They gathered inside a large wooden hut. 

Long abandoned, its interior dim and damp as rain frequently whipped through cracks in the walls and dripped from the roof. 

It may have once belonged to a hunter or perhaps a hermit escaping city life, for everything proved simple enough for a lone person to comfortably dwell. 

Here, Alex stood. 

Staring out of a dingy window alone in silence. The sounds of the stormy weather were strangely soothing. 

Outside; cascading in multiple streams from the tin roof above their heads, the rain formed round clear pools in the pebbles below. 

Dawn approached. 

And with its cool soft light and clouds hanging low, enveloping trees and caressing brushes and sitting atop mossy boulders, it appeared wondrous and dreamlike. 

Even so, the throbbing in his face told him otherwise.

He was very much awake. And in the window, his reflection faint, he could note his heavily swollen eye. Tenderly, he touched it. 

It also increasingly came to be quite painful simply to breathe. 

Walking his fingers along his ribcage, he then pressed his side.  Should anything be broken, he would instantly know. 

Inhaling sharply, he twisted in his grimace and slowly exhaled. Furious with himself, he dropped his dirty hand. 

He should’ve killed him. 

Squeezed until his neck broke. Avenge his brother’s death and finally be done with it. 

Besides, the man seemed eager enough and ready to die. And this time, it was a fair and agreed upon fight.

He should’ve killed the commander.

Yet, Alex had chosen otherwise. 

His kinsmen’s low laughter then caught him away from his dark and heavy thoughts.

They ate and gambled and idly chatted amongst themselves, cramped in the simple abode, awaiting the rains to disperse before venturing forth.

The sight of this, relaxed his tensed brows and brought a small smile upon his weary face.  

-- Your Highness..?

Cyrus called. 

From the corner of his field of vision, he noticed him. A hot beverage of some kind in a rugged tin cup in hand.

He hobbled near.

Alex turned away. 

He wasn’t in a talkative mood. 

Observing once more the rain, Alex heard him state the obvious

Cyrus: For quite some time now, you've been staring out that window..

Alex: …

Cyrus: Why not..come join us. Have something small to eat in the- 

Alex: I'm not hungry.

Cyrus frowned.

Shoulder to shoulder, they quietly stared out of the same window. 

Then, after a while and as if to himself, Cyrus reminisced aloud saying 

Cyrus: His Majesty spoke with conviction in sending us here. He spoke as if already knowing we would succeed in finding you.

Alex: …

Cyrus: I, myself was..though I straightaway accepted my king’s task, somewhat doubtful..

And while Cyrus continued on to speak of Roman as having displayed conviction and strength and will-power and all of the great qualities and attributes befitting a king, Alex began to ruminate on how all these things could never be said of him. 

However, most surprisingly, Cyrus then uttered

Cyrus: I see the same in you, my prince

Alex: …

Cyrus: In spite of your circumstances, you've grown strong. His Majesty- the late king, would have been most proud indeed

{Father?...Proud? Of me?}

Recalling memories of times past spent with his father, Alex sulked. 

Alex: Cyrus?

Cyrus: ..?

Alex: How did father- Do you know how..?

Cyrus: Of his battle wounds I was told

Alex: …

Cyrus: He died a soldier’s death. A king’s death

Cyrus continued on speaking.

He recalled a discussion between Roman and himself aboard a ship. Of an encampment. Of his brother journeying to the mainland with many soldiers. 

Then of his difficult venture towards the mountains. Something about a swamp. And of the increasing terrible pain in his knee, inhibiting his movements. 

And after the fall of the eastern gates and the city, Alex would next be reunited with his brother. 

Alex, uncertain if his half-hearted nods in agreement made any sense, heard little of what was said for he was lost in thought. 

That was, until, sudden panic took hold of his insides.

Cyrus: ..for that’s when we shall both-

Alex: Cyrus?!

Startled, his cousin replied

Cyrus: Yes, Your Highness?

Alex: Did you- did you mention something about an encampment?- Is brother there? 

Cyrus: I did, yes. We are set to join with those arriving from the east. His Majesty makes for their eastern gates and until word is sent of victory, we remain in place. Only after, you both shall meet. 

Alex: That means he‘s coming here?!

Near speechless, yet Alex shouted

Alex: NO!!

With the attention of the other men now fixed upon the pair, Alex declared  

Alex: No! Send word that-

Cyrus: …? 

Alex:  No! We mustn’t remain here! We all need to leave!

Alex’s voice quivered in panic.

With much alertness found in his men’s faces, smooth calmness flowed from Cyrus as he asked

Cyrus: And why is that, Your Highness?

**

**

The roar of war carried upon the swirling wet wind as black smoke rose from the city.

Across the valley plain, below grey skies, crude and ugly siege towers threatened the eastern wall.

Far away and up through the trees on one of Arden’s hills, his keen eyes searched. 

Black. Red. Southern colours.

Within the chaos of writhing multitudes of men, void of any distinct battle formations, where they clamoured before and fought against and died atop the wide expanse of a high stoned wall, was Roman.

The dampness of his garments and the rumbles of hunger, his mind dismissed. 

However, the quickening of heart at the scene before him caused urgency, and being unable to act made him shake.

Meanwhile, beside him, Cyrus’ eye was upon him. 

Alex turned.

