The March of the King

“Dator?” The king’s voice was soft, breathless. “Is this the chamber of gold?”
Slowly Dator smiled—it was a horrid, sinister smile that chilled the king’s heart. King Alez had never seen anything that looked so evil in his life. Torchlight danced across his brother’s face and Alez realized he had been duped.
“You really believed there was gold in this cave!” Dator scoffed. “You, the great King Alez, tricked as easily as a child!”
He laughed and shook his head while placing the torch he held in a holder on the wall. He stooped and picked up a rock about the size of an apple. Then he began to deliberately turn it in his hands.
“Dator,” the king said. “Jeruseus is watching.”
This brought nothing but laughter from the younger man. “I’m sure He is. And He will watch you die.”
The king thought for a moment about drawing his dagger, but that would be no match for the sword that hung at Dator’s side. He could call for Captain Vrayman, but even if Alez’s cry was heard, the trusted soldier would be too late to save him, and then that man’s life would be in peril. The king had to buy some time—time to think of a plan of escape. He prayed quickly for the Lord to intervene somehow.
“Dator, how can you do this? If the Word of Jeruseus is in your heart . . .”
“Maybe it’s not!” Dator interrupted. “Maybe I have just pretended all this ‘religion’ because you are so enthralled by it.” He shook his head. “I spent my whole life gaining your trust and now, big brother, I am about to reap my reward.”
“You will get no reward from this,” Alez countered. “Jeruseus will not allow it.”
Dator looked down at the rock in his hand. “But He has delivered you to me—or so it seems. No, Alez. There is no gold here in this cavern, but this is where you will remain. This was my mother’s dying wish—that I ascend to the throne. I vowed to her that I would take it! And now I make good on that vow! Your feeble reign is about to end, my dear half-brother.”
The king noticed a passage jutting off to his left. There was nothing but blackness within, still it may be his only chance. He would have to run fifty feet or so to reach it. Could he outrun Dator?
“And what if someone discovers how you obtained the throne?”
He casually took a few steps toward the passage, kicking a rock as he did so.
“You are a fool!” Dator cried. “No one will find out. I will say that you were involved in an accident while searching for treasure. Then I will use your very own men to seal the entrance to this cave. Yes, Alez,” the prince gestured about the cave, “this will be your tomb.”
Silently, Alez prayed, “Father, I need Your help.”
Dator chuckled quietly and then harsh lines etched into his face. “My reign will be like no other. Unlike our father’s passivity and your benevolence—mine will be a reign of terror! Terror, you see, is the key to absolute power.”
“Would our mother approve of your taking the throne in this fashion?” The king took another step to his left.
Dator’s head snapped up, eyes glaring at the king. “Don’t call her our mother. She was my mother. You killed yours as you were born! Now, your reign as king of Castlemyer has come to an end.”
King Alez made his break. He raced toward the passage catching Dator by surprise. Dator threw the rock too late and it splintered against the cave wall, its percussion echoing loudly.
The king heard is brother curse violently and he knew Dator would pursue. But the next instant, his footing gave way and he fell.
Dator heard King Alez’s anguished cry, a rustling of clothing, then a loud thud that echoed throughout the cave like the sound of a last heartbeat.