Sito sat there on a snow-covered log in the thick of a dark foreign woods, watching as the coffeepot began to boil. He rubbed his uncharacteristically large hands together and gathered what little warmth he could from the friction before cupping and breathing into them.
Hunching over the fire and steadying his shivering hands, he poured himself a cup of the freshly brewed coffee before standing up and slapping down his coat to rid it of the clinging snow.
He wrapped his hands around the cup, letting them thaw as he held it under his face. He stood there for a moment, letting the steam envelop his blushed cheeks and warm his stuffy nose.
Turning away from the campfire, he faced a rundown snow-covered cabin that he had been calling home for quite sometime now.
He looked down at this thick boots, realizing they were much further away than his hazy memory could recall. With the odd thought leaving his mind as suddenly as it had arrived, he pushed his long legs forward, parting the snow with his thick boots.
The wind picked up drastically as he began his trek to the shelter. He pulled his large coat tighter and held his cup close as he pushed through the rising snow.
Finally, making it to the door, he grabbed the lantern hanging by the entrance and pushed against the door. The frozen hinges, however, proved unyielding. He lifted his lantern over and placed his forearm on top of his cup to keep it from spilling before lifting his leg and sending the door swinging open with a swift kick.
He quickly shuffled in and fought against the wind and snow as he leaned his shoulder against the door and slammed it shut before latching it closed.
Letting out a heavy sigh of relief, he hung his lantern by the door. Turning, he gingerly avoided the clutter of what little furniture he could fit into his small abode as he made his way to the thick rug of beast fur.
He placed his cup down on the table as he sat down on the rug and leaned his back against the wall behind him.
The muscles on his face, which seemed to rarely be used these days, flexed as he cracked a small smile. He inhaled deeply through his nose, basking in the scent of his drink.
He closed his eyes and licked his lips as he prepared to take a sip. He brought the cup to his lips and took a slow, long sip, savoring the flavor. As it slid down his throat, he felt a warmth spread through his chest like a blooming flower. He sat back and enjoyed this rare moment of bliss in his long ago sullied life.
All of a sudden, the door he had worked so hard to build exploded as it was kicked into pieces.
He sat up in shock with wide eyes as he looked toward the entrance, already knowing who it was. Already knowing what was coming.
A large menacing silhouette stood in the doorway as his deep, yet oddly familiar, voice echoed through the cabin. "Why? Why did you kill her?"
He regained his composure, knowing this day was long overdue. He had accepted his fate long ago.
He sighed as he took another sip of his coffee before speaking.
"I was a fool that has been regretting his actions every day since. I know my apologies seem empty and will do you no good, however… I must still say how sorry I am. I was young and foolish, thinking only of how I could serve my kingdom. Believe me, I've been doing nothing but drowning in a sea of regret since, hardly able to break its surface, only to take in air that tastes of nothing but sorrow and self-loathing. I.." He let out an audible gulp as he swallowed back his years of pent up emotions that threatened to break free.
"I know what must be done and just... know that I will not resist. But please… forgive me."
The air was still for a moment.
"Beg the gods for forgiveness, not me. For only they might be able to offer it sincerely." Immediately after saying these words, the menacing man lunged, grabbing his neck and making him spill his precious coffee. He was lifted into the air and slammed through the wall when everything went black.
"Aahhhh!" Sito, the young prince, screamed as he bolted upright from his bed and clutched at his neck, almost still feeling the man's grip.
He was sweating and hyperventilating as he tried regaining his composure.
'Holy shit. What the fuck was that?!'
He began slowing his breathing and trying to gather his bearings. 'I'm still in my room. That must've been a dream, but it felt way too real.'
He put his pillow over his face and plopped back down, grunting into it.
'Seriously, what the hell was up with that dream? It definitely wasn't me. When I spoke it sounded way different and even my skin in the dream was way lighter than what it is now, he said as he looked at his olive tan arms.'
He turned to his side facing the window and saw it was still the middle of the night.
He gave a tired sigh. 'I can't do this right now. I need all the sleep I can get, tomorrows gonna be a busy day.'
—-
"You are all so cruel. How am I supposed to swoon the Elven royals with my charming looks if I'm not even able to have a night's proper rest?" Marcus asked, in his usual dramatic flair.
The men of the council have made it a sort of tradition to come watch the Old Master train his men every morning during the duration of their stay.
Duncan laughed. "I warned you not to eat too much beast meat or you'd regret the morning after. You didn't listen and now you have to deal with the consequences."
"Frankly, I'm surprised he didn't get no mana poisoning. If I didn't know no better, I'd say you have an even higher mana tolerance than I." Ragnar said as he chewed on a big piece of jerky.
All beast meat contains mana. The amount of mana, of course, depends on the strength of the beasts mana core.
When eaten, the foreign mana can supply a temporary boost to help cultivation as it gets filtered through the user's core. However, eating too much can have an effect much like alcohol, getting the user intoxicated and causing hangover symptoms the morning after.
This being said, eating too much can cause mana poisoning, which causes to user great pain in his core and mana pathways as he tries to filter out the excess mana.
