The Value of a Life – Part 4

“You see, Boy, I’m in charge of the royal household and all its servants. And the King is in need of another runner to take messages back and forth in the palace.” The man knelt to be eye level with Mouse. “Would you be interested in that job?”

Mouse nodded vigorously. “Oh, yes Sir. I’d take whatever job you’d be offering.”

“First off, you can call me Tarc.” The man smiled and stood. “But before you officially accept the job, let me explain what’s required of someone entering the King’s service.

“As you know, lives are power and longevity. Being employed by the King, it would greatly benefit us to see the King stay in power as long as possible. To help achieve that, every member of the King’s household pledges a life to him upon entering service.”

Mouse’s eyes widened. “I’d have to give the King one of my lives? But I don’t have many, Tarc, Sir. Only 5 now.”

It was Tarc’s eyes that widened now, but he quickly covered it. “Well Mouse, it’s your decision. But I’m afraid that’s the only way I could offer you the position. Think of it as an investment.”

“An investment?” Mouse raised his eyebrows.

“You give one life now, but you get a lot more in time,” Tarc explained.

Mouse looked to Zeno, and his chest tightened at the trust already built between them. Zeno nodded at the boy. “It’s how I started out, and I have a lot more lives now. It was worth the sacrifice.” For Zeno understood all too well what a sacrifice that one life would be for Mouse.

Mouse swallowed and nodded his head. “I’ll pledge a life to the King,” he said solemnly but surely.

…

What do you think of the story so far? Do you think Mouse should pledge a life to the King? Let us know in the comments!

Thanks so much for reading!

Clever & WTF