The Conqueror

Nicholas walked across the long green grass covering the cliffs projecting an aura of pride and accomplishment prepared to look upon his newly conquered land. He came over the hill and laid eyes on an ocean far below and beyond the cliffs. Nicholas stopped and looked out to the vast expanse staring in awe, the power of the waves crashing down reminded him of his insignificance but simultaneously comforting. The conqueror threw down his sword and set his armor down on the grass and sat to marvel at the sea, the wind brushed through his hair and swept the grass around him. Nicholas sat for hours in silence as if he was studying, simply watching the waves and the beauty of the ocean.
“Sir… are we to set up camp here?” Captain Ordo asked cautiously. Nicholas looked up at the soldier with a look of mild confusion, like he was snapped out of a trance. “The men… sir… they are wondering if we will camp here, as it’s almost nightfall.”
“Yes…yes, we will camp here.” Nicholas said slightly dazed but then returning his eyes to the ocean.
The conqueror sat throughout the night watching and pondering, awestruck by the ocean. In the morning General Leonides arrived thundering on his horse to the camp on the cliff. The General walked triumphantly over to his King.
“My Liege,” Leonides began kneeling behind Nicholas. “Drink with us! Celebrate! The world... belongs to you!”
“No… The world belongs to no one.” Nicholas said in a melancholic but thoughtful tone.
“My Liege?”
Nicholas softly laughed to himself. “I just realized that I …belong to the sea. It’s beckoning me, telling me to come home.” The waves crashed on the rocks below. “My empire will crumble, I will die, truthfully nothing really matters.” Nicholas looked out on the horizon, a tear streaming down his cheek. “It’s telling me to come home.”