THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS

The Warrior from the Rival Kingdom

 Chapter XVII

Somewhere in the forest of Asca, prince Aheim set off from his white mount. His gaze heed directly to study the forest, from the quelling noise of the animals living around the area, or the wind’s rustle when it touches the branches and the leaves of the old trees. The mystifying reputation of Asca can only be verified through deep observation, and as an elf, communicating with nature is an ability they are most proficient. Which in his case, he abruptly recognized the presence of magical influence surrounding the forest of Asca. He took his cape off and sat down on a rock nearby and sighted. His exhaustion is not because of his long traveling across the kingdoms, but the rivalry of his father and cousin, to which he finds nonsense compare to the threat of the Gathoms returning. 

“Where am I? is this the right place?” he whispered to himself. 

Just as when Aheim decided to move along and continue his journey, a group of Shuixron soldiers came across  him. He knew they ’re from Shuixron because of the banners and the crests on the armors they were wearing              

 “you there!” yelled the man who stood before him “you’re an elf” the man walked towards him to examine him closely 

“So elves still exists—I thought you were gone for good” Aheim felt insulted however remained unmoved, to prevent himself from making unnecessary mess. The soldiers prepared themselves to capture the solo elf 

“I am here not to make a fight but to find someone” he bluntly answered 

“what? Oh! I know, you don’t want any trouble huh?”                                                      

 “Yes! Please!”                                                                                                                     

The soldiers laughed at him                                                                                        

  “Say elf! Give us all the golds you have and we’ll let you go unharmed”                                                           

  “I thought you are soldiers, I never knew you are actually  bandits. Such a shame you’re wearing the mark of the proud soldiers of Shuixron” his words made the man angry. One of them roughly  grabbed him and draw his sword to  his neck to scare him

 “You take your words back you filthy elf” the soldier was about to press the blade on  Aheim’s neck when suddenly a very strange strumming of strings supposed to make a melody caught their attention. They all look towards its location, and there, a strange looking musician appeared ahead of them 

“Wow! What’s all this commotion going on?” the musician, who’s carrying a banjo walk casually towards them. He stopped his playing and bothered to stare the elf’s face and the soldier grabbing him

 “Ah… this is none of my business—I should go” he pass through them and continue playing his banjo 

“wait!” the warrior let go of the elf and commanded his men to stop the musician from going further 

“Is this what you do whenever you see someone?” said the elf vulgarly 

“shut up!—You! Get this elf and tie him up, we’re bringing them to the castle” The other soldiers held Aheim to bind him with a thick rope,  the rest are to capture the escaping musician. 

The soldier’s charged towards him. He throw his banjo up and move swiftly against the soldiers. Aheim was surprise how the man muddled through the fight with speed almost as fast as the elves. His fighting style is remarkably unique; he dances like a deranged person at a dance festival, yet this technique is to avoid and to assault. The soldier’s attacks reverts back at them. And ended their battle with his sword remained untouched on his waist. The fight was done before the banjo fell back to the man’s hand “why you...” the leader got even angrier and tried to attack the man from behind, but Prince Aheim released himself from the roped and slayed the attacking soldier with his sword, while the rest of the soldiers escaped.

 “oh! That makes one point against Shuixron” said the man as he turn around and met the Elf’s sword pointing at him 

“tell me! Who are you?” he demanded 

“Is that the proper way to thank the man who just saved your life?” he raised both of his hands on his shoulder level, and grinned with his eyebrows

 “I didn’t need your help, you defended your own life, I don’t owe anything from you!” 

“My...my! How Ill-tempered you are brother, your mother must have forgotten to teach you manners” he jest                                                                             

 “I am not your brother nor I don’t know you”                                                                                  

 “Uhu That’s sad, I am only being friendly here”  

“who are you!” this man is provoking his temper, he is beginning to feel more like Qardolan while the outrageous man imprudently grinning at him, or he really do intend to annoy him                 

“I am just a wondering musician, escaped from our home to travel and reach my dream” the guy began to tale his life, he sat down on the ground still holding his banjo without any tension and cares less about the sword that is being pointed at him

 “I ran away from home” he began with an as if disappointment to his life “because my father wants me to do something I don’t want to” he look back to the elf, trying to gain sympathy for his as if struggles

“Insolent! Do you think you can fool me with that rubbish! Tell me who you are, you are no ordinary wanderer ” Aheim draw his sword closer to frighten him  but it made no difference

 “I see!” the man stand up, rub the dirt off his cloths, and formally faced the elf 

“you don’t make any friends do you” he took his banjo from the ground and cheerfully smiled at him “my name is Liero and I am a musician, my music is not yet known but someday it will be ” he explained  reaching his hand for a handshake. Aheim darkened his glare                  

“I don’t trust you”                                                                                                                                    

“it’s up to you whether you believe me or not, I don’t need your approval of that anyway, I am off to see this tribal group called Ligayun. Some says that they are true ethnic and has a better sense of music than the person here beside me” referring to the angry elf 

“Li-gayun? Do you know their exact location?”                                                                                                                             

 “Of-course! I am heading there” the Elf pondered; he could lead him the way but will he agree to that? 

“I am looking for the same tribe, maybe…” he hesitated “you can lead me the way towards there” Liero smiled in agreement, he is no ordinary as for Aheim, but he has a mission, and it lead him no choice.