Lestan stared in horror on a blood circle. It was very huge drawn with a lot of blood. He thought that even all those enemy soldiers here could fit in that circle. He couldn't even imagine how that Vizier managed to do it. First he needed to make a huge sacrifice from a lot of people, second use whole their blood to draw that circle. It was perfectly drawn, though it was necessary to be if spell was about to work.

Hundreds of eyes stared at him, while Vizier was still reciting a spell. Red smog was getting out from the circle and was getting thicker. That was a sign the spell was almost ready to be executed. Prince had no time to waste. He rushed Pegas to the crowd.

"Tutela," he said and he along with his horse glowed in blue color.

They charged at enemies throwing some of them in all directions. Then he jumped over the rest of them to land just next to the circle. Enemies rushed at him, but he wasn't scare of them. He looked behind him to see his horse dashing in the opposite direction.

"Procella," he yelled.

A strong wind appeared around him and pushed all the enemies far away from him. He looked at Vizier who was unfazed. He could see a magic barrier surrounding him. So attacking him with the sword wouldn't have any effect. Breaking the barrier would take far too much time. He didn't have any to spare.

His target was that circle, breaking it would stop the spell. He tried to rub it with his boot, but it didn't work. Then he unsheathed his sword and tried to scrape it with its blade. It didn't work either; the blood was too dried on the stone ground. He noticed a smirk on Vizier's face. That would only mean it wouldn't be so easy. It seems that Vizier prepared himself for such eventuality.

He needed to think quickly, he searched in his memory for a fitting spell for this. Unfortunately nothing could wash the circle in this situation. Then another idea came to his head. What if he wouldn't attack the circle directly, but the ground? He grabbed his sword with both hands and raised it above his head.

"Perhorresco," he screamed out loud and with his whole strength he bashed the ground just next to the circle. The ground was shaken for a moment and stone block under that part of the circle cracked. Soldiers that were dashing to him just a moment ago stopped. The red smog started to vanish and Vizier swore under his nose.

"You-" Vizier started, but his voice cracked.

Lestan was kneeling tired from using this spell. He had never used it before, he even didn't properly learn what was needed in order to use it, but he still was able to cast it anyway. He knew it was possible only because of the amulet. Nevertheless using a spell he didn't know was too tiring for him. A commander of Derasian army approached him, obviously to kill him.

Lestan smirked to him and when was about to cut him and arrow hit his hands forcing him to drop his sword behind him.

"Step away from my brother." Kastan said holding a bow while sitting on his horse. Next horsemen came after him and surrounded the rest of the soldiers.

Lestan stood up and saw his father with Rohan approaching him. After him was his own horse. Lestan came to him and patted.

"You were great Pegas." Prince said to his horse. "I barely stopped it in time; I thought it would take longer." He stated to Rohan.

"I too, it seems Derasians are unbelievably good at magic." Rohan exclaimed and approach the enemy Vizier. "So that was your plan? No one ever should use such forbidden magic." Then he took of his staff, pointed it at him and Vizier stood with his arms bounded with invisible force. "I'll take care of him and check everything they know about magic."

"Good Idea, now we only wait for Kastan to bring the Derasian King and it will be finally over." King stated.

"Finally," Lestan sighed.

"And we wouldn't do that without you, my son, I couldn't be more proud." Araman praised him.

"Yeah, right," Lestan whispered to himself while climbing up on his horse. "I'm going back to the camp, Father." He said to the king.

"Of course, you deserved to rest now. You did a splendid job." Araman replied.

Every soldier saluted to him and he dashed back to the camp.

***********************

Jarred was waiting for Lestan at the same place where he was when prince was leaving. He greeted him with a wide smile.

"So you did it." Jarred didn't ask, but stated. "How was it? How are you feeling?"

"Tired and hungry," Lestan answered climbing down Pegas.

"Go rest to your tent and I'll bring you dinner, then you can tell me how brave you were." Jarred said wearing a warm smile.

Lestan went back to his tent and took of his clothes. He approached the basin and cleaned himself, then dried with a cloth. He put his blue pajamas pants and gray shirt. He sat at the table and sighed. That was the most intensive experience in his life and he lived a lot for 22 years old person; especially for a prince.

Originally he suppose to live the noble live and learn how to lead armies to war. He decided to do differently. He would rather go for adventures than to fight in wars. He was on few and today he also considered one, but it wasn't that fun like he had before. War is nowhere close to what he wanted to do in his life.

Jarred came with food to the tent and sat with Lestan. They both ate together and talked about what happened this day. Jarred was Lestan's friend from time they were children. After that he became his servant to always stay at his side. Jarred was the most trusted person in Lestan's life. He always wondered how Jarred could tolerate him for whole this time. He knew he wasn't easy to be put with, but Jarred never even complained. Jarred knew him the best, so he knew how Lestan was in reality.

