Gasping for air he found himself holding a tree root firmly.
The water was strong but he had been stripped of his armor, unlike his captors that were taken further by the current.
He managed to get out of the water, and then it hit him. The pain in his leg, the bruises and wounds, he couldn’t close his hand, it broke while fighting.
The sight of the iron cuffs reminded him of the atrocities committed by his cousin…no…by that woman, she was not family anymore. He had to go to Magna, he was the heir to the throne, he could set everything right, he was sure there were still people loyal to his father.
Warrior:
I think he is around here, I heard something.
The Kanem warriors were close, he had to think fast. But his legs gave up, he fell.
Warrior:
Look here! Hey prince, stay still, we need to bring you with us
Tall Warrior:
Break his other leg just in case, we don’t want more trouble
Prince:
Bastards! Aren’t you from the Ox army? Is this for what you stand for now?! There is no honor in -
A backhand silenced the young man.
Warrior:
Shut your trap fool! What would you know? Honor is nothing, money is everything in this world, a spoiled child like you, what would you know?
Unknown Voice:
More than you it seems.
Everyone froze, the two warriors started looking for the source of the voice. But it came, from above?
The prince caught a glimpse of a middle aged man wearing a silky Blue Garment with the image of a white dragon, he had an Iron Spear and the easiness with which he held himself over a tree made him look more like a panther than a human.
The man leaped, and landed next to the prince without making any sound. This man was out of the ordinary, from the way he moved to the way he handled the spear, the prince knew immediately, he was strong.
Unknown Voice:
Honor huh? I don’t know who you are, kid, but I like you. Want some help?
Prince:
P-Please…
The loss of blood made him feel lightheaded, he tried to keep his eyes open, but blackness covered him.
He woke up to the smell of burning wood. It was a forest, no… a jungle, filled with all manner of trees and plants. He was lying on a layer of plantain leaves, his wounds covered by cloth rags, even the one in his thigh.
The unfamiliar man was next to him, holding a strange scroll in his hand. The prince knew that he was safe.
Unknown Man:
Take it easy…I have never seen someone this wounded, not even during the Sun Dance…here drink this.
Prince (receiving a water jug):
T-Thank you…
His body was heavy, he could hardly move at all.
Prince:
Who are you? Why did you help me?
Unknown Man:
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
I’m called Kirin, warrior of the Dragon Order of Magna. I helped you because you needed help
Prince:
Thank you, I appreciate what you did. I’ve heard of the Order, where are we master Kirin?
Kirin:
We are on the border between Kanem and Magna, we are close to Yggdros. And I’m no master yet.
Prince:
Apologies sir. Yggdros? Are we in the south?
Kirin nodded and got closer to the fire.
Prince:
I have to go North East, to the palace. If I don’t hurry…
Kirin:
Calm down…you have been asleep for 3 days
Prince:
Three days?! It cannot be…are there…are there any news from Magna’s palace, have you heard anything?
Kirin:
We are not precisely close to civilization, but we are getting close. We are at one week distance from the Order, once we are t-
Prince:
A week? No, I can’t…I need…
He tries to stand up but falls…
Kirin:
Don’t be a fool, you’ll open your wounds again, rest for now
Prince:
I can’t…my father…uncle…the kingdom…I can’t…
Darkness envelops him again.
He opens his eyes, still in the forest, but in a different place, the plants are different, the vegetation no longer seems overgrown.
Kirin:
So...you are Magna’s prince?
Prince:
H-How did you know?
Kirin:
You were talking in your dreams…I’m sorry about your family…I knew your father, he was strong but also kind, a rare trait in nobility
Prince:
T-thanks...you knew him? Who are you?
Kirin:
Your father trained with the Dragon Oder, he was a Blue Dragon, same as my current rank. I was White when I first met him - said him while looking fondly at the fire
Prince:
That’s it! I could use the help of the order, they are famous, they are unmatched in battle!
Kirin:
It’s not that simple…things have changed….
Prince:
What do you mean?
Kirin:
I received a letter from the order…it seems that Magna has conceded territory to Northia after losing, and the new Queen…Estella, has rallied the clans, she wants to unite Kanem and Magna.
Prince:
It can't be! I have to stop that woman, even without me, she has a claim to the throne…If she does that, war will engulf the continent…
Kirin’s face looked impassible, but a certain tint of sadness could be seen in his eyes. The prince was mustering all his strength to stand up, but all he could do was sit.
Prince:
what about the Spear King clan? What about Magna’s flame? Does the letter say anything?
Kirin:
Breath boy, breath
Prince:
…p-please…
Kirin:
Spear king’s clan…Magna’s flame is no more, they were destroyed entirely by Northia and Bradavia
It was as if a sword pierced his heart, cold sweat dripping from his forehead. Was this a dream? A nightmare? Would he wake up and be again with his father, his friends? What was he to do, was there even anything to do?
Kirin:
For now rest, you have to get better, we are close to the order, only a few days before we arrive. What is your name? I’m not familiar with royalty and the outside world
Prince:
It doesn’t matter anymore…does anything matter? I’m sorry you had to save me, but you can leave me now…there is no point…
Kirin:
There are times in which the world seems to come down to us. But standing up and pushing forward is what shows what we are made of…tell me, if your father were alive, what would he say?
The prince remained silent for a moment, a single tear falling from his cheek.
Prince:
…he...he would say…we are the flame that binds the world…