Every moment our heart beats, it is for some unknown purpose. A purpose we are born for, but we are kept in dark till the right time. Standing here next to Ethan, observing Wildfire, I finally revealed that my purpose was to save Aiden. Isn't that what the healers do? As his healer only I could sense his presence. Wildfire was busy munching on green lush grass, and Ethan was racking his brain waiting for a brilliant idea to pop out of somewhere. "We should let him free and follow him.", I said for the millionth time now. Ethan looked at me and then looked away dismissing my idea again. I rolled my eyes annoyed and sat on a rock laying next to Wildfire. After a few more minutes of thinking deeply his face finally lit up. "I know what to do!", he exclaimed. I stood up excited. "What?", I was literally jumping. "We should let him free and then follow him.", he said with his eyes still shinning. I looked at him ghastly. "I have been saying that for a while now.", I pointed out. He nodded and patted my head showering me with unwanted appreciation. I huffed and looks away, disappointed that he wasted so much of our time. Ethan stepped forward to untie the rope around Wildfire's neck. "Stop!", I said and he stopped dead in his tracks. "What is it now Hyun?", he asked with a roll of eye as if I was the one who wasted so much time till now. I ignored his annoyance and took out Aiden's chain. I removed the pendant and kept it in my sleeves safely. I tied the chain to Wildfire's collar. Ethan nodded in approval. It was important to leave a sign for Aiden. To tell him that we know he is alive and we will come looking for him. Wildfire neighed when I tied the chain, maybe he felt Aiden's energy too.
After we let Wildfire free, he stood there staring at us for a few minutes before running off and enjoying his freedom. Ethan and I were already on our horses and we followed him. For one whole our Wildfire enjoyed his freedom and ran aimlessly, filling his stomach with different varieties of grass. "Does he even know where Aiden is?", I was getting a little impatient now. "Horses are very intelligent. Just wait.", Ethan answered, his gaze completely focused on Wildfire's every move. I nodded and started observing the handsome horse. After a few minutes we heard a sound from the bushes. Wildfire got alert and he stopped eating the grass, all his attention focused on the bush. Ethan and I made our horses back off a little and hid in a perfect hiding spot. We were just a foot away, which was enough distance to help Wildfire if he gets into some danger. All three of us were now waiting for the next surprise waiting for us behind the bush. Suddenly a hand was raised and it was holding a golden badge. Ethan and I got off our horses tied them, and stood behind a tree to get a better view. Wildfire relaxed, maybe he identified the badge. Once Wildfire resorted back to munching on the grass, the person finally revealed himself. Ethan and I was shocked to see the head coming out of the bush.
"He was behind this all?", I wasn't surprised. "I don't know. I sent a message for him the moment you confirmed it was Aiden's body so that we can take his help.", Ethan confessed. "So, it is true. You never even tried to think of another option. And I can see that is why he could make it here so fast.", I scoffed. "Maybe he was here all the time, keeping an eye on us.", Ethan pointed out. The head was smiling as he admired Wildfire. "You did a good job.", the head said and slowly ran his hand across Wildfire's face. The horse was enjoying all the love. "You are free to go now. From here I will handle it all personally.", the head said and Wildfire ran into the woods. Both of us were still hiding behind the tree, watching Wildfire leave. "The head cannot do this alone.", I said. Ethan nodded. "He must be getting help from someone. We need to find out who is helping him.", he said. The head started walking into the woods but in the opposite direction from our camps. "Let's follow him!", Ethan whispered and leaving our horses behind we both decided to stalk him on foot.
After walking for 20 minutes, we reached the land of our enemies. Gyeonggi boundary was in our sight. The head walked towards their camps and the guards bowed to him, letting him inside without any questions. We both were perplexed. How could someone betray his own people? "He played us all!", Ethan whispered. "I told you we can't trust him.", I said. We both stood there observing his every move till he disappeared into one of the tents. It was the second tent in the third row, and had a royal symbol. "That must be the princess's tent.", I noted. "Yes, it has a royal symbol.", Ethan said. We waited there patiently for the head to come out. We had no idea who the princess was, and we thought if we wait, we might be able to get a glimpse of her.
After an hour, the head finally came out of the tent and he was followed by two soldiers. They were discussing something and one of them laughed. The head also laughed and they hugged each other in a friendly manner. "They seem pretty close.", I said. "He found some great friends in the enemy's tents.", Ethan said sarcastically. The head walked back into the woods. Our wish to see the princess was nit fulfilled today. "We didn't even get to see who the princess is.", Ethan said. I hummed. "Well, let me make your wish come true!", a very familiar voice said. We both turned around without a second thought hearing the voice we were yearning to hear for so long. It was Aiden. Standing in front of us dressed up in a soldier's uniform, was Aiden. He had his sword pointed towards us, and his eyes held rage. "Aiden!", I exclaimed as tears managed to escape my eyes. I was about to run towards him when he held his sword tightly and pointed it towards me. "Stay right there. Don't move!", he yelled making me freeze in my spot. "Aiden what is wrong with you?", Ethan asked. His eyes were also filled with tears, seeing his little brother after so long. "I don't know you two, but I can tell princess will be pleased with me if I take you to her.", he snickered. What is this evil look? Ethan and I shared a brief eye contact and we knew what to do. I took a step forward and Aiden's attention was focused on my move. He turned towards me, and while Aiden was distracted Ethan bent down and filled his hand with sand. "I said stay still.", Aiden yelled again. I raised my hands showing I mean no harm to him. Aiden turned around to check on Ethan, and as soon as he looked at him Ethan threw the sand in his eyes. Aiden was taken aback and the sword fell from his hands. "Run!", Ethan said and we both took off. After running for half hour, we could finally see our horses still tied to the trees. "What is wrong with him?", I asked. "I think he is under some spell.", Ethan answered panting. We both finally reached our horses and without wasting a second rode back to our camp. We were both silent as we replayed all the events in our mind, trying to figure out a way to save our prince. "What can we do?", Ethan broke the silence. "I can think of only one way?", I said looking at him. "What?", he asked. "Abduction!".