After long talk Lestan fell asleep in his bed. He had another nightmare in which he was drowning in a quicksand. He woke up to see his father next to him.

"Good, you're awake, Lestan," Araman remarked.

"Dad, what are you doing here?" Prince asked rubbing his eyes.

"I wanted to talk to you, Lestan. Tomorrow morning we're leaving, but not home, we'll visit Azury. King Serry helped us immensely, so it would be mad manners to not thank him personally. It will be also the great opportunity for you to meet him." King said while his son was getting up to sit position.

Lestan sighed. "Very well Dad, but I really would like to go home though. I need to speak with you, but this is not a proper place for that. I hoped that we'd talk at home, but it won't happen in some time, so Azurian palace would serve that role." Lestan stated.

"Very well my son. I will be busy whole day, but you rest, you deserved it the most." Father put his arms on Lestan's shoulders and left.

Then prince yelled, "Jarred!"

Jarred came immediately and approached his bed.

"What's the matter, Lestan?" He asked with concern.

Lestan took a deep breath. "Did you hear about Azury?" He asked.

"Yes, your father just told me," Jarred answered.

"I wanted to talk with him at home, but it can't wait any longer. It will need to be there." Prince explained.

"Yes, unfortunately we won't be home for some time, but let's have hope that it would be comfortable enough," Jarred replied.

"Yes." He sighed. "Please bring me some food."

"But of course. I'll be right back." Jarred said and left.

In the rest of the day he packed his belongings and prepared for the leave next morning. He also talked with his brother Kastan, which needs to stay in Derasia to finalize the war process. Lestan never was interested in that kind of things, so he didn't knew exactly what he'll be doing.

The next morning at dawn Lestan prepared himself for leaving. Jarred put his mattress on the cart that Lestan could use it when he'd need to rest during the journey. Prince would most of the way spend on his horse, but will need to rest at some point.

After sometime he noticed something in his cart. He rode to it and uncovered the veil. He raised his eyebrow at the sight.

"Hello there Prince," Asoke giggled.

"What are you doing here?" Lestan was certainly annoyed by the thief's presence.

"Returning home, of course," Asoke answered.

"You're from Azury?" Lestan asked surprised.

"Yeah, when I heard you guys were going there, so I decided to come along," Asoke smirked.

"But this is my bed." Lestan tried to hide his irritation.

"Don't worry, when you'll want to hop in then I'll hop on your horse then." Asoke chuckled.

Lestan grunted. "Let be it." He rolled his eyes. Then he rode back to Jarred.

"What was that?" He asked curiously.

"Asoke decided to lie in my bed." Lestan sighed.

Jarred asked, "Asoke, this archer thief?"

"The same one, apparently he's from Azury and wants to return there." Lestan answered.

"I can order soldiers to get him out of there." Jarred propose.

"No, let him be. He saved me after all, let's show him some hospitality." Lestan stated.

"As you wish, Prince," Jarred sighed.

After sometime Lestan felt tired and decided to switch with Asoke. He climbed into the cart from his horse and lay down next to Asoke, who made him more space.

"It's your turn to ride the horse," Lestan stated.

"Nope, I'm good." Asoke replied.

Lestan grunted. "You said-"

"But maybe I changed my mind." He giggled.

Lestan sighed.

"What is your name, by the way?" Asoke asked.

"What for you want to know that?" Lestan asked in return.

"To call you by your name, of course," Asoke laughed.

"You'll address me the Prince, like everyone else." Lestan exclaimed.

"You're no fun." Asoke smirked and looked away.

Lestan rolled his eyes. "Fine, it's Lestan."

"What?" Asoke looked at him again.

"My name is Lestan." He replied annoyed. He didn't really know why he was amusing his guest. Some kind of sympathy started to appear in him.

"Here you go. Nice to meet to you Lestan," Asoke shook his hand.

Lestan shook his head. No one ever would dare to behave that way to a prince, but the boy in front of him seemed to be very carefree. He reminded him Jarred at some point. Only he could behave however he wanted to in prince's presence, though he was cautious to not go overboard with that.

Asoke accompanied Lestan the whole journey. They talked a little, but not really about something important. Lestan was always cautious in his presence though, like he couldn't completely trust him. It wasn't long though when they reached Azury, barely three days.

"See you around Prince Lestan." Asoke said with a smirk, waving his hand and left.

Lestan sighed with relief and looked at his father who approached him.

Araman said, "Ready son? Let's go meet the king." He said with a smile.

They went together between Azurian guards saluting them until they reached the throne room. On throne sat Serry, King of Azury. When he saw them, he stood to approach them. Nevertheless Lestan's focus was elsewhere. His gaze was on a large hourglass with sparkling in blue color sand inside.

Then he said out loud, "The Sands of Time."