King Ragnar, the ruler of the kingdom of Valhalla, sat on his throne, deep in discussion with his advisor. His expression was serious as he voiced his concerns. "How are we going to catch that wizard?" he asked, frustration etched on his face.
The royal officials stood before Ragnar, their faces etched with concern as they watched him ponder over the task. "Your majesty, we've sent our best trackers and scouts out, but the wizard seems to be one step ahead of them," a royal official spoke up, his voice tinged with nervousness. "It's like he knows our every move."
The room fell silent as a young man entered, his smirk catching everyone off guard. The royal officials exchanged glances, perplexed by his statement. "Defeated by Lucius?" the king's advisor echoed, his brow creasing in confusion. "But who are you, and how do you know this?"
The young man bowed humbly, a twinkle of confidence in his eyes. "I am Prince Yvain, your majesty," he stated, his voice steady and confident.
"I've been following them for a while," Yvain explained, his gaze fixed on the king. "When they arrived in the Willowbrook village, as soon as you sent scouts after the incident, Lucius quickly dispatched them. I was watching from the trees, but Lucius has sharp eyes and ears indeed."
Hearing Yvain's report, Ragnar's face remained stoic though his eyes betrayed a hint of concern. "You saw them defeat our scouts?" he asked, his voice calm despite the gravity of the situation.
"No," Yvain replied, his tone frank and blunt. "It was only Lucius who fought... He's adept at combat, even resorting to dirty tactics. Your forces wouldn't stand a chance against him."
With a frown, Yvain continued, "Your majesty, I am sorry to inform you that your son, Thorin, is protecting the wizard. This means that he has sided with our enemy, and we must view him as an adversary now."
Ragnar clenched his jaw, his frustration evident. "My son has made his choice then?" he asked, his voice heavy with disappointment. "He has chosen to protect the wizard who threatens our kingdom?"
Yvain nodded solemnly, confirming Ragnar's fears. "Yes, your majesty. Your son, Thorin, has made his decision. He has chosen to protect the wizard who threatens us all."
Yvain smirked, his gaze filled with confidence. "Don't worry, your majesty. I have an idea on how we can catch that wizard," he assured Ragnar, his confidence unwavering.
Ragnar's eyes narrowed, considering the possibilities. "Very well, Prince Yvain. Tell me your plan," he commanded, his voice tinged with curiosity and anticipation.
***
Lucius, Thorin, and Alistair sat around a small fire by a river, enjoying a meal of freshly-cooked fish. The crackling fire cast a warm glow over their faces as they ate in comfortable silence.
In a playful act, Lucius snatched a bite of Thorin's fish, grinning mischievously as he chewed. Thorin scowled at him, his expression a mix of annoyance and mock anger. "Bastard!" he cried out, playfully swatting at Lucius' hand.
Alistair, who sat between Thorin and Lucius, took a moment to pause from his meal and looked over at Lucius, curiosity in his eyes. "Lucius," he asked, "do you know of any other villages nearby that we could visit?"
Lucius took a final bite of his fish before answering Alistair's question. "Hmm, there are a few villages nearby that we could visit," he said thoughtfully, his gaze thoughtful. "There's Willowbrook, Pine Hollow, and Foxglade, all within a day's ride."
Alistair nodded, "We've already visited Willowbrook," he said, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Maybe we could try one of the other villages instead?"
Lucius chuckled at Alistair's suggestion. "True, true," he conceded. "Let's cross Willowbrook off the list then. How about Pine Hollow or Foxglade? Both are charming villages with unique charm."
Alistair spoke up again, a hint of excitement in his voice. "How about Foxglade?" he asked, his eyes lighting up. "I've heard it's a small village located at the foot of the mountains, surrounded by beautiful woods and meadows. It sounds like a tranquil place."
Thorin chimed in, his expression darkening. "Going there would be a disaster," he warned. "That bratty prince named Yvain is far more cruel than we thought. Foxglade is too far from here."
Alistair's voice was tinged with hope and curiosity. "Come on, guys. I really want to explore..." he pleaded, his eyes filled with a sense of adventure.
Thorin and Lucius exchanged a glance, both caught between their desire to help Alistair explore and the potential dangers of going to Foxglade. Thorin sighed, knowing it would be a risky decision, but ultimately unable to resist Alistair's pleading gaze.
