The harbor jail was a filthy and old building. It had once been a warehouse used to store goods, but it had been refitted to house criminals of all kinds by the city guard. A stone wall had been built around the wooden building with an archer tower in each corner. The main gate was made from iron-wood imported from Cosea's colonies on Zerakeia. The dark wood could take a blast from a cannon and still stand. It was a hard material to work with, however, which could be seen in the many imperfections in the shape of the two doors.

“What is the name of the prisoner you want to meet?” one of his bodyguards asked.

“Qurous of Uther. He stands accused of murder and patricide,” Vigilant replied.

The two guards looked to one another before nodding. “Very well.”

Vigilant walked up to the gate and the guards who defended it saluted. They were heavily armed and dressed in plate armor. They reminded Vigilant of Sacred Shield, even if none of them held a candle to the Felreth when it came to combat experience.

“I want to see a prisoner scheduled for execution,” Vigilant informed the guards.

One of the mares looked at him in confusion before she eyed the guards that had accompanied him. “May I ask why? Normally, such visits need to be scheduled beforehand.”

“Am I not your monarch?”

The guard nodded. “Of course your highness, but you have yet come of age and so I need-”

Vigilant slammed his tail onto the ground and his nostrils flared. “I need to see Qurous of Uther. He has information that I require.”

“The spiritborne? He hasn’t talked since we brought him in. I don’t think-”

“Open the gate, now,” the prince said coldly.

The guard swallowed and bowed. “Of course, your highness.”

The guards pushed the gate open and led Vigilant into the yard surrounding the jail. The building itself has been reinforced by iron-wood and stone. Its roof was curved on each side of the building and allowed no one without safety equipment to climb it. The gate into the jail was a wooden sliding door outfitted with heavy-duty locks and a drawbar. The guards slid it open with a salute and Vigilant entered the jail.

The insides of the building had been renovated much like the facade. There existed four floors in total, each holding a set number of cells on each side of the room. Stallions and mares alike were placed in the cramped cells and they hollered at Vigilant once they saw him. The prince frowned and motioned for his two bodyguards to take point besides him. As they walked down the rows the prisoners only grew louder. The chorus of screams and insults made the prince press his ears flat against his head and growl. The never-ending sound of the prisoners' screams made him consider turning around, especially when his guards urged him to turn around. But he remembered why he was there, and so he pressed on. Though he still grew annoyed and intimidated by the screams of the imprisoned mares.

“Come here, prince! Give me a kiss!”

“I will smash your skull in you fucking noble-born cunt!”

“Have you come to raise the taxes? We would gladly grovel before the fine paws of our master!”

“I’ll slit your throat!”

Vigilant looked at the prisoners with disgust and frowned. “They are a lively bunch.”

At that moment a mare descended down the stairs on the other side of the room. She was a black cosean mare dressed in a dark jacket. She was a unicorn, as was apparent by her glowing hold of a metal staff. Once she stepped out onto the floor the prisoners grew quiet. Vigilant assumed she was the warden. One mare in the row of cells growled upon seeing the black cosean and spat on the ground.

“I’d rather choke on Silfy cock that have a stallion sit on the throne!”

The warden’s eyes shifted to the prisoner. She slammed the metal staff into the ground and a bolt of lightning hit the imprisoned mare. The prisoner shrieked and was flung against the wall before she fell onto the floor of her cell. She moaned in pain as smoke rose from her burnt side.

“Insult our monarch again and you will all suffer dire consequences. Respect is to be given at all times,” the warden growled.

The other prisoners reluctantly bowed. Many mares grit their teeth at the display. They felt humiliated to bow before a stallion, even more so a minor. Vigilant smiled as the prisoners fell in line and nodded at the black mare.

“I take it you are the warden here,” the prince said.

“I am. Bea Loxark is my name,” the warden responded.

Vigilant thought about the name for a minute. “You are admiral Thraia’s daughter then.”

