The flames emitting from Aeron's body were extinguished as he fell to the ground. Sir Baldwin laid there next to Aeron, unresponsive and with smoke rising up from the charred half of his face. Damira was on her knees, grabbing at her burning arm whilst also groaning in agony. Pierre saw this as a good opportunity to go grab his friend, so he rushed over to the dueling area. Before making his way to Aeron he noticed that Elise was still being held by the two soldiers. Both of the men were in disbelief that a powerful royal knight lost to an unexperienced kid. Pierre casted a reinforcement spell on his arms giving a brief boost in strength, allowing him to knock out both of the soldiers, and freeing Elise from their grasp. Once free, Elise gave Pierre a big hug squeezing him very tightly "thank you so much for rescuing me, Pierre." Pierre softly replied back "It's a knight's duty to protect the in need," then he hugged her back. After their short embrace, they rushed over to Aeron. Most of his wound's had been healed but he was still bruised all over. Pierre tried to wake him up but there was no luck in doing so. Elise touched Aeron's forehead to check his body temperature, "This isn't good, it feels like he's on fire." This must have something to do with that power he used, thought Pierre. "We have to find doctor or a place that has medicine. Do you know any places like that?" asked Pierre. Elise shook her head "Unfortunately we have to get medicine delivered to our village, and it extra expensive for us so we usually don't buy it." Pierre looked at Aeron, hold on just a little longer friend I won't abandon you again, he said to himself.
The soldiers that retreated inside the village started to come back out to see the outcome of the duel. They saw Sir Baldwin laying on the ground and began to charge Pierre and Elise. "Men retrieve lord Baldwin," yelled one of soldiers. A stampede of soldiers came bursting out of hiding, running full force toward Elise and Pierre. Pierre and Elise picked up and Aeron and took off before the horde of soldiers were able to reach them. Once they caught up with Alana and Rose, they continued west leaving the village and their experiences there behind them. Elise looked behind at her home village conflicted on how she should be feeling since this was the first time, she had ever left her hometown. "Goodbye dad, I'll be back one day," she whispered to herself, before turning back around leaving Aride behind her.
A few weeks later in the capital city Kingsfall, Damira went back to report the events that occurred at Aride. "So, you let him escape" said General Don in slight disappointment. Damira sat there trembling trying get her words together "Sir, I tried my best. I even made a plan with Sir Baldwin so we could kill him." General Don walked towards a large table that had a map of the region on it. "The Great and Powerful Sir Baldwin, One of the thirteen Royal knights, hand-picked by his majesty himself. A fine man indeed." General Don then slammed his fist on the table knocking over several small objects, "Yet he was defeated by a mere child. What an embarrassment to the empire and the king." Damira started grabbing her severely burned arm and replied in a shaky voice, "The former prince was much stronger than I had anticipated. His power, I... I have never seen anything quite like it." General Don began walking back and forth in the front of the room, rubbing his chin. "Hmm, tell me more about this so-called power" intriguingly asked General Don. She rolled up her sleeve and reveled her arm "He uses a strange type of fire magic." General Don thought to himself, Fire magic is a normal type of offensive magic, "What so strange about it?" Damira continued "The first abnormality is that he didn't have to chant to use the magic, it moved naturally like it was alive, like it had a will of its own." The only ways to use magic without chanting is by using an item that was created with magic or to be a highly skill mage, but Aeron is too young and lack the skill to use non-chant magic, though Sir Baldwin. "Another strange thing, not only could he use it offensively, but he used it to protect himself. He created a wall of fire around him, and then whenever he got injured the fire would come out his wounds and heal him," explained Damira. "Healing flames, huh. We might have to look deep into this and even if he's out the nation." General Don looked at the map and started to formulate a new plan "Damira go and contact the others and tell them to meet us here in the capital. As imperial soldiers we can't allow that traitor to live. He is a great threat to the nation, even if his majesty thinks otherwise. We can use the incident at Aride to help persuade the king to take more, drastic measures against his son," ordered General Don. "Yes sir," replied Damira before leaving the room. General Don then said to himself "Sometimes the greatest heroes have to work in the shadows."
The king had requested an audience with his sons Enzo and Endre. "My dear sons, I'm glad that you have come to my call," said King Emeric. Enzo replied, "You honor us with your time father, what do you asks of us." The king got up from his throne and walked toward them "Sometime ago, I released the news that we will soon be going to war with the neighboring nations. During this time everyone, including me, will be extremely busy. So, I would like both of you to join one of the royal knights when we begin to expand our Empire." Endre smiled, finally the time to prove myself has finally come, he thought. Enzo asked, "I mean no disrespect to your judgement father, but why do you want us to fight?" King Emeric looked towards a painting on the wall "To fight in battle will not only bring you experience but it will bring you honor. It will take you out of the protective shell of royalty, and It will humble and harden you. You will take the lives of your enemies out on the battlefield, the lives of men who had families, friends, dreams, and hopes. But you will do so because you are protecting your fellow countrymen and subjects. As members of the Venied Empire's royal family, it is our duty to protect our people and protect the longevity of our Empire. The lessons you will learn out on the battlefield will allow you to make hard decisions in life, and the decisions that a king must make are not that much different. I'm hoping your time defending our nation and proving yourselves, will turn you into great leaders fit for the title of king." Enzo then nodded "Father I will do my best for the Empire and prove myself to our people." Endre jealousy followed after "Me too I will do my best," they both then exited the room. The king looked back at the painting "War is a necessary evil for the success of any nation. That is the lesson every king needs to learn."
