"Ugh" uttered the bandit as I struck him with the pommel of my resplendent sword.
"That should be the last bandit" I thought to myself as I looked around me and sighed with relief as I sensed no enemies left. This bandit was particularly stronger than the rest I encountered before, donning a full set of armor which was something I don't usually see bandits have.
As I looked at the blue moon, I see that it is the 7th Moon Cycle and would need to return to the capital as soon as possible. The departure to Aerindal will require provisions and I will need to check with the merchant that the supplies are set. I began sheathing my resplendent sword in an equally magnificent scabbard, then hurriedly left, leaving the bandit on the plains as I made my way to Alvor, my bodyguard.
Following the river stream, I see a figure in the dark. It appears to be Alvor, along with my accompanying guards. Beside them, a bundle of bandits chained and seemingly weary. As I approached my bodyguard, I decided to notify him of the bandit along the stream and that I'll be leaving patrol early.
"Alvor, I'll be taking my leave early. I'm going to check with the merchant to see if our provisions are in place. " I informed the towering person in clad armor who bore a bronze crest which resembled a lion.
Anybody who would meet him for the first time would be in quite the unease. His intimidating appearance in armor made it all the more likely. Although he has been my guardian for several years now, I still feel a bit uneasy around him but, at the same time I feel safer around him. And despite having a broad physique, he was a gentle guy behind his helmet.
"That's fine with me. Be sure to get enough rest, my prince. I'll be sure clean things up here as you return." he replied.
"Oh, and one more thing. In the direction I came from, follow the stream. There should be a bandit in full armor knocked out on the floor." I quickly remembered to tell Alvor.
"In full armor?"
"Yes, I thought it was pretty odd myself but, my guess is that he's a mercenary hired by the bandits."
"Well, I'll be sure to get him."
"Thank you."
I then began making my way to my steed who was grazing on grass, not too far from where I was at. Mounting my pristine white horse, I felt a piercing gaze behind me. Quickly looked through the slits in my helmet and faced behind me and saw nothing, but the forest expanse across the river.
"Hmm, must've been my imagination." I thought.
After following the road, I finally made it to the capital. The capital, Rivengrand was the center of the Krantz kingdom. The capital held the castle where the royal family of Krantz lived in. The walls which surround the capital gave off the feeling that the capital could never be sieged and on the walls neatly embroidered design of a lion.
As I approached the entrance gate, I was greeted by a guard.
"How was patrol today, my prince?" asked one of the guards.
"Just another regular day of patrol with a little extra."
Taking my right gauntlet off and began casting magic to reveal my crest. The magic casted revealed a bright silver crest which had the face of a lion on my forehand. I proceeded to show the guard the crest. Appeased, he signaled for the gate to be open. For security reasons, I have to show the crest as it is an absolute sign that I am of the royal Krantz family. The crest could only be granted by the reigning king.
Putting my gauntlet back on, I entered Rivengrand. As I rode through the crowds of people who were either at stalls or taking a stroll, they noticed the crest I bore on my armor and started waving, smiles appearing on their faces. I, in return, waved back at them as they made space for me and my horse. The capital seemed to be as lively as ever, with people trying to sell their goods, be it clothes, food, or weapons. I saw a young boy through the corner of my eye. He seemed to be picking up something off the floor and I realized what he was going to do.
I chose not to do anything as I saw him throw a rock at me. The rock rebounded of my helmet and I looked at the boy. Behind him, was most likely his mother running towards him. She was wearing clothes that a commoner would wear. Her appearance gave me the feeling that she was in her late twenties. After reaching her child, she started grabbing his hand made her way towards me.
"My prince! I am deeply sorry for what my child has done to you. Can you please find it in your heart to forgive him? I'll punish him, please forgive him." she desperately said to me. Her tone was very apologetic and it seemed that if I were to not forgive her child, she would immediately break down and sob.
I got off my horse in order to reach eye level with her. I don't like to look down on others and believe it to be disrespectful speaking to someone in an elevated position.
"It's ok. You can calm down, I forgive your child." I told her in a gentle tone.
"I'm sorry that my child acted this way. My husband died and he is just very upset and blames the royal family."
"It's your fault that dad died! Why did you make him fight a war he wasn't responsible for!" exclaimed the child.
"Hush now, Gerald. You're at fault for throwing that rock. The prince has chosen to forgive you, please don't cause anymore trouble."
I kneeled in front of the child telling him, "I am sorry about your father. If I had the chance to talk to him, I would tell him I am grateful for his service and that it is an honor to have him."
Gerald hugged his mom, tears streaming from his eyes.
"I'm sorry, my prince. It's my fault that he isn't displined well enough. He's just too young to understand why my husband fought in the war." she tried to explain to me.
"It's fine. Also, you don't need to punish your child. I understand how he feels and I don't blame him for throwing a rock at me. I'll be on my way now and I wish you a good life."
"Thank you. You are too kind, my prince." she bowed.
