Chapter 244: Hateful Reunion

"Your Majesty. Duke Flanders wishes to see you." Alfred looked up at the servant with cold eyes and gave a small nod, getting up. Following him, the palace servants kept their heads low and stayed out of Alfred’s way. The change had been sudden, and many didn’t know what had caused it, but they all knew he was volatile at the moment.

"He’s down here, Your Majesty." The servant bowed after leading Alfred to the Palace dungeon’s entrance. It was a strange place to meet, but Alfred didn’t care, going down. The smell was the first thing he noticed, a horrid sourness assaulting his nose.

"Your Majesty." William placed his hand on his chest, bowing, seeing Alfred.

"What is it, William." Alfred came to his side and looked at the large metal door. "A prisoner?"

"Not exactly. I don’t know what it is if I’m honest. It best for you to judge." Turning the key, William opened the door. Alfred watched and, seeing who was inside, froze.

Halfdan looked up at Alfred, freezing aswell; the two stared at one another for what felt like hours, with Halfdan being the first to break the silence. Placing his hand on his chest, he lowered his head and took a deep breath. "I greet The Emporer."

The veins on Alfred’s neck popped as he stepped into the small cell. "You bastard." Alfred was quick, punching Halfdan in the jaw.

"Alfred." William jumped forward, grabbing Alfred’s shoulder and stopping him from doing anything else while Alfred tried to break free.

"Get off me, William. This bastard has to die." Alfred said coldly, looking at Halfdan, and the man sighed.

"I’m sorry." Halfdan turned to face him and used everything he could to hide his smile. After so long, he could finally see one of the things that intrigued him. Looking deep into Alfred’s eyes, he could see the deep madness he saw last time. Before, it had been contained, but now it was threatening to engulf his entire being. "Your Majes.."

"Silence." Alfred’s sharp voice cut into Halfdan’s apology. "Where did you find this thing?" Alfred stared deep into William’s eyes. The old man smiled as he nervously stepped back.

"He was hiding in the University. The headmaster contacted me after the man turned himself in." William looked down at Halfdan. He wondered where such a hatred in Alfred came from. It wasn’t a hatred for his enemy but a deeply personal one.

"You sullied my Empire for that long." A bitter chuckle echoed throughout the dungeon as Alfred reached at his waist, trying to find his non-existent sword.

"I never betrayed you."

"Lies." Alfred shut down Halfdan’s desperate cries in an instant. Looking at William, he grabbed the hilt of his sword. Before he could pull it, WIlliam’s hand rested on his own. "Let go, William."

William looked down at the young man in front of him. "This isn’t like you, Alfred."

"And how would you know anything about me." Alfred’s head shot up, looking at him. "Tell me. What do you know about me, William."

The old man sighed deeply and shook his head. "I know you aren’t so impulsive to kill a man before hearing him out. You don’t enjoy murder."

"I’ll enjoy this. Trust me." Alfred grinned cruelly, looking at William.

"Hear him out."

"I did that once before, William." Alfred finally let go of the sword and turned around to face Halfdan. Grabbing the man’s face, he slammed it against the wall and brought his face next to his cheek. "And this bastard." He didn’t finish, only lightly chuckling. "He needs to die."

"It wasn’t me." Halfdan cried out in a panic. Despite that, Alfred could see that he wasn’t actually scared.

"Oh. That explains a lot. You hear him. It wasn’t him. No, he wasn’t the one that gave away my location. Brought that bitch to me. Set me up. It wasn’t him, William." William’s firm hand landed on Alfred’s shoulder once more. Giving it a gentle squeeze, he frowned.

"Alfred. We could use him."

"He’s a snake who only cares for himself, William. I can never let this thing back into the world."

"At least let him explain himself." Alfred remained frozen for a few seconds but eventually nodded, removing his hand. Looking at William, he shook his head.

"You just don’t understand. But fine. Hear him out yourself." Taking a step back, he leaned against the wall, watching the two. Willaim didn’t get too close, understanding that Alfred’s words didn’t come from anywhere.

Rubbing his face, Halfdan fell to the floor and looked at the two. "Our forces were split into four, then five groups in the camp. Me, Knut, Erik, Frode and eventually Helga." At the mention of her name, Alfred’s eyes squinted, his body tensing in rage.

