Chapter 3: The King’s Task
On his way to speak to his father about this important thing, Aeron starts wondering about what his father needs his help with. He started getting nervous thinking "maybe he found out about the mark on his chest." His heart started to race with each step as he got closer to King Emeric's room. He takes a deep breath to calm down. He then enters the room.
King Emeric turns and looks to see who entered the room, "Aeron sit down this is an urgent matter."
Aeron sat down at a table and king Emeric sat down at the other end. The king pulled out a rolled-up piece of paper with the Kings seal on it and placed it on the table. "I need you to take this and give it to the head general of our military." Said the King
Aeron asked the King "What so important about this letter?"
"These are our countries precious secret battle movements. If these fell into the wrong hands other countries would have a significant amount of information on us. That would leave us vulnerable to attacks" Responded the king.
"Where do I take this message?" asked Aeron while taking the paper and putting it in a bag.
"The General is in a fort at the eastern border. You will ride there with Pierre, the journey should take 4 days ,2 going and 2 returning, so be safe my son" said the King.
Aeron felt his dad started to put trust in him because he was assigned a tasked such as this one. He was determined to show his dad that he could do anything even if his feelings toward the king were not good. Aeron left King Emeric's room and gather his things. Then he went to the front gate of the city where Alana, Rose, and Pierre were waiting for him.
"It's about time we thought you weren't coming." Said Rose.
"Why are Rose and Alana here?" asked Aeron looking at Pierre.
"I tried to stop them, but they wouldn't listen." Pierre said while shrugging his shoulders.
"Yeah you need us to come with you, Rose and I have to take care of you guys if you get hurt" Alana said sassily.
"It will be dangerous so if we get attacked by bandits, I want you guys to run and get help" Said Pierre. The girls agreed and they all took off on horses to the fort. The land scape of the Vined Empire was breath taking, green plains surrounded by mountains lined with trees. There were waterfalls coming off the mountains turning into beautiful crystal-clear rivers that run underneath the bridge to Kingsfall.
The day quickly went from light to dark during their travels, which meant it was time for them to set up camp. They stopped near a riverbed so they could have access to water. Aeron and Pierre take turns collecting wood, so they could start a campfire. Rose started to cook some food over the fire for everyone. As night came the sounds of life emerged from all over. The songs of crickets, the croaks of frogs to the howling of wolves. While they were eating Alana decided to talk about Aeron's secret since they were all close friends.
"Guys Aeron has this mark on his chest but he's not sure where it came from." Said Alana "Show them Aeron maybe they know what it is."
Aeron puts his bowl down and lifts his shirt and reveals the mark. Pierre and Rose looked shocked to see the mark on his chest.
"Aeron is that one of those tribal tattoo's people in the north wear?" Asked Rose while she investigates his chest.
"No, I don't know what to call it." Responded Aeron "It has something to do with my magic."
Pierre looked at the mark then he said "Did you have Alvis look at it? He might be able to tell you more about it."
"No, I'd never do that, even though he's my teacher he would tell my father and that would be a whole other thing." Aeron said
"well you won't be able to hide it forever. You should just tell him." Said Alana. Suddenly the mark on Aeron's chest Started glowing very vibrantly. Aeron's pupils started to turn into a bright neon green color then he passed out. They all go over to Aeron to make sure he's okay then they let him rest after.
When Aeron wakes up, it's early in the morning. The birds are singing let everyone know it's time to get up. Pierre comes over when he sees Aeron's awake.
"Do you think your well enough to keep going?" asked Pierre.
"Of course, let's go." Said Aeron.
They pack up camp and continue their journey forward to the Fort at the Eastern border. They passed through several small villages on their way. The differences in wealth are clearly visible from cities to towns. People that lived in villages usually never left their hometowns, unless they were forced too by war or plague. They stop in a minor city, by the name of Midview, to allow their horses to get some rest. They go to a manor were a duke lived, it was big and surrounded by walls that were heavily guarded. The Duke has a reputation of being an amazing warrior and leader who treats his soldiers kindly, but toward the enemies of the king that was a different story. He had the name of The Butcher, because of the lack of mercy he shows to all who oppose the Venied Empire. Aeron and the others arrive at the gates and are greeted by guards.
