Raining tiny kisses was poured at Prince Aiji's face. Both were exhausted, but Vince kept on caressing and kissing his prince's beautiful face. He was too naughty.
"I love you..."
"Dari, you've said that a hundred times already..."
Prince Aiji's eyes were tired yet they were glowing. Who wouldn't? He was loved to this extent!
"But, I feel it wasn't enough yet, so please don't get tired of my silliness..."
"I would never get tired listening to these words from you, even a thousand times."
"That's my prince... my love..."
People in love are really cheesy. They can utter cringy words with straight faces!
"My love, does it still hurt?"
He did it a few times yet he dared to ask. Vince knew he injured his prince, but an intense and fiery desire was hard to control. He can only regret it after.
"Yes, but don't worry, I can bear it..."
"I'm so sorry..."
"Dari, I told you many times that it's alright. Yes, it hurts, but I am happy. My heart is filled with happiness right now that I barely feel the pain, so stop worrying..."
"Okay..."
The two were glued to each other until dawn broke.
"My love, I want us to stay like this longer, but the elder will be here later. I will fix ourselves, just lie here, Okay?"
"Mmm..."
Vince gave him a long and passionate kiss before standing up. He washed outside and dressed first before filling a wooden basin with clean water. He cut a piece of cloth and brought the basin to the bedroom. Seeing him, Prince Aiji sat up.
"Just lie down..."
"No, I will do it myself."
The shy prince refused and slowly stood up. Vince assisted him. They both looked down at the blood-stained mat on the floor. Both of them were embarrassed.
"What shall we do with this...stained mat?"
The blushing prince whispered.
Vince kissed that gentle, embarrassed face.
"I will take care of it."
Quickly, Vince arranged the mat to a smaller fold. He then coiled and tied it with a vine that he got from his container.
"Dari, what are you going to do with that?" The prince curiously asked while slowly wiping his body with a wet cloth.
"I will bring this mat. It is memorable, valuable, and historic to both of us."
How cringy? Too cringy! But it brought a wonderful smile to the gentle prince.
"My love, do you know that this is the vine that bound us during the flash flood."
Vince was done with the mat and stood opposite the prince.
Prince Aiji was delighted. "You kept it?"
"Yes, it is memorable too. It's the first thing that has bound us together since I woke up."
"Dari, I love you..."
The prince whispered. His gentle eyes stared at Vince with all tenderness. It drowned Vince.
"I love you more..."
A passionate kiss flared again. Both were immersed in their strong and intense feeling, unwilling to let go. Thinking of the elder that will come at any moment, Vince reluctantly let go.
"My love, we have to prepare now. The elder will be here soon."
"Okay..."
The prince finally dressed. Vince carried their things outside.
"Can we trust him?"
Vince told the prince about the elder's story but Prince Aiji was still worried. They were chased by the strongest tribe, so it was hard to trust anyone.
"Yes, I trust him. Don't worry, I feel that he is trustworthy."
"Mmm..."
After gathering their things and cleaning the hut, Vince led Prince Aiji outside, but the prince walked lamely. He stared at Vince, blushing again.
"I... will feel better, later..."
The person who injured the prince smiled.
"But for now, I will take responsibility."
Vince carried Prince Aiji into his arms.
"Dari!"
"Shhhh..."
Prince Aiji was carried to the tree where the little animals rested. On their way, their lips barely parted.
"My love, the elder isn't here yet. You can rest in the meantime. I will wake you up when he comes."
"I'm fine, my senses are wide awake."
The prince was looking at the glowing fireflies around the tree. Vince hugged him.
"These fireflies are very enchanting. Aren't they?"
"Yes, they are. Dari, they are memorable to us too. We confessed our feelings for each other under a massive tree filled with fireflies five years ago. That night was majestic!"
"Really! So it's been five years..."
Prince Aiji hugged his arms.
"Dari, it doesn't matter to me now if you don't remember those five years. I don't even mind if we will start counting again, as long as you are with me and you are mine. That's all I want."
"I'm all yours..."
Vince replied in a blink.
"Should I collect some fireflies too?"
It was again, a silly question asked by an imposing Captain.
"You don't have to, we can see them every night."
