Irrevocable

The world reeled into slow motion. Battle clattered about him; yet, as he watched the axe come down a mere four strides away, the sinking helplessness that grabbed hold of Abduin tuned his senses down to a hum. His heart beat had remained, and it violently pound in his ears. His son was struck. The crushing blow cracked open his skull, and his body collapsed under the force. There was nothing Abduin could do.

In that moment he was not King, he was not renowned victor, and he was not the bombastic leader who had recklessly succumb to the allure of this sure bet skirmish. If he was anything, he was a man whose insides had turned to liquid and whose mind could not keep up with the reality unfolding before him.

Blood splashed across his face as battle continuing around him, but it went unnoticed by Abduin. He had to get to his son. Abduin’s second in command, a loyal and formidable warrior had been in step with the king in their fighting. Observing both the blow and the king’s stunned horror, he had moved to action without pause. His blade was through the back of the axeman’s neck before Abduin could move in any direction.

Next he knew, Abduin was dismounted and embracing the limp body of his son. Tears were added to the mess of blood. “It can’t be”, was the thought that accompanied the pounding drum of his heart in his head. The bugle announced his army’s victory, but it almost deepened the ache. What had it mattered? His namesake, his first born, his heir was dead. And over what? An insignificant fight spurn by two men’s pride. A lifetime composed of innumerable events, changed irrevocably by this moment.