Suddenly, a man in a hood appeared out of nowhere falling from a tree, causing all three of them to jump in surprise. Their hearts skipped a beat as they stared at the unexpected intruder, their hands instinctively reaching for their weapons.
As the figure removed their hood, revealing dark hair and piercing orange eyes, their identity was confirmed. It was none other than the prince, Yvain. Thorin's jaw clenched with anger, his eyes narrowing as he recognized the prince's face.
Yvain stood up, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Well, if it isn't my good luck day," he replied, his tone smug. "I'm Yvain, the prince. It's a pleasure to have the honor of meeting you again, Prince Thorin."
Thorin stared at Yvain with a mix of anger and frustration, his jaw clenched as he recognized the arrogant prince. "What do you want, Yvain?" he asked through gritted teeth, his hand still gripping his weapon.
Yvain's smirk grew wider as he raised his hands in mock surrender. "Whoa, whoa, hang on there," he said, feigning innocence. "I was just out for a walk and got a little lost, that's all."
Thorin's eyes narrowed as he eyed Yvain suspiciously. "Why are you here?" he asked, his voice filled with both anger and confusion. "You're supposed to be at Floxglade, aren't you?"
Yvain chuckled lightly at Thorin's question, his gaze playful. "Oh, come now," he replied, his voice condescending. "Can't a prince take a little detour?"
Thorin's grip on his weapon tightened, his frustration growing by the second. "Don't play coy with me," he spat, his eyes locked on Yvain. "You're not supposed to be here, and I want to know why."
Yvain's gaze softened slightly as he spoke, his voice tinged with a hint of vulnerability. "I want to go with you," he admitted, his tone becoming more earnest. "I want to experience adventure too, you know."
Thorin's expression remained guarded, his suspicion lingering in his eyes. "And why on earth would I want to take you with us?" he bit back, his voice filled with a mix of skepticism and aggravation.
Yvain's smirk returned, his self-assured demeanor resurfacing. "Oh, come on, don't act like I'm the worst company in the world," he retorted, a hint of arrogance in his voice. "I could be a valuable ally, you know."
Lucius, who had remained quiet so far, finally chimed in with his opinion. "Hey, maybe we should give him a chance," he said, his tone thoughtful. "He could be an asset to us."
Yvain turned his attention to Alistair, who had been quietly observing the conversation. The prince approached Alistair, a subtle smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Hello there," he said, his voice softening as he held out a hand toward the boy. "You're pretty quiet, aren't you?"
Thorin angrily pushed Yvain away from Alistair, his protective instincts flaring. "Don't touch him!" he snapped, his voice harsh and commanding.
Yvain stumbled back, a look of surprise and annoyance crossing his face. "Hey, watch it," he protested, dusting himself off. "I was just trying to say hello to the kid."
Thorin's expression remained gruff, his eyes narrowed with suspicion. "I don't care," he retorted, his voice firm. "You don't just randomly touch someone without permission, especially not him."
Yvain smirked, his confidence undeterred by Thorin's hostility. "Hey, we're friends now, right?" he taunted, his tone playful. "Besides, I know a shortcut to Floxglade that would save us tons of time. We can explore even more."
Thorin gritted his teeth in frustration knowing he had no choice but to let him come with them.
***
As they continued their journey, Thorin kept a watchful eye on Yvain, his skepticism still present. He couldn't help but notice the way Yvain seemed to gravitate towards Alistair, engaging in animated conversation with the young boy. The prince's charm and charisma were obvious, and Thorin couldn't help but feel a pang of unease.
Lucius spoke up, breaking the tense silence that hung in the air. "We can't trust this guy," he stated bluntly, his usual playful demeanor replaced with a steely-serious expression. "He was with the scouts at Willowbrook after all."
Yvain chuckled nonchalantly, unperturbed by Lucius' accusation. "Oh, come on now," he replied, feigning innocence. "Just because I was with the scouts doesn't automatically make me untrustworthy."
Yvain shot a flirtatious glance Alistair's way and said, "Hey, once we're at Floxglade, we'll go see some girls~" his voice was teasing as he tried to charm Alistair.
Alistair felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment, and he bashfully shook his head. "G-girls?" he stuttered, his voice soft but firm. "No thank you... I'm fine."
Yvain raised an eyebrow, obviously amused by Alistair's reaction. "Why not? Don't you like hanging out with girls?" he teased, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips.
