The same two guards escorted Alonzo back to his farm house so he could say his last good bye to his mother. Jellylorum didn't want to let her son go but with an offer that would enrich her son's life and have things Jellylorum could never give her son, she was happy.
Alonzo and her hugged one last time then said, "I'll write you every day."
"I don't think that would be a good idea."
"Why not?" Alonzo questioned.
Jellylorum looked at her son with eyes of a loving mother, "Alonzo, this life that you are to live, the live of your brother, it's a very demanding role. You will find you have no time to write me letters once you've had a taste of what the King can give you."
"Mother please," Alonzo took her hand in his, "I'll always have time to write you."
Jellylorum smiled up at him, "If you say so." She nodded. She tried very hard to not let the tears fall from her eyes as her son let go of her hand and walked to the guards and jumped up onto a waiting horse.
The guards started to leave the farm house property as Alonzo looked behind him and waved good bye to his mother. Jellylorum waved to her son until he was gone.
Alonzo walked the silent halls of the King's throne room. He wondered if someday he would do the throne proud, his mother proud, the Kingdom proud, or if he would fail himself. Walking towards the throne he looked it over.
It was a deep brown colored wood with crimson colored padding with gold jewels. The beauty of it all almost made Alonzo bow to it even with no one sitting in it. He looked at it then cocked his head to side. Then he looked over his shoulders around the room, no one was in there with him, he looked back to the chair and stepped closer to it. Touching the arms of it he placed himself carefully down into the seat not wanting to ruin the beauty of it.
Alonzo felt out of place as he sat in it. He wasn't born for this job, this title, his twin was. However, his twin, the only he knew nothing of had died trying to find the beast that plagued the cities. Alonzo's job was to go to the cave where it lived, wait outside the cave as a team of highly trained guards went in and dealt with the creature. Alonzo brought his hand up to his chin as he thought, if he was going to play the part of the prince he wanted to act this out as prince as well.
The day had come for Prince Alonzo to go the cave and slay the beast. Coricopat, the King's right hand man woke Alonzo from his sleep and once Alonzo was fed and dressed he and the guards traveled to the cave.
"We'll set up camp here and walk up to the cave." The head guard said to the other guards.
All the guards got off their horses and started setting up their little camp including Alonzo. He wanted to help in any way he could. After an hour the camp was up and running. The head guard gathered his troops and spoke, "This beast's day has come. No more will it plague our city. We are here to kill it and bring peace to not only own city but King Akira's city as well."
The guards all around cheered and clapped their hands. Alonzo stood silently listening. After the head guard was finished talking Alonzo asked him, "What about me?"
The head guard looked at him, "What about you? Your job is to stay here until we get back."
"No." Alonzo said.
The head guard looked at him then asked, "What?"
Alonzo stepped closer to him, "I said no. I want to come with."
Alonzo could tell he was thinking then he hissed, "Fine. But you wait outside the cave. I'm not going to be responsible for you."
"You don't have to worry about that. I'm very capable of taking care of myself."
The guard looked at Alonzo and when Alonzo grinned, he rolled his eyes and walked away.
The walk up to the cave seemed long longer than it should have been. Alonzo's grip on his sword tightened as they neared the entrance. The head guard held up a hand and everyone stopped. The air was sticky and hot, like muggy breath crawling down the neck. Then an ear piercing howl sounded and cut the air completely.
Everyone looked around then all looked up when Alonzo pointed and yelled to the sky, "There!"
There was barely any time to get behind cover before the beast dove down and attacked some men. Alonzo hid behind a rock as the beast flew up and readied for another attack. The head guard was helping some injured men to cover when the beast dove down again. This time Alonzo did something he ran out and tackled the head guard to the ground saving his life.
As the beast rose once again the head guard shoved Alonzo off of him, "What the hell's the matter with you?"
"I just saved your life!" Alonzo shouted.
"You're supposed to stay down!"
The head guard was going to say more but the beast flew in and grabbed some retreating men and picked them up and dropped them a few hundred feet in the air. It attacked again and the head guard sung his sword at it and hit it in the back foot.
It screamed in pain and kicked around hitting the head guard in the chest and sending him flying through the air. It took after some more men but didn't reach them because Alonzo threw a rock and hit it in its wounded leg. It growled and turned its dark head around and looked at Alonzo with its black eyes.
Alonzo said under his breath, "Should have thought that one through." He said before he took off running as the beast chased after him. He had to do something anything; the beast was getting closer and closer by the second. Swinging his sword blinding behind him he lucky hit its muzzle. Before Alonzo could ready for another swing, the beast swung one of its massive paws at Alonzo and the prince went flying forward and landing roughly on his chest.
He twirled around just in time to roll out of the way of an attack. He brought his sword up to defend himself but the massive paw of the beast knocked it out of his hand. Now Alonzo lay on the ground defenseless as the beast drew nearer. To his right there were rocks and small stones and to his left, his sword. The beast hadn't thrown it too far away. Now if only he could get to it.
He just needed some time. As if answering his prayer the head guard got the beast's attention. The beast crawled away from Alonzo and focused its attention on the guard. Alonzo took that time to pick himself up and grab his sword.
The head guard attacked the beast with everything he had which only seemed to annoy the beast. Alonzo threw one last rock at the beast and when it turned to Alonzo, the prince tightened his grip on his sword. He had one shot and one shot only.
As the beast started to pick up speed Alonzo readied himself. The beast ran at him in full charge so Alonzo held up his sword in front of him as the beast's chest plunged into the sharp blade. It gave a loud scream in pain then fell limbless to the ground.
Alonzo feel on his tail as he looked at the massive beast lying in front of him. He couldn't believe he had killed it. The head guard walked over to Alonzo and helped him up.
"Good job young prince."
Alonzo smiled at him.