Bold Souls

Can't forget you

A day before Blake and Denali's departure

King Edgar was sitting in the window of his office. He kept looking out of it and despite of the peace and prosperity of his kingdom he still couldn't let Blake go. His last conversation with Noah made him feel more at ease knowing that his youngest son, was on the same page with him.

- Only if I had the slightest information of where you are son... - that moment his loyal butler Oscar rushed into his office without knocking or asking for permission. He was covered in sweat and his face was completely pale. Edgar jumped off from the windowsill and hurried to his friend. He grabbed both sides of Oscar's arms and looked into his eyes.

- Oscar speak for the love of God! - Oscar mumbled something inaudible.

- Damn it Oscar, articulate!!! - Oscar shook his head and cleared his throat.

- Edgar, we got the news of Blake's possible whereabouts, yesterday night. - Edgar got dizzy and Oscar had to grab his friend when he stumbled back.

- Where? - Edgar asked and Oscar told him about the information and the man who brought it.

- Give him whatever he wants as a reward. - Edgar said and Oscar got a shade paler again.

- What is it? - Edgar asked whole he walked impatiently up and down in his office. If Blake truly was on the land of the snow ghosts, he might have to invade the mountains, which will be technically impossible.

- The man who brought the info said, I quote " I don't want anything in exchange of this information, only that the woman with tainted blood and eyes of a Hellbird never returns to our lands."

- What would this mean?

- According to our source, Prince Blake lived in their tribe in the last three years. He claims to have a memory loss and a warrior woman took him in. They hate the woman due to her mixed blood, so for this information they want you to get rid of her. - Edgar chuckled. Blake... Out of the whole world you found the person with the same stigma as these idiots put on you. What are the odds?

- How should we proceed your Majesty? - Oscar asked.

- Proceed with what, Father? - a soft voice asked from the door and Noah was standing there. Both Oscar and Edgar turned towards him and he hung his head.

- Please excuse me for the intrusion, Father. The door was open... I'm sorry. - Noah s**t his eyes closed as if he was ready to be punished. Cold rushed down Edgar's spine and he cursed himself for neglecting Noah for so long. He extended his arms towards Noah and said with a smile.

- Come here Noah. - he obeyed and Edgar hugged Noah strongly to his chest.

- Remember, doesn't matter who says it, you'll never burden me and you can always enter to my office unless I ask you not to. Okay? - Noah nodded.

- So, what happened dad? - Edgar felt tears slowly escaping from his eyes and his voice trembled as he said it out loud.

- We might know where Blake is, Noah. - Noah's eyes shined and Oscar observed the kid's every movement. Although the Queen loved his Majesty, her jealousy towards the late Queen and first Prince was undeniable. So it was better to keep and eye on both her and Noah. But the sincere shine in Noah's eyes and the way he started asking Edgar about the info got Oscar reassured that, Noah just wanted to get his brother back.

- Let's go there Father! Let's bring him back! - Oscar pat gently Noah's head.

- I'm afraid it's not that easy your highness.

- Why not? The mountains are also part of our kingdom, therefore, the people who live there should obey to Father.

- You learned your lesson well Noah, but as you said they should. That doesn't necessarily mean that they'll obey. The snow ghosts are like a different kind of humans. They are extremely tall and strong, they are able to survive in extreme cold weather. If we attack them, they might kill Blake if they have him. So, we need a better plan. - Noah looked pensive and when he opened his mouth to say something a guard knocked on the opened door.

- Your Majesty, may I speak with you and Lord Oscar for a moment? - Edgar looked at Noah and turned back to the guard.

- Whatever you have to say, you can say it in the presence of the Prince as well. - the guard bowed and greeted the three men before he talked.

- Your Majesty, I got a message from the tribe that the source of the information we received earlier today, lost his life. - Edgar's eyes widened. It can't be a coincidence that he dies right after he leaked information about Blake. Could it be that Blake remembers of his past and doesn't want to come back?

- How did he die? - Oscar asked.

- According to the message " The Halfblood challenged him and he died from his injuries." - Oscar and Edgar shared a glance and they had the same though in their minds: That woman might know more than we thought.

- So, what should we do now, dad? - Noah asked and Edgar sighed. They couldn't get more information from the tribe, attacking them wasn't the right way either. He turned to Oscar.

- Call the king's shadows. I need them to get more information before we can take any actions. - Oscar bowed and went to meet the leader of the King' s shadows. It was an organization right under the Royal family's authority. Their job was to gather information, get rid of undesired individuals and protect the crown. Oscar walked to the chambers of the leader and used the secret knocking.

- Come in! - the leader said and Oscar entered to his room. He was drying his long, black hair with a towel when he noticed who came to visit him. His expression lightened and with a friendly grin he greeted his guest.

- Hey Oscar! How is my cousin doing? - Oscar couldn't get accustomed pf the fact that the leader of the King's shadows, was part of the Royal family. Jarred was an illegitimate son of Edgar's uncle. When his uncle abandoned the child, Edgar took him in, despite their difference in age and status they soon became good friends. When Edgar noticed Jarred's talents he sent him to master them, in return, Jarred decided to offer his capacities and knowledge to protect his benefactor.

- He finally got good news. - Jarred looked at Oscar waiting. He was higher than his Majesty and more chiseled as well. His hair resembled his father's bit the eyes, which looked like a cat's were his mother's.

- Blake is alive.

- Exactly. - Jarred threw the towel on his bed and grabbed his sword.

- What are you doing? - Oscar asked and Jarred chuckled.

- What do you think? I'm bringing my nephew back!

- Hold your horses Jarred! Let me tell you everything. - Oscar proceeded giving all info to Jarred who listened carefully and in the end he nodded understanding his role in this plan. He said goodbye to Oscar and left to do what he could the best. Oscar headed back to Edgar's office where he left the king and the prince. On his way back, he stared out of the windows of the long corridors. The sun started to set already and painted the city in a gorgeous orange and golden colors. Oscar took a deep breath of the early spring breeze, the wind was filled with the scent of blooming flowers and the warmth of the sun. He stopped for a moment and looked towards the mountains in the faraway.

- See you soon, your Highness Prince Blake Wessex.