One Last Cup of Tea

The bottles in Oswald's handa clinked when he walked inside the room, trying hold all of them, without dropping any. He tightened his grip with his left hand, and stretch his right hand, trying to put a bottle filled with pink on a high shelf, standing on his toes. Eventually he managed to reach the shelf. He couldn't wait to grow up and finally get tall. Every time he asked Warwick if he could help him get taller, Warwick told him to wait. He always told him to wait. Whenever he asked about learning magic, going outside or anything outside his room in the castle. He really hated to wait. He put the last potion on the shelf with a sigh. He looked in the room, searching for the broom. He sighed and opened the door to get a broom from under room.

"Warwick, you've become weak."

Oswald heard a female voice. The voice sounded familiar, but he wasn't sure.

"Darrene, enough." Warwick said firmly.

Oswald recognized the name. A faded memory of an old woman surfaced in his head. He knew he'll get in trouble if he'll keep eavesdropping. He started to close the door, but froze when he heard that they were talking about him.

"Warwick, the kid has to die." Darrene said in a dark tone.

Chills ran down Oswald's back.

"Darrene." Warwick said louder, in a warning tone.

"No!" Darrene almost shouted. "It's been almost thirteen years! You can't keep running away like a coward!"

Oswald took few steps backward, toward the wall and fell over the broom that he was looking for earlier, creating a loud noises.

Oswald tried to put everything back to its place, his hands shaking.

Warwick opened the half-opened door. "Oswald?" he asked.

Oswald turned around, trying to not show his fear. "Yes?" he answered, trying to keep his voice steady, unshaking.

"Did you finish organizing the potions?" Warwick asked  in his usual calm and collected voice.

"Yes, I was looking for the broom." Oswald gulped, trying to control his stress.

"It's seemed like you have found it." Warwick look

Oswald tried to force a smile, but he knew failed.

"I think you should go to your room now. I'll call you for dinner." Warwick said, without changing his expression. His face was almost unreadable. Almost.

They ate dinner quietly, well more quiet than usual.

"I am going to my room." Oswald said, no louder than a whisper, standing up. Warwick just nodded.

Oswald washed his plate, the sound of the water being the only thing breaking the silence.

"Oswald." 

He turned when he heard Warwick.

"Don't worry about what Darrene said earlier. I promise you nothing bad will happen to you." Warwick sounded almost sad, even though he smiled at Oswald.

Oswald nodded once. There was a lot of things he didn't know about Warwick, but during all his life, for thirteen full years, Warwick was the only one who took care of him, was there for him.

Oswald laid on his back, his eyes open, staring at the darkness of the room. As much as he tried, he couldn't get Darrene's words out of his head. He turned around, burying his head in the pillow, trying to hide from the outside world.

After what felt like eternity, Oswald jumped from his bed. No, he definitely couldn'y sleep. He stood next to the door, listening. When he heard Warwick's light snoring, he opened the door, sneaking out from his room. He felt his heart throbbing loudly, so loudly that he was sure it was going to wake Warwick up. He kept walking as quietly as he could, and when he finally arrived at the library, he let out his breath. He hadn't noticed until then that he was holding it.

Oswald passed by the magic books, walking toward the end of the library. He saw piles of handwritten potion formulas and magic spells. He kept walking, passing shelves of books about raising kids. Eventually he arrived at the rear wall. Tthe shelves there held numbered notebooks, all written by Warwick. They didn't look like the rest of Warwick's records. He moved his finger across them until he saw one which looked different. It was a small book, so old that he could barely read the title on its spine. Oswald's hand floated above the book, hesitating. In a moment of bravery he snatched the book from the shelf.

He turned the pages, skimming through the notes inside the book. When he saw his name written in Warwick handwriting, his eyes widened in disbelief. 

"Oswald."

The voice made Oswald jump, dropping the book. He turned around, shaking. Warwick was standing there, right behind him. The fire of the candle lit only half of his face and his expression was unreadable.

"I think it is time for us to talk." He said and gestured toward the library's door. Oswald started to walk toward the door, trembling.

Oswald sat on the chair near the table, watching Warwick pouring tea.

"Now, I think I owe you an explanation." Warwick said, sitting at the other side of the table.

"You should drink some tea." Warwick said, sipping from his cup.

After few seconds of silence, Warwick put down his cup looking at Oswald, who was staring at his cup. He let out a sigh.

"How much did you read?" He asked quietly.

"Does it matter?" Oswald asked, his voice harsh. He looked mad and angry, but mostly hurt. Warwick felt the guilt clawing in his stomach.

"You're right, I guess it doesn't really matter." Warwick smiled sadly.

