“Unfortunately little prince, this is not your call, your uncle has given clear instructions. Now you have two choices, either follow my orders, or I’ll have you arrested for insubordination.” Hugo ordered.
Caleb laughed again. This time more heartily, as if Hugo had dressed up as a jester and tried to perform a trick. “You can try to have me arrested Hugo, but we both know the outcome.” His eyes were like fire and his words were stern.
Hugo knew all too well what would happen if he were to tell the king about what Caleb had pulled. At the very worst, he would get scolded by his uncle then ordered to listen to Hugo but never anything too rash. Why the king decided to give the son of his traitorous brother so much authority, he did not know—one thing was for sure, he had to get rid of him as soon as possible otherwise Hugo would never be taken seriously by his men. So instead of arguing, he smiled and remembered the words the king had told him before they began their crusade, ‘If you find them, burn the village to the ground and leave no witnesses.’ Those were his king’s orders, and as his soldier he had to carry them out. He then glared at Caleb and spoke. “Be that as it may, we have our orders, and as soldiers it is our duty to carry them out. Our job is to find the traitor and the criminals, and if anyone helps them, they are to be killed.” Hugo turned his attention from Caleb to the crowd of people who were happily waving goodbye to their daughters, as the carriages pulled off with hopes of one day seeing them again—a hope that Caleb feared would be extinguished if he were to leave. “These people are traitors. They have both harbored and assisted the traitors, so if I were you your highness, I would worry more about finding my father than saving the lives of these people.”
Caleb couldn’t speak, Hugo had him and he knew it. As much as he wanted to save the lives of the people of that village, the thought of finally seeing his father again after so many years overwhelmed him. So without another word, Caleb swallowed his pride and took eight men into the direction of the hill. “Now then, the rest of you burn this place to the ground—leave no one alive.” Hugo ordered, feeling happy that he had bested Caleb. “Follow me when you are done.” With that he rode his horse in Caleb’s direction.
The moment the carriage pulled away, the soldiers began to destroy the village. Some soldiers lit torches and began to set the village on fire, while others took up their sword or bow and arrows, and raised them against the villagers, shooting and stabbing everyone that they came into contact with. Unsure of what was happening, many of the villagers began to fight back, each trying to protect their families and stay alive. Unlike the soldiers, the villagers had no swords or arrows, only pitch forks and rocks, so picking them up, the men of the village began to use them as weapons in order to fight the army, while the women with smaller children tried to escape the village. Out of the hundred people that were in that village, only Martha, the men in robes and a handful of women and children made it out alive, everyone else was killed by the soldiers.
“Hurry.” Martha ordered. She and the other survivors ran as fast as they could through the forest, neither looking back out of fear of being caught; the heat from the fire could be felt even in the forest, and its flames were so high that anyone in the forest could see it.
Moments earlier, Hugo and the rest of the soldiers pulled up to Elizabeth and John’s house. “I don’t think we should waste our time here, there already gone.” Caleb said, frustrated that he might have missed his chance of finally catching his father.
“We won’t know until we search.” Hugo said, as he dismounted his horse. Caleb and the rest of the soldiers followed his lead and dismounted their horses. “You three, check the house further down, you three, the one next to it, and you three and Caleb, come with me.” Hugo ordered.
“No thanks. You men go ahead; I’m going to search here.” Caleb declared. Hugo walked up to Caleb and stood so close to him that he could feel his breath on his face.
“When I give an order soldier, you are supposed to obey it. You constantly disobeying me, soldier, is making me angry.” Hugo said sharply. His eyes were squint and his nostrils flared as he spoke to Caleb. However, Caleb found it amusing, especially since he knew he was right and the added bonus was that it got under Hugo’s skin.
