The Red Prince (1)

by Stephen Lucas Lacroix

  “What the hell was that?” he shouted to Sevidon.

  “The girl is safe right? No harm done,” he said.

  “Are you — you could have killed that girl!” he yelled once more, but Sevidon just smirked at him and moved onwards into an open plain.

  “Hey, I’m talking to you!” Glaivel soon followed.

  They had gone on for almost the entire day until dusk settled in, and they began to see a mysterious temple from afar.

  “Is that it?” Glaivel asked Sevidon. He looked toward the mysterious. Whipping his horse hard, it galloped loudly and pushed onwards, leaving Glaivel behind again.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Evangeline finally arrived at the Eldemenster Temple. Fascinated by the temple, she sauntered inside it with great admiration. Seven pillars stood in the center of the temple. The hole at the top of the temple allowed light to beam on through the center.

  She approached the middle pillar and stared at it for minutes. She noticed writings unknown to her. She touched them and tried to read them, only to see figures and creatures of some sort. “This is the great seven Animos,” shocked at what she had found. She explored for more details and more understandable text or hieroglyphics to describe what she saw. She approached the other pillars on her right and studied it for specific figures and saw another creature, “This is the Blue Eagle.” As the light slowly reflected at the temple’s ceiling, she saw drawings and scriptures of creatures, men fighting, nature’s wrath and everything. She walked back as she gazed at all of them.

  A shadow covered the light hole and a winged man descended from the top. The man landed on the temple floor and flapped his wings to rest. His wings shined a blinding white and disappeared into his back. The man looked around him and noticed Evangeline’s presence in the temple.

  Evangeline was breathing heavily and just stared at the mysterious winged man. Suddenly turned to her and without warning, Evangeline held up her hands and casted a spell at the man. Thrown by the sudden lightning strike, he hit the temple wall groaning in pain. She approached him while her hands still sparked pinkish maroon colored lights.

  “Who are you? Why are you here?” she asked.

  The man tried to stand up, pushing away the rubble on top of him.

  “You should’ve asked first before striking, right?” the man said.

  “Who are you?” Evangeline asked once more.

  “My name is Ravaen Adevok,” he said as he started to pat the dust off him.

  Evangeline felt embarrassed and shocked. Realizing what she had done, she hid her hands behind her back and the swirling lights disappeared.

  “I’m sorry, dear Prince. I-I didn’t know,” she said while her head faced the floor.

  “And may I ask who you might be?” he asked.

  “Evangeline. Evangeline Ressei of the Orderian.”

  Ravaen’s eyebrows arched as he walked past Evangeline headed for the center of the temple.

  “So, the Orderians also joined in, huh?” he said while he looked at the hieroglyphics on the pillar.

  “Uhm, yes. I can also see that the Falcons decided likewise,” she added and looked at the same pillar Ravaen was looking at.

  “The Trasidians were our closest ally. We can’t just ignore a call. Especially if we know that we are also affected by their – let’s just say, problem,” then he looked at Evangeline.

  She blushed and then faced down once more. But because she was near, too near the pillar, she hit her head and blacked out. Ravaen quickly stretched out his arms for her as she was about to fall. He caught her just in time and slowly laid her down, checking her head for any bruises. Later, she woke up and found herself in Ravaen’s arms, face to face, their eyes met that sent an electrified feeling towards Ravaen’s heart.

  End of chapter VII

  VIII: HURRICANE OF THE NORTH

  THE SKIES IN THIS KINGDOM were always angry. Lightning struck everything in sight and thunder echoed throughout the region. The land was made of sharp rocks and stone, almost barren and lifeless. Worst of all, the sky always shed its freezing cold tears of rain and snow. That was the daily life of the people from the Iron Kingdom of the Kra’ens.

  They bordered the High Kingdom of the Eagles in the north, the Mystic Realm in the south and the Middle Kingdom in the west. Vultures flew over the dead forest, killed by its cold weather. Only frozen trunks and sharp branches were left as a reminder of the harshness of the Middle North. The only thing that the region was good for was their vast metal ore and the most valuable of metal that could only be mined in their lands, the Kra’enite, that a few kingdoms desired.

