The Beggar, The 'King'

ORIGINAL

A king and a noble
Both brother and brother
Though most couldn't tell them apart
The noble became jealous
As the other was zealous
And the citizens loved him with their hearts
The noble bribed the guards
And hushed all the bards
As he slipped into the king's luxurious clothes.
The king awoke the next morning
To find the guards pointing
Their weapons in front of his nose.
The king was thrown out
With confusion about
Why he was now naked on the streets.
The guards said 'no beggars in the castle!'
And slammed the doors in a hustle
And the new king rewarded them for their feats.
 


BLACK FEDORA PIRATES

The Sangue-Padre coasted towards the port of the next city: the city known by many as Gemheart.  It was a well-known city, famed for the many riches and friendly attitudes the residents of the city had.  Perhaps that was why the pirates were surprised when they had reached the port.  Not only had no one come out to greet them upon their arrival, but most of the citizens dwelling there seemed agitated and like lower-class thieves or thugs. The architecture of the buildings was rough, to put it lightly.  It was as if the buildings hadn't been properly taken care of in years, with cracked stones, rotted wood, and cobwebs and spiderwebs dwelling in some corners.

Captain Lady Riddle walked onto the cold stone near where the ship had docked, looking around in disbelief.  There was a faint chill in the air, but it was caused more from how the atmosphere of the people in the city had felt than how cold the actual temperature was.  The rest of the pirates left the ship to do what they usually did: find information, gather supplies, and have a fun or adventurous time.  Truth walked up to the Captain from behind, looking around with saddened eyes.  Even though she couldn't see – or perhaps especially since she couldn't see -, she could tell that this place was the exact opposite of what the rumors had said.

“Are we sure this is the right port, Captain?”  Truth asked uncertainly, looking at her although she couldn't exactly see her.  “It feels so much different from what we had heard about it...”

“There's no mistaking that this is the correct city.”  Angel confirmed as she walked up to them from the side, as if she had just returned from somewhere.  “I was in disbelief ever since I saw the port before we even docked, so I checked around.  Although the sign I saw was in pretty bad shape, it definitely read 'Gemheart'.”  She explained to them.  Captain Riddle sighed.

“Then either the rumors were untrue, or something has happened to this place.  Aisuru, see if you can find anything else out about this city.”  She ordered.  Even though she nor anyone else had seen him, she knew he would be nearby.  Given the situation, he would definitely be waiting around to receive orders.

“Aye, me Captain.”  He responded as he walked from behind everyone.  “I'll let ye know as soon as I do.”  She nodded her response as he vanished into a nearby alley and started walking down the streets with Truth and Angel close by.  Of course Angel was staying close to her friend in a city as troubling as this one, and Truth figured that she could also provide assistance in some way if trouble were to arise.  After all, the fact that this city was the exact opposite of how they had heard it to be was disturbing already.  The Captain would've normally headed off to one of the taverns almost immediately, but she had the feeling that wouldn't be a safe or wise choice at this port.

“Angel, I think it would be nice to have Erik close by.”  Truth told her with a worried expression.  “Danger’s coming up ahead.”  Angel nodded understandingly and started flying up to see if she could find the swordsman anywhere.  Luckily, he was still nearby since he had just left the ship right before they got off.  He had started to go the other direction before Angel landed in front of him, asking him to join the group.  He accepted without hesitation and they both ran back to the Captain and the farseer, only to find that they were surrounded by a group of three low-life thugs.

“Ya got quite some fancy attire on.”  One of them observed with a smirk, holding up a blade to the other two.  “That means ya got some pretty coin, don’t it ladies?”  They started closing in on them, when Erik jumped in, meeting the three of their swords with just his one.

“And you’ve got quite some nerve, pointing blades at two ladies who’ve done nothing to wrong you.”  Erik retorted.  He quickly disarmed the three with one quick flick of his wrist that was keeping the other three swords from progressing further ahead.  The three looked shocked and stumbled backwards.

“Hey Mark, this guy’s the real deal!”  One of them said worriedly to the other, backing away from them.

“Ah, screw this!  The taxes ain’t worth this!  Let’s get outta here!”  They all ran away like cowards, to which Erik narrowed his eyes.

“How disgraceful.”  He said with a sigh as he sheathed his blade once more.

“Me Riddle, are you okay?”  Angel asked worriedly as she approached her.  Lady Riddle nodded with a smile.

“You have some pretty good timing.  Thank you.”  She replied, though she was really referring to everyone.  Moments later, Aisuru walked up to them from a different dark alleyway than the one he had disappeared into.  Following close behind him was an older man with a short grey beard and moustache.  He was clad in torn brown rags that looked more like a potato sack and no shoes, showing that he was really poor in comparison to the others here.