After a certain point, however, if too much mana is consumed, it can cause permanent damage, and even death. This also holds true for the unawakened who, in the absence of a mana core, would be permanently injured or killed if they were to consume any beast meat at all.
Marcus smiled as he responded. "My mana core is quite strong, Ragnar. Don't let my charming features mislead you into underestimating me. After all, us masters were all once royal knights of the kingdom and stood in the very room where those young men are now, training under that old goat."
Duncan watched Sito sparing from behind the training booth. "It is not your looks, Marcus, that make people underestimate you. Rather, it is your… how do I put this politely?" He asked as he tapped a finger on his chin.
"Your incessant acts of exaggeration and theatrics. Yes, that would be a proper way of explaining it all," he said, smiling.
"But on a serious note, are you both seeing what I'm seeing? I simply can not wrap my mind around how quickly he's improved in only three weeks."
Marcus and Ragnar both followed Duncan's gaze to Sito's sparing session.
—-
Valor was on his back, disarmed, and looking up at the smiling prince that held a blade to his neck.
There was silence in the arena as everyone was shocked about what had just taken place.
'By the gods…' thought the Old Master. He quickly composed himself and cleared his throat.
"And the victor is Sito! Well done boy, now back to the line," he said as he strode towards them.
Sito shuffled off as the master stood over Valor, offering him a hand. He expected the boy to be upset about losing to a child, but when Valor took his hand and pulled himself up, he was nothing but smiles.
"Valor my boy." The Old Master leaned close. "Did you purposely let him win?"
Valor tuned to the Old Master as his smile fell. "What? No master. Doing so would be dishonorable and disrespectful to both me and the prince."
The Old Master thought as much, but he was still confused. "Then why are you smiling like a fool?"
Valor chuckled before answering. "Well…" he looked toward Sito, who was talking to some of the others. "He's amazing, isn't he? His progress is borderline scary, and having someone like that as a training partner and future king is something worth smiling for. Or at least I would think so."
The Old Master followed his gaze and looked to Sito with a slight frown. "Well, I can't argue with that, my boy."
'But why does this feel so wrong?' he thought.
—-
Sito and Marcus stood in front of the castle surrounded by dozens of friends and family wishing them farewell as they prepared to depart to Vradia.
Sito walked up to the king and queen. "Father. Mother. I promise to make you both proud."
The king looked down at this son. "You have the makings of a great warrior boy, so I'm sure that day will come."
"Make sure you carry yourself with dignity and respect. You are representing this family and this kingdom after all, so don't be foolish." The queen added.
Sito bowed his head. "Understood."
Before he could say anything else, he was tackled into a loving embrace.
"Be careful, my prince. When you're out there on the road, there are dangers at every turn." Aaliyah broke their embrace and brushed Sito's hair from his eyes.
"But above all else, have fun. I know how badly you've been wanting to see the world beyond these walls. Many go their entire life without ever seeing an elf, let alone visiting an elven kingdom."
She reached into her pouch and pulled out a beautiful black chain necklace with a fierce dragon pendant.
"Here. I've been waiting to give this to you and I guess now's a time as good as ever."
She wrapped the chain around his neck, latching it in place.
"If you ever feel lost or alone, I want you to remember that I am always with you, my prince."
Sito stared at the pendant for a moment, admiring its stunning craftsmanship.
He gave Aaliyah a hug. "Thanks Aunt Lia! I'll make sure I never take it off."
She smiled and hugged him back before they said their final goodbyes.
Marcus approached Duncan and Ragnar as they watched Sito say his goodbyes.
"He's too harsh on the boy," said Marcus.
Duncan shook his head. "I disagree. Sure, he's not doting on him, but nor is he cruel. Xerxes has always been a stern man, and it seems that extends to his child as well."
"But it shouldn't. He's his father, not his king." Replied Marcus.
"And he's raising an heir, not a son." Said Duncan.
There was silence for a moment before Ragnar spoke.
"Ah, who gives a bullock. The boy's got that caretaker who's more doting than any mother I've ever seen. He's no lack for love at home and it don't make no difference that it doesn't come from his pa and ma."
Marcus sighed. "I suppose you're right, my big friend."
Ragnar laughed as he took a piece of jerky from his pouch. "I always am."
Duncan turned to Marcus. His evergreen smile nowhere to be seen.
"Marcus. I know you will be with the Royal guard but we both know none of them are as strong as you. The prince is precious to Xerxes even if he doesn't show it, and he's the future of our kingdom. Stay sharp and don't take this task as lightly as you take the others."
Marcus raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Oh? And is this an order from the Master of War or advice from a friend?"
Duncan's smile bloomed once again as he shook his head. "Since when do Master's order each other around you fool? Just keep an eye out is all I am asking. I am not sure why, but my gut is telling me something is amiss with this whole situation."
Ragnar laughed and stuck his massive arm down to Duncan as he offered some jerky. "Here master, maybe this'll make your gut feel better."
---
Marcus and Sito regrouped in front of the caravan after finishing their farewells.
"You ready Prince?"
"As ready as I'm gonna be."
"Then on we go."