Chapter 2 - A Hero's Duty
The roar of a Wind Raider's engines caught Adam's attention. He slid down the trunk of the oak atop which he had been napping and walked clear of its green canopy. The blue-hued machine circled once around the palace limits before descending undoubtedly to the landing strips a few miles south of the city.
He had noticed a crest on the machine before it disappeared from view, a man riding a lion into battle. It belonged to the Gephantese then. Adam wondered what business they had with the Royal Court; the King had endowed Count Ohrgustus with the title of Warden of the North, a title that had been dormant since Keldor rebelled. Since then most North Eternian business was dealt with through Ilandra.
Then again perhaps they had no business. It wasn't uncommon for some pompous young noble or merchant to fly their 'Raiders long distances just for the sheer novelty. The technology for these machines had been made available to the various provinces since the Battle at Ilandra all those months ago. Though his parents wished it otherwise, once the existence of these inventions had been revealed there was no way they could stop the other Eternian nobles from wanting their own: At least not without having to deal with accusations of conspiracy and deceit.
Adam began to walk back inside the palace when a familiar flapping of wings came to rest on the nearest wall. "Sorceress," he said in greeting, "it's been awhile."
The falcon nodded its head in response and within his mind Adam could hear her voice. 'Greetings Adam, indeed it has been sometime since last we conversed, but I think that time is something you sorely needed."
Adam dipped his head at the memory of their last encounter. He felt so angry that day; a rage he never thought would dissipate. But it had healed, to some extent. At least now he could sleep, or not break down crying. It still hurt and he would never forget but at least he could move on now. One scar remained though, his wish that he would again face Skeletor. He would never forget Kisana, now would he forget how she died.
"And what brings you before me after so long?" he asked of the Sorceress.
"The lands of Eternia face again the prospect of a threat to the peace. A malevolent and ancient force is stirring and should it rise then it is possible that the world will be plunged into a war bloodier than the Horde invasion, more malignant than the cancer of Skeletor!"
"That serious huh?" Adam replied.
"Adam please! You must travel to Castle Grayskull immediately, only there can I make you comprehend the true nature of what I speak." Pleaded the Sorceress.
"I'll be there. Just give me a day or two to arrange an excuse to leave the city."
"Then we will meet again at Castle Grayskull. Good-speed Prince Adam." She said before flying off.
Adam stood there a moment, thinking on what he had just been told. When he had first received the Sword of Power he was told by the Sorceress that it was his birthright. A tool with which to combat the wicked Skeletor, whom it was said would be the greatest threat to Eternia's peace. Adam wondered what could be more dangerous than Skeletor? And just where was Skeletor anyway? He had not been sighted since he escaped from Aohre's Peak. Adam severely doubted Skeletor would just give up his dreams of dominion, even after the beating he had taken at Ilandra. Maybe Skeletor was behind this new threat? Of more concern to Adam at the present, was how to excuse himself from Court for a few days to see the Sorceress? Not for the first time Adam wondered if it would have been any easier for a peasant to have wielded the sword?
Adam marched to his father's study deciding that he would use his old fall- back plan: Fishing. Adam had not had any recreational time to himself since returning to the Palace, instead taking a more active role in State matters as a means of diversion. No one would think it strange if he were to take a few days fishing. He nodded to the guards on duty as he pushed through the doors, finding his father in conference as he entered.
He stood there embarrassed for a moment before recovering in vintage Adam style. "Father, I had heard that you were receiving a guest and I thought I might sit in, if I'm not intruding of course."
King Randor gave a wry smile, he knew exactly vintage Adam style when he saw it. "Very well Son, this is Cadolas Sal, a student of archaeology with the University." The prince groaned inwardly, he would have to walk in on some excitable dust hunter blathering about his latest ancient toe-nail clipping find.
"Oh.that's.interesting." He said.
