After Jonas valiantly sacrificed his life to deliver the crucial information, Lucius wasted no time rushing to Prince Cedric's chambers. He arrived swiftly, his heart pounding with urgency, and knocked on the door. Upon receiving permission to enter, he stepped inside and approached the prince.
"Your Highness," Lucius began, his voice firm yet filled with worry, "I bring dire news. Prince Barrett has been taken to the city of Iztil by two spies known as Crowley and Shadow, I can confirm they're held up in the city lord's manor."
Prince Cedric's brow furrowed, his mind racing with the implications of the revelation. "This complicates matters," he muttered, a mix of frustration and determination evident in his voice. "Before we can take action, I must seek permission from the King."
"My lord," Lucius interjected, his tone filled with urgency, "time is of the essence. We cannot afford delays in rescuing Prince Barrett."
"Don't you think I am aware of that?" Prince Cedric snapped, his frustration seeping through his words. He took a deep breath, his tone softening slightly. "Apologies, Lucius. The weight of the situation is heavy on my shoulders."
Lucius nodded, understanding the immense pressure his lord was under. "Of course, my lord. I share the same feeling."
Prince Cedric composed himself, his gaze steady and resolute. "Assemble our forces while I seek the King's permission. Iztil is a formidable city, and if my knowledge serves me right, they have around 20,000 men stationed there. We shall mobilize 30,000 troops; I wish to see that city burn after I get my son back. Convey the gravity of the situation to my vassals, have them gather their finest warriors, and ready my wyvern. I intend to depart within the hour."
"As you wish, Your Highness," Lucius replied. He bowed respectfully, a silent vow to carry out his lord's orders, and swiftly turned to leave the room.
In the city of Iztil
As Barrett's eyes fluttered open, he found himself disoriented, surrounded by an unfamiliar ceiling and unfamiliar arms cradling him. The masked man holding him gently swayed as if attempting to lull him back to sleep, but instead, it only intensified Barrett's growing sense of unease.
Confusion swirled in Barrett's mind as he took in his surroundings. "Where am I? And who is this man?" he wondered; his senses assaulted by the unpleasant odor emanating from the stranger. His last memory was practicing a spell before being knocked unconscious, and now he found himself in this perplexing situation.
Determined to gather his bearings, Barrett extended his tiny arms, signaling his awakened state, and grasped the man's collar. With a surge of strength, he hoisted himself up, peering around the room in search of answers. The room had a different aesthetic, a blend of modern elements intertwined with medieval influences. To his surprise, despite the unfamiliarity of the people or place, Barrett could comprehend the language spoken by the masked men, adding to the mystique of his circumstances.
Within the room, two masked figures sat on a mat, their legs crossed. Crowley, one of the captors, broke the silence with a smirk. "Ah, it seems the little prince has awakened. I wonder if he realizes he's been abducted."
The other masked man scoffed, dismissing Crowley's words. "He's but a mere one-year-old child. He can't possibly understand anything happening around him."
The gravity of the situation slowly settled upon Barrett's young mind. Kidnapped, he realized, his heart sinking and unbeknownst to them, Barrett understood every word and he was now freaking out.
"I've been kidnapped, what the f**k, am I not a prince, how can the security in that damn palace be so awful, I'm a one-year-old for God's sake"
Barrett took deep breaths in his mind to try and keep himself composed, and when he calmed his mental state, he started thinking positively
"Don't worry, don't worry, don't worry, my father will come for me soon, Mother will kill him if he doesn't, I hope."
"How long do you think Prince Cedric will take to arrive" asked Crowley
"Well, first he has to get permission from the King, but he's smart enough to ready his forces so they're good to march when he arrives"
"Hm, but the king is all the way in Tamian, the other side of the kingdom"
"He has a wyvern"
"Oh, how convenient, say if the King gives him permission, how many men will he take"
"Knowing him he'll want a show of force to make up for the embarrassment of having his son stolen from right under him so I think about 30,000 will do the trick"
"But, that's 10,000 more than we have, how do you plan on handling that"
"That task falls under the jurisdiction of the city lord, if you recall," Shadow retorted, his gaze shifting towards a secluded corner of the room. There, an obese man sat bound in a chair, a cloth forcibly lodged into his mouth to stifle any cries. A dagger protruded from his leg, causing his pants to gradually change color.
