A Warrior's Dance

V – The Lost Prince

Summer wind blew the trees and flowers and children welcomed the sun’s heat as they played on the ground. Esmo town looked like a beautiful ruin, from the crooked stone houses and dusty streets, one would say only a fool would live in that kind of place. The small town was far from the palace, royal guards rarely patrol the place making it as one of the dangerous place to visit.

People who lived there were poor and hopeless, thieves and hunters. But Prince Matthews insisted to visit the place, his curiosity getting the best of him. Looking now at the angry lads before him, a small dagger on their hands, he seemed to regret his actions.

“You’re not from here,” one of the lad said, his nose crooked and eyes bulging.

“Yeah, watcha doin’ in this side of the city, eh?” said the one with a bulky bottom. “You a spy?”

Matthews carefully stepped back, his white horse huffing behind him. Even his horse knew it was time to flee. The common people wouldn't be able recognized him, with his ragged clothes and plain accessories. He even messed his smooth hair. But looking closer, his skin looked soft and delicate, his hooded eyes adding charm to his boyish physique.

“I don’t want any trouble,” he said, hiding his nervousness. He wasn’t good at battles, not even good in wielding any weapon. But what he lacked in strength, he filled in knowledge.

“You shoulda thought about that before comin’ here, boy!”

One of the ugly lads took a step forward, his dirty hand clutching a dagger, as if ready to stick it to the prince. Fright crawled up to Matthew’s skin, his brown eyes grew wide at the thought of him being killed.

“Let’s calm down, lads, shall we?” he said, not moving an inch. “I just have a question. And I’ll pay to whoever can provide me a correct answer.”

“Nah, we’ll get your gold without giving you any damn answer!” The fat guy started his way toward him, a knife on his hand.

He knew he was going to die. Any moment now.

A black horse strode past the prince, instantly distracting all of them with his loud neigh. His front shiny legs flailed in the air, intimidating the offenders. Prince Matthews hurriedly moved back as he climbed onto his own horse, ready to flee the scene. But he stopped the moment he saw his savior, Raiden.

“Another one,” commented the fat one. “This one looks royalty!”

Some of the lads contemplated for a moment, gauging if the new boy was a real royalty. If he was, they would either show a little respect and let them be, or kill the two and let it be.

“You reckon he’s the stupid prince?” asked the ugly one.

Raiden let out a smirk. No ounce of royal blood ran into his body. But he understood why they thought he was the prince. He was wearing a new set of clothes and the real prince beside him had borrowed his clothing- again. He was an adopted son of the king’s sister and unlike the royal family who had smooth fair skin, he was tan and lean but he began to show some muscles after practicing his sword skills.

“Move,” Raiden commanded with a pointed stare, his hooded cloak added mystery to his face.

But none of the lads moved. They welcomed easy fights with lads younger than them.

As the summer wind blew Raiden’s face, heat seemed to shot straight into the offender’s gut seeing a monstrous scar on the boy’s face. He had a jagged scar, from the side of his lips stretching to his right cheek. He usually hid it with the hood of his cloak but it wasn’t enough to conceal it permanently.

The ugly lad pointed his finger at him. “H-he’s the living omen!”

They all casted him a look, as if examining an animal. “The little freak!”

Suddenly, an old man stepped out of his house, his hound barking mad at his side. His curious wide eyes was looking straight at Raiden. “What’s going on in here, lads?” he asked, his presence suddenly brought gloom around them.

One by one, the offenders spat on the ground before retreating, avoiding Raiden’s gaze.

Prince Matthews was astounded and was beyond upset to see the look on the common people’s faces.

The old man turned to them, waving his hand for them to go away, before locking himself again inside his house, the hound following him.

“This has to stop, Mat,” Raiden said the moment they were alone, keeping his cool. He smoothly adjusted his hood, hiding his scar some more.

Matthews grinned as they both started their horses.

“I am just trying to understand the common people,” the prince stated.

Raiden shook his head. “I tell you now, cousin, it’s a waste of time.”

The prince just smiled. “You save me again.” He peeked at him, measuring his temper. “Thank you.”

Again, Raiden shook his head. “We better go back. You know it’s not safe here.”

They travelled back into the palace, entering into the secret gateway they had discovered when they were nine years old. They were both fourteen now, hastily growing up as a man, ladies started to cast them attention.

Crimson Palace was ruled by King Darius, its population was hundreds of thousands. Ruling a kingdom wasn’t an easy task, the king could attest to that. His father, King Jarius, was the first one to unite all the tribes in the east and also the first one to build civilization. Inside the palace walls, laws should be obeyed, justice should be served, and people first before the throne.

For a century now, King Darius was able to follow what his father before him had started. And he would follow through as long as he reigned.

Royal guards shot the prince a look of confusion as they noticed his shabby clothing. He just grinned at them, his kind face a welcoming sight.

“Are you still mad, Raiden?”

“You know I can’t stay mad at you.”

Matthews sighed. Their horses stopped in front of the North Tower. “I just wanted to see where my aunt found you.”

“What for?” he asked without looking at him. Like his ugly scars, the place where he came from brought ugly memories.

The prince shrugged his shoulder. “You wanted to see your family. And I want to help looking.”

Raiden tensed. He looked around, securing no one was close enough. “No, Mat, I don’t. Your aunt is my family. You are my family now. They gave me away like a lost dog. I don’t want a family like that.”

Matthews knew that wasn’t true. His cousin once told him that he wanted to at least meet his real family. Even just for a while.

“But that used to be your dream, cousin.”

“Maybe when I was six.” Raiden shook his head, face blank. “But not anymore.” He hopped down and led his horse inside the stables, leaving the prince staring at him.