"Mr Sal was just telling me of a fantastic discovery made near Gephant. Perhaps you could fill my son in your find Mr Sal?" Randor asked of the student, knowing full well Adam wanted no such thing.
"Well your Highness," the exuberant young man started. "After Aohre's Peak was recaptured we came across some personal belongings of Skeletor. Amongst those..." and on he went, nearly lulling Adam into a trance. There was something about 'places of great power', 'Derren-Ma', 'Vaneda' and a 'massive fortress'.
"Excuse me, did you say a 'massive fortress'?" Adam asked, suddenly interested. Fortresses meant armies, armies meant battles and battles made history. Though he had been through some battles of his own, Adam could still not entirely shake off that juvenile fascination he had for historical battles.
"Yes sir, we believe this fortress we have uncovered may be up to three times the size of the royal palace."
"That is amazing!" Adam exclaimed.
"It is indeed sir and that brings me to my business here today." Sal said.
"And what might that be Mr Sal?"
"Well we have only scratched the surface of the fortress, so to speak. If it is as large as we estimate then it is buried deep within the earth, too deep for our small crew to dig to obtain any immediate findings in any case. I came here on behalf of Melaktha, the scholar in charge of our group to request more aid, more resources towards investigating this fantastic breakthrough."
Adam looked at his father. "What have you decided Father?"
Randor answered. "I wonder what your opinion is, Son?"
An idea was forming in Adam's mind. "I think that it may be worth looking into this find more thoroughly. There are many things about our history we do not understand and I think that something such as this can answer a few questions." He added, "I also think that until we come to learn what secrets this fortress harbors, then it may not be entirely safe to the general public and that an increased Royal presence would be in the Crown's interest."
Randor nodded. "I agree."
"And I would like to oversee this excavation." Adam said.
The King chuckled mirthfully. "Would that be to supervise the Crown's affairs or to play in Castles?" Adam smiled.
"It would be an honor for us Your Highness," Sal said bowing, "I know Melaktha will be delighted to show someone of such importance the results of his labour."
"Uh.yeah!" Adam said somewhat uncomfortably.
"It's settled then," Randor said, "Mr. Sal I will write a letter for Count Ohrgustus telling him to provide you with extra gold and manpower. That should satisfy the need for increased resources and the Crown wishes you and your colleagues Godspeed in your project." Randor rose from his seat, "I leave you now in the charge of my son, you and he can hammer out the details of your trip back."
"Your Majesty," Calados Sal knelt and kissed the King's hand. He then turned to Adam, "Highness."
Adam offered a perfunctory smile, "We will speak more tonight." Sal left the room leaving father and son alone together.
Randor raised a quizzical eyebrow at his son, "An archaeological site?"
"I was about to come tell you I was going fishing for a few days; I need a break," Adam replied. "This dig may not be the most important matter in the kingdom but I'm sure you'll agree it's more constructive than my snagging a few trout."
"Since when do you ever 'snag' any fish?" Randor laughed. "I have no problems with you stretching your legs a little. Plus it wouldn't hurt to have a royal presence in the North for a while, remind them that Eternos is still the capital."
Adam bowed his head, "Then if 'Your Majesty' permits, I would take my leave to ready for my journey."
"Go then my charge, fulfill your duty to your King and people," Randor said, playing Adam's game. "Oh son, I'm glad to see you're feeling better. I think this trip will be good for you."
Adam responded by embracing his father. "Thank you."
Leaving the sitting room Adam felt dirty. Though he loved his father greatly, the paternal moment they just shared was built upon a lie. Another untruth told in the name of duty. How many more times would he have to lie to his family? Would it really place them in any greater danger knowing the double-life their son led? They were, after all, the King and Queen, what more danger could they be in that did not already threaten them? Still, the Sorceress had advised against it and her counsel had not failed him yet.
With a sigh Adam left to find Sal's apartment. His mother once told him, 'The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.' He wondered if she even realized the gravity of those words when she spoke them, Adam didn't. Not until the day He-Man came to Eternia.
