Getting caught by Vince, the little horse hid its head in the bush. It was pitiful, yet adorable, especially its failed attempt to hide. Vince turned back, the prince was also looking behind.
"Prince Aiji, what shall we do? I think it's afraid of being left alone."
"Let it tug along us for now. It's not used to being alone yet."
They resumed walking, with a pony going after them. The horizon was already golden-red when they reached the riverbank.
"Dari, I will gather some taro and catch fish for our dinner." Prince Aiji said after cleaning the area under a huge tree. "We will spend the night here."
"I will help you."
"Just gather some firewood. I'll be right back."
"Okay." Vince immediately gathered firewoods. The pony was at a distance looking at his every move.
"Come here." Vince called, but the pony didn't move.
Vince gathered more firewood. He saw the prince shoot an arrow into the water and caught a huge carp. "That was quick."
The prince cleaned the fish and put it on the rock. He then uprooted taros at the riverside.
"He is very quick and efficient."
Prince Aiji came back with his catch. He put it aside and started igniting the flints.
"Prince Aiji, I will cook our dinner, you must be exhausted, you can rest now."
"I'm fine."
"No, I will do this. It's just roasting anyway."
Vince insisted. It was just a plain roasting without spices, not even salt. He was eating tasteless food since he woke up. He was craving rice and tasty dishes, but he cannot complain since the ancients were eating these kinds of stuff, and besides, they were running away. Good thing the fishes and wild chickens were fresh and tasted a bit salty when roasted. Paired with those root crops, the meal was still tolerable to his palate.
"Okay." Prince Aiji stepped back but didn't rest. He gathered banana leaves and arranged them neatly between the massive roots.
After dinner, they laid down adjacent to each other, with massive roots as their barriers and a campfire below their feet. The riverbank was noisy at night with countless frogs croaking and crickets chirping. Vince can't sleep even though he's exhausted from the earlier incidents. His body was still looking for those comfortable feelings, added with these noisy creatures, his mind was still wide awake. He glanced at the side and saw the prince was laying on his back, his eyes were closed.
"Prince Aiji." Vince was bored and wanted to start a chat.
"Yes."
"Can you tell me more about our lives in our tribe, your royal family, and my family?"
The prince suddenly opened his eyes and stared at the tree branches above for a moment. Then, he closed his eyes again.
"You have no family left. You came from the neighboring tribe that my father conquered ten years ago. Your family was killed. You were ten when my father brought you to our tribe. You were too polite and obedient even though my father caused your family's demise. We became friends and after I appealed to my father countless times, he assigned you as my soldier. I didn't know much about your identity at first, but a few years later, you told me that you're the fallen king's youngest son. You were disguised as a trader's son, so you were able to escape."
"Did I seek revenge?" Vince curiously asked. Based on this complicated story, Dari would surely avenge his family and his tribe.
"You are too kind to seek revenge, you even serve me sincerely despite this painful fact." Prince Aiji's voice was faint.
Vince was quiet. Dari's kindness was worthy of admiration. It was probably the reason why the prince didn't abandon him.
"I think that was the right thing to do, seeking revenge wouldn't bring back the dead, and it will hurt you too... Prince Aiji, what about your family?"
"My father is strict and fierce, but he is a loving father. Like most tribes, he has a bunch of extreme rules, but I was the youngest son, so I was spared most often. My mother is very loving and considerate. I have three elder sisters who were married to the princes of the neighboring tribes, and five elder brothers. My brothers loved me dearly, they even helped our escape secretly. It was their help that made us evade my father's fierce soldiers." Prince Aiji's voice was hoarse.
Vince was silent again. Those words hit his heart. The sacrifices Prince Aiji made for Dari were too great. How good and loyal Dari was to make the prince choose him over his family and status?
"I am a big burden to you." Vince said. He wasn't Dari, but he was overwhelmed by the prince's effort in saving his soldier. He thought that perhaps he and Caballero were the reincarnation of Dari and Prince Aiji. Prince Aiji was willing to die with Dari. Jester did the same to him too.
"How can you be..." The prince said but then shut his mouth after.
There was a long silence between them.
"Mmm... Prince Aiji, since we are running away, I think it's good to change our names. I will call you Jester and you can call me Vince."
The prince's innocent eyes opened again, but he was just looking above.
"Dari, where did you get these names, it sounds strange?"
"I... dreamed of this while I was unconscious..." Vince stuttered, yet he insisted.
"How was it, isn't it good to hide our identities?"
After considering for a moment, the prince was convinced.
"Okay... But we will just use these names if there are other people."
"Okay..." Vince was satisfied and closed his eyes too. A few minutes later, faint steps came towards him. It was the pony who was keeping its distance earlier.
Vince smiled but didn't get up. The little horse nudged its head to Vince's body and then settled beside him. Vince was delighted and caressed the pony's head.
"You are quite beautiful, I will name you Beauty."