Hey I'm back and with another chappie. I wanted to write this all week but I couldn't because I wasn't feeling so well. I got some wisdom teeth removed and then I got an infection so I wasn't really in the mood to type. But now I am and without further ado here is the next chapter.
Enjoy
A spider web of ghostly pale lines veining their way across the infinite blackness; then, suddenly, a strong burst of light and the darkness was shattered. In a split second, the ground beneath Van's feet had been destroyed and he began falling. Van was sure it had all happened only moments ago, but time meant nothing to him. He felt like he had been falling deeper into nothingness for an eternity and he wasn't sure if he'd ever reach the bottom or if there even was one.
He reached out to the darkness, to anything that would stop the endless freefall. His hand brushed against a black shard which disintegrated beneath his touch. "No!" Van cried out, his ruby eyes growing wide with surprise and anger. His arms flailed madly about him, trying to latch onto whatever came his way, but every shard met the same fate as the first. As soon as his glowing digits made contact, the shadows disappeared.
The fear was overwhelming. Van could feel his breath constricting in his chest as he plummeted further into the abyss. All around him swirled scattered pieces of the former darkness which were fading rapidly in the growing light. Little by little, the curtain of shadow was being lifted to reveal a world of absolute white.
Be brave. Let go the darkness
The gentle voice had returned. Van noted that it somehow sounded stronger in the growing light, but it was still no more of a comfort. Even now Van's heart was leaping out of his chest and his breathing was quick.
Van...There is no need to be afraid. You are safe in the light...Embrace it
Despite his unwavering fear, Van chose to obey the calm, yet forceful words. He took a deep breath, feeling the tension leaving his body as he let go the need to grasp at the shadows. Closing his eyes, his mind and senses were opened to the ever changing world around him and unlike before, he allowed himself to plunge head first into the unknown. Van could feel the gloom vanishing, feel the wind rushing past him and feel the worries in his heart subsiding. His fears were ebbing just as the lingering shards of the shattered darkness were quickly being consumed by the pure light. An inner peace was taking its hold.
Van was just beginning to enjoy the thrill of freefalling when he felt an odd sensation in his back. It was something he hadn't felt for a long time, something he thought he would never feel again because of the promise he had made to his mother. But there was no keeping said promise. In spite of his unwillingness, Van felt a quick, discomfort before his long repressed wings were set free. Van extended his arms as his wings spread to their fullest. They caught the wind and he shot upwards.
Van was flying. Higher and higher he rose in the air as the wind wafted over his raven mane. He kept his eyes closed, wanting to experience the flight rather than see it. He was thoroughly enjoying himself. It had been too long since he had felt so liberated. He hadn't realized how much he had missed flying until his wings were set free and had caught the wind. He was swooping down when he heard the strange woman's voice once again.
You have seen enough for now
Van didn't have any time to react to the words before he saw a fraction of light and his eyes flew open. He didn't know what had made him wake so quickly. In a mere instant he had regained consciousness and was completely alert.
Immediately, the young prince noticed that he was in some sort of cart that rested atop a large hairy beast. The cart swayed gently from side to side with the animal's movements. It was a soothing rock that threatened to lull Van to sleep, but he would not allow it. Van sat up in the small stack of hay he had been lying in. Brushing off what little clung to his red shirt and hair; he began a deep breath that caught halfway in his throat as he noticed large yellow eyes staring back at him. He gasped and fell onto his elbows.
"Oh, so you're up?" The driver of the cart smiled at Van. He had heard rustling behind him and had turned to check on the boy. "I was wondering if you would. You seem to have had a rough night, but don't worry," he smiled again, "you're almost home and if you wanna sleep some more, you can. I don't mind waking you up when we get there."
Van looked at the driver through squinted eyes. He recognized the wolf man almost at once. "Ruhm?" The man nodded pleasantly back.
But what am I doing in the back of his cart? Did he pick me up last night? Van gripped a fist in his ebony tresses and rested his elbow on his raised knee as he continued to think. Hmm, last night...what happened last night? Van shook his head. He had no idea. Everything was a complete blur. Only his dream was still vivid in his mind, but even that was slowly slipping away from him.
Ruhm seemed to take notice of Van's inner turmoil and decided to relieve the boy of some of it by explaining as best he could what had happened. "I bet your wondering why I'm taking you back to the castle, eh?"
No, you think? Cause after all, I'm accustomed to finding myself in the back of a cart in the wee hours of the morning with no recollection of what happened the previous night.
Van nodded.
"Well, me and a bunch of other villagers were out on the plains last night and we bumped into this tall guy coming out of the woods. He was dressed all fancy and had a sword and what was weird is that he was carrying something big in his arms. Whoa!"
The driver turned back to steering the cart over a bumpy patch in the road and when he returned his attention to his story, while still keeping his eyes on the road, he momentarily forgot his train of thought. "And...And, oh yeah, he had a white owl on his shoulder. He looked all noble-like. It was strange to see his kind of folk around the forest at such an hour, but I guess it's none of my business what people do."