The two were happily chatting when they saw a torch approaching. They stood up waiting for the elder.
"Elder..."
Vince called as elder Mino approaches the hut. The elder pointed the torch towards them.
"Dari!"
"Hahaha, I assume you are fine now."
The elder teased looking at Vince and Prince Aiji's interlocking hands. The prince blushed and pulled his hand, but Vince held it tight. Prince Aiji's shy face stared at him with an objection, but he just gave him a sweet smile in response.
"Uhu! Please spare this innocent old man with those flirty looks!"
Prince Aiji was really embarrassed.
"Elder, shall we go now?"
"Yes, we need to get out of the tribe before the sun rises. So, if you are ready, let's depart now."
"Okay."
Vince tugged Gorgeous with Red and their pieces of stuff mounted on its back. Holding the prince, they started moving.
"Why is the prince walking oddly?"
The elder mindlessly asked seeing the prince limping.
"Ah, he injured his legs..." Vince replied.
"Why did you injure him, you know we have a long way to travel?!" The elder scolded.
"Elder! I...injured my legs when I went out earlier..." The shy prince said.
"Why are you blushing? I didn't mean anything malicious. Hahaha... Dari, you go carry him. We have to move now."
This was indeed an ancient place where people only knew the basics. But this old man traveled many places, who knows what naughty ideas he had accumulated? But Vince never mind.
"Yes, elder!"
The cheerful Vince responded and bent down.
"My love, you have to ride on my back now."
"Dari!"
The prince scolded. Being intimate in front of another person was too embarrassing for him.
"The elder knows, there's nothing to hide."
"Hahaha... It's good to be young and in love!"
Elder Mino laughed and hummed a song while moving forward. He led the way with a torch in his hand and a bamboo basket on his back.
Vince, carrying Prince Aiji, followed. Gorgeous tugged behind, with Red sitting comfortably on its back.
They hiked and crossed bushy hills for over three hours before they reached the tribe exit at the peak of a forested, steep mountain. Over ten soldiers were guarding the area, looking at the deep, narrow valley below.
"Elder, we have prepared the horses and the cart below. The soldiers are ready too. I sent five men to scout the route. One came back and said that the traders' main route wasn't safe. Rumor spread that King Anok deployed half of his soldiers and they are scattered all over the island, guarding the main paths. There are also soldiers wandering around, but the most crucial is the bounty that King Anok offered to anyone who can capture them. Small tribes might be tempted and there would be less safe places for them." A soldier, who seemed to be the elder's trusted subordinate, reported.
"It doesn't matter even if he's going to deploy his entire troops, all we need is to get out of this island. We have to change our route now. Inform the soldiers that we are going to use the secret passage to reach the sea." The elder ordered.
"Yes elder, but reaching the entrance of the secret passage from here is more challenging, we need to cross the trader's route."
"I am a well-known trader, so it won't be difficult. We will disguise ourselves as traders. Choose ten elite soldiers and prepare our goods. We will travel this afternoon so that we can cross the trader's route at night break."
"Yes, elder. I will prepare everything. Please rest, for now, your breakfast will be served soon."
"You work hard, I highly appreciate your effort." The elder praised.
"Thank you, elder."
The soldier left smiling.
Vince and Prince Aiji were listening at the side. They were thankful but were also guilty of bothering an old man. They were worried about inflicting danger to the elder and his tribe, but the elder was determined to help them out.
After breakfast, the elder told them to get some rest. They were up all night, so both of them fell asleep.
At noon, Vince was awakened by the bustling soldiers. As he sat up, he saw a round table filled with food in the distance. There were around twenty soldiers now, but half of them were finely dressed, wearing red coats and pants, with hats and boots made from woven palm leaves. Lesser but elegant gold jewelry adorned in their bodies.
"Dari..."
Vince heard Prince Aiji's soft and sweet voice from behind. He turned and saw his precious prince wearing the same outfit. He smiled.
"My love, you look gorgeous with this outfit."
Prince Aiji's fair and flawless skin was glowing with those vibrant red clothes.
"Dari, you're flattering me... Take a bath now and wear these clothes and jewelry. The elder said we will depart after lunch."
"Okay."
The cheerful Vince took the clothes and left after giving the prince his loving smile.