  Imperial Diplomat Ferrier Ole made his way to the Kra’en territory. They planned to head straight to the Kra’en capital citadel, Mathron. They reached the first gates to the Mathron territory as two post guards halted their trail.

  “Good day. May we know who you are?” asked the guard.

  Ferrier stared at them seriously. “Am I not expected by the Mathron Council?”

  Another guard looked at the side of the carriage and saw the crest of the Trasidar Empire. He quickly ran towards the other guard and shoved him on the back, whispering at him.

  “Why are you asking him that? He’s expected. He’s the Trasidian diplomat you fool!” he pushed him again quickly apologized to Ferrier.

  “I am sorry, Your Highness. He’s new.”

  Ferrier just nodded and said, “May we continue now to Mathron?” the sky burst of thunder as lightning lit up the sky.

  “I’m afraid you will have to wait this one out, Sire. The storm today is unusual,” the guard answered as he stood firm while the wind howled stronger.

  Ferrier paused for a moment. “But we really need to get their as soon as possible.”

  The guard insisted and answered shaking his head. “I’m afraid you will really have to wait. Don’t worry, Sire. We’ve prepared a cabin just for you on a post not far from here.”

  He said while he smiled at Ferrier. Ferrier was left with no other choice and decided to wait the storm to calm.

  “Where is this post?” he snobbishly asked.

  The guard arched his eyebrow, pointed to the direction of the cabin, but before he could begin to explain, Ferrier spoke, “Tell that to my driver would you, I’m not feeling too well.”

  The guard nodded and he approached the carriage driver and pointed once more. “You go straight ahead, then when you see the first right turn—”

  “Then I’ll turn right. Right?” interrupted the driver.

  The guard politely declined, “Uhm, no. You go straight ahead.” The driver agreed and continued listening. “Then after that, it’s about a couple of minutes and you’ll see some lights. Follow it and that’s the post you’re looking for.”

  The driver said okay and took off.

  As they were getting far, the guard shouted, “Oh! And look out for some rocks that are on the road! It may get a little bumpy! Have a safe trip!”

  The driver turned his head to look at the guard and saw him waving. He waved back as a sign of thank you and suddenly the carriage was shaken. The driver struggled to regain control and fortunately, he did.

  Ferrier got irritated and shouted, “Pay attention to the road!”

  The driver caught his breath and answered, “Sorry, Sire. There was a furry on the road.”

  They rode under the furious night sky and they finally saw the lights the guard was talking about. They made their way to a big house guarded by a dozen soldiers. They parked on the cemented side of the road and the diplomat got off the carriage. The guards saluted him and he asked for his things to be picked up and brought to his room. He walked through the corridor that was also full of guards.

  Hesitating to enter his room, he began to suspect something was up. He looked around and approached one of the guards.

  “Excuse me, but why is this post heavily guarded? I know that I am important but this is too much,” he jokingly asked.

  The guard was not amu
sed and stared at Ferrier. He noticed this and swiftly, quieted down and coughed intentionally.

  “We are guarding you. We are also on the lookout for a possible break in from an escaped prisoner, Sire,” the guard answered.

  Ferrier looked at the floor and rubbed his nose and said, “Escaped prisoner? May I ask who it is?”

  The guard answered, “I’m sorry, Sire, but it is strictly confidential.” Ferrier looked at the ceiling as he sighed deeply and continued to his room.

  Not far from where the Imperial Diplomat was, a chase was unfolding. Dogs barked and puddles splashed along with pouring rain. A man was running in half his armor from the waist down. His arms dripped with blood.

  He looked behind him to see how far he was from the guards, only to be brought down by a large mutt that tackled him. He rolled down to the ground as he tried to outwit the beast.

  “Damn, dog, with biting and all!” Finally he overpowered the bulldog and threw it away. The guards caught up and surrounded him in an open field in the dead forest. He looked around to realize that he was surrounded by soldiers.