"Where do you want me to start?"

***

Warwick wished he could stay at home and drink tea, and maybe also read a book or two. He sighed, looking upward. The sky felt so dark without the moon, so lonely. The cold nightbreeze blew his cloak.

Darrene's impatient voice cut off his thoughts. "Took you long enough."

"Darrene, glad to see that you are patient as usual," Warwick smiled.

"Save that. It's not a friendly meeting. We have things to do," Darrene said harshly, "Did you bring the potions?"

"Of course." Warwick gave her a small bottle with deep purple liquid.

"How long?" She asked.

"About an hour." Warwick started to walk down the path. "Is it enough?" He asked without even turning toward Derrene.

"I suppose." Darrene said catching up with him. "Of course, it'll be better if we had more time, but it'll do."

"Well, that's all the time we have," Warwick forced a smile. "Do you know which one we'll need?"

"That's sound rude. We are talking about a human being. But no, I'll have to be near him to be sure." Darrene shook her head lightly. "I do know the general era. I think."

"Sounds encouraging," Warwick said, regretting ever agreeing to Derrene's insane plan.

"Don't you dare going back on me," Darrene said harshly, as if she could hear his thoughts.

"We're here," Darrene said when they eventually arrived at a small town.

"Great," Warwick muttered.

"Cheers," Darrene said, raising her potion, and drank it in one sip. Warwick drank his potion when he saw Darrene appearance changing in front of his eyes.

"I have to say, you never looked better Warwick," Darrene smiled mischievously.

"Let's go. We don't have time to waste." Warwick started walking ignoring her. He longed to be back in his home, sitting in the living room with a cup of hot tea.

"At least act like you care about me or the plan will fail," Darrene said, this time more distanced. Warwick knew she is trying to feel the one. The kid.

"This way." Darrene walked toward one of the houses.

"Are you sure?" Warwick followed her, worried.

"Like I said, I won't know for sure until I'll see him." Darrene walked to the back of the house, trying to look in through the windows.

"It's him," she eventually said, with a grin, "show time."

Warwick knocked on the door, a hoarse voice muttered some unintelligible words before the door opened.

"Can I help you?" a young woman asked with a tense smile.

"Actually, you can!" Darrene said with a bright smile. Warwick forgot how charming Darrene can be. It was really scary.

"I don't know." The nervous voice of the woman interrupted his self-pity. Warwick could see the woman's willpower give way to Darrene's charm, which was strengthened by her magic.

 "I promise that we will take a good care of the child and give him the best home he could ask for." Darrene hold the woman hands with a warm smile .

"I'll have to ask my husband." The woman voice trembled. She went back inside the house, closing the door behind her.

"Do you think she'll give him up?" Warwick asked quietly.

Darrene smiled slyly. "Have some faith in me. You're not the only with magic."

Warwick sighed. He knew how strong Darenne's magic can be. Not strong enough to let him stay in his home.

"I told you to trust me," Darrene smiled when they left the town, holding a tiny baby.

"So, he is the one?" Warwick asked, doubt in his voice. "He is the one who'll conquer our kingdom?"

"And kill you," Darrene reminded him.

"But, yes, he is the one. I'm sure." She said firmly.

Warwick looked at the small creature that Darrene held. So small and alone in the world. Innocent. He knew that they have to kill him, but couldn't stop feeling guilty. They have to. There is no other way. Is there?

"Darrene." Warwick stopped in the middle of the path.

She turned to him. "No. There is no other way," she said harshly.

"But if there is, I'll raise him. I'll make sure that he is not a threat." Warwick became more determinate with each word.

"Warwick, I warned you. Don't become weak," Darrene said. He could feel her wrath piercing through him, but he didn't move.

"This kid is under my protection," he said quietly and took the child from her.

Darrene wanted to protest, but she wasn't foolish enough to ignore the warning in his voice.

***

Oswald stood on top of the hill, watching the castle that had been his home for almost thirteen years. The wind ruffled his brown hair. He took a deep breath, prepares himself for what is to come.

He opened the front door, walking into the living room he knew so well. Warwick sat on his armchair, sipping from his tea. Everything looked the same, almost like nothing has changed over the last five years. Almost.

"Why don't you have a cup of tea, Oswald?" Warwick gestured to the chair in front of him.

Oswald put his hand on his sword, his expression stern.

"Come on, I'm sure we can have a cup of tea for the good old days, before you kill me." Warwick smiled.

It took a few seconds for Oswald's expression to soften, and he sat on his old chair, that felt so small.

"Good." Warwick smiled warmly.

"Now, how about your telling me what you have been doing all this time."