[Mid-morning]

[Location -

Within the tent of the Crown Prince, of the Southern Kingdom’s troops hideout, on the lands of the Empire, a worn and frustrated Prince sat behind a large, wooden table while a nervous and concerned noble servant named Cyrus stood in his presence. He addressed the Prince, mindful of the words he did say 

Cyrus: But, Your Highness, this is the second correspondence from His Majesty received, requesting your return. Should you not heed it? I fear that he may…may have both of our heads if we do not leave now.

Roman: …

Cyrus: Your Highness?

Roman: …How did father come to know?

Cyrus: My Prince, I believe that- I mean, it’s quite possible that one of Prince Damian’s men reported it to His Majesty

Roman: ….

Cyrus: ….

Roman: Very well then. I will go. 

Cyrus: -sigh- I shall accompany you then

Roman: No. 

He stood. And as he did, he closed his eyes and further stated

Roman: I need you here. Remain with the men and stay alert. Have my horse brought to me instead.

Cyrus: At once, my Prince

With a sharp bow of the head, Cyrus turned to exit the tent, but suddenly a soldier hesitantly entered.

He glanced at Cyrus’ face and then looked ahead, towards Roman. And with a nod of the head he said 

Soldier: Pardon me Your Royal Highness. But you have guests. They’re-

They did not require an announcement of who they were, Roman already knew. His father’s men. And the three of them entered his tent without so much acknowledging the soldier’s or Cyrus’ presence; they stood tall and threatening. 

The first one to enter, immediately spoke. His words, loud and clear.

-- Good day, Your Royal Highness. In the name of your father, the King, His Majesty Valentin Du Mont, we are hereby ordered to escort you back to the Castle immediately. You are to accompany us this instant. 

**

**

[Mid Afternoon- At the Southern Kingdom’s Castle]

His father’s study was where he was being led to. Neither for his protection nor for fear of him becoming lost on his way there but the soldiers accompanied him the entire way. 

Upon entering, Roman saw that his father, along with Damian and a few other Generals were gathered. They stood around the table used for strategizing their raids and battle plans; at once, they all turned and looked his way.

Before the double doors could even be properly shut behind him, he felt a heavy and hard blow to his face. It burned and stung as if his skin were on fire. With the touch of his tongue on the inside of his cheek, he felt as though it was in fact so. 

King Valentin: LOOK AT ME BOY!

It was not deliberate, but Roman’s head faced downwards, solely from the force of his father’s blow. Bringing his eyes to meet those of his father, Roman stared coldly. 

King Valentin: WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?! When I summon you, you are to COME AT ONCE!! UNDERSTAND ME?!! 

Roman: Yes, father.

King Valentin: Did you think that I would not find out? That I would not know? You must truly  take me for a fool. Damian reported to me what you and your men were up to. Did I order you to attack that village?!

Roman: No, father

King Valentin: Months upon months upon months of planning. GONE! Because of you!  Out of everyone to ever be in my presence, I least expected you to be a disappointment. If only you were someone lesser than, I would have your head before me this instant. But still…

The King simply let his words trail off and opted to menacingly glare into his son’s eyes instead. 

King Valentin: Join us at the table. Now. 

Roman: Yes, father

**

**

The King remained with his Generals as both Princes were later dismissed from their father’s study. 

Even without a word being said, Damian felt his brother’s rage and hatred being directed towards him as they walked side by side. His brother a step ahead, Damian glanced at him. Clearing his throat, he said

Damian: -ahem- Brother…

Roman: What is it?!

Damian: …you have a little something right here.

He indicated to Roman by pointing to his own chin with his thumb. Roman wiped at the spot with the back of his hand and looked at it. Dried blood. 

Damian observed that his brother’s jaw became tense and immediately looked away. While Roman, in a low yet stern register, asked  

Roman: Are you happy? We’re even now.

Damian: What do you mean by ‘we’re even now’?