“Then give me a reasonable order and I will carry it out.” Caleb retorted. Hugo was about to hit him, but restrained himself. He then turned and joined the rest of his men who were headed into Elizabeth’s and John’s house. Caleb smiled victoriously at Hugo, then turned his attention towards the ground—searching for any kind of tracks that would lead him to his father and the criminals. He had been learning how to track things since he was a little boy from his father, and later his uncle, making him an expert in the field and he knew if the soldiers didn’t find them in the house, then he may be able to find some clue as to where his father had gone.
Hugo and his men thoroughly searched each house and stable, however neither came back with good news. The only thing that Hugo had gotten out of viewing Elizabeth and John’s house, was that they may have just left. However, the direction they went in was uncertain and he had no time to look for them.
“Everyone back on your horses, let's go back to the castle.” Hugo yelled out, upset that they had come all that way and found nothing.
Everyone mounted their horses expect Caleb, who was still studying the ground.
“What are you doing? I ordered you back on your horse.” Hugo asked, angry with Caleb for disobeying him.
“I know that. However, I found something.” Caleb informed him. There were hoof tracks on the ground leading from the house towards the forest.
“I don’t see anything but horse tracks, how is this going to help us?” Hugo asked balling up his fist and squeezing it tight, restraining himself from striking the prince.
“These tracks, they lead right to the forest, sir. I think we should follow them. Caleb suggested.
“This could be nothing.” Hugo argued.
“Or it could lead to my father and the criminals. Either way, it’s worth checking it out.” Caleb implied.
Hugo looked at Caleb's neck and thought about how easy it would be to cut his head off. However, since there were too many soldiers there that respected Caleb, and the fact that the king was very fond of him, Hugo decided to wait until the right time. “Fine, but if there is nothing we are going back to the castle and you can explain to his majesty why you wasted everyone’s time.
“Gladly, and when we find my father and the criminals, I can take full credit for that as well.” Caleb said with a smirk.
“If we find them. Don’t get too cocky, you have a lot to learn before you can even think about taking over my position.”
“I know, and I look forward to learning something from someone who actually knows what he’s doing.” With that Caleb walked away from Hugo, leaving him standing there looking stupid and feeling embarrassed and full of rage towards the young prince.
“Let's follow these tracks.” Hugo ordered. All of the men mounted their horses and followed Caleb as he led them through the forest by following the tracks.
5
Elizabeth looked from her father to Rico, searching for some kind of explanation as to why they had to abandon their home and flee with a handsome, but suspicious stranger. However, neither would speak and as the carriage pushed along at an incredibly fast pace, Elizabeth feared she would never know. The voice in her head kept screaming at her to ask them the one question that she had been dying to know since they had forced her into the carriage. “Where are we going?”
“To a safe place,” her father informed her. His tone was firm, but she could tell he was afraid of something. It was in his eyes. The soft gray eyes that Elizabeth had thought of as stoic and strong had become fearful. It was as if they were screaming ‘help me.’
“Safe? What place is safer than our home?” Elizabeth asked in confusion. However, the moment she asked that question, she regretted it. Not because of her current situation, but because of
this feeling of unprecedented danger she felt from mentioning it. Something was happening back at the village, something she believed to be dangerous—only she knew they wouldn’t tell her why or what it was. Her only choice was to pry it out of them; however, a part of her didn’t really want to know. She wanted to remain ignorant for as long as she could, or they were willing to keep her that way.
“Lots of places are safer than our home; we do live by the forest,” her father replied with a soft smile that seemed sad. Elizabeth put her arm through her father’s and laid her head on his shoulder. “I know you’re worried Lizzy and confused, but I promise once we get to where we are going, I will tell you everything,” he assured her, with a pat on the hand.