She nodded with a smile. “The one and only. I prefer land to the open sea, much to my mother’s disappointment. I find containing filth like these benefits our city more than fruitless hunts for pirate islands or smugglers.”

“I will say you do a good job of it. Not many can afford, much less use, weapons made from perifth steel,” Vigilant said and nodded at the metal staff.

The staff held in the mare’s magical grasp had blue veins and runes engraved onto it. They glowed ever so often and threw blue embers into the air. The staff was made from a metal that seemed brighter and lighter than any other form of steel. Being near the weapon made Vigilant’s tail twitch and the fur at its end of it stood straight like nails. The weapon had the same effect on Vigilant’s two bodyguards. Bea was unaffected, though that may have been from her familiarity with the weapon or immunity to its effects.

The warden seemed to appreciate Vigilant's compliment and placed the end of the staff on the ground. “Thank you, your highness. Now I have to ask why you are here. I was not informed you were coming in advance. If I had known, I would have informed the prisoners about the consequences of disrespect beforehand.”

Vigilant smile dropped and he breathed in before he gave an answer. “I need to see Qurous of Uther. I heard he was a prisoner here and I need to see him.”

Bea grew serious and shook her head. “We are only holding him here temporarily. Patricide is punishable by death in Silvelt and they have asked us to carry out the sentence. Master Healing Symphony was well-liked and well respected in Silvelt, especially among the magistrate. Qurous is a dangerous individual and speaking to him is not advised. He is a spiritborne, and they are known to be highly unstable. Why do you even want to speak with him?”

“His father worked with healer Kira regarding my mother’s health. It is possible the good master made progress in figuring out what disease my mother had. If that is the case then that knowledge needs to be collected and distributed, so no one else may die from the illness.”

Bea blinked. “That is… Very admirable of you, your highness. I did not know you were so compassionate.”

Vigilant frowned at that. “Is that an insult, warden Loxark?”

“Oh no! Of course not! I would never dream of insulting his royal highness. I only meant that you are very much like your mother. She would have done the same if she was in your position.”

The prince flushed at that and bowed his head. “Thank you, Bea.”

The black cosean mare smiled and nodded. “I will take you to his cell. It is on the third floor, the fifth cell to the right.”

Bea led the prince and his two bodyguards up the stairs. They passed another floor with small cells that contained criminals with minor offenses. Petty thieves, swindlers, vagrants, prostitutes, instigators of drunken brawls, and gamblers were all kept in the cells. The ponies inside would likely have had no consequences for their actions if they had occurred in the red-light district, but in the clean and proper streets of Kos offenses such as theft, prostitution, gambling, begging, and swindling were punished. Most of the inhabitants in the jail were only kept for a few days before they were released and given a fine. Though the criminals kept on the third level were more than small-time thieves and whores.

“Should something happen, like a prisoner escaping their cell, lethal force is prohibited, your highness,” the warden mumbled.

Vigilant nodded. “Understood.”

The third floor held cells with thick stone walls, floors, and ceilings. The bars which keep the inmates imprisoned glowed with magical runes and protection sigils. Wind-chimes and other religious symbols meant to inspire calm and protection against evil spirits were placed along the rows of cells. The prisoners inside were mostly unicorns, all of which had an inhibition ring around the base of their horn. The few prisoners that were not unicorns had runic markings and symbols carved into their skin alongside the traditional constellation tattoos. Most of the prisoners ignored them as they stepped out onto the floor, but a few leered at the prince.

“These containment cells were designed by a Silveltian magistrate to nullify magical effects and spells. When Vimar prison is overloaded with dangerous mages they are sent here. We also receive magical prisoners that are on death row, since we are closer to the gallows,” Bea informed the prince.

“And how many of them are on death-row?”

“Five of them. One for necromancy, one for the summoning and worship of demons, one for molesting and killing a colt, one for mind manipulation of a noble-mare, and one for patricide. You are here regarding the spiritborne who committed patricide, and you will find his cell furthest in the back.”