Alistair's cheeks grew even redder, his eyes darting around awkwardly. "S-some girls make me nervous..." he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Alistair sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, his expression embarrassed. "Plus, I'm not really used to talking to girls..." he confessed, his voice still soft and shy.
Thorin, who had been listening intently to the conversation, couldn't help but chime in. "Hey," he said sternly, "don't you dare. Alistair isn't like you, Yvain."
Thorin's expression mirrored his protective nature as he added, "And Alistair is only 13 summers old..." His voice carried a hint of authority and concern, as if reminding Yvain to tread lightly.
Yvain's smirk faded a bit as he heard Thorin's words, taking note of the protectiveness in his voice. "Ah, so he's still young, huh?" he remarked, a hint of realization in his tone.
Thorin nodded, his gaze never wavering. "Yes, he's young," he replied curtly. "Which is even more reason for you to keep your distance and respect his boundaries."
Lucius, ever the ladies' man, chimed in, his voice laced with excitement. "Are you sure there will be women in Floxglade?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. "I can't wait."
Thorin couldn't help but roll his eyes at Lucius' comment. "Pervert old man," he quipped, a hint of disdain in his voice.
"Hey, I'm not that old," Lucius protested, feigning offence, but his grin betrayed his amusement.
Thorin raised an eyebrow, unconvinced by Lucius' argument. "Sure, and pigs can fly," he retorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Oh, come on now," Lucius retorted, his smirk widening. "Just admit you're jealous of my charm."
Thorin rolled his eyes again, his annoyance plain. "Jealous? Please. I'm not interested in your... charm," he replied dryly.
They finally stop for a break, settling down near a large tree. Yvain leaned back against its trunk, his gaze fixed on the surrounding landscape. The others followed suit, taking the opportunity to rest weary legs and weary spirits.
Thorin sat down on the grassy ground beside Alistair, his expression grave as he spoke. "Alistair," he began, his tone firm and protective. "You must never reveal your power to everyone. If you do, they'll think you're a threat because you're the only wizard left."
"Try to hide your identity," Thorin continued, his voice stern. "Keep it a secret, and stop trusting people so much. You're still a kid. You must not trust too easily, especially to that guy." Thorin nodded sharply in Yvain's direction, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.
Alistair looked up at Thorin, a mixture of apprehension and confusion in his eyes. "I don't understand... Why do people think wizards are a threat?" he asked, his voice tinged with innocent curiosity.
Thorin sighed, his expression serious as he tried to explain. "People fear what they don't understand," he said, his voice soft but earnest. "They fear the power wizards possess, the ability to control the elements, to manipulate reality."
Thorin's gaze darkened as he recalled his father's past. "My father," he began, his voice tinged with pain and bitterness, "King Ragnar. He's the one who started it all. He thought the wizards betrayed him, that they killed my mother. I don't know the whole truth, but I do know he was in a rage when he found out the wizards couldn't do anything about her illness."
Alistair's voice was soft as he posed the question, his expression genuinely curious. "Who's King Ragnar?"
Thorin's eyes flickered with a mixture of pride and sadness as he answered. "He's the king of our kingdom, the ruler of Valhalla. He's known for his strength and determination, but he can be ruthless and unyielding sometimes."
Alistair's curiosity seemed to know no bounds, and he posed another question, his tone innocent and earnest. "By the way, how old are you?"
Alistair fidgeted with his sleeve a little, his expression a mixture of curiosity and embarrassment. "Because you all keep telling me I'm younger than you guys..." he clarified, his voice tinged with a touch of vulnerability.
Thorin chuckled softly, the tension in his shoulders easing just a bit. "That's because it's true," he teased gently. "You're definitely the youngest one here."
Thorin leaned back against the tree trunk, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth as he answered. "I'm 17," he replied, his tone matter-of-fact.
Alistair turned his attention to Lucius, his brows furrowing in curiosity. "Then how old is Lucius?!" he inquired, his voice tinged with a touch of disbelief.
Lucius stopped tending to the fish and turned to face Alistair, a cheeky grin on his face. "I'm only 20," he confirmed, his voice nonchalant.
Alistair's gaze shifted over to Yvain, interest piqued. "How about you, Yvain?" he inquired curiously, cocking his head slightly.
