Prince Asher tried to pick himself up, but the pain in his back forced him back down. He scanned the room and noticed his sword had been left next to the bed, leaning against the wall of the hut. He reached over and gripped the hilt, pulling the weapon over to him. On his second attempt to stand, he was able to get on his feet using his weapon for support. As he stood up, Asher's heart began to beat uncontrollably once again. He noticed the pain in his wound was subsiding due to the adrenaline that was now coursing through his veins. He felt stronger, and more vigilant.
Prince Asher quickly exited the hut, sword raised. He was met with a chilling scene. The Holy Knights had returned, no doubt to exact revenge on Colin and the villagers. Fires blazed everywhere, engulfing the huts in a red glow. The dead bodies of several villagers were strewn across the ground, covered in bloody wounds.
'I knew father wouldn’t let something like this go unchecked. He probably sent the knights to destroy everyone who defied him by stealing the tithes. But it doesn’t matter. They are my enemies now! This is the least I can do to make things up to the villagers!' he thought as he charged into the fray.
He immediately saw one of the Holy Knights wrestling with a woman, tearing at her clothes. He ran over to them, and grabbed the knight's arm, wrenching him away from the terrified woman. The knight was surprised, not expecting an attack from behind. He reached for his sword, but Asher was quicker, shoving his own weapon into the knight's chest. Asher's blade penetrated his chain mail, and pierced his heart. The knight's body went limp, and fell to the ground with a thud.
'I just... killed someone,' Asher thought, a mix of emotions welling up inside of him. Despite the shock, he realized the emotion he felt the most was relief. He was relieved that the Holy Knight was dead, and not him. However he had no time to dwell on this revelation, as he was still in danger.
A second knight came charging at him from a few feet away, swinging his weapon at Asher's head. Asher parried quickly, but he already felt his strength waining. He recognized the knight he was crossing blades with. It was Sir Dantes, who had been under his command when he was still recognized as prince.
“Prince Asher, is that you? I was hoping you weren’t dead and I could finally give you some payback! I always hated you... barking orders at us but never being worth a damn yourself! If I kill you here, the king will surely promote me to captain!” Sir Dante shouted excitedly.
"It's a knight's duty to obey his commander. Despite this, you always seemed to fall behind, Sir Dantes. It's not my fault you have no skill as a knight! If I can survive a battle with Sir Tristan then you’ll be no challenge,” Asher yelled back angrily. The two traded blows back and forth, probing each other for weaknesses. Due to his injury, Asher's energy deteriorated with every impact. His movements felt sluggish but Prince Asher still fought with all his might.
'Dammit! If I was healthy this asshole would already be dead,' he thought.
With the last of his strength Asher parried a sloppy attack from Sir Dantes and countered it with a massive strike to the stomach. It made contact, and Asher felt his sword swing into the knight's flesh, burying itself deep within his abdomen. Blood spurted from the wound, and Sir Dantes fell to his knees, dropping his weapon. Once again, Prince Asher felt relieved that he had survived the encounter. However before he could recover his senses, two more knights came running around the corner.
“It’s Prince Asher! Kill him!” they screamed.
Prince Asher put up his guard, but he knew he’d be dead as soon as they reached him. His duel with Sir Dantes had taken every last bit of his depleted strength. He could barely even keep his sword up as they charged. Asher winced as the moment of impact came close. Suddenly, he saw two lightning fast blades strike the backs of the knights, seemingly out of nowhere. The pair fell at his feet, bleeding profusely.
“When are you gonna learn how to use that thing?” Colin asked casually, as he stepped over the dying men, wiping his blades on his tunic. “You can breathe easy, I think that was the last of them,” He paused reluctantly. “I never thought I’d say this, but thank you. You were able to save some of my people from a terrible fate.”
Asher stood in stunned silence for several moments before finding the ability to speak.
“I’m sorry this happened... I can’t believe father would be this vindictive,” Asher said, as the reality of the situation sunk in. “What are the casualties?” He asked, afraid to hear the answer.
“Right now we count six dead and twenty-five injured. But the people of this village are strong, and we will overcome this.”
That night Asher readied his horse, preparing to set out. Where he was actually going was another question. “How do I stand against an entire kingdom?” he thought.
The future was daunting, but he couldn’t just do nothing. His old life was gone and he had nothing left. If he died fighting, at least it would mean he tried. “I need allies more than anything,” he thought. “I suppose I should start by appealing to the Lords of the Great cities of Aziria. It’s worth a shot,” he thought.