The roar of a Wind Raider's engines caught Adam's attention. He slid down the trunk of the oak atop which he had been napping and walked clear of its green canopy. The blue-hued machine circled once around the palace limits before descending undoubtedly to the landing strips a few miles south of the city.
He had noticed a crest on the machine before it disappeared from view, a man riding a lion into battle. It belonged to the Gephantese then. Adam wondered what business they had with the Royal Court; the King had endowed Count Ohrgustus with the title of Warden of the North, a title that had been dormant since Keldor rebelled. Since then most North Eternian business was dealt with through Ilandra.
Then again perhaps they had no business. It wasn't uncommon for some pompous young noble or merchant to fly their 'Raiders long distances just for the sheer novelty. The technology for these machines had been made available to the various provinces since the Battle at Ilandra all those months ago. Though his parents wished it otherwise, once the existence of these inventions had been revealed there was no way they could stop the other Eternian nobles from wanting their own: At least not without having to deal with accusations of conspiracy and deceit.
Adam began to walk back inside the palace when a familiar flapping of wings came to rest on the nearest wall. "Sorceress," he said in greeting, "it's been awhile."
The falcon nodded its head in response and within his mind Adam could hear her voice. 'Greetings Adam, indeed it has been sometime since last we conversed, but I think that time is something you sorely needed."
Adam dipped his head at the memory of their last encounter. He felt so angry that day; a rage he never thought would dissipate. But it had healed, to some extent. At least now he could sleep, or not break down crying. It still hurt and he would never forget but at least he could move on now. One scar remained though, his wish that he would again face Skeletor. He would never forget Kisana, now would he forget how she died.
"And what brings you before me after so long?" he asked of the Sorceress.
"The lands of Eternia face again the prospect of a threat to the peace. A malevolent and ancient force is stirring and should it rise then it is possible that the world will be plunged into a war bloodier than the Horde invasion, more malignant than the cancer of Skeletor!"
"That serious huh?" Adam replied.
"Adam please! You must travel to Castle Grayskull immediately, only there can I make you comprehend the true nature of what I speak." Pleaded the Sorceress.
"I'll be there. Just give me a day or two to arrange an excuse to leave the city."
"Then we will meet again at Castle Grayskull. Good-speed Prince Adam." She said before flying off.
Adam stood there a moment, thinking on what he had just been told. When he had first received the Sword of Power he was told by the Sorceress that it was his birthright. A tool with which to combat the wicked Skeletor, whom it was said would be the greatest threat to Eternia's peace. Adam wondered what could be more dangerous than Skeletor? And just where was Skeletor anyway? He had not been sighted since he escaped from Aohre's Peak. Adam severely doubted Skeletor would just give up his dreams of dominion, even after the beating he had taken at Ilandra. Maybe Skeletor was behind this new threat? Of more concern to Adam at the present, was how to excuse himself from Court for a few days to see the Sorceress? Not for the first time Adam wondered if it would have been any easier for a peasant to have wielded the sword?
Adam marched to his father's study deciding that he would use his old fall- back plan: Fishing. Adam had not had any recreational time to himself since returning to the Palace, instead taking a more active role in State matters as a means of diversion. No one would think it strange if he were to take a few days fishing. He nodded to the guards on duty as he pushed through the doors, finding his father in conference as he entered.
He stood there embarrassed for a moment before recovering in vintage Adam style. "Father, I had heard that you were receiving a guest and I thought I might sit in, if I'm not intruding of course."
King Randor gave a wry smile, he knew exactly vintage Adam style when he saw it. "Very well Son, this is Cadolas Sal, a student of archaeology with the University." The prince groaned inwardly, he would have to walk in on some excitable dust hunter blathering about his latest ancient toe-nail clipping find.
"Oh.that's.interesting." He said.
"Mr Sal was just telling me of a fantastic discovery made near Gephant. Perhaps you could fill my son in your find Mr Sal?" Randor asked of the student, knowing full well Adam wanted no such thing.
