A/N: (Y'know, I'm not sure why I put a/n at the beginning...I mean, if it's in bold, it's an authors note. Maybe I just like doing pointless stuff..such as pointless a/n's *shrug*)
Thanks to all the awesome reviews for the first chapter! Not very much happens in this one yet, but I hope you enjoy it anyway!
Yuri pushed open the large double doors leading to the throne room and entered, walking towards to his father.
"You called for me, Father?" he asked, bowing his head.
"Yes...I felt it best to inform you that our sister country, Zaphias, has declared war on us."
Yuri blinked. "What? Why?" he asked, confused.
"We're not sure ourselves...However, it appears the previous King, King Damon, was forced to flee the country with his wife and seven year old child. His brother, Kane, has taken over as the King."
Yuri frowned. Flynn had said something about Zaphias changing...but how could he have known? That didn't make sense...
"Where did Damon flee to?"
"We assume he was heading here, but it appears he either found a safer place or died, as no sign of him, his child or his wife has been reported."
Yuri nodded slowly, then focused. "What are we going to do?"
"I'll send a messanger out, asking for an audience with Kane...If we cannot reach a peaceful conclusion, we may have to go to war. If that happens, you will either have to moved to a safer location or put under constant guard."
Yuri pulled a face, not really liking the idea of either of those, then sighed. "Very well. Is that all?"
His father blinked. "Yes...Are you alright, Yuri? Usually you prefer to stay for a little longer..."
"I'm fine. I just made a friend the other day and I don't want to keep him waiting too long."
"Oh, really? Who is he?"
"His name is Flynn Scifo."
His father stiffened slightly, then frowned. "I see...and when did he arrive?"
"I found him about three days ago...He's become my personal guard."
"And he has shown no signs of hostility?"
"No...Why? Is there something wrong, Father?"
"No, there's nothing wrong. I was just a little surprised, is all." After a moment he nodded. "Alright, you may go. I hope you...have fun."
Yuri blinked, then smiled. "Thank you, Father," he replied, bowing before heading out of the room. As soon as he stepped out, he ran through the hallways back towards where Flynn was waiting in his room.
His father's reaction was unusual...But it didn't really matter. Yuri had a friend, and that's all that mattered to him.
It had been five months since then. Yuri's father had attempted to make peaceful negotiations with the new Emperor, but Kane had refused to withdraw his declaration of war, attempting to at attack his father in the process. Luckily, his skills had saved him, but the kingdom had been at war ever since.
Yuri walked through the corridors, hands behind his head. Flynn walked at his side, the two alread used to the plethora of guards following them. There weren't actually as many as there would have been originally, as Flynn had proven himself quite proficient with the sword. Plus, Yuri could fight too, so the two boys together made quite a force to be reckoned with.
The month of war had been a long one. Yuri soon found that the streets of the city were empty, and it was daunting just to be down there. He preferred to stay up at the castle, playing with Flynn in the numerous games the blonde thought up.
One day, Yuri woke up to find Maria shaking his shoulder. He yawned, rubbing his eyes, then sat up, gazing at her blearily.
"Maria? What's the matter?" he asked.
"We need to leave, Your Highness. King Zane has ordered that you be moved to a safer location as a large army from Zaphias is heading here," she explained, starting to hurriedly pack several clothes away.
"How far are they?" asked Yuri, nudging Flynn beside him then jumping out of bed. The blonde looked around in confusion, watching as they got ready for a moment then climbing out of the bed.
"Not far...an hour at the most. It'll be very close," Maria replied, stuffing some essentials into a bag.
Yuri and Flynn quickly got dressed, strapping their swords to their sides then helping Maria to pack away some stuff. Yuri grabbed a couple of personal belongings, then glanced around the room.
"I think that's it..." he murmured, brushing a hand through his hair before reaching down to grab one of the bags.
The window suddenly smashed and the three of them glanced up, staring as a man leapt towards Yuri, knife glinting. There was the clash of metal on metal as Flynn leapt forward, drawing his sword and blocking the knife; then he was thrown backward against the wall, stumbling as he regained his footing.
The man turned back to Yuri and he leapt towards the boy once more even as Yuri went for his sword.
Blood splattered across his face and Yuri stared, barely taking in what he was seeing.
Maria fell to the ground, her blood pooling around her. She coughed, wheezing, blood dribbling from the corner of her mouth. The man shook his head then turned back to Yuri, lifting his knife and slashing at him.
Then Flynn was there again, blocking the knife and holding his ground, the two struggling against each other for a moment. Then Flynn twisted his sword slightly, causing the man to lose his grip on his knife. A moment later Flynn's sword plunged through his heart, and he fell, dead.
Flynn turned back, watching as Yuri knelt next to Maria. He gazed at her a moment, closing his eyes and gripping her hand. She smiled gently, reaching up to cup his cheek before finally her eyes darkened and she fell limp.
Yuri bit his lip as he gazed at her, then shook his head before standing and turning away, grabbing some bags. He hefted them onto his shoulder and looked back at Flynn.
"Come on, we should get going," he said.
"Aren't you going to mourn?" asked Flynn, confused.
