Isle of the Damned

Just a friendly spat

"What are you doing in Zemaris?" I asked curiously. Surely they hadn't caught up to us already. 

"I was meant to be looking for some people but I got bored. The rest of the group I was with don't need me either so I stopped off here in search of Dave's homemade food," he said as he flicked a smile in the bartenders' direction.

"Prince Tyson, you are my favourite customer. Even though ya harass my customers a little too much," Dave said with a small chuckle.

"I'm sure my charm brings in more customers than you think," Tyson joked. 

"Delusional, you are," Dave said with a shake of his before he headed off through a doot into the kitchen. 

I took the opportunity to stare at my enemy's son. His brown eyes flickered between colours in the candlelight. One second they looked like golden honey and the next like chocolate drops. They looked gentle and kind despite the rumours about him.

"What are you staring at?" he asked.

"I'm just curious as to who you are searching for? Are they dangerous?" I questioned innocently. Hoping to get some answers. 

"People from the isle, my father says their evil. My group and I will get them. Nothing to worry about."

"Do you think their evil?"

"I've never met them but from the way my father talks about them, I'd assume so. They're savages from the sounds of it," he said with a hint of venom behind his voice. 

"Do you know where they are?" I asked with my eyebrows furrowed trying to seem as concerned and as non-threatening as possible. 

"Last we heard, they were in Brilanthi. My group have headed there in search of answers. Though there was a report of some of our men dead in the border between here and there. My guess is they're passing through here to look for somewhere to hide or gather resources."

"It sounds like they're powerful. Especially if they killed your men," I said in an almost taunting way.

"Not so powerful that they can withstand the group that's coming for them."

"Maybe they'll escape before you can get to them," I said with a small laugh. 

I was almost on the last bite of my stew when a small seed of a plan popped into my head. I couldn't kill him since that'd only spark King Seth's outrage. If Prince Tyson wasn't as despicable as we believed and he could escape the influence of his father then we could maybe use him to bring the other kingdoms around.

"Who are you anyway?" Tyson asked, intrigue evident in his voice. I decided to act upon my plan now. 

"According to your father an evil, cursed, savage, monstrosity who shouldn't be allowed to live," I stated, taking the last bite of stew.

His eyes widened a bit as he looked at me. He reached down pulling out his sword. I guess this is why my group insisted I take weapons. I sighed as I stood up and pulled out my own. This should be interesting. 

"You're one of the isle people?" he questioned with shock and disgust. 

"Queen of them actually. A pleasure to meet you," I said with a wry smile.

"You're not what I expected but in the name of my father, I am going to bring you down. You may not look despicable but beauty doesn't mean a good person."

His whole personality had shifted. Maybe I was wrong about this after all. I'd hoped he'd take a second to question it after seeing and talking to me in person but I guess not. 

"Go ahead, try. I'm a better fighter than you anyway," I said. confident in all the training I'd completed. Hopefully, this wouldn't turn South.

He suddenly swung his sword at me. I blocked it gracefully. I attacked him and he too stopped it. This continued for a few minutes in what I could only describe as graceful dance. We'd knocked over many a stool and table. 

He eventually managed to back me up against a wall. His sword about to pierce my neck. I looked at him directly in the eyes as I stomped on his foot. A cuss escaped his lips as he jumped back. He quickly regained his posture before swinging his sword again. I rolled out of the way and swung back at him. I was trapped by a table on my left-hand side. I quickly pushed one of the stool overs, as a distraction, as I hopped onto the table and down the other side. 

"Come get me, Tyson," I goaded.

He looked at me with hate as he too jumped over the table ready to attack again. In the time to come over, I'd grabbed the dagger from around my leg. Since he was now the one against the wall, as I'd moved out of the way of him, I threw it at him. I'd managed to do what I intended, pin his very loose shirt against the wall. I quickly walked forward, pushing him further against the wall with my sword. He dropped his in defeat. 

"You going to kill me?" he asked with contempt. 

"No Prince Tyson, I am not. I'm not a monster as you believe. I am literally just a human," I said, lowering my sword whilst maintaining eye contact. 

"You're not going to kill me?" he probed with confusion. 

"No, I'm not."

"Then what are you going to do?" the suspicion was evident.

"I'm going to ask you to attend Analia's birthday party tomorrow and attempt to get to know my people. We're not what you think we are."

"You want me to attend a birthday party?" He asked in a shocked tone. 

"Yup, that's all I want. Oh, and for you not to contact any of your men or relatives or allies about this arrangement."

I hoped this would work. It could be the thing that saves our people in the end. I also pleaded to the heavens that my group wouldn't be too mad at me. I'd need them on board if this is to work. 

Suddenly I heard the door click open as Dave walked back into the front of the tavern. His face was a picture. 

"What happened here?"

"Just a friendly spat. Prince Tyson here is going to help you clean up and pay for anything broken," I said, grinning at him. He sighed in frustration. I almost felt a little sorry for him.