General Don entered the throne room, then he kneeled before the king, "My lord I have received a report that I wish to discuss, may I speak with you in private?" King Emeric knew that the general was talking about his assignment with Aeron, so the two of them went to the king's private library. King Emeric asked "What is this report about?" General down took at a map and point at Aride "One of my agents spotted the exiled prince in this village," said General Don. "Why was it so important for you to report this?" confusingly asked the King. General Don answered "I wasn't finished, my lord. He attacked the soldiers you sent to the town preparing for our up-and-coming war." King Emeric became filled with anger, "To think he would sink this low and attack our honorable soldiers. After I showed him mercy, for a crime that should have resulted his death." He sat down trying to calm himself down, "Is there anything else?" General Don continued reporting "He also managed to kill several soldiers and injured the royal knight Sir Baldwin and my agent Damira." King Emeric raised his voice "He was never this strong before, how was he able to defeat a royal knight like Sir Baldwin?" General Don answered, "According to Damira's report, Aeron possesses a strange green fire magic which allowed him to defeat Sir Baldwin." King Emeric remembered that Alvis Harpis tried to warn him about something dark that was deep within Aeron, this must have something to do with that, he thought. "So general what should we do," asked King Emeric. General Don replies "Your Highness, Since Aeron is willing to cause harm to the soldiers of this Empire, we should label him a threat to the Empire. You should issue a royal decree to the military, so If any soldier finds Aeron while out on in the field, they will be required to execute him."
King Emeric feelings became conflicted "General, Aeron is my child. It would be wrong of me to have him killed. His brother's and sister might begin to resent me for committing such a horrific act." General Don walked toward the king "Yes you are his father, but to many others you are the father of Empire. They look for you to defend us from all enemies. Allowing Aeron to live would give other people reason to doubt you, My lord. They could cause more issues in the future." King Emeric close and let out a long sigh, "you are right general. It is a king's duty to protect his nation, even if his son is the enemy." King Emeric stood up, "General Don, get that order ready and have it given to every commanding officer." General Don replied, "Yes, your highness," then he turned around and smiled deviously, and that's how you eliminate a troublesome prince, he though as he exited the king's library.
Enzo and Endre went for a walk through the royal palace's garden. "I wonder which royal knight's we'll be traveling with," excitedly said Endre, "I've never got to see one of them actually fight before." Enzo was spacing out while he was walking with Endre. "Are you listening, you can't space out like that when we're on the battlefield you know." Enzo gave a light chuckle, "I was just thinking about something. You're going to need more training before you can fight anyone, little brother." Endre got irritated "Shut up, I can handle myself. Before to long I'll be even stronger than you," Then he stormed off to the guard barrack to train. Enzo stat down on a bench that was next to a central fountain. "I've always done what my father says, but to fight in a war and take another person's life, may be too much for me to handle," he whispered to himself.
Then a young-looking man, wearing shabby looking shirt with a sword sheathed at his waist, came and sat down beside Enzo. He then spoke, "This is one of my favorite spots in this palace, it's so serene and peaceful. It's almost like an escape, a place where you can think or reflect, you know?" Enzo stared at him not knowing how to answer. Who is this strange man and how did he get in here, thought Enzo who was still quite confused. "So, why are you sitting out here alone, your highness, Prince Enzo?" asked the man. "I was just thinking about the war I will have to fight in soon. It will be my first time," responded Enzo. "Oh, don't worry, you won't be the only one who feels that way. The first time is never easy for anyone, but you get used to it. I don't know if that's a good thing or not." As they continue their conversation, Enzo feels like he's known this man for a long time even though they had just met. Then a maid walks into the garden looking very upset, "There you are Sir Alester, I know you are a valiant royal knight, but you have to start dressing like a person with such prestige." The man sighed "I don't really care about prestige or anything I just want to be comfortable." Enzo looked at the man "Wait, you're a royal knight?" he asked. The man stood up and then bowed before Enzo, "I am Sir Rowan Alester the fourth royal knight. The king has ordered me to watch over you during your first battles. It's a pleasure to meet you, your highness. Oh, I don't really like being formal so please just call me Rowan." Enzo replied, "Okay then Rowan, since we will be working together please feel free to just call me Enzo as well." The maid spoke out "But your highness, He shouldn't address you so causally." Enzo laughed "It's okay, he's now my teacher in a way so it should be fine." Wow so this is a royal knight huh. I've never seen one of them up close before, he though. "So, now that we have formally met, how about I test your strength over at the barrack's training hall," suggested Rowan. Enzo agreed, so they made their way to the arena. Both Enzo and Rowan stood there, with their blades ready, staring at each other waiting for the match to begin. "Are you ready, Enzo?" asked Rowan who was smiling. Enzo replied with determination "Of course, let do this."