“I know I heard something in here!” A guard's voice could be heard. He stomped around the room a little, in what was no doubt a cursory manner.

“No you didn't, man! Aint no reason for someone to be in here. And aint nothin disturbed either! I bet one of the girls in the kitchen dropped a plate or somethin' happens all the time.” The second man's voice sneered at the world girl. As though the young kitchen staff were both idiots and beneath notice.

Right now Elwin felt nothing but gratitude for his laziness, although ordinarily his attitude would have bothered him.

“What if someone was trying to get in from outside?” The first guard said.

“Then where are they, huh?” The second guard laughed. “There's tons of ways to get in the old vulture, this room right here would be my last idear.”

“Oh alright.” The first guard said. His footsteps seemed to be retreating farther away. “Just trying to do my job.”

“You got a lot to learn!” The second guard said. “You can tell that you're the new guy, huh? Trying a bit too hard.”

“Ha ha.” the first guard said dryly. “I'll be sure to try and correct that.”

The laughter from the both of them grew quieter as they left the room.

And Elwin could finally breath again.

“Look.” Prin took his arm and turned him around.

The sun was coming up on the courtyard outside.

Soft light, the yellow of weak lemonade, kissed the lichen dressed stones of the wide stairway, and the crumbling statue of a prince to the side with its heavy crown having fallen to the ground and become all but buried in leaves of red and gold.

Beyond all that, you could see the town below, receiving its wakeup call from the sun. As quaint as it could be, and smaller than it really was, like a children's toy placed just so against the backdrop of ocean and mountains.

Above, there was still a moon and stars out, far far away, but not yet hidden by the full strength of the sun.

Elwin took the prince's hand.

“Let's go.” Prin took his stick and broke out the remaining glass of the window, before stepping through it and into the world.

*

“What took you so long!?” Dolce glared at them from the driver's seat of the borrowed carriage. It was the one used to bring vegetables and supplies in and out of the back of the castle, for use of the kitchen.

Elwin helped Prin up onto the seat beside her, and he got into the back where the cargo went. He was relieved to see their bags were back there. “I see you got our stuff. Thank you.”

“Yeah, a hundred years ago.” Dolce said, with an epic eyeroll present in her voice.

“I am sorry for the delay.” the prince said. “It still takes me a long time to get from place to place. Although I'm getting better! I think.”

“Oh don't you worry about it.” Dolce said. She guided the carriage away from the castle and urged the horses on to a good clip towards town. “It's my stupid brother who should have made sure you were on time. The importance was impressed on him yesterday.”

“We're not that late.” Elwin pointed out from the back. He sat down beside his backpack.

“I told you ships don't wait. What if there's a traffic back up or some kind of accident, now we really don't have the time for it.” Dolce scolded.

So far, the road seemed fairly clear. Another carriage here or there but nothing out of the ordinary. And most importantly, nothing seemed to be following them from the castle.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

Dolce drove them through town as the sun finished its trip into the sky, and then toward the docks. Finally stopping in front of a ship that, while still in the category of mid sized, was bigger than Elwin had thought it would be.

It was a boat that had seen heavy wear, but was made in the good old fashioned way. Heavy varnished wood, with white and yellow paint that was worn away in spots, patched sails, and patched sailors, going up and down the gang plank to load the cargo. Built for sturdiness, if not for speed.

“This is the one.” Dolce said. “Just a regular cargo ship. So not the most comfortable ride in the world but . . . inconspicuous.”

Elwin got out of the back of the carriage with the luggage.

The prince hugged Dolce tight. “Thank you, little sister. You have no idea how important this is. And what it means to me that you helped. I shall never forget it.”

“S'okay.” Dolce patted his back awkwardly, having clearly not expected this. “Just take care of my brother.”

“I will.” Prin said, he let go of her slowly.

“But don't let him boss you around or give you a hard time, okay? He gets carried away sometimes and always thinks he's right.”

“Hey!” Elwin protested. “Isn't that the pot calling the kettle?”

