The distance between the two kingdoms by horseback was only half a day so the group approached well after noon. If this so called truce request took as little time as he hoped they could make it back before the date changed. The idea of having to camp out was anything but appealing to him. He let out a sigh as they closed in on the castle where their welcome party awaited.

Once there, the prince descended, gave the saddle reins to one of the lesser of the group whom their only reason for being there was to watch the horses.

“Your royal highness.” The Raspan guards bowed as Yuki pushed his way past. Waiting was not in his list of things he wished to do.

When he noticed no one immediately followed suit, the man turned and tossed an impatient glance. “I do not have all day. Hurry up.” His own guards sighed and urged the others to not take offense and just hurry ahead.

Ah how they remembered the time their prince radiated with an aura fit for one of his stature.

That time seemed longer than just a year ago.

Now the bright light which once enveloped him was dimly lit; flickering as if it could die out any minute.

Leading the group to the meeting hall, the two escorts bowed and held the doors open for them to enter.

As Yuki entered, Raspan king Ren flashed the other royal a grin and urged him forward.

Once only a few feet was left between them, Yuki glanced once at the older royal and spared a second towards the younger royal beside him. He looked...like a younger version of his beloved. Yuki clenched his teeth. Of course the first thing he is reminded of while here was Ryu.

What was the guys name...Van? Ah who cares about look alikes. That was too much for him to handle at that moment.

Looking back to the king, Yuki cleared his throat. “I believe you have an idea why we are here. I also believe you would rather not a long meeting either. So let me make this simple. Will you. Or will you not accept to a truce?” He questioned.

Ren immediately responded with acceptance to which Yuki nodded and already made his way to leave.

Short and simple. What more could he ask for?

The answer to that is not the next words out of the kings mouth.

“I accept...only in exchange for your life.” Aha there it was. The catch. In a way it made sense. They had believed Yuki the murderer so how best to pay the price for Ryu's life?

“A eye for an eye right?” Yuki turned around and folded his arms around his chest. “Unfortunately for you, I refuse that exchange. I would never have harmed him in such a way, so I refuse to end my life in this type of way. Did I really come here just for this? How better to start a war than a waste of time.” Making his way closer towards the door, Yuki spoke his mind once more before fully exiting the area. “See you on the battlefield.”

Leaving the castle as fast as his long legs could carry him, Yuki pressed his hands to his forehead and cried in frustration as his company ran to catch up. “I would have rather a handwritten letter stating ‘your life or war’ than a waste of time like this.”

To which the tattooed man, Neo, pat his prince sympathetically on the shoulder. “My apologies. None of us were hoping for this either. We can only hope the king or his son open their eyes and stop this madness.” Yuki let out another groan.

One could only hope right?

Today certainly was not this prince's day.

Shortly after departing a surprise storm sneaked upon them forcing the group of unmerry men to find shelter for the night.

A shelter was not likely to appear out of the blue. So the guards took matters into their own hands.

Magic was such a nifty ability.

Dismounted from their saddles, the royal guards took it upon themselves to provide sanctuary. Soft white light glowed from each of their palms as they reached towards nearby trees. Concentration leading them to turn simple ordinary trees into logs. From logs into a basic cabin. Doubled with the blankets stuffed into bags attached to the saddles they would have something to provide them shelter and a place of rest.

The horses were not forgotten either for the guards also created a little temporary stable.

Just watching the show of magic made Yuki sick to his stomach. It made him feel inferior; useless. Yet he stayed silent for once with his complaints.

Once the rest had fallen asleep; all but the one on guard duty, Neo, the prince bolted from his makeshift bed in the cabin surrounded by snores of every vocal range. They both shared a glance before the guard turned his nose away. He wouldn't speak of Yuki's night adventure as long as he returned swiftly and unharmed.

Once he received the okay to leave, Yuki let his legs carry him towards a nearby river bed.

One of the first places him and Ryu spent quality time together. This specific area was one they frequented a lot as well. What luck it was so close to camp.

Or could it also have been considered bad luck?