I got back on my horse and started to make my way towards the merchant while thinking about what the child said. He wasn't wrong by any means. His father was probably drafted to fight in a war which could have been preventable. He doesn't understand? I think despite doing an act which could have him killed, he was still able to say the truth which nobody wants to admit about the war and I'm sure others feel the same way. Behind their smiling faces, they probably knew the truth, though too afraid to say it; holding their animosity towards the Krantz family within themselves. I don't blame them, I believe them too. It was my fault I coudn't stop the war earlier.
After deeply pondering, I came back to my senses and notice that I have reached the merchant's shop. It was in the middle of two other buildings and wasn't quite large. It had a sign which displayed a hat filled with gold, symbolizing a seasoned merchant. I walked inside, and found Mavin, the merchant who would be handling the provisions for tomorrow's departure, behind the counter.
"Hello, Maven. I just wanted to check where we are at with our provisions for tomorrow." I asked.
"I have it all prepared and you should be all set for your journey tomorrow." Maven said confidently as he stroke his mustache.
"As expected. You never fail to prepare the provisions for any occasion that the royal family asks of you. I'll have Layla send you the payment later."
"I'll be waiting and thank you for your patronage." still stroking his mustache.
I left his shop and looked at the moon. It appears that I still have time to spare and so I decided to visit the blacksmith who made my sword. The sword was imbued with magic, which allows only me or whoever I trust, to wield it. It was given to me at a young age and I've never left it since. It has helped me stay alive during the war and the only weapon I trust whole heartedly.
I made my through rows of buildings till I found his shop. It had a sign with an anvil symbolizing a blacksmith. I walked inside and found him working on a set of armor. Noticing me, he set aside what he was doing and offered me a drink. I took the drink and sat down on a bench and watched him work. Ben was an old man past his seventies. His reputation precedes him, and for good reason. He makes the weapons for the royal family and tales of what his weapons could achieve garnered him fame. I sat in silence and decided to speak to him.
"How's your daughter doing?"
"Fine. Why do you ask?"
"She and Sven were great friends and I was wondering how she was holding up."
"Now that I think about it, you're not with your friend? Is he out picking flowers again?"
As he mentioned this, I started to feel a sharp pain in my chest. I guess he hadn't heard about what happened.
"He...died"
"Sorry I asked, you have my condolences. Quite young for him to meet his end. Another sad tradgedy of war. I've seen many warriors come and go including young one like him."
"Yes, it is quite unfortunate."
"Even though he is gone, it would be best to be happy that he had lived and you had lived in the same time as him rather than to mourn."
I stayed at his shop for a while and talked about the war, then thanked for the weapon he made for me. Ben was someone I like to talk to to because he didn't judge me and would listen to what I would say. In a way, he felt like a grandfather, giving advice to me when I needed it. I left and then headed back home, to the castle.
I reached another gate which seperated the nobles from the commoners and showed the guards my crest. I put my steed into the castle stables and made my way inside the castle.
The maids greeted me as I walked in.
"Would you like us prepare dinner for you sir?" A maid asked me.
"No, thank you. I don't feel like eating right now."
"Understood, sir."
After walking up a spiral staircase, I made it to my room and found the head maid, Layla waiting outside smiling when she noticed me.
"Welcome back, sir."
"Hello Layla. I've checked with Maven about the suppplies for tomorrow. Can you give him the payment?"
"Of course sir. I have finished cleaning your room and you may enter it now."
"Thank you. I'll go rest now since I'll have to leave early tomorrow."
I proceeded to make my way into my room.
Meanwhile, Layla stood outside of Regil's room with a sad look upon her face.
"He's not as expressive without Sven."
And continued with her duties.
I took off my armor and looked at the mirror beside by bed and examined my appearance. My hair, silver in color, swept to the right, gray eyes, and a lean physique. I truly did resemble someone of the Krantz family. Tired, I crawled into bed and fell asleep in no time.
The clamor of swords and shields being struck rang in my ears. There was a stench of blood that filled the air and soon found where it came from. Corpses lying about, with arrows impaled into their bodies and decapitated head rolling aimlessly. It was a battlefield. Arrows and boulders flying across the air determined to strike their target. People were engaged in battle around me, but I couldn't do anything.
Alvor, noticing my predicament rushed through a countless amount of soldiers effortlessly cutting through them in order to reach me.
"Alvor! Alvor! Don't help me! Help Sven! I can manage! Go help Sven!" I shouted as loud as I could, seeing him run towards me.
My horse had been shot with an arrow and laid limp over my body. I struggled to get out, slowly making progress under the heavy weight of the armored horse. Across from me was Sven. We collided when my horse was hit. He had fallen of his horse and was unconscious.
Alvor reached me and quickly lifted the horse off of me. I looked into the sky and saw a boulder coming towards me. I looked back at the unconscious Sven and tried to save him, but Alvor pulled me back. The boulder came close and before it made an impact, I woke up. It was just a dream. I looked at the mirror beside by bed and notice tears falling from my eyes.
- And so came, another day, without you