“You brought someone to me?”  Lady Riddle asked Aisuru as she looked up and down at the man, curious since he normally returned alone with information.  “I'm a bit surprised, but I assume you have a reason to bring him back...?”  The man looked at the group, to which his eyes widened when he saw the trickster and he looked at the assassin.

“Y-You didn’t tell me you were all pirates!”  He whispered loudly to Aisuru.  He seemed to have a really proper and formal tone, which was strange considering that he looked like a homeless man.  Aisuru looked back at him and shrugged.

“Ye didn’t ask.”  He replied simply, speaking in his pirate accent for the first time in front of the man.  “Now tell th’ Captain what ye told me, if ye be wantin’ any help ’round here.”  The man looked back at the group for several moments before he let out a sigh, walking up to them.  His gait had also seemed to be one of royalty, though he looked like he was starving once he stepped out into the light.

“I guess I really don't have anyone else to rely on, and I have nothing left to lose, anyways...”  He muttered.  He looked up to the Captain, immediately being able to tell that she was the one in charge.  “I know I just look like a beggar to you, and I guess that’s really what I am at this point... but I'm not a beggar in the sense that you’re probably thinking I am.

“Gemheart used to be the friendliest and wealthiest city, and it was very popular for being such.  But one day, about three years ago from now, the king was overthrown by his greedy twin brother.  He had corrupted the guards into fighting for him, and tricked everyone else into thinking that HE was the king instead!  But what he wanted was not to help the citizens of the city, as he had promised... but rather, he helped himself to all of their prized possessions!  Of course, he had given the guards payment, but the rest of the citizens are suffering terribly for his abuse and mistreatment.  While he lives a life of luxury and infamy, everyone else is sick and becoming twisted from hunger and disease.  I still want to save this city, though!  I still think it can be saved!  If the current king is no longer in charge, then things can be turned in the right direction for this city to begin its regrowth!”  He explained to them, falling down to his knees and bowing before them.  “Please, I humbly request of you!  End his reign of tyranny, so that these lands can once more be prosperous and benevolent!”  Lady Riddle eyed him for a bit as she thought about his story, before smiling sweetly at him.

“I’m sure you have much to gain if we overthrow the current king, aye?”  She asked sweetly, letting the other pirates know that he wasn’t exactly telling the truth – though it didn't sound like he was lying, either.  She started walking to his side and walked towards his other side, as if pacing back and forth in thought, though her eyes never left him.  “If what you said is true, then maybe you won’t have to live your life as a beggar anymore?  But, for a mere beggar, you seem to be quite ambitious...  Overthrowing the king?  That's not something a normal beggar would ask of a group of people he had just met, now is it?  Especially not a group of pirates.”  The beggar's eyes widened as she spoke.  She was able to see through him this easily?  “But, as we both have already stated... we’re pirates.  We don’t exactly do something like overthrowing the king just because we’re feeling nice, you know.  If what you said is true, then we’ll have quite a lot of trouble on our hands.  How can we expect compensation for our actions from a beggar?”

The man sighed as he stood back up, looking her directly in the eyes.  “You're quite perceptive... I was hoping it wasn’t that obvious, but I suppose my current state has made me lose my head just a bit.  Yes, you are correct in your unspoken assumption: I am the current king’s twin brother – the same one he overthrew.  Of course, I would reward you with riches once I reclaimed my rightful position.  I would have been able to forgive my brother, but the way he treats the people is unforgivable!”  He stated dryly as he clenched his teeth in fury.  Remembering where he was, he quickly bowed his head down once more.  “So please, mysterious pirates of the sea!  Help a humble old man – nay, help this entire city get back on the right path, before it’s too late!”  He pleaded, tears forming in his closed eyes.  This was his last resort, and everyone could tell.  The captain looked up for a moment in thought, before a mischievous smile crossed her lips.

“Aye, we’ll help.”  She accepted, to which the man looked up at her with widened eyes.  She was holding up three fingers towards him.  “But only under three conditions.  One: we get to choose the reward, and you keep your promise about rewarding us.  Two: you promise you’ll rebuild this city to its former glory.  And three: you make sure you don’t lose it again.”  She scanned his eyes to search for his response, to which he stood up straight with a wide smile.

“I accept all three of these conditions, and promise to do everything!”  He replied with grace as he dipped down to a lower bow.  Lady Riddle looked at the four other pirates with her.

“Well then, if there’s nothing else, is everyone ready to go?”  She asked them.  The man looked back up at her in both shock and confusion.

“This is it?”  He asked with disbelief as he looked at them.  “You’re going to fight the entire royal army with only five pirates?!”

“Who said anythin’ ’bout fightin’ the royal army?”  Aisuru questioned with a smirk.  “Ye said all we needed to do was overthrow the king, an’ there’s more than one way to overthrow someone than to just fight.”