Roman: What do you think I mean? Your intentions were quite clear

Damian: You think I intentionally did this? For what? Revenge? Brother, I would ne-

Roman: Just stop. I do not require to know what you will or will never do

Damian: -sigh- When are you going to move on from that incident? Besides, it’s not just about us anymore Roman. Didn't you hear what father said in there? He intends to send Alex along with us - into battle, Roman. Shouldn’t we do something?

Roman: …

Damian: You know Alex’s fighting skills aren't what it should be for his age. Shouldn’t we help him?

Roman: …

Damian: …

Roman: And by ‘we’ you mean me, don’t you? 

Damian: Aren’t you the best at everything? Who else better to train him? I’m certain that you can easily do it.

Roman came to a sudden halt and hung his head low in thought. 

Taken by surprise by the abrupt stop, Damian turned and asked

Damian: So, will you do it? …Brother?... Roman?

Without reply, Roman locked eyes with his brother and continued on his way. Striding past Damian and turning off into another hallway.

----------*----------

3rd August 18xx

Around the campsite it came sniffing. I refuse to allow that sneaky dog to get away and make a fool of me. I know I shot him- I never miss. These incompetent men that father has as soldiers irritate me so. They pursued but failed to capture it. 

In search of the Empire’s dog, I had my men attack and completely burn down the adjacent village to his last known location yesterday.  I did it without father’s knowledge or consent. It was solely on my orders. There was a festival of some kind ongoing when we struck.

---------*---------

I know that my actions went against the plans he had set and that I acted rashly. 

But, if only I had not failed to locate the spy maybe then, father may have overlooked my actions. Therefore, I was rightfully punished. I fully accept father’s anger and his current disappointment in me. 

*

I failed to feel the pain immediately or the blood which had dried on my chin until Damian pointed out the latter to me. Throughout the entire meeting, I became lost in my own thoughts. I could not focus. 

*

Let bygones be bygones. Or so he claims. For I am quite certain that Damian desired for my humiliation and to take pride in seeing me at my lowest and out of favour with father.

He did, however, catch me off guard with his proposal. Admittedly, it did not occur to me that father would send Alexander into this battle. Why would he? I may take his proposal under consideration. 

-----

----------*-----------

5th August 18xx

Father’s been somewhat unrelenting in his anger towards me. Every meeting thus far with the Generals, he, without fail, mentions that I am the reason for the changes in his battle strategy. My face has grown numb to the pain from his blows.

With all this said, on another note, I have come to the conclusion that the spy is neither dead nor has he returned to his kennel. Simply hiding. The men are scouting the area and they better not disappoint me.

The poison’s effect should have immobilised him. So he should not have gotten far. The poison works too slowly. It needs to be deadlier. 

Research is ongoing but I am growing ever impatient with myself. Though, I have found many possible ways to increase its potency - narrowing it down to only one is currently difficult. 

My samples have been maturing well. The use of algae seems viable at the moment. Salted water appears to have a molecular effect in breaking down the cell walls of the bacteria and thereby releasing its toxins. 

More research is required. Nonetheless, a wonderful discovery. Then on to testing with the use of live subjects. 

-----

[Two days later]

*

[Late afternoon]

Having been dismissed by their father; Damian searched for Alex as the King required his presence, while Roman slowly retreated to the quiet of his cabin, after being trapped in his father’s study for yet another long afternoon of battle strategies, planning and humiliation. 

Alex, however, was somewhere he knew that he should not be.

His brother's cabin was off limits, but he risked receiving both his brother's anger and his father's disciplining in order to follow in his brothers' footsteps and entered anyway. 

To his immediate disappointment, it was empty. A single lit lamp hung on the wall. Its little golden flame flickered as he entered. However, he could not help but notice that everything inside was chaotic and yet organised. Everything in its place and yet not. 

Alex was certain that though his big brother left his lab dishevelled, he would notice in an instant if anything went missing or was disturbed. 

He saw that even stranger things had occupied the cabin since last he remembered. Things hung from above. Draped so to speak; over wooden poles, left to dry. Glass jars with various coloured fungi inside were stocked on the shelves. Crates stacked on top of one another with occupants constantly clawing and scratching from within. 