The prince nodded in thanks and held up the end of his tail. His two guards stopped and saluted. They took a step back and Vigilant walked alone to the cell. The prisoners eyed him either with fear or hunger which made him shudder. Once he reached Qurous’ cell he saw a frail figure in the corner of the small containment device. A sheet had been pulled over its head and it faced away from the prince.

“Qurous of Uther?”

The figure in the cell turned around and eyed the prince. The stallion’s grey fur almost seemed to glow and his long mane held a faint shine. His eyes were a deep dark blue which glowed ever so often as he observed Vigilant. A long round horn sat upon his forehead and an inhibition ring was locked around it. Qurous’s frowned and he nodded.

“What do you want, mortal?”

Vigilant blinked in surprise and confusion at the way of address, but he recovered and cleared his throat. “I need to speak about your father.”

Qurous just looked at the prince with a blank expression. “What about him?”

“Your father was researching the disease which had afflicted my mother. Kira, the royal healer, thought he had made progress in figuring out the cause for the illness. I hope you may know something since it would prevent it from happening again,” Vigilant said.

“I know nothing which can help you, prince. My father was the one who did the research and the one who wrote notes. I merely helped him, a position I enjoyed.”

“Why did you kill him, then?”

Qurous stood up and scowled at the prince. “You think you are someone, don’t you? That your pathetic mortal life matters? I remember the notion of killing him coming over me after we met with that red-skinned cosean. I just felt like doing it and did it. I do not feel guilt or remorse. If I wanted to I could leave this cell and kill you! I am a spiritborne, we can not feel remorse, sadness, or guilt, we aren’t like you!”

Vigilant looked at the imprisoned stallion with pity. “Then why are you crying?”

Qurous had not seemed to notice the tears which streamed down his cheeks. He raised a hoof to wipe them away and growled at Vigilant. The spiritborne sniffed and sat down in the corner again. He pulled the blanket over him and muttered.

“I do not care for your mortal ills and problems. I do not feel remorse or guilt for what I did, I can not feel them.”

“If you wanted to leave you could, you said so yourself. So why do you still stay in a cell waiting to be executed? Unless you feel guilty for what you did,” Vigilant said.

“I do not feel guilt, I can not,” Qurous muttered.

“Is that from what others have told you, or from what you know about yourself?” the prince asked.

The spiritborne kept quiet.

Vigilant sighed. “You said you met with a cosean stallion with red skin before you murdered your father. He might have done something. I have heard a very similar story from other ponies who knew too much about my mother’s death. The red stallion has done this before. I do not know what happened the night you killed your father, but I am almost certain the people I am hunting had something to do with it. They stole memories before, and I would not put it past them to manipulate someone’s mind. Perhaps you killed your father in a mad rage, maybe you just had the urge as you claimed. Or maybe you were forced to do it. You can believe what you want, I have what I came for. The rest is up to you.”

Qurous eyed him as he left before he rolled over to face the wall once more. Vigilant walked over to the warden and bowed his head in thanks. His two bodyguards placed themselves beside him and nodded.

“Did you find what came for?” Bea asked.

“Yes and no. I got something out of this visit. Now I hope he finds what he is looking for,” Vigilant said and descended down the stairs.

The warden eyed him with confusion before she turned her gaze on the imprisoned spiritborne. Bea eyed the strange stallion with suspicion before she walked away.

Once they exited the building and headed back to the palace Vigilant’s two guards eyed him curiously. One of the mares opened her mouth as if she would say something, but then she closed it and shook her head.

“Do you wish to watch the execution, your highness?” the other guard said with a casual tone and a grin.

“Leah! This is the prince! We can’t take him to such macabre events!” the other guard exclaimed.

“Relax Nima, I am certain he can take a joke. He isn’t a farm stallion, he is of capital stock,” Leah said and nudged Vigilant.

The prince frowned at the display. “While I appreciate it, I am not fond of the idea of watching someone get hanged. Even if death is deserved. I just… I have seen too much death in one week.”

Leah’s ears fell and she nodded. “Of course, I’m… I am sorry, your highness.”

