Alexius made his way through the bustling streets, ignoring people who called out a morning greeting. He was just getting back from a workout and was looking for a place to sit and drink.
He found a small stall that sold beer and he took a seat beside a girl around his age who was talking to a young elf. When the girl turned to look at him he lurched to his feet.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded.
Before the girl could answer he moved toward her and wrapped a hand around her neck. She struggled and wheezed.
"You should be dead." Alexius hissed. "Just like your tyrant of a father."
The younger elf stood in their seat and pounced on him, they caught him off guard and he stumbled back releasing his grip on the girl. The elf leaning over him was a young girl with auburn hair tied back in a ponytail.
She narrowed her eyes and pressed a blade against his neck. Alexius tried to push her off but she pressed harder.
"Her name is Princess Kaya and she has every right to be here." the young elf bared her teeth. "She's been working with the Revolution for years and she did everything in her power to help our people. The least you can do is be grateful, if it weren't for her and Prince Xavier we'd all still be in the mines."
The elf rose. "I'm Emmani by the way."
Alexius got to his feet brushing the dirt off his clothes. "Her father is the reason our people has suffered for so long. The reason thousands of us died in the mines. The reason my mother is dead."
"Her father is also the reason all the elves have been freed." Emmani tucked her weapon away, folding her arms.
Alexius blinked in surprise. Freed? King Kojo- The Tyrant- freed the elves? He turned his shocked expression to Kaya who gave a slight nod.
"My husband said he was going to have a meeting with my father. I must have been a success." her hands fall to her round middle.
Alexius swallowed back his guilt for attacking a pregnant women, princess or no, he should have been more careful how he expressed his anger. Locking eyes with her again he opened his mouth to apologize or ask if she was alright but Kaya held up her hand.
"I'm alright. I've been through worse." she cast a look at the younger elf. "Would you mind escorting me back to my hut?"
Emmani nodded. "Of course. When will your husband be returning?" she smirked and wiggled her eyebrows.
"I'd guess in a couple hours time."
Emmani took the princess's hand and helped her down the stool. Kaya grunted softly and they slowly made their way out of the stall.
Alexius just stood there, face slack with shock and disbelief. The owner of the stall asked him something but he hadn't heard him.
"Excuse me?"
The man had dark skin and silver hair that fell over his eyes. His clothes were stained and dusted.
"Did you wan to order something?"
Alexius stumbled to a stool. "No. I-I don't understand."
"Understand what, boy?"
"Why would King Kojo free the elves?" Alexius shook his head. "It doesn't sound right. I-I think he's planning something. It could be a trick...that's it-isn't?"
The stall owner chuckled. "I don't think it's that. But you can ask Nico when he returns."
Alexius burst from the stall without saying farewell to the man and walked down the dusty road, dodging running children and chatting adults. His head was throbbing and everything began to tilt.
He stumbled and ran into a woman carrying a basket of fruit. She whirled to snap at him but stopped when she saw his condition. "Honey, are you alright?"
She dropped the basket and reached toward him but Alexius jerked away and tripped. She crouched beside him placing a hand on his forehead. "Great Mother you're burning up. MEDIC! I NEED A MEDIC!!"