Into the topmost one he peered; barely lifting the wooden cover, within he saw - Rats. He counted five. Usually, they were dirty, ragged looking things but these appeared clean and well cared for. 

{What could my brother possibly be doing with these?}

With a puzzled look, he placed the lid down and observed the large desk in the middle of the room. It was completely buried with parchment and books. Medical journals were stacked and splayed open, displaying countless words and diagrams. The familiar scribblings of his brother, written in the margins and anywhere that there were open spaces on the page, made Alex smile a little. 

Black - were the writings and the illustrations on the parchments and also of the closed leather bound book next to the inkwell and quill. 

Curiosity got the better of him. Briefly, he glanced around the room and then towards the front door. 

Cautiously, he opened the book; leaving it where it lay.  

And he began to read the contents of the personal journal. 

**

**

The Crown Prince was taken by surprise. His continuous and repetitive ruminations severed upon entering his cabin 

Roman: Alexander!?

Alex: I know, I know. I shouldn’t be in here

Roman: Then, why are you?

Roman entered; passing the threshold of the cabin with a narrowed stare at his brother. 

At once Alex noted that one side of his brother’s face was heavily bruised. Red and blotchy and quite swollen. His brother also appeared saddened, with dark and heavy eyes. 

Alex inquired of him; pain and genuine concern in his voice

Alex: Brother, are you okay?

His question was unheard and unacknowledged, as Roman had his eyes upon his open journal. Following his brother's gaze, Alex silently berated himself for being so forgetful and slowly retreated a few steps. 

The Crown Prince approached the desk and closing his journal, he coolly repeated the question 

Roman: Why are you here?

Naturally, Alex dropped his gaze. The pounding in his chest now made his speech quiver as he spoke

Alex: I- I came to ask for a favour…

There was no reply but his brother’s eyes were back on him. He could feel them. So, he nervously swallowed and continued

Alex: Uhm,...you’re the best out of all the Southern troops, even Peter, and he was the one who trained you. …I was wondering…if you would be willing to train me?

Roman: …

Alex immediately regretted his decision to come and ask such a silly request and thought maybe he should excuse himself and leave but instead for some reason, he remained fixed to the spot at which he stood.

It seemed as though his brother would never answer, then

Roman: And what’s in it for me?

Alex: w-What do you mean?

Roman: I mean…you are asking me to sacrifice my time and energy to train you. Therefore, I ask you...what’s in it for me?

Alex: ...

Roman: Alexander?

He looked up at his brother. Though he appeared a younger version of his father, the way Roman spoke was as strong and stern as him, which made Alex reply

Alex: Yes, fath- I mean, yes, brother?

Roman: You often act out based on your emotions. Forethought. Planning. Thinking things through first, is what’s required - as a Prince, and as a future leader. It’s what is required of you.

Alex perceived that his brother’s words were laced with blame for what transpired with their mother and so, he lowered his eyes again. This action however, resulted in him failing to see the ever so tiny; a twitch of a smile, on his brother’s lips.

Roman: Alexander?

Alex: Yes, brother?

Roman: I’ll train you

**

**

A little later, in the gardens outside of Roman’s cabin, a trusted friend and General met with Roman. He left the encampments at the border to give a report. Something of great interest in which the scouts had encountered

Roman: Three of them? The same ones as before?

Cyrus: I am uncertain my Prince but I have ordered the men in your absence, to follow and not to engage

Roman: Very well…

Damian: Roman!

Roman: Go on ahead. I’ll be there shortly Cyrus 

Cyrus: Yes, Your Highness

As Damian approached,  he came running asking

Damian: Wait. Who was that? Was that…Cyrus?

Irritated by the interruption, his brother’s questions and also that he was now being followed, Roman demanded

Roman: What do you want Damian?!

Damian: Alex. Have you seen him? He’s not in his study as usual

Roman: He was here. I already sent him to go see father. 

Damian: Well, I suppose, that’s that then. 

Damian came to a stop but Roman continued on his way; heading off in the same direction as Cyrus. 

After him, Damian called asking

Damian: Where are you off to? What’s the hurry?

Roman: There’s something I need to tend to

➵