Elizabeth smiled; however, a part of her feared that he would never get the chance to tell her, because the deeper they rode into the forest, the more dangerous she felt the situation become. Elizabeth sighed, then closed her eyes. The moment she opened them, she saw her father’s head in the hands of a man with a scar by his eye and a huge grin on his face. His hair was wild, and below him was a bloody battlefield with hundreds of men, women, and children dead. Some were decapitated while others were sliced up. The smell of blood was so strong that Elizabeth found it hard to breathe. Elizabeth stood there, frozen in fear under the red sky, too afraid to move as the tears rolled down her cheeks. The man then looked from his prize to Elizabeth and began to approach her. He was wearing what looked like a captain’s uniform and his smile only widen as he made his way towards her with her father’s head in tow. She tried to move but found it impossible. Someone was holding her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw both Renee and Jasmine standing next to her, like soldiers waiting on instructions from their master. Elizabeth tried to speak, but no words came out. Once the man finally made it to Elizabeth, he placed the severed head down, then put his hands on her shoulders.
“Good work, Lizzy. I knew you could do it,” he said proudly.
Do? What did I do? She thought to herself. She looks around the field again, then down at her hands, they were bloody and below her was Rico’s corpse. Horrified, Elizabeth screamed.
“Lizzy!” She heard her father yell, “Lizzy, wake up!”
Elizabeth opened her eyes. They were still in the carriage, headed towards an unknown location.
It’s okay baby, breathe,” John said, holding Elizabeth and patting her on the back. This was not the first time he had seen his daughter like this and he knew it wouldn’t be the last. Her normal honey glowing skin had turned pale—as if she had seen a ghost and she was finding it hard to breathe “It’s okay,” John repeated
“Is she alright?” Rico asked in a concerned manner. Never in his life had he ever witnessed a scene like that one. The moment she opened her eyes, lightning struck the ground. It was as if the sky had cracked opened sending bolts of lightning crashing down all around them. She’s the real thing. He thought to himself.
Moments later, another round of lightning struck the carriage, spooking the horses and sending all of the passengers tumbling out of the carriage. Kevin, the driver, and Rico ran off to bring the horses back, while John helped Elizabeth up and tried desperately to calm her down. It worked and the sky cleared up.
“What was that?” Kevin asked as he pulled two horses back towards the group.
“Freak storm,” John replied. He knew it was a lie; however, he had no intention of explaining to anyone what had actually happened, especially Elizabeth—at least not at that moment.
“We have to hurry,” Rico proclaimed. His hand was placed firmly on the horse’s mane, gripping it as if it were his life line, while staring at both father and daughter with desperation in his eyes. If they catch us…”
“I know,” John said, interrupting him. “Which is why I need you to take Elizabeth as far away from here as possible,” John ordered. He didn’t want to leave her; however, he knew it would be better for everyone if he were the one to get caught and not her.
Elizabeth shook her head as an image from her dream flashed through her head. “No daddy, I want to go with you,” she cried. She was shaking and found it impossible to stop the tears from falling from her eyes.
“Lizzy, we don’t have time for this, I will meet up with you when I can,” John explained, though neither one of them believed it. However, he was prepared to sacrifice his life if it meant that she would be safe.
“No, you won’t,” Elizabeth declared. Her hands were shaking as she hugged her father. “You’ll die daddy, please come with me,” she begged.
Rico looked at her in perplexity. How did she know?
“If I die, it’s what I deserve,” he said bluntly. Elizabeth looked at him, shattered and shocked. “Why would you deserve it?” she asked, petrified and more afraid than ever to let him go. “Who’s after you, daddy?”
“Rico!!” He ordered. Without a word, Rico pulled Elizabeth from her father. She struggled the whole time, screaming for him to put her down, but he didn’t listen. Instead, he placed her on the horse and got on behind her. John grabbed Elizabeth’s bag and handed it to her.
“Daddy, please come with us,” she begged as she accepted the bag.
“If we meet again, I promise to tell you everything,” he said softly, “If not, you’ll find out soon. Rico, remember your promise.”
Rico bowed his head. “Yes, sir.”
Elizabeth grabbed her father’s hand as a final attempt to get him to take her with him. “Please daddy,” she pleaded with him.