The sternness of the old general seemed to silently question, ‘What shall you do now, Your Highness?’

At that, Alex felt his throat tighten. He swallowed hard, gripping the reins to ease the shaking of his hands, he returned his attention towards the battle in the distance.

Cyrus: Our numbers are greater and His Majesty’s flag flies strong. 

Despite his disability, Cyrus’ remaining vision was true. The southern king’s banner still waved. And under it, his brother undoubtedly fought valiantly. 

Cyrus: Soon enough. We need only wait.

Alex: …

That too would also be true, if not for

Cyrus:  Men from the far north are to join them soon?

Alex: Yes.

Under the golden colour of the Empire, His Majesty’s men stood steadfast and firm. 

Yet to arrive and strengthen their silver armoured comrades in defence of the Eastern gate, those from the far north. 

In spite of such, they continued to hold both the southerners and supposed help from the east 

Alex’s breaths were unsteady. 

Already he sped across the plains towards Roman. To warn him. To save him. He was unknowingly in the depths of a trap because of him.

Was he to do nothing and watch his brother and kinsmen be swallowed up and killed?

That fear then began to squirm cold in his stomach whispering

 ‘Should you venture into it, you shall die.’

Surely death awaited him. 

Invisible it was, yet, ever present. 

Did it await him on those plains? Should they meet today? He did not know. 

What he did know was that he would not sit safely hidden, afraid and only look on as his brother lost his life.

He would not.

Easily he guessed that compared to the numbers soon to arrive, they were few. Yet, if he fought well and retreated with Roman in tow before the northerners arrived-

Cyrus laughed. 

And the sound of it surprised Alex. Never had he ever heard him doing so. 

Shocked, he turned and observed him as he said smilingly

Cyrus: Oh, I can see your mind clearly..

Alex: …?

Cyrus: ..and I shan’t allow it. 

Alex: Cyrus-

But Cyrus interrupted him saying

Cyrus: Your Highness, upon my life I swore an oath to protect the throne.. 

Alex: …

Cyrus: ..and I shall sacrifice it gladly. Simply say when and we shall depart.

Alex then noted the steely outlook of his kinsmen behind.

Seeing such, silently, he took courage. And to himself, he hoped that he was not about to lead them all to their deaths.

[LOCATION - Castle Belleverde:

Walking in on the young captain and Commander Rícard, he interrupted a tender moment between father and daughter.  

With Charlotte taking leave, Commander Jenkins began in earnest

Comm. Jenkins: Commander Sir..pardon me, an urgent matter to report.

Motioning for him to speak, Sir Rícard stiffly adjusted himself on a chaise-sofa as he continued saying

Comm. Jenkins: There’s been an incident in Duke Winsford’s chambers.

Thinking the worst and believing that the duke would do anything to escape punishment, having been found in his treachery, he gravely asked

Cmdr. Rícard: Has he taken his own life?

Comm. Jenkins: No, no Sir. Our men..

Shaking his head, he painfully added

Comm. Jenkins: ..The officers keeping watch over him were all found dead and..

Cmdr. Rícard: …

Comm. Jenkins: ..and the duke is missing. 

A weight suddenly fell solidly upon his shoulders. And were it not for already being seated, he would have done so now. 

Comm. Jenkins:  A search of the residence and the grounds has commenced but…

Cmdr. Rícard: He’s escaped.

Comm. Jenkins: Yes, Sir. ..We believe so.

**

**

With the northern commander now joined, the three commanders took private discourse. 

Spoken of, the unfortunate demise of the general. Who would in fact be later praised and found to be of high courage and noble dignity, and of his valiant men, so too recognised. 

In the end, however, the outcome of their assignment had met with loss and failure to apprehend the duke. Undone by artful schemes.

Cmdr. Rícard: Why do you say so?

Comm. Jenkins: I say so because it has been hours of searching and there hasn't been a single sighting. We should ask ourselves ‘How?’ How it came to be that the duke and his family simply vanished?

Northern Comm. : It’s possible he took advantage of our attention at the gates, using it to escape. Even so, we had the river and the service entrance…

Comm. Jenkins:  A secret passageway

Northern Comm. : …

Cmdr. Rícard: It’s possible. Highly so, given his nature. 

Northern Comm. : Where exactly would it be? In his chambers? 

Nodding affirmative, the young commander answered

Comm. Jenkins: Yes, I believe so. 

Cmdr. Rícard: Careful now…

Comm. Jenkins: …?

Cmdr. Rícard: ..Should that be and we find a hidden escape route, there could be traps lying in wait for those giving chase. I won’t chance it. 

With a silent understanding between all, Sir Rícard continued saying

Cmdr. Rícard: What of the carriages seen departing?

Northern Comm. : Uncertain. Ava- Ava’s last correspondence was undelivered. The men should've remained in place. I sent officers to meet them and relay the message. 

Sunrise neared. 

And by now, a great distance was most certainly made. Those carriages, with unknown travellers. Impossible to locate. They might have even taken to remote hiding places. 

However, critical was discovering the route taken, finding the occupants and arresting them. 

Sir Rícard, knowing this to be difficult, remained in sure hope. 

In vain his hope was not.

For His Majesty’s men, in the heat of the day, indeed sighted and found them. 

Capturing the individuals; those flighty devils, however, proved a preposterous order. For bounding  corpses for questioning would serve no purpose.

➵