The Elusive Prince

Untitled Episode

Adrian’s mind blanked. He could feel himself flying. Not like a bird though, like he was shot from a cannon and he was thrown with such a force that he was hurling in space and time. Everything was a blur. He couldn't seem to catch his breath. He remembered being angry, he remembered everyone in the room and then he was in this vortex. He struggled to steady himself but he was helpless. After what seemed like an endless volley he landed on the ground. Feet planted in the grass. The sky was blinded with gray clouds. Slight wind blew, sun was about to set and two faint moons growing stronger with each passing second. He was in a circular area, littered with small pyramids. In the centre stood a shining golden pyramid, Adrian wished he could see it in detail and suddenly he was there, in touching distance. He raised his hand to do so and a face appeared on the shining surface. It was a man his own age. He had flowing black hair and a slightly crooked smile. Adrian found himself smiling at him. “Son” the voice heavy with grief and love called to him.

Adrian’s every fibre of being recognised this voice and this face. His father. The man he came from and had never had the chance to meet. “Father” Adrian now raised his hand to touch the face. His fingers touched the warm gold. The face now sad. “My son, come back to your land. Free me. Talk to your aunt. Tell her, I miss and love her. Tell her, her face used to look like a mule” his voice and face had started to fade. Desperate Adrian shouted” come back, father come back”

“Find your blade, find your mate, find your orb. Free me, child. I want to be with your mother. I have always loved you.” the last vowel died in a whisper. Adrian touched the pyramid everywhere, looking for something that would bring his father back. He kept shouting for him when everything blacked out. 

He slowly swam out of darkness, his fluttering eyes noticed Bri and Olivers face very near to his. Bri was shaking his shoulder. Oliver's hand was under his head and he was trying to prop him up. After a long minute, Adrian was once again  contained and he regained his senses. He struggled to get up. After much heaving and hoeing he sat on the couch. He was sweaty. His clothes had ripped to shreds. He was essentially clothed in rags. Sylvio was avoiding his eyes. Bri was crying, fussing over him. Solicitously asking if he wanted a drink or food. She was fluffing his pillows when he grabbed her wrist,” Bri.. what was that” she laughed nervously, her other hand now jittering. “You shifted. You crossed over.” ” explain” his voice, a gentle command. “Our family comes from Rowan the great.” Ria spoke. Adrian’s head swiveled towards his aunt. “Why are my clothes in shreds?” 

“Only true heirs have wolf animus in our family. Anyone with wolf animus comes from Rowan. You ran away and rejected so you never shifted. Today, even in anger you accepted your legacy. You animus came forth. You are the true heir. ” Ria said softly. Pride evident in her eyes.

“So this Rowan guy” adrian sarcastically started

“Girl. well a woman really” Ria interrupted. 

“Fine. this rowan woman couldn't find her true heirs in their world? She needed me?”

“I don't know. I only know that you are the heir. I knew it from the moment I helped your mother escape.”

“Why did my father call you a mule?”

Ria was startled, she almost came out of her wheelchair. “What? What did you say??” 

“I met my father. He said to me that your face used to look like a mule”

Ria started laughing, tears falling freely,”oh! That jackass! He played a prank on me after I had pestered him the whole day. My magic hadnt come yet, he transformed my face into a mule’s. He was punished for 7 days by my father. His magic was taken and he was made to do tasks manually. After that whenever needed to torture me, he would say that maybe his magic was permanent and left me looking like a mule. Trust him to take the last jab even after death.” Ria was still crying but her face was radiant with joy.