On his way out of the village he began to hear the beautiful melody that he had heard when he first arrived there. This time it seemed slower, and more somber in tone. The emotion of the song was almost too much to bear. Asher followed the alluring sound and found Colin sitting where he had been the day before, once again playing his lute. Prince Asher sat down across from him and just listened, neither of them saying a word. Finally, with a long and haunting note, Colin finished his song.
“That was a beautiful melody,” Asher said.
“I was hoping maybe those we lost today might hear it and have comfort on their way to The Heavens,” Colin said wistfully.
“I’m sure they will, with the way you played,” Asher said genuinely.
Colin looked up and noticed Asher's horse, packed for travel. “Where do you think you’re going all of the sudden?” he said.
“I’m going to plead my case to the Lords of the Great Cities, and try to build an army to stand against my father. I can’t let him continue to trample his own citizens under his feet,” Asher replied.
“That sounds like a solid plan, but you can't just run off half-cocked and expect to succeed. Do you have any coin for your journey? What about provisions? You never think ahead, Prince Asher. That's your problem," Colin said.
"I'll figure it out. I can't sit back and let my kingdom be destroyed," Prince Asher said firmly.
"I admire your courage my prince, but starving to death won't solve anything. The good news is, I have an idea that can solve your problem. One of my scouts reported a royal caravan heading this way. The carriages will be passing through the nearby village of Oak Hollow tomorrow, and they're being heavily guarded by Holy Knights. That means they have something worth stealing," Colin said wryly.
“I guess you’re still a bandit after all,” Asher said flatly. "But if the caravan is as well guarded as you say, it will be very difficult to rob. We've both seen first hand how dangerous the Holy Knights are. We'd be risking our lives..." Prince Asher finished.
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"It wouldn't be the first time I succeeded in stealing from the Holy Knights," Colin said with a grin. "Besides, I have a plan. You'll see firsthand how the Bandit Clan operates, and how their leader is an absolute genius."
"Fine, I’ll trust you this time. But if this goes wrong its on you," Prince Asher reluctantly replied.
“I’ll take full responsibility for whatever happens. Now this is what we’re going to do...” Colin began.
The next morning, Prince Asher awoke to the sound of heavy footsteps outside of his hut. He stood up, dressed himself quickly and stepped outside, strapping his sword to his waist as he went. The early sun was bright, sending beams of light shining in between the trees. Nearby, Colin stood among several rough-looking men, dressed in leather armor and clutching various different weapons. A few more men bustled by, carrying clay jugs full of oil and preparing their horses. Colin caught sight of Prince Asher, and smiled.
"There's our prince! I'm glad you stuck around. This mission is going to go off without a hitch, you'll see. Now come here, I want to introduce you to my trusted inner circle. These men are the backbone of the Bandit Clan, and you'll have to learn to work side by side with them," he called.
Prince Asher walked over briskly, examining the men around Colin. Most were a few years older than him and Colin, with scraggly beards, and scars littering their faces. They seemed a little unsavory, and Prince Asher hoped Colin would be able to keep them reigned in. Before Asher made it over, one of the bandits made a beeline for him. He was massive in stature, standing well above even Prince Asher himself. The arms swinging at his sides were bulging with huge muscles, and his face was twisted in a grimace. Atop his head was a wild expanse of greasy dark hair, and one of his eyes seemed to be missing, holding nothing but an empty socket. Despite feeling intimidated, Asher didn't turn away, instead he stood tall with confidence as the brawny man approached. The hulking figure stopped about a foot away from him, and pointed his beefy finger towards the prince's face.
"You! You almost killed my father!" he barked.
Prince Asher was confused, and stayed silent as he tried to imagine what this man could be talking about.
"You held your knife to his throat, all just to take back your stupid coppers!" the giant man continued.
The reality dawned on him, and Asher's cheeks flushed with shame, but he kept his composure.
"How could a seemingly normal man be father to such a... beast," Prince Asher wondered.
"I truly apologize," Asher began, bowing his head respectfully. "I understand if you want to kill me, and I make no excuses for my horrible actions. All I can do is try my best to make it up to you.." he finished.
The towering bandit said nothing, studying Prince Asher's face carefully. Suddenly, his mouth twisted into a grin, and he grabbed Prince Asher around the shoulders, pulling him close. He laughed loudly, emitting a sound that would be more at home escaping from the maw of a Grizzly bear.
"Ha-ha-ha! Don't worry, I'm not gonna kill you. I'm a nice guy. Since you apologized, I'll forgive you. Besides, I always wanted to meet the Prince of Aziria! But just so you know, if you had actually hurt my father, you wouldn't have a head right now," the man's deep voice boomed.