Prince Barret expressed shock at the sight, his eyes welling with tears as he witnessed the scene unfold. His young and unripe emotions surged within him, but he held his tongue, silently pondering how these two individuals could be so ruthlessly barbaric in their actions.
Meanwhile, under the cover of the night sky, Prince Cedric mounted his majestic dark green wyvern, its scaled wings shimmering in the dim moonlight. The wyvern's powerful body exuded an aura of strength as it stood tall awaiting the signal from its master to depart. Surrounding the prince were his guards, each mounted on their own wyverns, they ascended quickly heading in the direction of the capital with their wings beating softly in the cool night air.
The prince's mind was focused on one goal—to convince his father, the king, to permit him to march on the city of Iztil in the Capat Divine Kingdom. His son, Prince Barrett, had been abducted, and he himself was humiliated.
'How dare they infiltrate my palace and commit such barbaric acts right under my nose' he thought.
Cedric was prepared to do whatever it took to destroy whoever orchestrated this plot.
Several hours later, the procession arrived in the royal capital of Tamian, known for its grandeur and magnificence, it was laid out before them. Even in the darkness, the city's impressive size and beauty were apparent. Streetlights illuminated the wide boulevards, casting a soft glow on the elegant architecture and bustling activity below. The city seemed to come alive, its vibrant energy contrasted with the gravity of the situation at hand.
The wyverns descended gracefully, their wings slicing through the night air as they landed in the courtyard of the royal palace. Prince Cedric dismounted, his expression resolute as he made his way towards the entrance, his guards following closely behind.
Upon entering the palace, one was greeted by a majestic foyer that spanned several floors. The foyer boasted towering columns with elaborate capitals, supporting a vaulted ceiling decorated with detailed paintings depicting scenes from the kingdom's history. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow, illuminating the regal marble floors below.
Inside the palace, King Vitra awaited his son's arrival, his face etched with contemplation. He understood the gravity of the situation but also knew the delicate balance that existed between their kingdom and the Capat Divine Kingdom. Starting a war was not a decision to be taken lightly.
As Prince Cedric entered the throne room, his footsteps echoed against the floors. The grandeur of the space seemed to amplify the weight of his purpose. He approached his father with unwavering determination, his voice laced with urgency and conviction.
"Father, I implore you," Prince Cedric began, his eyes meeting the king's. "We must march on the city of Iztil and rescue Prince Barrett. They provoked us by abducting him, and we cannot stand idly by while he remains in their clutches."
King Vitra sighed heavily, his gaze searching his son's face for reassurance. "Cedric, I understand your desire to retrieve your son, but we must consider the consequences of such actions. War with the Capatians would be devastating for both sides."
The prince's voice grew firmer, his eyes filled with determination. "Father, they have given us no choice. They have insulted us, barging into my home and tainting it with their barbarism, they underestimate our strength. We cannot allow them to act with impunity."
The prince continued his words heavy and each being said with purpose.
"With your permission, I will lead 30,000 of our finest men to Iztil. We will bring down their walls, rescue Prince Barrett, and make them regret ever crossing us."
The king's eyes bore into his son's, and after a moment of contemplation, he nodded reluctantly. "Cedric, you are a formidable leader, and I trust your judgment. May the gods guide you and bring my grandson back safely."
A surge of relief washed over Prince Cedric as he bowed before his father. "Thank you, Father. We will not disappoint you."
With their reluctant approval in hand, Prince Cedric and his guards departed from the royal palace, mounted on their loyal wyverns, heading back to Prince Cedric's palace in Aimel with great urgency.