage and started listening like Slade was
delivering the Gettysburg Address. Clearly, no one had ever bothered talking to them before. Their awe would’ve been annoying, except Jane sort of
understood their reaction. It wasn’t so much Slade’s words as it was his presence.
It was like he knew everything you’d been through and now he was there to help
solve all your problems. Two sentences into his speech and Slade was already the
greatest public speaker she’d ever seen. Any political party would have
sacrificed small children to have this guy on their ticket.
“I
know what it is to be cast aside.” He continued, his voice echoing through the
woods. “To be hated. To be forced from your old life and thrown onto the
mercy of fate.” He paused. “To be alone.”
Jane
couldn’t have looked away if her life depended on it.
“All
of us are the same here. We are all unwanted and forsaken.” He shook his
head. “But, we are not beaten, or hiding, or prepared to give into our fears. All heroes must struggle. It is what makes them great. And, friends, we are the heroes of this tale. We are the ones who wish to make this
world better. And we are just beginning our destinies.”
People
started nodding.
Even
a pragmatist like Jane could feel the electric pull of Slade’s optimism. It
was like hope and shininess came together to create this one perfect savior of
the downtrodden. Slade’s face reflected confidence, and strength, and so many ideas that you wanted to join his crusade without even knowing where he was
headed.
“The
paths we intended to walk would not have led us to this point, it’s true.
But I do not question the wisdom out the gods. This was where we were
needed and this is where we must fight.” His gaze glowed with absolute
sincerity. “You’ve heard the stories of Fang’s cruelty. People here are
suffering and scared. If justice for all the citizens of Infinia matters to
you,” he looked straight at Jane, “then you must help them. You must
help me . It is who you are.”
“You
son of a bitch…” She whispered, seeing where this was headed.
“If
you think a king should be fair to peasants and lords alike, then you must do all in your power to overthrow the Werewolf. Would you turn your back on
misery, because it is safer? Would you allow a monster to kill the innocent,
because you fear the risk?” Slade arched a brow. “No. I think you are so
much braver than that.”
Jane
stared at him and knew he’d just fucked up her whole life.
“There
is a deeper purpose at work, bringing us together.” Slade made an emphatic
gesture with his hand. “I believe that. We are here, because our old lives
were stifling all we are truly meant for. We were chosen to save this
world. And we must do it together .”
The
rebels gave a brief cheer and Slade glanced at them in surprise. Maybe he’d
forgotten they were there. The speech was aimed at Jane.
“ Together .”
Slade repeated, more forcefully. “Together, we shall overthrow Fang.
Together, we shall free Infinia. Together, we shall build new homes and
a new kingdom for the people we love. You are not faceless extras in
this story.” He looked right at Jane. “You
version of Twisted Sister waited for their next cue. The music died away
and Slade stood there like he was spotlighted on Broadway. Dawn began to peek
through the clouds, washing him in an otherworldly glow. No lighting tech
could’ve created that effect. It was as if sun was shining down multicolored
beams of magic just for Slade. If the dim rays burned him, he didn’t show it.
Instead, he braced his legs apart and looked out at the rebels.
“I
am Slade, King of the Vampires.” He announced loudly. “And I know what it is
to have my home stolen from me.”
Just
that quickly, he won the crowd.
The
rebels stopped chanting for the Cage and started listening like Slade was
delivering the Gettysburg Address. Clearly, no one had ever bothered talking to them before. Their awe would’ve been annoying, except Jane sort of
understood their reaction. It wasn’t so much Slade’s words as it was his presence.
It was like he knew everything you’d been through and now he was there to help
solve all your problems. Two sentences into his speech and Slade was already the
greatest public speaker she’d ever seen. Any political party would have
sacrificed small children to have this guy on their ticket.
“I
know what it is to be cast aside.” He continued, his voice echoing through the
woods. “To be hated. To be forced from your old life and thrown onto the
mercy of fate.” He paused. “To be alone.”
Jane
couldn’t have looked away if her life depended on it.
“All
of us are the same here. We are all unwanted and forsaken.” He shook his
head. “But, we are not beaten, or hiding, or prepared to give into our fears. All heroes must struggle. It is what makes them great. And, friends, we are the heroes of this tale. We are the ones who wish to make this
world better. And we are just beginning our destinies.”
People
started nodding.
Even
a pragmatist like Jane could feel the electric pull of Slade’s optimism. It
was like hope and shininess came together to create this one perfect savior of
the downtrodden. Slade’s face reflected confidence, and strength, and so many ideas that you wanted to join his crusade without even knowing where he was
headed.
“The
paths we intended to walk would not have led us to this point, it’s true.
But I do not question the wisdom out the gods. This was where we were
needed and this is where we must fight.” His gaze glowed with absolute
sincerity. “You’ve heard the stories of Fang’s cruelty. People here are
suffering and scared. If justice for all the citizens of Infinia matters to
you,” he looked straight at Jane, “then you must help them. You must
help me . It is who you are.”
“You
son of a bitch…” She whispered, seeing where this was headed.
“If
you think a king should be fair to peasants and lords alike, then you must do all in your power to overthrow the Werewolf. Would you turn your back on
misery, because it is safer? Would you allow a monster to kill the innocent,
because you fear the risk?” Slade arched a brow. “No. I think you are so
much braver than that.”
Jane
stared at him and knew he’d just fucked up her whole life.
“There
is a deeper purpose at work, bringing us together.” Slade made an emphatic
gesture with his hand. “I believe that. We are here, because our old lives
were stifling all we are truly meant for. We were chosen to save this
world. And we must do it together .”
The
rebels gave a brief cheer and Slade glanced at them in surprise. Maybe he’d
forgotten they were there. The speech was aimed at Jane.
“ Together .”
Slade repeated, more forcefully. “Together, we shall overthrow Fang.
Together, we shall free Infinia. Together, we shall build new homes and
a new kingdom for the people we love. You are not faceless extras in
this story.” He looked right at Jane. “You
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