Bartholomew Nelson and the World of Zathya: The Prince and the Heir

“Take Charlotte inside immediately to make sure she is uninjured,” Demetrius said. Bart didn’t know what to think about the whole situation. He was happy that Charlotte was back, but there were so many things that confused him now. Was Tyreekin being truthful when he said they were cousins? Was Victoria really related to those brothers? Why were they allowed to leave so easily without even really lifting a finger once Demetrius arrived? Was he that powerful? And of course he wanted to know what item the Prince was looking for. Bart once again felt as though he was on the outside looking in, not knowing what was really going on. He was tired of it. They all made their way to a small room nowhere near where Bart’s mom was resting. Bart decided to ask Demetrius to spill everything after everyone left the room.

“Demetrius,” Bart said.

“Charlotte needs her rest,” he said softly, closing the door behind them. “So all of your questions I will answer out here.” Bart hadn’t realized that Demetrius might have been reading his mind. At least the awkward start to the conversation was avoided.

“Well, yeah,” Bart started, a little thrown off. “I just want to know what’s going on.” Demetrius smiled and patted him on the back.

“Yes,” he said lightly. “I assume you do. Walk with me.” Bart was starting to realize Demetrius liked walking and talking. The last time Bart had a lot of questions, Demetrius asked him to walk with him. They started down the hallway, which gave Bart a couple of seconds to think about where he wanted to start.

“So was Tyreekin telling the truth?” he asked finally. “About us being cousins?” Demetrius just kept smiling.

“Yes Bart, you and Tyreekin are cousins,” he said. Bart felt his chest tighten up. The one guy who has been after him since the beginning of all this was his own cousin, his own blood. He didn’t know how to take that. “His father was your father’s brother, but the two men could not have been more different. Your father was good and brave, yet his brother was an evil man being led down the wrong path by an even more evil man. A man even more evil than Tyreekin.” Bart didn’t like the idea of there being a more diabolical enemy out there, but the fact that his father was one of the good guys comforted him a little.

“So why is Tyreekin after me?” Bart asked.

“We still don’t know the answer to that question but if I had to guess, your father must’ve given you something that Tyreekin wants. What he wants it for, I have no clue.” Bart frowned when he heard this because he knew better than anyone that his father only gave him one thing and that’s this necklace. And it was pretty obvious that the necklace wasn’t what Tyreekin was after.

“Yeah well if he did, I don’t know what it is,” Bart said, noticeably annoyed. “So how did Tyreekin start running the show if his father and some other guy are even more crazy than he is.” Demetrius stopped smiling when Bart asked this question but, Bart had no idea why.

“They are both dead,” Demetrius said. For a second Bart saw what looked like genuine sadness and remorse on his face. Had Demetrius done something in the past to the other two? “However, do not underestimate Tyreekin. He is a very powerful wielder that few can rival.”

“Well he was certainly afraid of you,” Bart added, remembering how Demetrius arrived and Tyreekin froze in fear. This made Demetrius chuckle a little.

“I don’t presume he is afraid of me as much as he is cautious. Yet in any case, he is no one to fool with.” Bart didn’t feel very confident in fooling with anyone at this moment so Demetrius didn’t have to tell him twice.

“I wish I knew what he was after,” Bart said trying to think of anything that might have belonged to his father.

“As do I,” Demetrius added. “When I arrived I tried to search his mind but like I’ve said Tyreekin is a very skilled wielder so his mind wielding is obviously advanced.”

“More advanced than yours?” Bart asked sounding extremely surprised. Demetrius just laughed again.

“No, no, but I was trying to defend my own mind from him and his three friends as they were all trying to enter my mind.” The moment Bart heard this he felt so helpless. So many people were mind wielders and Bart not only didn’t know how to mind wield but he also had no clue how to defend himself from it either. Plus, the thought of having to defend one’s mind at the same time as attacking another was so farfetched and complicated. How can so many people be attacking and defending at the same time? How many people there were doing it? Bart hadn’t even realized there was a literal war of the minds going on. Everyone was talking as if nothing was happening yet behind the scenes they were launching assaults on each other’s minds. “Do not worry,” Demetrius continued. “Mind wielding will be a crucial part of your training when it truly begins.” Bart’s heart jumped for joy. He had almost forgotten that he would still be trained. Mind wielding would be the one part of the training he looked forward to the most. “However, I am not the best mind wielder around so we will likely have to find you a better teacher.” Bart didn’t really care about who the teacher was as long as he was learning. “I am sure Tyreekin, Mafortian, and the others will be attempting to enter your mind as often as possible so the best teacher will be vital to your training.” As soon as Bart heard Mafortian’s name he remembered his next question.

“So if he was telling the truth about me, was Tyreekin telling the truth about Victoria?” Demetrius wasn’t smiling at this question as the two of them made their way into the courtyard.