After lunch, they started their journey going towards the secret passage, disguised as traders. The elder led the caravan. There were six carts filled with different kinds of goods pulled by two horses each. Vince and Prince Aiji guarded the last cart while the ten soldiers were guarding the first five. Gorgeous was still carrying Red and some of their weapons behind them.
The sun was approaching the horizon. The caravan journeyed slowly and smoothly for a few hours. When they reached a wider path, the elder walked behind.
"Dari, Prince Aiji, we are now at the traders' route. You have to be careful now. We need to travel this path for two hours, so be wary." The elder instructed.
"Yes, elder."
Vince was grateful towards Elder Mino.
"Elder, thank you for your kindness." Prince Aiji softly said.
"Hahaha... Prince Aiji, I've lost count of how many times you've thanked me. We still have a long way to travel together, for now, save those words. I will accept your gratitude if we are already in a safer place."
The group moved forward, passing narrow, crooked gorges with towering trees above. They traveled for around half an hour when the elder, riding the leading horse, halted. The night was still breaking but within the deep gorges, darkness had taken over. A few seconds later, they heard a commotion at the front. Vince and Prince Aiji didn't figure out what happened yet. They guarded the last cart and the caravan stopped at a curve, narrow passage that hid the rear of the convoy.
"We are from the Samohok and Dahatan tribe, We inspect everyone passing here. State your identity." A loud, proud voice yelled.
"I am Mino, a trader from the Datong tribe. We are on our way to the traders' port." The elder's calm, yet imposing voice answered.
"Why aren't you lighting torches?" The proud voice asked.
"It's still night break, I have traveled this path since my teenage years, I can even walk out of here with my eyes closed. Why are you asking unnecessary things?" The elder raised his voice.
"Hmm... We are looking for two people, you must be aware of it." The proud voice toned down.
"How would I know, I only stayed a few days in my tribe and spent most of my time outside the island."
"Well, it doesn't matter. We only have to inspect your goods and your people. You can pass after we are done inspecting."
"Fine, just make it quick! You should know a trader's time is precious." The elder tried to intimidate them.
Traders are well respected in every tribe since they are wealthy and they brought useful goods.
"Okay." The voice replied, but, before he could start inspecting, countless hooves were heard coming closer.
"Prince Banoy of Samohok tribe and Prince Aki of Dahatan tribe are here!" A loud voice echoed.
Vince glanced at Prince Aiji and in the darkness, he saw the anxious prince. He held the prince's cold, sweaty hand.
"They didn't see us yet, we can run back!" Vince whispered, but the soldier's voice was heard again.
"Honored princes! This is a traders' convoy from the Datong tribe. There are thirteen horses, six carts, and thirteen people including this elder. There is also a little horse behind." The soldier reported.
Vince's face sank, he wasn't aware that the soldier had counted them. He tightened his grip on the prince's hand.
"Light many torches, let the people pass here first, and inspect the goods thoroughly." A loud, imposing voice was heard.
"Yes, Prince Banoy! Elder, please order your people to come forth, we will bring your cart after inspecting." The soldier said.
"Uhm... The elder calmly responded, but Vince sensed his distress.
"Men... Come forward, now!"
Vince stood still, clutching Prince Aiji's hand. The soldiers in front of them hesitated for a moment but slowly moved.
"Prince Dari, Prince Aiji, you leave now. We will take care of them."
The elder's soldier next to them whispered.
Vince was stunned, not only because he was addressed as a prince but mainly because they were told to leave. That was suicide not only for this group but the entire Datong tribe.
"No, we cannot leave and put your lives at stake. All they need is us, so you will be spared." Prince Aiji said.
"But, this is the elder's order!"
The soldier insisted, but prince Aiji just stared at him, squeezing Vince's hand.
"Dari, we have to face them."
"Okay..."
Vince, however reluctant he was, knew that they had no other option. Surely, it will be their end.
The soldier was helpless looking at them.
"Brother, please go now, we will follow."
Prince Aiji said to the soldier who was at first unwilling to follow but still moved forward after a few seconds.
Vince, holding Prince Aiji's hand, was about to move forward, but before he could take a step, someone parted their hands, covered their mouths, and grabbed them backward.
"Prince Aiji!"