Once Upon The Life of The Wise King

The Black Hoods

ONCE UPON THE LIF OF THE WISE KING

Volume 1

The Birth of the Wise King

Chapter 8 - The Black Hood

"You are almost there! Keep going, Your Highness!" General Calver grinned as he defended against Prince Colin's attack.

After almost a week of practicing the basic deceptive attack in swordsmanship, the young Prince finally got the hang of it. He learned how to deceive his opponent and at the same time turn the deceit into an actual attack, which helped him become more flexible.

Prince Colin kicked his opponent and made a follow-up attack, which the General blocked with his sword.

"Not bad," he said. "Now, you just lack the strength." He pushed his sword, making the Prince stumble and falling on his back. "Your shoulders and arms strength has muscles, most likely from you always using your bow, which is good for attacks. But, you need to build more strength for defense, especially strength on your back and legs."

The Prince stood up, dusting his clothes. "What should I do to build more muscles?"

"Good question," the General said as he slid his sword in the scabbard. "I think you have passed the assessment-"

"What!? An assessment?" Prince Colin was dumbfounded.

"What do you think?" General Calver asked rhetorically. "Did you believe that I will train you immediately? I am sorry to burst your bubble, Your Highness. But, His Majesty tasked me to assess your strength first before training you officially." He patted the young man on his shoulder. "I have prepared a training regimen for you. We will start tomorrow."

"Oh, I see." Prince Colin looked down on his feet.

"We will start with building muscle strength."

"Yes."

"Remember your answer why you want to learn swordsmanship?"

Looking up, Prince Colin answered, "Yes. Because I need to protect my people as the Prince." His eyes and facial expression showed a firm determination.

"I can see your determination clearly, Your Highness. But, I hope to hear a different answer later."

"What kind of answer do you want to hear?" the Prince frowned.

"Once you realized it, you will know. Now, training dismiss. I will see you tomorrow, Your Highness." General Claver bowed.

"Yes, see you tomorrow." Prince Colin watched General Calver leaving. When he can no longer see his back, he slid his sword in the scabbard and looked up at the sky. There's still time before nightfall, he thought. "I'm going to hunt."

Prince Colin turned around. He walked back inside the palace, planning to change into his hunting attire. In the hallway, the Prince met the head maid carrying his younger brother. He brightened up and went to them. "Hey, Alphonse!" He was about to touch the baby when the head maid slapped his hand. "Ouch!"

"Pardon me, Your Highness, but please refrain from touching the Second Prince when you've just finished your training," the head maid admonished. "Please clean yourself up first."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize that." The Prince smiled a little. "I'm going to hunt. See you later, Alphonse."

"Ah! Wah!" The baby raised his hand as though saying goodbye.

Prince Colin chuckled and left for his bed-chamber while the head maid bowed her head and walked away.

After changing into his hunting attire, the First Prince grabbed his bow and arrows from beside the nightstand. He slid his arrow bag across his chest, his left hand held the bow and went out to the hunting ground.

Whenever the Prince went hunting, the palace guards always followed him. The palace guards following him were responsible for his protection against kidnappers and assassins. Prince Colin understood this, so he let them do their job.

Once the Prince arrived in the hunting ground, the palace guards dispersed, hiding so as not to disturb the Prince's hunt while at the same time guarding him.

Prince Colin slowly walked farther in the forest. The surrounding allowed 25 percent of sunlight to pass through the thick canopy of trees. But, since it was already afternoon, the forest looked dimmer, releasing an eerie atmosphere and unusually quiet. The forest is suitable to be a hunting ground due to its diverse ecosystem. There are different kinds of animals. There are fowls, four-legged animals, creatures that crawl, and creatures that slither. However, at this time, the forest was silent as though there are no living things.

Noticing the unusual occurrence, one of the palace guards showed up in front of the Prince. He asked, "Your Highness, the forest seems unusual. Please, let us go back."

The young Prince knew that something was amiss. He nodded his head and said, "Alright." The palace guards came out of their hiding spots and surrounded the Prince. All of them had their backs facing the Prince as they carefully looked at every direction, their swords at ready, and they traced their footsteps back to where they came.

A few moments later, there was smoke coming from all directions.

"Cover your nose, Your Highness!" one of the royal guards yelled as they prepare to defend themselves from the enemies and protect the Prince.

All of them covered their noses, but they did not expect the smoke to permeate their pores, gradually affecting their senses.

"Look out!" a palace guard exclaimed. He blocked an arrow that aimed toward the Prince, and as if on cue, several people wearing black hoods came out. They simultaneously attacked all the palace guards, leaving the Prince unattended.

"Stay close to the Prince! Protect His Highness!"

The palace guards fought against the black hoods while protecting the Prince, who assisted them by shooting at the enemies. The arrows he used never hit the black-hooded, though. He felt his fingers were uncoordinated then his arms felt a little numb.

'What is this?' the Prince thought. He looked around. The palace guards' movements slowed down, and they seem to have no strength. Not long after noticing this, the palace guards fell on the ground one by one.

Prince Colin, blessed with majika, had more endurance against the harmful effect of the smoke compared to other people. However, he can not fight his enemies all by himself. Sooner, one of the black hoods knocked him unconscious.

"Take him." Prince Colin heard someone said before losing his consciousness.