Laurence's gaze swept over the forest that blurred as the cart jolted along the trail. The scent of pine was sharp in his nostrils, mingling with the musk of damp soil.

His hands, wrapped in bandages that were already fraying at the edges, stung with the protest of new calluses. He flexed his fingers, grimacing as the rough fabric grazed sensitive skin still tender from his unaccustomed labor.

The cart hit a particularly deep rut, and Laurence winced as the jolt sent a fresh wave of pain through his palms. Yet, as he studied the bandages, a small sense of accomplishment welled up in his chest. He'd never worked so hard at something physical before. Never pushed his body enough to induce the soreness in his muscles.

He flexed his fingers again, this time relishing the burn. The pain meant growth. Meant change. It was the price of hopefully one day transforming from a sheltered prince into someone who could truly help his people.

Avril sat quietly beside Laurence, legs kicking idly from where they hung over the edge of the cart. His eyes were half-closed, yet he remained observant at all times.

"Careful," Avril murmured suddenly, throwing out an arm to steady Laurence as the cart swerved to avoid a gnarled root snaking across the path. Laurence flinched away and gripped the side of the cart to keep himself stable, feeling the thrum of the wheels over uneven ground.

The knight's casual touch burned like acid on the prince’s skin. Avril's constant hovering grated on Laurence’s nerves; a perpetual reminder of his own inadequacy.

Eventually, they came to a point near a clearing where the path began to split off in two different directions, making the cart slow to a creaking halt.

One of the woodcutters, a burly man with arms like knotted oak, jumped off with ease. His boots crunched on the bed of pine needles below as he walked toward the end of the cart where the prince and his knight sat.

"End of the line for you two," he declared, his bushy mustache lifting to show off his wide grin. "Nelbrek's just a few hours westward."

Laurence nodded in understanding as he gingerly stepped down onto the soft earthen floor of the clearing. "Thank you again for the ride," he said sincerely.

"You earned your place,” the man said with a shrug, before his face shifted to a more stern expression. “Now you two young ones watch yourselves from here. The road can be treacherous around these parts. Riddled with bandits and beasts."

Avril hopped down beside Laurence and replied lightly. "We'll be sure to keep our eyes open."

"Yes, the warning is appreciated," Laurence agreed, straightening his glasses on his nose.

He waved as the man climbed back onto the large cart, in which three rocheros’ were needed to pull the group of burly men alongside their heavy piles of secured logs. As the woodcutters continued down the uneven road, Laurence’s gaze lingered on them until they finally turned a corner and disappeared behind the foliage.

*****

Light began to wane, the sun dipping below the high treetops, as Laurence led the way with his gifted map. They were still approximately half an hour away from the village, but he was hopeful they could reach it before night truly fell.

It was then that it came—a piercing, desperate cry.

"Help! Somebody, please!"

Laurence's heart skipped a beat and, without hesitation, he bolted toward the sound as leaves crunched loudly beneath his boots.

"You can’t be serious—!" Avril called after him, a hint of annoyance in his tone, but he was quick to take off on Laurence's heels.

As the cries grew louder, more frantic, Laurence pushed himself harder. Branches snapped against his face, leaving thin red welts on his cheeks, but he didn't slow.

He burst into another clearing, this one taken up by a wide river, and found the source of the panic.

Inside an alcove of rocks was a young woman with auburn hair, her arms protectively encircling a small boy who clung to her tightly. The child's eyes were wide with terror, his round cheeks blotched with red from crying.

A giant, four-legged animal loomed before them, its body a mass of glistening scales and muscle, claws digging into the soft ground as it snarled. It was barred from reaching them by the hefty fallen tree that lay in front of the small rock cave, the opening too narrow for its large frame.

Not far from the scene was the smoldering remains of a recently used and doused campfire.

Laurence's breath caught in his chest, his pulse thundering in his ears at the sight of their perilous situation. His mind raced, eyes darting between the trapped siblings and the snarling beast. His hands trembled as he reached for the sealing stone that held his binder of arrays, but doubt gnawed at him.

The animal, which he recognized as a kreet, was massive; far larger than the few he'd encountered back in Dondor.

He glanced at Avril, who now stood a few paces behind, arms crossed and expression unbothered. Laurence swallowed hard, knowing full well how little Avril cared for the plight of strangers. Still, desperation clawed at his throat.

"Avril," he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "I know you don't care for getting involved, but—"

"But you want me to save them," Avril finished with a sigh, staring past the prince at the snarling beast. "If I don’t, I suppose you’ll attempt to do something on your own, hm? What do you suggest I try? Should I run the animal through with my sword?" He asked almost mockingly.

Avril's words sent a chill down Laurence's spine. Unbidden, the memory of their night in Moridgale surged to the forefront of his mind, vivid and visceral.

Blood.

So much blood.

Avril’s face twisted into a feral grin. Crimson spattering his cheeks, his hair, his clothes—

"No," Laurence whispered sharply, shaking his head as if to toss the imagery from his mind.

He hurriedly focused his gaze on the creature, heart hammering against his ribs as his mind raced for a solution. "Never mind. I have a way to handle this."

"Suit yourself, "Avril replied with a casual shrug, though his eyes never strayed from the scene.

Laurence took a measured step forward, hands held out placatingly towards the kreet. It paid him no mind, hissing and growling at the woman and child, but the fallen tree remained an effective barrier between them, giving Laurence precious moments to act.

While the animal was distracted, Laurence hurriedly retrieved his sealing stone from his pocket and held it aloft in his slightly trembling hand.

He closed his eyes, drawing a deep breath to steady himself. With practiced concentration, he channeled a sliver of his energy into the stone.

The effect was immediate. The stone pulsed with a soft, ethereal light that seemed to ripple beneath its surface. Motes of luminescence began to dance around it, swirling in intricate patterns that grew more complex with each passing second.

They spun faster, blurring into streaks of light that coalesced into a tangible form. In a flash, Laurence's binder materialized, dropping neatly into his waiting hand.

He flipped it open with practiced ease, and snatched up his most recently drawn array, quickly resealing the rest of them.

"Avril, don't interfere," Laurence said without turning back. His focus was solely on the creature before him.

"Wouldn't dream of it," Avril replied, his tone laced with an edge that the prince chose to ignore.

Laurence advanced, his movements deliberate, despite the tension coiling in his muscles. He recalled every moment he spent pouring over texts and training with the much smaller or tamer animals around his home.

He'd sealed plenty of finicky messenger birds and even the occasional ornery rocheros from the stables. But this—this was different. This kreet was wild, untamed, and far more outwardly vicious than any animal he’d successfully placed an array on before.

"I can do this," he whispered to himself, voice barely audible over the beast’s low growls.

The kreet lunged toward the woman and boy again, causing them to continue crying out in fear. Its claws scraped against the log, seeking their vulnerable flesh.

"Easy now," Laurence murmured as he edged ever closer, though he knew the creature could not understand him—not yet.

He tightened his grip on the array, the parchment crinkling slightly in his sweaty palm. The intricate symbols seemed to shimmer, responding to his heightened emotions. Laurence knew he had only one chance to place it right. If he missed, if he hesitated for even a moment...

In a surge of movement, Laurence sprinted to close the gap. Sensing his sudden approach, the kreet’s jaws snapped toward him warningly. 

However, Laurence was already close enough to slap his array onto the creature’s back, hurriedly leaping to the side and tucking into a defensive roll to avoid being bitten.

The parchment disintegrated with a hiss, leaving an intricate seal branded onto the kreet's skin.

The beast roared, a sound laced with confusion, thrashing against the invisible bind that now held it fast.