Galh felt ashamed. He had fled so quickly, not even realizing that she had suffered, that so much had been done to bring him back...
In that case, filial duty tells him to return home.
«Take me to my mother,» he said.
Then he gathered his things and left the mistress of the Nine Beatitudes one thing in case he was looked for.
The journey took several days, during which time Galh questioned his companions about what life was like now and learned many things.
For example, because of the lost mage caste, the balance in the world was upset. Those silly things they did turned out to be very important and without them, things are now sad. But none of that mattered much to Galh.
He rode on horseback and thought about how in this new world he would continue to live with his old love. After two nights together, he became even more attached to the grumpy and rude Leo. Though really, he was only rude for show, wasn't he? And all his actions between the two of them were careful and gentle.
Galh blushed at these thoughts.
Could he send Leo a marriage proposal again?
Was it worth it to reopen that old wound in his soul?
Wasn't it because he didn't like imposition that he started this war?
Couldn't we just call it a day?
Galh even considered selling himself into Leo's harem and being with him at least as a concubine.
But, after all, he had family, country, and responsibilities.
Now they were passing through the lands of the kingdom of Saoui. It was all his home, his territory. It warmed Galh's heart in a strange way, but it also sowed pain.
So, he can't see a face, can't remember people. He didn't even recognize him, even though they had spent the night twice in three days.
Galh pressed his lips together. To begin with, go home and familiarize himself with the situation.
***
«My lord! My lord!»
Leo turned around to see a young man on a white horse catching up with him. Both horse and rider clearly belonged to royalty.
«What?» he turned back arrogantly.
«My Lord, you are Prince Leo, aren't you?»
The prince measured him with a glance and nodded.
«Thank the gods!» The young man dropped to his knees and bowed.
«Uncle?» Leo frowned.
«Master Leo... I was only born when you went to war, I am your nephew - the son of your younger brother, my name is…»
Leo raised his hand. At some point this young man had been talking complete nonsense. His nephew was now a year, a year and a half tops.
«You have me confused with someone else.»
«No, sir, it's just that you've been behind a wall for years. Time has passed. You're over a thousand years old. Only the secret of longevity has allowed the royal family to live to see you.
«...»
«A few days ago I performed a rite of ancient magic and brought you back... I beg you, save my son!»
Everyone stood in silence. Leo felt foolish.
«I'm going home,» he said after a long pause.
«Then we're on our way,» the young man smiled hopefully.
«So you're a prince now?»
«Yes...» the young man replied awkwardly, «but if the lord wishes, I will yield the throne to you, just... save my son.»
«We'll talk at the castle,» Leo mounted his horse and galloped away.
The wind blew through his black hair, and stones sprang from his hooves.
They all followed, and after two days of riding they arrived at the castle.
One glance at his home showed Leo that his «nephew» had not lied. Everything had changed.
A sad woman met them on the doorstep. She hugged her husband and wept. Leo overheard that the child had gotten worse.
He did not put things off and went to see the sick man.
The little boy, about four years old, was lying on a huge, snow-white bed, like a little blot. He was motionless and lethargic. He did not even speak.
«What's the matter with him?» Leo asked seriously.
«The healers say he was born with weak vitality.»
«What makes you think I can help him?» Leo asked gruffly.
He hated having unreasonable expectations placed on him.
The prince knelt at his child's bedside.
«My lord! Only the kingdom of Rau has preserved the ancient knowledge to cure such an ailment. But we have tried everything from heaven to hell to convince them, but to no avail.»
«Pf! Those arrogant bastards!» Leo answered. «So what do you want from me?»
«You're the only one they've always been afraid of...» the young man muttered. His wife put her snow-white hands on his shoulders and comforted him.
«Well... there were unresolved issues between us... it seems worth a visit to our western neighbors,» Leo replied thoughtfully and hurried to leave the sick man's dismal room.
He went out into the courtyard and ordered breakfast to be served. Then he went to see the stables of the castle.
Unfortunately, there was nothing left of his former glory. He looked with amazement at how impoverished his country had become.
Sitting at the table with his nephew and his wife, Leo asked about things in the state.
Things were bad. Year after year, natural disasters, monsters, pestilence, and disease had been destroying the ordinary lives of the people since the mages had disappeared. The kingdom had become impoverished. But their country was not the only one to suffer, the Rau were also in severe crisis.
«For years on end, they tried to revive the mage caste, but no one had the seed. The last and most powerful mage in their kingdom died in that war,» the nephew added quietly.
«Are you... are you really talking about...»
«Prince Galh. He was the most powerful mage of his generation. He could revive those traditions and the school if he were alive... but we still hope that your Highness can convince Rau to save our child.»
«Is this your only son?»
«Yes.»
The man has risen.
«I will go to the child... alone.»
The man went up to the sick baby's room again. He looked so weak and helpless, lonely and sad.
«Are you not hungry, little one?»
«No...» the child answered faintly.
«Would you like to be healthy again? Are your parents worried about you?»
The child nodded.
Leo stroked his little white fingers with his fingertip and his heart clenched. If he had a son himself, he would call the devil himself just to save him.
He left the room and heard a noise downstairs.
«A report! A report!»
«What is it?»
«Rau! Prince Galh! He's back!»
«...!»
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