Kin was about to begin the long and probably tedious journey to find Farouk in Jubai. He didn't even know how he would get there, but he was sure he had to. Not that he had any other allies—Farouk was the only man his father trusted, and Kin trusted him too. He was sure Farouk would help him fight his uncle and take back what rightfully belonged to him.
As soon as he spotted the man, Kin rubbed his eyes, trying to confirm they weren't playing tricks on him. Alas, they weren't—the man he was supposed to spend weeks, probably even months, searching for was right here in front of him.
"Farouk!" he called again, breaking into a run to meet him.
The moment they heard someone call the general's name, all the men turned to look at Kin. As soon as he reached them, the soldiers bowed—including Farouk.
"Your Majesty," Farouk said.
"This isn't a dream, right? It's really you, Farouk?" Kin asked and embraced the old dog.
"It's great to see you well, Your Majesty," Farouk commented.
The soldiers were surprised; the prince of Wize they had all known looked completely different. They had caught up with Jamila and Kin a few hours after they found a few corpses on the road. As the general had instructed, they hadn't approached the boy or Jamila right away. At first, they were confused since the boy didn't match the prince's appearance, but Farouk said they would continue to follow him. Watching the boy and everything he did made most of them doubt further that he was the prince they were searching for.
The soldiers didn't want to follow a random boy any longer, but Farouk's order held weight in their hearts, so they trusted him and kept watching. The boy with the golden hair was different from their prince in more ways than one. First, there was his obvious appearance. Second, unlike the prince, this boy carried a curse and was a strong fighter, proficient in different types of weapons. They had witnessed his attempt to escape the beasts that pursued him and the young girl. The boy had done things they could only wish their prince would do, which further convinced them he couldn't be the prince.
Finally, the second in command, a man named Lei, approached Farouk.
"Are you certain?" Lei asked. "If we find out we've wasted our time chasing a random child, the men would be—"
"Do you trust him?" Farouk interrupted. "The prince, Kin—do you trust him enough to entrust your life to him?"
Lei was surprised by the question. He sighed before replying, "It doesn't matter if I do. I would give my life for the prince at any time."
"I don't doubt that," Farouk said. "But I'm asking if you trust him enough to entrust your life, your future, and your children's future into his hands. You've watched him grow up. Is he someone worth giving your sword to?"
Lei didn't know how to respond. He had truly watched the young prince, and he didn't like him—not even a little bit. He was weak, pompous, disrespectful, and reckless. He had caused his mother's death, and his father's constant worry over him had blinded him to Jai's brewing betrayal. After a few minutes of silence, Lei replied, "I don't. He's the prince, and I'll give my life for him. But beyond that, I don't think I would if he were anyone else."
Farouk sighed at his response. "I'm guessing they all feel the same," he said, looking at the others.
"Including you?" Lei asked.
Farouk smiled. "Unfortunately, yes. I would have traded my life for King Ken; he was a man I respected and cherished. But Kin, that brat, is entitled and disrespectful, and his foolishness knows no bounds. The only reason I'm trying to save him is because of his father, and I will do that, but I can't place him on the throne knowing who he is. If he becomes king, I fear Wize would come to ruin."
Lei's eyes widened. He was shocked that a loyal man like Farouk was doubting his master—or, in this case, his master's son.
"It seems the old dog isn't what everyone thought," Lei murmured.
"That's why I hope," Farouk continued. "I hope this boy is the prince. If he is truly the prince, that means something has changed. That means he's no longer the same. That means there's a chance for him to become the leader we want to serve and lay down our lives for."
Lei finally understood why Farouk was doing this. He wasn't sure if this boy was the prince either, but he could only hope. If he was, then there was hope for Wize and for everyone.
When they reached the entrance of the alley, they were shocked to see nothing. They hadn't thought the kids were journeying to nowhere, and they intended to make their presence known. But when they saw Kin and Jamila walk into the mist and disappear, they were taken aback. After a moment, Farouk decided to take a few men and follow the kids. They entered the place the children had gone, and that was when they came upon the temple. Like Kin and Jamila, they were stopped by masked guards who ordered them to leave, but Farouk explained they were only there for the boy with golden hair. They wanted to speak with him. After some negotiation, they were let in, and that was when they saw Kin.
The moment the boy ran toward them, Farouk bowed. His men saw this and reluctantly followed the old dog's lead.
"I'm glad you're safe, Your Highness," Farouk said to Kin.
"I'm happy to see your face, Farouk. Glad to see you too, Commander Lei," Kin said, nodding to the second man.
Lei didn't know how to respond. It seemed Farouk's hope had not been in vain. The boy was indeed the prince.
"Please, rise," Kin said, feeling awkward that someone was bowing to him. It had been a long time since anyone had done that.
"It seems a lot has happened, Your Highness," Farouk said, gesturing to Kin's changed appearance.
Kin smiled. "A lot has happened indeed," he replied, his eyes almost tearing up.
"You're in good hands now, my prince," Farouk said.