"Fair enough," Prince Asher croaked.
The man released Asher from his crushing grasp, and the prince exhaled, relieved to be away from his putrid stench. Colin looked on in amusement, and felt grateful that the situation hadn't ended in violence.
"Well my prince, I'm glad you've been acquainted with Dirge here. He's one of our most powerful warriors, and he can split a man in two with one swing of his battle-axe. You'd be wise not to get on his bad side again," Colin chuckled.
"That is duly noted," Prince Asher said dryly.
"This here is Reece," Colin continued, pointing to another one of the bandits. Reece was thin and wiry, with a sallow face and a mane of unkempt blonde hair. He had cold gray eyes that certainly belonged to a killer. On his back he wore a wooden longbow, and a quiver brimming with arrows.
"Hello..." Asher said politely.
Reece said nothing, simply tipping his head in Asher's direction. The sinewy man seemed to have a dangerous aura about him, and Asher decided not to get on his bad side either.
A third bandit stepped forward, and bowed respectfully towards Prince Asher. This one was short and stout, with a doughy face and long brown hair pulled back in a ponytail. He carried a spiked club, and wore a mismatched set of chain-mail armor. He smiled at the prince, a welcome change compared to the first two men.
"It's an honor to meet you Prince Asher. My name is Jax. Yesterday, you saved my sister from being raped by the Holy Knights. If there's anything I can do for you, just say the word. You have my eternal gratitude, Your Grace," he said.
"It's nice to meet you, Jax. I'm truly glad I was able to help your sister. I've my best done to fight the Holy Knights, but you need not address me so formally. Until I defeat my father and take Aziria, I have no right to call myself a prince. Consider me one of you, a newcomer to the Bandit Clan," Asher said.
Colin laughed. "I like that! Everyone welcome Asher of the Bandit Clan!" he said, clapping his hands. The rest of the men joined in, whooping and whistling at their new recruit. Asher couldn't help but crack a slight smile as they cheered.
It seems I'm not as alone as I thought.
After the applause died down, Colin walked over to Asher, pulling him aside.
"Could I have a word, Asher?" Colin asked.
"What is it?" Asher replied.
"Before we depart, there's someone I'd like you to meet. I've been thinking about what you told me, about how your father is harnessing demonic energy to gain power.
It just so happens that I know where we can learn more about this demonic power and how to destroy it," Colin said.
"Go on..." Asher said.
“This village is home to the oldest priest in all of Aziria, Father Ulis. The villagers say his wisdom is vast, and that he is a man with a true connection to God. When I was growing up, he’d tell stories to all the children of the village. Stories about Angels and Demons, Heaven and Hell. In those days, I thought they were just made up. But after hearing your tale, I know there’s truth to them,” Colin explained.
“Very well, but you better not be bringing me to some old fool,” Asher said, half-joking.
“Well lets be off then, we have no time to waste,” said Colin as he lead Asher towards the old priest’s hut.
As Asher and Colin got closer to the hut on the far side of the battered village, Asher began noticing the faces of the citizens were looking upon him a bit differently than before.
“I could’ve sworn that woman was just smiling at me,” Asher thought. “Strange.”
He was much more accustomed to the glares he had received when he first arrived. The village folk had never cared much for him, or his father for that matter.
“They’re grateful to you for saving them,” Colin said, noticing Asher’s confusion.
“I didn’t do anything like that,” Asher replied quickly.
“Whatever you say. Anyways, we’ve arrived,” Colin said as they approached the old priest’s hut.
The hut looked ancient, nestled in a grove of oak trees on the outskirts of the village. Vines and flowers grew in twisted strands upon the walls and several birds had made nests atop the roof. A clear, rocky, stream bubbled nearby.
Colin knocked on the door. “Father, it’s me, Colin,” he announced.
The door swung open after a few moments. The priest was indeed ancient, with a long beard and deep wrinkles lining his face. However, his hair and beard were still a vibrant red in color despite his old age.
“Ahhh Colin, its been a long time my boy. I take it you were the one who defended us from those bloodthirsty knights, eh? Luckily none of them made it out here to my humble little shack. But I pray for those who weren’t so lucky,” said the old man.
“I’m glad you’re okay, father. I’ve brought someone to meet you. This is Prince Asher of Aziria,” Colin said.
The priest looked shocked. “Prince Asher? All the way out here in our village?”
“It’s nice to meet you, father,” Asher said.
“Come in, come in, have a seat. Would you boys like a cup of tea?”