Chapter Two; Sneak Peek #6

With the "grunt writing" complete, I have shifted now toward writing the primary three variations of regent, monarch, and loyalist. Moving between their three tones and mental development has been difficult, but I'm doing my best to maintain consistency.

Here is the usurper variant of the conversation with Darin. As you might notice, it has a much more melancholic tone than the hopeful and loving vibe of the loyalist version.

"Answer my question," he orders. "What would you change?"

"This is related to our earlier arguments about the crown, yes?"

"It's been on my mind for a while," he says cryptically.

This whole conversation has felt strange, uncomfortable. You shift on the grass and turn the question back on Darin.

"What would you change, old man?"

He had a very empty, neutral expression before. But as soon as he hears your words, you see the lines on his face deepen. His mouth pulls into a frown. He is silent for several moments and the gentle flowing of the water fills his place.

Finally, he meets your eyes.

"I have so many regrets, marshal," Darin says. "I'd say goodnight to my wife before she passed. I'd... bury my child, instead of trying to cremate him. I'd have moved us further south and stopped being stubborn about Duncaster."

"Darin..."

He waves you off with a hand. "I would've taken you. I's have run. Gotten you away from Sobik and Cadarn and your mother. I'd have raised you like a child and not a soldier. That, more than anything... that is what I'd change."

How can you even reply to that? How can anyone?

Darin looks decades older now. His face is so hollow. His body is weak and even now, you see him trembling. His cheeks have the perpetual red hue of the alcoholic.

"I love you," he says. "No matter what you do, I will always be your father."