Chapter 5

I sat back in the most uncomfortable chair. An hour has passed since that little incursion and all I wanted now was just some peace and quiet. Maximus had gone over to a few of the citizens, observing their every move.

"Daddy, look, a horse!" a young, blonde-haired girl yelled.

"That's right, sweetie. Gentle now."

I watched as the young girl slowly approached Maximus, him kneeling down before her. She began to brush his long luscious hair to the side, Max clearly enjoying the treatment.

I slumped back in my chair, trying to squeeze an ounce of relaxation out of the rusty old thing. Nothing seemed to work, it felt like every new movement made the sensation worse. It got to the point where standing felt better so that's what I did.

"So, you're Flynn Rider, huh?"

I heard the voice behind me, turning slowly. I expected to see the sight of another angry villager who missed the hint earlier, but I saw one of a younger boy through the corner of my eye. I opted to act like I hadn't heard him.

I heard him tossing something up in the air, the sound growing louder. He was walking towards me.

"I've heard all about your adventures out there, outside the Coronan walls." It was then I turned around to meet the young lad.

"Quite some times," I said, agitated. "Whatcha need, kid?"

"Hold on there champ, first things first, I'm not a kid. I'm fourteen. Secondly, the name is Varian."

"Cool," I stood there, shaking his hand. "What you need, Varian?"

"Ah, nothing really." The kid had to want something, right? Had to.

"I just wanted to see if you actually were him."

My interests were sparked. "Yeah, I am. Or," I twirled my hand. "I was."

That still feels really weird to me because it wasn't like Flynn Rider had just magically disappeared off the face of the Earth, like I often made it seem. The only thing that changed was that I go by a different name now, Eugene. I'm still the same person, same skin, same blood, same heart and all that. But, maybe I was new. Rider was all about stealing and theft, Eugene is..

Wow, who even is Eugene Fitzherbert?

"That life's in my past now though, kid. Long gone. I'm a changed man." I leaned against an old board that was nailed into the ground.

"Man, wellll-" he started to steer off, "I was looking forward to asking Mr. Rider about all those adventures he went on that I've read in my books... "

I stopped him mid sentence. "Kid, you know that wasn't actually me ri-"

"What?" he asked, questionably.

"Uh, no, nevermind. Yeah, that was me!" Now this kid really did have my attention.

"Back when I was younger, all the older kids ever did was tell stories of your journeys. Across Corona, Vardaros, throughout the other seven kingdoms."

I felt bad knowing that those tales weren't my own, and that he thought he was talking to the actual real life Flynn Rider. Well, he was, but not really. Yeah, confusing.

But I began to think about my own time reading those books for the first time, and that was enough to even bring a smile to my face. I didn't know the younger generation still went around sharing those same stories that brought me much joy in a time of pain.

And for the next few hours, all the two of us did was talk about "my" past adventures. Old Flynn Rider tales, probably would have lasted all night if we had the time to spare.

"You want to know the best part?" I said, doing my best to keep in my laughter. I saw the smile rise to the kid's face.

"What, what'd you do?" he asked, impatiently.

"I left the old sucker there in the dust!" I couldn't help it, we both burst out laughing, each of us with a cold water in hand. Man, this was perfect. Never would I have thought this trip down to Old Corona would have turned out so well. For once, I felt sorta thankful for the captain. After all, I was down here because of him.

"Wow," I said, wiping a tear away from my face as I let out a few more chuckles. I heard a voice in the background, calling for Varian. It was familiar.

It was Quirin's.

"Gosh, Dad's calling me in." he let out a sigh.

I walked up to him and placed my hand on his shoulder. "Kid, you got yourself a good father, don't forget that." I saw him look up at me.

"Thanks, Flynn."

I gulped, ever so slightly. "Kid, call me Eugene. Flynn was what I went by back in my old days but I'm a changed man now."

"Oh, okay." he said, quietly. "You gonna come down here and visit every once in a while?"

Heck, how could I not? This kid really did seem to admire me, even if it was for the work of old Flynn Rider. This time I spent here was some of the best times I've had since arriving at the castle. Frankly, I love Rapunzel and I'm forever fond of Lance, but it was nice to grow a new acquaintance for the first time in a while.

"I'll find the time to." I extended my hand and he shook it firmly.

"See you around, Varian."

He waved goodbye as he ran up to his house that stood there up at the top of the hill, surrounded by farmland.

I checked my watch, and it was quarter past six. Shift was over and it was time to head back home. It feels so good knowing Rapunzel's back there waiting, and hopefully we'll be able to spend the rest of the night together. I want to tell her so bad about meeting Varian.

Then, I heard a scream.

"Help! Someone help!"

Maximus was floating off to sleep by the old cherry tree nearby but the sound of someone in distress immediately woke him. He jumped to his feet, wide alert, and met mine as I looked his way. We heard the sound again.

"Someone help me!"

Commotion began in the little fields of the village, and I felt a sense of urgency rush under me.

"Max!" I yelled. He immediately rushed over to my side. I jumped swiftly onto his back and ran off in the direction of the sound.

It grew louder.

"Help, please!"

I felt the cooler breeze rush on my face like a brick, but that wasn't where my mind was at. I heard these desperate screams of someone in need and only I could help them.

Max galloped closer and closer to the noise, before stopping. Nothing could be heard. They were now approximately a mile away from Old Corona, locked away deep in the forest.

I jumped off his back, reaching into his pocket and pulled out a compass.

"Max, I'm going in there to look. You stay here-"

His eyes remained locked on mine, fully listening to my direction.

"If you see anything," I paused for a moment. "If you see anything, then go get 'em. Leave me if you have to." I placed the sole compass in my were words I didn't wish to utter, but I felt time running thin.

He neighed in agreement, looking around as I brushed back some leaves. I entered the thick of the forest all alone. Max stayed behind guarding that spot and the only noise I heard now was the rustling of the leaves as the wind blew ever so calmly. I could hear my breathing, it quickened, my heartrate intensifying. This was a feeling I haven't felt since my last job.

I brushed back more leaves, and to my surprise I seemingly found the entrance to a cave. I took a few steps.

"Long time no see, Flynn."

I paused.

I took a deep breath.

I knew that voice.

I turned around to see the sight of an old friend, an old foe. My heart sank as my eyes met theirs.

"It's funny finding you here." the figure said.

I clenched my hands in rage, fear of what's to come. I felt my jaw clenching.

Leaning up against a tree with a tiny dagger in hand, there I saw her. The face I hadn't seen in about a year.

Stalyan.