"Well your Highness," the exuberant young man started. "After Aohre's Peak was recaptured we came across some personal belongings of Skeletor. Amongst those..." and on he went, nearly lulling Adam into a trance. There was something about 'places of great power', 'Derren-Ma', 'Vaneda' and a 'massive fortress'.
"Excuse me, did you say a 'massive fortress'?" Adam asked, suddenly interested. Fortresses meant armies, armies meant battles and battles made history. Though he had been through some battles of his own, Adam could still not entirely shake off that juvenile fascination he had for historical battles.
"Yes sir, we believe this fortress we have uncovered may be up to three times the size of the royal palace."
"That is amazing!" Adam exclaimed.
"It is indeed sir and that brings me to my business here today." Sal said.
"And what might that be Mr Sal?"
"Well we have only scratched the surface of the fortress, so to speak. If it is as large as we estimate then it is buried deep within the earth, too deep for our small crew to dig to obtain any immediate findings in any case. I came here on behalf of Melaktha, the scholar in charge of our group to request more aid, more resources towards investigating this fantastic breakthrough."
Adam looked at his father. "What have you decided Father?"
Randor answered. "I wonder what your opinion is, Son?"
An idea was forming in Adam's mind. "I think that it may be worth looking into this find more thoroughly. There are many things about our history we do not understand and I think that something such as this can answer a few questions." He added, "I also think that until we come to learn what secrets this fortress harbors, then it may not be entirely safe to the general public and that an increased Royal presence would be in the Crown's interest."
Randor nodded. "I agree."
"And I would like to oversee this excavation." Adam said.
The King chuckled mirthfully. "Would that be to supervise the Crown's affairs or to play in Castles?" Adam smiled.
"It would be an honor for us Your Highness," Sal said bowing, "I know Melaktha will be delighted to show someone of such importance the results of his labour."
"Uh.yeah!" Adam said somewhat uncomfortably.
"It's settled then," Randor said, "Mr. Sal I will write a letter for Count Ohrgustus telling him to provide you with extra gold and manpower. That should satisfy the need for increased resources and the Crown wishes you and your colleagues Godspeed in your project." Randor rose from his seat, "I leave you now in the charge of my son, you and he can hammer out the details of your trip back."
"Your Majesty," Calados Sal knelt and kissed the King's hand. He then turned to Adam, "Highness."
Adam offered a perfunctory smile, "We will speak more tonight." Sal left the room leaving father and son alone together.
Randor raised a quizzical eyebrow at his son, "An archaeological site?"
"I was about to come tell you I was going fishing for a few days; I need a break," Adam replied. "This dig may not be the most important matter in the kingdom but I'm sure you'll agree it's more constructive than my snagging a few trout."
"Since when do you ever 'snag' any fish?" Randor laughed. "I have no problems with you stretching your legs a little. Plus it wouldn't hurt to have a royal presence in the North for a while, remind them that Eternos is still the capital."
Adam bowed his head, "Then if 'Your Majesty' permits, I would take my leave to ready for my journey."
"Go then my charge, fulfill your duty to your King and people," Randor said, playing Adam's game. "Oh son, I'm glad to see you're feeling better. I think this trip will be good for you."
Adam responded by embracing his father. "Thank you."
Leaving the sitting room Adam felt dirty. Though he loved his father greatly, the paternal moment they just shared was built upon a lie. Another untruth told in the name of duty. How many more times would he have to lie to his family? Would it really place them in any greater danger knowing the double-life their son led? They were, after all, the King and Queen, what more danger could they be in that did not already threaten them? Still, the Sorceress had advised against it and her counsel had not failed him yet.
With a sigh Adam left to find Sal's apartment. His mother once told him, 'The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.' He wondered if she even realized the gravity of those words when she spoke them, Adam didn't. Not until the day He-Man came to Eternia.