"Her goal was to usurp the entire thing and return home as the lone Queen and a self-proclaimed God, which meant killing every other leader. Erik died so she could become God, Knut died because he was a traitor, and Frode died by your supposed hands. I was the final loose end, which I knew. So I made a deal with you. But you have to understand. By then, the entire camp was under her control, even my own men. She found us and took me back to the camp as a prisoner."

"I was meant to be another sacrifice for her, but I found a way out and have been on the run since. I wouldn’t have come out of hiding if I didn’t hear she returned." Alfred looked down at the man without sympathy.

"Alfred." William looked at him with confused eyes, but Alfred shook his head.

"He lies as easy as he breathes, William."

"Listen." Halfdan could see his death sentence. "I can help you. I know you want to kill me, but surely there is someone you wish to kill more. Someone I want dead aswell." Halfdan saw Alfred’s frown at the words and knew it was his in. "She is delusional and believes what happened that night was mutual."

"It was not," Alfred growled, taking a step forward. William stuck his arm out, stopping the young man from doing anything rash.

"I know. But she doesn’t. I’ve been here long enough to know you wish to uphold a certain image. If you go to Far Mile, that will be destroyed. I could lure her here for you. And then she’s yours to do as you want."

William looked between the two, and his eyes finally landed on Alfred. "It’s not a bad plan."

"He can’t be trusted."

"I know. But it won’t be good if you go to Far Mile as you are Alfred. I’m not talking about something so meaningless as your image. Do you really want to bring a war to that city?" William could see his words didn’t have an effect. "What about Isra?" Only then was there a subtle shift in him. "She won’t want you to go out like this. She’s scared of Alfred. Worried about you."

Alfred stared at Halfdan in silence. The man looked up with calm eyes. He could do nothing more to buy time. If Alfred wanted to kill him where he sat, all he could do was accept it. If he tried to fight and escape, he wouldn’t get far. He was in the most guarded place in the Empire.

"What do you plan? After all, you said she wished to kill you."

Halfdan smirked, annoying Alfred. "Well, if she’s here, with so little. It can only mean she lost when she went home. Right now, I can only assume she’s desperate, and whilst she did want to kill me, it wasn’t out of hate like she did Frode but simple ambition. She would accept it if she thought it meant she could see you again."

’He can’t be trusted.’Alfred silently said to himself, looking at the man. Even now, his eyes still had the same cunning as they had done the previous time. They had tricked him once. Yet, looking at William, his words lingered.’I already hurt Isra. What if I do it again? What if she hurts Isra.’Alfred could see it in his mind. The vision of Helga standing over Isra’s body.’No. I can keep her safe at home, even if it means working with this snake. Then she won’t be in danger.’

Alfred took a deep breath and looked at William. "If you take him. Chain him, never let him outside, and never let him near a weapon unless it is used to kill him. Also, kill anyone on the boat other than that woman. I won’t make the same mistake." William nodded in understanding.

Alfred looked at Halfdan and walked over, crouching before him. Grabbing his cheeks with one hand, he squeezed hard, staring into his eyes. "I don’t trust you. I don’t like you. But if William believes this is for the best, then I will do this." Turning to William, he looked at the old general.

"Hand me your dagger and grab a torch," Alfred ordered the old man. After a few minutes of hesitation, he nodded and walked out. He quickly returned with the torch and handed the two over. Halfdan’s breathing sped up, and he felt a genuine fear for his life. Alfred watched it and laughed, shaking his head.

"I’m not killing you yet. But I won’t make the same mistake and let you have the chance to do your tricks." Grabbing his right hand, Alfred slammed it onto the floor. Holding the tips of his fingers, he stared at Halfdan. "I’ll give you one chance. Will you go to Far Mile?" Halfdan looked down at the knife and nodded. His fingers or his life. It was an easy choice.

Alfred smiled and rested the sharp blade on them.’It won’t be the same this time. Even if he runs again, I will find him.’With a powerful thrust, he cut deep, causing Halfdan to scream in agony. A second thrust, and once more, Halfdan screamed louder. It was unpleasant to Alfred’s ears, and finally, he cut them off. Quickly placing the dagger in the torch, he placed it on the wound, the smell of burning flesh filling the room.

"Have someone treat him, then place four Unyeilding guards on him. I never want him alone." William nodded, and finally, through painful breaths, Halfdan felt relieved to see Alfred leave.

William looked down at him. "What did you do to him? I have only ever seen him so hateful towards someone once."

Halfdan controlled his breathing and looked up at William in anger. William smirked and shook his head, closing the door and locking it behind him.