  “You are surrounded, Graveloth Demio! There is nowhere to run!” yelled a guard. The others were holding the bulldogs by their leashes as they savagely barked at him.

  Graveloth just smiled and said, “I’d like to see you guys even try to lay a finger on me.”

  Another guard shouted and the bulldogs were unleashed. Graveloth just stood his ground and lightning and thunder came roaring in. He threw his arms up and down then the wind started to shield him as it spun rapidly like a tornado around him. The bulldogs ricocheted as Graveloth stopped with a smirk on his face. The guards were dumbfounded as they looked at each other. But still, they had to catch him. They charged at him with pointed spears and he spun again to summon a more powerful tornado, throwing the guards in every direction.

  He continued spinning until the top of the tornado shaped into a point and it flew into the air, hurdling away from the enemy. The rotating tornado hit the dead forest, destroying everything in its path. It then disappeared as Graveloth jumped out of it. He rolled to the ground and managed to stand up and ran away.

  Graveloth Demio had dark skin and large eye pupils – sign that one came from the Iron Kingdom of the Kra’ens. He was the greatest blacksmith of the Kra’ens until an incident happened involving him and the Iron Princess. He was arrested by rejecting the princess of the Kra’ens invitation to a grand gathering. As a result he was accused of a crime that didn’t even exist.

  The only thing that set him apart from the rest of the Kra’ens was his ability to use and harness the wind at will that even he himself could not explain.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  The next day, the rain was not as strong anymore. The carriage was already prepared for their departure. Ferrier wrapped up some things with the head guard of the post he stayed in. He went to his carriage and made his way to Mathron. It was only a shower that day, small streaks of lightning and weak booms of thunder. They traversed the mountain side on their way to the city. Ferrier looked outside the window and noticed something downhill. He asked the driver to stop and he stepped off the carriage.

  He looked downhill again and saw a strong gust of wind rampaging through the dead forest. He was amazed with what he saw. As it devastated the dead forest, it was suddenly put to a stop by a strong metal sheet net. He saw the guards and Kra’ens close in on someone.

  He asked his driver to give him a scope and the driver immediately handed him one. He stretched it and saw someone being pulled out of the net and handcuffed. He looked exhausted and was dragged by the guards into a carriage, and it headed to the city.

  He put down the scope, took a deep breath and said to himself, “Interesting.” As he handed the scope to the driver he said, “Let’s go,” and they resume their trip.

  It was almost midday when they reached the city. Guards surrounded the main citadel, The Iron Hall. The citadel appeared to have been carved out of the mountain. But it was only made of Kra’enite stones, stronger than marble and very hard to carve. Only the Kra’ens and the Trasidians had the strength to even carve one out from the mountains. It could only be taken from deep within the mountain territory of the Iron Kingdom. Tattered banners bearing the emblem of the Kra’ens decorated the citadel. However, it was not as pleasing because it looked like it had not been maintained for the past years.

  They stopped at the front gates and the councilors of the Mathron Council were there to greet him.

  “Welcome friend,” said the head councilor, adorned with a large hat that covered him all the way to the neck, bearing as well the ring of Hodus’Cromas, a sign that he was the Head of the Council and closest advisor to the Iron King. They both bowed to each other to show respect. “So, what brings the Imperial Trasidar to a place like this?” asked the councilor.

  He was offered to come inside and they walked towards the center room as Ferrier answered the council man’s question.

  “We need to start now. Gather everyone. I wish the presence of the King and the Princess. I wish to discuss something,” Ferrier said as he kept walking while the council man just stood there surprised.

  He shook his head and followed him, “But Sire—”

  “Please, gather everyone now. Precious seconds need not to be wasted,” Ferrier insisted as he stared down the councilor then walked toward the center room.

  The councilor called a guard and ordered him.