Gods, would he just get to the point? Van was glad that the man was no longer facing him. He was sure that an old friend of the family would probably not appreciate the look he was giving him.
"Anyway, this knight...I think his name was Allen, yeah that's right, Sir Allen, Allen Schezar; he was walking around with you in his arms. We didn't know what he was planning on doing with you but I decided that it was best that I bring you back to the castle myself," the wolf man turned and smiled at Van, "after we treated your wounds of course. Sir Allen did a good job, but we just wanted to make sure."
Allen Schezar, Van gritted his teeth at the mere thought of the blond knight. They had only just met but Van loathed the man with every fibre his being. That smug bastard, I don't care what he did. It's his fault I fainted. If he hadn't come along I would have killed the dragon and proved to Balgus that I was strong enough to be king. Now I have to wait until tomorrow for the ceremony and the whole country is going to make it into such a big deal. Hell, I don't even want to be king. Stupid Allen, I hope I never see him again, Van smiled viciously to himself as a thought crossed his mind, Or rather...I do hope I seem him again, because the next time we meet I'm gonna kill him.
"You were sure out late last night Commander."
Allen had only just woken up and though he didn't show it, he was startled by the familiar voice. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and set his blue gaze on the black-haired man leaning in the doorway of his room. "Hello Gaddes."
The man smiled and took a step into the room. "The crew was worried when you didn't come in last night. Pyle and Reeden started making up all these wild stories about what might have happened to you. But don't worry," Gaddes grinned, "I set them straight."
Allen leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms and legs. "Oh? And what did you tell them?"
"I told them you were out scouting the countryside for a lady or two to enlarge your, uh, reputation."
The blond knight shot his second in command a black look. Gaddes smirked when he saw Allen's reaction. Although he didn't do it often, he enjoyed taking the occasional jibe at his captain. And anyway, he knew Allen wasn't really angry. The commander was used to the constant wise cracks he received from his crew about his so-called womanizing. With the kind of reputation he had, Allen had to expect them.
"It was a boy."
Gaddes raised an eyebrow, "A boy?" The tall second wasn't sure whether this was the beginning of an explanation or a small hint that Allen had changed his preferences. He waited for his captain to continue.
"I ran into the future king of Fanelia last night in the woods. He unwisely challenged me and before either of us could make a move he collapsed."
"The future king of Fanelia collapsed and you didn't even touch him? Wow Commander, I knew you were good, but not that good."
Allen half smiled at the comment but quickly turned serious. "No, he was very weak. I don't know how long he had been outside but it must have been at least five hours from what I could tell."
"Gods," Gaddes' eyes were wide in amazement, "Five hours in that kind of weather? What was he doing out there?"
"I'm not entirely sure but I have my suspicions." Allen paused and got up from his seat. He walked over to the window and pushed the shutters open. The morning light filtered in as the sun stretched higher in the sky. The air was warm; a welcomed change from the previous night. He twisted back to his second in command and noticed Gaddes leafing through papers on his desk. "I strongly believe that the boy was out hunting dragons. He had a sword and I doubt he was betting that he'd run into a knight of Asturia. The only things that roam around that valley other than thieves and vagabonds are those fiery lizards so I think that's the best explanation."
"Well, your probably right, but I have a question Commander," Gaddes lifted his eyes to his captain's, "What did you do with him after he collapsed. You didn't leave him in the woods for the land dragons to find him did you?"
"No," Allen sneered, though I should have, "I brought him out of the woods and gave him to an Arzas tribe. Ruhm, the leader, claimed to be an old friend of the royal family and I left the boy in his care."
"And you believed him?"
"He didn't give me a reason not to." Allen eyed Gaddes. His crewman didn't seem to be as certain about his decision as he had been. The blond knight shook his head. "Don't worry Gaddes. I know I made the right choice. But if it makes you feel any better, I'll also let you know that I wrote to Balgus Ganesha and explained the whole incident. I sent the message with Natal early this morning."
"Your old sword master, Balgus?"
"Yes, you know he's tied with the Fanelian royal family and I'm sure he would love to know what his young prodigy was out doing last night."
Gaddes rubbed the back of his head. "Oh man Captain, if I was that kid right now, I'd probably hunt you down and kill you for ratting on me; to Balgus of all people. Gods, he's gonna be mad."
"Balgus or the young prince," Allen inquired, amused.
"Both."
Allen grinned wickedly at his second, "I know."
Ah, finally getting back to the long chapters. Well, maybe not, but at least this one was. (This was for you Fae Rain)
Hope you guys liked it.
REVIEW, I really wanna know what you think thus far.
Oh and just a side note to the Dark Spirit, I know you wanted 3 chapters by Sunday but I'm afraid that ain't gonna happen. Gods I'm only human, so be nice to me. I've been sick.
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