Generational Bridge

An older man spoke to his younger son on the balcony of a kingdom.
Speaking from a king to his prince, a speech captured in a gaze
One day you turn will be to lead.
These words echoed in his silence

The world weariness in his eyes, the smile in his face
I prepared you, gave you all the weapons you can use
Your people need you, my time as King has come and will be gone

The people need you, the people need their new king
No words could come from my mouth.
How was I prepared, I had long forgotten my training, I knew not my kingship
Maybe it was my eldest brother’s time I thought. No it couldn’t be
He joined the empires army and fought in others lands

Perhaps even if was my other older brother’s time?
I couldn’t even face my mind for asking that
My brother had become a Shepard and left the land years ago.

Maybe it was my true time? No I wasn’t I told myself, I’m not ready
I searched for answers that formed as excuses until my voice rose
Father I looked at him fear in my eyes, Am I ready to lead?
My father looked me in the eye, for the first time he spoke.

No man knows if he is ready to lead until it is thrust upon him, still
Childish ways offend your mind, you are still young and inexperienced.
I looked down. He laid his hand on me and said
But a true king is ready to take the mantle whenever needed.
My father handed it to me, my father to me one day I will to you.

But for now, the mantle is mine but my prince, my son,
One day you will take this mantle from me. I hope to hand it in pride.

He smiled at me the mantle of the king still in his hand
One day you will say this speech to your young prince.
I looked out into the distance at the velvet sunset of the kingdom.

Ok father. I said reaching for the mantle.
I grabbed the top of it, a globe on the top shining
Smiled with a tear going down my face
Keep it well for me. Continue to teach me so I may handle it when the time comes

My father gripped the mantle, placed the globe on my head smiled then said.
Until my last breath.