“Yes he was,” Demetrius said plainly. Bart felt betrayed. If she was their sister, how can anyone truly trust her? What if she was the traitor and Angelo was not? Then it made sense in Bart’s mind. The reason Victoria didn’t think Angelo was guilty before is because she wanted to cover up the fact that she did it! Maybe they were even in it together. “Victoria is extremely different from her brothers,” Demetrius said apparently reading Bart’s mind again. “In fact she is very different from all of us.” Bart wasn’t sure what he meant, but he knew Demetrius would continue explaining, so he didn’t ask any questions. “Victoria Bloodworthy is the only wielder to be born a wielder of the light,” he continued. “It is the reason she has white hair. She is very powerful, and the more she grows the more knowledge she gains and the more powerful she becomes.” Bart had no idea what Demetrius was talking about. He hadn’t heard of the wielders of the light before. “She’s also the only Bloodworthy to become a wielder of the light,” he continued.

“So she is like…some kind of prodigy?” he asked, unsure of whether or not he was on the right track.

“You could say that,” Demetrius said with a slight smile. “She’s one of the good guys. When she and Jester were born, their father brought them to my grandfather. He told my grandfather that he no longer wanted his children to follow in his path but at that point it was too late for his oldest daughter, Mafortian and his brothers.” Bart didn’t know that evil ran in the family. He also didn’t know there was an older sister out there somewhere. “So my grandfather obviously accepted and they were raised here. One of the greatest teachers and wielders this world has ever known trained Victoria. She was also taught how to be a good person.” Bart thought about this for a while. This was obviously why she was always so kind. She really was on their side and to doubt her now after all she did for him would be wrong.

“I see,” Bart said softly. They continued walking through the same corridor that led to the courtyard. The entire time Demetrius seemed happy and calm. The fact that Demetrius was being so kind to Bart instead of scolding him was puzzling to say the least. If it were his mother, he would be grounded forever for what he pulled tonight. Then again, it’s kind of hard to ground a King or King-to-be.

“Why aren’t you mad?” Bart asked after a few seconds of silence.

“Excuse me?” Demetrius asked.

“I mean shouldn’t you be like, extremely pissed off that we went anyway?” Again Demetrius just smiled. He stopped at a crossing of hallways and turned and put his hand on Bart’s shoulder.

“I knew there would be no stopping you from going after Charlotte,” he said. “Our friends and family are what’s most important in our lives. We do not see rationally when it comes to them. If giving our lives is the solution to saving theirs then we would happily do it. This is why I sent Victoria and Jester with you. I knew you weren’t going to listen to me, and I hold no anger towards you for that. You made a decision that any good man or woman would make. I can see right away that you have what it takes to be a King, regardless of whether it is a hard-headed one or not.” He smiled at Bart, which coupled with his short speech made Bart feel loads better. He had never thought that Victoria and Jester were coming because Demetrius knew the entire time. All this did was make Bart respect and trust Demetrius that much more. And it also made him believe in his ability to step up and be King as well.

“Thanks,” Bart said softly.

“No need to thank me,” Demetrius said. They started walking again when suddenly Bart’s uncle Caleb came walking around the corner. Bart’s face lit up as he rushed forward and hugged his uncle who returned the gesture. Demetrius just smiled as the two embraced after so long. Bart couldn’t believe that he had forgotten about his uncle through this entire ordeal. He was so happy to see he was okay.

“You’re okay,” Caleb said when the two finally stepped back and looked at each other.

“Yeah, and so are you,” Bart said. Without any words being said Bart could tell how much his uncle missed him. It was so great to see him again.

“I would love to stay and chat but I know you want to see your mom. She is just up ahead.” Bart did want to see his mom. Under any other circumstances he would’ve went with his uncle to catch up and share stories, but instead he just silently agreed and Caleb left.

“Now let’s go see your mother,” Demetrius said. Bart agreed and followed Demetrius down the hall and into the room. His mom was still asleep but sitting next to her bed was a small girl, definitely younger than Bart but not by much. She stood up as soon as they walked in looking extremely guilty of something and Bart didn’t like that.

“Who are you and what are you doing with my mom,” Bart yelled as Demetrius held him back.

“I thought I told you to stay out of this room while I wasn’t here, Emilia,” said Demetrius in a stern voice.

“I’m sorry Demetrius,” the girl started to say with tears in her eyes. Bart was angry that she was even allowed in here and Bart wasn’t before. There was something about her that Bart couldn’t quite pinpoint, but it had a sense of familiarity to it. Bart studied her face but couldn’t figure it out. She had short brown hair but Bart could tell that wasn’t her natural hair color. She had hazel eyes that reminded him of his own.

“Well,” Demetrius said slowly. “I believe introductions are in order.” Bart looked at Demetrius confused and then back at Emilia with anger. She looked just as confused and angry as Bart did. “Emilia this is Bartholomew Nelson,” Demetrius continued. “Bartholomew, this is Emilia Thyasis.” Bart knew that name. It was the last name of his father and the instant Demetrius said it Bart’s eyes widened.

“You mean?” he whispered.

“Yes,” Demetrius said. “This is your sister.”