“You.” Dolce pointed at Elwin. “Take care of him too, but I know I don't need to tell you that, do I.” Her voice softened. “Come back and see me some time.”

“We will.” Elwin said, although he wasn't sure if he was telling the truth or not. It seemed like the thing to say, anyway.

He reached up for Prin and helped him out of the carriage's high seat.

“Write to me when you get settled.” Dolce said sternly.

“You'd better go.” Elwin pointed out. “You don't want to be associated with this whole thing.” He gestured to himself and Prin, though of course she didn't know the half of what she had associated herself with. And gods willing, never would.

“You just let me worry about that for myself.” Dolce harumphed. “Why are you crying?” She asked Prin. “Do you want to call it off?”

Elwin looked at the prince who had fat tears rolling down both cheeks. He was looking up at the sky.

“It's just so beautiful.” Prin said. He clutched Elwin's arm, as though it were a beauty that were terrifying in its vastness, as though he were afraid he would fall up and up and up into the space above the blue, where the gods lived.

“You're not supposed to look directly at the sun.” Elwin said gently. He put his hand over Prin's eyes, when he seemed incapable of looking away. “You'll go blind. So they say.”

An old man, wiry and strong looking, with broad shoulders, a long white beard and mustache, and a strange gait as though the ground itself were a horse he was trying to ride on, sort of low to the ground and straddling, ambled towards them from the ship.

“That's Captain Beams.” Dolce pointed out. “He's pretty cool, but he runs a tight ship. Just do what he says and stay away from the edge of the boat.” She winked down at them. “I better get out of here, before he tells you to forget it and makes me take you back home.”

Dolce waved at the captain, before urging the horses to make the turn and heading back toward town.

“She didn't even say goodbye to me.” Elwin said.

“She's too sad.” the prince said. He squeezed Elwin's hand. “I know it was asking a lot, for her to give you to me.”

Elwin looked at him in surprise, not knowing how to respond to that.

He didn't even have to, because Captain Beams was motioning them over.

Elwin grabbed the bags and put his arm around Prin. The two of them walked like that, with some effort to where the captain was standing.

Captain Beams looked them up and down, his mustache frowning for him, since you couldn't see his mouth.

“The girl said you were strong young men who could work.” the captain said. “Else I wouldn't have agreed to take you on with me.”

“We can work!” Prin said. “Please give us a chance!” He wiped the tears from his face with his sleeve.

The old captain snapped one of his suspenders thoughtfully and scratched his head.

Elwin really hoped that the old man had a weakness for cute things. Or at least really owed Dolce a favor.

“My friend is recovering from a long illness.” He said. “But I promise that I will do whatever needs doing without complaint.”

“We need to get to the next port.” Prin said. “I can work. Maybe not just anything but I will do whatever I can do. Also without complaining.”

Captain Beams looked from one to the other. “Recovering from an illness?”

“Nothing contagious!” Prin hastened to say.

“Maybe the sea air will do you good.” The captain looked from one to the other of them assessingly. “And you.” He pointed at Elwin. “Will work twice as hard to pick up the slack.”

“Yes.” Elwin agreed readily.

The old captain shrugged. “Alright then, whatever. Follow me.” He led the two boys onto his ship. Showing them around along the way.

He took them inside the ship and showed them a little room, no bigger than a storage closet. “You can stay in here. Keep the door locked while you sleep.” He gave Prin a look. “You be careful, as some of these salty sumbitches can get a little funny in the head when they see something pretty. And you,” He slapped Elwin on the shoulder. “You look like you can take care of yourself. Just watch who you turn your back on.” He laughed. “I make 'em sound worse than they are. Talk to Squeaks, he's the cabin boy, he can tell ya which ones to watch out for.”

Elwin looked at Prin, he really hoped to hell that this whole thing hadn't been a huge mistake. From the sound of things, and the sudden thump that sent vibrations through the ship, the plank was being put away and they were about to take off. Soon it would be too late forever.

The prince's face was calm and determined.

Clearly there was no turning back.