"halt, you are on the estate of Duke William of Midview, state your business." Said a guard that was on top of a gate.
"Open the gates lord Aeron, Son of King Emeric, has come to speak with the duke." Yelled Pierre. The Guards raise the gates to allow Aeron and the others through to speak with the duke. They then go inside the manor. When they enter, a butler was standing at the bottom of the steps preparing to speak.
"My lord I will take you to see the Duke. Please follow me this way" said the Butler. He then leads them into a backyard porch where the duke was drinking tea.
"My lord, this is Prince Aeron, Princess Alana, and their companions" said the butler before exiting into the house. The duke got up from his chair and bowed.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, your highness', please sit and enjoy some tea or food" said the duke being courteous.
"Thank you" said Aeron and Alana as they sat down. "These two are our maid and guard, Rose and Pierre."
The duke greets them "Hello sir Pierre and lady Rose, please have a seat with us." He gestures them to sit down as if social status doesn't matter to him. They sit down and think to themselves that he is being awfully more generous then they though he would be. A small group of maids come and place tea and biscuits on the table pouring everyone sitting a cup then leaving after. The duke takes a sip then looks at Aeron.
"So, what brings someone of such importance to this part of the Empire" asked the duke while smiling.
"We are on official business for the king" responded Aeron "we have only come through to pay respect to the lord watching over our precious land."
"thank you, for a boy of your age you are very well mannered. How is your father, the king?"
"He's the same as always, he's not in tune with everyone in the kingdom." Alana elbowed Aeron in the side and then said "Aeron may act mature sometimes, but he still needs to grow up"
The duke laughed and said "you guys remind me of the king and queen when they were younger, that takes me back" then he said "Well you guys are welcome to stay here for as long want. If you need anything just ask me." The group thanks the duke for his time, and they leave to go sleep in a tavern. The next morning, they take off to the fort. They are a little less than a day away, so they decide not to stop. They ride through the countryside the whole day. When night fell upon them, they ran into a forest. While slowly riding through the forest they herd strange noises. They look around to see if anything was following them until they saw a broken-down wagon in front of them. A man waved his hands directing them to come towards him.
"Hello, do you think you could help me? My wagon's wheel is broken." Asked the man.
"Sure, sir how we can help?" Said Aeron while getting off his horse. They go over to the wagon, when they hear the bushes moving. "What's that sound?" said Aeron, then he looks at Pierre who then draws his sword.
"I think we've got company. Get into a circle, now" yelled Pierre. The man that asked for help pulls out a knife.
"It's time for you guys to hand over everything you've got, before we start getting violent" said the man.
Aeron takes out his sword and says "It's time for us to fight" then he rushes toward one of the men.
Aeron swings his sword with all his might at one of the bandits but is to slow at getting back into a position. The bandit the hits Aeron with his elbow knocking him on the ground. Pierre tried to rush in and help Aeron but didn't want to leave Alana and Rose by themselves but in the mist of the confusion he was hit in the head with a punch. Pierre was knocked unconscious by the blow. The girls surrendered so the lives of their friends would be spared. When the two awoke they were in a cave somewhere deep within the forest. The bandits had taken almost everything, and they were celebrating their score right outside the cave. Aeron and Pierre look to see if they could find the girls, but they were nowhere to be found. Aeron though that he had let everyone down because he was not able to protect his sister and friends. Suddenly the mark on his chest and his Iris's started glowing green. Pierre looked Shocked but was quiet, not trying to draw attention him and Aeron. Aeron's strength increased and he was able to break out of the rope, but he was not conscious while doing this, his body seemed to move on its own.
Aeron then headed out the cave toward the bandits, as he goes outside, they see him and grab their weapons and prepare to fight. Aeron Raises his hand and ready's a fire ball spell but the flames were the same color as the light glowing from his mark and eyes.
"What's wrong with this guy" shouted the bandit leader "everyone, don't let him leave here alive, Attack". The bandits run towards Aeron, but with one shot of the green fire ball, 5 of the bandits are severely burned and 2 are killed. He then rushes toward the leader and stands Infront of him.