Yvain, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, looked up from the grass he was picking at and met Alistair's gaze. A smirk played on his lips as he replied, "21 years of wisdom and charm, my young friend."
"But how?!" Alistair exclaimed, his surprise evident in his young voice. He couldn't help but compare Yvain to Thorin, whose height trumped that of the prince.
Yvain felt a pang of pride wounded and frustration, his face instantly hardening at the comment. "Hey, what's wrong with my height?!" he retorted defensively, his tone a touch sulky.
Thorin couldn't help but snicker at Yvain's reaction to Alistair's comment. "Oh, don't tell me you're offended by your height now," he teased Yvain, his smirk growing wider.
Yvain shot daggers at Thorin with his gaze, clearly not amused by the taunts. "Shut up," he snapped, his pride visibly wounded. "I'm not offended by my height!"
Lucius stepped in, effectively ending the bickering. "Kids, that's enough," he interjected, his voice firm but not unkind. "Before we head to Floxglade, I'll be training Alistair in how to handle a sword first."
Yvain couldn't resist chiming in, a smug grin on his face. "Pfft, seriously?" he taunted, unable to hide his amusement. "He can't even hold a sword? Then what's the point of that scabbard and sword and baldric? It's downright hilarious!"
Thorin shot Yvain an annoyed glance, his patience wearing thin. "Shut your mouth, moron," he retorted, his voice sharp. "What's wrong with him not knowing how to fight yet? He's a kid, for gods sake."
***
A few hours had passed since the start of the training, and Lucius had been diligently instructing Alistair. His demeanor was strict, but his instructions were patient and clear as he showed the young boy how to properly grip the sword and perform some basic strikes.
Yvain excused himself, announcing to the group that he would be back soon.
Thorin looked at Yvain with suspicion but nodded curtly, acknowledging his departure. "Be careful," he called out gruffly.
Yvain cautiously made his way into the dark cave, the shadows creeping around him as he entered. At the far end of the cave, he spotted a figure seated on the ground, concealed by a hood.
The hooded figure, who had been sitting in silence, suddenly spoke up, his voice low and gruff. "I see you're getting along with that little wizard," he said, his words tinged with a sense of foreboding.
Yvain nodded, a confident smirk on his face. "Don't worry, master. Everything's going smooth as planned," he responded, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
Yvain's voice dripped with excitement as he eagerly explained the plan. "Once we're in the Floxglade, all the scouts will capture him. And once that happens, he will finally be executed."
"Good," the hooded man said, his voice flat and emotionless.
The hooded man moved closer to Yvain, a hint of reassurance in his voice. "You're doing great. Soon, your father will die, and you will become the king," he said, his words carrying a sense of certainty. "I'm sure you'll be able to rule the Floxglade just fine."
***
Alistair panted heavily, his chest heaving with exertion. He had been sparring with Lucius for a while now, and he could feel the fatigue setting in. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't seem to land a single hit on the experienced warrior, and his attempts were easily brushed aside by Lucius's swift moves.
Alistair's labored breaths filled the air, his body feeling weary from the strenuous exercise. "I'm so... exhausted... Haa..." he gasped out, his hands on his knees as he fought to catch his breath.
Lucius called out to Thorin, his tone firm but not unkind. "Thorin, stop slacking around. You too must train," he instructed, gesturing for him to approach.
Thorin sauntered over confidently, a smirk on his face. "Oh yeah?" he countered, a challenging glint in his eyes. "I bet I could take you on and even defeat you!"
Thorin lunged forward, trying to catch Lucius off guard with a surprise attack. However, Lucius was a step ahead, his reflexes quick and sharp. He sidestepped casually, evading Thorin's charge effortlessly.
Their swords clashed, the sound of metal against metal filling the air with a sharp, rhythmic clang. Thorin gritted his teeth, putting all his strength into each swing, while Lucius danced effortlessly, his moves fluid and calculated.
The two men moved with lightning-fast speed, their swords clashing in a dizzying display of precision and power. They seemed to be evenly matched, each one anticipating the other's moves, blocking and countering with incredible agility. It was a thrilling sight, two warriors locked in a deadly dance of steel and skill.
Alistair stood at the side, watching in awe as Thorin and Lucius dueled. Their movements were so fast, so fluid, that it was difficult to keep track of their actions. The clash of their swords, the swift footwork, and the intensity of their fight all blurred together, leaving a dizzying impression on the youngster.