“Besides, even if you became the king again through attacking them directly, you’d be completely defenseless; no one would trust you, and Gemheart would become even worse than it currently is.”  Truth added.  The man considered this for a moment, and then had a confused expression on his face.

“You’re right, but... if you’re not going to fight him, then how do you plan on overthrowing him?”  Lady Riddle grinned.

“Just leave the details to us, and do everything we tell you to do.  But first, you need some food, a drink, and to clean yourself up.  No one wants a dirty hobo who can’t even take care of himself for a king, you know.”  She explained with a wink.  “We’ll take care of this much, but you’ll owe us extra!”

*

“Residents of Gemheart!”  Lady Riddle yelled out to everyone in the middle of the square, catching many people’s attention.  She was standing on top of a fountain and throwing her arms about emphatically as she talked.  Erik was standing nearby to protect her of any potential threats, though he wasn’t in the way for her speech.  Angel and Truth were keeping their eyes open for any trouble-makers, and Aisuru was hidden to take out said trouble-makers.  “For too long have you all been repressed by the king’s cruel tyranny!  Remember back when this was a nice, prosperous city?  There’s a reason the king suddenly turned cold and selfish!”  She scanned her eyes around the crowd to read everyone’s reactions.  “The king that has been ruling until now is a fake!”

“Bullshit!”  One of the people listening spat, shaking his head in frustration.  “There’s no mistaking that he’s the same king!  He looks exactly the same, talks the same way, and even walks the same way!  Who the hell would be foolish enough to believe this nonsense?!”

“Then I’ll prove it!”  She retorted, staring at him directly.  “I challenge the king to a duel!  If he’s too afraid to face me himself, then it’ll only help prove that I’m right!  After all, the REAL king was never that cowardly!”  One of the guards passing by overheard her speech and rushed back to the castle.  Lady Riddle smiled as she noticed him, and continued spouting random insults – some true and some false – about the current king to rile everyone up.

The king finally approached her about an hour later, walking elegantly with his royal guard following close by.  Just as she had expected, and as Truth had predicted.  “What is the meaning of this outburst, pirate?  I hear you’ve been spreading treacherous lies about me, and have even gone so far as to challenge me.”  He stated with a glare.  “For what purpose have you for calling me out from my castle?”

“Ladies and gentlemen, behold!”  Lady Riddle shouted as she held her arms out to the king.  “In the first corner, I present to you... the king who has been tormenting you all for three, long years!”  Many people booed at him and he narrowed his eyes, wondering what she was up to.  She grinned as she held out her arms wide.  “And now, descending from the heavens themselves with the blessing of an angel... The king who was thrown out with a sneak attack three years ago!”  Angel flew the beggar man down from the sky, hidden by the sun’s rays until she had come close to landing, and carefully dropped him off.  He now looked to be in much better shape, wearing the same tunic, pants, and shoes that the other commoners were wearing.

“Be careful, and good luck.”  She whispered into his ear and flew off.  He nodded and pointed to the current king.

“Brother... when you had unexpectedly thrown me out three years ago, I thought you did so to help better this city!  But instead, you’ve only helped yourself and left the citizens with nothing but contempt!  How dare you pretend to be me; but even worse, how dare you bring suffering and turmoil to these citizens!  I won’t stand for this any longer!  I challenge you to a duel to determine who the REAL king should be!”  The pirates heard many whispers between the audience, whispering ‘the king!’ and ‘so he was a fake after all?!’.  The king laughed and shook his head in disbelief.

“How foolish!”  He shouted loud enough for everyone else to hear.  “You think that just because you bring some doppelgänger of me, you have the right to challenge me in a fight?!  Guards, take these anarchists to the dungeon!”  The guards started approaching them, when Lady Riddle smirked.

“What did I tell you, everyone?”  She shouted as the guards ran up to her.  Erik and Angel rushed to her side, but Truth knew she’d be fine.  “This king is a coward, unworthy of ruling anything!  This king is a fraud!”  More people mumbled with each other, and some of them became really irritated.

“Stupid king, accept their challenge!”  One of the men shouted from one of the market stands, anger clearly in his eyes.  “What kind of man are you if you can’t even stand up for your honour?!  Prove that you’re the real one!”

“This king’s a coward!  Who wants a coward for a king?!”  A woman shouted across from him, picking up a large stick.

“Down with the king!”  Another man shouted as he unsheathed his sword.  “It’s time for the old king to reclaim his throne!”  The atmosphere within the square quickly became tense as the citizen count within the square grew.  A couple of the guards clashed blades with Erik, but Angel had bound those who tried to attack her with dark magic.  Their shouts reached all around, and the guards surrounded the king protectively.  The king had a worried expression on his face, when his brother spoke up once more.