Nima glared at her counterpart. “See! I told you!”

“No, it is fine. As I said, I appreciate the attempt at levity. I could use some more of that after this week. Perhaps we’ll go see something macabre after I am crowned king. I am relatively certain I won’t shed a tear for the mare who violated a foal. Nor for the warlock.”

Leah’s smile returned and she bowed her head. “Thank you, your highness.”

As the three took a right to the market district they were faced with a large crowd. The closer they got to the crowd the louder the cries and screams were. They held up banners of the crown, burning them. Vigilant swallowed thickly and looked to his bodyguards. The two mares eyed the abandoned market stalls and a smashed window by one of the cafes. They motioned for Vigilant to turn around, only for a mare to point at them.

“There he is! There is the devil!”

The crowd’s attention was fixed on Vigilant and they quickly surrounded the prince and his bodyguards. Leah and Nima drew their swords and kept the prince between them. Vigilant looked around in panic and breathed faster. One mare yelled and pointed at him while another threw a rock at Nima. Vigilant was barely able to make out what they were yelling about.

“...you greedy bastard! Was it not enough to take your mother’s throne!?”

“You’re a fucking serpent! You will not take any more money! We are already paying half of what we earn because of these damn taxes! Why would you need so much coin!?”

“You are in the pocket of those fucking nobles, aren’t you!? I hope the gods curse you!”

The shouts only grew more frantic and Vigilant noticed a squad of guards who ran towards them. When the guards reached the crowd they were quickly subdued by the mass of angry ponies. Kicks, headbutts, and thrown rocks sent the armored mares to the ground. Vigilant covered between his guards as they yelled for help and forced ponies back. He saw one mare throw a stone which hit Nima in the head. She went down and some from the crowd jumped at the opportunity to kick her.

The prince saw red.

Leah turned around to see the brilliant light which glowed from Vigilant’s horn. She saw the anger in his eyes, the hatred. She reached out towards him with panicked breathing. “Your highness, don’t!”

The crowd screamed as bolts of magic tore themselves from the prince’s horn. They tore through the cobblestone in a magnificent arch before they hit the ponies attacking Nima. The attackers screamed in pain and fell to the ground. Parts of their skin had turned black and they had burn marks across their sides. They moaned in pain and begged for mercy. Vigilant roared and sent out another volley at the rest of the crowd. The ponies screamed in fear and ran, a few fell as they were hit by the magic.

Once Vigilant was done he panted and fell to his haunches. He sat there and eyed the injured commoners, watched them beg for forgiveness and cry for mercy. Vigilant’s lip quivered and he held back tears. He got up and wobbled, looking to Nima. The mare stood up and looked around her in shock before her eyes landed on him.

“What did you do?” she whispered.

Leah grabbed his shoulder and pulled him away from the sight. “We need healers! Healers!!!”

As he was dragged away from the market and up towards the palace Vigilant stared ahead of him with dead eyes. “I didn’t mean to… I… I did not… I never wanted...”

The prince slowly walked back towards the palace as healers and guards rushed past him. When they reached the gates of the palace Sacred Shield met them by the gate. She was frothing at the mouth and screamed at him in rage. Yet the prince just walked past her. The Felreth stopped her screams and grabbed hold of his chin. She looked into his eyes and Vigilant began to cry. Her anger turned to pity, and she ordered a guard to escort him to his room.

Once Vigilant was back in his chambers he laid down on the bed and screamed into his pillow. He slammed his head against the bedrest and cried. Before him he saw a young mare, no older than himself, crying in fear and pain. Her side was burned, and blood pooled from the wound.

“I’m sorry!” he cried. “I am so sorry!”

The council ordered the palace to be closed and for each healer in the city to assist the injured. When night fell upon Kos it was darker than it had ever been before, and the lanterns around the city were extinguished.

Author's Note

Thank you for reading the newest chapter of King of Cosea! I hope you enjoyed it. I would appreciate it if you would comment on your thoughts below. I hope you have a good day!