I saw the city as the carriage got up the hill. I thought of jumping out, but it was going to fast. From above it seemed like a show of red lights. The shouts that came soon after still haunt me today. Don't mistake me for a hero. I was thinking of myself. It wasn't about my father and it wasn't about the ones shouting, the ones burning, the ones losing the lives they built. I was thinking about myself. I was scared. Nothing bad had happened to me so far, but uncertainty made me feel like anything could happen next.

...

"I don't want to continue anymore"

"What? You have to keep going"

"I can't do this anymore"

"Of course you can!"

"Leave me alone! I don't even know why I started doing this. It's not like I will ever meet Karen again"

"You might"

"How!?"

"You need to remember"

"Remember what? Tell me!"

"Everything"

...

Uncertainty made me lose my sleep, but didn't stop me from getting tired and giving up. Those kind of trips take days and I knew that. The carriage did lose speed, but I didn't think it would be wise to simply get out and try to run. What if they persued me? I didn't know what could be done to me. We stopped in the middle of the night near a stream in the woods. The driver jumped off and I peeked into the window until I saw he was coming to my direction. He openned the door to see me looking at him with weary eyes. 

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"My prince"

"...Who are you?"

"Me? I thougth the minister had told you. I am liutenant Malkuh, at your service"

"...Where are you taking me?"

"To the house of Lord Alazar"

"Why?"

"Because it is safe there"

"Safe from what?"

"He didn't tell you?"

"Told me what!?"

He didn't make effort to hide that he was conflicted. He looked at me as if to make sure I wasn't making fun of him and openned his mouth. He wanted to say something, but stopped before even starting.

"...come. There is a stream just ahead and you must be thirsty"

"Answer my question!"

"...I.. You have to understand that I wasn't aware that you didn't know a thing.."

"Tell me already!"

"...It was inevitable. The minister saw potential in you and decided to save your life"

"Be clear! I am not in the mood to hear nonsense"

I tired to sound agressive and imposing, but let's not forget I was a kid. I probably failed. I was very scared and unstable and I think he could see it in my face very well.

"Come, you'll need some water..."

I decided to accept his advice and followed him. We walked to the stream, but I was very cautious. I didn't trust him and no one can blame me for that.

"Your father wasn't very popular"

"..I know"

"He often did things that the nobility didn't like"

"That's probably right"

"When he oredered the complete lock down.. the few merchant and the noblity we have refused to accept"

"His decision was probably right... but he didn't need to..."

"It doesn't matter if the decisioin was right or not. The nobles decided to put a new king in place"

"Then why did Alazar get me out of there"

"..I am not sure. You''l have to ask him. Maybe he saw what I see now"

"What do you see"

"Some starge intelect for a kid"

I stared at him, but turned to the other side and kneeled to drink water from the stream. I heard a crak and nearly jumped to see him unsheathe his sword. I looked everywhere and was prepared to run at any moment, but I didn't make any reckless movement.