Their horses galloped over the plain grounds with a rumble for every step they took. Going like that for hours, they made an abrupt stop on a cliff.
"Is that Eworin?!". He questioned, looking down the cliff.
Displayed before him is a vast area of land, a barren land with seemingly no ending to its sideways stretch. At the centre of this barren land is a crude settlement that could be sighted from atop the cliff.
While seated on the horse, she took out a piece hidden in her chest side and flapped it wide for a thorough view.
"From the map I have with me here, it would appear so your Highness". She said, taking note of each settlement jotted down on the map.
Mikeal hummed at the loss for words. How Eworin looks in real life betrayed whatever expectations he had.
Yes, he has read stories concerning the place, its ominous features and the bad luck said to be hovering on the land.
But this... Isn't this just worse off?...
Regardless, Mikeal took his horse down the cliff and stormed his way to the place with Anna tagging along.
He lowered the horse's speed as they approached the settlement.
He had gotten an already clear view from the cliff he had earlier stood, but coming across it up close gave a different feeling.
He was able to perceive a distasteful aroma, feel the nauseating air that made his stomach sick to the core, and also witness the horrendous condition the village was in.
They have huts as their houses, the kind made with straws strapped together and easily weak to the passing of a strong breeze.
The land is so barren that one would think every ounce of life had been sucked out of it, but no, that cannot be it. Why is because way ahead of the settlement location is a thriving savanna with trees hundreds of feet from the ground.
Noted the wilderness is not exactly a good example of peace and tranquillity from its appearance. Still, it is a show that the land can turn out blessed and bountiful when given the chance to thrive.
Not this! Barren of a land hardened like rocks tempered under the effect of a billion rays of sun.
Their security is also dogshit, having four sticks placed on each corner of the village. Sort of like a line indicating the end of their territory.
Everywhere is as silent as the early dawn of a graveyard with not a soul insight. It is easy to think that the place is abandoned but that is not to be believed.
Still, on his horse, Mikeal strolled into the settlement and took a good look around the place.
"Your Highness". Anna called out, suspicious of the silence.
"I am Mikeal, the cursed prince of Emedia nation". Mikeal yelled to the attention of those hidden away.
"By the order of the king you serve, I have been banished to this land to act as your lord. If you regard your king and kingdom, you will come out here to pay homage to my appearance". Authority filled his voice as words of command were passed across to the fearful inhabitants.
One by one, the inhabitants of the run-down village came out of their hiding places to reveal themselves to Mikeal and Anna.
They gathered in his presence looking tattered and so malnourished that you could almost see their bones through their transparent skin.
They are in the hundreds, with a gender that includes men, teenagers, old and a declining number of women. The teenagers taking a larger portion of the population.
"The capital sent you?!". Asked the old wrinkled man with dried grey hair acting as a piece mouth for the rest of them.
"The capital has not forsaken us, thank the gods". He praised to which the remaining villagers wailed in a lacking jubilation.
"Where are the rest of you, the troops that will help us reclaim our rights and freedom". He inquired, anticipation of a coming reinforcement.
"There are no reinforcements old man. I am all there is of the order, I and my subordinate here".
His words dejectedly sounded deep into their ears, putting them in a state of fright.
"Ho-How. Are you not a prince". The old man questioned, panicked.
They questioned how a prince, a being of authority and royalty could be sent to this dangerous land with only one guard along!
"A banished one, that I am". Mikeal says, clearing the confusion.
Indeed, a prince can not be sent to this land alone, but it is a different case with a forsaken prince.
"A banished prince? They sent a banished prince to us?! We have been forsaken! The kingdom has forsaken us all?!!".
They all began to panic, fear obvious in their countenance. It was as though his proclamation of a banished prince had descended horrors and despair upon them.
"How insolent of you all". Anna yelled, getting down from her horse.
"The prince graces you with his presence and you lot do not have the common decency to welcome him as you would any royal". She voiced.
"Ease down Anna. Don't frighten them more than they need to be". Mikeal ordered, getting down from his horse.
Mikeal walked toward the old man. He looked at their faces and sensed the urgency of wrong within them. They are scared, worried and at a loss.
"Tell me old man, what happened here". He asked, his tone expressing comfort for their loss.
The old man looked so detached from life. His eyebags were heavy with the burdens of being the village's spokesperson.
"Bandits". Came the voice from his right side.
Turning to his right, Mikeal saw a man with a really strong build, an unsettling appearance distinct from the rest of the villagers.
He had refined muscles and an unkempt shave, a ragged armless sack bag as clothing.
"Your village was raided by bandits". Mikeal says, following the young man's explanation.
"Not just raided. The bandits came and took our females, robbed us of our resources and have since turned us into their plaything".
The man lamented his pains to Mikeal. It was obvious that he wasn't asking for a consolation without reprehension on the matter.
"This bandits you speak of, do you know where their hideout is". Mikeal asked.
"Your Highness". She called, afraid that he might be about to do something foolish.