Chapter 12
1266 Words
CHAPTER 12
Smell of roast beef fluttering in the air. Tall trees swaying as if there’s a mild storm, but no rain. Aragorn was sitting on a rough oak log, watching the three warriors cooking the beef they marinated earlier. The handsome smell made Aragorn feel hungrier.
“Royal Prince wait for it to cook. It will only take a few more minutes,” said Yosef.
Aragorn’s forehead creased. He wasn’t saying that he’s hungry. “I’m not hungry.”
“You’re looking at the beef as if you want to smash it. Don’t worry about it, Prince Aragorn. Everyone feels hungry with the delicious smell of beef steak,” Azrael teased.
“I’m really not hungry,” he lied, but his brain and stomach wanted the beef. “I just thought about the fire that happened. I don’t believe that it was the phoenix.”
“How certain are you, Your Highness?” Hideo asked. “Everyone in the palace knew that the phoenix was dangerous and can cause big fires like that. The phoenix used her opportunity to kill people when they’re sleeping. We’re lucky that our parents weren’t living in that village or they might also be the one roasted in the incident.”
I met the phoenix and she was not that kind of person, he thought. He trusted Sphyra and will continue trusting her. He knew what she needed, and it was not revenge or killing citizens of Caspian. She only wanted survival.
“My parents said that the phoenix was really fearing. It’s the second scariest thing beside from the war,” said Azrael.
Yosef hugged himself. “I hope I won’t see the phoenix.”
People have different perceptions until they face the truth, Aragorn decided. Time will come and they won’t think that way to the phoenix, to Sphyra. He must think of a way to show them what the heart of the phoenix contains.
“I respect your opinions, but I still believe on the thing that I believe. The fire happened not because of the phoenix. And I think the phoenix’s death was real years go. You all said that she didn’t haunt the palace for years. It can mean that she wasn’t existing at the present time.”
Hideo removed piece of fork from the fire. “Your Highness, there were citizens who saw the phoenix last night. They believe that it was her. You also promise that you’re going to capture the phoenix and showed them to everyone.”
“I promised that, but if it wasn’t really the phoenix, then I’ll show them the real culprit of what happened in the fire.”
“If it wasn’t the phoenix, who do you think the person who did it.”
“The palace of Caspian is huge and there are a lot of citizens residing in its area. Surely, there were people who disagree on my father and me, who wanted to scare our family. It is my to name that person out.”
“I can’t believe our son is willing to face the phoenix, Argon. It only means that he’s going to face his death. If it wasn’t for the citizens to challenge him, he won’t do that. Aragorn is weak physically and I can’t cost the life of my only son to that creature.”
Queen Amira gasped, searching for air. She can’t see Aragorn’s body burnt and roasted. She trusted her son, but not enough to let him face the phoenix. What if the thing happens now, later, tomorrow, or next week?
“Calm down, Amira. Aragorn is grown enough to face the phoenix. He knew what the stakes are. Aren’t you trusting your own son? He’s smart enough to face challenges in the kingdom. He’s wise like me.”
“He’s smart and I second to that. Fighting the phoenix does not only require mental tactics but also physical strength. I just can’t let him, Argon. Please don’t let our son die.”
“He won’t die, Amira. Once he passed this mission, he’ll gain the trust of the citizens.”
Queen Amira’s face leaned on the king’s chest. “Promise me our son would be alive or I’ll cost my life if not.”
The king just smiled.
Minutes after the practice of bow and arrow, Aragorn left to seek to the deep part of the forest. His comrades asked his permission to join him, but he said no. They will kill Amira instantly once they knew about it. He will talk to her, assure that she wasn’t the one who did that thing.
When the patterns of the trees became familiar to him, he wet his dry lips. “Eagles love to play with fire. Eagles love to play with fire,” he repeated and continued walking. He hoped Sphyra’s here.
“Eagles love to play with fire. Eagles love to play with fire,” he repeated in a much louder voice.
“Hey,” Sphyra, from his back, called. “What are you up to? You looked crazy when I’m watching you saying our call sign. Luckily, I’m just nearby.” She’s wearing hood, holding her dagger on her left hand and apple on her right hand. She bit the apple and chewed it in front of Aragorn.
“Something happened in the village last night. I went here to talk to you about it.”
Sphyra shrugged. “Fine.” She sat on the large stone under a big oak tree.
“A fire happened in the village. They said it was you. They said you are the one who caused the flame. And you’re taking revenge about what happened to your mother.”
“And you thought it was me?”
“No, I’m here to clarify that it was not you. I believe in you and I trust you. I think that someone in the palace of Caspian wanted to do such nasty things. That person might disagree to my father’s plan. And he might be one of those citizens who didn’t like me as the king.”
“Do you I’m the one who did it?”
Aragorn shook his head. “Of course, not.”
“What if I tell you that it’s really me?”
Aragorn felt a lump on his throat. If it’s really Sphyra then…
“It was not me. I second to your thought that someone wanted to dethrone your father or you in the future. They wanted violence so the whole palace would be a mess. That person might want to take revenge on your family. Someone that despised you or your father after doing thing that might’ve hurted them or their loved one.”
“Also, I heard something interesting. You’re going to haunt me down and brought in front of them.”
Sphyra grinned and gripped on her dagger. Aragorn knew it was another danger.
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