GAME OF TRUST

REVEALED IDENTITY

The few days that followed, Tory stayed with the family of Merry and Nicolas as they got to know each other. Within the course of their getting along, Tory never revealed to them his true identity as they also did not bother asking about it.

During his stay with the two families, his love for Victoria increased greatly as she also was beginning to accept him. Tory also built a strong friendship with Clifford Alvat and Fili, they would all practice more on how to use the sword and at some point they would embark on an adventure into the woods.

While Tory was acting normal close to the borders of the country, king Alonso in the palace was restless because he had not seen his son for two weeks and the soldiers who were searching for him still haven't come up with his way about.

"My lord," Oakinshield the commander of his armies salutes. "The council are still waiting for the day when you will call them to talk about the message which we received."

"What!" The king shouts, "Do you realize that my son is missing and there is still no trace of him yet you want me to call for such a gathering so as to discuss irrelevant matters." He replied angrily.

"But my lord, it's already been two weeks since we received this information yet you have nothing to say about it." The commander responds.

"Yes it's been two weeks since you got the note and also it's been the same two weeks since we last saw the Prince." Alonso said.

"The council has decided that if you don't call for this gathering soon, they will be forced to believe what it says and reveal it to the public. You know what the outcome would be if it get to the knowledge of your subjects, so I think you must call for the gathering now or else…"

"Or else what! Like I said the Prince is missing and we must focus on finding him. Until he is found there shall be gathering concerning this issue." Alonso replied harshly.

"You were warned." Said Oakinshield as he left the throne room with anger.

"What should I do?" The king asked himself. "Should I reveal my secret to them? If I was able to cover it all these years then I can still keep it a secret within myself."

While the king soloquiced to himself, one of his men who was heading the search for the Prince in the eastern part of the country came and said. "Greetings my lord."

"What is it?" Asked Alonso rudely.

"The Prince has been found…"

"Where is he?"

"He was seen today in the eastern part of the kingdom close to the borders of Argos while he was hurting with three youths of his age." He replied.

"I meant where is he now?" Alonso again.

"We were not able to bring him home."

"And why can't you?"

"We tried convincing to come with us but he gave an order to return to you instead."

"What!!"Alonso exclaimed in surprise.

"My lord, I don't think we can bring him back or else you are present with us."

"So were you able to trace the place where he hides himself?"

"I sent some of my men to secretly follow them, so I believe they must have found where he has been hiding all while." Replied the soldier.

"Okay, ready more men for we will be leaving at first light tomorrow." The king commanded.

In the evening the same as the four youths were returning from the adventure on which Tory was found by the soldiers. Fili asked, "Tory can you explain to us why those soldiers want you to come with them?"

"And also, why they had left the moment you said they should return back." Clifford added.

"The question is, Tory who truly are you?" Alvat asked.

"If I tell you, would you still accept me?" Tory asked in return to their questions.

"That depends." Clifford answered. "So tell us who you are?"

"I am the son of king Alonso." He replied.

"What!!" They all exclaimed in harmony.

"I had told you when we first met that I ran away from home because of what I heard my father did." Tory said.

"But you never told us who your father was." Said Alvat.

"I thought you would not accept me. Well my father wants me back but I am not ready to go back."

"You have a duty to your father and the kingdom so you have to go back. Remember the pledge you made to your father, at least you should return just for that purpose." Clifford advised.

"But I'm not ready to see him." Tory replied.

"So you are not going home anytime soon." Fili asked.

"Yes I'm not. But I won't be staying with you for a while." Tory said.

"And why is that?" Fili asked.

"I know my father too well, he shall come looking for me so I must not be found with you when he comes in order to keep your families safe as I have promised."

"Are you sure of what you are saying? Hope we can trust you?" Clifford asked out of curiosity.

"You have my word. For I will do everything within my powers to make sure he does not harm you. Consider it a promise." He assured them.

"When will you be ready to go back to the palace?" Alvat asked.

"I shall be returning only when my father has proved his innocence or given a good reason why he did what he is accused of." Tory said.

"Well you are the Prince and can do whatever you please since the king would not punish you." Said Fili.

"Where would you be going now?" Asked Alvat.

"No place in particular, all I know is that I'm not be found with you when the king comes."

"What shall we answer him when he comes asking?" Clifford asked.

"Simply tell him that I have left and you do not know my way about." He replied.

"So we won't be seeing you for a while." Alvat said, wearing a worried face.

"I will be coming to see you all and tell Victoria that I still love and I will be coming back. It's just for a short while." Tory said as he embraced wash one of them and they bid him farewell.

"He is truly a good friend." Fili said as Tory left them.

"Of course he is, we shall miss his company. I just hope he'll return soon." Alvat said.

"I wonder how Victoria would feel." Fili said.

"Let's hope she understands the reason why he had to leave us." Said Clifford as they then walked back home.

On their getting home that evening, Victoria, who was busy attending to the animals, immediately stopped as she went to welcome her brothers but not with the usual joy.

She asked, "Where is Tory?" But none amongst them replied as they all did not know how to begin the response. So she asked the second time and the third with the exact same words.

Then Alvat summoned the boldness to say. "He had to leave."

Hearing the reply of Alvat she began to weep and they consoled her while Clifford said. "He did it to protect you."

"There is no need to shed tears for he assured us that he will be back in a short time. Tory loves you so much and that is why he had to go for the time being." Fili said in addition.

But Victoria kept on crying as she asked. "Why didn't he say goodbye before leaving? He had better not come back."

"Please do not say such things, he will return for you. It is for the best and you shall come to understand this later." Alvat said.

"If he had told you himself then would not have let him go." Included Fili but the more they tried to let her understand the more she shed tears and they were also forced to weep with her.

Soon enough Merry and Kyle came out of the house and found them crying, so they consoled them.

Later that night, Mr Nicolas and his wife were invited to the place of Merry, where Fili, Clifford and Alvat narrated to them all that happened and why Tory had to leave according to him.

They were able to understand after they were done narrating but Victoria still felt sad because she had gotten so fond of him.