“Goodbye, Lizzy. I love you,” John cooed. He then hit the back of the horse and they went, speeding through the forest. The last thing he heard before they disappeared was Elizabeth screaming for him not to leave her. “Kevin, take that horse and get out of here. I’ll lead them away,” John ordered.
Kevin extended his hand towards John’s who gratefully accepted it. “It has been a pleasure, sir.” With that, Kevin took off in the opposite direction of Elizabeth and Rico, disappearing into the forest. Once they were out of sight, John began covering their tracks so their pursuers wouldn’t find them. Once he had finished, he hopped on the horse and took off as fast as he could, leaving a false trail for them to follow.
A few minutes later, Hugo and his men spotted John’s horse track leading towards the river and began to follow them.
“There he is!” One of the soldiers yelled after identifying John’s horse.
John looked over his shoulder and saw the thirty-something men on horseback following him. He recognized the leader right away. It had been eighteen years since he laid eyes on him, but he’d recognize Hugo anywhere. That evil look in his eyes, as if he were a lion attacking his prey. He had always hated Hugo, mostly because of the effect he had on the king. In John’s eyes, Hugo has always been a bad seed. Ever since they were children, Hugo had the king’s ear. Always trying to convince the king that everything that had gone wrong was John’s fault. The good thing about the king at that time was that he always made sure to give John the chance to explain himself, which was one of the reasons why John had looked up to him; however, as they got older, the king had become twisted—darker somehow, all of John’s efforts of persuading him to do the right thing were all in vain. There was a time when John believed he could save the king; however, because of Hugo, that opportunity was lost.
“You can’t escape,” he heard Hugo yell. His voice sounded as if he were enjoying it. This didn’t surprise John. Hugo always had a twisted personality in John’s book. Why anyone would put him in charge of anything was beyond John’s imagination.
Unable to catch him, Hugo ordered his men to shoot at him. “Make sure not to kill him,” he ordered. He wanted that honor himself.
The soldiers grabbed their bows and arrows, and fired at Hugo’s command. Caleb felt both horror and justice as the arrows began to rain down on John. He didn’t want him dead. He didn’t even know if he wanted him to be thrown into the dungeon. If anything, he wanted his father to explain his intentions while secretly hopin
g that the criminals put some kind of mind control on him, forcing him to betray his family. Just as he was thinking this, an arrow hit John in the back, causing John to fall from his horse in pain.
The horse rode off as fast as it could, leaving John at the mercy of the soldiers. As he stumbled to his feet, John was apprehended by a few soldiers. He had a huge smile on his face as he came face to face with Hugo for the first time in years.
“Well, well, well, if it isn’t the Great Prince James of Aden,” Hugo said with a devious smile.
“Nice to see you again, cousin. Tell me, does your face still hurt?” John asked, referring to the scar on Hugo’s face. Years ago, when they were training, John cut Hugo’s face with his sword. It wasn’t something that he tried to do—rather a reflex after Hugo’s attacked him. Hugo was losing the fight and because of that, he began to swing the sword wilder, as if he were trying to kill, so in order to protect himself, John struck him in the face, resulting in Hugo almost losing an eye, and John’s promotion to the king’s advisor and captain of the royal army.
Hugo laughed, then punched John in the gut. John fell over for a minute, trying to catch his breath, then after a second looked up at Hugo and laughed.
“You still hit like a little girl, I see,” John said, with a laugh as blood came out of his mouth.
“Cut the crap James, where are they?” Hugo demanded. He had hoped that James would say that the girls were in the village, saving him the trouble of searching; however, he knew that was wishful thinking.
“Who?” John asked with a smirk. Pain shot down John’s back, he was hurt so bad that he could barely think straight and the way the soldiers were holding him up didn’t make it any better; yet, he refused to give them the benefit of knowing that.
“You know who James, don’t play coy.” Hugo was irritated, he was aware that questioning John was a waste of time. However, he couldn’t go back to the castle without proof that he had tried to get information from the prince.
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