Prince Xavier traveled for two days to the city of Hera. It was the poorest city in the Kingdom of Men.
The smell hit him like a ton of bricks. It was a potent combination of decaying food, animal waste, and something else he couldn't quite put his finger on. He had to cover his nose and take shallow breaths to avoid gagging.
The people here slept either on the ground, a pile of rocks, or poorly built huts that seemed to be caving in on themselves.
He could only imagine how they managed during the winter months.
Xavier made sure to wear a worn cloak and boots so that he wouldn't stand out too much, he left his horse a couple of miles away and continued on foot. He kept his head low and hands stuffed into his pockets.
He was supposed to be meeting with an insider from the Revolution. This would be the perfect place to lay low he supposed.
A little girl with greasy blonde hair darted out in front of him, waving a tin can. "Do you have a coin you could spare sir? Some food?"
Xavier locked eyes with her and his heart aced.
The girl's dress was a sight to behold - it was covered in layers of dirt and grime, so thick that it was hard to tell what color it had originally been. The fabric was riddled with holes and tears, some of them so large that they exposed patches of skin. Her feet were bare and also caked with dirt, with the soles cracked and calloused from walking long distances. Despite her disheveled appearance, the girl seemed to carry herself quietly, as if she had accepted her circumstances and was determined to soldier on.
"Please, sir. Anything will help." she turned to her right. "My family is in great need, we haven't had a proper meal in days and my little brother is sick."
Xavier reached into the folds of his cloak and pulled out a handful of coins and a small piece of bread.
"It's the best I can do. I didn't bring much with me."
The girl smiled. "We appreciate it, sir."
"Is it alright if I can come to see your brother?" Xavier asked, pulling the collar up slightly.
The young girl gently grasped his hand and guided him towards a worn-out tent, barely standing amid scattered debris. Inside, two figures were huddled on the ground- a woman whose disheveled appearance suggested a life of hardship, and a little boy with sun-kissed skin and an expression of innocent curiosity in his wide, unwavering eyes.
"This is my mom and Eli." the girl crouched next to her mom holding up the tin can. "Look, mom."
Her mom glanced at the bread and reached a hand toward it. She broke it into pieces and divided it amongst themselves. They ate hungrily and savored every crumb.
Xavier got down next to Eli. "Your sister said that you were not feeling well."
"It's my ankle." Eli pointed.
"Mind if I take a look?"
Eli nodded.
Upon inspection, Xavier was confronted with a discoloration that was both gaping and purplish in hue. He was unable to discern whether the wound was the result of a stabbing or a fracture. Nonetheless, the fact that the boy still breathed was nothing short of a miracle.
With a sense of urgency, Xavier covered the wound with his hands. He could feel the heat emanating from the inflamed skin and the pus oozing out of the wound. He muttered something under his breath, a phrase that he had learned from his grandmother, who was a healer. He closed his eyes and focused all his energy on the wound. He could feel the energy flowing from his hands into the wound, and he sensed a tingling sensation in his fingers. Suddenly, he felt a change in the wound. The pus had dried, and the bruising vanished. He knew that healing took time and patience, but he was glad that he could provide some relief to the person who was suffering.
When Xavier removed his hands Eli stared at his ankle in awe.
The girl gasped. "It's gone, mommy! He healed him!"
"How can I ever thank you?" the woman rasped. "I have no money to give you..I wish to repay you in some way."
"Please, don't bother. No payment is needed." Xavier pushed to his feet, then ruffled Eli's hair. "Stay strong, kiddo."
Eli nodded, still staring at his ankle. "How did you do that?"
"Magic, silly!" the girl exclaimed, jumping up and down in excitement. "It was magic, wasn't it? Are you a wizard?"
Xavier chuckled slightly. "Not exactly."
"Will you remember us? I'm Emily!" the girl tugged on his sleeve. "Will you?"
"Of course I will."
Xavier bid farewell and continued on his way. When he got to the abandoned Billy Bucket stall, there was a figure hunched over the counter twirling something in his palm.
Xavier sat beside him. "Long live the Revolution."
"Long live the Revolution." the person turned toward him and beamed, revealing two rows of white teeth. "So, you're Prince Xavier I presume?"
"I am. And you are?"
"Sawyer Shiloh at your service."
As Sawyer lowered his hood, a cascade of golden curls tumbled down his shoulders, framing his pointy ears and cherubic face. It was as if a mischievous sprite had materialized before him, with a twinkle in his eye and a playful grin on his lips.
"Pleasure."
Sawyer nods. "So, what's the plan? Are we killing someone?"
"Hm. No."
"Well, that's boring."
Xavier traced a swirl in the wooden counter. "We're going to be smuggling some elves out. There are seven in total but we're only going to be taking six."
"Are these orders from the princess herself?" Swayer leaned back in his chair. "That girl is a looker."
"Ahem, excuse me Mr. Swayer, but I don't think that's an appropriate thing to say about the princess." Xavier cleared his throat and continued, "Let's focus on the task at hand, shall we?"
Swayer shrugged. "Yeah. Alright. When are we making our move?"
"In fifteen minutes." Xavier pushes to his feet. "You know where you're taking them, right?"
"Mhm."
"Safe House first, then the Wastelands." Xavier pulled his hood tighter around his face. "I'm sure you know the consequences if we're caught. King Kojo doesn't take kind to traitors or elves."
"I know what the risks are." Swayer glowered at him. "I know how to do my job," he huffed.
"We'll see."
"You most certainly will."