“It’s your choice, brother: either you face me now in hand-to-hand combat... or you face them!”  The king cursed under his breath and held his hands up to calm everyone down.

“Very well, then!  I shall accept your challenge, brother!  Guards, hold your positions!”  He walked up to his brother, who was now in a defensive boxing stance.  The king took up the same stance, and Angel walked up to them.

“You may only use your body in this fight: the use of any weapons or armor is prohibited.  Ready, gentleman?  Kings... start your fight!”  She shouted, backing away from them just enough to stay out of the fight.

Punch was thrown after punch, kick followed headbutt.  The fight lasted for a long hour, but each had seemed to be on near-equal footing, with the ex-king only having a slight advantage since he had lived on the dangerous streets for so long.  Truth’s eyes widened suddenly and she screamed.  “Watch out!”

The king shouted over her.  “Time to end this little game!”  He pulled a knife out from his royal tunic, thrusting his arm at the other one to stab him right in the heart.  The crowd gasped in disbelief that he would pull something so dirty, and the ex-king stared in shock as the knife neared his heart, but the blade was met with Aisuru’s dagger, Yang.  Thankfully, he was able to hear Truth’s warning just in time.  The king’s eyes widened as he had suddenly appeared in front of him, and he quickly moved behind the king to put him in a half-Nelson, locking his arm out and putting pressure on his tendons so his hand was forced to stay tight around the blade.

“The ‘king’ tried to fight dishonourably...”  The assassin announced loudly as he held his arm with the knife up for all to see.  “But that was specifically against the rules!  The king loses!”

“Guards, is this really the type of king you wish to serve?”  Lady Riddle asked them sincerely as she looked at them quizzically.  “One who throws this city into chaos, doesn’t care about the people, and tries to cheat in a fight of honour?  Where do you think this country will lead with this type of king?”

“I can explain that...  I see two possibilities for the future.”  Truth spoke up, addressing everyone.  Those who could see her saw that she was blind, and many assumed that she was a seer with the way she spoke.  “The first future is with the current king.  The citizens are poor and unhappy, and most die from either famine or disease, leading to this city’s collapse within the next couple of years.  The second future is with the old king, who has fought the current king today.  Everyone works hard to improve this city, in order to bring it back to its former glory.  It’s a tough path, but everyone is much happier and healthier... and I see no collapse in the near future.”

“Why don’t we have a vote?”  Angel suggested with a soft smile.  “Let’s ask the citizens.  For those who want to have the current king retain his position, everyone shout!”  Everyone was dead silent – even the guards, who were looking at one another shamefully.  “Okay... and who wants to have the former king retake his throne?”  Everyone in the square, including the pirates, cheered loudly, causing anyone around the borders of the entire city to hear the noise.  She turned and smiled at the man, nodding at him.  “It looks like you’re the king again.  Congratulations.”

“I won’t stand for this!”  The now-ex-king shouted, trying to break free of Aisuru’s grasp.  “Let... go... of... me...!!”

“Well, king?  What are your orders?”  He asked the renewed king.  The king looked at the man struggling in Aisuru’s grasp for a long, thoughtful moment.

“He may have betrayed both me and this country, and led it to its worst decline in its history... but he is still my brother, so I cannot kill him.  Guards!  Take him to the special dungeon, reserved only for the worst of criminals!”  He ordered.  The guards saluted him and rushed towards the ex-king, disarming him after Aisuru let go of him.  Two guards held either hand, one guard stood behind him, and one guard stood in front of him to lead him away.  The crowd around them cheered in delight as the old king was metaphorically re-crowned, and he looked up at Lady Riddle and the other pirates.

“Please, I wish to properly thank you for your actions today.  I couldn’t have done any of this without you all.  I would like to invite you all for a feast in the castle, so we can discuss your reward.”  Lady Riddle held her hand up disapprovingly, however.

“Unfortunately, I don’t feel like we can take any of your resources at the moment.  Remember the three promises?”  She smiled at him as she approached him.  “As for the reward, I do expect it.  But not now.  We will return to Gemheart eventually – when you have reconstructed it into a beautiful city once more.  Until then, keep your rewards.  But once we return, we will expect it in full.  Sounds fair, aye?”  She told him more than asked him.  He understood her tone immediately and laughed, nodding in agreement.

“Of course, of course.  But I have yet to even learn of your names!”

“We’re the Black Fedora Pirates.  And you’d best remember to keep your promise, or we’ll come after you, instead!”  Erik told him with a wink, though his tone was serious.  The king laughed and nodded.

“I wouldn’t dream of keeping what’s rightfully yours away from you.  I’ll at least see you off, then!”

The pirates returned to the ship shortly after, since there wasn’t much left to do in the city after years of being forsaken.  They boarded the ship and set sail to their next destination, hoping the next port would be much more promising.