IRREVOCABLE LOVE

Chapter two: the stranger in the woods

The forest fell silent.Yet, Danville's finger remained firmly on the trigger of his pistol, like their life depended on it. his eyes locked on the stranger standing a few feet away, studying him in every inch and move.

The man's face was partially hidden beneath the hood of a black tactical jacket, but there was something familiar about him. He was humble and ever ready to succumb to Danville's orders. But Danville still trust him.

Behind them, the voices of King Lorgart's soldiers grew louder and they were close.

"They're close!" A soldier reported to the others.

"I saw footprints leading this way!"

"Spread out! We must take her to the king and kill the traitor!" The leading voice ordered.

The stranger glanced over his shoulder, feeling how close King Lorgart’s soldiers was, before returning his gaze to Danville.

"Your Highness, we don't have much time."

Danville narrowed his eyes. The stranger still pledge his respect to him, he wondered.

"Who are you?"

Without another word, the man slowly lowered his hood, ready to hit the nail on the head. Moonlight illuminated his face and Danville's eyes widened.

"Ethan?"

A faint smile appeared on the man's face.

"It's good to see you again, Your Highness. A long time."

Before Precious could ask who he was, Danville stepped forward and embraced him tightly.

“You were just beating around the bush instead of showing your self to me.” Danville laughed, but quietly.

Ethan smiled

“It has always been our style from childhood your Highness. Never forget.”

Danville withdrew himself from the embrace, his hands on Ethan's shoulder's.

“Of course my friend I will never forget.”

"I thought you were still in Ashvale!" Danville continued.

"I was," Ethan replied, "until His Majesty received your distress signal."

Danville frowned.

"My father knows?"

Ethan nodded.

"The King has known everything from the moment King Lorgart declared you an enemy of Kaldoria. It has been like a rumor through out villrede"

Precious looked from one man to the other in confusion, it was like she never existed to any of them. She stared at them looking puzzled.

Danville turned toward her, remembering of her presence.

"Oh Precious, pardon me. I was a little taken. This is Ethan Cole. We grew up together. He's my closest friend, a loyal brother to me... and the commander of my personal royal security."

Ethan bowed respectfully.

"It is an honor to finally meet the woman our prince refused to stop talking about."

Despite the danger surrounding them, Precious couldn't help but blush.

"So... he talked about me?"

Ethan chuckled softly.

"For months, to the extent that it became a daily anthem in the palace."

Precious chuckled fondly.

“Eh…em!”Danville cleared his throat awkwardly.

"This isn't the time guys."

Before anyone could say another word—

Bang!

A gunshot echoed through the trees. The bullet struck the ground only a few feet away.

"They found us!" Ethan shouted.

Without hesitation, he pulled a compact radio from his belt, and raised it to his mouth.

"Alpha Team, this is Falcon."

His voice became sharp and professional.

"Target secured."

"I repeat, target secured."

"Move to Extraction Point Seven immediately."

Static crackled through the radio, came abruptly and then came the reply.

"Copy, Falcon."

"ETA: Three minutes."

Ethan looked at Danville.

"We have to move."

“Alright. By your order commander.”

Danville said turning to precious, as they prepared to leave.

Ethan smiled.

“Sorry for that your Highness…”

“Shut it Ethan! I'm just Danville,” Danville challenged seriously.

“like you always know. No Highness…just Danville. Got it?”

Ethan's smile widened into a heart warming laugh. Precious joined in. Danville frowned lightly.

“ Please, I'm just a lad who gets lost like a lamb. So no Highness, no prince…just Danville.” He concluded.

With this, precious couldn't help but laugh out her worries, Ethan is apologized, but they kept laughing till the three of them disappeared into the darkness.

_ _ _ _

Just then, dozens of soldiers burst into the clearing, all occupying the space and searching around. General Varok stepped forward, his eyes scanning the abandoned riverbank.

"They were here."

One soldier - the commander, with the leading voice earlier - pointed toward the muddy ground.

"Fresh footprints, General."

Varok knelt beside them.

His expression darkened.

"There are three now."

He slowly stood, his face stern.

"So..."

"They have help."

He clenched his fists, and then turned to the soldiers.

“The king expects good results…you need no soothsayer to tell you that, and what it is.”

"Search the entire forest."

"No one leaves Ravenwood alive."

_ _ _ _

The three fugitives hurried through a narrow mountain trail known only to Ashvale's intelligence network.

After nearly twenty minutes of walking, they arrived before what appeared to be nothing more than a massive rock formation.