As he watched Thorin and Lucius battle, Alistair's determination to become stronger grew stronger. The raw power and skill on display before him fueled his desire to improve, to one day stand side by side with them, holding his own in fierce combat.
Thorin grunted, his chest heaving with exertion as he staggered back and fell to his knees, panting hard. Lucius too was winded, sweat trickling down his face as he spoke, "I have to admit..." he began, panting slightly, "You are... stronger than I thought."
He paused to catch his breath before continuing, "Let's rest for a while, shall we?"
Thorin nodded in agreement, still trying to catch his breath. "Yeah... Sounds good," he managed to gasp out, his body weary from the intense sparring session.
Alistair, standing on the sidelines, watched the two warriors with determination in his eyes. He could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins, fueled by a fierce desire to become strong like them. "Please," he pleaded, his voice unwavering, "I don't want to rest until I become strong like you guys!"
Thorin, still catching his breath, couldn't help but tease Alistair. "You wield a sword like a girl," he jeered, a smirk curling at the corners of his lips.
Lucius, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips, joined in the banter, his voice laced with mock agreement. "I have to agree, my friend," he chuckled. "You look almost like a pretty wench, ready to serve us with a warm meal and freshly laundered clothes."
The words of Thorin and Lucius stung Alistair like a slap to the face. The young boy felt a wave of frustration and anger welling up within him, and he clenched his fists tightly. "Hey, that's not fair!" he protested, his voice tinged with irritation. "I'm not a girl... I'm not weak or useless!"
Thorin and Lucius exchanged amused glances, clearly enjoying the effect their words were having on Alistair. They knew they were pushing his buttons, but they couldn't help but find his reactions entertaining.
Thorin and Lucius continued to tease and rib on Alistair, their taunts growing more playful and good-natured. They chuckled and exchanged grins as they playfully goaded the young boy. "Come on now, don't get so worked up. We're just teasing you," Thorin chided, his tone light-hearted but with a hint of condescension.
Alistair's lower lip trembled, his eyes welling up with tears as he struggled to rein in his emotions. He could feel the frustration and hurt building up inside him, and the teasing had finally become too much to bear. In a quivering voice, he managed to utter, "You guys are so... mean..." before the tears finally spilled down his cheeks, his shoulders shuddering with each stifled sob.
Thorin sighed, shaking his head in mock exasperation. "Here we go again..." he muttered, glancing sidelong at Lucius. "This is your fault, you know that, right?"
Lucius held up his hands in mock surrender, his smile widening. "Hey, don't pin it all on me," he protested, a hint of laughter in his voice. "You joined in too, you know."
Despite the tears still glistening in his eyes, Alistair managed to dodge Lucius's attack, surprising even himself with the unexpected quickness. Lucius raised an eyebrow, a hint of admiration in his gaze. "Well, I must admit, you dodged that even with tears welling up in your eyes," he said, a begrudging respect in his tone. "You didn't let your guard down just because you were crying."
Even as tears still pooled in his eyes, Alistair's determination shone through. "I want to learn more..." he pleaded, his voice choked with emotion. "Please, teach me more. Teach me to get stronger like you guys."
Thorin let out a heavy sigh, his expression a mix of annoyance and reluctant admiration. "He just won't give up, will he?" he muttered, begrudgingly acknowledging Alistair's stubbornness.
Thorin grunted, his irritation slowly melting away as he realized the boy's determination. "All right, let the training begin," he finally conceded, a hint of resignation in his voice.
Despite the setting sun casting long shadows across the clearing, Alistair refused to yield. The sky tinged with hues of orange and purple, the evening breeze bringing a slight chill with it, but the young boy pushed on, stubbornly refusing to rest. Thorin and Lucius, noticing the exhausted look on Alistair's face, exchanged a concerned glance. But they knew better than to try to stop him now. He had the determination and stubbornness of a mule.
Yvain leaned against a nearby tree, watching the training unfolding before him with a smirk on his face. He watched as Thorin and Lucius coached Alistair, the young boy's determination evident even from a distance. Yvain chuckled to himself, knowing full well the fates that lay in store for the boy, and he muttered to himself, "You'll be gone once we get to the Floxglade, Alistair... And you won't stand a chance."
"Just you wait."
TO BE CONTINUED.