Now that the Helskiz Province had been restored to its normal state, Prince Rhys, Mieu, Prince Lyle and Wren were able to go to Shusoran. But they needed a boat to get to the island that Shusoran was situated on, so they asked a boatman in Rysel to lend them a boat. When the boat was ready, the party could then get to Shusoran.
"Well, it's only a little bit longer, Rhys. We're nearly there. You and Princess Maia are going to get married soon, I can feel it!" Lyle said just as the boat came to a halt. The party disembarked, and they set out to Shusoran.
When they were in the limits of the town, it was very abandoned. Was everyone still here, or had they fled? That was for the party to find out for themselves.
"Hopefully, we should be allowed into the castle. My father would be nuts not to let me in." Lyle said as they approached the gate of Shusoran Castle. Lyle banged on the gate.
"Let us in! It's Prince Lyle!" Lyle shouted.
"We'd love to, Prince... but you've got Orakians on your tail. Do you want us to get rid of them?" the guard asked. Lyle refused and backed away from the gate.
"Great, they won't allow you guys in. I've got an idea! Why don't you tie me up and threaten to kill me if they don't let you in? That should get them." Lyle whispered to the party, handing Rhys a long piece of rope.
"Remember, act like you're being held against your will." Mieu said, and then Rhys got the rope ready. Lyle held his hands behind his back, and Rhys tied him up, using the full length of the rope. Mieu took a handkerchief out of her pocket and tied it around Lyle's mouth like a gag.
"You don't mind, do you? You know, using your hanky like that?" Wren asked. Mieu replied that she didn't plan to wash that hanky, as it was going to be covered in princely saliva (what a lovely image). Rhys banged on the gate of Shusoran Castle.
"This is Prince Rhys of the Chalst Province! We have captured your beloved Prince Lyle! You either let us in, or he dies by my knife!" Rhys shouted, taking his hunting knife out of its sheath and jamming the blade against Lyle's neck, but being careful not to slit his throat. Fear began to show in Lyle's eyes.
"Silence, Orakian! Do you truly have Prince Lyle?" the guard asked.
"Yes, we do! Trust me, if you don't raise this gate, you may find that Prince Lyle is no longer breathing!" Rhys boomed, pressing the blade of his knife against Lyle's throat harder. A tear fell from Lyle's eye. He knew that this was only pretend, but Rhys was being so rough that he couldn't hide his emotions.
"Be careful. I think Lyle's getting distressed." Mieu whispered, wiping the tears away from Lyle's eyes with her hand. Rhys acknowledged, and he moved the knife so that it was only just touching Lyle's throat.
"Enough, Orakian! Release my son, this instant!" a voice bellowed. It was the King of Shusoran, Lyle's father. Rhys couldn't untie Lyle yet - they hadn't been allowed in the castle.
"Well then, it's very simple. Open the gate and let us in, or your son will die by my hand!" Rhys yelled in reply. He pressed the blade of his knife against Lyle's throat again, and this time, it was enough to make him burst into floods of tears.
"Let me go!" Lyle cried from behind the makeshift gag. Rhys realised that he had been much too rough with Lyle, so he moved the blade away from his throat slightly.
"Very well, Orakian. I will allow your band in, but first, you must release my son Lyle from his predicament. Do that, and the gates of Castle Shusoran will be open to you." the King shouted. Rhys immediately obeyed, untying the handkerchief from around Lyle's mouth and handing it to Mieu. He then undid the ropes that bound Lyle's hands behind his back. When he was free, Lyle embraced Rhys and cried bitterly.
"I don't believe it! I really thought you were going to kill me! I was just so terrified..." Lyle sobbed, wiping his eyes on Rhys' cloak. The King then opened the gate and allowed them all to come in.
"So, Orakian..." the King began to say, but Rhys began to speak.
"If you want to talk to me, call me Prince Rhys! I have a name, you know." he said.
"OK then, Prince Rhys... why did you tie up my son like that?" the King asked.
"We needed entry into your castle. I'm sorry if I was a little rough on him, but we're friends, right?" Rhys replied. Lyle looked up and managed to break a smile through his tear-soaked face.
"I'm no good to be a prince," Lyle said sadly, "if I'm such a big crybaby and I'm easy to upset." The King wrapped his arm around Lyle and hugged him.
"You are a very good prince, Lyle. It's just that your friend Prince Rhys had jested a little too rough with you. There's no shame in crying, you know, my son." the King said softly. Lyle burst into tears again.
"Oh, Father... you really do care about me." Lyle wailed, rummaging for a handkerchief. He found one, and then he wiped his eyes with it.