Three men rode on horseback through a foggy forest, on a messy mud path. the gentle sunshafts beaming through the thick canopy,

The man in the front rode on a white horse, plated in heavy iron armor, the man himself wore iron armor, decorated with gold and bronze ornaments on the chest and arms, a large blue cape hung off his back.

Behind him rode two men, wearing simple chain armor and short, brown fur capes. One had a large bushy beard, the other had a piece of cloth pulled over his mouth and a rather pale complexion.

"My prince, we are still a good ways away, we should set up camp." the bearded man said,

"There's no need, I can-" Began the pale man, he was interrupted by the man in the front, "You're right, we should rest before tomorrow."

The three decide to light a campfire at the side of the road, the horses were all tied to a thin tree.

The three men sat in silence, "You should rest now, mlord" Suggested the bearded man.

"Nonsense" replied the prince. "I haven't gotten a chance to sit like this and talk to my old friends often, and soon enough I'll be so busy I won't be able to leave the palace!" laughed the prince.

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The prince took off his helm, revealing medium length blond hair.

The man with the cloth over his mouth spoke up, "You couldn't act less like a king if you tried." the man said in an uninterested voice.

The two other men looked at him in shock, "was that...did you?" the bearded man's mouth was gaping open.

"A joke!?" the prince said a mix of laughter and shock on his face.

"What's wrong? I can joke too, you know." Commented the man. "I never said you can't, I'm just saying it's unusual." The prince said.

The pale man began to cough violently. "Are you ok?" asked the prince, as he rushed to his friend's side.

"I'm fine, I just need some water." Said the man, covering his mouth with his palm, "Water, ok, I'll go get it now." The prince said as he rushed to the supplies placed at the side of the sleeping horses. The bearded man turned to the pale man, "You can't keep doing this forever, you shouldn't be here, and you know it." he said.

"No, this is exactly where I need to be, at my buddy's side." The man said, wiping the blood off his mouth and hand.

"Here, drink this!" The prince said with a concerned look on his face as he handed the pale man a waterskin. As the man drank the prince spoke: "This cough has been really persistent."

The bearded man looked at the fire and said: "Indeed it is...".

Meanwhile, from the distant bushes, a pair of blazing orange eyes observed.