Chapter 2: The Adventure Begins
“EXECUTE THIS FOOL!” The words echoed through the halls, repeating itself back and forth into Lance’s ear, “Execute this fool, this fool, this fool.”
WHATT?!?!?!?!?!? Lance couldn’t believe his ears. “W-what do you mean? What did I do?”
“It’s a shame, boy. It seems as though you’re a nice kid, but blame your poor luck for having this ring.” The king sighed, then motioned for the guards to take him away, for good.
“WAIT!! Please, I simply bought this ring from a merchant. It was supposed to be a gift for my beloved! Don’t kill me for something like that, at least give me a reason why I should die for owning this ring!” Lance begged the king, hoping to at least stall for time, or perhaps even escape death.
“Sigh, very well. I shall explain to you, stranger, just exactly why you will die. The reason is this…”
All the sounds and surroundings faded away, as the king allowed his memories to take over him.
It was a stormy fall afternoon, and I had finally received this ring from my blacksmiths. It was created using the mightiest metals, and one of the most magical gems in the world. The inscriptions have power, and I was planning to give this to the most beautiful, warm girl I ever knew. I was madly in love with her, and I was planning to propose to her with this ring, you see. However, she did not know that I was the king. And on that day, she finally found out. Once I appeared, she went into my arms with tears in her eyes. Before I could even begin proposing, she spoke, “Oh, Caius, I cannot be with you anymore.”
I was completely shocked at the time. “B-but why?? What happened?”
“I’m afraid….I have fallen in love with another man. He is a merchant, and he is so caring and nice to me. Although I truly do love you, and you are one of the most amazing men I have been with, I am sorry I cannot be with you. My family...has forbade me from having any relations with anyone relating to the royal family.”
“So… you found out..” I sighed heavily, and was deeply heartbroken. My whole plans for the day was ruined. “ Laraelia...if you must leave, please, take this with you. Think of it as a reminder of me, when you are away from me…”
“I thank you my lord...and farewell,” whispered Laraelia, as she faded off into the distance. A slight drizzle began falling from the skies, as tears slowly began to form in my silver eyes. Even the skies were mourning with me.
As the king finished his story, he started looking around. “What the fuck??” Everyone around him were in tears from the emotional tale of the king’s past. Lance looked absolutely terrifying with his tears and snot streaming down his swollen face.
“I-i had no idea there was such a tragic story behind this ring. I-if you feel the urge to kill me still, I will accept my death without complaint,” said Lance, trying to contain his tears while speaking comprehensibly.
“Nay, child, I will not. Forgive me for my words before, I was rather...unstable,” spoke King Caius. “Although you may bear the ring, you are still innocent. But please, can you please bring me along when you return to Xianyang? I wish to see that..merchant for myself.”
“I-it would be my greatest honor, Lord Caius!” stammered Lance.
“My lord! It is far too dangerous for someone as great as you to be travelling to other places--”. Captain Will attempted to dissuade the king, but it was futile.
“So, what is your name, lad?” asked the king.
“It is Lance, my lord. It is an honor to be in your presence,” answered Lance.
“Alright then, Lance, we shall depart for Xianyang tomorrow! Captain Will shall guide you to your quarters so that you may eat and rest for the night.”
“It is my pleasure, lord!” Lance couldn’t believe the opportunity he was given right now. A journey back home with the king? It seemed almost impossible to imagine, a fantasy dream, but it was indeed happening. As Captain Will gestured for Lance to follow him, he bowed slightly at the king, and continued along his way towards his room for the night.
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As night approached, Lance opened the window of his room. Whenever things were stressful, Lance always loved to stare at the stars. He enjoyed finding constellations, and seeing how bright they were compared to his past life. Once again, Lance let the memories wash him away, back into the days when he was an orphan.
It was a rainy day in Nanjing. Lance had just failed in pickpocketing a rich man, and he would pay dearly for this failure. He was an orphan ever since birth, and for the past 7 years, he had struggled to survive. What he could steal, he did, and whenever he failed, he would have to simply pick up scraps from garbage piles, or the leftovers that people drop onto the street. It was a harsh lifestyle, and if one did not prove one’s worth, they would soon be..eliminated, as there was a large number of competitors. However, Lance did not want to eat scraps. He wanted to successfully take money from an unsuspecting man and buy himself something good. Lance was tired of eating scraps that everyone else did not want. All the unwanted trash seems to stick together, huh?
Then, Lance noticed a target. It was a very tall and skinny man, and he seemed very wary of his surroundings.This one seems rather difficult to handle, but I have to go for it, or I’m going to starve tonight, thought Lance as he walked towards the fearful man. “Hey, sir, how’s your day! You look troubled,” he said in a friendly tone.
“That is absolutely none of your business little kid! But, since you’re asking, do you know which way to get to the magistrate’s place?” The man was stern, but seemed not to dislike the young Lance. In fact, he even seemed amused at the young boy’s presence.
“Oh yes, good sir, right this way!” Young Lance put his hand near the man’s hip, as if to guide him towards the magistrate’s office. However, his hand was ready to grab at the man’s purse. Now is the right moment. Now-- wait, what?? Where is the purse?
“Are you looking for...this, young man?” Looking up, Lance saw that the purse was in the man’s hands, dangling right in front of his eyes. “You know, stealing isn’t good!! But I think I like you kid.”
“Uh….what?” Lance was extremely confused. What did that even mean?
The man looked at Lance straight in the eye, and said, “Are you an orphan? Cuz I’m bouta adopt you right now.”
“Ok….WAIT WHAT?!?!?!” Lance was sure he did not hear that right. “You want to adopt...ME? But..why?”
“Oh, I don’t know, I just feel the urge to. I got no kids, and I’m gonna end up needing someone to inherit all my shit anyways. And you have a good eye, because you chose me as your ‘victim’ and also a skillful hand. Also, you’re pretty cute, but that’s not important. The point IS, I want to adopt you. I can provide for you, and you will live a life of luxury. All this, just because you caught my eye! Isn’t that amazing?”
“Uhm….I don’t know, but hey, anything’s better than THIS dumpster, right?” Lance was secretly thrilled at the prospect, but he did not let his emotions show. This man was still a stranger, at least for now, and he had no idea what was going to happen. “I guess I’ll go with you….Father??”
“Yes, you may call me Father. Our family name is Chen, by the way,” said the man.
And indeed, life became so much better. Lance, after so much more food in the Chen household, grew tall and mighty. He worked with his father in the family business, and learned many scholarly things. He even had a fiance, the most beautiful girl in Xianyang, Yuzhen, the daughter of a wealthy merchant.
As the memory faded away, Lance thought to himself, “Man, life really did change, huh? I got it so good after meeting Father. But now...I have a sense of foreboding. Times are really going to change now. Is it perhaps due to this ring?”
Lance shook his head slightly. There was no point in thinking about this now. What is destined to happen will happen no matter what. He took a last look at the beautiful night sky, and slowly closed the window.