Yuri glanced back at Maria, then shook his head. "This may be a bit confusing but...I have no more tears to shed."
Flynn blinked. Yuri...Yuri was like him too?
..Maybe that was why they were so alike.
The two boys quickly hurried out of the room, Yuri glancing around for the guards that were supposed to escort them briefly. A sudden explosion rocking the castle made them both jump, then Yuri scowled.
"It must have been the reinforcements we spotted. Looks like the main force is already attacking."
"What should we do?" asked Flynn, glancing around.
"We need to get out of here, first and foremost. The front will probably have a battle going on, so we'll try through the gardens or any of the side entrances," Yuri decided. The two boys quickly hurried down one of the corridors, heading for the gardens.
They paused at one of the balconies, looking out over the garden to see if it was a viable escape route. That idea was immediately withdrawn as they saw the various fights going on, and the dead bodies littering the ground that could hinder them as they tried to escape.
"Okay, side exit it is," Flynn said, rushing off down a different direction. Yuri was close behind him, the two keeping an ear for any enemies.
Running feet and the clashing of metal made them pause, and they drew their swords before getting into their stances, waiting. A moment later a group of knights rounded the corner, wearing the uniform of Zaphias' forces.
The knights paused a moment as they spotted the two boys, snorting to each other and about to mock them, before the two boys leapt at them. Within seconds they were felled, and they carried on their way, keeping their swords at the ready as they raced down the hallways.
"If Kane's forces are this far in the castle, we have to assume it's been compromised. Be on your guard," Yuri called back to Flynn.
"That means a lot of exits will be blocked, right? How are we going to get out?" asked Flynn.
Yuri bit his lip, quickly turning the layout of the castle in his mind. "There are secret passageways, but I'm not sure where they would be...It would take too long to find them, too," he said.
Flynn suddenly stopped, and Yuri stopped as well, padding back to him.
"What is it?"
"Is the castle in Zaphias constructed exactly the same as here?" asked Flynn.
"Yeah...so that both rulers would know the other's weaknesses. It was supposed to put off war."
"Then I might know where one of the secret passageways are. Follow me," Flynn said, turning and rushing back the way they had come. Yuri quickly ran after him, glancing about as they hurried down the hallways.
They soon came to a room with a the statue of the angel in it, before Flynn suddenly stopped. Yuri nearly crashed into him, looking round him before paling.
Numerous knights stood there, gazing at the two boys, then one of them pointed to them.
"Get them!" he ordered, and the troops quickly rushed towards them.
"They're coming through the secret passageways! That's why we haven't spotted them!" Flynn cried as they turned and ran back, various knights following them.
"How are we going to get out then!?" demanded Yuri.
Flynn shook his head, trying to think of a way out of the situation. Then he suddenly blinked.
"Yuri! How close are the houses to the castle?" he asked.
Yuri frowned, not understanding, then he suddenly realised and nodded. "Close enough," he agreed.
"Where the balcony?" asked Flynn.
"This way," Yuri said, turning suddenly down a corridor. Flynn quickly followed him, losing a few of the knights in the progress. The others followed, shouting at them to stop and attempting to hit them with their lances.
It was a mad dash through the corridors, running past even more knights, some fighting the guards of the castle. The guard attempted to slow down the knights chasing them, but were quickly slaughtered.
Yuri glanced back sadly, then shook his head, gritting his teeth. Flynn looked at him out of the corner of his eye, then focused forward again.
They turned another corner in unison, Flynn ending up slightly infront of Yuri. They saw their destination infront of them and sheathed their swords, dropping a couple of bags to lighten their load.
As they reached the balcony, they gathered themselves, leaping up. They stepped onto the balcony then jumped off, aiming for the roofs nearest to them.
Several people fighting outside the entrance looked up in shock as they spotted the two boys, and the knights following them stared openmouthed. Yuri's hair flowed out behind him, and Flynn briefly glanced at him, catching his eye.
Then they hit the roof, rolling to relieve the force and quickly leaping up again. They continued running, not losing any momentum, and jumped to the next roof, making their way out that way.
Eventually they made their way back onto the ground and carried on running, panting heavily. They reached the city limits, pausing a moment as they spotted the reinforcements closing in.
As Yuri caught his breath, Flynn reached into his pack and pulled out a couple of cloaks. He tossed one to Yuri, who caught it easily, then slipped the other on himself. They did them up, pulling the hoods up, then started running again, aiming to get away before the reinforcements arrived.
They spotted a couple of spare horses - Arabians, by their colouring -, their owners lying dead beside them. Flynn hesitated, but Yuri easily leapt up onto the back of one of them, gripping the reins firmly.
"Get up. You know how to ride, don't you?" Yuri asked.
Flynn nodded then also climbed up. He silently thanked the owners, then the two nudged them on and galloped away, leaving the city behind them.
A/N: So, more excitement this chapter! I'll be honest; the horses. Those weird little things they ride don't have names, so I couldn't call them that! So I went with horses, and then I just decided I didn't care, and put actual horses in.
Besides, Arabians are well known for being light-weight, speedy, agile and having a lot of stamina. So, they pretty much suit my purposes.
Review?