we are aching bones and wasted years; any

[magnus]

you and I both know that the house is haunted
and you and I both know that the ghost is me

The guilt feels like a physical weight lodged in his throat as he looks at the despair in his own son’s eyes—at the cruel way the world had treated him. It seemed so unfair that Ledger had constantly been given such a bad hand, time and time again fighting an uphill battle. Magnus exhaled sharply, closing his eyes for a second before gathering himself—reminding himself that he needed to be strong for Ledger.

“Where you will always find him,” Magnus’ smile is bitter and sharp on the edges. “The Chamber.” He knew his father better than most, having been around when Atrox was still vaguely interested in having a family with Twinge. He had lived in the jungle that the panther-stallion had visited often and then served in his father’s Kingdom but had never been able to claim it as his own. It just didn’t ring to him.

Nudging his son gently in the neck, he helped support him. “We have quite the journey ahead of us, so we should start soon,” his voice is husky and low, Magnus thanking the heavens that he had begun to regain the majority of his strength. It would be a backbreaking journey to support Ledger the entire way to the Chamber without it. Forcing a smile, Magnus began to step forward. “Have I ever told you stories of your grandfather, son?” He laughs lightly, trying to lighten the mood and distract his son. “I have quite a few.”

And, together, they make their way to the source of the panther’s heartbeat.

MAGNUS

once general. once lord. once king.