  “Call the King immediately and the Princess as well.” The guard saluted before running. He gathered the councilors and entered the Iron Dome. This room however, appeared to be much cleaner than the rest of the citadel. The banner of the Kra’ens hung above the Silver Throne and atop it was the crest of the ruling Family, The Jaghjourns. Ferrier felt it uneasy for some reason.

  The Iron King and the Princess entered the room from the opposite end where Ferrier was. He stopped in front of his throne and said, “Fellow Kra’en, I shall not waste time in pleasantries. As you may have heard by now, The Trasidar Empire is in dire shape.”

  “Yes, we did hear the rumors. Are you here to confirm that it is true then?” said King Ysakov.

  “I’m afraid so, Your Highness,” Ferrier said. “The greatest general of the imperial army, Prince Tamiron Lluch, has abandoned the empire. He rebelled against us and together with the Xerxecian army, they attacked us.” The room chattered, but the King only sighed. Ferrier continued to deliver his ominous message, “Unfortunately, the king is also ill and is in grave condition. And we don’t know when he will get better.”

  The room got noisier and the King asked, “Then who sent you here? Who is currently in charge of the empire?” Ferrier looked at the king as silence dwelled in the room.

  “The one in-charge as of the moment is Prime Minister Menoich Anarchu. He was elected by a majority vote from the Imperial Council.”

  “The Archbishop?” the King asked. Ferrier only nodded.

  The King rubbed his white beard as his fingers tapped his silver throne.

  The room chattered again loudly as the King was in disbelief. He looked at his daughter and she too looked back. He asked the diplomat, “Are we assured that we can trust the Archbishop?”

  The diplomat held both his hand together and answered, “Yes, you can.”

  “Okay, very well,” the King stands, “Then what is the Prime Minister’s plan to do with the rebel Prince?” he quickly asked.

  Ferrier breathed deeply first before he answered, “We are currently gathering the mightiest warriors of the land as the Prime Minister commanded. The last I have heard, the Princess of the Orderian, Evangeline Ressei is already in the meeting place. Prince Ravaen of the Falcons is on his way, General Sevidon and Colonel Glaivel of the Venis and Viris elves are on their way as well. The Middle Kingdom, I still have no news of their Princess. But I do believe we will get a favorable answer from them.”

  “Why would you require our help to subdue and bring the Prince to the Trasidar Cou
rt?” a councilor said, wearing nothing but a garb adorned by gemstones.

  “I am afraid that a trial won’t be necessary, my dear councilor.” Ferrier treaded carefully.

  The room murmured when the same councilor asked again, “No trial? Why so?”

  Ferrier only sighed deeply, “Because the Imperial Council has found it simply unnecessary. The Imperial Council hereby bestowed a verdict to the prince – a verdict of death.”

  The council erupted while the king was left in shock.

  “What is the meaning of this? This is an outrage. You of all people enforced that with all of us and now you tell us that you are the very first ones who will break it?” a councilor shouted.

  “It was beyond the control of the Prime Minister, my friends. He opposed to the very idea. But a majority vote by the Imperial Council has sealed that very fate. The Prime Minister has but no choice but to comply,” Ferrier explained.

  “Then your Prime Minister is weak!” another one shouted.

  The King quickly intervened and shouted a short, but very loud roar. The councilors quickly heeled and bowed their heads, “So what you’re saying is you are gathering every single warrior of the land, to kill the prince. Is that it?” the King said.

  “Yes, Your Highness.”

  The King was a bit shocked. Her daughter only held his hand which was all she could do. Ferrier listened closely as he waited the Iron King’s answer.

  “Then we will also send our strongest warrior, my daughter Princess Melia.” He asked his daughter to stand, the room clapped loudly but Ferrier reacted not too pleased.

  The king felt mocked by the small reaction Ferrier gave, a trait every Kra’en had. “You’re reaction to what I just said feels — troublesome? Is something the matter with my daughter coming to the Empire’s aid?”

  The diplomat stopped and said, “Well, I already made up my mind, good King. I want the Kra’ens to be represented by the one who was just captured this morning in the woods.” He cleared his throat and the council room murmured loudly.