Precious looked around in confusion.

"There's nowhere to go."

“Of course. But Ethan might have a way.” Danville chipped in.

“Oh really?”

Ethan smiled jokingly.

“I thought we were going to perform some, you know…abracadabra, to find our way”

Danville stood, hand's akimbo. His eyes observed the area.

“Yeah, I thought so too.”

He replied sarcastically and humorously.

“So what was it again…?” Ethan rolled his eyes, with his hands on his waist.

Precious giggled, enjoying the humorous atmosphere of the two who made her comfortable and happy since their first meeting.

“Oh…what's it called… Shazam? Or hocus pocus?” Ethan continued.

Precious couldn't hold it, she laughed out at the two of them.

“Or you could use a more perfect one. Like…” He cleared his throat.

“...Aetheris vora…”

“Enough guys.” They turned to her, as she tried harder to subside her laugh. Presently, she had forgotten her worries.

“Please be serious, you buzzing heads. Let's just find a way out of here.”

"Of course, there is, my lady. Just kidding with your boyfriend."

“Please, like Danville, I also am just who you see by my name. Stop the lady of a thing…I'm precious.” She said, and Ethan nodded.

“You know I couldn't help but to resume our games we played back then at school.” Danville laughed.

“Forever in my memory.”

Ethan chipped. He pressed his hand against what looked like an ordinary stone. A hidden scanner flashed blue.

“Access Granted.”

The rock wall rumbled.

Slowly, a concealed steel door slid open.

Precious gasped, her brave eyes stared in surprise.

"Is this..."

"A safe house." Ethan answered.

"Built years ago by Ashvale, in case diplomacy with Kaldoria ever failed."

They quickly stepped inside and the entrance was sealed shut behind them. For the first time in hours...Silence.

The underground shelter was surprisingly comfortable. It had soft lighting, leather sofas, shelves stocked with food, medical supplies, and a command center filled with monitors.

Precious looked around in amazement, this was a wonderful abode of warmth and peace.

"I never imagined something like this existed."

Danville smiled.

"My father and other ashvale leader's prepare for every possibility. And so do my brother here do." His smile widened.

“You know, that's why Ethan is my commander and trusted buddy.”

Ethan handed them each a bottle of water.

"Enough of all the flattering, you both need rest."

"You've been running for nearly six hours."

Danville accepted the bottle gratefully.

"Thank you bud."

Ethan's expression grew serious.

"Unfortunately..."

"This isn't over."

He walked toward one of the monitors and switched it on.

A live news broadcast appeared, as the female reporter spoke urgently.

"King Lorgart Ashken has accused Prince Danville Harrison of espionage and k********g Minister Antony Willes' daughter, Precious Willes. A warrant has been issued across Kaldoria for the prince's immediate arrest. Citizens are urged to report any information concerning their whereabouts."

Precious's face turned pale.

"They're calling me a k********g victim."

Danville shook his head.

"Lorgart is rewriting the story."

"He wants the people to believe I stole you from your family."

Ethan folded his arms.

"And that's only the beginning."

"He has also go beyond that by closing every border. Which means…"

“No flight.”

“No trains.”

“No ships."

"Kaldoria is completely sealed."

The room fell silent. For the first time, the weight of their situation truly settled upon them.

They weren't simply running from soldiers.

They were trapped inside an entire kingdom ruled by a man who would stop at nothing to separate them.

Precious lowered her head.

"If my father believes those lies..."

Danville gently took her hand.

"He knows you."

"He knows your heart."

"He'll never believe you left against your will."

She smiled weakly.

"I hope you're right."

Later that night...

While Ethan monitored security cameras and investigated files, Danville stood alone near one of the shelter's windows, staring into the darkness beyond.

Precious quietly walked over to him.

"What are you thinking about, my Lion?"

He smiled without looking away.

"The first day I met you."

She laughed softly.

"You mean when you walked into the palace garden because you got lost?"

Danville finally looked at her.

"I wasn't lost."

She raised an eyebrow.

"No?"

"I was exploring." Danville pushed on.

She folded her arms.

"You were absolutely lost."

He laughed.

"Fine."

"I was lost."

She smiled.

"And you nearly fell into the fountain."

"You remember that?"

"I remember everything."

Their eyes met. Suddenly, the fear surrounding them seemed to have been buried. The memory of that beautiful spring afternoon filled both their hearts.

Neither of them noticed Ethan watching from across the room with a knowing smile.

Some memories…

…Were worth risking kingdoms for.