While the young prince might struggle everyday with the fear of not being enough, of never measuring up, all those fears and doubts left like the wind when the ship erupted into chaos. When it was time to lead, Eric was strong. Sure.
He was a good sailor, but no amount of training could have saved the ship. As it crashed into the rocks, he directed the crowd. Pulled people toward the lifeboats. Saved people from the waves. The hazards were simple obstacles to him. He had no regard for himself, only getting his people away from the.
As he helped Grim into the lifeboat, he caught a glimpse of something bright out of the corner of his vision.
A girl.
He blinked. Rubbed his eyes. Looked twice.
It was a girl. Questions buzzed in the back of his brain.
How did a girl get out here? Did they have a stowaway? Had someone brought her on board?
Even as they raced through his mind, he shoved them away. A simple truth was that a girl was in the water, and she needed help.
"Grim! A girl!"
The prince pointed, but no one saw what he was talking about. The old man shook his head. As he opened his mouth to tell him there was no one there, the prince dove into the water.
"Eric!" Grim shouted after him.
"What's he doing?" One sailor shouted.
"Is he CRAZY?" Another demanded.
"Go after him!" Grim shouted.
The crew had just begun to scramble after him, when the ship suddenly erupted, and the water was rocked with the force of it.