**

Alex: But..but you’ll be killed before our men return. 

Cyrus: My prince, LEAVE!!

Alex: I SAID, NO!!

[LOCATION - The Forest of Arden]

Cyrus:  ….

Indeed, Alex was afraid but he was no coward.

He also was not about to let Cyrus and his fellowmen sacrifice their lives needlessly for his sake. 

Alex: It’s me they chase after! You needn't die here!

Cyrus: ..I am not fearful of death, Your Highness.

Alex: But I am…for you

Cyrus:  ….

Alex: For your sake and… and all of theirs. I am

They began to pool in his eyes and he saw through blurred vision.

Alex silently hoped the darkness of night might conceal his tears. 

Cyrus turned and faced him. 

His hazy expression was difficult to read but his words were calm and steady as he asked

Cyrus:  If you will not go…What is your command, my prince?

Eyes were upon him now. 

And at once, he was reminded of the faces focused upon Damien. He led in great strength and gave bold and encouraging words before the battle. 

To emulate such, Alex wondered…

Alex: Go, …go beyond the tree line- you and the men on either side- Remain there until our men arrive. Attack then, and only then.. 

Cyrus: …

Immediately, he painfully realised that this was not so. 

For his lack of experience was shown by his unsteady voice and the almost tangible emotions within his words. 

Still, he further instructed

Alex: ..I shall- I alone shall hold them here until…

Cyrus: Your Highness-

Alex: Whatever transpires between myself and the enemy- Don't reveal yourselves. Remain hidden.

Alex noted the uneasy glances. 

Yet Cyrus in his silence, only stared at him. Intimidatingly. Threateningly. His dull clouded eye made it even more so.   

Alex had to admit to himself that if he were in their place, he would also be sceptical. Unsure of the uncertain prince and of his uncertain plan.  

Yet he was certain of its success. He need only convince the others of such. 

Then a thought occurred. 

No one ever dared questioned or defied his brothers. Not once.

And absolutely never ever his father’s orders. 

Never had they failed or pleaded to convince others. They simply stated what should be done and their orders were carried out without doubt or question. 

The only difference was his instructions allowed room for doubt. For it to be questioned. 

It was required of him to not only be decisive and firm but to also leave no room for queries.

Alex then made use of his broad figure and brought himself fully upright. 

Forcefully and clearly, he echoed words often demanded by his father

Alex: Am I understood?!

Cyrus rapidly blinked and straightened himself. 

And with a slight nod, he replied simply 

Cyrus: Understood.

**

**

-- LOOK!

-- OVER THERE!!

-- He’s alone?! 

They broke through the fog and brought with them the rains.

Clambering hooves and rumbling thunder mingling together as they approached. 

Commander: Far from it.

Each officer was alert. 

Their various weapons ready, their eyes wide and searching.

Alex stood ready in defiance, their group near encircling him. And at the front along with the commander, a general, who ordered

Imperial General: Drop your sword, southerner!

He did not.  

And his refusal irked the general who then began to take note of their surroundings and the- 

A flash of light overhead and instantly thunder replied. 

And with it, he dismounted with a splash.

Commander: Very well.

As much as was possible, Alex firmly planted himself in the mud. 

He stood ready, alert. Not even the torrent from above, blurring his vision, distracted from the armoured enemy before him. 

Blinking the water away, he remained focused 

Imperial General: Need I remind you Commander, His Majesty’s orders were to-

Commander: Did I ask to be reminded, General?!

Imperial General: ….

Commander: YOU!!

And at once Alex knew who addressed him. 

Behind the helmet, his crazed and murderous eyes alone were visible.

Large raindrops bounced off of him. And with his vision clear, he approached with much purpose, his sword already drawn. 

Oddly enough, the image of him made Alex recall his first hunt. 

For in his mind’s eye, the man resembled the charging boar threatening to take his life.

Alex: Don’t follow me any further! 

William: …

Alex: I don't-  I don't wish to fight you.. but I shall if I must!

William: Good.

Alex could hear the satisfied smile plastered on his face. 

And without warning William swung, seeking to kill him.

The heavy armour did little to slow his movements.

He rushed at him and instantly closed the gap between them. 

Crazed and relentless. 

For Alex, the fight swiftly became a matter of survival. 

The commander attacked with such ferocity, that Alex found no respite to form any clever plans in his mind. 

Wildly he dodged and parried. Wide eyed, his body moving on its own. 

Entirely dismissing his assignment, it appeared as though the commander had. 

For with each heavy blow, his intent was to kill. 

Muscles screaming from strain, Alex bore through the pain. Soon, it seemed, his arms would tear right off. 

That was, if his sword hadn’t freed itself from his muddied hands first.

Eventually, Alex’s lowly tactic of retreating and defending bore fruit. For he saw his enemy labouring in movement.

The constant slipping and sliding and readying of oneself to remain upright in full armour began to take its toll. 

He noticeably became, at least to Alex, slower. Yet his strength still remained with each blow. 

Counter-attacking, Alex pushed forward. 

With much speed he drew near. Near enough to note the whites of William’s eyes, wide as saucers.

Narrowing the skill gap between them, difficult. 

Near impossible. Alex knew this.

Even so, he took advantage of his mobility and gave no room, nimbly challenging William.  

With his enemy having been on the defensive all this time, the commander now faltered. His golden sword waned in keeping pace.

Snarling and swearing. Agitated at his own failings, he repeatedly lost footing in the mud. 

His frustrations benefitted him little. And soon he appeared as a toddler would with a wooden sword.

And unlike his opponent, he was freed of his weapon.

Down onto the forest floor escaping his slippery gloved grip it splashed. Into a lake of mud created by their feral contest, along with its owner.  

He then anxiously made to shield his head but no attack came.

Alex took breath. 

In an attempt to stand, William’s limbs danced uncontrollably as he slid and fell. 

On all fours, he vehemently cursed the very ground he was on before ripping his helmet free. 

In a panic, Alex spun. His eyes searching

{Where..?!}

He had lost sight of the commander’s men. 

However, to his surprise, they fell back. Only a little. They remained in place and simply observed, making no attempts to approach and detain him. 

Near doubled over with exhaustion, Alex’s breath sprayed as he spoke.

Alex: Let me-  Let me be!! 

Imperial General: ….

Then to William, Alex yelled

Alex: Let me.. leave and no harm -huff! - no harm shall befall you or your men!!

Finally, William managed to right himself. 

He was practically frothing at the mouth in absolute fury at this point. Water spraying from his mouth with each breath.  

With teeth bared and again without warning, he wildly lunged. 

And down Alex went along with the commander.

➵