"Please spare me I will never do anything like this again" pleaded the bandit leader, while he was trying to plan an escape route. Aeron not being currently aware of his actions, he grabs the leader and with his hands on him, he burns the bandit body with his magic. The bandit leader cries out in agonizing pain while the green flames consume his entire body, then the bandit leader expended his final breath. After Aeron killed all the bandits he collapses on the ground. Pierre uses a knife he had hidden in his armor to cut himself free and then he frees the girls from captivity. Pierre and the others saw the whole thing but were unsure how to act. They wake up Aeron, when after realizing that the bandits either ran away or were killed by Aeron.
"Aeron what was that power" asked Pierre trying to hide his fear. Alana and Rose rushed over to see if Aeron was okay.
"Aeron, are you okay? Are you hurt?" Alana franticly asked while she checks his body to see if he's hurt.
"Here drink this Aeron, its water" said Rose out of concern. She then hands him the sack of water and he takes a sip, then he sits up.
"Thank you Rose, I'm okay guys." Aeron looks at Pierre and asked "What are you talking about Pierre, what happened"
Pierre finally understood that Aeron doesn't remember or know the power he has. He then decides that it would be better to discuss what happened when they were safe. "I'll tell you later, for now we should get going."
Aeron went to check his bag for the letter, but then realized the bag was missing. Aeron started franticly checking all over the camp until he came across the bandit leaders' body. The body was so badly charred that recognition of the person it used to be was impossible. It looked like a dragon had scorched the leader's body because of how severe the burns were. Aeron moved the hot body to the side and found his bag under it. He felt relieved when he found and knew he could still prove his father's thoughts wrong about him.
While they were searching for their horses in the surrounding woods, they came across one of the bandits near a river. He was trying to calm down by throwing water on his face, so he could get a grip on reality. Aeron and Pierre sneak up on him and knock him unconscious. They then tie him up and take him back to the main trail with the horses. "Alright guys it's time to get going" said Aeron and they all ride the last few miles to the fort.
When they Arrive at the fort, they are approached by guards. Aeron holds up a piece the paper with his father's seal on it and they allow them through. A man was waiting for them inside the fort ready to greet them.
"Welcome Prince Aeron, I am General Don. I trust your journey has had little to no trouble, while you and your group were traveling here?" asked General Don.
"We had a little trouble on the way here, but it wasn't anything too difficult for us to handle" Aeron said confidently while smiling and looking at Pierre smiling back. The girls let out a sigh knowing that were lucky to get out of the hands of the bandits. Aeron and Pierre take the man off the back of a horse and throw him on the ground. "We have come with gifts, general Don" said Aeron, then he takes out his letter from the king.
The general grabs it and opens and reads a little bit of the letter. "Thank you very much Prince Aeron and Princess Alana for bringing us this valuable information. With this on our side we should have a lot more food and supplies." Said the general. "Please stay the night and enjoy yourselves before returning. You must be tired from your travels, please come with me."
They follow the general into a canteen where the soldiers living there eat their meals. They all sit at a big wooden table at the opposite side of the main entrance. The walls of the canteen where made of stone but had shields and other weapons hanging from the ceiling.
"Aeron I must ask, how is the king these days?" said the General.
"He's fine" responded Aeron looking at the decorations in the room. "why are there weapons on the walls?" curiously asked Aeron.
"I see you've taken an interest in them" said the general, then he explains "Each of these weapons belonged to a solider of the Venied Empire who has died in the line of duty. To honor their sacrifice, we put their weapons in the canteen so they can be remembered by the new soldiers."
Pierre puts his hand over his heart and says, "I pledge to never forget the fallen soldiers of the Empire." Everyone looks at him and snicker quietly, Then General Don laughs and says, "you will make a fine warrior one day."
Several servants bring food to the table. They each try a small piece of the foods prepared to check for poison. The general looks at all the servants and then tells them to move away. "These servants are from the villages around the fort. they work here to get ensured protection from any bandit groups or enemy nations in the area."
Alana asked, "would you allow them to join the army as soldiers?"
General Don replied, "that would be a good idea, but the king believes that would cause some conflict with our ranking noble officers."
"I think, I might talk to my father about this matter it would be way more efficient." Said Alana
After they had dinner the group went to a room to go to sleep, not know what awaited the next morning.
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